Devil or Angel (GL) - Chapter 27

Seeing that they couldn’t reach any conclusion today and noticing that it was already late, Lin Wei naturally walked over to Yiyang, linking her arm as she used to, and said, “Let’s postpone the work discussion to another day. It’s almost time to get off work. Why don’t we have a meal together? It’s been nearly two years since we last met, hasn’t it?”

“I don’t think that’s necessary. If there’s any news, I’ll have my secretary notify you. Goodbye.” Yiyang gently withdrew her hand and gestured to see her out.

Lin Wei clearly sensed Yiyang’s coldness from start to finish, but she refused to give up. She stepped forward and hugged the person she had longed for day and night, whispering into her ear, “Yiyang, I’m sorry, I’m sorry. I love you! I had my reasons for leaving back then. Can you forgive me?”

As she spoke, tears began to fall. In the past, whenever she cried, Yiyang would immediately surrender, obediently comforting her. But now, Yiyang was no longer the same person—things could never go back to how they were.

Yiyang coldly pushed her away, hoarsely shouting, “Lin Wei, you left back then without a word, just a note. I neither knew nor wanted to know your reasons. Did you ever consider how I felt? Do you know what I became after you left? And now you suddenly appear and say you love me—don’t you think that’s ridiculous?”

“I know it was my fault. I shouldn’t have left so recklessly, nor should I have been so cruel to you. But now I won’t. I will never let go of your hand again. Please give me one more chance?” Lin Wei clung to Yiyang’s arm, pleading desperately.

“Enough! Lin Wei, it’s all over, do you understand? We can never go back to the past. You should forget me.”

“No, it’s possible. I just want to know if you still love me.”

“Heh, love? That word has vanished from my life. I no longer know what love is, and this is all thanks to you…”

“Yiyang, don’t say that. It breaks my heart! I will prove with time that my love for you has never changed. Whatever the reason, I will always stay by your side and never leave, alright?”

“Since the moment you left two years ago, I’ve slowly removed you from my life. I’ve finally regained peace and I can’t start over. Please, don’t disturb my calm life anymore. I beg you!”

Hearing Yiyang actually say “I beg you,” Lin Wei’s tears flowed uncontrollably. A sharp pain pierced her chest. She covered her mouth with trembling hands to stop herself from crying out.

Seeing her former lover in tears, Yiyang coldly handed her a tissue, saying, “Don’t cry for me anymore. Wipe your tears and start over. Once we finish this case, we won’t meet again.”

Lin Wei couldn’t speak through her tears, shaking her head repeatedly. This was not the outcome she wanted. She had endured over a year after returning to the country, waiting to face the one she loved with accomplishments to show. And now, she was told the result was this—it was unbearable.

Seeing Lin Wei refuse to listen, Yiyang sighed, put on her coat, shut down her computer, and glanced at her: “Manager Lin, I’m off work. When your emotions settle, please help me close the door when you leave. Thank you.”

“Yiyang… do you already like someone else?” Lin Wei asked despairingly, watching Yiyang’s retreating back.

Yiyang paused for a moment, then continued walking without answering. Honestly, seeing Lin Wei today still surprised her. Her earlier calmness was all a facade—her heart had already been unsettled.

Lin Wei’s direct confession was unexpected. Everything she had said back then seemed like a performance, but now she spoke so passionately. What was real, what was false? Yiyang felt like a puppet, summoned and dismissed at someone else’s will.

Two years ago, she would have gladly accepted Lin Wei’s affection. But now, Yiyang chose avoidance. She didn’t know how to interact with someone she had once loved. The wounds Lin Wei had left still throbbed faintly in her heart.

Driving while lost in thought, Yiyang suddenly braked halfway and paused. After a minute of contemplation, she turned the car toward a place she hadn’t visited in a long time—a bar.

Familiar with the route, she arrived at the bar entrance. Pausing for a moment, she looked at the flickering sign, hesitated, and finally got out, thinking that perhaps only alcohol could soothe her troubled mind.

