Devil or Angel (GL) - Chapter 26

Yiyang saw Zhiyu’s dazed expression and found it a little amusing. She gently took the hand that was resting on her face, holding it in her own, and asked, “Woman, is my face that interesting? That you can’t let go of it?”

Startled, Zhiyu snapped out of her trance, her face flushing bright red. “I… I just wanted to wake you up. Liu Ma said it’s time for lunch.”

“I see. Then why so nervous? But I have to say, you look really cute when you blush!” Yiyang looked at her genuinely, speaking her inner thoughts aloud.

Zhiyu tried to pull her hand back, but Yiyang held on and leaned closer, teasing, “Tell me honestly! Old woman, are you envious of my youthful, tender skin? How does it feel, huh?”

Zhiyu felt a mix of embarrassment and indignation. Wasn’t this just a roundabout way of calling her old? She was only four years older and had a baby face—what was the big deal?

“Hmph! Who’s envious of your undeveloped little face? It feels terrible!” Zhiyu snatched back her hand, pretending to be angry, and stood up to leave.

Watching the seemingly angry back, Yiyang touched her own face and grinned narcissistically. “Honestly, this old woman is kind of interesting!”

She followed Zhiyu to the dining room. At lunch, it was just the two of them, and seeing Liu Ma busy around them, Yiyang invited her to sit and join them.

The three enjoyed their meal together. Liu Ma, noticing the lack of interaction between the two, tried to liven things up with recent amusing stories.

Yiyang, accustomed to Liu Ma’s humor, remained calm, but Zhiyu found it fascinating and couldn’t help laughing.

This smile made Yiyang freeze mid-bite, staring blankly at the smiling woman across from her. The scene was so beautiful that it made Yiyang forget words and actions. She didn’t understand why she was so captivated, feeling strangely drawn to someone in a way she never had before.

Seeing her “kindred spirit” enjoying herself, Liu Ma happily kept talking. After a long stretch, realizing her mouth was dry, she paused to drink some water. She noticed the other sitting there like a wooden figure, staring blankly.

“Hey, young miss, what are you doing? Daydreaming during lunch?” Liu Ma waved her hand in front of Zhiyu’s face.

Zhiyu looked up at Yiyang. Not paying attention might have been fine, but looking now, she noticed something unusual in Yiyang’s gaze—a feeling she couldn’t quite describe.

Yiyang, startled by Liu Ma’s hand waving, nervously lowered her head and focused on her bowl, like a guilty thief, avoiding looking at the two of them.

After lunch, Liu Ma went to the kitchen to wash dishes and called Yiyang over. “Yiyang, I noticed your gaze at Zhiyu is a bit strange. You mustn’t do anything immoral!”

“What are you talking about? How am I being immoral? I wasn’t even looking at her—just spacing out, like I always do!” Yiyang was puzzled, not understanding what was so “strange.”

“I can tell it’s different. I had you interact with her to help build a better relationship in the future, but over these few days, your expression when looking at her seems… different. I’m afraid you… like her. And I mean like her.” Liu Ma lowered her voice and whispered near Yiyang’s ear.

“Impossible! You’re crazy! I could never like that woman. Even if every other woman in the world died, I wouldn’t like her,” Yiyang immediately jumped up. The idea was absurd; she couldn’t believe it.

“I hope I’m wrong! You cannot like Zhiyu. Absolutely not. Even though she’s far better than that Lin girl, remember—she’s your future stepmother. If you cross the line with her, people will gossip…”

Liu Ma remained concerned, emphasizing over and over that their relationship had boundaries.

“Alright, I understand. You can relax! Even if I don’t admit she’s my stepmother, I won’t develop feelings for her. I promise. Happy now?”

Hearing this, Liu Ma finally felt slightly reassured. After talking, she sent Yiyang off. Yiyang stepped out of the kitchen for some air, seeing Zhiyu quietly sitting in the garden, seemingly lost in thought. She paused at the doorway, then turned and went upstairs.

The next morning at the company, Yiyang grabbed her secretary. “Xiao Zhou, did you schedule the meeting with the model agency manager? What time will she arrive?”

“Boss, it’s confirmed. She said around 2 PM.”

“Good, and show me the photos from yesterday first.”

Taking the disc from her secretary, Yiyang returned to her office. The unexpected events from yesterday had delayed the shoot, and there were still numerous follow-up tasks—quite stressful.

Going through thousands of photos, she had to pick out the good ones. When she saw Zhiyu’s photos, she couldn’t help pausing. Each shot was perfect; she almost couldn’t delete any.

Her mind recalled Liu Ma’s words. What’s happening to me? No, she absolutely cannot develop feelings for this woman. Yet she kept staring—wasn’t that a sign? And the warmth in her gaze—what did that mean?

Yiyang had intentionally kept her distance last night, even eating after Zhiyu finished. But passing her room, she couldn’t help wondering what Zhiyu was doing—especially thinking that her father might be in the room, which made her uncomfortable.

Everything was inexplicable. She wouldn’t admit these feelings, leaving her in a whirlwind of emotion. Slumped in her chair, she mechanically watched the photos scroll on the screen.

When she saw the photo of the male model harassing Zhiyu, she paused, zoomed in, and slammed her hand on the desk. She wouldn’t let that man get away with it.

Around 1:30 PM, a knock sounded at her office door. Thinking it was her secretary, she called, “Come in!”

Yiyang was reviewing documents and didn’t look up immediately. Hearing approaching high heels, she finally looked and froze.

“You…”

“You…”

They stared at each other in disbelief. One stood, the other looked up. After a long pause, the visitor spoke first: “Yiyang, how have you been lately?”

“Thanks to you, I’m doing alright.”

“Yiyang, I didn’t expect to see you here. I’ve been wanting a chance to explain…”

“Sorry, this is my office time. I don’t discuss personal matters. I have a client coming soon. If you’re here for photography, please register at the front desk. Thank you.” Yiyang coldly cut her off.

“Are you expecting the manager from Yiyun Model Agency?”

“Don’t tell me… you’re Manager Lin?”

“Yes, that’s me. I came early to discuss the incident with our models yesterday. Can we talk now, Mr. Zhang?” Lin Wei said, sitting down and staring directly at Yiyang.

Yiyang could not believe that her first love—the person who had deeply hurt her—was sitting across from her, here for business. She didn’t know whether to laugh or cry.

During negotiations, Yiyang firmly insisted on pursuing the issue, while Lin Wei wanted to minimize it. They clashed.

“Yiyang, I know it was our fault, but there’s no need to go through legal channels. Aren’t you being extreme? Besides, as far as I know, the harassed woman isn’t a model nor your employee. We can just pay her off.”

“Lin Wei, I didn’t expect you to be so shallow. If I slapped you and then threw money at you, would you agree?”

“Would you really do it?” Lin Wei moved closer, leaning over, looking at her with a provocative gaze.

“Manager Lin, please maintain your professionalism!” Yiyang dodged her stare and stood.

“Alright, Mr. Zhang, how about we ask the woman herself what she wants? Let her decide.”

Yiyang thought that made sense. After all, Zhiyu was just temporarily helping with the shoot. She called Liu Ma for the number, but there was no answer.

“That woman! Where has she gone?” Yiyang muttered, pacing with her phone, growing impatient.

Lin Wei stared at Yiyang’s back for a long moment. Her Yiyang had become thinner. Leaving before must have hurt her deeply. This time, she wouldn’t let go.

After several unanswered calls, Yiyang turned, only to find Lin Wei staring at her. She cleared her throat gently. “Sorry, Manager Lin, she’s unreachable at the moment. It’s getting late. Let’s discuss this another day.”