Dream of the Red Chamber: Starting with winning over Daiyu's favorability

When Guo Wenmo saw Deng Zechen, a look of joy appeared on his face, and his eyes lit up. He hurriedly invited Deng Zechen into the inner hall to receive him.

After several months of collaboration, the two had become quite familiar with each other. Guo Wenmo guessed Deng Zechen's purpose and, without much pleasantries, went straight to the point:

"Wen Shao should have told you about the situation. What are your thoughts?"

"I have a fantasy novel here that combines supernatural battles with folk tales. It's quite long and should meet your requirements. But I'm curious, what if those with ill intentions also copy it?"

Guo Wenmo was overjoyed to hear Deng Zechen say that there were new books available for sale, after all, the book "The Imperial Examination Manual" alone had earned the bookstore a lot of money.

But when faced with Deng Zechen's questions, he looked embarrassed and helpless:

"We really don't have any good solutions to this. As soon as bookstore owners find out that someone else is making money on a certain book, they will follow suit and copy it. Even if we report it to the authorities, it will have little effect."

After a moment's thought, Deng Zechen offered his idea:

"I have an idea, brother, see if it's feasible."

Upon hearing this, Guo Wenmo eagerly urged Deng Zechen to explain. Deng Zechen nodded and slowly began to speak:

"We'll follow the same pattern as before and release the first volume. But this first volume will be printed on better paper, and our exclusive mark will be printed somewhere on it as an anti-counterfeiting measure. This batch will be priced at half or more higher than the usual price. When the second volume comes out, you can buy it at half price or for less money by using the first volume."

The calculations will require your help, Brother Guo, once "The Tale of the Demon Slayer" is finished. Buyers who own the complete set of "The Tale of the Demon Slayer" will have priority to purchase the first one or two volumes of my new work, ensuring we always maintain a first-mover advantage.

What does Brother Guo think?

Guo Wenmo's gaze at Deng Zechen was like that of a weasel eyeing a chicken, so intense that it made Deng Zechen feel uneasy.

After hearing Deng Zechen's plan, Guo Wenmo immediately stood up, paced back and forth, and kept saying:

"Brilliant! Absolutely brilliant! We'll do it your way! When will you finish writing the first volume of 'The Tale of Suppressing Demons'?"

"I'll do it as soon as possible. After all, if I want to make money this way, I have to ensure the quality is excellent, otherwise who will pay for it?"

"Okay! You go and prepare the contents of this first volume. I'll also go and buy another batch of Xuelang paper to have on hand."

"By the way, since we're aiming for long-term development, let's decide on a name for your book releases. That way, I can help you build momentum. From now on, you'll have an advantage whenever you release books under this name."

After listening, Deng Zechen thought for a moment and then replied:

"I heard this story from an old gentleman, so let's call him 'Mr. Ziyou'."

Deng Zechen and Guo Wenmo finalized the manuscript submission date at the bookstore and further confirmed the distribution details. When Deng looked up again, it was already completely dark.

"Look at me, I lose track of time once we start talking. Zechen hasn't eaten yet, has he? How about I treat you all to a meal together?"

Deng Zechen smiled and declined Guo Wenmo's invitation:

"Thank you for your kindness, Brother Guo, but I have family waiting for me at home. I've already spent so much time outside today without informing my family, and I can't afford to waste any more time now."

Guo Wenmo gave a knowing smile and joked:

"Oh, I understand. You should go back now."

What do you know!

Although Deng Zechen was unclear about Guo Wenmo's thoughts, he was certain that Guo Wenmo's ideas were completely different from his own. However, trying to explain this matter on its own would only make things more complicated.

"It's getting late, I'll be going now. If anything else happens, please let me know, Senior Brother Wen Shao."

Guo Wenmo got up and saw Deng Zechen out of the bookstore, agreeing to Deng Zechen's request as they walked.

As night fell, Xiangling returned home to find herself sitting at the entrance of the main courtyard, her elbows resting on her knees, her chin supported by her palms, her eyes fixed on the gate.

