Devil or Angel (GL) - Chapter 11

The three of them soon arrived at a nearby buffet restaurant. Madam Liu, rarely coming to places like this, was unusually excited and animated. Seeing so much delicious food to choose from, she began eating non-stop, exclaiming that she had to “get her money’s worth.”

Yiyang watched her with amusement. “Take your time, ma’am. No one’s going to snatch your food. Finish what you want, then go get more. Don’t waste it. At the rate you’re eating, it’s like you’re trying to fit all three meals of the day into one.”

“Being able to eat is a blessing, understand? Yiyang, you should eat more too. Look at you, all skin and bones. A girl should have some flesh—it’s nicer to hug. Sometimes you get so busy with work that you forget to eat, right? Young people can’t do that; it’s bad for your stomach. You’ll understand when you get older!” Madam Liu said with concern.

“All right, I know. I’ll try my best! I’ll eat more so that you can hug me comfortably,” Yiyang replied.

“Try your best? You’re always half-hearted! I want you to eat, period! If I find out you skip meals or drink coffee on an empty stomach, you’ll regret it!”

“Oh, so now you’re threatening me! I’m so scared!”

Their playful banter drew Zhiyu’s quiet attention. She found it hilarious and also marveled at the deep, mother-daughter-like bond between them. She couldn’t help but laugh along.

Hearing the abrupt laughter from across the table, Yiyang looked up. Though the woman laughing was undeniably beautiful, Yiyang felt it was directed at her. “Old lady, what are you laughing at?” she snapped.

“Mind your manners, Yiyang! What do you mean ‘old lady’?” Madam Liu was slightly displeased at the remark.

“Well, if she’s with that old man, then she’s still an old lady. Don’t think putting on some makeup makes you young. In a few years, even ten layers of makeup won’t hide it. Let’s see if the old man will still want you then! Such a waste of your youth, how tragic, how tragic!” Yiyang continued, her words increasingly outrageous.

Zhiyu’s hands, resting under the table, slowly clenched into fists at the harsh words she’d heard many times before from this child, yet it still stung. In the end, she restrained the anger threatening to explode.

Looking Yiyang in the eye with a calm expression, she said, “Yes! I admit that compared to you, I am an old woman. I’m not afraid to tell you that I’m 30. But as long as I am your father’s woman, you must respect me, not behave like this—forgetting all sense of rank…”

“Zhiyu, you’re 30? You really don’t look it. I thought you were around Yiyang’s age…” Madam Liu remarked, thinking Zhiyu looked quite young.

“Hmph, don’t compare me to her! I still look like I’m 18! Tell me, a 30-year-old woman, why hang on to an old tree instead of finding a man your own age? The only explanation is money. If that’s the case, Shen Zhiyu, I despise you, pity you even more…”

“That’s enough!” Madam Liu couldn’t bear to listen any longer.

“Yiyang, your words have gotten so sharp. She’s your elder, you should be polite! Don’t ever speak like that again, understand?” Madam Liu said, noticing that Zhiyu’s eyes were slightly misty from Yiyang’s harsh words.

“All right! Great! Someone defended me just two days after arriving. Everything’s my fault—I’m rude, uncultured! Shen Zhiyu, you’re ruthless!” Yiyang exclaimed, standing abruptly and leaving, ignoring Madam Liu’s calls.

As she turned, tears slid down Yiyang’s cheeks. Ever since that woman had entered their home, no one had cared about her feelings, always urging her to accept her. But how could she accept someone replacing her mother?

Even Madam Liu, her closest ally, no longer defended her. Yiyang felt utterly alone, abandoned by everyone—her mother, Lin Wei, all of them.

Her mood was terrible. Walking aimlessly through the streets, she eventually reached the Bund, staring blankly at the familiar scene, emotions surging.

Should she stay or leave? She hesitated a moment, then slowly climbed the steps. Around her were cheerful groups taking photos, couples hand in hand—her sadness making her seem out of place.

She found a spot to sit, quietly gazing at the high-rises across the river, feeling the breeze on her face and listening to the waves. Memories of the past—warm, joyful times—pressed down on her, suffocating her. Tears quietly traced her cheeks again.

Zhiyu, witnessing this, was stunned. This child had cried twice in just two days. What sorrow could trigger such deep emotions? Was it her attitude that frightened her, or was it Zhiyu’s mere existence that caused this sadness? She was puzzled.

“Madam Liu, is your young lady okay? Was it something I said earlier?” Zhiyu anxiously asked.

“It’s nothing to do with you. This child has a lot bottled up inside. She often zones out or cries silently. Let her vent—she’ll be fine,” Madam Liu reassured.

“Could it be about her mother?” Zhiyu asked curiously.

“That’s a long story. Better not know too much,” Madam Liu replied.

Sitting beside Yiyang, Madam Liu gently patted her head. “Yiyang, I’m sorry for what I said earlier. I apologize.”

“It’s not your fault. I know those words were wrong, but I couldn’t control myself. Thinking of her as that man’s mistress, I get so angry. I just can’t accept her in your place,” Yiyang confessed.

“I understand your difficulty. Let’s take it slowly, okay? Things will get better.”

Hearing this, Yiyang remained silent, staring blankly ahead. Madam Liu didn’t disturb her and got up, turning to Zhiyu. “Let’s take a walk nearby. Give her some time to calm down.”

Zhiyu worriedly glanced at Yiyang, but with Madam Liu’s persuasion, she agreed to walk along the river. As night fell, the lights lit up beautifully, though Zhiyu couldn’t enjoy the view, her mind preoccupied with concern for the child.

After walking around, Zhiyu suggested, “Let’s go back and find her. I’m worried something might happen.”

“Zhiyu, you’re such a good kid. She treats you this way, and you still care for her. With such a thoughtful future stepmother, she’s truly lucky,” Madam Liu said, genuinely impressed by Zhiyu.

They returned to Yiyang, who remained in the same position, tears dried, expression unreadable in the light.

“Yiyang, are you okay? Let’s go home. I’ll call Master Liu to pick us up.”

“Go ahead,” Yiyang said flatly.

“What’s wrong? Not coming with us? Planning to sit here all night?”

“No, my car’s parked at the bar from yesterday. I’ll go get it,” she explained.

“All right, be careful. Don’t give in to temptation and go drinking. Should I come with you?” Madam Liu fretted.

“Don’t worry. I won’t go in. I’ll get the car and return, I promise!”

Saying this, she hailed a cab and went to the bar from yesterday. Her car was safe, and Yiyang was about to open the door with her keys when a group of strangers blocked her, slamming the car door shut.

“What are you doing? I don’t know you!” she demanded.

“We’ve been waiting for you, Zhang Yiyang!”

“How do you know my name? Who are you?” Yiyang sensed something was off.

“It doesn’t matter who we are. What matters is who you’ve offended!”

A woman, wearing roughly ten-centimeter heels, stepped out of the darkness. “Miss Zhang, we meet again. Do you remember me?”

Yiyang searched her memory but couldn’t recall exactly. There had been so many women approaching her at the bar yesterday.

“Ah, the Zhang Yiyang who forgets people the moment she turns around. Impressive! Have you forgotten what you did to me last night?”

“Oh, last night?”

“Remember now? Someone casually threw a big pile of money on the table!”

With that reminder, Yiyang finally recognized her. “So it was you… What do you want now?”