Chapter 852: A Chance Encounter at the University
At the university gate, Dave anxiously scanned the area. He had received a call from Audrey half an hour ago, informing him that she would soon arrive at the school. He quickly wrapped up his tasks and hurried out of his office.
Dave hadn't expected Audrey to actually come to Aetheria. Since their last meeting, the charming woman had been on his mind constantly. Despite having earned a Ph.D. from Stanford and becoming a university professor, Dave's experience with relationships was less than that of a middle schooler. Nowadays, even middle schoolers often have more experience with girls, while Dave had shamefully remained a virgin. He believed that any premarital sexual activity was disgraceful and wanted to save himself for his wedding night. However, the world had changed so much that he found it hard to keep up, retreating into his ivory tower to study human emotions in detail, away from the hustle and bustle.
Suddenly, a yellow taxi stopped at the gate. A tall woman stepped out, wearing a white T-shirt and tight jeans. Though her clothes were ordinary, they exuded a unique allure on her. The T-shirt was thin and soft, with a low neckline that hinted at her enticing cleavage. The tight jeans highlighted her full, round buttocks and long, straight legs, radiating the charm of a mature woman.
It was a weekend, and many luxury cars were parked at the gate. Middle-aged men with protruding bellies waited eagerly for the young female students to fall into their arms, each seeking their own desires—money for the men, youth for the girls.
As soon as Audrey stepped out of the taxi, she drew the attention of these middle-aged men. Her elegant demeanor and stunning figure instantly overshadowed the young girls around her. The mere sight of her ample, bouncing breasts was enough to break down the mental defenses of these older men.
Seeing Audrey walk towards Dave, who was waiting at the gate, several middle-aged men felt a pang of disappointment. They glanced at the young girls clinging to them and suddenly found them less appealing.
"Audrey, you're here," Dave said, rushing forward to greet her. Seeing the woman who had occupied his thoughts, he felt awkward, his usual eloquence deserting him.
"Hello, Dave. I'm sorry for troubling you," Audrey said, extending her hand. "I could have come by myself. I didn't want to waste your time."
"It's no trouble at all," Dave said, shaking her smooth, soft hand, feeling a shiver of pleasure. Though the university had many attractive female teachers, none had made such an impression on him. He had attended several faculty mixers, but found them too transactional, with women quickly bringing up topics like adding their names to property deeds or demanding control over finances post-marriage. This approach had turned him off.
Audrey, however, seemed different. She appeared less materialistic, her attire simple and her conversation focused on education and current affairs, which impressed Dave. He believed that while material needs were essential, life shouldn't be solely about them. Finding someone who shared this view was rare, making Audrey a gem.
As they walked through the campus, Dave introduced the university and its departments, explaining the workings of his own College of Education. Talking about work and academics, he quickly found his rhythm, discussing a national research project he was leading with Audrey as if she were a colleague.
Listening to Dave's explanations, Audrey admired the leafy campus and bustling students. "Dave, I really envy you, working in such an environment and interacting with young people every day. Unlike me, dealing with high school students is exhausting and often thankless."
"Yes, high school students today are very different. They have access to so much information through TV, the internet, and books. Their independence is growing, and in their teenage years, they question everything," Dave said. "Freshmen in college aren't much different. They always want to stand out and challenge everything you say, trying to assert their presence. But that questioning spirit is vital. Without it, the essence of university life is lost. Only by daring to question can they become independent scholars."
"Dave, you're so right. Sometimes when I teach, I wish my students would just understand everything immediately. But if they don't ask questions, I feel uneasy," Audrey said with a smile, her eyes sparkling with gentle affection.
Soon, they arrived at the library, where a red banner welcomed Nathaniel, an academician from the Social Sciences Academy. Many students were heading inside, eager to attend his lecture.
"Mr. Nathaniel used to work here and served as the dean of the College of Education and vice president of the university. He has deep ties with the school and often returns for lectures," Dave explained. "We had dinner together last night. Despite his vast knowledge, he's very approachable."
"Dave, you're so fortunate to interact with such esteemed academics daily. It must be so enriching," Audrey said enviously. "Unlike me, who knows nothing beyond the classroom. Honestly, I didn't understand half of what you just said."
"That's okay. Everyone has their expertise. I might not be as good as you at teaching high school," Dave said, seizing the opportunity. "By the way, have you thought about what I mentioned before? Our College of Education is the best, and the psychology department, where I work, is top-notch. If you're interested, I can help you connect with a mentor for your graduate studies. Or you could even apply to be my student."
"I haven't decided yet," Audrey said, feeling a bit embarrassed. "Thank you for your offer, but I've been out of school for years. The idea of taking exams again is daunting, and I'm not sure I can pass."
"I believe you can," Dave said earnestly. "It's not as hard as you think, and our department values teachers with practical experience. You'd be a great addition to our projects, much more so than fresh graduates."
"I'll think about it," Audrey said, still undecided. She hadn't entirely given up on Lucas and hoped to persuade him to return home. If all else failed, pursuing a graduate degree could be a compromise, allowing her to stay close to Starhaven and see her husband more often.
For the next two hours, Audrey attentively listened to the lecture in the library's conference hall. Sitting in the back row, her simple attire made her look like a college student. A few bold male students even approached her for her WeChat number, but she politely declined.
After the lecture, Dave accompanied Audrey out of the library. Seeing it was almost noon, he offered to take her to lunch. Audrey, feeling it was inappropriate to impose further, insisted on treating him instead.
Just then, a girl approached them, smiling. "Hello, Mr. Dave."
"Oh, Nicole," Dave said, smiling warmly. "Did you attend the lecture?"
"Of course. I couldn't miss such an opportunity to hear Mr. Nathaniel speak. I even got a photo with him," Nicole said, glancing at Audrey and being struck by her beauty and impressive figure.
Nicole couldn't help but compare herself to Audrey. Though she was confident in her own looks and body, ranking among the top beauties in the university, Audrey's mature charm and voluptuous figure made her feel inadequate.
Dave also compared the two women, finding each attractive in their own way—one mature and elegant, the other youthful and lively. However, he favored Audrey's sophisticated charm over Nicole's youthful energy.
"Mr. Dave, who is this?" Nicole asked, a hint of jealousy in her voice.
"Oh, this is a friend of mine, here to visit the university," Dave introduced Audrey. "You can call her Audrey."
"Nice to meet you, Audrey," Nicole said, extending her hand with a hint of challenge in her eyes.
"Hello," Audrey said, shaking Nicole's hand and observing the energetic girl. Nicole was pretty and confident, with fair, youthful skin and a vibrant energy. She wore a tank top and denim skirt, showing off her long legs. Though shorter than Audrey by a few centimeters, she was still around 5'5". However, Audrey felt uneasy about Nicole's confrontational gaze. Why was this girl so hostile?
"Audrey, which university do you teach at?" Nicole asked with a smile.
Audrey was taken aback by the direct question. She hesitated, and Dave quickly intervened. "Nicole, you should go have lunch. Audrey and I have some things to discuss."
"Mr. Dave, I lost my meal card and haven't gotten a replacement yet," Nicole said, feigning helplessness. "Can I join you for lunch? Audrey, you don't mind, do you?"
"Sure, the more the merrier," Audrey said, frowning slightly before smiling again. Although she was generally mild-mannered, she wasn't one to be easily bullied. If Nicole was targeting her, she wanted to understand why.
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