Chapter 10

One cannot blame Mrs. Xu for being worried, angry, and then laughing all in a short span of time; indeed, Xu Yang's appearance at this moment is simply amusing. He had secretly gone out dressed heavily, wrapped in a thick curtain, and after rolling on the ground for a while, he finally poked his head out. Unfortunately, his hair had been styled into a high ponytail by some mischievous maid (Juzi: This is unfair; his hair was already short, and it took a lot of effort to gather it into a small bun. Who knew he would lose the hairpin, and his hair would all come undone, turning into a high ponytail...). Xu Yang has red lips and white teeth, and his face, resembling a peach blossom, has become round after a month of staying indoors. With all this commotion, dressed in a thick outfit and curtain, he looks like a large, chubby doll. Mrs. Xu was already only three parts angry, but upon seeing Xu Yang, he bore an uncanny resemblance to her youngest son from years ago, leaving no room for anger. She could only grit her teeth and say with a hint of resentment, "Get up quickly to see your cousin!"

God, let me die! Xu Yang is going crazy now, not even allowed to leave the room. Fine, I won't go out, can I read a book? Answer: No, it hurts the eyes. Then can you read to me? Answer: No, it hurts the mind. Hey, can I at least take a shower? Answer: No, it hurts the body. Occasionally, I want to write a few words, but after writing two pages, they were snatched away.

This is a placeholder text.

Xu Yang had always believed that he had recovered from his illness, and indeed he had. However, he had not been outside for a long time. Just now, he had jumped from the window after getting out of bed, and after such a prolonged period of inactivity, it was no surprise that he felt dizzy from the sudden leap. Fortunately, below was a sheltered area where a large pile of snow had accumulated. He did not fall, but the experience startled Xu Yang, and he ended up covered in snow.

***

Haha, quite good, quite good... Xu Yang chuckled dryly, despising himself for having lost sleep last night simply because he was preoccupied with Lin Meimei's ethereal beauty. How could he be so infatuated with such a little girl that it led to insomnia! How degenerate! The little girl is truly adorable, embodying the most classic image of a little girl from childhood Chinese textbooks: a face as rosy as an apple, eyes as sparkling as grapes (Hey, are you sure there are such things in the Chinese textbooks?), and hair styled into two loops on either side of her head (That's called double buns! A hairstyle exclusively for little girls, you illiterate!). The little girl is indeed very cute, truly representing the quintessential image of a little girl from childhood Chinese textbooks: a face as rosy as an apple, eyes as sparkling as grapes (Hey, are you sure there are such things in the Chinese textbooks?), and hair styled into two loops on either side of her head (That's called double buns! A hairstyle exclusively for little girls, you illiterate!). Really, if he didn't know her name was Lin Daiyu, Xu Yang would definitely rush over like a creepy uncle to pat her head, silently exclaiming ten times in his heart: "She is just too adorable!"

Xu Yang turned his head and hurriedly ran along the wall towards the back wall of his house. Fortunately, in ancient times, the noble ladies moved slowly, and in snowy weather, they were even slower. From the moment he heard the sound to when they reached the front door, it would probably take about a minute. Thus, Xu Yang scrambled to the back window, struggling to climb over it several times. Finally, he managed to get through the window, and just as he entered the room, he heard the maid of Mrs. Xu reporting from outside: "Young Master, Madam and the eldest young lady are coming!"

But this girl's name is truly Lin Daiyu. The image and the name together leave Xu Yang at a loss for words; apart from a sense of incongruity, he really has no other feelings.

The author has something to say

It was completely over, Xu Yang thought to himself in despair

Moments later, he returned, holding a small box: "I don't have anything good to give to my sister. I thought this thing was broken for a while, but who would have thought that when I tried it again the day before yesterday, it actually worked. Let my sister play with it." After saying this, he opened the exquisite box made of an unknown material and took out a long object, continuing, "Look at this, it's so convenient for lighting candles!" Then, with a press of his hand, a sound "pop" was heard, and a flicker of flame emerged.

