Chapter 1, Ten years ago

I returned to the house, suppressing the excitement of seeing my mother. I responded calmly and turned to go back to my room

Wang Zheng's home is not far from school; it takes just ten minutes to ride a bicycle to and from school. Along the way, he leisurely enjoys the scenery from his memories, taking twice as long, which can be considered another form of revisiting familiar places.

My father is an old hand at driving. Since his youth, he has been dealing with all kinds of vehicles. After more than twenty years of experience, there is no vehicle, big or small, that he cannot handle. Although he hasn't made a fortune, he has never been short of small earnings. He travels all over the country every day, gaining extensive knowledge and experience. He is adept at interacting with people from all walks of life. Currently, he is driving long-distance routes to the Magic City, and in a few years, he will likely be recruited by a travel company in the Magic City to run tourist routes, until Wang Zheng's time travel.

Oh, they have arrived! I responded loudly and jumped down like a carp. Following the aroma of the food, I made my way to the dining hall, reached out, grabbed a slice of meat, and tossed it into my mouth. I chewed heartily, smacking my lips, and exclaimed, how delicious!

The individual is wearing autumn and winter sports uniforms, which indicates that it is currently either December or March, as January and February are largely comprised of winter vacation or the period surrounding it, during which physical education classes do not take place. Moreover, Yantai has a Mediterranean climate; in November or April, the temperatures do not permit it, and young men full of vigor simply cannot tolerate wearing long-sleeved clothing.

Repeatedly pondering over my thoughts, I casually picked up the small metal piece from my chest and examined it closely. The metal piece is not large, about the size of a pinky finger, intricately carved with strange patterns that resemble an ancient script. A string of indiscernible material passes through the twisted opening at the top. Its overall shape somewhat resembles the AllSpark from Transformers, albeit much smaller. Occasionally, I can faintly sense a stream of light passing by, akin to a shield or a refreshing effect. It gives off a very high-tech and impressive feeling.

Xiao Ling? Wang Zheng has started to react a bit.

Disadvantages may include the presence of unknown enemies. Since one can traverse dimensions, there is a considerable possibility that others can as well. Who knows if there are time-space police? Although this is entirely unfounded, a sense of crisis should still be maintained. Caution is the key to longevity. In situations where the circumstances are unclear and one lacks the ability to protect oneself, it is advisable not to make drastic changes to future life, so as to avoid attracting the attention of potential enemies.

Mom, I am back!" Wang Zheng greeted his busy mother in the kitchen as he entered the house

Wang Zheng grew up in a very standard family, with parents who have a good relationship and both sets of grandparents still alive. The family purchased a 80-square-meter two-bedroom apartment on the first floor in the newly developed area of Yantai City, which, along with the garage directly below, totals over 100 square meters. For a family of three, life is relatively enjoyable and fulfilling.

In fact, Wang Zheng was eager to rush outside not only to visit his parents at home, but also to confirm something. Wang Zheng clearly remembered that the old man in the reception room was a heavy smoker with very thick glasses. There was always a large electronic clock hanging on the wall directly facing the window—this was the best evidence to verify his conjecture

Wang Zheng! Are you feeling better? A girl noticed that Wang Zheng had woken up and hurried over to ask, "I told you not to come to gym class. You should have just rested in the infirmary with a fever! Why did you have to come here to sleep? Really!" Her little mouth pouted, displaying a cute expression of 'I'm upset'.

Wang Zheng reached out to touch his neck, where a square metal block hung, clearly indicating its presence. "It has arrived!" Wang Zheng slowly organized his thoughts; it was this unremarkable metal block that had transported him back ten years. He had no idea where he had touched the metal block, and inexplicably, without any scientific principle, he had returned in a daze.

Let’s take it one step at a time! Ding ding ding— After a moment of daydreaming, the class bell rang! It’s time to leave school. In the second year of high school, we have a week off every two weeks, and physical education classes are generally scheduled for the last period on Friday afternoons. Therefore, most students come to class with their backpacks, hoping to leave the school early.

Hehe! Wang Zheng, with a cheeky grin, flattered his mother as he slipped into the bathroom

"You're back! Go to your room and do your homework! I'll call you when it's time to eat!" The mother turned around and glanced at her son, saying, "Are you off this week?"

Wang Zheng felt a bit confused, unable to grasp the situation, wondering, "Who is this? Are we very familiar?" He stared at the girl in a daze, remaining silent.

In an era where a million is worth less than a dog, and one walks countless times, earning a monthly salary of 3,000 is barely enough to meet basic needs. A life in the upper class can only be understood through a few glimpses online, followed by dreaming about it at night.

Ah, it's me! What's wrong with you? Xiao Ling was somewhat surprised

Where is this? Wang Zheng woke up, awakened by the cold floor

Wang Zheng stood up, rubbed his shoulders that had almost frozen against the floor, and said a word to Lin Ling before swinging his deflated backpack and walking out of the school. His friends thought he had a fever and felt unwell, which was a bit unusual, but they didn't pay much attention to it. They joked and laughed as they walked out together. They could never have imagined that the close friends who had been chatting and laughing in the morning would completely forget who each other was by the afternoon

Wang Zheng has no interest at all in the philosophical question of whether my future self will disappear or whether my past self exists, especially during times of toothache when I find myself in pain. Since I am here, I might as well make the best of it; after all, it is myself, and wherever I am, I am just getting by.

Well, then I will go buy you a bottle of water. Seeing that he was fine, Ling felt relieved and happily went.

