1 Year of Beginning

23. Dreams vs Reality

Zhang Liang walked out of the mansion after he had finished talking with the director. His eyes caught Secretary He looking in his direction and tried to say something.

"What do you want to say, He Lian?" Zhang Liang asked.

He Lian was Secretary He's full name. He Lian looked at Zhang Liang with a bitter smile on his lips. "You didn't seem to act like yourself just now, President."

"There's someone who leaked the news last night," Zhang Liang replied. "It's better if they see me alone for today and not bother Feng Mian."

When he went to the restaurant yesterday, someone leaked on social media that they saw him with a woman. Even though there was no picture attached, it still caused some rift. A few reporters were camping around his mansion and his company. If they caught sight of Feng Mian, they would surely do their work.

He might have already signed a contract with Feng Mian to have her act as his wife, but it didn't mean he wanted to deal with the reporter now. It was already enough that they caught wind earlier than his intention.

Taking out his phone, Zhang Liang dialed his sister. "Xiao Ai."

"What is it, Liang Ge? It's still too early."

"I want you to post our dinner on your social media. Remember to exclude Feng Mian."

On her bed, Zhang Ai groaned. She still wanted to sleep longer, but she knew that her brother wouldn't let her off if she didn't do anything. "Fine."

"Good."

He Lian shook his head. He could guess that Zhang Liang wanted them to think that the one who posted only saw him with his sister. In his heart, he wondered why Zhang Liang suddenly wanted to get married just to get away from Zhang Yi's nagging.

Having a girlfriend was actually already enough, right?

Not wanting to pry deeper into his boss's thoughts and life, He Lian decided to just focus on his work.

...

Inside the house, Feng Mian didn't know what to do. There was barely anything to do because she didn't really have any work. Zhang Liang also forbade her from going out to work, so she needed something to do while staying at home.

'I never know that having nothing to do is also very painful.'

All this time, she always had so many things to do that she hoped that she could have 30 hours each day to finish them all. But now, she just found out that having nothing to do is also a different kind of torture. She wanted to get out yet at the same time, she knew that the butler would stop her.

Sighing to herself, Feng Mian propped her chin on the table. Her slender fingers tapped on the table rhythmically.

"Butler Lou."

"Yes?"

"Can I trouble you to buy some painting equipment?" Feng Mian asked.

Butler Lou blinked his eyes but then he nodded. Zhang Liang instructed him to do anything Feng Mian wanted to do except allowing her to work and get out of the mansion.

"Then please buy these."

Feng Mian picked a paper and began to write the equipment and paints she needed. She used to learn designing back in her university. However, the equipment was always so expensive, so she had no other choice but to use the one the university provided. There were only limited colors and brush there, but it was enough to allow her to graduate.

Afterwards, she hadn't had the chance to resume painting ever again. After all, she didn't have the money to buy the paints and all.

Butler Lou looked at the list with surprise. "Please wait a moment, Madam."