Chapter Nine, Receiving Criticism

Wang Xiaobai felt utterly helpless, wondering why he was so conspicuous. There were already enough matters to deal with, and now he had caught the attention of Teacher Liu. What else could he say? ... He could only obediently admit his mistake. Teacher Liu scolded Wang Xiaobai for a full ten minutes, only releasing him when the class bell rang, followed by the second period of class...

The second class is English, and Wang Xiaobai's mind is as muddled as paste, making it impossible for him to concentrate. He dares not sleep again, so after pondering for a moment, he secretly takes out the book "Lingguan Dao Tona Guanzhao Shufa." The foundation is breathing and toning. According to what is written in the book, he first opens his mouth and slowly exhales the turbid air from his body, then inhales the pure qi through his nose, directing his intention to swallow it into the lower dantian to replenish the air he has exhaled. One must exhale completely and inhale fully. When inhaling, the lower abdomen should round out, and when exhaling, the lower abdomen should retract, which is called smooth breathing. Following the instructions, he first opens his mouth and slowly exhales the turbid air from his body, then inhales the pure qi through his nose, directing his intention to swallow it into the lower dantian to replenish the air he has exhaled. One must exhale completely and inhale fully. When inhaling, the lower abdomen should round out, and when exhaling, the lower abdomen should retract, which is called smooth breathing.

"Oh my, if you say it like that, I have to go. Alright, I'll find two cars tomorrow, and we can go together. But your relatives don't even know where they live, it's like trying to find a needle in a haystack. Will they even recognize you when you get there?"

Wang Laodao diverted the topic, seemingly not taking it seriously, as if it did not matter whether he went to find Zhao Ziqiang or not. Wang Xiaobai did not have time to say much, and Wang Laodao began to explain to him the key points of breathing and meditation. Upon returning to the Huangxian Temple, Wang Laodao elegantly turned and left, while Wang Xiaobai rode his bicycle back to school

When I think of Zhang Chunhua's worried and sorrowful appearance yesterday, it reflects a mother's concern for her son. The sound of her desolate sigh seems to still linger in my ears. Wang Xiaobai decided to help Zhang Chunhua find Zhao Ziqiang and inform him that the bank card is there. Fortunately, tomorrow is Saturday, and with two consecutive days off, he should be able to find Zhao Ziqiang, as the county town is not very large.

Wang Xiaobai was at a loss whether to laugh or cry, wondering what on earth was going on. Wasn't there already enough trouble? Arriving at the playground, lined up neatly and accompanied by the music of the calisthenics, Wang Xiaobai listlessly moved his arms and legs, feeling that going to find Zhao Ziqiang alone was a bit unreliable. He looked at Chen Jianbin in front of him, who was showing off while chatting with classmates and jumping around aimlessly, and kicked him.

The high school curriculum is very demanding. Should I go help Zhang Chunhua find his son? Wang Xiaobai hesitated; he is currently suffering from severe sleep deprivation. Not only is he lacking sleep, but he is also missing classes, completing assignments, and on top of that, he has to practice the breathing exercises from Wang Laodao's teachings. His time is truly stretched to the limit.

"I will go with you..."

Wang Xiaobai ! Wang Xiaobai ... ...

Beginners must practice breathing in this manner: inhale through the mouth and exhale through the nose three times. Then, close the mouth and clench the teeth, pressing the tongue against the palate, while focusing inward and listening to oneself. Inhale and exhale through the nose, ensuring that each breath enters and exits the lower dantian. It is essential to lead the breath with the mind and to follow the mind with the breath, directing the inhalation to the lower dantian with intention, and guiding the exhalation outward with thought, which is referred to as the interdependence of mind and breath

Chen Jianbin pulled Wang Xiaobai to do exercises, while Sun Jingkai looked at Wang Xiaobai with a complex expression. He had long liked Li Xiaojing, a secret known to all. Sun Jingkai and Wang Xiaobai were childhood friends and had always gotten along well. For some reason, Wang Xiaobai suddenly felt a bit guilty. As he passed by Sun Jingkai, he patted his shoulder and said: "Old Sun, I am not dating Li Xiaojing"

