Red Mansion: Holding Space and Marrying Like the Sea

Jia Baoyu looked at his sister Lin, whose figure was as frail as a willow swaying in the wind, her face as pale as paper. The sunlight streaming through the window lattice onto her body could not add a single ray of life to her. Her lips trembled slightly, as if she were trying to say something, but no sound came out.

Suddenly, her body swayed slightly and she almost fell to the ground. The maid beside her hurried forward to support her and asked with concern, "Miss, are you okay?" She shook her head gently, indicating that she was fine.

The maid helped Lin Daiyu sit down beside Jia Baoyu's bed and said in a low voice, "Brother Bao, you have suffered." As she spoke, her thin and cold hands stroked Jia Baoyu's rosy face with a little baby fat, and said, "Brother Bao, it's all my fault. I fainted when I heard that you were injured. It was my fault that I couldn't come to see you the first time." Xueyan, who was serving Daiyu, said anxiously, "Second Master Bao, please persuade the girl! She has been worried about you these days and hasn't taken her medicine properly. Now she lets the servants help her come to see you before she's well." Jia Baoyu felt like a terrible person when he saw Lin Daiyu worrying so much about him. He had been busy playing with his sisters these days and forgot that Sister Lin fainted because she was worried about him.

Baoyu grabbed Daiyu's hand with a serious face and consoled her earnestly: "Sister Lin, it's all my fault for making you so worried. You must take care of yourself. I feel bad if you do this." After that, he tightened Lin Daiyu's cloak and said: "Sister Lin, don't sit down there, you're so tired! Come lie down on the bed." After that, he moved inside. Daiyu blushed when she heard what Baoyu said and said shyly: "Brother Bao, what are you talking about! I'm a girl." Jia Baoyu said seriously: "We are family members and there is no need to care about empty formalities." Under Jia Baoyu's insistence and Lin Daiyu's half-pushing, the two of them half-lying on the bed side by side.

Daiyu's eyes were filled with tears as she said coquettishly, "You are always like this, making me worry."

Baoyu quickly promised that he would pay attention to his own safety in the future and no longer let Daiyu worry.

Afterwards, the two chatted about each other's recent situation. Baoyu told some interesting stories about his illness, which made Daiyu laugh from time to time.

Time passed quietly in the warm atmosphere. Due to her health, Daiyu had to leave with the help of her maid.

Before leaving, she looked at Baoyu affectionately and told him to take good care of his health.

Baoyu watched Daiyu leave, his heart filled with concern and love for her.

Lin Daiyu returned to her room to recuperate. She instructed her maidservants to closely monitor Baoyu's movements and report any disturbances to her promptly. Time passed quickly, and in the blink of an eye, three days had already passed. Initially, Baoyu felt overwhelmed with guilt, feeling that he had forgotten Lin Daiyu while being served by a group of beautiful maids. Therefore, he deliberately kept a distance from the maids. However, just three days later, Baoyu saw Qingwen's pretty face, painted with bright red lipstick, which made her look even more charming and graceful. Baoyu couldn't help but admire her, "Sister, you are so charming." Qingwen raised her lips slightly and said with a hint of sarcasm, "Oh, what's the matter? Isn't Sister Lin the only one in your heart and eyes? Could it be that you have made a mistake?" Baoyu's face turned embarrassed when he heard Qingwen's words. He hurriedly explained, "I didn't mean that. Sister, please don't make fun of me. The heavens above can bear witness to my feelings for Sister Lin."

Qingwen didn't care and said with a smile, "You'd better save this for Miss Lin." After that, she turned and walked away.

Baoyu watched Qingwen depart, his heart filled with loss and melancholy. He knew he shouldn't harbor feelings for other women, but Qingwen's captivating presence and pretty face still moved him. However, he consoled himself with the thought, "Sister Lin loves me so deeply; she'll surely understand my feelings." So, he called out again, "Sister Qingwen, my back is itching unbearably. Come and scratch it for me."

Qingwen walked lightly to the bedside and sat down, gently stroking Baoyu's back and asking with concern, "Where does it itch?" Baoyu suddenly turned around, pressed Qingwen under him, kissed her lips, and whispered, "Sister, you smell so good!"

Qingwen had long been accustomed to Baoyu's affectionate behavior. She gently pushed Baoyu away and said coquettishly, "Your wound no longer hurts. I will go report to the old lady and send you to the family school to study!" Upon hearing this, Baoyu hurriedly grabbed Qingwen's hand and begged like a spoiled child, "My dear sister, please let me go!"

Seeing that Qingwen insisted on leaving, Baoyu let go of her hand and sighed helplessly.

At this moment, there was a knock on the door, and then Xiren came in. When she saw Baoyu and Qingwen together, a hint of displeasure flashed in her eyes, but she quickly regained her composure.

"Master Bao, it's time to take your medicine." Xiren walked to Baoyu with a bowl of medicine.

Baoyu took the medicine bowl, drank it all, and then said with a bitter face: "This medicine is really bitter!"

Xiren smiled and said, "Good medicine tastes bitter but is good for the disease. It is important for Master Bao to recover quickly."

Baoyu nodded, and suddenly thought of Daiyu, so he asked, "Xiren, have you visited Sister Lin these days?"

Xiren said, "Miss Lin is not feeling well and needs to rest. I didn't dare to disturb her."

Baoyu said with some worry, "I haven't seen her for a while. I wonder how she is doing now."

Xiren comforted him, "Don't worry, Master Bao. It won't be too late to visit Miss Lin after your injury has healed."

After hearing this, Baoyu felt a little relieved.