Shi Fa Ke left the pawnshop and went to the place where Lu Chi had set up his stall yesterday, but Lu Chi wasn’t there.

“He didn’t come out to set up his stall today.” Shi Fa Ke looked around and muttered to herself, “Ah, right, could he be at home copying the Mencius?”

…Well, yes, setting up a stall to sell paintings when no one appreciated them, writing letters for only five wen each—such compensation was far inferior to the five taels of silver the chubby boy had given.

Shi Fa Ke thought for a moment, then went to the still-bustling wonton stall next door and bought two portions of wontons. She also paid two wen as deposit to rent two portable wooden bowls for takeout, planning to visit Lu Chi’s home.

It was already close to noon, and the warm spring sunlight made people feel cozy. The streets were filled with the atmosphere of common folk, exuding the liveliness and fragrance of everyday life. Shi Fa Ke walked with light, quick steps. Lu Chi rented a private courtyard in Willow Leaf Lane. Though she knew the address, this was her first time visiting.

Standing at the door, Shi Fa Ke tried knocking.

Soon, the door opened, revealing Lu Chi’s face that made one feel refreshed just by looking at it.

“Miss Shi?” Lu Chi’s expression looked somewhat surprised.

Shi Fa Ke smiled cheerfully and lifted the wooden bowls in her hands. “Have you had lunch yet?”

Only when she said this did Lu Chi realize his stomach was already rumbling with hunger. He smiled. “I was copying books and forgot the time. How fortunate that you came.”

Mm… beautiful people even spoke so pleasantly.

But indeed, he was copying books at home as expected…

Lu Chi had already stepped aside, taking the wontons from Shi Fa Ke’s hands and inviting her in.

Shi Fa Ke walked through the main gate, looking around curiously. Beyond the entrance was a small courtyard that, though small, was very refined and well-maintained. Jujube trees grew in the courtyard, and it was now the season when green jujubes ripened. The branches were heavy with fruit, making one’s mouth water. On one side of the courtyard wall, grape vines climbed abundantly, with inconspicuous white flowers blooming among the emerald leaves in clusters, emitting an enchanting subtle fragrance that refreshed the heart.

“Are you satisfied?” Lu Chi asked with a smile.

Hm? Shi Fa Ke blinked, feeling that something about his words seemed strange.

“Um, not bad…” Shi Fa Ke smiled awkwardly.

Lu Chi seemed to have asked casually, smiling as he said, “These jujube trees and grapes were planted by the landlord. The landlord couple went to the prefectural city with their son to accompany his studies. The house was left empty, so they registered it with the housing agency. The monthly rent is five hundred wen.”

Knowing Shi Fa Ke’s habit of asking questions to the very end, Lu Chi had explained things quite clearly.

Five hundred wen wasn’t cheap. Shi Fa Ke had heard of this landlord couple—their only son had passed the provincial examination, so the whole family had moved. This house had been empty for some time, but due to the price, no one had been interested. However, looking at the environment now, it was quite nice, and Lu Chi still needed to take the autumn examination, so he needed a quiet place to study properly.

While speaking, Lu Chi had already efficiently placed the wontons on the table, brought bowls and chopsticks, and called out, “Come eat quickly.”

Shi Fa Ke walked over and saw that the table also had a dish filled with green jujubes. The washed jujubes still had droplets of water on them, looking extremely tempting. She couldn’t resist the temptation and took one, biting into it. It was crisp and sweet, making her smile with delight. “So sweet.”

Lu Chi was already eating the wontons. The dumplings had been soaking in the broth for a while and had become somewhat soft, certainly not as good as when freshly cooked. But perhaps due to his hunger, or perhaps for some other reason, they tasted incredibly fragrant and sweet, not inferior at all.

Seeing him eat with such relish, Shi Fa Ke also felt hungry. However, after eating one, she lost her appetite. “Ugh, the skin got soft from soaking in the soup, it’s not good. Next time I come, I’ll bring you something else. Wontons really aren’t suitable for takeout.”

