Dream of the Red Chamber: Eating, Sleeping, and Angering Baoyu

The atmosphere in the room dropped to freezing point.

The maids were all silent with fear, wishing they could be invisible.

Jia Heng stood aside, feeling that the time was right. If he didn't speak up soon, this farce would never end.

He needs to play the role of a sensible, considerate, and family-oriented good child.

He took two steps forward and bowed deeply to Grandmother Jia, Jia Zheng, and Lady Wang: "Grandmother, Father, Mother, please calm your anger."

Everyone looked at him.

Jia Heng's face showed just the right amount of guilt and self-reproach: "It's all my fault. It's my brother's first day of school, and I didn't remind him to get up early yesterday. It's all my fault."

He took the responsibility upon himself, he spoke sincerely, and he was humble.

"My brother said studying was useless, but that was just something he said in anger. He's just a bit playful, not that he's really unambitious. Father's criticism stems from his deep love and concern, which is why he made a mistake."

"Grandmother, Mother, please don't blame Father. He was only doing it for my brother's own good."

"Father, please don't be angry anymore. My brother already knows he was wrong. Look at him, he's terrified."

Jia Heng's words were perfectly tactful.

He appeased both Grandmother Jia and Lady Wang, gave Jia Zheng a way out, and also took the opportunity to "explain" Jia Baoyu's behavior.

At this moment, he was the peacemaker, the lubricant.

Looking at Jia Heng, the anger in Grandmother Jia's eyes subsided considerably. She praised him, "Heng'er is so sensible. Look at you, and then look at your brother."

Madam Wang wiped her eyes with a handkerchief: "Heng'er is so good. He knows how to be considerate of his parents and love his elder brother."

Jia Zheng's expression softened.

Jia Heng's words struck a chord with him; he was simply frustrated by Jia Heng's lack of ambition.

Jia Heng was overjoyed.

See? The highest level of tea art is to subtly influence things without making a sound; that's the effect he's aiming for.

[Ding! Negative emotion value from Jia Baoyu +100!]

[Ding! Negative emotion value from Jia Baoyu +100!]

[Ding! Negative emotion value from Jia Baoyu +100!]

……

A system notification sounded in my mind.

coming!

Jia Baoyu was leaning against Grandmother Jia's chest, enjoying the warmth of being protected, but everything changed the moment Jia Heng spoke.

Everyone began to praise Jia Heng.

His grandmother praised him, his mother praised him, and even his father, who had just threatened to kill him, praised him.

On what grounds?

He was the one who got beaten up, the one who was the victim, so why did Jia Heng end up being the good guy?

He made himself sound so pathetic, talking about being playful and saying things in anger.

He portrayed himself as so sensible and considerate.

This is outrageous!

The more Jia Baoyu thought about it, the angrier he became, and he felt a tightness in his chest.

He was beaten, wronged, and in the end, he was compared to Jia Heng, becoming a negative example of someone who didn't know any better.

[Ding! Negative emotion value from Jia Baoyu +100!]

[Ding! Negative emotion value from Jia Baoyu +100!]

……

Jia Heng was ecstatic; his negative emotions were skyrocketing.

He added, bowing again to Jia Zheng and his mother, "Grandmother, Father, Mother, please rest assured. From today onwards, I will keep an eye on my brother. I will go to school with him every day and come back together. I will help him review his lessons. I will never let him be playful and lazy again."

These words were spoken with great righteousness and were full of brotherly affection.

Upon hearing this, Grandmother Jia was overjoyed: "Good! Good! Good! With you watching over Baoyu, I can rest assured."

She took Jia Heng's hand and patted it affectionately: "You two brothers should support each other. Baoyu, do you hear me? You should learn more from your younger brother in the future."

Jia Baoyu's face turned green.

Learn from Jia Heng? Learn what? Learn how to put on airs?

He's the older brother! Why should he follow his younger brother's example?

[Ding! Negative emotion value from Jia Baoyu +100!]

[Ding! Negative emotion value from Jia Baoyu +100!]

[Ding! Negative emotion value from Jia Baoyu +100!]

