Not getting a response from He Ketian for a long time, Shi Fa Ke glanced over and saw that her attention had been drawn to the painting on the desk. She said somewhat helplessly, “That painting isn’t finished yet. Choose from the cabinet.”

But He Ketian acted as if she hadn’t heard. She stared intently at the unfinished lady’s portrait, “This is… who painted this?”

Her voice trembled involuntarily, though she already knew the answer, didn’t she?

“This is my Third Brother’s study, so of course my Third Brother painted it,” Shi Fa Ke said with complete bewilderment.

Indeed.

He Ketian stared unblinkingly at the unfinished lady’s chess game painting before her. This was a meticulous brushwork painting, primarily using fine lines, with every stroke carefully executed. Especially the face and hands, which employed the gossamer line technique, outlined with light ink, the lines even and powerful. Then came the coloring—the delicate coloring technique brought the entire painting to life.

If it had been years earlier, He Ketian certainly wouldn’t have been able to discern these techniques, just like when she had bought that lady’s portrait at a high price years ago, which had greatly moved her. She had only known that the figure in the painting touched her, but as for brushwork and composition, she understood none of it.

However, over these years she had put considerable effort into studying painting. She had also wondered why Master Linyuan’s later works were mainly landscapes and flowers and birds, never again painting figures. Even the painting with figures she had seen in Shi Fa Ke’s room was done in freehand style, with people within the scenery, not focusing on the figures themselves.

She had simply assumed that lady’s portrait was an early work when Master Linyuan had been struck by inspiration, and was proud that the Master Linyuan she admired was so excellent at both meticulous brushwork and freehand painting. She had never thought that the author of that lady’s portrait… might be someone else entirely!

And the unfinished lady’s chess game painting before her was an extremely outstanding meticulous brushwork lady’s portrait. Whether it was the brushwork technique or the coloring habits, they were identical to that lady’s portrait from years ago. If they weren’t from the same hand, then unless the artist of this painting was deliberately imitating the earlier work—but this painting was obviously more mature and stable in both style and composition.

He Ketian had a vague suspicion in her heart… no, not a suspicion, but an answer that was ready to burst forth.

This answer made her heart instantly fall into chaos. She bit her lip, said nothing, and suddenly turned to leave.

“Hey? Ketian? Ketian?!” Shi Fa Ke was stunned. Wasn’t she supposed to be buying a painting? Why was she suddenly leaving empty-handed?

But He Ketian completely ignored Shi Fa Ke’s calls and ran away without looking back.

Shi Fa Ke chased after her all the way, only seeing her unladylike figure lifting her skirt and running out the front gate…

“Third Brother, what’s wrong with Ketian? Did she say anything to you when she came out?” Shi Fa Ke looked at Third Brother Shi standing nearby, asking in complete confusion.

Third Brother Shi looked at her with an innocent expression, “You were the one who accompanied her to the study. Why are you asking me?”

…That’s true.

But she really didn’t know what had suddenly stimulated He Ketian!

Shi Fa Ke thought for a moment, then suddenly looked at her Third Brother with suspicion, “She seemed to become strange after seeing that chess game painting on your desk. You asking me to take her to the study—was there really no conspiracy?”

Third Brother Shi pressed his lips together, looking somewhat hurt as he gazed at her, silent.

Shi Fa Ke felt her scalp tingle from his expression and quickly apologized for her petty suspicions, “Sorry, I shouldn’t have suspected you, Third Brother!”

Third Brother Shi was satisfied and withdrew his gaze, then sat down to continue eating his chilled melon.

“…” Why did she have that strange feeling again!

She always felt like Third Brother was plotting something bad!

But this time Shi Fa Ke learned her lesson and didn’t dare voice her suspicions. She just silently sat down and picked up her half of the chilled melon, then discovered… hmm? The sweetest piece in the middle was gone!

The piece she had been saving to enjoy last! The most delicious bite! It had been eaten!

“Third Brother!” Shi Fa Ke glared angrily at Third Brother Shi.

