Chapter Fifty-Two: Facing Death as if Returning Home

The TV adaptation of Dream of the Red Chamber had already been airing for more than ten episodes, causing quite a sensation. Fans of the novel marveled at the production’s meticulousness: every detail stood up to scrutiny, every character’s personality was identical to the original. Lin Daiyu was that same proud, self-assured, and ethereal Lin Daiyu; Jia Baoyu remained the glutton for rouge and the lover of inner chambers’ company, just as in the book.

All the characters who appeared exuded an ancient charm, as if they had stepped straight out of the pages, drawing the viewers into their spell. The popularity of the drama rekindled a nationwide passion for reading the novel, though whether some people were captivated by its romantic intrigue or its cultural depth was anyone’s guess.

There was another aspect that couldn’t be ignored: the song “Stone Chronicle” featured in the series had struck a deep chord with audiences. Almost everyone who had watched the adaptation could hum its dreamlike, ethereal melody. At first, some couldn’t accept the Cantonese ‘rap’ style of singing, but the director’s clear partiality for the piece meant it was played again and again, and over time, viewers found themselves thoroughly bewitched by “Stone Chronicle.”

Director Wang’s persistence was justified. The song transcended the ordinary, floating as if on immortal wings. Its recurring presence as background music helped the drama rise above mere indulgence in the Grand View Garden's opulence, instead evoking from the outset the feeling of “wandering a dreamland, guiding the Twelve Beauties, sipping celestial nectar, and enacting the Red Chamber Dream.”

In that particular episode, the Fairy of Illusion meets Baoyu, and, wishing to awaken him, makes her words unusually clear. Yet Baoyu, lost within the web, cannot grasp their meaning, setting the stage for the tragedy to come. At that moment, “Stone Chronicle,” penned by Ren Qian, plays as the background music—so fitting it could not have been better chosen.

Viewers who saw this scene found their hearts clench at the first notes of the song, as if, in a flash, the visuals before their eyes revealed the true meaning of “Dream” in the Red Chamber Dream.

Since the debut of “Stone Chronicle,” even the most jaded music critics dared not belittle this Cantonese piece, for its lyrics were uncannily faithful to the source material, and it could well be considered a classic of the ancient style. The words were not ostentatious, but the realm they conjured far surpassed ninety percent of contemporary Chinese songs. After all, the lyricists stood upon the shoulders of the giant that was Dream of the Red Chamber—who would dare look down on it? Perhaps only a handful of songs by the “God of Song,” grand and magnificent, could even hope to compete.

In truth, Ren Qian released the song with considerable confidence. Though somewhat niche, its composition, lyrics, and performance were easily worthy of the top ten in Chinese music. The lyrics were crafted by a collective of elite lyricists and seasoned Red Chamber scholars—not by one person alone, but through the collaboration of many. The strength of the team foretold the quality of the work.

But as the old saying goes, “men of letters tend to belittle one another.” Gathering so many brilliant lyricists and asking them to create, within a mere hundred-odd words, a perfect set of lyrics, could only amplify their rivalries. It is not hard to imagine the heated debates and red faces before the final, most perfect version was agreed upon. Such was the level reached by “Stone Chronicle.”

Take, for example, these lines:

“Minute by minute, strands and traces calculated,
Yet always, fate falls far short,
Round and round,
Transforming into fragments of dust-bound destiny;
Turbulent, muddled, all to make a marriage,
Lingering attachments become longing,
Truth and falsehood,
All joys and sorrows, kindness and resentment, are but illusion—”

This passage alone is enough to leave one in awe. Who says classical lyrics must rely on ornate words? These few simple, repeated phrases are succinct and incisive. The meaning is veiled yet rich, leaving so much for the imagination that one could almost reconstruct the entire masterpiece from these lines. On the surface, the lyricists have merely poked a small hole in the paper window, but in truth, they have opened a door to a new world. Such glimpses are the very definition of seeing the whole through a tiny crack. With lyrics and music like this, who would dare to criticize?

