Lian Erye in the Red Mansion

"It's like this, my sister wants to go home, but she feels she's been wronged here."

"No, it's not..."

Daiyu then remembered that Jia Lian was also one of the masters of this household. If she told Grandmother Jia, Grandmother Jia would be suspicious; would telling her second brother Lian prevent him from being suspicious?

In her heart, Jia Lian was an equal and understanding person, and she thought he should be able to understand her.

Hearing Jia Lian ask her this question so suddenly, she quickly replied, "I'm not wronged. Second Brother Lian and the old lady have been very caring and attentive to me."

"So, it's because of Baoyu?"

Daiyu fell silent.

She couldn't deny that.

Actually, after thinking about what happened this morning, she realized she had made a mistake, but only a small one.

It was all Jia Baoyu's nonsense; he bullied her and even caused Anu's death.

She doesn't want to see him at all right now.

However, Jia Baoyu also lived in Rongqing Hall, and the two of them saw each other all the time, which made her very unhappy.

"You said it yourself, the old lady, Tan'er, and I are all doing fine. If we were to abandon so many of us for one person, wouldn't that be losing the greater for the lesser?"

"No, I just miss my father..."

Daiyu felt she couldn't win an argument with Jia Lian, so she tried to make excuses.

"Or, in your heart, is Baoyu not just a cousin?"

Daiyu was startled; she was very intelligent.

Jia Lian first said that she abandoned the whole family because of Jia Baoyu alone, and then said that in her heart, Jia Baoyu was not just a cousin.

If he's not just my cousin, what else could he be?

Thinking of this, Daiyu's face suddenly turned red. She stood up and glared at Jia Lian: "Second brother, what nonsense are you talking about! What do you mean it's not just cousin? If you keep talking nonsense, I won't talk to you anymore."

Jia Lian shrugged, as if to say something.

But in my heart, I still admired Daiyu's keen reaction.

For a girl of this age to be so perceptive about this topic, Daiyu realized something was wrong as soon as he started talking.

He gestured for Daiyu to sit down, then said, "Sister Lin, please calm down. What I mean is, Sister Lin has always been the smartest child."

Although Baoyu is my cousin, how could he possibly bypass the old lady, the sisters in the family, and me?

Since that's the case, if your sister doesn't like him, she can simply ignore him. Why make herself unhappy and even want to go home because of him?

Daiyu stared intently at Jia Lian with her peach blossom eyes, finally managing to believe his story before slowly sitting down.

Then, without realizing it, I started thinking along the lines of Jia Lian.

Yes, why should I care so much about Baoyu's attitude towards me?

Could it be that, just as Lian Er said, I don't only see him as a cousin?

No, that's impossible, I clearly...

She glanced at Jia Lian discreetly, but remained silent because she couldn't figure out what he meant.

"For example, back in Suzhou, your cousin, I think her name was something like 'Jiaojiao,' didn't she try to take your house?"

Did you feel extremely wronged and unhappy all day long at that time?

Daiyu was taken aback; she seemed to understand what Jia Lian meant.

She disliked Lin Jiaojiao, but if Jia Lian hadn't mentioned her, she would have almost forgotten about her.

Those were her own sisters from the same clan, and she didn't care about their words and actions. Why should she take Jia Baoyu's behavior to heart?

"For example, your cousin Bao's brother, you should call him your cousin."

But no matter how vulgar his behavior or how many outrageous things he does outside, would you care?

It was one thing to talk about Lin Jiaojiao, but what did Xue Pan have to do with her? So she rolled her eyes at Jia Lian in annoyance.

Of course, she wouldn't care what Xue Pan did. Even when she heard that he had killed someone, she was only startled and told herself to stay away from such a scoundrel in the future, and then she forgot about it.

However, is it inappropriate for Brother Lian to compare Baoyu and Xue Pan?

No, it suits her perfectly. Just thinking about how Jia Baoyu had glared at her that morning made her furious.

"Brother Lian, just say what you want to say."

Daiyu raised an eyebrow, and she felt that she really didn't feel so wronged anymore.

"Hehe, what I mean is, Baoyu is, at his core, just an immature child from a relative's family. If Lin Daiyu doesn't like him, she can simply ignore him from now on. There's no need to get angry over him. Do you agree with me?"

Seeing that Jia Lian had gone through so much trouble just to tell her such a simple truth, Daiyu couldn't help but smile inwardly. Then, she pretended to be impatient and said, "Oh dear, I just came to ask you for help, but Second Brother is lecturing me."

Just tell me, are you going to help me or not?

Daiyu was not someone who easily confided in others, not even Jia Lian.

So with a little coquetry, she managed to steer the conversation away from the topic that Jia Lian had started.

However, Jia Lian noticed that Daiyu's tone had clearly shifted from somber to cheerful, indicating that she had at least taken some of what he was saying to heart.

It was worth all the effort he put in.

There was no other way; under the deliberate arrangement of Grandmother Jia, Jia Baoyu and Lin Daiyu could see each other almost every day.

Since the two were of similar age, it was difficult for them not to develop feelings for each other over time.

Rather than waiting until Daiyu's heart awakens to love and she realizes her different feelings for Jia Baoyu, and then falls hopelessly in love, it's better for him to point out the issue now.

At least, it seems that Daiyu doesn't like Jia Baoyu yet.

After that, she became more cautious and was no longer so easily fooled by Jia Baoyu's series of clever ways of wooing women.

However, nothing is absolute, so just in case, it's best to reduce the amount of time they spend together.

So Jia Lian smiled and said, "Of course I'll help."

However, since Lin Daiyu has come to me, she probably doesn't want the old lady to worry too much.

Now that you've just had a fight with Baoyu, if you go home immediately, even if you have a reason to appease the old lady, the servants might still gossip.

How about this, Miss Lin, please stay with us for a few more days. After some time, not long, before I leave the capital, I will tell the old lady that Mr. Lin misses his daughter, and I will personally escort her home.

At that time, Lin Daiyu can stay at home for as long as she wants, and no one will find it inappropriate.

What does Lin Daiyu think?

Upon hearing this, Daiyu frowned slightly.

Before speaking with Jia Lian, she was determined to go back.

However, after Jia Lian's words of encouragement, that feeling wasn't so strong anymore.

Upon further reflection, Jia Lian's words made sense. Unless she returned this time and never came back here again, it would be better to wait a while to avoid those gossipy people talking about her behind her back.

Moreover, the gloves I made for my second brother Lian are not finished yet. If I go home, I won't have a chance to give them to him.

After much deliberation, he finally decided that Jia Lian's suggestion was the safest, and thus slowly agreed.

Jia Lian laughed, glanced at the time, and said to Daiyu, "Alright, it's all fine. Remember what I said: if you like it, play a little longer; if you don't, just go your separate ways."

Daiyu nodded silently.

Seeing that Jia Lian seemed to be about to leave, he asked, "Is Second Brother Lian going to the Iron Threshold Temple now?"

Seeing Jia Lian nod, Daiyu quickly stood up and instructed him, "Be careful on the road."

Jia Lian turned and looked at her, making the young girl blush slightly, before nodding, lifting the curtain, and going out.