Negative values ​​flooded in like a tidal wave, and Jia Heng felt like he was about to be overwhelmed by happiness.

Jia Zheng said, "That's right! You two brothers should prioritize your studies. Baoyu, you can't continue to act recklessly. Starting tomorrow, you will both go to school together. Neither of you is allowed to be late or leave early!"

Jia Zheng's words were the final word.

To bind Jia Baoyu and Jia Heng together.

Let Jia Heng supervise Jia Baoyu.

This is simply the cruelest punishment for Jia Baoyu.

He will not only have to face a strict father, but also a "good younger brother" who is always scheming against him.

Jia Baoyu felt a sudden darkness before his eyes, and he almost fainted.

Jia Baoyu was trembling all over, not knowing whether it was from anger or pain. He lifted his head from Grandmother Jia's arms and looked at Jia Heng.

Jia Heng was also looking at him, with a gentle and harmless smile on his face, a smile that, in Jia Baoyu's eyes, was full of irony.

"Baoyu, did you hear what your father said?"

Madam Wang nudged him.

What could Jia Baoyu say?

Can he say no?

If he says no, his father's stick will probably come down on him again.

He gritted his teeth and squeezed out three words: "I understand."

The voice was filled with resentment and anger.

Unfortunately, the elders present didn't understand; they just thought he was a child throwing a tantrum.

Only Jia Heng clearly sensed that anger, and the curve of his lips deepened.

Grandmother Jia breathed a sigh of relief, feeling that the matter had been resolved satisfactorily: "Alright, alright, everyone disperse."

The two walked out one after the other.

The Jia family's free school was located on the east side of the mansion, across the street, about a mile away.

Throughout the journey, Jia Baoyu kept a somber face and remained silent.

He wished he could be as far away from Jia Heng as eight feet.

But Jia Heng wouldn't let him have his way, always staying by his side, maintaining a distance that was neither too close nor too far.

This made Jia Baoyu feel very uncomfortable, as if he were a prisoner being escorted.

Soon, the gate of the free school came into view.

An old man stood at the door, his face thin and his expression serious, holding a scroll in his hand.

This is Jia Dairu, the teacher of the Jia family's free school.

He was an elder in the Jia family clan, of very high seniority, and was known for his rigid and upright character.

Jia Heng stepped forward and respectfully performed a deep bow.

"I am Jia Heng, a descendant of the second branch of the Rong family. I pay my respects to you, sir."

His movements were precise and his attitude was humble, leaving no room for criticism.

A hint of satisfaction appeared on Jia Dairu's originally serious face.

He nodded: "Okay, let's go in."

When it was Jia Baoyu's turn, he reluctantly moved over and hastily cupped his hands in greeting: "Student Jia Baoyu..."

His voice was so soft it was like a mosquito's hum, and his head was down; he looked listless.

Jia Dairu's brows immediately furrowed.

He had long heard of Jia Baoyu's great name and knew that he was the old lady's favorite person. He didn't like to study and only liked to hang out with girls.

Seeing it today, I can see that it truly lives up to its reputation.

"Stand up straight! A scholar should look like a scholar!"

Jia Dairu scolded.

Jia Baoyu was startled and his body tensed up instinctively.

[Ding! Negative emotion value from Jia Baoyu +150!]

[Ding! Negative emotion value from Jia Baoyu +150!]

……

Jia Heng stood to the side, eyes downcast, seemingly oblivious to everything around him.

Upon entering the school, a young boy greeted him.

He was handsome with delicate features, but his expression carried a hint of flattery and frivolity.

"Gentlemen, you've arrived. I am Jia Rui, a few years older than you. You can just call me Brother Rui."

Jia Rui was all smiles, his enthusiasm bordering on excessive.

He had already heard that the most favored young master in the mansion, Bao Er Ye, and Heng San Ye, who had just returned from Jinling, were coming to school.

This is a great opportunity to curry favor with the two of them.

Jia Baoyu ignored him.

Jia Heng, however, was very polite: "Brother Rui, you are too kind."

Jia Rui was flattered and quickly waved his hand, "You flatter me, you flatter me. I'll show you around the school."