Devil or Angel (GL) - Chapter 8

After hearing her young lady speak like that, Liu Ma could only wipe her tears and leave. She happened to run into Zhi Yu standing at the doorway and said,

“Miss Shen, you’re up! I’ve prepared breakfast; come downstairs and eat.”

“Just call me Zhi Yu. No need to be so formal with ‘Miss Shen.’”

“Ah, yes, of course, Zhi Yu. Don’t mind our young lady’s behavior toward you yesterday. In her heart, her mother is irreplaceable, which is why she resisted so strongly. I think she’ll slowly come to accept the reality—just give her some time. She’s not a bad child at heart.”

“I understand. She’s still young, so I can be understanding.”

Actually, Zhi Yu had seen and heard everything from the doorway—the conversation between Yiyang and Liu Ma. Seeing the child’s red eyes, swollen cheeks, and disheveled appearance, she could tell that Yiyang hadn’t slept well last night.

Zhi Yu felt a pang of guilt. She realized she may have been a bit impulsive yesterday. Looking back, Yiyang’s extreme reaction was understandable—if someone suddenly appeared out of nowhere and took her mother’s place, she would probably react the same way. Thinking about it now, this child really wasn’t easy.

But guilt was guilt. These feelings could only remain in her heart. To achieve the mutual goals she and Zhang Guodong shared, Zhi Yu had to play the role of the “villain”—the authoritative future stepmother.

Thinking about her ultimate purpose for coming here, she glanced at the door that was tightly closed across from her, shook her head, and then went downstairs. Liu Ma had already composed herself and placed breakfast on the table.

“Miss Shen… um, Zhi Yu, you’re down! I prepared some bread and milk—hope you like it.”

“Thank you, Liu Ma. I’m not picky; I’ll eat anything. You’ve worked hard.”

“No, no, it’s nothing. It’s my duty.”

Hearing such polite words made Liu Ma feel slightly embarrassed. She thought this new madam was well-mannered and easy to get along with. She had a newfound respect for her—though if she knew that Zhi Yu had dealt with her beloved young lady just yesterday, she probably wouldn’t think that way.

So Zhi Yu sat there quietly, reading the newspaper and eating breakfast, while Liu Ma went out to tend the garden. She couldn’t stand still; idle hands made her uneasy.

Before long, Yiyang came downstairs, having showered and changed. The moment she reached the bottom of the stairs, she saw the person she least wanted to see calmly eating breakfast. Her steps froze at the stairway.

“Come, sit. Liu Ma’s in the garden,” Zhi Yu kindly said, noticing her hesitation.

Yiyang didn’t want to engage and certainly didn’t want to sit at the same table. Just as she was about to turn away, Liu Ma returned from the garden. She immediately noticed Yiyang’s intentions and whispered as she approached:

“The more you avoid her, the more you let her win, right? Besides, I think Miss Shen is quite nice and kind. You’re around the same age—you probably have a lot in common. Try getting along with her.”

“I’d rather not!” Yiyang said aloud, but she already plopped down across from the woman.

“You little brat…” Liu Ma couldn’t help but laugh at her antics.

Zhi Yu looked up at the two of them and smiled slightly. These two—master and servant—were rather interesting. Yesterday, she had been too busy sparring with the little brat to study her properly.

Her face still looked as it did at first glance yesterday—childlike and unrefined. Today, sober and wearing a white T-shirt, she looked lively, her skin fair, face slightly puffy but overall delicate.

Then there was her short, almost boyish hair—certainly not the typical style of a beauty, perhaps more of a neutral charm. Unconsciously, Zhi Yu had been studying her for a while before even realizing it.

When Yiyang finished her bread and milk, she looked up and caught Zhi Yu staring at her without blinking. Her eyes widened as she shouted:

“Hey, old woman! What are you staring at?!”

Zhi Yu snapped out of it, embarrassed, and shifted her gaze elsewhere:

“Little brat, what’s it to you?”

“You can look at the flowers and plants all you want, but staring at me? That’s my business.”

“Who said I’m looking at you? I’m admiring the scenery—what’s wrong with that?”

