Red Mansion: Holding Space and Marrying Like the Sea

Meanwhile, Jia Yucun, having successfully entered the Rongguo Mansion, prepared to pursue his ambitions. Meanwhile, the Lin family of Suzhou had also received news of Jia Yucun's successful appointment as a tutor, harboring resentment towards the Lin family for the beating he had suffered. Lin Ruhai sat in his study, clutching a secret letter from the capital, detailing Jia Yucun's situation. After a moment's contemplation, he wrote a reply, suggesting that if Jia Yucun took any action that might affect the Lin family, he should deal with it first and then report back to him. He then sealed the letter with wax and dispatched it to the capital.

Jia Baoyu had been in a good mood, but when he learned that his father, Jia Zheng, was going to hire a Jinshi tutor for him, he suddenly became gloomy. With a droopy face, he dragged himself to the residence of Mrs. Jia. As soon as he entered, he threw himself into Mrs. Jia's arms like a little lamb, buried his head in her arms, and muttered in a muffled voice, "Madam, Baoyu doesn't want to go to school, and he doesn't want that tutor..."

Seeing her grandson like this, Mrs. Jia couldn't help but feel pity for him. She gently stroked Baoyu's hair, smiled dotingly, and asked, "My dear, what do you want to do?" Baoyu raised his head, blinked at Mrs. Jia, and replied coquettishly, "I just want to play with my sisters."

After hearing this, Mrs. Jia couldn't help laughing and coaxed him gently, "My dear Bao'er, even if you want to play with your sisters, you have to learn some knowledge first! Otherwise, how can you pass the imperial examinations and bring honor to your family in the future?" Baoyu didn't care about it. He frowned and retorted, "I don't care about those so-called fame. As long as I can be happy with my sisters, that's enough." After that, he buried his face back in Mrs. Jia's arms.

Seeing this, Mrs. Jia could only shake her head helplessly and sighed in her heart: "This child is really spoiled. What will happen to him in the future if he doesn't strive for progress?" However, Mrs. Jia really couldn't bear to be too harsh on her most beloved grandson, so she had to let him continue to act coquettishly and make trouble.

At this time, Yuanyang walked in and said, "Grandpa, Baoyu's new teacher, Mr. Jia, is here and is waiting to meet him outside." When Baoyu heard this, he immediately said with a bitter face, "I don't want to see him." Jia's mother comforted him, "Okay, go and meet him quickly. Maybe Mr. Jia is very interesting." Baoyu had to follow Yuanyang out reluctantly.

Baoyu followed Yuanyang to the front hall and saw a tall, handsome middle-aged man standing there, his eyes shimmering with shrewdness. Jia Yucun, upon seeing Baoyu, hurriedly stepped forward to greet him, saying, "My name is Jia Yucun, and I'm honored to meet you, Second Master Bao." Baoyu simply nodded, muttering to himself, "He looks quite a man, but I wonder how much knowledge he possesses." Seeing Baoyu's indifferent expression, Jia Yucun remained resolute in his judgment. He smiled and said, "Second Master Bao, I heard you don't enjoy reading. I guess you haven't yet grasped its joy. Today, I've brought some interesting books with you, hoping they'll pique your interest." He then pulled a few books from his pocket and handed them to Baoyu.

Baoyu absentmindedly took the book and looked through it, only to find it was filled with poetry and allusions. He was somewhat disappointed. He had never been interested in such traditional books, but out of politeness, he flipped through a few pages. Then, looking up, he said, "I've read all these books before. They're not interesting." His tone was full of perfunctory and disapproval.

Jia Yucun did not seem to be affected by Baoyu's attitude. He still kept smiling and said softly: "Master Bao is indeed knowledgeable and talented. I wonder if he has any favorite books or knowledge?" He knew in his heart that if he wanted to really impress the rich young man in front of him, he had to find a topic that really interested him.

Baoyu's eyes flickered with suspicion, and he thought to himself that Jia Yucun was truly strange, not even offended by his indifference. He glanced at Jia Yucun curiously and replied, "I enjoy reading books of strange anecdotes, tales of the strange and the bizarre, and accounts of local customs and people." The corners of his mouth curved upwards, revealing a barely perceptible smile.

Upon hearing this, Jia Yucun was secretly delighted and quickly said, "So that's how it is. Second Master Bao is truly a man of high taste. As it happens, I recently came across a copy of the Classic of Mountains and Seas, which records many strange and bizarre things, as well as the customs and practices of various places. It will definitely suit your tastes."

Baoyu was immediately excited when he heard this and asked impatiently, "Really? Bring it here so I can see it!"

Jia Yucun hurriedly handed the "Classic of Mountains and Seas" to Baoyu. Baoyu was overjoyed and began to read it with relish.

Seeing this, Jia Yucun knew that he had successfully attracted Baoyu's attention by catering to his interests, so he took the opportunity to talk to him about the various wonderful contents in the book.

He was able to pass the imperial examination, which showed that he was well-educated, eloquent and good at speaking. With his deliberate obedience and flattery, the two of them had a very pleasant conversation. Baoyu was also quite impressed by Jia Yucun's insights, and like a horse breeder meeting a thousand-mile horse, he gradually developed a liking for him.

After separating from Jia Yucun, Jia Baoyu came to Mrs. Jia's green gauze cabinet and approached Lin Daiyu with a playful smile. He whispered, "Sister Lin, the traitor Lu Gui I'm going to see this time is different from the previous ones. How about you accompany me next time?" Daiyu frowned slightly when she heard this, opened her cherry lips and replied, "Brother Bao, I don't like dealing with strangers. I'd better not go." Jia Baoyu understood Daiyu's character and knew that he couldn't force her, so he took Daiyu's hand and started to act coquettishly, "Good sister, how about I tell you the story I heard?" Daiyu looked at Baoyu's considerate look and couldn't help laughing. Then she nodded and agreed, "If you really want to, then tell me."

Baoyu excitedly recounted to Daiyu the bizarre experiences Jia Yucun had described, embellishing and fabricating them. Daiyu listened intently, occasionally responding to Jia Baoyu with a remark: "Brother Bao, you tell the story so well..." Baoyu's voice grew louder and louder as he spoke, completely absorbed in his own story. Daiyu sat quietly by his side, smiling, occasionally interjecting a few words to guide Baoyu's narration.

Unconsciously, the sun was setting and time was slipping away. Baoyu was so thirsty from his story that Lin Daiyu handed him a cup of tea and said, "Brother Bao, tell me the story again next time."

"Okay, next time I will tell you more interesting stories!" Baoyu agreed readily.

The two of them smiled at each other, the true extent of their love only known to the two parties involved. One willing to praise, the other willing to coax, these two are like the two poles of a magnet, attracting each other, or like symbiotic twin flowers, dependent on each other.