Devil or Angel (GL) - Chapter 6

After instructing the driver to go back, Yiyang strolled lazily into the house. Feeling weak in her legs, she went straight for the sofa and sat down. Her throat felt like it was on fire, so she shouted toward the inner room:

“Liu Ma, pour me a glass of water…”

But after calling for a long while, nobody answered. Normally, at the sound of this young lady’s voice, Liu Ma would rush over like the wind to serve her.

At this moment, however, Liu Ma had been called upstairs by Zhang Guodong to prepare toiletries and make up the bed for the newcomer—perhaps even the future “Madam”—so she was focused on her work and didn’t hear Yiyang’s calls.

Yiyang, sprawled weakly on the sofa and unwilling to move, waited for a while. When there was still no response, she forced herself up and walked toward the water dispenser in the kitchen.

At the doorway she saw a dim light inside. Under that faint glow, a figure was standing by the dispenser.

Grinning, Yiyang ran over and, out of habit, wrapped her arms around the person, rubbing her face against the other’s back like a child being playful.

The person being hugged froze, her whole body stiff, her heart skipping a beat.

That person was none other than Zhi Yu.

At the moment she was grabbed, Zhi Yu thought Zhang Guodong had already broken his promise on the very first day and crossed the line. She was just about to whirl around and slap whoever was behind her when she saw it was a woman.

Tilting her head, she looked at the culprit behind her—a young woman with a still-immature face. Was this really the 26-year-old Zhang Guodong had described? She had her doubts.

And then there was that heavy smell of alcohol. Zhi Yu slowly lowered her hand, pinched her nose, frowned in disgust, and said coldly, “Could you please let go? You’ve mistaken me for someone else!”

As she spoke, Zhi Yu had already turned to face her. Yet the other woman remained locked in an embrace, resting her head on Zhi Yu’s shoulder and mumbling:

“Liu Ma, what are you daydreaming about? Thinking about your old lover? I called you ages ago and you didn’t answer. Want me to dock your pay? And where’s my water—trying to make me die of thirst?”

Zhi Yu couldn’t help finding it ridiculous and exasperating. She quietly pushed the woman away without replying. Yiyang, hearing no answer, slowly opened her eyes—and without even looking up, she caught sight of the glass of water in Zhi Yu’s hand. Without a word, she snatched it up and downed it in one gulp.

Only after drinking did she realize something was off.

Liu Ma would never wear such a “provocative” dress, the kind of strong, assertive outfit only a certain type of woman would wear. And that sleek long hair definitely didn’t belong to a middle-aged housekeeper.

Since Yiyang was taller than the person in front of her, when she lowered her head slightly she finally saw the stranger’s face. A woman she’d never met before was staring at her expressionlessly, almost amused. Startled and wary, Yiyang asked:

“Who are you? Why are you in my kitchen so late at night?”

“You must be Zhang Guodong’s daughter, right? As for who I am, that’s something you should ask your father. And another thing—don’t go hugging random people, especially after drinking. A girl should know how to protect herself!”

Zhi Yu, unwilling to get into it, turned to head upstairs. She’d only come down for a drink of water, thinking she was being helpful by staying out of the way upstairs. She hadn’t expected someone to suddenly hug her from behind and scare her half to death.

And even after she’d said “you’ve mistaken me,” the other woman still drank from her glass! Zhi Yu had never shared cups with anyone, let alone drunk someone else’s saliva or had them drink hers.

Just as she was about to leave the kitchen, Yiyang grabbed her wrist and yanked her back, glaring at her viciously:

“I’m asking you a question. Answer honestly! Why are you here? Judging by your accent you’re not local. What’s your purpose coming here—speak!”

Zhi Yu felt the pressure of the other’s grip, her wrist aching from it. She tried to pull away, but the more she struggled the tighter it got. Angry now, she snapped:

“Do you have any manners? Let go of me!”

“Not until you talk!”

Yiyang gradually forced her into the corner of the kitchen, eyes full of hostility.

While one demanded answers and the other refused to speak, they stood locked in a stalemate—until Zhang Guodong and Liu Ma came downstairs.

Seeing the scene, Zhang Guodong immediately strode over, his face dark, and ordered his daughter:

“Let her go!”

“Who is she?” Yiyang shouted angrily at her so-called father, enraged at his commanding tone.

