Chinese schoolboy's love note melts millions of hearts

World
Europe

In this new era of technology and online communication, love and admiration are often conveyed via social media posts filled with heart emojis or emails signed off with "xoxo." Few people today bother to pen down their thoughts and feelings, not to mention writing a good, old-fashioned love letter.

That's why when an elementary schoolboy's callow yet heartfelt love note surfaced online, millions of Chinese netizens were touched by the innocent soul and started reflecting on their own lack of effort in expressing love.

The love note, initially shared last week on China's Weibo by user @tianxingqiuribaoshe, was in fact a student's written petition asking his teacher to let him sit next to his crush.

"Dear Ms. Wang, I petition to sit next to our distinguished math class representative," the boy wrote. "She has large, beautiful eyes and told me she enjoyed doing homework with me. I like her and admire her very much!"

The boy's petition, written in black ink, with his teacher's reply in red. /Photo via Weibo

After writing unabashedly about his affection to the girl, the boy went on to articulate his reason behind the request, arguing love has the power to help them study harder and stop him from having small talks in class.

"Plus, I won't be borrowing my mom's phone to call her every day," he added.

In China, having romantic relationship is often strictly forbidden at elementary and high schools. Teachers and parents are worried that students may get distracted from schoolwork and get left behind in the highly competitive Chinese education system.

The boy, however, seemed to believe otherwise.

"I presume you think we are too young to talk about love, and I used to believe so as well," the boy wrote. "But now that I met her, I've come to understand what love is like."

"Love used to be mere imagination to me, but now I yearn to seize it," the little lover boy claimed.

VCG Photo

The student's earnest petition, with childish handwriting but beautiful language, melted millions of Chinese netizens' hearts and succeeded in moving his teacher, who granted the student's request for a tentative time.

"I hereby grant your seat request," the teacher replied. "As the old saying goes, one takes on the color of one's company. If you can score 95 and above in the next exam, you can continue sitting next to her."

On Weibo, thousands of netizens left comments supporting the boy's romantic quest while praising the teacher's kind gesture.

"Even an elementary schoolboy is striving for love. What about you?" @tianxingqiuribaosh, who posted the note, commented.

"How cute is this little kid and his teacher! It's such a gentle way for the teacher to deal with the petition and not to blatantly tear them apart," Weibo user @yijinc commented.