What Should I Do If I Time-Traveled Forty Years Later and My Lover Has Become an Old Man? - MLFYL: 13

Jiang Zhonglin gently inquired, “Are you comfortable staying home alone?”

From behind the sofa, Yu Yao extended her hand and casually waved it in reassurance, “It’s fine. You’ve asked me three times already.”

Sensing her patience might be thinning, Jiang Zhonglin offered one more gentle reminder, “I won’t be back until noon. Please remember to prepare the dishes in the refrigerator, avoid just snacking, and don’t nap for too long. Also, be sure to wash the fruit before eating.”

“Understood.”

After a moment of reflection, he realized there was little more to say; pressing further might only cause her impatience. With that, he put on his shoes, preparing to leave for Hainan University, where he was scheduled to deliver a public lecture.

Before stepping out, the integrated electronic housekeeper chimed softly, “Sir, it looks like rain is today. Please remember to take an umbrella.”

He reached for the dark blue umbrella by the door and headed out into the day.

Shortly after he departed, Yu Yao swiftly powered down the game, discarded the experience device, and gracefully rose from the sofa.

She tidied her hair, changed into a fresh outfit, and soon retrieved a small bag to slip on her shoes.

As she opened the door, the household robot recognized her and chimed softly with a courteous reminder, “Madam, it’s raining today. Please remember to take an umbrella when you go out.”

Smiling slightly, she reached into the umbrella stand and retrieved a petite red umbrella.

Both she and Jiang Zhonglin were headed to Hainan University—he to teach a class, and she with her own plans. Unlike him, however, she wasn’t there to attend his lecture; instead, she intended to enjoy a leisurely stroll around the campus.

She chose to keep this to herself, knowing that if he knew she was going along, he would likely insist on accompanying her, possibly escorting her around the campus, offering to wait in his office, and fretting over whether she might become bored.

That would be unnecessary and inconvenient; it was far simpler for her to explore alone.

After departing from the residential area, Yu Yao gracefully summoned an unoccupied vehicle at the bus stop, reminiscent of Jiang Zhonglin’s earlier action.

This type of public transportation features seats for one, two, or multiple passengers, and operates autonomously without a driver. It has become the most convenient and widely used means of travel in contemporary society.

Having never experienced riding in such a vehicle alone before, Yu Yao approached it with a mixture of curiosity and intrigue.

When the vehicle arrived, she stepped in independently, cautiously familiarizing herself with its interior. Though she had once been behind the wheel herself, she recognized that this autonomous vehicle differed from her previous experience.

Thus, she opted for the automatic driving mode, entered her destination, and settled comfortably, gazing at the passing scenery on either side of the road with quiet contemplation.

Shw had already confirmed that, despite the rigorous access control measures at Hainan University, the system was notably considerate—granting teachers the flexibility to include their families in their privileges.

As a result, she could simply swipe her ID card to gain entry.

The sky above was overcast, tinged with a somber hue, yet it had yet to summon rain. A brisk wind had picked up over the past two days, causing the temperature to dip slightly.

Approaching the university’s grand entrance, Yu Yao’s gaze settled on the historic gates. She followed a group of lively students, their voices filled with laughter and chatter, as she swiped her personal device to verify her identity. With that, she seamlessly stepped inside, her passage both effortless and assured.

The campus of Hainan University is remarkably expansive. Just beyond the main entrance, a prominent map stands as a welcoming guide. By scanning the designated QR code, visitors can access an interactive digital map of the entire campus.

Yu Yao, eager to familiarize herself with her surroundings, scanned the code and utilized her device to locate each building with ease.

She appreciatively reflected that this modern convenience greatly simplifies navigation, especially for newcomers. The current treatment and facilities for students have greatly improved compared to her own days at the university. Although she was uncertain of Jiang Zhonglin’s class schedule, she planned to visit the university’s library to explore its resources.

Recently, she had researched the qualifications required to become a kindergarten teacher and discovered that pursuing this career path would necessitate acquiring a substantial amount of knowledge.

