Switched Life:I Went Viral on a Family Variety Show-Chapter 110: Want to Step on the Sewing Machine?

"Yes, that’s exactly right!"

Tang Yuanmao spoke, his eyes welling up with tears. The wrinkles on his face, deep like ravines, became even more pronounced, and his furrowed brows nearly merged into a knot.

"Mentor, you have no idea how I got through that period. I was terrified that if I fell asleep, I’d wake up with no memory of you. I stayed up night after night, too scared to close my eyes. When I finally managed to nap for a bit, I’d wake up in a panic immediately.

Later, after a month of sleeplessness, I couldn’t take it anymore. I collapsed in the lab and was rushed to the ICU, hanging on for half a month before clawing my way back to life.

When I woke up, it felt like the sky was about to fall. Had I really forgotten you?

Luckily, Heaven spared me and didn’t steal away the memories of you."

Being of advanced age, Tang Yuanmao typically spoke slowly, and now with his choking sobs, it took him nearly ten minutes to say just over a hundred words.

Sang Ning had always considered herself impatient, yet this time she listened intently, completely unbothered by Tang Yuanmao’s slow pace.

Instead, as she listened to his suppressed sobbing, her heart began to ache along with him.

A month straight without proper sleep—this kid is a madman!

Tang Yuanmao wiped away his tears and asked with a lingering sob in his voice, "Mentor, is there something on your mind?"

"Little Tang," Sang Ning called him with great seriousness.

Tang Yuanmao, confused, blankly responded, "Huh?"

Then, he saw Sang Ning rise from her chair, placing both hands on the office desk. Her face was stern as she declared, "Before I disappeared, I should have warned you: No matter what happens, even if the sky is falling, you must ensure eight hours of scientific sleep every day!"

Tang Yuanmao: "..."

Is this really the best time to discuss healthy sleep habits?

"So, mentor, does this mean you believe what I’ve said, right?"

Truth be told, in deciding to reveal the truth to Sang Ning, he’d been more than a little anxious.

A living person vanishing without a trace, only to reappear 45 years later—such an event was downright absurd.

Had Sang Ning not believed him and thought he was some creepy old man using this as a pretext to harass her, she’d have called the police in anger. He wouldn’t have known how to explain himself to them.

"I believe you. Rescuing you and then kicking you—it’s definitely something I’d do," Sang Ning quipped. Her furrowed brows finally eased, and she relaxed as she leaned back into her chair.

The corner of Tang Yuanmao’s eyes twitched. As expected of his mentor, her perspective was always out of the ordinary. freewebnøvel.coɱ

Sang Ning tilted her head toward the ceiling, suddenly feeling lost.

According to Tang Yuanmao, she shouldn’t even warrant a name in this book, merely a peripheral character. Yet clearly, she had entered this book from reality.

Sang Ning without a name 45 years ago, Sang Ning as the foil to the true heiress now, and Sang Ning living in the real world.

What connection did the three have?

Few things ever truly perplexed her, but now before her stood a massive enigma.

What was the link between the time vortex and that damned System, which demanded she gain a billion followers?

Sang Ning felt her head ache and decided to momentarily ignore these troublesome questions.

Straightening up, she placed her elbows on the desk, clasped her fingers into a loose cradle beneath her chin, and looked at Tang Yuanmao. "Didn’t you say that since I left, you’ve been researching the time vortex? How’s the progress?"

Tang Yuanmao scratched the back of his head, pressed his lips together hesitantly, then tugged at his already graying short hair, his eyes darting. "Currently, the progress is zero."

Sang Ning: "..."

Zero progress 45 years ago, and still zero progress 45 years later. What a royal waste of time.

Noticing Sang Ning’s displeased expression, Tang Yuanmao hurriedly explained, "There’s a stack of theoretical knowledge built up, but every experiment has failed. Doesn’t that mean the progress is effectively zero?"

His gaze fixed on Sang Ning, and suddenly a flash of inspiration struck him. He clapped his hands excitedly and said, "Mentor, you’re probably a firsthand witness of the time vortex. I formally invite you to join this research. How about it?"

"No," Sang Ning denied him. "The astronomical lab has a rule: Non-staff members are not allowed entry."

"That’s not an issue," Tang Yuanmao quickly dismissed, waving his hand. "I’m the director; I have the authority to let you in."

Sang Ning rolled her eyes in exasperation. "Little Tang, do you think your role as director is nearing its end? If people find out you used your power to sneak me in, suspension and demotion might be light punishments. Worst case, you and I could end up in prison stitching clothes."

Tang Yuanmao grew anxious. "Then what else can we do? There’s no other way to get you into the lab legitimately."

"There is!" Sang Ning replied decisively.

Tang Yuanmao perked up his old ears, curious. "What is it?"

"I’ll apply to study as a postgraduate at your institute. As long as I become one of your people, won’t I have a valid reason to enter the lab?"

"That’s even more troublesome than me bringing you in directly." Tang Yuanmao frowned at the idea.

Now a celebrity, Sang Ning’s current grasp on her professional knowledge was unknown to him. Moreover, the recent rise in postgraduate applicants had turned tests into a nightmare. Applying to their institute? That would be hell mode squared.

"Mentor, are you sure? I’m not doubting your expertise, but studying is really exhausting. You’re a big star busy traveling every day. If your health takes a hit, then what?"

To discourage her, Tang Yuanmao concocted an impeccable lie.

But Sang Ning only sneered.

Admit it, youngster—you’re doubting my professional skills.

"Enough. Stop talking. I’m not the kind to take advice. I’ve decided—I’m applying for this program, and you’ll be my advisor."

Seeing Sang Ning’s determination, Tang Yuanmao had no choice but to drop the matter.

He quietly began scheming how to subtly ease the admission process for her without breaking any rules.

Sang Ning considered it. The Zijin Research Institute usually finalized its list of accepted graduate students by the end of February each year, which left her around five months before the System’s deadline.

She could use this time to explore alternative methods for survival. After all, aiming for a billion followers in a year was practically a pipe dream.

The moment their discussion ended, an awkward silence fell over the room.

Neither of them was particularly outgoing, unsure how to segue into a new topic.

Sang Ning pulled out her phone to glance at it, then looked up at Tang Yuanmao, breaking the silence with calm deliberation.

"Little Tang, could you lend me some money for now?"