Nüwa refined stones to mend the heavens. Of the 36,500 stones, all found their place except one stubborn rock, left beneath the Wuji Cliff and never smelted.
Millions of years later, two spirits arose within the rock: one fierce and unyielding, the other tender and full of longing. A bolt of lightning split the rock in two.
The larger piece fell into the East Sea and became the immortal stone of Flower-Fruit Mountain, pregnant with a celestial embryo. Later, it burst open with a world-shaking crack, and a stone monkey leapt out. His name was Sun Wukong, and he was destined to wreak havoc in Heaven, journey west to obtain the scriptures, and become the Victorious Fighting Buddha.
The smaller piece landed back atop the cliff and became the Soul-Nurturing Jade. After drifting through the mortal world, it was placed in an infant's mouth. His name was Jia Baoyu, and he was destined to enter the Red Chamber, endure the trials of love, and fall into the boundless wilderness.
They were two sides of the same stone.
One sought to break free of every bond; the other longed to drown in the mortal world.
One rose from demon to Buddha; the other abandoned his family and retreated into monastic life.
They never knew the other existed, yet shared the same dream.
Until the day the Victorious Fighting Buddha arrived at the Grand View Garden.
At last, the two stones met.
The work of mending the heavens is not yet done. The true rift in the sky is only just beginning.
In the end, every Wukong and Baoyu in this world is a dream dreamed by the same stone.
