Chapter 3: Baoyu and Daiyu Meet
The first time Baoyu saw Daiyu, he was struck by her delicate beauty. She sat quietly in Grandmother Jia's room, her eyes lowered, her hands folded in her lap. She wore simple clothes, but there was something about her that made her stand out from all the other girls in the house.
"Have I seen you before?" Baoyu asked, walking closer to her. His words surprised everyone in the room. Daiyu looked up at him with wide eyes. She too felt a strange sense of familiarity, as if they had met in another life.
Grandmother Jia smiled at the two children. "You are cousins," she said gently. "You should be good friends." From that day forward, Baoyu and Daiyu spent most of their time together. They read books, wrote poems, and walked through the garden, sharing their thoughts and dreams.
Baoyu found that Daiyu understood him better than anyone else. She was clever and sensitive, with a sharp mind and a kind heart. When he spoke of his dislike for the government exams, she did not scold him as others did. Instead, she listened and nodded, understanding his desire for freedom.
But Daiyu was also a girl who felt things deeply. Small words and actions could hurt her, and she often cried in secret. Baoyu tried his best to make her happy, bringing her flowers and writing her poems. Their bond grew stronger each day, though neither of them could name the feeling that connected their hearts.