Marrying My Ex-Wife's Mortal Enemy (GL) - Chapter 5

By the end of their argument, neither Dou Huan nor Chu Li had eaten breakfast. They both slammed the doors and left one after another.

Left behind, Aunt Chen finally let out a quiet breath of relief—at least it didn’t escalate into a physical fight.

Dou Huan drove home.

As she pulled up to the gate, she saw Zhong Yunxin in the yard trimming roses. Her eyes suddenly welled with tears.

In her last life, she’d ignored Zhong Yunxin’s advice and insisted on marrying Chu Li.

Later, when Chu Li cheated on her, both Zhong Yunxin and Dou Changqing urged her to get a divorce, but she refused.

The Dou couple went to confront Chu Li, trying to stand up for their daughter. Dou Huan, instead of being grateful, lashed out at them for being too harsh on Chu Li.

Who would’ve thought they’d get into a car accident on their way home and both of them would be gone in an instant?

With her parents gone, Dou Huan placed all her emotional dependence on Chu Li. She clung even more tightly to her, unwilling to let go.

That was why she’d never agreed to divorce, no matter what.

But now, everything had started over.

She would never fall for Chu Li again. She’d get a divorce, find something she truly loved doing, and never pin all her emotions on one person again.

Dou Huan took a deep breath, composed herself, and stepped out of the car.

Zhong Yunxin had just clipped a few roses and was holding them when she saw Dou Huan get out. She waved her over.

“Huanhuan, come here and help me pick the prettiest one.”

Nearly fifty, her mother, Zhong Yunxin, had aged gracefully. She wore a fitted blue dress, her long hair pinned up, with a few strands draped softly over her chest. She looked elegant and radiant.

When she smiled, her eyes curved into gentle lines, warm and kind.

Dou Huan’s nose tingled, and her tears came rushing out. She quickly raised the back of her hand to wipe her eyes.

Zhong Yunxin grew concerned the moment she saw her. She walked over and held her daughter’s hand. “What’s wrong, sweetheart? Why are you crying? Who bullied my baby?”

“Mom…”

Dou Huan couldn’t hold it in anymore. She threw herself into Zhong Yunxin’s arms and cried.

“Don’t cry, baby. Just tell Mom what happened, okay? Who hurt you?”

Zhong Yunxin cupped her face, gently wiping away her tears, her heart full of pain.

After crying, Dou Huan looked up at this gentle, kind woman and silently made a vow.

In this life, she would never let the same tragedy repeat itself.

She couldn’t come up with a convincing reason to explain why she was crying, and Zhong Yunxin kept asking what happened to her.

So she simply told her the truth—it was Chu Li. She even told her about the affair.

And that she was planning to get a divorce.

“A divorce?”

Zhong Yunxin was taken aback. “Huanhuan, you’ve only been married for two months, and you already want a divorce?”

“Mom,” Dou Huan held her hand and shook it, “I was blind back then. I didn’t see Chu Li for who she really was. Now that I know, it’s better to get out early, right?”

“Well…”

Zhong Yunxin hesitated, her expression growing serious. She touched Dou Huan’s face gently. “When you and Chu Li wanted to get married, your dad and I were against it. But you were dead set, so we gave in. But now, just two months later, you want a divorce. Won’t people think you’re just being childish?”

“And besides, finding someone with Chu Li’s qualifications isn’t exactly easy. She’s just… not ready to settle down yet. She’s been wild in the past, but maybe with time, she’ll calm down.”

Dou Huan stared at her, thinking, Mom, you didn’t say that in my last life.

But maybe it was because back then, she and Chu Li had already been married for a long time, and Dou Huan had grown more and more pitiful. In her parents’ eyes, divorce was the only way out.

She came back to herself and said with a touch of grievance, “Mom, Chu Li and I haven’t even shared a bed since we got married. Instead of dragging this out while she cheats on me left and right, wouldn’t it be better to end it now?”

Seeing that Zhong Yunxin looked slightly moved, Dou Huan struck while the iron was hot. “Besides, your daughter is very attractive—there are many people out there who would be interested in me.” Our family doesn’t lack money. Why shouldn’t I be with someone who actually loves me?”

“Well, you’ve got a point.” Zhong Yunxin finally smiled, nodding. “My Huanhuan is so beautiful; she won’t have any trouble finding someone better.”

As they were chatting, Zhong Yunxin’s alarm went off.

She glanced at the time. “I lost track of time while talking to you—look, it’s already eleven! Today is Auntie Zhao’s birthday. I promised I’d go to her party. If you’re free, come with me?”

