When they brought Shi Fa Ke to the entrance of the Shi family home, Lu Chi was just about to help her down from the donkey’s back and then make his successful retreat when the main gate suddenly opened. A beautiful and dignified-looking woman emerged from within.

“Mother.” Shi Fa Ke called out weakly, her previously crisp voice immediately dropping eight octaves.

This woman was Shi Fa Ke’s mother, Madam Tao. She looked at her own daughter riding on the donkey, then at the unfamiliar man standing beside her, and asked somewhat puzzledly, “A’Ke, who is this?”

“This is Young Master Lu. I accidentally sprained my ankle, and thanks to Young Master Lu, I was able to return home.” Shi Fa Ke explained somewhat guiltily.

“I see. Thank you so much, Young Master Lu.” Madam Tao smiled and nodded at Lu Chi in gratitude.

“It was nothing, Madam Shi need not be so polite.” Lu Chi cupped his hands in response, thinking that this Madam Shi was indeed very gentle and dignified. Could it be that Miss Shi’s temperament took after that unreliable-sounding father of hers?

Just as he was thinking this, he saw the gentle and dignified Madam Shi glance at Shi Fa Ke sitting on the donkey’s back, then turn and shout toward the house, “Qianqian, come out for a moment!”

This shout made Lu Chi’s ears ring with buzzing sounds, momentarily leaving his thoughts somewhat stunned.

This one shout completely shattered Madam Shi’s gentle and dignified image to nothing…

Lu Chi shook his head and instinctively looked toward Shi Fa Ke sitting on the donkey’s back. “You have a sister too?”

Shi Fa Ke shook her head. “No, I only have three older brothers.”

Then who was this “Qianqian”…? Lu Chi felt his brain wasn’t quite working properly.

Just as he was puzzled, he saw a tall and burly man charge out. Looking at his build, he was over eight feet tall. That alone would have been fine, but those muscles all over his body were nearly blinding… He had a feeling this warrior would very much appeal to his father.

Though this warrior was dressed in casual clothes, he had a badge hanging at his waist – he was probably a constable.

“Mother, what’s wrong?” The warrior said, seeing Shi Fa Ke riding the donkey and Lu Chi standing beside her. For a moment he was completely confused. “A’Ke?… Who is this?”

Shi Fa Ke smiled sheepishly and called out, “Big Brother.”

“Your sister sprained her foot, and this Young Master Lu brought her back. Alright, stop standing there dazed and quickly help your sister down.” Madam Tao ordered.

Big Brother Shi hurried forward and carefully lifted Shi Fa Ke down.

With Big Brother Shi’s tall and burly build, lifting his petite sister was effortless… But looking at how careful he was, like he was afraid she’d break if held in his hands or melt if kept in his mouth, he didn’t look at all like the type of brother who would bully his sister. He had a feeling… as if he had misunderstood something again.

“Thank you, Young Master.” After carefully lifting his sister down, Big Brother Shi politely expressed his thanks, then added, “It’s getting late – why don’t you come in and dine with us?”

“No need to be so polite. I still have matters to attend to, so I’ll take my leave now…” Lu Chi’s gaze wandered toward the main gate, looked again, and finally couldn’t resist his curiosity. “May I ask who Qianqian is…?”

Big Brother Shi laughed heartily. “How embarrassing, that would be me.”

…Such a powerful and imposing giant of a man was called Qianqian?!

Too painful for the eyes!

Lu Chi felt his soul had been severely wounded. He cupped his hands and bid farewell, then almost frantically turned and left, his retreating figure very much resembling someone fleeing in panic.

“Thank you, Young Master Lu! Remember to come find me when you want to arrange a marriage!” Behind him, Shi Fa Ke enthusiastically waved her little hand.

Lu Chi walked even faster.

Madam Tao watched that rapidly departing figure… dragging a little black donkey behind him at such speed that even the little black donkey could barely keep up. She couldn’t help but say somewhat tactfully, “A’Ke… is this Young Master Lu perhaps not very bright?”

“Mother, what nonsense are you saying? Young Master Lu is a scholar.” Shi Fa Ke said somewhat dissatisfied.

Actually a scholar? Madam Tao was somewhat surprised, then said rather dismissively, “Then he must have read himself stupid. Otherwise, why would he have a donkey but not ride it, and drag it along instead?”

Shi Fa Ke blinked, momentarily speechless.

Mm… she actually couldn’t refute that.

