PCJ – Chapter 461 Liu Qiaoye Also Wants to Cultivate

Time flies. Back when I first entered middle school, I had high hopes for the colorful life ahead as a middle schooler, perhaps even jotting down grand ambitions in my notebook. But as two years passed in the blink of an eye, I realized time waits for no one. Those beautiful days have quietly slipped away.

“Class, how many of you think students from a rural school like Yidushui Middle School can successfully enter high school? Most of you will end up attending vocational schools in Xintian County, which require no exams to get into. But that path will shut the door to college. If you enter vocational school, university will be out of reach. I also come from the countryside, and for rural kids like us, the only way to change our fate is through college. Some may argue, ‘There are successful people in every trade.’ I don’t deny that, but how many success stories come from our vast rural areas? The only real way out is through college! And to get into college, you need to seize this golden opportunity now…”

Mr. Wan Youming, who had taken on the role of homeroom teacher for Class 2-1, poured out his heartfelt speech. After a troubling incident earlier in the year, he couldn’t entrust the class to anyone else. Now that the crisis had passed and everyone was back, he finally felt a bit of relief.

His words deeply touched the children of Yidushui village. Many of them had never traveled further than Gezhuping Town, and the best vehicle they had ever ridden was a minibus. Yet, among them were children with great potential—kids whose futures should not be confined to the Meishan mountains.

Wan Youming’s words left an impression on Zhang Jiaohua as well. He, too, felt Meishan was like a cage, and he was a trapped beast. His path was constrained by Meishan. He longed to break free and explore the broader world. A wild horse seemed to stir within his heart, restless and eager. But his hands were tied. Zhang Jiaohua knew if he truly left to explore the world, his parents would be worried sick.

Distracted, Zhang Jiaohua didn’t even hear the bell signaling the end of class. When Qi Xia and Nie Tong invited him to play, he remained downcast.

“Jiaohua, what’s wrong?” Qi Xia asked with concern.

“Nothing. Sigh,” Zhang Jiaohua replied, clearly troubled.

Qi Xia and Nie Tong didn’t know how to help and left him sitting in the classroom, looking glum.

Meanwhile, Zhang Yuanbao was busy with endless exam papers as he prepared for high school entrance exams, leaving no time to play with Jiaohua. Xie Mingyuan also stopped coming to the school to sell goods. The school now had a gatekeeper who barred outsiders from entering the campus. It was said Xie Mingyuan had opened a shop in town, settling into a small business.

Everyone once dreamed of being a hero, but waking up, they returned to their proper roles. Perhaps Xie Mingyuan had given up on his youthful dreams.

Because of Zhang Jiaohua’s earlier escape attempt, Liu Qiaoye no longer allowed him to live on campus. After school, a black sedan would always come to pick him up.

At first, the students at Yidushui Middle School would crowd around to watch, but soon they got used to it.

At home, Zhang Jiaohua threw his bag onto the table and lay on his bed, hands behind his head, staring at the ceiling.

Liu Qiaoye sensed something was off with her son. Seeing him return, she hurried over and asked, “Jiaohua, how was school today?”

“Alright,” Zhang Jiaohua replied listlessly.

“No, this isn’t ‘alright.’ Something’s clearly wrong. Did a classmate or teacher say something to you?” Liu Qiaoye asked.

Zhang Jiaohua shook his head. “Who would say anything about me? They’re too busy being jealous of me.”

“Son, you know that seeing you so downcast only makes me more worried,” Liu Qiaoye said anxiously, knowing her son was troubled but feeling powerless to help.

“Mom, don’t worry. What if one day I leave and go out into the world? Would you be worried?” Zhang Jiaohua asked.

“Of course. But when you grow up, if you leave, I won’t worry too much. Your dad and I can’t always stay by your side. One day, you’ll have to rely on yourself,” Liu Qiaoye replied, puzzled by his words.

“Actually, Mom, I want to go out and see the world. Staying cooped up in school feels meaningless to me,” Zhang Jiaohua said.

“How can you say it’s meaningless? If you study hard, you’ll feel the joy of learning. Then you can go to high school, university, and gain more knowledge,” Liu Qiaoye urged, worried that her son was losing interest in school.

“I’m not saying studying is useless—it’s just useless for me. I’m a cultivator…” Zhang Jiaohua began, but before he could finish, his mother gave him a light knock on the head.

“Cultivate what? You have nothing better to do than daydream about cultivation? Look at that lunatic Chen from across the hill. He spent decades cultivating, lost his wife, and now he’s stuck at home like everyone else. Cultivation! You better cultivate your studies properly!” Liu Qiaoye scolded, hands on her hips like a fierce tigress.

“Chen knew nothing about real cultivation. But I do! The old Daoist taught me everything, including the skills in the inheritance treasure. I’ve learned it all! I’m not like Chen. Remember when I roamed the Meishan mountains for months? My clothes didn’t tear, and I didn’t get dirty. Why? Because I have spiritual energy in my body that cleanses impurities. If it can purify the impurities in my body, how could dirt stick to my skin? Think about those lifeless statues of Bodhisattvas—they collect dust. But have you ever seen a spiritual Bodhisattva with dust on it? The Dao I cultivate is the way to immortality!” Zhang Jiaohua protested, feeling wronged.

“Immortality? So if I cultivate, can I become young again?” Liu Qiaoye asked.

“Of course! If you have the talent for cultivation and succeed, you can live as long as the heavens and the earth. How could you grow old?” Zhang Jiaohua replied.

“Then teach me to cultivate. If I become young again, I’ll believe you,” Liu Qiaoye said.

Zhang Jiaohua hesitated. “Not everyone has the talent for cultivation…”

“Are you teaching me or not?” Liu Qiaoye’s expression darkened as she glared at her son.

“Mom, I didn’t finish. I mean, for others, it’s uncertain if they have the talent. But for you, you definitely do,” Zhang Jiaohua said with a bitter smile.