The point I am currently writing about is just the second year after Jia Min's death. Lin Mei Mei had only stayed in the Jia household for a little over a year before being taken back. Therefore, she is only 8 years old in terms of virtual age, equivalent to a little girl in the first or second grade. So anyone who thinks I will depict any romantic feelings between Xu Yang and Lin Mei Mei, you all should go reflect in the corner, haha, hands on hips and laughing!

( ⊙ o ⊙ ) ! ! !

Then Mrs. Xu exclaimed, "What happened, Yang? You are being naughty again!" The first sentence carried a hint of astonishment, but by the second sentence, her anger had already flared up. "How old are you now? Can't you behave a little? Your illness isn't cured yet, and you are jumping around all day, looking like a monkey! Your sister came specifically to see you, you, you! Puhahaha..."

It was during the time when Qin Keqing passed away that Lin Daiyu happened to visit her father, Lin Ruhai, who also died around this period

Then came the voice of Mrs. Xu, a voice that Xu Yang was very familiar with, clearly filled with laughter: "Don't listen to your father praising himself. Your brother grew up in a barbaric land and doesn't understand many things. He has been ill lately, but he often insists on reading and writing. Occasionally, he writes a few characters, but I don't dare let him write too much. I have seen it, and it is somewhat pleasing to the eye. But only the characters are pleasing; his other knowledge is a complete mess! Good child, you must not learn from him. He is the most narrow-minded and lacks understanding of principles, babbling nonsense all day long. If he annoys you, don't get angry; just let the maid tell me, and I will take care of him for you!"

Oh, by the way, the key point of this chapter is that Lin Mei Mei has appeared

Xu Yang finally managed to wriggle out from behind the curtain, disregarding any embarrassment, and hurriedly bowed to the young girl beside Mrs. Xu, saying, "Hello, little sister!" However, upon raising his head, he was taken aback.

What are you saying? Lin Mei's charm is indeed boundless, which is why Xu Yang has turned into a pig?

Just as he was about to peek outside the door, he heard distant voices coming from outside, which startled him so much that he quickly withdrew his head and stood against the wall by the door. Since the Lin family had few members, the large courtyard was very quiet, allowing him to hear clearly. He could only hear the tender voice of a little girl: "Aunt, is my cousin really as naughty as you said? Father says his writing is excellent and that he has put in a lot of effort. He wants me to learn from my cousin and not just play all day."

"Is your cousin feeling better?" The little girl was startled by the sudden bow from the tall figure, her eyes wide in surprise. It took her a good half a minute to utter this line that should have been said earlier, completely forgetting the usual greetings for a first meeting.

You wretched thing! Mrs. Xu was once again driven to madness. She snatched the box with one hand and pointed her finger at Xu Yang's forehead with the other: "What kind of gift is it to give a little girl something to play with fire! Do you want to drive me to my grave? The day before yesterday, you were shouting like your uncle was mourning; yesterday, you were leading the girl in a wild dance; today, you want to teach your sister to play with fire... Can't you let me have a single peaceful day? What sin have I committed?" The day before yesterday, you were shouting like your uncle was mourning; yesterday, you were leading the girl in a wild dance; today, you want to teach your sister to play with fire... Can't you let me have a single peaceful day? What sin have I committed?

Xu Yang truly feels that he is about to die, not from illness, but from suffocation... It is said that the precious daughter of the cheap uncle, rumored to be a celestial being, Lin Mei Mei, arrived last night. Alas, it was too late at that time, and no one was allowed to go see her... Well, it is not too late, but Mrs. Xu probably wouldn't let him brave the snow to join the festivities. But that is Lin Mei Mei, the one who is "more perceptive than Bi Gan and more beautiful than Xi Zi"! ... Well, it is not too late, but Mrs. Xu probably wouldn't let him brave the snow to join the festivities. But that is Lin Mei Mei, the one who is "more perceptive than Bi Gan and more beautiful than Xi Zi"! ... Damn it, arriving in this inexplicable world of the Red Mansion, the greatest dream of this lifetime is to admire all the Twelve Beauties of Jinling...