“Excuse me, do you have X-ray vision? Or are you some alien from another planet who can see outside through me?”

“Too lazy to argue with you!” Zhi Yu felt powerless. With this sharp-tongued child and her own imperfect Mandarin, she was always on the defensive.

Yiyang clearly had the upper hand, a smug grin on her face. In her mind, she thought: “This old woman dares to compete with me? Sooner or later, I’ll make her wish she could leave this house and that heartless old man behind.”

Just as Yiyang was quietly gloating, Zhi Yu wiped her mouth and stood, heading out to the garden. The morning air was fresh, and the scent of flowers was soothing. She slowly sat on a chair, basking in the sunlight, and couldn’t help but feel nostalgic for her hometown and parents.

When Zhi Yu stood, Yiyang deliberately kept her gaze on her, observing her back, analyzing her every detail.

The woman was about 165 cm tall, slightly shorter than Yiyang’s 172 cm. Her figure was enviable—slim in all the right places, curvy in all the right places. A perfect body.

Her face was nearly flawless. Yiyang had glimpsed her unadorned beauty in the dim light last night, and now, with a bit of makeup, it was breathtaking. No wonder a middle-aged man, always buried in work, would fall at her feet.

If she weren’t her father’s mistress, someone like her would turn heads on the street, especially to a photographer like Yiyang, who loved capturing beauty.

Yet now, even if Zhi Yu were placed in front of her, Yiyang wouldn’t give her a second look—she felt only disgust. In Yiyang’s eyes, Zhi Yu was a seductive fox spirit who had taken over the home her mother had once lived in. She wished the woman would vanish immediately.

With that thought, all the positive impressions her outward appearance had created shattered. Indeed, one shouldn’t judge by appearances.

After finishing breakfast, Yiyang stood, stretched, and loosened her stiff muscles—sleeping on the floor last night had left her aching.

Liu Ma returned from the garden and started cleaning up. When she saw her young lady sprawled on the sofa, half-closed eyes watching TV, almost asleep, she teased:

“Yiyang, no need to work today. Why not go upstairs and nap a little?”

“I’m not sleepy after eating. That’s a waste of time. The weather’s so nice—let’s go out and walk. Then lunch and dinner can be outside too. My treat.” Yiyang suggested.

“Sure, my work’s mostly done. And if someone’s treating me to a meal, I’d better go!” Liu Ma said, taking off her apron and preparing to go with the excited Yiyang.

Just as they were about to leave, Liu Ma suddenly shouted:

“Oh no! Yiyang, I almost forgot—Miss Shen is still here. I should call her to come with us.”

“Liu Ma, why do you have to ruin everything? It’s rare I don’t have to work on the weekend. I wanted a private outing with you, and you’re dragging her along? Fine! It’s her or me!”

“Oh, my young lady, don’t be so childish. She’s the master’s fiancée, and he asked me to take good care of her. We can also help her get familiar with Shanghai. She’s from Hong Kong and unfamiliar with this place—it’s a bit pitiful…”

“Stop… Don’t be fooled by her appearance. And whose side are you on now—his or mine?” Yiyang interrupted impatiently.

“Yiyang, don’t make it hard for an old lady! I’ll just call her, okay? It’ll be quick, just wait a moment.”

Yiyang, realizing Liu Ma was in a bind, didn’t argue and waved her on. She had planned to drive herself, but realized her car was still parked at the bar from last night, so she got into Liu Ma’s car to chat along the way.

When Liu Ma hurried to the garden, Zhi Yu was quietly sitting on a chair, deep in thought. Liu Ma called to her and explained their plan.

Zhi Yu readily agreed. She wanted to go out for a walk and see the city, so she changed her shoes and followed Liu Ma outside.

Yiyang, who had been chatting with Liu Ma’s driver, immediately went silent when she saw Zhi Yu. She pretended not to notice and stared out the window.

Liu Ma opened the passenger seat and sat down, leaving Zhi Yu in the back. The moment an unfamiliar scent reached Yiyang, she turned her head—it was that woman again. She really was everywhere!