“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
"Let me take a glass of water." Zhang Liang noticed that Lin San was uncomfortable with his presence. He decided to take a glass of water for her instead.
"Thank you."
Feng Mian helped her mother to sit down while Zhang Liang picked the glass and poured warm water. After operation, Lin San would need to drink a lot, so it was the first thing that crossed her mind.
"Here, Mom."
"I can drink by myself," Lin San nearly laughed when she saw how clumsy Feng Mian was. She took the glass and drank slowly before returning the empty one to Feng Mian. Seeing how her mother still could drink a lot, Feng Mian also felt relieved.
"Let me take it."
"Ah, ok."
Zhang Liang took the glass from Feng Mian and walked to the edge table to put it away. As he walked, Lin San pulled Feng Mian closer and whispered, "Why don't you tell me sooner that your boyfriend comes? I must've look like a mess."
Feng Mian glanced at her mother. "Don't worry, Mom. You're the prettiest woman in the entire world."
"Oh you!"
Feng Mian laughed as her mother pointed to the food. "Let me eat."
"I'll move the table."
"Ah, thank you, Brother Liang."
The hospital had prepared the meal for Lin San. It was a simple dish consisting of porridge and also finely cut fruits on a small plate. Zhang Liang brought the table to the bed and helped Feng Mian to set it up. It was the type of table that can be moved and usually used by patients who wanted to eat on the bed or simply can't move from bed.
There were several different types of this table. There were also those who were small and could be moved and placed on their lap but there were also those that could be pushed because they had wheels on the table's leg. The one in this room was the one with wheels, so Feng Mian merely pushed it to the side of the bed for her mother.
Lin San ate while Feng Mian moved to the side with Zhang Liang not far from her.
"Thank you," Feng Mian whispered.
Zhang Liang arched his eyebrows. "It's nothing much."
"Still, thank you."
Feng Mian knew that Zhang Liang didn't need to do these things at all. He could just leave her alone here and focus on his work. After all, there was no need for him to be so kind to her when they were just together for a set period of time.
It was just an act.
Right?
Lin San took some time before she finished eating. Her eyes looked at the two youngsters with interest. It had been some time since the last time she saw them together.
"Have you finished, Mom?"
"Yes."
"Let me clean it up."
Zhang Liang moved the table and the plates with Feng Mian's help. Lin San watched the two of them work together with a smile on her face. "So, Mian'er, how do you meet with Zhang Liang?"
Feng Mian nearly dropped the plate on her hand. They hadn't talked much about this yet. Her heart began to panic, but Feng Mian tried to keep her calm. Her eyes shifted to the side and ended up looking at Zhang Liang for help.
Thankfully, Zhang Liang understood. He mouthed out, 'lift.'
Ah.
"I met with Zhang Liang on my way home, Mom. At that time, we used the lift together and stuck there for some time because the lift kept on stopping," Feng Mian replied. It was partially the truth and lies. The lift was actually very fast, but for her, that time seemed like a lifetime because she was too nervous.
"That's interesting," Lin San commented. She knew that it was logical since they worked in the same company. "Who spoke first?"
"Me." Zhang Liang cleared his throat. "I asked her why she came home so late. After all, it's rare to see another coworker working so late at night."
"I have some tasks at that time, Mom. It's not like I always go home late," Feng Mian reasoned.
Lin San nodded. "It must have left quite a deep impression for you to be able to be together."
"Yes, it is." To see President Zhang being yelled at was something new.
Zhang Liang smiled politely and chose not to speak anything more. He didn't want to risk giving out details such as the date because if it didn't match with Feng Mian, it wouldn't be good. It would be better to stick as close to the truth as possible to avoid making mistakes.
Seeing her mother seemed to be very interested in their story, Feng Mian could only pray in her heart that her mother wouldn't ask her many things.