Devil or Angel (GL) - Chapter 4

After Shen Zhiyu finished discussing both business and personal matters with Zhang Guodong, she returned to her own office. She looked around the company where she had worked for nearly four years and sighed, then quietly packed her personal belongings, placing them neatly in a box.

After studying business administration abroad, she had returned to Hong Kong to take up the position of general manager in her family’s company. She had also accompanied her father to various social events and business meetings, learning a lot along the way. Taking this path had been her father’s choice for her. No matter how much she disliked it, she had persisted in the end.

But today, just as she was beginning to adapt to this environment and grow to like her work, fate played a cruel trick on her family. In just one month, her father’s most trusted friend had cheated him out of all his money. Everything they had was gone.

Seeing her father’s hair turn white overnight and his constant worry, while being unable to help, was painful. They say that only when one hits rock bottom can one see who their true friends are. Her family went door to door, asking relatives and friends for help, but most of them closed their doors on them.

It was because of this that her father, feeling utterly hopeless, had attempted to end his life. Fortunately, he survived; otherwise, Zhiyu didn’t know what she would have done. A whole family shattered? Her mother drowning in tears? Thinking of this still made her shudder.

Now, thinking about it was useless. Life had to go on. After tidying up her belongings, she left the office. Outside, the employees were all standing and looking at her, their faces full of reluctance and concern.

“General Shen, please stay strong. If you ever need anything, just say so. If you open a company again, all of us will definitely follow you!” the employees encouraged her one by one.

Hearing this touched Zhiyu deeply. Having such loyal employees was truly a blessing. Even in times of crisis, they stood by her side. Although the company could not be saved in the end, their unity left a lasting impression on her.

“Thank you all, really! You continue working here. Maybe one day I’ll return, and I hope when I come back, you’re all still here together.”

“General Shen, we’ll wait for you to return!”

After a reluctant farewell, Zhiyu went downstairs and took a car to the hospital. Zhang Guodong had witnessed everything earlier and smiled slightly, saying to his secretary Chen, “I really did choose the right person. I have faith in her!”

At the hospital entrance, Zhiyu took a deep breath before pushing open the door to the inpatient ward. Her mother was sitting by the bed, wiping away tears, while her father tried to comfort her.

Since the incident, Shen Yi’s tear ducts seemed to have never stopped, alternating between blaming her husband’s naivety and feeling heartache at his current state.

“Dad, Mom!” Zhiyu walked over, interrupting their conversation.

“Daughter, how did it go? Was everything smooth?” Shen Wei asked anxiously.

“The other party’s offer was reasonable. We can pay off the debts and still have enough for a few months of living expenses.”

“Ah, all because I trusted Uncle Li! Why did we even collaborate with him? Everything’s ruined. Why does heaven do this to the Shen family? What sin did I commit in my past life? Even if I wanted to die, I couldn’t!”

“Dad, don’t say that. As long as you live, there’s always hope.”

“What hope is there? I’m useless now. Your mother and I finally had a good life, and we were looking forward to your university graduation so you could help run the company. We could have retired peacefully, but now you have to serve a disabled man like me…”

“Dad, I know the company is your life’s work. I will help you get it back.”

“How will you? Even though you graduated abroad, how much would you have to earn in a month to redeem the company? Daughter, don’t get your hopes up. Your mother and I just want the family to be safe and sound,” Shen Yi interjected.

“Parents, are you willing to give up? There’s actually a chance to get the company back, but…” Zhiyu hesitated. If she were in Hong Kong, she might have hidden this from them, but being in another city, secrets were hard to keep.

“What chance?” both parents asked simultaneously.

“Well… the person who came to negotiate the purchase today, Director Zhang, made me an offer. He said… if I agreed to become his fiancée and go to Shanghai with him, as long as your daughter works at the company, he would unconditionally return the company to us!” Zhiyu finally told them the truth.

“Are you crazy? Zhiyu, did studying make you foolish? Something this easy? A fiancée? Think about it — you’d be going into his territory alone, facing him all day. Any man would be tempted by a young and beautiful woman like you. He’s probably trying to trick you,” Shen Yi said, feeling her daughter was naive, just like her father.

“Mom, I know it sounds ridiculous, but I’m willing to try. He’ll sign an agreement with me, which should provide protection. If he really tries anything, I promise to terminate the arrangement and come back immediately. I’ll protect myself, please trust me!”

“Zhiyu, are you sure? This will only make Dad feel even more guilty. He feels he’s forced you into business, and now you’re sacrificing yourself to reclaim the company. I feel so useless!” Shen Wei kept hitting his legs in frustration.

Zhiyu held his hand, her eyes wet, looking at the parents who had raised her for 28 years: “Mom, Dad, although I’m not your biological daughter, you have treated me as your own and given me a warm home. I feel very happy and blessed. Now it’s time for me to repay you. Please let me do this!”

“In the blink of an eye, 28 years have passed. When we first saw you at the orphanage, we felt we were fated to meet you. Knowing your situation made us even more sympathetic. The proudest thing in our lives is having you as our daughter. Promise us — if anything goes wrong, come back immediately. Even if the family’s fortunes have fallen, it will always be your safe harbor.”

Zhiyu hugged her parents tightly, crying: “Thank you! I’ll take good care of myself there and send money home regularly, don’t worry.”

Finally reassuring her parents, Zhiyu dried her tears and said goodbye. Outside the hospital, she found Zhang Guodong’s business card and called him:

“Director Zhang, hello, this is Shen Zhiyu. I’ve thought about what you told me today. I agree to your proposal.”

“General Shen is truly decisive. I believe your choice is the right one. Since we’ve made such a pleasant decision, I’ll have my secretary book the noon flight for tomorrow. Send me your ID number via text. Finally, I hope our cooperation will be enjoyable!”

After hanging up, Zhiyu took a car home. She checked Shanghai’s weather and packed a few clothes, then took a shower. Seeing the time was late, she lay down to sleep, telling herself: Zhiyu, you can do this!

The next morning, she received a message from Zhang Guodong informing her of a schedule change — the flight was moved to 4 p.m., and she needed to be at the airport by 2 p.m.

She dozed a little longer, enjoying a rare lazy morning, waking at 11. After washing and changing, she had lunch and then dragged her suitcase to the airport to meet them.

Arriving early, she called her parents. Hearing their instructions and reminders over the phone made her smile. Only at moments of separation does one realize that family’s nagging is actually a kind of happiness.

Soon, Zhang Guodong arrived with his secretary and lawyer, greeting her with a smile: “General Shen, I knew you’d keep your word. I was worried you’d back out last minute.”

“My father always taught me: if you say it, do it. Whether in life or in business, a verbal promise carries legal weight. This is a cooperative business matter, after all,” Zhiyu replied.

“Though your Mandarin isn’t perfect, you’re quite eloquent. I really did choose the right person. General Shen, our little girl is counting on you!” Zhang Guodong teased.

“You flatter me, I’ll do my best!” Zhiyu awkwardly replied to his teasing about her ‘plastic Mandarin.’

“Haha, I was just joking. Once in Shanghai, you can take the chance to improve your Mandarin — it’s our mother tongue! But even if you speak Cantonese, my daughter will probably understand. She knows a little of every strange language. I’m not exaggerating, she’s smart… but stubborn! No one can handle her stubbornness…”

Author’s note: Jinjiang’s schedule is tight, I’ve run out of drafts, it’s tragic!