Devil or Angel (GL) - Chapter 2

“Good morning, Director Zhang~” As soon as Yiyang parked the car and stepped into the studio, the beautiful receptionist greeted her with a bright smile.

“Xiaomei, how many times have I told you, don’t keep calling me Director Zhang. Just call me Yiyang.”

“Got it, Director Zhang!”

Yiyang could only shake her head helplessly at the post-90s receptionist. True, she was the boss of this photography studio, but being called “Director Zhang” left and right always felt awkward.

She preferred when her employees called her by name—it felt warmer and more genuine. Although she came across as a bit cold usually, she treated her staff well. Apart from time at home, she spent most of her days with them, so it felt more like having friends than subordinates.

When it came to work, Yiyang was serious and perfection-driven, but outside of that she looked after her team. Benefits were always in place, holiday bonuses were generous, and she never treated her employees unfairly. If anyone’s family ran into an emergency, she not only granted leave without question but even offered financial support. With a boss like this, her staff worked all the harder. Thanks to that, the studio’s business was thriving.

In truth, Zhang Guodong had long harbored the idea of transferring all of his majority shares to Yiyang. This company had been founded with money her mother begged from her father back then—a debt that earned him the reputation of living off a woman.

Now that her mother was gone, guilt weighed heavily on him. He wanted to return the company to her daughter, if only to soothe his conscience.

He even considered hiring a lawyer in secret to transfer the shares behind her back. But fearing it would backfire and worsen their relationship, he eventually gave up.

Now that Yiyang had graduated, he had hinted several times that she should join the company early, to start training as a manager.

But Yiyang never responded—each time he brought it up, she would walk away, leaving him talking to himself. No matter how hard he racked his brains, he couldn’t think of another way. He knew he had owed too much to her and her mother, and whatever he did would never be enough to make up for it.

Of course, Yiyang understood his intentions. She also knew the company was her mother’s legacy. But she hated the scheming world of business, hated being bound by it. She wanted to do what she loved.

Most of all, she refused to let him think he could simply “atone” by giving her the company. She wouldn’t let him off so easily.

So instead of following his suggestion, she used her own earnings from part-time work along with the funds her mother left her to open a small studio. Photography was her passion. Now she specialized in portraits, albums, wedding photos—business was flourishing, with many clients coming by word of mouth.

From the beginning—a cramped little 50-square-meter studio—she had grown to a two-story building with more than 30 employees. It had been a hard journey.

Whenever Zhang Guodong asked Aunt Liu to send her money, Yiyang returned it. She wanted nothing from him—her success had to come from her own effort. No one but her knew the bitterness and struggle behind today’s achievements.

In the old days, with only a few employees, she often worked alone—handling clients, finding venues, shooting, everything by herself. Now, with a full staff, she usually stayed in the office reviewing orders and editing photos. Only when she got the urge—or when clients specifically requested her—would she personally take on a shoot.

Today seemed quiet, so she stayed in her office studying trends and images. The day passed peacefully.

When closing time came, Yiyang had nowhere else to go. After packing up, she went downstairs. Some employees invited her out for happy hour, but she declined—she knew that with the boss present, no one could truly relax. Better to let them have fun on their own.

After saying goodbye, she went home. As soon as she stepped through the door, the delicious aroma of food greeted her. She tossed her bag onto the sofa and followed the smell to the kitchen. Seeing the figure busy cooking, she hugged her from behind like a child: “Aunt Liu, your food smells amazing—I’m drooling already. I’m starving!”

“Miss, go back out, the kitchen’s full of oil fumes. Don’t stain your clothes. Dinner will be ready soon!”

“Don’t call me ‘Miss’—it’s too distant. I told you, call me Yiyang, or Yangyang.”

“I’m still your family’s housekeeper. It wouldn’t be proper. Besides, I’m too used to it.”

“I don’t care. You’ll have to change.”

“Yes, yes, my little miss…”

Dinner was soon ready—her favorite dishes, all of them. Since a certain someone wasn’t home tonight, she enjoyed her meal even more, finishing a bowl of rice in no time. Aunt Liu doted on her, urging her to eat slowly.

After dinner, Yiyang was about to go out, but Aunt Liu blocked the door. “Yangyang, it’s late already. Don’t go out.”

“I’ll be quick, okay? My colleagues invited me to karaoke. I’m not going to mess around!”

“No. Don’t lie to me. Every time you go out at night, you come home drunk. I won’t let you fall into that again.” Aunt Liu couldn’t bear to see her spiral any further.

“Aunt Liu, I’ve got nothing to do at home. I can’t sleep this early—I’ll go moldy. Please just let me out for a while. I promise I’ll come back soon.” Yiyang tried to act pitiful.

“You can go out for fun, yes. But I’m afraid you’ll just drink again. The Master told me to keep an eye on you.”

“Always with the Master this, the Master that. You know I’m not afraid of him. Fine, I won’t go!”

Seeing Aunt Liu’s firm stance, Yiyang shrugged in defeat. With her medicine confiscated and now her freedom blocked, she could only sigh at her “warden” and return to her room.

Relieved to see her obey, Aunt Liu finally relaxed. It had been nearly a year already—night after night, Yiyang went out drinking, coming home either crying on the sofa or sitting in silence, lost in thought. It broke her heart. All she could do now was stop her whenever possible.

Back in her room, Yiyang sat quietly at her desk, not sure what to do. After a while, she turned on her computer and looked through old photos—ones of her childhood with her mother, and others with a young girl. In those photos, the two young women embraced with radiant smiles.

She reached out as if to touch that familiar face, then pulled her hand back. Staring at the woman who, apart from her mother, had been the one she loved most but who had also hurt her most, memories surged back. The wound from a year ago still ached painfully.

Lin Wei—this was all because of you. I hate you!

With great determination, Yiyang deleted every treasured photo of them together from her computer. Only after erasing the last one did she realize her face was wet with tears.

Yiyang had always been a withdrawn child, reluctant to connect with others. While her peers were busy with early romances, she remained clueless about love.

Until she met Lin Wei—the first woman she ever loved. Their encounter happened during the university’s anniversary celebration, by accident.

Lin Wei was a delicate beauty, with a pure image that easily drew attention. Yiyang was no exception. When Lin accidentally stepped on her foot, Yiyang looked up—and was captivated instantly. From then on, she found excuses to be near her.

Day after day, Yiyang would buy Lin Wei breakfast and wait downstairs at her dorm so they could walk to class together. Rain or shine, she kept it up for more than a year.

For all that time, Lin Wei saw her only as a good sister and close friend. At first, romance never crossed her mind. But one day, Yiyang confessed—her feelings were more than friendship; they were love. Lin Wei was shocked, even avoided her at first. But over time, Yiyang’s persistence moved her, and eventually, they naturally became a couple.

Their love was not flamboyant, but sweet and quiet. Being two girls, they kept a low profile at school. Just holding hands on a walk was enough to fill them with happiness.

One evening, on the way back to the dorms, Yiyang couldn’t resist stealing a kiss on Lin Wei’s lips—and spent the whole day giddy about it. Though it was only a soft press of lips, both their faces burned red. It was sweet, it was blissful.

Day after day, they lived such simple, happy days together.