Stronger from Earth-Chapter 158: Choice

"This is a love letter from a boy at school to Su Xiaowei. I'm afraid we've only confiscated a small portion; most of them probably reached her.

You should know how dangerous this is. Kids nowadays mature early, and in such an environment, Su Xiaowei can easily be influenced.

She's also been a bit out of sorts in class these days. We feel she has a tendency towards early romance, so we'd like to discuss it with you.

Su Xiaowei is a good child and an excellent student. If her mind is focused on studies, she could achieve great things.

But if early romance causes her to neglect them, that would be a real pity.

You know, when it comes to early romance, thoughtful girls are affected much more than boys.

..."

The female teacher was discussing the dangers of early romance with Wang Xuan, who, in turn, took a love letter out of the envelope. It was neatly written, showing a lot of effort.

Someone said if you want to practice calligraphy, go write a love letter, because you'll do it with utmost care, and the words that come out will be your best.

"Not bad writing," Wang Xuan raised an eyebrow. A love letter from a ten-year-old, although immature, was sincere in its simplicity, and touching after pouring in such feelings.

The letter went like this: Su Xiaowei, hello.

I am Li Hao from sixth grade, class thirteen. Although you don't know me, don't know what I look like, I have always been watching you.

In the vast crowd, the moment I saw you, I could hear my own heartbeat. I knew, perhaps I liked you.

You are so perfect, perfect to the point of overshadowing everyone, like a little fairy from the Immortal Realm, with the looks of an Immortal, my eyes only see you, with the talent of an Immortal, even the waters of the four seas couldn't hold it.

I remember that day after school, I walked behind you, stepping in your footprints, with each step my heart blossomed.

Suddenly, you turned and smiled, that smile intoxicated me completely. I didn't know what being intoxicated felt like, but at that moment I thought I was drunk.

I love your smile, so brilliant it brings peace to the heart.

I love your soulful eyes, crystal clear, without a hint of impurity.

I love your kindness, always so moving.

...

The love letter was quite long. Wang Xuan looked it over; just this one had two thousand words, the length of two essays. This classmate named Li Hao probably spent a long time writing it.

With a thick stack of love letters in his hand, Wang Xuan could roughly see how popular Su Xiaowei was at school. In a world that values looks, Su Xiaowei had a huge advantage, and being an academic star, she's probably seen as a goddess in the eyes of those boys.

Teacher Xiong lamented, "Mr. Wang, if we don't manage this, Xiaowei will likely be delayed."

"Yes, kids indeed shouldn't start a romance early; it's not good for their physical and mental health," Wang Xuan nodded.

Wang Xuan said, "Teacher Xiong, do you think if we gave her a good scolding she'd behave?"

Teacher Xiong was startled, quickly waving her hands, "No, no, you can't hit children. What if it causes harm? Besides, it doesn't solve anything."

Wang Xuan spread his hands, "I'm best at scolding people; managing early romance is harder than embroidering for me. Besides, which parent isn't troubled? A small slip could easily lead to trouble, affecting the child's whole life."

"You can't hit kids; definitely not. It's too barbaric," Teacher Xiong firmly stated.

Wang Xuan was speechless. Wasn't the teacher putting him in a tough spot by discussing this? He was just here on behalf of Bai Yuzhen for a parent-teacher meeting. Couldn't he just get through it easily?

"If nothing else works, I'll send her to an all-girls school," Wang Xuan said.

But Teacher Xiong still shook her head. Su Xiaowei is such a genius; the school was reluctant to let go. They'd rather put in more effort.

If not, why would this stack of love letters have been confiscated to give her a better environment for learning?

This meeting didn't result in much; Teacher Xiong advised Wang Xuan to do more mental work with the child, while the school would strictly address early romance issues.

This took up the whole morning. The two of them went home one after the other, with Su Xiaowei trailing behind, unable to resist asking.

"Uncle Wang, what did Teacher Xiong say to you?"

Could it be that they said something bad about her? She wondered.

"Oh, nothing much. She just thought kids these days mature too early, psychological issues need attention and guidance.

Xiaowei, does your sister have a boyfriend at school? She's so pretty, there must be many pursuing her."

Wang Xuan's tone was relaxed, like small talk. Su Xiaowei, carrying a little bag, hurriedly caught up with a few quick steps.

"Whether she has or not, that's a question. Actually, I don't really know. Even if she has a boyfriend, Qiubai might not tell me.

Her grades are so bad; you can tell her mind's elsewhere. She likes eating, playing around, and hanging out with friends at places.

If she had a boyfriend, I wouldn't be surprised at all."

"And what about you? Teacher Xiong said you've received quite a few love letters," Wang Xuan asked.

"No way," Su Xiaowei pouted, "they're just a bunch of little brats." She totally looked down on those immature guys.

After pondering for a moment, Wang Xuan said, "Xiaowei, would you like to follow Senior Puji to the Precious Light Temple? The world of the Mountain Gate is far bigger than the mundane world, and your vision would be broader too.

Right now, the people around you are ordinary, but your outstanding cultivation talent means your future is vast. You shouldn't be wasting it here.

At the Precious Light Temple, there will be other kids like you – smart, spiritual, and speaking the same language as you.

And there, you can receive better guidance at any time. Staying in the mundane world isn't good for your future."

He tried to persuade her. Being a Holy Land of the Buddhist Sect, the Precious Light Temple, one of the Three Immortals of Divine Land, offers disciples training beyond imagination.

Their starting point might be the endpoint of a commoner's ten lifetimes of effort, destined to stand on the mountaintop overlooking the world.

"I won't go," Su Xiaowei said decisively. "If I went to the Precious Light Temple, I wouldn't be able to live with Qiubai and Auntie, and I wouldn't see familiar friends.

In a foreign environment, with only myself, it would be too lonely."

"Childish words. A dragon does not dwell with snakes, not only because of perspective but because of nurturing mindset. With constant exposure, your future achievements can be higher."

Wang Xuan once thought that Su Xiaowei could experience worldly life until adulthood before going up the mountain, as the old monk was easygoing.

Now that he's entered Immortal Martial Mountain, he feels the Mountain Gate environment is different from the mundane. Its tranquil setting suits cultivation, and resources are abundant.

Staying in the secular world, Su Xiaowei might gain a complete youth, but would miss out on a better future. By the time she re-enters the Mountain Gate, she might just blend into the crowd.

"With gains come losses, one cannot have it all," Wang Xuan said. "I'll contact Senior Puji soon and send you to the mountain for cultivation."

"I won't go," Su Xiaowei huffed.

Wang Xuan glanced at her, "I'm also a disciple of the Mountain Gate. I naturally know how good it is there."

"Uncle Wang is also a disciple of the Mountain Gate? Which sect? Take Xiaowei along!" Su Xiaowei suddenly became animated.

If she could enter the same Mountain Gate as Wang Xuan, becoming siblings in mentorship, wouldn't that be wonderful?

Shaking his head, Wang Xuan replied, "You cannot join any other Mountain Gate except the Precious Light Temple. The Buddha's Light within you is a mark.

If you don't want to anger Senior Puji, no other Immortal will accept you. It's a matter of principle."

"I don't want to go," Su Xiaowei muttered, her mood suddenly turning sour, her whole demeanor drooping.

If she had known, she wouldn't have let Wang Xuan attend the parent-teacher meeting; otherwise, he wouldn't be pressing her to go up the mountain, so far from home. She didn't want that at all.