“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
Zhang Ai yawned after her brother and sister in law had left. She glanced at her father. "Dad, are you still planning on arranging blind dates for Liang Ge?"
"There's no need for that." Zhang Yi picked his cup and drank his tea.
"Oh, Dad already accepts Er Jie?"
"Don't you like her too?"
Zhang Ai tilted her head. Feng Mian didn't look bad. Even if she didn't understand why her brother wanted to pick someone from an ordinary family, she would not stop him. After all, it was an unwritten rule in their families that they would decide on their own love life because of some disputes back then.
But if their decision led to a failure, it was the elder's turn to take things into their own hands. This time, the younger generation would have no reason to refuse because it was proven that they were incapable to take care of themselves.
"Liang already decided for himself, so I'll respect his decision," Zhang Yi added. "As for how it'll go, I'll wait for now."
"You're surprisingly laid back, Dad. You didn't look that way just a few days ago," Zhang Ai teased.
Zhang Yi's face darkened. "That's because that brat Liang is unable to find a girlfriend even after 26 years. He's just going to make me die young if he didn't say that he already got married today."
Looking at her father's healthy face, Zhang Ai didn't believe it at all when he said that he would die young. He hadn't even gotten sick at all lately, looking very healthy and energetic.
"You said that the files I compiled about Er Jie makes you remember of you and Mom, Dad."
"Of course, I also met her through unusual ways…."
As Zhang Yi began to speak, Zhang Ai beckoned for the servant to order a few more cupcakes. She knew that when her father began to tell the story of him and his wife, he would not stop for hours. With this, she would be able to enjoy a few more cupcakes.
Hmm, next should be chocolate flavor!
…
Zhang Liang got into the car with Feng Mian following behind him. She looked at him with confusion.
"Haven't you approved the design?" Feng Mian couldn't help but ask.
Zhang Liang nodded. "I have."
"Then why…"
"That's the only reason they'll let me out of the room. If not, we're going to stay there for another hour. At that time, Father will begin his questionings."
Feng Mian smiled bitterly. She had to admit that she was still feeling uncomfortable around the two other Zhang. Even though they smiled amiably at the front, their gazes were scrutinizing her in detail. That just made her worried that she might accidentally say something wrong.
"I see."
"You're bad at acting, Feng Mian."
"I can say the same to you, President."
Zhang Liang arched his eyebrows at her accusing tone. Well, he definitely couldn't act like Zhang Xue. Just looking at how his brother flaunted his relationship already urged him to throw a shoe to his face. He would be better off working again.
"Father had gotten used to my attitude."
"Really?"
"Yes."
"What if he's suspicious because of your acting?"
"I'll tell him that I didn't want to give dog food to his eyes."
Feng Mian: "…"
She forgot that there was that reason too. Well, since Zhang Liang was a 'polite' young man, he wouldn't want to let his father suffer, right?
Somehow, she felt that it was hard to believe.
"Father always liked to create trouble for us, so it's not uncommon for me to find something to strike back to him," Zhang Liang remarked calmly.
"Really?"
"Yes."
"Why do I feel that he also looked like he didn't trust you?"
Zhang Liang shrugged. "He knew that I'm someone who loved my work more than anything, so he wouldn't believe that I suddenly get married so easily."
Feng Mian looked at Zhang Liang. "But you didn't seem like you're trying to convince him."
"Not now."
"Is it fine?"
"Yes. First, you're still not comfortable enough with me. Two, I haven't thought of the story. Three, I'll make Father busy for the next few weeks so that he wouldn't bother me."
Hearing that, Feng Mian's lips twitched. How about if you try to correct your acting? But thinking of how the high and aloof Zhang Liang acted like a brat in love…. She truly couldn't imagine it.
"Brother… Zhang."
"Yes?"
"Do you know why your Father didn't look like he's suspicious about me?" Feng Mian asked curiously. Zhang Yi looked very supportive of her even though it was just their first time meeting. It was as if he couldn't wait to let Zhang Liang and her have… children together.
Zhang Liang arched his eyebrows. "Oh. That's because Xiao Ai already sent him the information about you."
"Xiao Ai?"