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1 Year of Beginning

“Give me one year of your life and I’ll give you the money you need.” Feng Mian is a normal and down to earth modern woman. She just wanted an ordinary life, an ordinary job and find an ordinary man to marry in the future. (Yes, all should be ordinary). But when family matters took a turn for the worst, she faced a huge dilemma called shortage of money. Suddenly, a contract came due to a series of coincidences. Zhang Liang was fed up with his father's (yes, father not mother) matchmaking schemes for him. He wanted to have a peaceful year because this was his chance to expand his business overseas, yet his father didn’t seem to get the message. When an ordinary fresh graduate employee in his company accidentally saw a scene, he decided to take the chance. “Since she has a normal background with nothing remarkable, nothing should go wrong, right?” Browsing through the contract, Feng Mian gritted her teeth. 'Fine. It was just one year of my life anyway. I wouldn't lose a lot.' But was it true? Or would that one year turn out to be a ride full of ups and down for both of them? ... Story set in modern era in fictional country. This story is purely fiction, any similarities with real life's event is purely coincidence. Special thanks for CatarinaM2811 for making the cover Word count: 900-1800 words/chapter Discord: https://discord.gg/pBy2wGB ... Thorough the Years' Series: 1. 1 Year of Beginning [complete] 2. 2 Years of Restarting [complete] 3. -Work in Progress- 4. -Work in Progress- 5. -Work in Progress- 6. -Work in Progress- 7. -Work in Progress- The series are all STANDALONE, meaning you don't have to read the other series in order to be able to follow this story. You can just read one and you still didn't lose anything. Each of the series have different main leads but they all happen in the same universe (and similar timeline, some are overlapping but mostly not) ... Other novels: -Flowers Bloom from Battlefield [complete] - Under the Veil of Night [complete] - 7 Path of the Lilies [on long hiatus] - Villain Lady [complete] - Science and Fantasy [complete] - Forgotten Legend of the Bloodied Flower [on going] - The Quiet Empress [on going] ... Note for those who read Sorahana's other novels: This novel took a different approach compared to my other novels because it focused heavily on romance and also in main lead's perspective. follow me on IG: @sora100518

Sorahana · Urban
Not enough ratings
198 Chs

Making Connections

Feng Mian nodded. "I'll try."

"A lot of people will ask you why you can get close to me. The story will remain the same as what we told your mother back then," Zhang Liang replied.

They first met in the lift and Zhang Liang asked some questions as a kind and caring boss. Even though Feng Mian actually couldn't see Zhang Liang as someone who cared for his employees considering how much he had made them work before, she could just think of the image in her mind.

There was no detail that she should share with strangers. Just how they met and when they got married would be enough. The date of the marriage was set on the day Feng Mian signed the contract on the company and agreed to the terms that the two have given out on their meetings.

Feng Mian nodded. "Alright."

"That's the one I wanted to ask for partnership. Accompany me to greet."

"Ah, ok."

Looking at the couples in their middle ages, Feng Mian tried to recall their names. Zhang Liang had included them in the list of people she had to memorize, but her memorization was not that good. It took her several seconds before she could finally remember the two's names.

"Mr. Kira, it's good to see you here today," Zhang Liang greeted with a smile on his lips.

The middle aged man smiled back. "Oh, Zhang Liang. We met again."

"It has been some time. I can see that you're still as healthy as ever."

Mr. Kira laughed. His line of sight fell on Feng Mian as his eyes sparkled in interest. "And who's this little lady over here?"

"Good evening, Mr. Kira, I'm Feng Mian, Zhang Liang's wife," Feng Mian greeted with a polite smile.

"OH! You're finally married, Zhang Liang! When did you get married?"

"Not long ago."

"Really? I must have missed the celebration," Mr. Kira mused. He knew that he was quite busy because of his business, but he didn't usually miss his business's friends' marriage. After all, it was an event that would only happen once in their lifetime.

Zhang Liang showed a smile. "I didn't hold a marriage party."

"Why?" the middle aged woman was discontent. In her opinion, a banquet was necessary because it would be the same as telling the entire world about their marriage.

Feng Mian could sense the displeasure. She flashed an apologetic smile. "I'm the one who asked him not to. Because I only come from a humble background, I think that it'll be a bit too much for me. Maybe when I have gotten more confident, I'll ask him."

"Oh you," The middle aged woman nodded. The discrepancy between the rich and poor was sometimes a bit too much, making one uncomfortable. "Is it that unexpected?"

Feng Mian laughed a little. "Well, it's truly unexpected when he asked the question. But I'm not used to the glamorous life, so I want to keep a low profile."

"Right, being low profile is also good…."

The two women hit it on right away. Because the middle aged woman had seen much more in life, she knew what Feng Mian was talking about. It was not easy for a woman who came from an ordinary background to mesh with the splendor of the world like that.

Mr. Kira smiled. "It seems that my wife had taken a liking to your wife. I hope you don't mind her borrowing your little wife a bit."

"Not at all, I'll be happy if she can make new friends here," Zhang Liang responded. His intention for bringing Feng Mian here was to make her able to get along with Mr. Kira's wife. That way, he would be able to talk about business with Mr. Kira. Of course, only after they have talked and understood each other's intention.

Feng Mian spent the rest of the evening's time talking with some of the wives from the businessmen that Zhang Liang hoped to have collaboration. Even though she was not that much of a talker, Feng Mian had a good time learning about many countries' culture.

They were much more interesting than what she had ever thought before.

"Do you have fun?" Zhang Liang asked after he had finished talking. He was impressed by how much Feng Mian managed to make the wives of the businessmen liked her. It seemed that what they liked the most was a good listener. Many loved to brag about their stories and what they have done in the past, so having Feng Mian as a listener delighted them.

She might not much of a talker, but she listened well and also gave her opinion at the right time.

Feng Mian nodded. "There are a lot of interesting stories that I have never heard before."

Zhang Liang pursed his lips. "Wait until you hear the story for the tenth time and I doubt you'll like it."

"There's not many parties I have to attend, right?"

"No. Unless it's a party from businessmen that have close relationships with Zhang Family, it's fine even if I just come alone. You can stay at home most of the time and I'll be the one to go."

Feng Mian blinked her eyes. "Is it really okay?"

"Yes. Back then, Mother also didn't come to all parties because she disliked it. She came from a humble family background, similar to you. If you're interested in her story, you can ask Father to tell you someday."

"That's a good idea."

"One more thing, you might want to prepare popcorn while listening to his story if you don't wish to fall asleep in the middle."

Feng Mian: "…" popcorn?

Feng Mian didn't know whether to laugh or cry when she heard Zhang Liang's suggestion. She was listening to a story and not watching movies. However, it should be very interesting if she could do that. Of course, she would ask for permission first before taking out popcorn.

Zhang Liang looked at Old Zhou, who was walking out of the room with several other people. "It's nearing the time for dinner together. Do you want to come or not?"

"Can I just stay in the room and eat there?" Feng Mian asked worriedly. She still didn't have the confidence that her table manner could go without any problem.

"Alright. I'll accompany you."

"Wait. I need to go to the restroom first."

Zhang Liang nodded. "Ok. I'll wait in the corridor."

"Thank you."

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