Jia Baoyu’s classic line to coax Lin Daiyu is, “I will drink only one ladle of water despite being weak.” Because Daiyu was jealous and asked if Sister Bao was on good terms with you, how were you? If Sister Bao was not good with you, how were you? After hearing this, Baoyu smiled and replied, "I can only drink a ladle of water, but I can say just 12 words." Just tell the truth. Now it has become a famous saying through the ages.

Baoyu's words undoubtedly mean that no matter what the outside world is like, no matter what others are like, there is only Daiyu in his heart.

The origin of Jia Baoyu’s classic line to coax Lin Daiyu

This famous saying used to describe love is indeed derived from the Dream of Red Mansions. But in fact, its origin is in Buddhist scriptures. A man who was about to die of thirst was taken to a big lake by the Buddha and told him that he could drink as much water as he wanted.

But the dying man looked at the big lake and sighed, the lake is so big and my belly is so small, I can’t finish it, so I might as well not drink it. The Buddha then said to him that the weak water is three thousand, and he only needs to drink from one ladle, which means that he only needs to drink the part he wants.