:: Trip to the Registry ::

Lu Shengyi

I am glad to be away from that monster. Though I have been reincarnated, it seems I remember everything so clearly in my mind. I hope that I will be relieved from this pain soon as I graduate.

But now, I have to be paired with him in a project? Why me, of all people?

I cannot stand just to see that idiotic face full of warmth and emotion. In my past life, he has brought to me a mountain of debt, a million-dollar debt. It pained me so much to see my hard-earned money coming to nothing, being gambled away in the risks he took in the stock market. It should be common sense that with high risks come great profits, but how could he have used the corporation in his unrealistic dream to become the greatest stock trader ever?

Did our five years of relationship ultimately come up to nothing? In my final moments of life, where had he disappeared to? He has caused so much pain and desolation to me, that I know I must do something and not allow him to hurt me again. My heart is not to be toyed with! I swear I must make him pay, in one way or another! I will start with the 'cold attitude'.

He is still watching us as Xiaoxian finishes telling me about the funny guy she met in the library, and I just nod my head. When I died, I was short of a few weeks of turning 27 years old. To return to my twenty-one-year-old self, however, makes everything seem ridiculously easy and boring. I have to study what I had studied in the past because it is 2011 all over again. I guess I can just wait till the day before the examinations to remember the topics that will come out in the exam and take my chance with all of them.

But since so many circumstances have changed now, I have a hunch that the examination questions and outcome might not even be the same anymore. On the other hand, I find I have grown much more brain cells than before, and it takes me a shorter time to get things done. This must be the work of the devil, unfortunately, I can no longer remember his face.

He follows me as I bid Xiaoxian goodbye and walk across the soft green grass of the university compound heading towards the lobby. I pretend I do not see him and continue walking.

"Wait," I hear him call out to me, and I take a few deep breaths, ignoring that familiar voice that I no longer wish to hear any longer in this life. My chauffeur arrives at the right time before the idiot makes a stupid move towards me.

"Miss, is the boy going to chase after us?" Uncle Dou asks as he skilfully navigates through the one-way street heading out of the university grounds. I smirk coolly and shrug my shoulders.

I can't help but feel that Shan Hanyu is a bit more desperate than before. I recall that in our past life, it was me doing most of the talking. He had his first opportunity in the subway when I was over the weather and forgot to bring a packet of tissues. I, Lu Shengyi, never owe anyone anything, and that attitude of mine paved the path for his second opportunity.

At first, I was drawn to how genuine he appeared to be and how kind and pure his heart was. But he hides his true nature very well. Although they say, to love someone is to love the house along with its crows, but this is on a different level. You don't sacrifice someone's hard-earned money for your pleasure. I expected more from a man as old as I was.

Now that I (and him as well) are back to being twenty-one-years old, I don't want to know if he has this tendency in himself. Because I just hope that he steers off far from me, and has nothing to do with me again.

Uncle Dou parks outside the mansion, waiting for me to get changed into something more appropriate, and we should leave after that. We are heading to the Registry of Companies to incorporate Shengyi Corporation, however, it will have to start from a small business. As the marketing student as I am right now, I fathom that in 2011, it would take much more efforts to get recognised. I am young and unlike how I was before, I do not have any connections yet because I have yet to step out into the realistic society.

The devil promised that I would have power. But such power does not equate to being capable in the business field. I do not wish to invoke his demonic power for now and choose to use my abilities. After all, I am young and inexperienced. If I even have to use his power to be successful, it doesn't mean I am capable enough.

I stride through a spacious hall called the 'living room', taking a swift glance at the framed photographs on the luxurious walls as I pass them in my usual light-footed manner. Then I gallop up a tall flight of stairs to reach my cave. I have my attire already planned out on the bed for the meeting at the Registry of Companies.

My bedroom is painted light pink, bringing about the childish princess in me. I don't think there's a need to explain what's in my room because it's ridiculously embarrassing what I used to like since I was a teenager, judging from the memories that I still retain in my head. I slip out of my university attire at moderate speed, careful not to tear the edges of the thin chiffon dress that clings tightly to my petite frame. A smart-looking OL-style button-up blouse accompanied by trendy black work pants that fit any occasion (while also catering to my new body shape) lies on the bed. I take a few minutes to put them on, before pulling my hair into a solemn high bun.

"Welcome back to the corporate world, Lu Shengyi," I tell myself. I smile happily as I think of how I will reinstate Shengyi Corporation, albeit that it hasn't existed yet in this new timeline. A laptop computer lies innocently on the desk near my bed. I grab it and pack it into its carrying case, which I then shove into my briefcase.

Ah, 2011 is still the age of briefcases. I still love how they have a ribbon at the side of the briefcase to make it more feminine.

Uncle Dou has made himself comfortable on the sofa of the living room as he helps himself to a serving of coffee. I don't remember him from my past life, but in this life, he is my trusted advisor for my personal affairs as well as an old comrade of my father's, before he was recruited by Sir Anonymous, a man described by Uncle Dou to be cold and mysterious, never allowing anyone to be close enough to take a glimpse of his visage. Due to this, even Uncle Dou doesn't know what he looks like, albeit the fact Sir Anonymous hired him to be my chauffeur and advisor after discovering about my father's history with him.

At the Registry, everyone is scurrying around and not losing time as they get their matters concluded at the government office. The Registry is run by governmental officers and forms a part of the Ministry of Finance. I, too, do not wish to spend too much time in such a stressful venue. They ask me a few questions and I write my name down and submit the documents that I have brought with me.

Of course, I am not planning to throw everything I have into investing into the business. I say I am about to graduate, and I do need my savings if I plan to further my studies. I discuss my plans for what I plan to do in business with the officers, and they seem satisfied. However, they seem to freeze when I say 'Please'. I put on the biggest smile I can manage and thank them for their time.

In no time, the incorporation is done, befuddling me as I recall that the regular process takes a few days as they need to ensure everything is in order before handing out the certificate of registration. As I walk out of the building cluelessly, I swear I see a glint of light. Uncle Dou flanks me as we pass an elegant vehicle parked inconveniently in the middle of the dropoff point, a place that forbids waiting for a long time.

A man is sitting at the back of the vehicle, but his face happens to be turned away in the opposite direction, so I am not able to notice for myself if he is handsome, but somehow, his presence leaves me in curiosity. As I am beginning my luxurious lifestyle now, I wonder how other wealthy socialites live. Do they flaunt their wealth? But even without seeing his facial features, I feel this man has an extraordinary aura that keeps me hanging and wondering who he is and what business he has in the Registry. Is he here also for the business of incorporating a company?

Then I realise there is a woman inside the car with him, but then his driver gets out of the car and opens the door, forcibly ordering the woman to exit the vehicle.

"Cullen Fu! You will regret this, I swear!" She shouts and dashes out of the vehicle with tears in her eyes. I stand rooted to the spot, questioning in my mind if all wealthy men are cruel to their women.

My heart sinks at the thought of being abandoned in the name of love, but then I remember the deal I have made with the demon.

I have renounced my soul and my love.