A few young girls stifled their laughter as they helped Mrs. Xu sit down in a chair. Lin Daiyu was already stunned by the antics of these two women, wanting to laugh but not daring to do so. However, she then heard her cousin Xu say to her: "If you want to laugh, just laugh. I am used to being scolded; go ahead and laugh, I won't be angry. Holding it in is much more uncomfortable... Little girl, there’s no need to pretend to be an old lady." Before he finished speaking, the room was filled with laughter.

Indeed, Xu Yang jumped out of the window. He opened the window and took a deep breath of the cold and fresh air outside. Oh yeah! I am coming to the outside world! He jumped onto the table, crawled through the window, and then felt dizzy, plunging headfirst into the snow pile behind the window.

The majority of the story in "Dream of the Red Chamber" takes place during the three years following the death of Qin Keqing. Lin Daiyu's death occurs exactly three years later, at which point she would be around fifteen years old. Therefore, in the original text, Lin Ruhai must have died when Lin Daiyu was twelve years old. We see that Lin Daiyu entered the Jia household the year after she found Jia Yucun to be her tutor, which means she was six years old. To be honest, this child is indeed pitiable; she effectively left her father at the age of six, and did not see him for six years. When she finally reunited with her father, he passed away, leaving her an orphan. We see that Lin Daiyu entered the Jia household the year after she found Jia Yucun to be her tutor, which means she was six years old. To be honest, this child is indeed pitiable; she effectively left her father at the age of six, and did not see him for six years. When she finally reunited with her father, he passed away, leaving her an orphan.

Xu Yang is truly experiencing pain and joy at the same time

However, Xu Yang is currently unable to resist, as he is the beloved nephew of Lord Lin, a third-rank official, and is preparing to stay long-term at the Lin family. He is a cousin who has been painstakingly retrieved and is in a very poor physical condition, requiring careful recuperation.

Xu Yang was drenched in cold sweat, thinking, "Oh God, please don't slander me in front of Lin Meimei. I still want to make a good impression on our first meeting. This is bad, what good impression? Sneaking out like this, it's a miracle if I don't get beaten up. ... I need to hurry back ..."

So do not think that Xu Yang is capable of any remarkable or heroic deeds; he is just a troublemaker

It has been mentioned many times before that he was a child who grew up being pampered. However, to be honest, this is a new socialist society, and no matter how pampered a child is, they still do not have to do household chores. Most of the time, whatever they want, their parents, along with their grandparents, will satisfy their wishes. As for being served hand and foot, cough cough cough, unless one is disabled, who would raise a child in such a manner

Xu Yang was startled and hurriedly rushed to the bedside, intending to pull down the curtains—after all, being caught by Mrs. Xu with a body covered in snow would not be good. However, in his anxiousness, he exerted too much force and accidentally pulled down both layers of the curtains at once, causing them to fall over his head.

It is often said that one either dies in silence or transforms in silence. No, no, no, that is not how it goes; it is either one dies in silence or erupts in silence... Xu Yang did not want to transform, so he erupted. Taking advantage of the fact that most of the people in the house had gone out, leaving only Juzi, he insisted on having rock candy and white fungus soup (though he actually wanted braised pork knuckle, but he was on medication and had to avoid meat). He also insisted that Juzi personally supervise the addition of plenty of rock candy and ensure that the white fungus was steamed until it was very soft. He sent Juzi away, and the other little maid could only wait outside the door and was not allowed to enter casually. Thus, Xu Yang hurriedly began to get dressed. It must be said that ancient clothing is truly difficult to wear. He had carefully observed the order and method of putting on clothes for several days, and quickly put on the thickest cotton pants and robe. Although he was extremely reluctant, he still piled on the chaotic layers of clothing, as he could not go out in disarray, no, not out the door, but out the window!

Mrs. Xu was both angry and amused, clutching her chest and nearly gasping for breath: "I must have owed you something in my past life! What on earth is going on in that head of yours? Speaking nonsense in front of your sister, just wait until your uncle finds out and gives you a beating!"