“A’Ke, how did you hurt your foot?” Shi Qianqian looked at Shi Fa Ke with a heartbroken expression and asked.

“Uh… I accidentally twisted it…” Under her mother’s sharp gaze, Shi Fa Ke spoke somewhat hesitantly.

“Today that Zhu boy got married – did you go cause trouble?” Knowing her daughter well, Madam Tao narrowed her eyes.

Shi Fa Ke shrank her neck.

Lu Chi’s hearing was somewhat beyond ordinary. Though he had quickened his pace, since he hadn’t gone far yet, he heard most of what Shi Fa Ke and Madam Tao said… Then, with his mouth twitching, he mounted the donkey’s back. After turning around the street corner, Lu Chi actually felt like he had narrowly escaped disaster…

Just as his mood was getting somewhat complicated, he heard Big Brother Shi’s ear-splitting roar.

“That bastard Zhu Yizhi! From now on, I’ll beat him up every time I see him!”

Lu Chi nearly fell off the donkey’s back. Remembering her words “if I’m late getting back and my three brothers find out, there’ll be trouble,” he had indeed misunderstood again! When her three brothers found out, the trouble wouldn’t be for her, but for that poor groom!

And besides… she had three brothers!

Shedding a tear of sympathy for the poor groom.

Seeing her big brother’s fury, Shi Fa Ke thought about her big brother’s physique… How could Zhu Yizhi’s small frame withstand a beating from him? Her small conscience finally awakened. She shrank her shoulders and said quietly, “It’s not that serious. I was just angry that he clearly promised before to let me be his matchmaker, but then went back on his word and found another matchmaker instead.”

“Alright, let’s go inside.” Madam Tao turned and walked through the main gate.

After entering the house, Big Brother Shi carefully placed his sister on a chair. Madam Tao had already brought out medicinal wine for bruises. She lifted up Shi Fa Ke’s skirt to look – her originally slender and fair ankle was now swollen like a steamed bun, red with purple tinges. Her expression immediately darkened.

“Your foot – did you really sprain it yourself?” Madam Tao looked up at her with sharp eyes.

Shi Fa Ke’s gaze wandered. “Yes.”

Madam Tao snorted lightly and said nothing more, instead pouring the medicinal wine into her palm and then vigorously rubbing it on. Shi Fa Ke sucked in a sharp breath, her face twisting with pain, but she gritted her teeth and didn’t dare make a sound.

The early spring weather still carried a slight chill, but Shi Fa Ke was in such pain that a thin layer of sweat appeared on her forehead.

Watching from the side, Big Brother Shi felt extremely distressed. “A’Ke, good girl, if it hurts just cry out – don’t hold it in.”

Shi Fa Ke pouted and stole a glance at Madam Tao.

“Does it hurt?” As if noticing her gaze, Madam Tao suddenly asked.

“It hurts…” Shi Fa Ke whimpered, her coquettish voice like a little kitten, tickling one’s heart. As the most pampered little daughter in the family, Shi Fa Ke was deeply skilled in the art of acting spoiled.

If she were facing her father or her three brothers right now, they would have surrendered long ago. Unfortunately, she was facing the most impartial and incorruptible Madam Tao in the family.

Madam Tao glanced at her and said with a half-smile, “Good that it hurts – that’s how you’ll learn your lesson.”

Meeting her mother’s gaze, Shi Fa Ke lowered her head.

“Mother, little sister is in such pain, stop being so harsh with your words.” Big Brother Shi, standing nearby and wishing he could take her place, said with a heartbroken expression.

Madam Tao was too lazy to look at her foolish son and added, “Don’t see Zhu Yizhi anymore in the future.”

“Ah?” Shi Fa Ke was startled, then reacted. “Why?” Although she was angry at Zhu Yizhi for going back on his word, it wasn’t serious enough to warrant cutting off all contact forever.

“To avoid suspicion. He’s already married – if you still have dealings with him, it will make his wife unhappy.” Madam Tao said bluntly without saving face.

These words were like a blow to the head, stunning Shi Fa Ke.

“Alright, this matter ends here. Remember my words – if there’s a next time, I’ll tell your father.” Madam Tao casually deployed her ultimate weapon.

Shi Fa Ke shuddered violently and quickly nodded. “Yes, yes, yes, I understand. I’ll definitely listen to you.” Then she carefully tugged at her mother’s sleeve and said weakly, “Mother… please don’t tell Father about this time?”

…If Father found out, would Zhu Yizhi even survive?