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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 · 都市
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198 Chs

Zhang Xue

While Feng Mian and Lu Di La were busy in the kitchen, Zhang Ai pulled her brother to the backyard. There were already a lot of servants there. If one didn't know better, one would have thought that a grand renovation occurred here.

Flick!

"What do you ask them to do today?" Zhang Liang flicked his sister's forehead.

Zhang Ai immediately released her arm. Her small mouth pursed unhappily. "I just ask them to arrange a roof and tables for us. Come on, the right side is already done."

Zhang Liang glanced to the side and saw his brother was standing in front of a table, waiting for the pillars and roof to be placed. Zhang Liang's twin, Zhang Xue, has similar features and build with Zhang Liang. However, his expression was much milder with a smile more often than not plastered on his lips.

Zhang Xue seemed to notice Zhang Liang's gaze because he raised his head and waved his hand. "Liang! You finally come."

"The traffic jam is heavy," Zhang Liang gave his excuse and walked closer. "So, we're using this table?"

"This is the largest round table we have. Xiao Ai wanted all of us to dine in one table, so she picked this," Zhang Xue said helplessly. In front of their younger sister, the two brothers often gave in to her demands.

"I see."

"So, where's your little wife?"

Zhang Liang frowned. "She's not little."

Zhang Xue laughed. "I heard from Xiao Ai that Feng Mian is so small and cute. I didn't know that you like that type, Liang. If only I knew, I would have already introduced you to some of my college friends who are small and cute."

"Get off!"

Zhang Liang's face darkened as he pushed his twin older brother away. Different from him who more often than not buried himself with work, Zhang Xue preferred to have fun with others too. He has many more female friends compared to him and has much more history with them before he settled down.

Zhang Ai pursed her lips. "Xue Ge, if you dare to get close to another woman and bring them home, I'll report to Da Jie."

"Wait! I didn't do that. Come on, Xiao Ai, you know that I don't have anyone else."

"Xue Ge is harder to believe."

Zhang Xue wanted to cry. He turned to look at Zhang Liang, but his twin younger brother just looked away, pretending that he didn't hear anything. In any case, it was not his business if Zhang Ai chose to target Zhang Xue because of his past. Who told him to love making sweets so much to the point that a lot of girls visited him just to have a taste?

At least, it proved that Zhang Xue is a good patissier.

Zhang Ai grinned. "If Father heard this, I'm sure he's going to lock you with Da Jie agai…"

By this time, Zhang Xue had chased after Zhang Ai and blocked her mouth. He didn't want anyone to hear that. It was so embarrassing that his father meddled with his marriage life just because this sister of his reported him. At that time, it was nothing more than his subordinate who asked for help, but Zhang Ai thought he got another girlfriend.

The result… was a total disaster.

"Come on, they have finished setting the roof. Let's move the table," Zhang Liang tapped the large round table.

"Watch your mouth, Xiao Ai."

Zhang Ai stuck out her tongue. She ran to the side to take some flowers for decoration while Zhang Liang and Zhang Xue helped out to move the table. When the servants saw the two young masters move the table on their own, they agreed to look away. Even though the two of them didn't seem to have a lot of exercise, the two of them have quite a lot of strength.

Hours passed before everything was finished. By 7 PM, the cooking was finished while the table was set.

"I'll check the food!" Zhang Ai volunteered as she ran into the house.

Zhang Yi, who walked out of the mansion, nearly crashed the excited Zhang Ai. He shook his head as Zhang Ai yelled sorry while still running.

"She never grew up."

"Indeed."

Zhang Xue sat down and leaned back. He looked at his father warily. "Father, please don't begin to lecture me about having a child again."

Zhang Yi arched his eyebrows. "I'm thinking of letting you off today, but it seemed that you're the one who want me to speak about it again? Alright, then, how's your progress with your wife? How many times….?"

Hearing the interrogation, Zhang Liang turned his head away, pretending that he didn't hear anything. If his father began to ask him, he would only say that it was his private life. Because he already used to act a bit cold and would not answer all of his father's inquiries, he could get away easier. On the other hand, Zhang Xue's face was pale as his father began to berate him.

'Father! Can't you think of something else to fill your mind?'

While the two siblings have to face Zhang Yi, Zhang Ai already reached the kitchen. Her eyes lit up upon sensing the sweet smell of dumplings and some others mixed together. Both Feng Mian and Lu Di La cooked a lot of dishes.

Bang!

"Da Jie! Er Jie! Are the food ready?"

Lu Di La frowned and turned her body around elegantly. Her brows creased even more when she saw the dirty dress Zhang Ai wore. "Xiao Ai, are you still helping around your brother on the backyard?"

"Ah." Zhang Ai looked at her own appearance and smiled sheepishly. Lu Di La has always been elegant while she was a bit spoiled and tomboy. "Yeah, it's fun helping out!"

"You little," Lu Di La sighed. She placed the plate on the table and looked at the servant nearby. "Bring them to the backyard. Make sure that you are careful because they're hot."

"Yes, Madam."

Feng Mian smiled lightly. "Should I follow after you?"

"You can head over to the backyard first. I'm going to help Zhang Ai to change her dress first."

"Wait! I'm not a kid! I can change my dress myself."

"Oh? I'm sure last time you picked a very unsuitable dress for the occasion. I'll be the one to pick."

Zhang Ai opened her mouth and closed it again. Even though she was unwilling, she knew that her sister in law was correct. She often didn't think much when picking clothes and ended up picking the wrong one because she just wanted to be quick.

Feng Mian nodded. "I'll be going to the backyard first, then."

"I'll be there soon."

"Kay," Zhang Ai said as she followed Lu Di La to her room.

Looking at the two of them, Feng Mian laughed to herself. Zhang Ai looked like a lost puppy who had been berated by her owner while Lu Di La is the angry owner. Feng Mian pushed the thought to the back and asked the servant to lead her to the backyard.