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

Lin Daiyu was only curious at first, and it was just something she casually mentioned. Deng Zechen took it very seriously and was willing to solve it for her. At this moment, her goodwill towards Deng Zechen increased even more.

The dishes were served quickly, and the group stopped talking and ate their own food.

Xueyan's eyes lit up when she took her first bite, and she chewed with her cheeks puffed out.

What they didn't know was that in the next private room, separated by only a wall, a completely different scene was unfolding.

The table in the private room was laden with all sorts of delicacies. Only one person, dressed in orange-red brocade, sat at the table, slowly enjoying the food. Two beautiful maids were serving dishes beside her, but she didn't even look at the dishes. Instead, she held the spine of a book in her left hand and gently turned a page with her right, reading with great interest.

The book's cover prominently displayed the title "The Tale of Suppressing Demons".

After reluctantly putting "The Tale of the Demon Slayer" aside, she asked one of the maids who was serving dishes:

"Have you found out who wrote 'The Tale of Suppressing Demons'? Would you be willing to cooperate with us?"

"Not yet, but we've found out why the book is so expensive."

Tell me about it.

The maid stopped what she was doing, stood respectfully to the side, and reported the findings one by one:

"The person behind this doesn't seem to have any powerful backing, and is the same author as the previous 'Scientific Expedition Handbook.' But this has attracted the envy of some people, who are doing this both to prevent imitations from their competitors and to seize the initiative."

Upon hearing the maid's words, the man smiled faintly, and his hand, which had been resting casually on the table, began to move unconsciously. His slender fingertips tapped lightly on the table, making a "tap-tap" sound.

"That's interesting. Find out who's behind this as soon as possible and bring them to me."

I told him we'd split the profits 50/50, and I'd protect him. He just needed to focus on finishing the writing and waiting for his share. No one would dare cause trouble then.

"Yes."

She had already finished reading the first volume of "The Tale of the Demon Slayer" and couldn't wait to read the second and third volumes, murmuring to herself:

"Mr. Ziyou... his storytelling style is quite memorable."

A few days later.

The second volume of "The Tale of the Demon Slayer" sold very well, and even before the bookstores released any announcements about the third volume, a group of people were already eagerly waiting for it.

Deng Zechen counted the money he had saved from reading books. It was more than enough to buy the house he was currently living in. After calculating for a moment, Deng Zechen took the money and went out.

Having been in the capital for quite some time, Deng Zechen spends his days studying and practicing martial arts at the Li residence, and has even developed some muscle.

The boy was at the age when he was growing taller, but now when you look at him, you can no longer see the shadow of that tall and thin boy from back then.

On this rare day of rest, Deng Zechen made plans early. After breakfast, he went out to find the intermediary he had arranged in advance, and together with the original homeowner, took the contract to the government office.

After paying the taxes according to the regulations, Deng Zechen received a house deed in return, but the name on the deed was Xiangling.

……

After Deng Zechen returned, he handed the house deed to Xiangling. At first, Xiangling did not know what it was.

When she saw the property deed in her hand and realized that it had her name on it, tears welled up in her eyes before she could even react emotionally.

This time, Deng Zechen was prepared and handed over a handkerchief. Xiangling took it but did not use it. Instead, she held it tightly in her palm.

She frantically wiped away her tears with her sleeves and the back of her hands, but the tears just wouldn't stop. She mumbled intermittently:

"Why... Brother Deng... why are you so... so good to me?"

To be honest, Deng Zechen didn't have any particular thoughts, he just felt that Xiangling in Dream of the Red Chamber had a tragic fate and a pitiful end.

Finding her family seems a long way off.

He first bought a house, giving Xiangling a home, to make her understand:

"Xiangling is not a rootless duckweed."

"I just feel that we're about the same, neither of us has a home of our own. But I'm still a man, and I have my own skills and ways to make money. I'll have plenty of opportunities to buy whatever I want in the future."

You take care of everything for me at home. We're not related, yet you're so attentive to me. I always feel bad about it and want to give you someone I can rely on first…”

Before Xiangling could finish listening to Deng Zechen's words, she pounced on him and wrapped her arms tightly around his waist. The two were so close that Deng Zechen could clearly smell the osmanthus fragrance on Xiangling's hair.

Deng Zechen raised his hand and stroked Xiangling's thin back, patting it gently twice to comfort her.

"Oh, by the way, don't worry, I've made quite a bit of money recently, without spending much effort."

"Don't worry, just keep it. Otherwise, how can I have the nerve to ask you to cook for me so brazenly?"

Upon hearing this, Xiangling finally stopped crying and smiled, releasing her arms from Deng Zechen's and wiping her face with the handkerchief he had given her.

"Let's go eat. I made your favorite tofu today."

"Um!"

After dinner, Deng Zechen returned to his room and began writing furiously, preparing to finish the third volume as soon as possible so that he could hand it over to Guo Wenmo.

With the third volume finished, it was only late afternoon when Deng Zechen left the house with the ink almost completely dried on the third volume of "The Tale of the Demon Slayer". If he wasn't eager to make money, what else could he be eager to do?

But as soon as he arrived at the bookstore, Deng Zechen noticed something was wrong. Although it wasn't the busiest time of day, the bookstore was usually not deserted at this time.

Deng Zechen did not rush in, but pretended to pass by. As he passed the bookstore, he casually glanced at it and saw four or five guards with swords inside. One of the guards was talking seriously with Guo Wenmo.

Guo Wenmo caught a glimpse of Deng Zechen's figure out of the corner of his eye. His pupils contracted, but he didn't make a sound and continued to speak calmly with the leader.

The leader was not easily fooled and quickly caught the fleeting change in Guo Wenmo's face.

They seem to have ill intentions. Since we haven't been exposed yet, it's best to leave first.

Deng Zechen took off running, and immediately a booming shout came from behind him:

"That's him! Bring him back!"

In an instant, several light footsteps quickly approached. After a period of diligent study and practice, Deng Zechen judged that the three people who caught up with him were all skilled martial artists.

Shall we take action?

The three men who caught up were dressed in the same uniform of black, and each wore a leather-tanned scabbard at their waist with a slightly curved hilt.

Deng Zechen was cornered before he could run far. Three people gradually surrounded him, and one of them instinctively reached for the hilt of his knife, but only gripped it briefly before letting go.

"The other party is hesitant; this presents an opportunity!"

Seeing that the people opposite him didn't intend to use their knives, Deng Zechen realized that whatever their purpose was, this was his chance to survive.

The man who had wanted to draw his sword but then hesitated had a barely noticeable scar near his eye. He was now staring intently at Deng Zechen, speaking in a deep, gruff voice:

"Our master wants to see you. Come with us."

"Who is your master? Do you think I have to go see him just because he wants to? Is this how you invite people?"

"Enough with the nonsense! Just come with me." Scarface's face showed obvious displeasure, and he actually reached out to grab Deng Zechen.