“A’ke, you don’t need to be like this.” Lu Chi smiled and reached out, gently pulling down her hands, “Although you didn’t know I was Master Linyuan, you really liked and treasured my painting. You even said at the time, ‘I think your painting is much better than that Master Linyuan’s,’ and I was very happy to hear that.”

“Really? Why… why?”

“Because others might like my paintings only because they’re by Master Linyuan, but you’re different, A’ke. You simply liked the painting itself.” Lu Chi looked at her tenderly, “I’m very glad about that.”

Actually, this was a bit of twisted logic. Perhaps some people did buy paintings for Master Linyuan’s fame, but there were also those who bought them because they genuinely liked Master Linyuan’s work… But to coax his girl, Master Linyuan obviously didn’t care about such details.

Shi Fa Ke stared at him blankly, her fair face unconsciously taking on a layer of crimson.

This was deadly – he was so handsome and so gentle. Being looked at so tenderly by those eyes, Shi Fa Ke felt like she was about to drown in them…

“I am Lu Chi, courtesy name Linyuan.” Lu Chi cupped his hands politely and introduced himself as if meeting for the first time, then added meaningfully, “Linyuan of ‘Rather than standing by the pond envying the fish, one should go home and weave a net.'”

Shi Fa Ke stared blankly at Lu Chi, feeling like… she was that foolish fish caught in the net.

This feeling… wasn’t quite right!

Shi Fa Ke suddenly snapped awake. She stepped back somewhat frantically, steadied herself, then said, “Ah, right… I just remembered there’s something else I need to tell you.”

“Mm? What is it?” Lu Chi asked with smiling eyes.

Shi Fa Ke hesitated for a moment, then said, “Yesterday, Shen Tongyun came to find me, saying her mother had taken a fancy to you as a son-in-law and wanted to entrust me as matchmaker.”

The smile on Lu Chi’s face faltered slightly, “Oh? Did you agree?”

His voice was slightly cool.

“Of course not.” Shi Fa Ke widened her eyes with an incredulous expression, “Although your marriage prospects are difficult, I couldn’t possibly match you with a girl of questionable character.”

Lu Chi had told her about all the things Shen Tongyun had done. How could she possibly match her with Lu Chi after knowing Shen Tongyun’s true nature? That wouldn’t be arranging a marriage – that would be creating enmity.

Lu Chi’s mouth twitched. This girl was always tirelessly reminding him that his marriage prospects were difficult!

“Actually, I shouldn’t have told you about this matter, since it involves Miss Shen’s reputation as well, but… I always feel she won’t give up easily, and given her personality, she might do something else, so I thought it was better to let you know.” Shi Fa Ke said somewhat conflictedly.

“Mm, you did very well. Don’t pay them any mind.” Lu Chi nodded approvingly.

But in his heart, he was sneering coldly. There were always such people in this world – hearts higher than the sky, fate thinner than paper.

Where did Madam Yu get the nerve to want to marry off such a daughter to him? If she truly were as good as Mother claimed, he naturally wouldn’t be so harsh, but now… she was just a household servant, and her indenture contract was still with their family, yet she dared to aspire to become the mistress?

A snake trying to swallow an elephant – this was what happened when peaceful days lasted too long and they wanted to stir up trouble again.

Lu Chi’s affirmation put Shi Fa Ke’s mind at ease, but then she felt somewhat guilty. Miss Zhou, whom she hadn’t been able to match initially, now also had her marriage settled. Why were other people’s marriages always so smooth, while Second Brother Lu, such a good person… had such difficult marriage prospects?

Moreover, Aunt Lu was so good to her and had even brought her cured meat. She couldn’t disappoint Aunt Lu.

“Second Brother Lu!” Shi Fa Ke suddenly surged with renewed determination.

Seeing her suddenly look at him so seriously, Lu Chi’s heart couldn’t help but skip a beat, “Mm?”

Although he knew it wasn’t very likely, he couldn’t help but harbor a thread of hope…

“Don’t worry, since I promised you about your marriage, I’ll definitely keep it in mind and watch carefully. This is a lifelong matter – better to lack than to compromise.” Shi Fa Ke said seriously, “So don’t be too anxious either.”

“…”

Lu Chi felt that heart which had just been stirred up slowly and quietly sink back down.

He knew it.

“I’m not anxious.” Lu Chi said without much enthusiasm, then turned and left.

Shi Fa Ke stood there, thinking somewhat worriedly that Second Brother Lu seemed deeply discouraged… Indeed, with his marriage arrangements never working out, he must be very unhappy too.

As she was pondering this, Third Brother Shi and He Ketian returned, bringing back a full cart of gifts.

“A’ke, what are you doing standing at the door?” He Ketian got off the carriage and looked curiously at the bundle in her arms, “What are you holding?”

“Cured meat that Aunt Lu brought for me, and dried mushrooms that Yanyan gave.” Shi Fa Ke looked at the full cart of gifts behind them, her eyes widening. Had they emptied the He mansion…

Aunt Lu and Yanyan? He Ketian thought for a moment and understood, “Young Master Lu came by?”