“Auntie Zhao?” Dou Huan blinked. “Which Auntie Zhao?”

“Oh, you child. Always so forgetful.”

Zhong Yunxin chuckled. “When you were little, she used to carry you around.”

Seeing Dou Huan still struggling to recall, she added with a sigh, “Jing Yu’s mom. Does that name sound familiar to you now?

“Oh… ohhh…”

Dou Huan nodded like she remembered, though in truth, she still couldn’t quite place her.

Still, since Jing Yu had helped her out the night before, this would be a good chance to thank her properly.

Dou Huan got up and looped her arm through her mom’s. “Mom, I’ll go with you.”

*****

Zhong Yunxin and Jing Yu’s mother had always been close. But back when Dou Huan was all about Chu Li, she naturally kept her distance from the Jing family. They’d never been close.

This was actually her first time visiting Jing Yu’s home.

The Jing residence was a grand three-story European-style villa, more spacious than the Dou family’s. It had a garden in the front and a swimming pool in the back, and everything was impeccably maintained—a truly picturesque setting.

Following her mother inside, Dou Huan met Jing Yu’s mother.

At nearly fifty years old, Zhao Yu had aged gracefully as well. Her skin was porcelain-smooth, glowing like she was in her thirties.

She wore a tailored white ink-print qipao, her hair elegantly pinned up. Her entire demeanor was calm and graceful, every movement full of poise and charm.

It was easy to see where Jing Yu got her striking looks—she’d clearly inherited her mother’s beauty. But that cold aura of hers? That must’ve come from her father.

Zhao Yu, with her gentle smile, was the complete opposite—so warm and approachable it could melt hearts. Just hearing her speak made you want to sit down and chat with her.

“I still remember carrying Huanhuan when she was eight,” Zhao Yu said with a laugh, her eyes curving into crescent moons. “Time passes quickly—she’s now married.”

Zhong Yunxin chuckled. “Exactly! She’s not a little girl anymore, but she still acts like one. Always giving me something to worry about.”

“What’s there to worry about? Huanhuan’s married—your job’s done!”

******

The two women chatted as they walked into the house. Dou Huan followed behind, listening as Zhao Yu sighed, “I’m the one who should be worried. Jing Yu is already twenty-six and still doesn’t have a partner. She’s always buried in work, stiff as a board, not even a hint of charm—completely boring.”

“Mom, are you talking behind my back again?”

No one knew when Jing Yu had returned, but she suddenly appeared behind them, giving Dou Huan a small scare.

She gave Dou Huan a brief glance—expressionless—and didn’t bother saying hello.

Dou Huan raised a brow and pretended not to recognize her either.

Still, she couldn’t help but sneak another look.

Jing Yu must’ve just come back from work. She was still wearing the sleek black business suit from earlier. Tall and long-legged, her hair was tied back in a ponytail, making her look neat and capable. Very different from the coldly alluring version of her in a dress from the night before.

Zhao Yu’s tone, which had been full of complaint just moments ago, turned cheerful when she saw her daughter: “Didn’t you say you wouldn’t be back until noon?”

“I left a bit early today. Wanted to celebrate your birthday properly.”

As she spoke, she handed Zhao Yu a box. “Your birthday present.”

“Well, aren’t you being ceremonial?” Zhao Yu teased happily, accepting the box and passing it to Aunt Su, the housekeeper, to place in her room.

“This is your Aunt Zhong,” Zhao Yu said.

Jing Yu gave a slight bow. “Hello, Aunt Zhong.”

Zhong Yunxin beamed. “Hello, hello.”

After introducing her friend, Zhao Yu pointed to Dou Huan. “This is Aunt Zhong’s daughter—Dou Huan. You’ve met her before, right?”

Jing Yu looked over at Dou Huan with her usual blank expression. After a short pause, she replied flatly, “We’ve met.”

“Then you two should go hang out together,” Zhao Yu said with a smile. “You’re both young—you’ll get along.”

Jing Yu: “???”

Dou Huan: “???”

Dou Huan thought to herself, Aunty Zhao, what gave you the impression we’d get along?

You know your daughter, right?

We’ve seen each other plenty of times, and I still barely register as familiar to her. What kind of ‘hanging out’ are we talking about here?

Jing Yu glanced at her again but didn’t say anything.

Zhao Yu urged her, “Take Huanhuan upstairs and keep her company for a bit.”

It would’ve been rude to refuse, so Dou Huan smiled at her mother. “Mom, I’ll go with Sister Jing for a while.”

“Go ahead, go ahead,” Zhong Yunxin said, watching them walk away with a happy grin. “Jing Yu really does take after her father.”

