On the Day of the IPO, My Ex Asked If We Could Start Over - Chapter 1

Chapter 1

I woke up standing at the entrance of the Civil Affairs Bureau.

My heels were killing me, as if they’d just been put through the wringer by a pair of high heels. My phone was ringing, too, vibrating so hard my palm felt numb.

There were twenty-seven missed calls on the screen, all from Zhou Qi’an.

The latest WeChat message had been sent three minutes ago.

Zhou Qi’an: Go inside and get a number first.

Zhou Qi’an: Something came up on Yutang’s end. I’ll be there as soon as I’ve handled it.

Zhou Qi’an: Anhe, don’t be difficult. Let’s get our certificate today.

I stared at those three messages, and my mind suddenly cleared.

This wasn’t my phone.

To be more precise, this wasn’t the phone from my original world.

Just last week, I had been curled up at my desk reading a melodramatic, tragic novel where the Female Lead was also named Li Anhe. She helped the male lead start his business, pulled all-nighters for him, blocked his creditors, and in the end, she even took the fall for him so completely it was etched into her very bones. At her lowest point, she jumped off an unfinished building while clutching her sick daughter.

Reading the book had made my blood pressure skyrocket, and I’d fallen asleep cursing it.

When I opened my eyes, I had become her.

And of all times, I had transmigrated at the most disgusting turning point.

If I got that marriage certificate today, I would quit my job over the next three months and use my savings to help Zhou Qi’an start his company. A year later, he would build that company by stepping over my proposals and my clients. Two years after that, he would push an unlimited joint liability agreement toward me and say, “Anhe, just sign it. You’re the most sensible.”

Sensible my foot.

I looked down at myself. A red dress, high heels, and meticulously applied makeup-it was obvious the original owner had been excited about getting married today as recently as last night.

She really did love Zhou Qi’an.

She loved him so much she turned herself into an automated blood bag for him.

But I wasn’t her.

Or rather, I wasn’t the version of her that would continue down that path.

The phone vibrated again. Zhou Qi’an sent a voice message. His voice was as gentle as ever-so gentle it made my teeth ache.

“Anhe, wait for me a little longer. Once we get our certificate today, we’ll truly be a family.”

After listening, I didn’t reply. I blocked him immediately.

My movements were so crisp I almost wanted to applaud myself.

Across the street was the Business Service Center. I picked up my skirt and headed over. The moment I pushed the door open, the blast of air conditioning hit my face, and I finally felt completely awake.

The receptionist asked, “Hello, how can I help you?”

I thought for a moment and said, “I want to register a company.”

She blinked, startled. “Have you decided on a name?”

I watched the financial news scrolling on the lobby television, and my heartbeat actually grew steadier.

Because I knew what would happen over the next two years.

I knew which companies looked prestigious but actually had shareholder relations as messy as a pot of porridge. I also knew which niche sectors no one was watching yet, but would immediately become hot commodities once new policies were implemented.

The Li Anhe in the book had kept her eyes fixed on Zhou Qi’an.

I was different.

My eyes were on the market.

“I’ve decided.”

I said, “Yunhe Shareholder Services.”

Since the heavens insisted on throwing me into a tragic novel…

Then I wasn’t going to play along with their romance.

I was going to start a company instead.