As soon as Deng Zechen pushed open the door, he saw Xiangling squatting alone at the door waiting for him, so he quickened his pace.

"Next time if you're late, don't wait for me. Just eat first and then go to sleep. I'll heat up my food myself, so you won't go hungry."

Xiangling shook her head and stubbornly replied:

"No, I want to wait for Brother Deng to come back so we can eat together. We agreed on this a long time ago, how can we change it? Unless you tell me in advance that I don't need to wait, anyway, I don't have much to do at home, so I want you to be able to have a hot meal as soon as you get back."

After spending time together, Deng Zechen also discovered that Xiangling was a smart and stubborn girl, especially when it came to things she had made up her mind, no one could change her mind.

He immediately stopped arguing with Xiangling and simply invited her to have dinner together.

"Okay, okay, I know. I'll definitely tell you earlier next time. I'll come home on time unless something comes up, and I won't keep you waiting or worrying!"

"Okay! I'll go get the rice! I made your favorite tofu today."

Deng Zechen lifted the covers off the food, and sure enough, it was still slightly steaming. Judging from the watermark on the table, it seemed to have been heated several times.

After dinner, Deng Zechen helped Xiangling clean up the dishes before returning to his room and locking the door.

Upon entering the Land of Illusion once more, Deng Zechen first summoned paper and pen and wrote down the general plot of the first volume of "The Tale of the Demon Slayer".

The core plot is roughly about the Nine Heavens Mystic Maiden descending the mountain and encountering a Taoist white ape with long arms who teaches her swordsmanship.

After adding, subtracting, and making revisions, I finally wrote a rough draft. I read it twice to make sure I had memorized it, and I plan to write it out when I have some free time.

After finishing her work, she slowly entered the dream passage. During this time, Daiyu had many dreams, and no one knew what had happened.

When Lin Daiyu appeared before Deng Zechen, her face was filled with obvious sorrow. Her originally fair complexion looked even paler, almost devoid of color.

"What happened?"

Didn't she look much better when we last met? Who upset her again?

Recalling how Lin Daiyu's request to Madam Wang was subtly rejected during the day, she felt both angry and bitter, lamenting that she had no parents or elders to rely on to support her.

Thinking of this, Lin Daiyu's eyes welled up with tears as she looked at Deng Zechen:

"I noticed that the Rongguo Mansion's finances were not flowing in and out properly, with less money coming in and more going out. So I told my cousin Baoyu, who came over to play with me, hoping he would take it seriously."

But he didn't care at all, saying that no matter what, we would always have enough to eat, wear, and use.

Having been at the Rongguo Mansion for so long, I've finally found a few opportunities to go out and visit the shops and estates my father gave me. The estates are doing alright; they're all managed by the Lin family elders. Although there isn't much money coming in, they haven't lost much either.

The following words seemed to reignite Lin Daiyu's resentment, her chest heaving with anger. After taking a few deep breaths, she continued:

"Several shops were part of my mother's dowry, and now they've been left to me. My father is away from the capital most of the year, and he entrusted me to my maternal grandmother's care. So he handed these shops over to the elders of the Rongguo Mansion and the Lin family to manage together."

I went to ask and found out that those shops had only brought in a dozen or so taels of silver a month for so long! That was all my mother's dowry, which has now been passed down to me, and each of them is located in a very good location. How could they only bring in so little silver?

I went to ask the people in charge of the shop, but they kept passing the buck, saying it wasn't their responsibility and they had no idea how much money they were making; it was all with their boss.

I then asked Madam Wang, and she told me:

"You're from an official's family, why bother with these money-grubbing matters? Learn more about needlework and the principles of being a proper lady, so you'll be well-liked by your mother-in-law and husband when you marry."

Deng Zechen was furious when he heard this. "Fine, Lin Ruhai not only gave me cash for living expenses, but also a monthly dividend."

It seems that the Rongguo Mansion has pocketed all the dividends. Even though the aggrieved party has noticed this, they still shamelessly use the tone of an elder lecturing a junior to subtly criticize them!

Isn't this just a test before they devour the last of their children?