Inside, soothing music played. Yiyang found a seat and ordered a dozen beers. Leaning against the sofa, she watched the familiar and unfamiliar crowd, but paid no attention to them. Her mind was consumed by Lin Wei’s words.

Finally receiving her first drink, she downed a whole bottle. People nearby stared curiously at this rare guest, but Yiyang ignored them, drinking as if to drown out everything—especially the words of that woman.

Outside the bar, a car parked behind Yiyang. The person inside stared at the bar’s sign with an expressionless face. It was none other than Lin Wei.

Since Yiyang left the office, Lin Wei had followed her, wanting to see if Yiyang had someone else, and to know how she was living. Seeing the bar, her brows furrowed.

Yiyang’s vow back then—“Out of the three thousand waters, I only take one ladle”—still echoed in Lin Wei’s ears. Time might change people, but she didn’t believe Yiyang could forget all their past in just two years. She was determined to find out.

Half an hour later, Yiyang’s table was full of empty bottles. She was drunk, staggering toward the center stage where a live singer performed.

Reaching the microphone, she handed the singer 200 yuan to leave, sat down, picked up a guitar, and began to play and sing:

“When the heart grows weary, and the tears have dried, this deep affection is hard to let go… Recalling the past, the painful longing can’t be forgotten, why do you still stir my heartbeat…”

Singing, Yiyang alternated between tears and laughter. Everyone watching was stunned. Some were captivated by the tearful, passionate young woman. Lin Wei, hesitant before, now entered and saw Yiyang singing—her eyes filled with tears. Yiyang still loved her, didn’t she?

Choked with emotion, Yiyang looked through the crowd as the song ended. Her phone vibrated in her pocket. Slowly, she walked offstage and answered: “Hello?”

“Sorry, may I ask who this is? I’m Shen Zhiyu. You called me this afternoon, but I was in a meeting.”

“Heh, old woman, it’s you!” Yiyang slurred, burping.

“So it was you calling. What’s the matter?” Zhiyu asked, curious about the brat’s intentions since she hadn’t exchanged numbers with her before.

“Old woman, why so serious… Are you off work? I’ll tell you about a fun place. Come play with me—it’s at…”

Zhiyu barely had time to respond, already realizing the brat was drunk again. Worried about Liu Ma, she said she’d go out briefly and return soon. Putting on her coat, she drove to the so-called fun place.

Arriving at the bar, Zhiyu was stunned. Was this the wrong place, or had the brat made it up?

Inside, the crowd was entirely female, some feminine, some androgynous. Couples were displaying intimate scenes. Flustered, Zhiyu prepared to leave.

“Woman, I’m here!” Yiyang shouted, spotting her.

Zhiyu turned and saw Yiyang with a woman with big wavy hair, both seemingly arguing. Frowning, she walked through the crowd.

Seeing her, Yiyang hugged her, grinning foolishly: “Woman, you came! I knew you’d come pick me up. Hehe! Let’s go home!”

“Yang, who is she?” Lin Wei blocked them, stopping them from leaving.

“Do you really want to know? Don’t regret it!”

Seeing Lin Wei nod, Yiyang took Zhiyu’s hand, interlocking fingers, and waved it in front of her: “Now you know, right?”

“That’s impossible! Then what about the song you sang before? You clearly still have feelings for me…”

“Lin Wei, don’t be naive. I, Zhang Yiyang, have never been faithful. After you left, I had countless lovers. People lined up to pursue me. If you don’t believe me, ask around. They all know… But I suggest you don’t—better not upset yourself.”

“You don’t believe in love because of me. You said you don’t know love, so all your relationships are just casual, right? Now that I’m back, stop living like that. Stop hurting me, stop hurting us!”

“Lin Wei, don’t think you’re so important. Would I be lost without you? Who said I’m casual… You… Listen carefully. She… this woman in front of you… is my woman! I… love… her!” Yiyang tightened Zhiyu’s hand and shouted each word toward Lin Wei.