It is no wonder, then, that “Stone Chronicle” topped the charts on all major music platforms. After all, the Empire’s mainstream music still favored the literati-infused, ancient style. While such songs might be niche in the Celestial Dynasty, they were wildly popular in the Empire—a reminder that each land breeds its own tastes.

Ren Qian and the nurse were having breakfast in their rented room when the playlist randomly queued up “Stone Chronicle.”

“This song has such a beautiful flavor,” she remarked, her rosy lips puckered slightly as she chewed her egg, cheeks adorably puffed. “Li Qingzhao wrote, ‘Seeking and searching, cold and desolate, bleak and sorrowful,’ and you have, ‘Round and round... turbulent, muddled, all to make a marriage.’” She sipped some hot soy milk, then looked up and finished in a muffled voice. “Every frown and smile is full of grace…”

Ren Qian felt his heart stir. This girl was becoming more and more impossible to look away from. His thoughts wandered, desires flaring, when suddenly his phone rang. Glancing at the screen, he saw it was Director Wang.

Ren Qian quickly told the nurse. She gave him a look that said she’d expected as much, and deftly switched off the speaker, ensuring he could take the call in peace.

“Ren Qian, my young friend, do you have some time lately?”

He remembered the first time he’d met Director Wang—then, the man had seemed stiff and aged, his gaze obsessed with Dream of the Red Chamber, leaving no room for anything else. Now, however, he seemed… radiant with success, even his manner of speaking had changed.

“Director Wang, you must be doing well these days—looks like another blockbuster is on the way,” Ren Qian replied, sidestepping the question.

This man had never spoken obliquely before, but now he was deploying all the courtesies of social banter. Such “progress” was truly impressive.

“Ah… You jest, Ren Qian. I’ve been too long in the entertainment world and picked up some bad habits—please don’t mind me. Actually, I wanted to invite you to join our cast on Jiangnan Television’s ‘Day Day Up’. Can you make time for that?”

Director Wang paused, thinking Ren Qian’s tone was odd. Realizing he was being foolish, he chided himself: trying to flatter a prodigy like Ren Qian was not only to underestimate him, but was an unspoken insult. If Ren Qian truly considered you a friend, why bother with such empty rituals? Wasn’t that just unnecessary nonsense?

“Sure. I’d like to see the world with you, Director Wang.”

“You flatter me, Ren Qian. I’ll never play these games again. Remember, the recording is tonight at eight. We’ll meet at the Jiangnan Broadcasting Headquarters. It’s my first time on the show, and I’m a bit nervous.”

After a few more pleasantries, Director Wang hung up.

“Director Wang invited me to record ‘Day Day Up.’ Nurse, you really can predict the future. Come, close your eyes—I’ve got a reward for you.”

“What are you up to?” The nurse’s cheeks turned rosy as she obediently closed her eyes. Ren Qian was always so romantic—what surprise would he give her this time? Her heart fluttered with anticipation. After all, a girl in love tends to see her man through rose-tinted glasses.

What was he planning…? Was he about to invite her to dance a foreign waltz? Unexpected, yet somehow fitting.

Suddenly, she felt herself swept up, cradled in his arms as he spun her through the air—a princess carry. A gentle breeze brushed her hair, and it seemed as though she was being held aloft in a boundless sea of flowers, basking in the silver glow of the moon. It was so beautiful—a blend of romance and excitement, tinged with shyness and nervousness.

What kind of dance would follow next? Oh, the anticipation!

But in the next instant, the nurse landed softly in a heap of blankets, a pair of warm hands covering her heartbeat, then crushing it. Startled and flustered, she opened her eyes and, with a kick, sent Ren Qian tumbling off the bed.

Cough… cough…

Lying sprawled on the floor, Ren Qian could only give a helpless, wry smile. Once again, he had proven that when a man is overcome by desire, he truly becomes fearless.