Chapter 002: Crossing Over

In recent years, Aunt Zhou has been cautious and meticulous, not daring to make any mistakes, which has allowed Jia Ke to survive

However, the family was left with a significant amount of debt. Yet, neither he nor his elder brother expressed any regret. The two brothers worked tirelessly from dawn till dusk, taking nearly ten years to repay the debts.

The young woman asked where the strength came from, and suddenly got up from the ground, stumbling as she ran towards the nearby house

At this moment, Liu Hai had already awakened and absorbed the memories in his mind

Aunt Zhou then realized, and she got up to say to Jia Ke: "Child, you stay in bed for now and do not be mischievous. If there is anything, let Chun Cao take care of it. I will go ahead to report to the master and madam, and also go to the kitchen to get you some porridge."

Thus, the two brothers exhausted their family fortune to treat their father and made every effort to console him, yet they were unable to save his life. After more than two years of illness, they ultimately had to bid farewell to their father.

The ghostly envoy was greatly astonished to see three beams of light enter Liu Hai's body. Not daring to delay, he immediately returned to the City of the Wronged Dead to report to Judge Cui

It seems that returning to the original world is likely impossible. As for the judge in the City of the Wronged, it is probable that there are hidden matters he does not wish to reveal to him

A decade had passed, and Aunt Zhou thought there were no major issues left. However, on the day of Jia Ke's tenth birthday, Jia Ke accidentally fell into the pond in the garden. When he was discovered and pulled ashore by a servant, he was in a state of breathlessness. Although Jia Zheng did not pay much attention to this eldest son, he was still his own flesh and blood, so he invited renowned doctors from the capital to provide treatment. Just as there was a slight improvement, Jia Ke developed a fever again, and it seemed that he was not going to make it. Aunt Zhou knelt down to plead with Grandmother Jia, who, feeling pity for her eldest grandson, took her own letter to summon Doctor Wang to come and examine him. Doctor Wang looked at him and prescribed medicine, stating that if he woke up within three days, it would not be a serious matter. Unexpectedly, just one day later, Jia Ke was on the verge of losing his breath. Aunt Zhou had no choice but to care for Jia Ke day and night, and even when she took a moment to rest, she was praying for Jia Ke in front of the Buddha, vowing to exchange her own lifespan for Jia Ke's life.

Seeing Aunt Zhou crying incessantly, he felt that he should offer some comfort. Thus, he gently patted Aunt Zhou's back and softly reassured her: "Mother, am I not already well? Please do not cry anymore; crying too much will make you less beautiful."

The young maid saw Liu Hai frowning and moaning in pain in his sleep on the bed. Instead of feeling worried, she displayed a look of joy on her face. She approached and gently touched Liu Hai's head, only to feel a coolness, which brought her surprise. She quickly covered Liu Hai with the brocade quilt again, turned around, and walked briskly towards the adjacent hall.

Jia Ke saw that Aunt Zhou had left, and turned to look at the maid Chun Cao. This young maid, only twelve years old, was neat and tidy in appearance. Although she was young, her demeanor was mature and composed, suggesting that she must be of considerable assistance to Aunt Zhou.

Aunt Zhou gradually ceased her sorrowful cries, looking at the child on the bed whose complexion was rosy, indicating a significant recovery. Her face was filled with joy as she reached out to gently stroke the child's hair and face, as if caressing a precious treasure

The young maid, upon seeing this, realized that the young woman had misunderstood. She hurriedly stepped forward to help the young woman up and explained, "Auntie, you have misunderstood. The young master is fine; not only is he fine, but the fever he had has also subsided, which shows that the medicine prescribed by Doctor Wang yesterday is taking effect."

After expressing their lingering attachment, they left the room

Liu Hai could not help but support himself with his arms, wanting to get up from the bed. At that moment, a sharp pain struck his head, and countless memories surged forth. Liu Hai involuntarily fell back onto the bed, and in his headache, he let out a loud "ah" before slipping back into unconsciousness

Liu Hai felt unburdened on Earth, and at Aunt Zhou's, he experienced a maternal love he had never known before. He couldn't help but think that from now on, he would become Jia Ke, living out this life for him and honoring Aunt Zhou on his behalf. Just as this thought crossed his mind, he felt a loosening in his body. He immediately understood that the last remnants of Jia Ke's soul had already dissipated. Thus, he vowed in his heart that from now on, there would only be Jia Ke, and no more Liu Hai.

In the original world, his mother died during childbirth, and it was his father who took on both parental roles to raise him and his older brother. Shortly after they both started working and the family's situation had improved significantly, their father was diagnosed with lung cancer, which brought great suffering to the two brothers. After learning about his condition, their father wanted to return to their hometown to die without treatment. However, the brothers discussed it and felt that their father had endured a lifetime of hardship for them. They believed that if they were to let their father return home to wait for death simply because of financial concerns, it would not be humane. After learning about his condition, their father wanted to return to their hometown to die without treatment. However, the brothers discussed it and felt that their father had endured a lifetime of hardship for them. They believed that if they were to let their father return home to wait for death simply because of financial concerns, it would not be humane.