Shi Fa Ke nodded, “This cured meat is delicious. I’ll make cured meat stir-fried with dried mushrooms for you tonight.” As she spoke, she couldn’t help but slurp a bit of saliva.

“Look at you, so hopeless.” He Ketian glanced at the bundle she was clutching, then poked her forehead with a finger in exasperation, “Iron won’t become steel.” Then she turned and took a box from the carriage, “Here, snow crisps from Laifu Records. Do you want some?”

“Yes, yes, yes.” Shi Fa Ke was practically drooling, “Third Sister-in-law, you’re so good to me, remembering to buy me snow crisps even during your return visit.”

As if.

He Ketian rolled her eyes internally. This was bought by her stupid brother.

During today’s return visit, Father had pulled Third Brother Shi away to drink and chat, while Mother had kept her to talk privately. Under normal circumstances, she thought Mother would care about whether she was adjusting well to married life, whether Third Brother Shi treated her well, or ask if her in-laws were easy to get along with and whether anyone was making things difficult for her… these were the kinds of questions a normal mother should ask.

But no.

Mother asked, “Are you getting along well with A’ke?”

“Quite well,” she had answered without thinking much at the time. After all, A’ke was her sister-in-law, and if her sister-in-law were difficult to get along with, it would indeed be somewhat troublesome for her. But she and A’ke had grown up together since childhood – how could they not get along well?

Hearing her answer, Mother seemed very satisfied and continued, “Then next time you return, bring A’ke back with you to visit.”

He Ketian felt something was off. Today was her return visit, so why did Mother’s conversation keep revolving around A’ke?

“Mother, why don’t you ask whether I’m adjusting well at the Shi family, whether my husband treats me well, or if anyone in my in-laws’ family is making things difficult for me?” He Ketian finally couldn’t help asking.

“Ah?” Her mother nodded and dutifully asked, “So are you adjusting well at the Shi family? Does your husband treat you well? Is anyone in your in-laws’ family making things difficult for you?”

“I’m adjusting fairly well, my husband… treats me quite well.” He Ketian silently grumbled – he was just a bit annoying at night. Her face reddened slightly as she continued, “My in-laws are all very easy to get along with too.”

“Oh.” Her mother nodded, then circled back to the topic, “So what does A’ke like to eat? Has the Shi family arranged any marriage prospects for her?” her mother asked again.

“…” He Ketian finally sensed something was really wrong, “Mother, what exactly are your intentions regarding A’ke?”

“It’s not my intentions, it’s your brother’s.”

“What?!” He Ketian’s eyes widened.

“Why else do you think he was so opposed to your marriage with Chonghai?” her mother said leisurely.

He Ketian still found it hard to believe. She had always thought her big brother saw A’ke as a sister too. Now Mother was saying her brother had designs on A’ke… How was that possible? Mother must be overthinking, but He Ketian was smart enough not to argue with her mother about this, because once her mother made up her mind about something, there was definitely no reasoning with her. She decided to save her energy.

So He Ketian didn’t pursue the matter further and spent the day happily at her natal home.

When they were preparing to return in the evening, He Ketian felt warm inside seeing the carriage loaded full again.

He Kexian personally came to see them off.

“What’s in the carriage are return gifts. Take them back and distribute them – it’s a token of appreciation.” After instructing his sister, He Kexian turned to Third Brother Shi, raised his hand, and patted his shoulder heavily, saying in a deep voice, “Treat my sister well, or I’ll personally come to settle accounts with you.”

Third Brother Shi was hit so hard he grimaced, “Yes, Big Brother, I’ll treat Ketian well.”

Seeing him grinning with his white teeth flashing dazzlingly, He Kexian felt extremely annoyed, thinking this bastard was blatantly showing off. So he smiled and added, “How’s the cistanche mutton bone soup? If your constitution isn’t up to par, don’t worry – just slowly build it back up. I’ve packed some tonics for your health in the carriage. Let me know when you finish them – don’t be polite.”

Looking at He Kexian’s sinisterly smiling face, Third Brother Shi finally understood who had been behind that bowl of tonic soup he’d received under everyone’s gaze on the second morning after his wedding. But… this person was now his brother-in-law.

He would endure it.

After all, he had won, and winners always needed to learn tolerance.

So Third Brother Shi said with a moved expression, “Big Brother, you’re really too good to me.”

Third Brother Shi’s shamelessness successfully disgusted He Kexian, who silently stepped back to distance himself.

He Ketian had no idea about the undercurrents between them, only feeling that she had been quite unfair earlier. Her brother was so good to her, so concerned about her and Third Brother Shi, yet she had previously scolded her brother for being stingy, fastidious, bad-tempered, unreasonable, and lacking in human feeling. Now she was left with nothing but guilt and gratitude.

However, on the way back, when He Ketian saw that large box of snow crisps in the carriage, all that gratitude went to the dogs.

She suddenly remembered her mother’s words: “Why else do you think he was so opposed to your marriage with Chonghai?”

He Ketian calmed down and carefully thought through everything from beginning to end… and finally had her eureka moment.