However, now his life is truly one of being served hand and foot. As soon as he wakes up, someone is there to dress him; not only are his clothes put on, but there are also people to wash his face, wipe it, and even bring mouthwash right to his side. When it comes to meals, if he merely glances at a dish, it will immediately be served into his bowl... What is even more unethical is that all those serving him are girls aged thirteen or fourteen. My God, at that age, in his past world, they should still be in middle school, right? Having several underage girls serving him feels quite criminal... Although he is only sixteen himself, he is in a youth class and has entered university early, surrounded by classmates who are four or five years older than him. Over time, he has come to believe that he is in the same age group as those in their twenties. As a university student, when he sees middle school students, even if he is only sixteen, looking at thirteen or fourteen-year-olds, he feels a significant generational gap.

He was wrapped up like a zongzi, struggling to crawl out of the snowdrift. Stealthily, he made his way along the wall towards the courtyard gate. He originally intended to jump over the wall, but even jumping through a window could make him dizzy. In such a sorry state, jumping over the wall would surely leave him with a face full of bruises.

Oh God, I have been living here for almost a month, only allowed to wash my face and feet, not permitted to take a shower. Whenever I mention feeling unwell, they send a few little girls to help me clean up...! That feeling, what the hell are you thinking! Who would have feelings for a middle school student! I mean, the little strength they have takes several attempts just to wipe away eye crust; how can they help me clean up, what a joke! I'm going to grow hair all over my body! I mean, the little strength they have takes several attempts just to wipe away eye crust; how can they help me clean up, what a joke! I'm going to grow hair all over my body!

How absurd! At this moment, Xu Yang's mind was filled with a thousand roaring beasts rushing past. Jia Baoyu, you rascal! How can you discern anything like "a gaze filled with ambiguous affection" from such a little girl? This little girl is only 8 years old, isn't she? Xu Yang felt tears welling up inside... As a liberal arts student, as an outstanding student who ultimately got into a top-tier university's Chinese department in the capital, arriving in the world of "Dream of the Red Chamber" and living in the Lin family, it would be strange to say that I have no fantasies about Sister Lin! But the harsh reality is right in front of me; Sister Lin is indeed only eight years old this year—still in her nominal age... As a liberal arts student, as an outstanding student who ultimately got into a top-tier university's Chinese department in the capital, arriving in the world of "Dream of the Red Chamber" and living in the Lin family, it would be strange to say that I have no fantasies about Sister Lin! But the harsh reality is right in front of me; Sister Lin is indeed only eight years old this year—still in her nominal age.

Suddenly remembering that there should be a gift for the first meeting, Xu Yang felt even more embarrassed. He hurriedly called out to the little girl, "Wait a moment, little sister!" and then dove into the box behind the bed, rummaging through it, leaving everyone else aside. Mrs. Xu rolled her eyes in frustration, saying, "I wasn't wrong, was I? Just look at him, a little monkey! What good can you learn from your father by following him?" Xu Yang's head was almost buried in the box, yet he still mumbled, "I heard you, you're talking bad about me again!" Mrs. Xu rolled her eyes in frustration, saying, "I wasn't wrong, was I? Just look at him, a little monkey! What good can you learn from your father by following him?" Xu Yang's head was almost buried in the box, yet he still mumbled, "I heard you, you're talking bad about me again!"

In an instant, the room was filled with laughter, and a young girl brought over a warming stove, inviting Xu Yang to sit on it to warm himself. Xu Yang felt utterly embarrassed; this device was meant for warming blankets and clothes in winter, primarily used by young girls who were afraid of the cold and enjoyed sitting on it. At this moment, the room was filled with women, either sitting or standing, all composed and dignified, while he had shrunk into a ball and sat on the warming stove, which was truly humiliating. Especially Lin Meimei, the little girl who looked like a miniature adult, yet her lips were clearly moving, as if she still wanted to laugh again! Sigh, in this lifetime, today felt like a complete loss of face!