:: Opening Ceremony ::

All these thoughts are revolving in my head.

Devil Cullen. Cullen Fu. The devil's kiss. The dance with Cullen Fu…

I am just too confused that I don't know what to think anymore. It seems that I have gaps in my memory between the dance with Cullen Fu and waking up in my bed. The more I dwell on it, the more it doesn't make any sense.

To avoid thinking too much, I had just better focus on my final year and getting Shengyi Corporation up. Right now, Dewey has already, as a stakeholder of the company, with my joint consent, began the process of converting it into a corporation. In Andophia, this only takes a maximum of six weeks. For now, as there isn't much for me to get involved with, I can focus on preparing for my finals.

In the final trimester, most students would be required to undergo an internship on their own accord and complete a project to graduate. Where better to have my internship than my corporation?

Dewey says there is much I still need to learn, but for now, I should focus on getting my graduation certificate. Up to now, he hasn't cleared my doubts on Sir Anonymous. All he has told me is that Sir Anonymous has dispatched him to assist me. In the past three months, he has been very kind and helpful in his guidance as a mentor and even taught me how to tackle the demanding requests of the business' potential and existing customers.

Shengyi Company existed as a service provider where we rendered various services such as support, software, applications and repair of computers. Communication with customers mainly took place through an online channel rather than an actual shop, although at times, Dewey managed customer meetings privately since we handled some minor computer repairs and when required, the supply of printers and toner cartridges. Most of these customer requests were a one-time thing, but now that we are diversifying into electronics, we will take on more large-scale orders.

The funding for Shengyi Corporation mainly came from Sir Anonymous' generous donation but in time, we should manage to make enough to cover our overheads. In my past life, a recession happened in 2012, but this time, especially with how different everything plays out, I don't know if this will still happen.

As anticipated, the conversion from Shengyi Company to Shengyi Corporation took about six weeks to complete, and Dewey and I selected an auspicious date from the lunar calendar to have the opening ceremony. Culturally, such customs were to cut a red ribbon and let off some firecrackers. A miracle happened on that day, and for the fourth time in my life, Cullen Fu again appeared.

I did not sense anything odd from him. It was three months since he had appeared in the university and there was no 'Marcelia Dunn' around him. I wouldn't say he was alone, because he was flanked by the two MIB agents. In the hot summer weather, he was dressed magnificently in a dark black jacket with a white formal shirt and grey pants. Nice touch, if you would ask me.

But in the first place, why did he come to the opening ceremony? Was he here to support me?

To my surprise, he just crosses the street in front of me and walks into the building opposite. I now notice that there is a large decorative banner hung on the upper floor of the building, with dark red lettering that stares back menacingly at me.

"FU TECHNOLOGIES - HQ"

So, I've rented a spot for Shengyi Corporation that is located conveniently opposite Fu Technologies?

I scratch my head. What is it that Fu Technologies do again, for business? Are they competing with Shengyi Corporation?

Trust me for not researching who my competitors will be in this field, I reprimand myself.

"Shengyi." I hear a low-pitched solemn male voice calling my name, recognising Dewey's voice.

Dewey is calling me as some walk-in customers have emerged, apparently asking for some price quotes. I can no longer see Cullen Fu as he has disappeared up the tall stairs leading to the upper storey of the building.

After I have attended to the customers and they are satiated with the promise I've given to them, Dewey and I talk privately.

"Fu Technologies are our competitor, aren't they?" I ask Dewey on the spot. He heaves a sigh and nods. Fu Technologies have the benefit of entering the market earlier, and thus they already have an established reputation. To beat their reputation, I have to employ another marketing gimmick. But it will be risky. Shengyi Corporation has to offer our services at a lower price and increased efficiency to beat their market offering.

Dewey isn't too fond of my idea. I trust that he has excellent connections and marketing experience, so I listen to what he has to say.

He wants me to persevere and be patient. However, patience is not one of my strong points. I am an extremely impetuous person. Devil Cullen tells me soon, and even Dewey wants me to wait, now. I understand where Dewey is coming from. Shengyi Corporation has just kicked off. Of course, he doesn't want to incur much risk. This is also for the long-term benefit of the corporation. I have to take his advice, but I am eager to dive right into the market and do all I can to make Shengyi Corporation as successful and known as how it used to be.

However, I have yet to graduate and with no former experience, even customers will have trouble believing the words of a 21-year old who has suddenly become an entrepreneur. They would be more likely to listen to Dewey who has close to twenty years of experience.

Inside our office, the computers have been set up and everything is spick and span. Dewey explains that there is good feng-shui leading to him selecting this particular corner for our office. The interior of the office looks good and refreshing with white-painted walls, a big open space to work in with two separate rooms with glass doors for the two of us. A few meeting rooms are present for discussions and meetings.

Before I can sit down and get some work done, Dewey makes his statement.

"We need to hire."

"Uhuh." I know nought about human resource, even though I have studied a university module on that. I trust Dewey has knowledge and experience in what he needs in hiring personnel, so I leave it up to him.

"Okay, then. You won't regret leaving the decision to me, Shengyi."

Though he is informal with me, our age gaps are so large that I could be considered his goddaughter or possibly his niece. I am hungry as I have woke up early and not had anything for breakfast, so I head to the cafe downstairs and order some toast and tea. I am starving so bad that I doubt I would be able to think at all.

I suddenly feel someone walk up behind me and breathe down my back. I promptly spin around to come eye-to-eye with Cullen Fu again.

"Cullen Fu? What is it that you need?" I question him savagely.

He just smiles. "I am here to partake in the pleasure of accompanying you for lunch."

I scowl. "I don't need anyone to have lunch with me. I'm an adult."

The rich CEO just sneers, and without asking, sinks in the soft cushioned seat beside me. Cullen Fu is daring and obnoxious. As much as I want to put some distance between us due to being competitors in the same industry and my doubts from that night at Soulless Bar, I find myself unable to utter a word in telling him to leave. He is incredibly dashing in white and black today, and I keep ogling at him.

My heart wonders if he is single. In my past life, I was seldom acquainted with good-looking men, and remembering Shan Hanyu, the most average of all men, makes me wish to puke from the revolting thought.

Cullen Fu's smile is very full of himself. I expect that he is a narcissist, and go on about my own thing, when his finger suddenly cuts into space between us. I imagined that he is about to caress my hair or pull a strand away from my face or any of the cute gestures between the leads in a drama, but instead, he reaches for the pepper container and grabs it, shaking ground pepper onto his meal.

I strike myself on the head, realising I was thinking too much about a man who was likely not interested in me. He probably doesn't even like me, I tell myself. Maybe there is something else he is after. He is so cold and cruel, heartless and devoid of feeling. If I was with a man like that, regardless of his sexual history, I would suffer.

When he talks to me, my hair stands on end.