After tossing and turning until nearly dawn, he finally fell asleep, but it wasn't long before he had to get up for class. How could he not feel drowsy? Wang Xiaobai felt as if his head was heavy with lead, standing foolishly at the door. A few classmates he was close with exchanged knowing glances at him, while Teacher Liu continued with the lesson. However, Wang Xiaobai couldn't focus at all and couldn't help but recall what had happened yesterday

By the way, you study well and are the top student in our class. If I don't understand something in the future, can you help me catch up with the lessons

You are hopping around like Old Wu from next door, what a ridiculous display! Old Chen, let me discuss something serious with you. Tomorrow is Saturday, will you accompany me to the county to find someone?

On the way back, Wang Xiaobai recalled the matter of Zhang Chunhua and said to Wang Laodao: "Master, I found Zhang Chunhua's tombstone, and I even saw her. She asked me to send a message to her son..."

"Who do you think you are? She is the campus beauty. I just asked her to help me with some tutoring..."

Li Xiaojing visibly sighed in relief and said softly, "I didn't mean it that way"

Amidst the laughter of his classmates, Wang Xiaobai stood at the door feeling very wronged. He did not want to sleep in class, but he was extremely tired. He had not slept well for two consecutive days, especially last night when he returned to school after 3 AM. Lying in bed, he was unable to fall asleep due to his chaotic thoughts. Every time he closed his eyes, it seemed as if he could see those evil spirits pouting in the white mist.

Who are you looking for, a man or a woman

In a daze, I stumbled into the end of class and was called into the office by Teacher Liu. Wang Xiaobai obediently stood at the door. Teacher Wang slammed the book on the desk and shouted at Wang Xiaobai: "Do you know how important these three years of high school are? These three years will determine your entire life. If you get into a good university, you can find a good job after graduation. If you go to a third-rate university, you might not even find a job after graduation. The gap in life is created at this moment. If I had been able to get into a good university back then, would I have returned to the county to be a teacher? Your academic performance is not bad; you have always been in the upper middle range. With some effort, you can still get into universities like 985 or 211... These three years will determine your entire life. If you get into a good university, you can find a good job after graduation. If you go to a third-rate university, you might not even find a job after graduation. The gap in life is created at this moment. If I had been able to get into a good university back then, would I have returned to the county to be a teacher? Your academic performance is not bad; you have always been in the upper middle range. With some effort, you can still get into universities like 985 or 211..."

Wang Xiaobai did not understand how Wang Laodao got involved with the Huang Xian Temple, and was unaware of the idiom "the sparrow occupying the dove's nest". Wang Xiaobai nodded in agreement and asked how Wang Laohuangqi was captured. Wang Laodao replied that he did not want Huang Laoqi to ruin Wang Xiaobai's first challenge, and there was not much more to say about the rest

What the heck, Wang Xiaobai, why did you kick me? Are you jealous that I dance more gracefully?

Wang Xiaobai was puzzled. I used a book to block my view before sleeping, how could I be discovered so quickly? Just as this thought crossed his mind, he was pulled up by the math teacher. The math teacher, surnamed Liu, was a thirty-seven-year-old man, wearing high-prescription glasses, and was very serious. He was their homeroom teacher. Grabbing Wang Xiaobai, Teacher Liu angrily shouted at him: "You fell asleep in class in less than ten minutes? Falling asleep is one thing, but you were even snoring. Do you think this classroom is your home? Go stand at the door..."

Li Xiaojing felt a bit nervous, her face slightly flushed. Wang Xiaobai knew that Li Xiaojing was afraid that Teacher Liu would find out she had helped with the homework, and said to her: "I won't ask you to help me with my homework anymore."

Teacher Liu is strict and serious, yet he is not a bad person. He never accepts gifts from parents, nor does he take red envelopes, and he does not offer extra tutoring. His genuine intention is to help all the children get into good universities. Wang Xiaobai understands Teacher Liu's good intentions, and at this moment, he can only bow his head and admit his mistake, assuring Teacher Liu: "Teacher, I know I was wrong. I won't dare to do it again. I will definitely study hard!"