“She is my fiancée—and your future stepmother! I’ll also be appointing her as the company’s general manager. Now you know. Let go of her, did you hear me!”

Zhang Guodong stated Zhi Yu’s identity plainly.

“Ha ha… stepmother? A fine ‘stepmother’! Zhang Guodong, you really have some nerve. All these years I almost believed you weren’t interested in women. Turns out you’re just a wolf in sheep’s clothing—a beast in a suit. As expected, once a man has money he changes!”

“Is that how you speak to your father? Is that the attitude you should have?” Zhang Guodong clenched his fist so tightly the veins stood out, restraining himself from hitting her.

But Yiyang didn’t care. She leaned closer to the young woman, lifted her chin, and inspected her closely:

“Tsk tsk. Devil’s body, angel’s face—any man would be tempted. She doesn’t even look that old. You had no women before; don’t tell me you’ve been keeping her since she was underage?”

“Stop making wild guesses. Whatever you say, she’s going to be your elder now. You will respect her…” Zhang Guodong said through gritted teeth.

“Respect? You expect me to respect a fox spirit like her? That would be admitting you’re a pair of adulterers—what an insult to me…”

Tonight, under the influence of alcohol, Yiyang’s words became more and more outrageous, and Liu Ma couldn’t stop her.

Zhang Guodong had reached his limit. He strode forward and slapped his daughter hard across the face. The sting in his palm immediately made him realize what he’d done.

“Yiyang, I’m sorry. Daddy didn’t mean to.”

“Didn’t mean to! Right, you didn’t mean to neglect my mom, didn’t mean to drive her to death, didn’t mean to bring this fox spirit home to stake your claim… You’re all right. It’s all my fault, okay? Maybe I shouldn’t have been born at all!”

“Yiyang, I didn’t betray your mother. Things back then weren’t as you imagine. I had my reasons. I only met Zhi Yu two years ago. Now that she’s come into our home, she’s family. Whether you acknowledge her or not, she will be your stepmother. That’s final.”

“Oh, what a noble excuse! I tell you, I, Zhang Yiyang, have only one mother in this life, and she’s already buried in the cold ground. Don’t ever think I’ll call anyone else ‘Mom’—not in this lifetime!”

Speaking of her mother, Yiyang’s tears began to fall uncontrollably. She slowly sank to the cold floor.

Liu Ma’s heart ached at the sight. She quickly went over and held Yiyang, comforting her. Zhang Guodong also felt pain inside but outwardly kept his composure. Calmly, he said:

“I know you have deep misunderstandings about me. What happened back then isn’t something I can explain in a few words. It’s late. We’ll talk tomorrow. I’m going upstairs. Zhi Yu, you’ve had a long day too—get some rest.”

With that, he went upstairs alone.

Zhi Yu stood there, unsure what to do. She had expected a scene like this but found it even messier than she’d imagined—especially underestimating the firepower of this “little brat.”

Liu Ma, who had been too scared to speak while father and daughter clashed, now comforted Yiyang while turning to Zhi Yu:

“Madam, your room is ready. You can rest now. Your hand—is it all right? Should I get you some ointment for the swelling?”

“No, thank you. And Liu Ma, don’t call me Madam—just call me Zhi Yu.”

“Hypocrite!” Yiyang muttered, finding it all fake.

“But the master…” Liu Ma glanced at the sulking young lady, then continued speaking to Zhi Yu.

“It’s fine. I’ll talk to Guodong,” Zhi Yu said gently, sensing Liu Ma’s concern.

But in Yiyang’s ears those words sounded unbearably grating and sickening. She wiped her tears, stood up with difficulty, and sneered:

“‘Guodong’? How intimate. Hah! You really think you’re the mistress of this house? As long as I’m here, you’ll never have an easy day… You can’t even speak proper Mandarin and you want to be my stepmother? You’re still too green.”

“You—”

“You what! I’ve seen plenty of women like you. Don’t tell me you’re truly in love with a middle-aged man old enough to be your father. ‘Age isn’t a problem’—who’d believe that! You’re selling your body for money, that’s what. Did your parents never teach you the words morality and shame? Just wait. In a few years, once he’s tired of you and you’ve no more use, he’ll toss you aside.”

Leaning against the doorway, Yiyang continued to sneer and throw barbs.