Third Brother Shi looked at her, first showing a puzzled expression, then after noticing the anger on Shi Fa Ke’s face, he suddenly realized, “Ah… I thought you weren’t going to eat it. It would be a shame to throw it away, so I helped you eat it.”

…Thanks so much!

Shi Fa Ke gritted her teeth, confirmed that Third Brother was absolutely, absolutely not a good person! All that understanding and gentle refinement was just an act!

He was definitely plotting something bad! And judging by his strange attitude toward He Ketian, it seemed to be directed at He Ketian?

Shi Fa Ke actually began to worry a little for Ketian.

Being targeted by her Third Brother was rather pitiful… No, she had to find an appropriate opportunity to warn her.

However, He Ketian had completely failed to hear Shi Fa Ke’s inner voice. She hurriedly returned to the He residence, retrieved a very precious wooden box from the hidden compartment in her canopy bed, then hurriedly rushed back to the Shi house.

“Hurry up.” He Ketian sat in the carriage holding the wooden box, urging somewhat anxiously.

“Miss, this is already the fastest…” the coachman said somewhat helplessly.

The He family’s carriage finally stopped at the Shi house gate. He Ketian didn’t wait for the coachman to put down the footstool and had already lifted her skirt and jumped down, knocking thunderously on the Shi family’s front gate.

On this end, Shi Fa Ke was just pondering whether to make a trip to the He house to warn Ketian to be careful of her Third Brother, when she heard someone pounding their front gate with earth-shaking force, looking quite menacing. She couldn’t help but glance nervously at Third Brother Shi.

Third Brother Shi chuckled softly, stood up and ruffled her hair, “Don’t be afraid, I’ll go see.”

Shi Fa Ke puffed out her cheeks—don’t mess with her hair!

But Third Brother Shi seemed to be in a very good mood. He went to open the door with a smile, then saw the aggressive He Ketian. He immediately showed a somewhat surprised expression, “…Miss He?”

This “Miss He” sounded even more grating to He Ketian’s ears at this moment. She looked at Third Brother Shi and without a word grabbed his sleeve, “Come with me.”

“Hmm?” Third Brother Shi was very passively pulled by her toward the courtyard.

“Ketian?” Shi Fa Ke in the courtyard was stunned, looking quite surprised, “Why are you here again?”

Listen, listen to that disgusted tone.

He Ketian rolled her eyes, didn’t bother with her, and directly pulled Third Brother Shi into the study… Actually, with Third Brother Shi’s strength, if he really wanted to shake her off, how could he not? But he just pretended to be bewildered and let He Ketian pull him into the study.

“Hey? Ketian, what are you doing?” Shi Fa Ke saw this and hurriedly chased after them, “Ketian, listen to me… don’t fall for it!”

Just as her words fell, the study door slammed shut with a “bang,” shutting Shi Fa Ke outside. The forcefully slammed door nearly hit Shi Fa Ke’s nose.

Shi Fa Ke instinctively stepped back, then hurriedly pounded on the door, saying with great concern, “Ketian, open the door quickly! You can’t be alone with my Third Brother! A man and woman alone in a room will damage your reputation! Don’t be deceived!”

Her Third Brother was a cunning fox! You can’t outplay him!

In the study, He Ketian obviously had no intention of accepting her kindness. She said very calmly toward the door, “If you’re worried, just guard outside the door. I’m just going to talk with your Third Brother. If you don’t spread it around, who would know we’re alone in a room?”

Shi Fa Ke was speechless, knowing that the study door wouldn’t open until they finished talking. She could only silently sit down outside the study while pricking up her ears trying to eavesdrop.

Unfortunately, their voices weren’t loud, and she could only hear muffled sounds that weren’t clear at all.

Inside the study, He Ketian deliberately pulled Third Brother Shi farther from the door to prevent Shi Fa Ke from eavesdropping… then looked up to meet Third Brother Shi’s deep eyes. His bearded appearance was quite striking, and He Ketian’s hand holding his sleeve seemed to be scalded, quickly withdrawing.

The study fell quiet.

Neither spoke first.

But strangely, this silence wasn’t awkward—instead, it carried a hint of inexplicable ambiguity.