“Right? So dull,” Zhao Yu replied with a playful smile. “Not like Huanhuan—she’s clearly lively and full of energy.”

Dou Huan followed Jing Yu upstairs. When they reached a room, Jing Yu turned to her and said, “Go entertain yourself.”

“But your mom said I should hang out with you.” Dou Huan blinked at her, eyes wide with innocent mischief.

“Are you a child?” Jing Yu asked.

“I’m younger than you.”

Dou Huan grinned shamelessly.

Jing Yu knew there was no use arguing, so she simply walked into her room and shut the door—with a click of the lock.

Dou Huan: “…”

She rolled her eyes.

After walking a few steps away, she turned around and leaned against the door, casually scrolling on her phone. Let’s see how long she can stay locked inside.

Sure enough, a few minutes later, Jing Yu came out.

She had changed into a long dress, and her ponytail had been let down. Her hair now flowed in soft, chestnut waves down her back, a few loose strands resting against her chest. Her expression was still cold, but the overall look was far more alluring.

Dou Huan found herself staring and had to cough to cover up the awkward moment when she finally snapped out of it.

Jing Yu clearly hadn’t expected her to still be waiting outside and caught her dazed expression.

Without a word, she headed downstairs. Dou Huan followed. “Thanks for last night, by the way.”

“No problem.”

“Where are you going?” Dou Huan asked.

Jing Yu stopped and looked at her. “Either follow quietly, or go do your own thing.”

“But I have a mouth for a reason,” Dou Huan replied, sticking close. “If I don’t talk, my mouth gets lonely.”

Jing Yu suddenly stopped. Dou Huan wasn’t prepared and nearly bumped into her, only to be caught and steadied by Jing Yu’s hand gripping her arm.

She looked down at her. “Do you always like throwing yourself at people?”

Dou Huan didn’t even have time to react before Jing Yu gave her a light push back and said coldly, “Save it for your wife.”

In the past, all of Dou Huan’s attempts to annoy Jing Yu were one-sided. Jing Yu probably thought she was childish and never gave her the time of day. That’s why they rarely spoke.

Back then, Dou Huan had thought maybe Jing Yu just looked cold but was actually a nice person deep down.

But after last night and today, she realized how wrong she’d been.

She’d misjudged both Chu Li and Jing Yu.

Jing Yu wasn’t all that easy to deal with.

Still, she wasn’t scared of her.

“You’ve never heard the saying that ‘wildflowers are more fragrant than the ones at home’?”

Dou Huan responded boldly, her tone brimming with innuendo. “Isn’t it more exciting to chase what’s outside?”

Jing Yu’s expression darkened.

Dou Huan began to feel a little nervous and was about to backtrack—Okay, I was just kidding; don’t look at me like that, it’s scary—when a sweet voice floated over from the living room.

“Yu-jie!”

Both of them turned to look.

A high school-aged girl came running toward them. She was pretty and energetic, dressed in a t-shirt and denim shorts, giving off a cheerful vibe.

She ran straight up to Jing Yu and clung to her arm. “Yu-jie, I haven’t seen you in so long! I missed you!”

Jing Yu still looked indifferent. She glanced at the girl’s hand, and the girl immediately let go with an awkward giggle.

“Did you come alone?” Jing Yu asked.

“Nope,” the girl said, glancing behind her. But when she didn’t see anyone, she frowned. “Where did Jing Yan go?”

“Oh well, never mind.” She reached out again, then hesitated and scratched her head instead. “Yu-jie, where are you going? Can I come with you?”

“I’m going to greet some guests. You two can go have fun on your own.”

Jing Yu glanced at them and walked ahead.

“Hey, I’ll come with you!” the girl chirped and followed after her.

Dou Huan followed too.

Jing Yu clearly didn’t feel like talking to either of them anymore.

The younger girl was full of energy. When Jing Yu ignored her, she simply turned her attention to Dou Huan instead.

“Hi! I’m Jing Xi. What’s your name?”

“Dou Huan.”

Jing Xi leaned in, all curiosity. “So… what’s your relationship with Yu-jie?”

Relationship?

Dou Huan froze for a second, then smiled. “We just know each other. Nothing more.”

“Well, Yu-jie is quite challenging to pursue.” But you’re pretty, so if you put in the effort, I think you’ve got a shot.”

Jing Yu nearly turned around to scold her on the spot.

Dou Huan quickly added, “I think you’re misunderstanding. I’m already married.”

“Ohhh! Sorry!” Jing Xi scratched her head, embarrassed. “I thought… hahah, never mind then!”