The students had not yet poured out in large numbers, and the old electric gate creaked open reluctantly, revealing an entrance only wide enough for one person. Wang Zheng quickly pushed his bicycle, which had been parked at the gate before class, and walked briskly past, casting a quick glance at the reception room, his heart skipping a beat—March 12, 2002, Friday, 17:01

He returned to ten years ago! The time was clearly during his second year of high school, as in the first year, students did not have access to the indoor basketball court and could only play on the large playground. In the third year, due to the pressure of exams, all physical education classes were dedicated to testing. It was indeed "difficult to secure a class." There was also Xiao Ling, also known as Lin Ling! She was Wang Zheng's deskmate in the second year and also the class monitor. At that time, Wang Zheng had a crush on her for quite a while, which made the memories particularly vivid. It was indeed "difficult to secure a class." There was also Xiao Ling, also known as Lin Ling! She was Wang Zheng's deskmate in the second year and also the class monitor. At that time, Wang Zheng had a crush on her for quite a while, which made the memories particularly vivid.

Wang Zheng felt somewhat puzzled, groggily propping himself up and looking around. This was an indoor basketball court in a gymnasium, and the style seemed somewhat familiar, though he couldn't recall where he had seen it before. Under each of the two basketball hoops, there were seven or eight boys who looked like high school students scrambling for the ball, clearly engaged in a half-court game.

The backpack was casually tossed aside, and Wang Zheng lay on the bed in a large character shape, his mind racing with countless thoughts. Firstly, as a time traveler, the advantages were quite evident. Although, for a homebody office worker, it was certain that he would not remember the lottery numbers or the precise dates of significant events about to unfold in the world. However, the cold touch of the small metal piece on his chest constantly reminded Wang Zheng that it was his golden finger. Although its purpose was currently unclear, his own experiences clearly indicated to him that this was a treasure

For others, this is an ordinary Friday; even for those celebrating a birthday, it is merely a joyful weekend. However, for Wang Zheng, this date will undoubtedly be etched in his memory for a lifetime

The room where Wang Zheng lives, located at hetushu.com, is a secondary bedroom of approximately 15 square meters. Besides a wardrobe, a bookshelf, a bed, and a writing desk, the only other item in the room is the computer placed in the southeast corner. In 2002, during a time when computers and the internet were not yet widely popular, having such a computer could be seen as a reflection of Wang Zheng's family's standard of living

My mother is an accountant. Many years ago, she worked in an office at a steel factory. Later, during the wave of layoffs, she spent some money to retire early and stayed at home to take care of Wang Zheng, who was a prospective college student. Now, at just over forty, she cannot sit idle. She found a temporary job nearby to pass the time and earn some pocket money. Later, when Wang Zheng was admitted to university and went to another city, my mother went to Shanghai to reunite with my father, and ten years later, the whole family had almost settled in Shanghai.

Ten years later, Wang Zheng is a classic office worker, living a monotonous life of working from nine to five, waiting for the end of the workday and then waiting for the next workday. With a degree that could crush a battalion, he found a job in planning, where every day at work consists of aimless thinking and writing. Having graduated in mechanical engineering, he ventured into planning, and of course, he has never received any awards; one could say that not being fired is already a stroke of incredible luck.

For parents who are together day and night, any slight abnormal expression will reveal information, causing a certain degree of disruption in the otherwise calm daily routine

This small item was purchased by Wang Zheng at a street stall during his university years. It cost several dozen yuan. At that time, the live-action Transformers movie was popular, and Wang Zheng stumbled upon it, finding it exceptionally appealing. After buying it, he wore it continuously without taking it off. Although it has been hanging around his neck for several years without incident, the inexplicable event of traveling back in time is certainly related to this small item

Go wash your hands! Mother slapped Wang Zheng's hand and shouted loudly, exuding a commanding presence

Wang Zheng fell back onto the floor, the cold sensation failing to reach his brain at all. His chaotic thoughts blocked all external signals. The familiar gymnasium, the school uniform on his body, his tender hands, the shouting classmates, Xiao Ling...! Everything indicated that something extraordinary had happened to him—Wang Zheng had crossed over!

To say that I feel nostalgic or anything like that would be a lie; at the very least, I am reluctant to part with the luxurious computer I saved up for a long time to buy and that extensive collection of educational adult films on my E drive. However, to say that I am desperately longing to go back is truly not the case.

Wang Zheng's parents cannot be considered true Northeasterners; it is said that the previous generation migrated during the famine in Shandong. There is also a stirring and dramatic legend associated with this. Of course, it is no longer possible to verify this now, but the elders still occasionally bring it up to share, earning a round of admiration and enjoying a brief period of satisfaction.

Yes, school starts on Monday! My parents were considered relatively educated in their era, which was rife with illiteracy. Having graduated from high school, they have their own set of theories on educating their children, which is one of the reasons why Wang Zheng found his school days to be relatively easy

Wang Zheng! It's time to eat! Hurry up and wash your hands to eat! Just as I was thinking this, I heard my mother calling from the dining room. It seems the dishes are already served, just waiting to be eaten. People from Northeast China are not so particular, so Wang Zheng doesn't have a nickname. Sometimes, when she's happy, she calls me son, but usually, she calls me by my full name.

"It's nothing. I was just a bit drowsy; I'll be fine once I wake up a bit." Wang Zheng's complexion returned to normal, but his heart was in turmoil.

Little monkey! Mother is trying hard to maintain a serious face, but a hint of laughter glimmers in her eyes. A warm atmosphere gradually fills the hearts of both mother and child.

The girl noticed that he did not pick up on this cue, and her eyes showed a hint of confusion. Feeling a bit anxious, she squatted down to touch his forehead: "Wang Zheng, what’s wrong? Are you feeling feverish?"