Although it is said that the judge allowed him to possess a person from a noble family, he has still read "Dream of the Red Chamber". The final outcome of the Jia family is described as "a vast expanse of white, truly clean". Even in Gao E's continuation, the Jia family does not fare much better. Although the Jia Ke he possesses is not the legitimate son of Jia Zheng, if he does not die prematurely, he is likely to meet a similarly unfortunate end

"How dare Chun Cao lie to the madam? I just heard some noise coming from the young master's room. When I went in to check, I found that although the young master has not yet woken up, the fever on his body has subsided," the young maid Chun Cao hurriedly replied.

Madam Wang soon became pregnant again and gave birth to a son and a daughter. The boy was named Jia Zhu, while the girl, born on the first day of the Lunar New Year, was named Jia Yuan Chun. Jia Mu believed that her birth was auspicious and that she was destined for greatness, so she took her in and personally raised her

The young woman came to the bedside and embraced Liu Hai, unable to hold back her tears: "You heartless creature, you have nearly scared me to death. How can I live now that you have gone?"

At this moment, Liu Hai felt a surge of emotion upon seeing Aunt Zhou's deep affection for him, and he thought to himself that the saying "a blade of grass's gratitude can repay the warmth of spring" was indeed true.

It turns out that he is no longer in the world of Earth; he is now in the world of "Dream of the Red Chamber," indeed, the book that is acclaimed as the foremost among the Four Great Classical Novels. Moreover, the identity of the person he has possessed is not ordinary; he is the son of Jia Zheng's concubine, Aunt Zhou, who died young, named Jia Ke.

A young maid entered from outside, presumably having come in to check after hearing Liu Hai's call

In "Dream of the Red Chamber," Aunt Zhou is unassertive and does not compete for attention, remaining silent even when looked down upon. Moreover, her appearance is merely delicate and not as stunning as Aunt Zhao's, which is why she does not receive the favor of Jia Zheng. In the Jia household, she is like an invisible person. Reflecting on this now, it is likely that the early death of her son dealt her a significant blow, leaving her heart as desolate as ashes.

In the center of the main hall, in front of the Buddha shrine, knelt a thirty-year-old young woman. Upon hearing the call of the young maid, she trembled all over and immediately collapsed to the ground, an overwhelming pain rising in her heart, and she could not help but cry out loud

After only a few instances of intimacy, she became pregnant with Jia Ke. Lady Wang initially intended to terminate the pregnancy in an irregular manner. It was only through the desperate pleas of Aunt Zhou, who knelt outside Grandmother Jia's room for an entire day and night, along with the support of her former sisters who interceded on her behalf before Grandmother Jia, that the child in her womb was spared.

At present, one can only proceed step by step. The character he embodies, Jia Ke, is the legitimate eldest son of Jia Zheng. His mother, Aunt Zhou, was originally a maid of Jia Mu and was given to Jia Zheng by Jia Mu before Jia Zheng's wedding, in order to teach him about human affairs.

Watching my child’s condition worsen day by day is like a knife twisting in my heart. Now that I see my child recovering, it feels as if I am in a dream

As soon as the young woman entered the room, she saw Liu Hai on the bed slowly opening his eyes. Immediately filled with joy, tears began to flow down her cheeks uncontrollably.

At this moment, Jia Ke felt Aunt Zhou tightly embracing him and weeping incessantly, which made him quite embarrassed. Although this body was only ten years old and he was still the son of this young woman, he was internally a man in his thirties. Moreover, the stimulation he had received that day was truly overwhelming.

He had just relaxed a little when, for unknown reasons, he was taken to the underworld. He felt that he had been framed by the judge.

Aunt, Aunt, please go and check on the master." The young maid shouted loudly as soon as she entered the room

The young woman finally felt a bit relieved and glared at the young maid, saying: "Chun Cao, you didn't deceive me; my son has truly recovered."

Seeing Aunt Zhou in a daze, the spring grass beside her hurriedly stepped forward to advise, "Aunt, please do not be like this. It is a good thing that the master is now recovering well. You should quickly report this to the master so that all the ill omens can be dispelled. Moreover, the master has not eaten for many days; it is time for the kitchen to prepare some porridge for him to eat a little, which will help him recover from his illness more quickly." During this critical period of Jia Ke's illness, the Jia family had already begun to prepare for his funeral.

During the days when Jia Ke was gravely ill, Aunt Zhou kept a vigil by his bedside day and night. Even when the master urged her to take a rest, she would only recite scriptures and pray for Jia Ke in the adjacent room, not daring to show the slightest relaxation.

As Liu Hai drowsily opened his eyes, he found himself lying on the bed. He could not help but glance around, only to see that the surroundings were adorned with intricately carved beams and painted rafters, with the tables, chairs, and bed all being quite extraordinary.