Upon reviewing the extensive list of required certifications and books, she felt overwhelmed and momentarily paralyzed, as the daunting memories of her student days resurfaced, casting a shadow of nostalgia and challenge.

Her admirable trait lies in her unwavering determination; once she sets her mind to a task, she pursues it with relentless resolve, regardless of the obstacles she may face. The notion of “retreat in the face of difficulties” simply does not resonate with her character; instead, she embodies the spirit of confronting challenges head-on.

Today, her purpose was to visit the Hainan University Library, reputed to house the most comprehensive collection of reference books in the entire city.

Guided by a detailed map, she arrived at a striking edifice composed of three intersecting spheres of diminishing size. From a distance, the structure gleamed with a silvery-white hue, but upon closer inspection, she noticed that its exterior was adorned with numerous exquisitely crafted stained-glass windows.

Upon entering the vast library, she was immediately struck by the exceptional quality of the lighting. On a clear day, the interior would likely be imbued with an ethereal brightness, creating an atmosphere both luminous and inspiring.

She made her way from the school gate, encountering numerous students along her path—some strolling leisurely, others gathered in lively groups, fresh from classes and preparing to return to their dormitories. Everywhere, youthful energy radiated, filling the air with vibrancy.

Inside the library, the atmosphere was markedly more subdued; the hum of activity was tempered by a shared respect for silence, with voices kept low and whispers gently reminding those who spoke too loudly. Though bustling with visitors, the library exuded a sense of calm that contrasted beautifully with the lively outside world.

Yu Yao paused to study the signs and maps on the first floor, contemplating whether to visit the physical book section or the e-book area.

Ultimately, she chose the former. The readers in this section appeared relaxed—some seated at tables, others leaning against shelves—delving slowly into their books.

She searched for the titles on her list, found them, but upon assessing their thickness and heft, decided to forego this option and instead head to the e-book section across the hall, seeking a more convenient alternative.

This area was bustling with students, clearly evident that most were here to seek information and gather references.

She cast a quick glance and noticed over a dozen students scribbling away with expressions of despair—likely hurriedly trying to complete their papers or assignments. Despite the many changes in the world, some things remain constant; among them, the shared struggle and frustration students face when working through their homework.

Spotting an available reading terminal, she swiped her personal device and began searching for books, following the list meticulously.

True to the reputation of Hai City’s vastest collection, every title on her three-page list was here. The most efficient part was that she could effortlessly download and transfer all of them directly to her personal terminal, saving time and effort.

By 2058, the culture of sharing literature has become deeply embedded in society. An abundance of books are accessible freely and without restriction, eliminating the need for purchase. Anyone willing to explore can readily access a vast array of professional works across diverse fields from around the globe in electronic format, at no cost.

In contrast, the cost of physical books has risen significantly, relegating most to the realm of collectibles. For instance, Yu Yao, having completed copying her reference materials, also had the opportunity to attend a university lecture without charge.

Hainan University, renowned for its early childhood education program, offers an exceptional library environment where students can not only immerse themselves in books but also view educational videos spanning various disciplines. The facilities and resources available create an outstanding setting for independent learning and academic pursuit.

Yu Yao chose a reading corner by the window, where there were few people. She was listening to the class with headphones on, when suddenly a flash of lightning streaked across the sky, followed by a thunder that seemed to explode right next to her ears.

She glanced outside. It was raining, and the students downstairs were looking for a place to shelter from the rain.

Two students came to the reading station. The two girls hurriedly logged into the two reading stations and quickly began to look for reference books.

One girl quietly complained to the other, “I told you to hurry up, but you just didn’t do it. By the time we find the reference books assigned by the teacher, Professor Jiang’s open class will be over!”

Hearing the words “Professor Jiang,” Yu Yao assumed they must be talking about her husband, so she turned around to look at the two of them.

The two paid no attention.

The one being complained to rolled her eyes in amazement at the female student accompanying her, “You can watch the recording after the open class is over, right? Is there such a hurry? Why do you have to listen to the live broadcast? The live broadcast isn’t as clear as the video.”

“Don’t you understand? You can only really understand that atmosphere if you meet in person! This year, Professor Jiang stopped coming to school for the open class. I just happened to be at home the other day and missed it!”

