Senior Song spoke, "It might be a coincidence, and not considered evidence."
Zhang Ye shook his head, "Coincidence cannot explain it. The only explanation is that only 80 chapters of Cao Xueqin's 'Dream of the Red Chamber' were transmitted and seen by Gao E. He seriously studied it and then carried on writing the story. Gao E was very lucky. He saw a more complete ancient version of the 80 chapters that none of us have ever seen. Of course, there are things that he modified and filled in the blanks, but there were no major changes."
Senior Song insisted, "Then why couldn't it be Gao E obtained the 120 ancient chapters of 'Dream of the Red Chamber' before arranging and publishing it?"
Zhang Ye did not answer the question, but rather asked, "Has anyone heard of a person known as Zhiyanzhai (Red Inkstone)?"
Senior Song shook her head.
Many Peking University students also shook their heads.
