“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
In the office, Yu Yan received the message from the office that Feng Mian would be working from home. Because of that, they would need to send the materials to her when the company has already decided on their work.
"Wow, she sure got it easy," Su Han sneered when he received the news. They still have to work here while Feng Mian could enjoy her time at home. How nice.
Yu Yan sent a glare. "Mind what you say, Su Han."
"What? I'm just saying the truth. Just because her mother is hospitalized, she's getting it easy while we have to work hard. Admit it. She's only accepted here because of pity."
Hearing that, Yu Yan's gaze turned colder. She had been here from the time Feng Mian entered the company, so she knew that Feng Mian was working hard even though she was also busy with other things. Doing two things at the same time was never easy. The need of time management and lots of sleep sacrifice was needed.
It was something people who fare well in their lives would never be able to understand.
Working, studying, taking care of the house, it was the life that Feng Mian had to live with for years. Because of her family situation, she never had the chance to have a normal university life and played for a long time with her friends. She stayed up all night just to work on both her project and job.
Yu Yan could sense that many other people were looking in their direction, but she didn't care in the slightest. "First of all, Feng Mian is a hard worker. She's working and studying at the same time for a long period of time. Secondly, her work is satisfying so far. The one who made the most mistake in the group is you. Thirdly, you reek of alcohol."
"What are you talking, you b*tch!" Su Han stepped forward, his fingers balled into a fist, threatening to hit the woman before him.
Yu Yan lifted one of her eyebrows, challenging Su Han to move forward. Fighting in the company would result in harsh punishment. Since there was CCTV and also people around her, Yu Yan was not worried that they would take Su Han's side. Besides, her position in the company is better than him.
Su Han gritted his teeth when he felt a tug on his clothes. He knew that his friend was reminding him that this is the company, so he shouldn't go overboard. In society, fighting was looked down upon because that kind of method to solve problems is seen as barbaric.
"Get back to work. We need to make a review of last year's Valentine Project," Yu Yan gave her order coldly.
Su Han glared at Yu Yan for one last time before he returned back to his desk. His hand began to type to browse the content of last year's Valentine Project.
Internally, Yu Yan sighed to herself. Thankfully, Feng Mian was not here or the two of them might have started fighting for real. She didn't understand why Su Han was acting so annoying like that.
Probably, old illness acting up.
Yu Yan pushed the thought to the back of her mind and texted Feng Mian to tell everything that happened here along with their work.
…
- Zhang Liang's Mansion -
Feng Mian had just finished arranging her studio when she noticed that there was a message from Yu Yan. Her eyes darkened upon reading the message.
Yu Yan: Feng Mian, that *ss Su Han is trying to badmouth you again, trying to say that you enter the company because of pity!
Feng Mian: Even though I'm not in the company?
Yu Yan: You know that annoying man just wouldn't want to let you off. I bet he's jealous because you can directly enter right after you graduate.
Reading that, Feng Mian merely laughed coldly. It was said that finding work after graduation wouldn't be easy, which was the reason why most people spent days to search for job after they graduated. Unless they have some connection, it wouldn't be easy to get into a big company, such as this one.
Feng Mian could be said to be quite lucky because she managed to enter the company right after she graduated. This was also because she still worked here even after her internship even though only as a part timer.
On the other hand, Su Han had to wait years before he could enter. The same could be said for Yu Yan, who spent her time in other companies first before she could come here and become the team leader.
Because they had seen Feng Mian's bad record, many often spoke bad about her. They often said that she only entered here because of pity.
Feng Mian texted Yu Yan again.
Feng Mian: Just ignore him. I won't get affected.
Yu Yan: (punching emoji) Don't worry, I make sure he's getting the end of the stick again. I'll send you the material for review tomorrow, just rest for today.
Feng Mian: (hugging emoji) Thank you, you're the best, Yan'er.
Yu Yan: Of course! I'll do my work now.
Looking at the emoji that Yu Yan sent, Feng Mian's lips curled up into a smile. Even though Yu Yan didn't say anything, Feng Mian was sure that Yu Yan would surely give Su Han more work. That way, that annoying man wouldn't have the time to bother with anything else.
"Madam, everything is ready."
Feng Mian turned back. She could see Butler Lou had finished arranging the canvas and paint in the right place.
"Thank you for your help, Butler Lou."
"It's my job," Butler Lou smiled brightly. He looked at the canvas curiously. "If I may ask, what do you want to paint, Madam?"