“What has become of your literature department? It’s become even more exaggerated than my own penchant for star-gazing. I understand that Professor Jiang is widely regarded as your venerable heartthrob, but must you always address him with such formality, calling him Professor Jiang?”

“Damn. What’s wrong with our idol Old Jiang! If he were twenty years younger, I would marry him!”

Yu Yao: “…”

Her companion, upon overhearing this, wore an incredulous expression, “Stop dreaming, my friend. Face reality. Whether in youth or old age, the male deity will never notice you.”

“Can you really stop a girl from dreaming sweetly?”

The two giggled softly, quickly jotting down notes from the book before hurriedly slipping away hand in hand, unaware that Professor Jiang’s wife was standing right beside them.

Yu Yao stood gracefully by the window, her gaze drifting to the heavy rain outside.

After a moment, she observed two delicate floral umbrellas swiftly making their way through the downpour, heading toward a cluster of buildings nestled behind lush green trees—some towering, others more modest in height.

She guessed that Jiang Zhonglin was likely in class there.

A gentle smile played on her lips as she raised her eyebrows in quiet amusement. Young people, she mused, are truly vibrant—filled with boundless energy, their words and actions tinged with the charming innocence and playful silliness characteristic of their age.

As her smile lingered, a sudden realization struck her.

She looked at these teenagers and young adults in their early twenties, all sharing this same youthful perspective, and then thought of her old man. Was his gaze, toward her, perhaps, no different from that of someone observing a child’s innocence?

After attending two classes, she checked the time, rose to close her reading terminal, stretched languidly, and gathered her bag. With a sense of anticipation, she prepared to make her way to the cafeteria at Hainan University for a nourishing meal.

The third cafeteria, being the nearest to his current location, was the destination she headed directly toward.

Despite the torrential rain, she proceeded unhesitatingly, and by the time she arrived, the cuffs of her long pants had been dampened by the downpour. Yet, she paid no mind to the wetness, for the enticing fragrances emanating from the diverse array of food stalls perched across different floors beckoned irresistibly.

Ultimately, her gaze settled on a stall bearing a sign that proclaimed “Authentic Sichuan Spicy Hot Pot.”

As she waited patiently for the chef to prepare her order, Yu Yao overheard a group of young men engaged in conversation nearby. Their tousled hair and sluggish yawns suggested they had just awakened and stepped out for a quick bite, adding a casual, lively atmosphere to the bustling scene.

Initially, she had paid little attention to them, but a young man mentioned Jiang Zhonglin “Thanks to Professor Jiang’s public lecture today, Old Liu also attended the class. He’s the one who notified us that the three sessions this morning had been rescheduled. Otherwise, after a long night of gaming yesterday, waking up so early for roll call—especially for Old Liu class—would have been an absolute ordeal.”

“Indeed. Let’s go back and pray to Professor Jiang, hoping he’ll hold more public lectures and distract that old monster Liu. Then, we might finally be free of such suffering.”

A few of the young men chuckled, jesting, “Now that you mention it, isn’t Professor Jiang just ‘pulling aggro’?”

Their laughter and banter filled the air, lightening the mood with a touch of camaraderie.

Yu Yao also let out a gentle chuckle at the amusing display of the monster pull.

Hearing her laughter behind them, several lively young men turned around, and upon seeing a graceful older sister standing behind, they each felt a twinge of embarrassment. Just as their number was called at the window, they quickly gathered their packed meals and stepped aside.

When it was Yu Yao’s turn, she was about to make a transfer when the attendant at the window informed her, “We don’t accept transfers at this window; you can only use a student meal card.”

She paused, momentarily at a loss.

She looked around, contemplating whether to enlist the help of a nearby student to swipe her meal card so she could transfer the funds. But as she turned, her gaze fell upon Jiang Zhonglin approaching hurriedly from a short distance away.

In such a vast setting, how could so many people cross paths unexpectedly?

Noticing a slight furrow in the old man’s brow, Yu Yao waved her hand in his direction, “Do you have a meal card?”