“No, they’re very delicious,” Lu Chi said, eating with gusto. Hearing her words, he looked up at her and smiled.

Shi Fa Ke was momentarily dazed upon seeing his smile, though she was already used to it.

After Lu Chi finished a bowl of wontons, he put down his chopsticks with satisfaction. Looking up, he saw Shi Fa Ke absent-mindedly nibbling on the green jujubes while staring at him intently. He paused, and his fair earlobes involuntarily flushed red.

“Why are you looking at me like that?” Lu Chi coughed lightly and asked somewhat uncomfortably.

“I was thinking that you’re so handsome, being your wife would be quite stressful,” Shi Fa Ke answered without thinking.

“…” Lu Chi’s temple twitched.

Realizing what she had said, Shi Fa Ke cleared her throat. “I mean, I’m considering what kind of wife to find for you.”

However… as a girl, having a husband who was more beautiful than oneself would indeed be tremendously stressful. Shi Fa Ke’s thoughts wandered, and she sighed deeply.

“Master Lu, what kind of girl do you like?” Shi Fa Ke asked, propping her chin with her hand.

Lu Chi looked at the girl propping her chin before him. Actually, Shi Fa Ke wasn’t a particularly beautiful girl, but she was delicate and cute. Her almond-shaped eyes were round and large, clear and sparkling like water, and when she looked at you with such a smile, she could melt even the stoniest heart. Moreover, her mouth corners naturally turned up slightly, so even when not smiling, she seemed to carry a three-part smile, making her extremely likeable.

Old people said this was a very blessed appearance.

“I like girls with good fortune,” Lu Chi smiled slightly and said.

As he spoke, he was startled himself, then as if to cover something, he quietly lowered his head and took a green jujube from the dish to eat.

Shi Fa Ke was dumbfounded… Eh? Girls with good fortune? What kind of answer was that? Beauty or being well-educated would be more specific than having good fortune…

Um, could it be…

“You like those good at childbearing?” Shi Fa Ke asked.

Hearing such startling words, Lu Chi was greatly shocked. His eyes widened suddenly, and the jujube pit in his mouth got stuck in his throat, unable to go up or down, his fair cheeks turning bright red.

Shi Fa Ke was startled and hurriedly ran over to pat his back. “Oh my, are you choking?”

After much fuss, Lu Chi finally spat out the jujube pit that nearly choked him to death. After catching his breath, he smiled bitterly. “Next time when I’m eating, Miss Shi, please don’t speak…”

Eh? What did she say wrong?

When matchmaking, mothers-in-law generally liked girls with good fortune, and by good fortune, they meant good at childbearing.

Shi Fa Ke blinked her round almond eyes innocently.

Lu Chi lost his temper looking at her.

He wanted to tell her not to bother, that with his current reputation in Copper Gong Town, finding a wife probably wouldn’t be easy. But facing those bright, sparkling eyes, he was somehow bewitched and didn’t speak.

It seemed she still didn’t know about his reputation in Copper Gong Town…

Forget it, let her fuss around as she pleased.

“Ah! I have it.” Shi Fa Ke suddenly clapped her hands and said enthusiastically, “County Deputy Zhou has a young lady. I’ve seen her several times—she’s plump and round, with a very blessed appearance. Moreover, she’s well-educated and kind-hearted. What do you think, Master Lu?”

Lu Chi rubbed his forehead helplessly. “The County Deputy’s young lady probably wouldn’t look favorably upon me.”

“No, no, I heard that County Deputy Zhou likes scholars and has said he wants to find a scholar as his son-in-law.” Shi Fa Ke became more convinced as she spoke.

One who liked girls with good fortune—Miss Zhou looked like someone with good fortune.

One who liked scholars and wanted to recruit a scholar as son-in-law—Lu Chi was precisely a scholar.

Wasn’t this a match made in heaven?

Having made up her mind, Shi Fa Ke got up to take her leave.

Lu Chi walked her to the door, watching her carefree retreating figure with some helplessness.