In a daze, Wang Xiaobai felt someone calling his name, the voice somewhat familiar. Who could it be? Suddenly, a sharp sound echoed right in front of his head, and Wang Xiaobai jolted awake, bleary-eyed, to see the math teacher with a face full of displeasure, looking extremely grim, almost as if his face was about to droop down to his feet.

Sun Jingkai snorted softly and said, "Wang Xiaobai, I do like Li Xiaojing, and there is nothing to be embarrassed about. However, it remains to be seen who can win her over. Whoever succeeds is skilled in their own right. I have no intention of holding any grudges against you. Let me put it this way: no matter who wins Li Xiaojing's heart, we will still be brothers!" After saying this, he swaggered away. Chen Jianbin, who was listening nearby, clearly heard him and shouted loudly to Sun Jingkai, "Old Sun, that's quite generous of you!"

The man, the man does not go

Hmm, you can decide for yourself. By the way, the breathing techniques in that book are very important; you need to practice them well as they relate to your second level. Also, I haven't been popping popcorn at your school gate recently, so don't look for me. Now, let me explain a few key points about the Lingguan method of breathing techniques; listen carefully...

Teacher Liu looked sternly at Wang Xiaobai, took out the homework he had done with Li Xiaojing from the desk, and said: "You are indeed a smart child, but you like to play little tricks. Do you think that just because Li Xiaojing helped you with your homework and the handwriting is a bit messy, I wouldn't notice? This is not your handwriting, Wang Xiaobai. I am telling you this because I do not want you to waste these three years. Also, no dating allowed. I have my eye on you. If your grades do not place you in the top three of the class this semester, I will have your parents come to take you home..." This is not your handwriting, Wang Xiaobai. I am telling you this because I do not want you to waste these three years. Also, no dating allowed. I have my eye on you. If your grades do not place you in the top three of the class this semester, I will have your parents come to take you home..."

Emerging from the chaotic graveyard, upon seeing Wang Laodao, Wang Xiaobai did not cry. He took out a book and handed it to Wang Laodao, who informed him that this book was meant for him. He instructed him to practice the breathing techniques outlined within it and to return to Huangxian Temple to find him in one week.

Wang Xiaobai attempted to practice breathing exercises, but he could not concentrate at all; the classroom environment was simply not conducive. However, there was nothing else to do, so he could only slowly reflect on it. He endured until the end of the class, and surprisingly, he did gain some insights. After the second class, there was a break for physical exercises. As soon as the class ended, Li Xiaojing walked over and asked Wang Xiaobai: "Teacher Liu is looking for you, did he say anything else?"

Chen Jianbin replied nonchalantly, and Wang Xiaobai became angry: "Old Chen, have I ever backed down when it comes to fighting? Just a couple of days ago, we were drinking and talking about becoming sworn brothers. Now that I have something going on, you won't go?"

Stretching his arms and legs, he chatted for a few moments while the radio calisthenics continued. Wang Xiaobai lazily followed along, the sunlight warming his face, making him feel somewhat dazed. He had a sense that... the experiences of the past two days had caused his life to deviate from its predetermined path, becoming different, though he was unsure whether it was for better or worse

"Come on, Li Xiaojing's gaze towards you is not right, who doesn't know what's going on..."

"Alright, if you don't know that, as long as I know, I will definitely teach you..." After Li Xiaojing finished speaking, she turned and walked away, her two braids swaying like butterflies... Wang Xiaobai stared blankly at her back, and Chen Jianbing came over and nudged Wang Xiaobai with his elbow, saying: "You kid, are you two dating?"

Whether you acknowledge it or not is my concern, but you must go with me

Zhao Ziqiang, in his thirties, male, is a distant relative of mine, the son of my second aunt. He lives in the county, though I do not know the exact address. My father called me and asked me to visit him, saying that relatives should keep in touch