During lunch, Shi Changhuai appeared somewhat listless.

As the instigator of the trouble, Shi Fa Ke felt quite guilty, because her pit-digging behavior had resulted in her father’s long-treasured fine wine being confiscated…

Madam Tao found it amusing and brought out a small pot of wine.

“Today we’re welcoming Chonghai home, so you’re allowed a small drink,” she said.

Shi Changhuai’s eyes immediately lit up. If he had a tail, it would probably be wagging happily by now. “My wife is truly the most understanding!”

Madam Tao spat at him – what nonsense was he talking in front of the children, really shameless despite his age.

But in her heart, she was pleased.

Though the siblings found this nauseating scene somewhat unbearable to watch, they had gradually grown accustomed to it.

Madam Tao poured a cup for each of the father and sons, completely ignoring Shi Fa Ke’s expectant gaze.

“Mother, I…” Seeing that Madam Tao had already put away the wine pot with no intention of filling a cup for her, Shi Fa Ke reminded her in a small voice.

Madam Tao glanced at her.

Shi Fa Ke immediately felt as if a blade had scraped across her face, shivering involuntarily. Though she craved wine, she didn’t dare speak up again… After all, the aftereffects of her hangover hadn’t completely subsided yet. Her head was still buzzing and swollen, yet she still dared to crave wine – that was truly courting death.

“My wife…” Shi Changhuai saw his precious daughter’s pitiful expression and felt sorry for her, wanting to plead on her behalf.

“Hmm?” Madam Tao raised her eyebrows at him.

Shi Changhuai was immediately choked into silence, could only give his precious daughter a helpless look, then went to savor his wine contentedly.

He truly sipped it in small mouthfuls, because he only got a small cup and couldn’t bear to finish it in big gulps.

Shi Fa Ke listlessly finished her meal and very consciously hid away in her room.

After taking an afternoon nap, the aftereffects from yesterday’s drinking finally disappeared completely, leaving her refreshed and clear-headed.

With her mind clear, she remembered He Ketian’s bizarrely strange behavior. Though she didn’t know what scheme she was plotting, regardless, those words had indeed solved her urgent problem. After all, a man and woman going to a tavern to drink together was essentially completely different from going to a tavern to discuss business as a matchmaker.

…Though the result was the same – she came back drunk.

If not for He Ketian’s words, today’s lunch probably wouldn’t have ended well.

She would have been nagged to death by Mother and her brothers… Thinking of this, she actually shivered and strangely felt somewhat grateful to He Ketian.

However, He Kexian was actually there at the time? She had no impression of it at all. It seemed she was really quite drunk…

While she was tangled in these thoughts, she suddenly heard a “crack” from the window. Turning her head, Shi Fa Ke saw the window being pushed open and a head poking in.

Seeing that persistently haunting baby face, Shi Fa Ke twitched the corner of her mouth. There was a door, yet he chose to climb through the window – what kind of habit was this!

“Awake?” Third Brother Shi wasn’t flustered at being caught red-handed. He grinned at her and nimbly jumped in through the window.

“Why are you climbing through the window…”

“To chat with you. Third Brother has been away studying for so long, didn’t you miss me at all?” Third Brother Shi boldly dragged over a chair to sit in front of Shi Fa Ke, crossed his arms, and said leisurely.

No… what I’m asking is why you’re climbing through the window!

But Shi Fa Ke didn’t persist with this question, because she knew how skilled Third Brother was at deflecting and joking around. It was easy to unconsciously be led by the nose, so she simply gave up struggling and went with the flow, asking, “Chat about what?”

“About Miss He’s affairs.” Third Brother Shi made a strange face and winked at her.

…He Ketian?

Shi Fa Ke looked at him cautiously. Though they’d had some unpleasantness before, He Ketian was her good friend. In reason and sentiment, she felt it inappropriate to discuss her behind her back… especially in front of a man.

Though Third Brother was her own brother, to He Ketian, he was still a man she should avoid.

“I heard quite a few things happened during my time away studying.” Third Brother Shi leaned back in his chair with an interested expression, “Miss He threw an embroidered ball for matchmaking?”

“…” Regarding this topic, Shi Fa Ke had no desire to respond at all.

“The other man at Shengxing Tavern yesterday was that Scholar Lu who caught He family’s embroidered ball?” Getting no response didn’t affect Third Brother Shi’s enthusiasm for chatting at all, so he continued.

“How do you know?” Shi Fa Ke couldn’t hold back and asked subconsciously, then realized something was wrong, “How exactly did I get home yesterday?”

“Oh, didn’t I mention? I personally dragged you back.” Third Brother Shi chuckled, emphasizing the word “dragged,” “So heavy, so heavy. But who told me I’m your Third Brother? No need to thank me for such great kindness.”

…Thanks so much! Shi Fa Ke gritted her teeth.

“Hey wait, you just returned home yesterday. How did you know I was at Shengxing Tavern and specifically came to bring me home?” Shi Fa Ke suddenly felt something was off and asked suspiciously.

Third Brother Shi touched his nose, “Don’t worry about those details.”

Huh? Shi Fa Ke widened her eyes.

“Let’s continue with the important stuff. Did that Scholar Lu come to you earlier to arrange a marriage proposal?”

“…” This hit a bit hard. Shi Fa Ke felt upset just thinking about this matter.

She had never failed so badly at matchmaking!

…And Young Master Lu was still unsold to this day.

She had to fulfill the boast she made, even if it meant crying!

“The He family turned around and denied the embroidered ball matchmaking incident, rejecting Scholar Lu’s marriage proposal?” Even without Shi Fa Ke speaking, Third Brother Shi continued his machine-gun chatter quite enthusiastically.

Shi Fa Ke twitched the corner of her mouth… What was there to chat about? He knew the cause, development, and result completely.

It was probably Second Brother who told him… What should she say? Her brothers were as gossipy as ever.

“I heard that after Miss He rejected Scholar Lu’s marriage proposal, you two had some unpleasantness.” Seeing Shi Fa Ke remain silent and completely uncooperative, Third Brother Shi wasn’t annoyed. He just smiled and propped his chin on his hand, winked at her, and said in a drawn-out tone, “Aren’t you curious why her attitude was so strange today?”

Of course Shi Fa Ke was curious.

But…

“I’m guessing Miss He must have been captivated by Scholar Lu’s appearance and wants to change her mind, which is why she’s trying to please you.” Without waiting for Shi Fa Ke to speak, Third Brother Shi suddenly said mysteriously.

What?

Shi Fa Ke’s eyes widened immediately.

What a shocking statement.

“Impossible.” Shi Fa Ke shook her head decisively.

He Ketian had always been very decisive with high standards. She looked down on Young Master Lu for his unclear background and lack of possessions. No matter how she explained, it was useless. How could she so easily waver now?

As for Third Brother… Shi Fa Ke looked at him somewhat suspiciously, suddenly realizing – wasn’t he being overly enthusiastic about He Ketian’s affairs?