He Ketian smiled at her, lifted her skirt hem, and went to the kitchen.

Shi Fa Ke turned around and met Lu Chi’s disapproving gaze. She smiled sheepishly, “Ke Tian also means well.”

Just as she finished speaking… they heard a loud “bang” from the kitchen, followed by He Ketian’s panicked scream.

“Ke Tian!” Shi Fa Ke’s face changed as she rushed into the kitchen. She saw He Ketian standing helplessly in front of the stove, an earthenware pot fallen on the ground, shattered to pieces… the meat porridge inside spilled all over the floor.

Lu Chi, who arrived after her, looked at the meat porridge on the ground, his face livid.

This was the porridge A’Ke had personally made for him! He hadn’t even tasted a single mouthful! He knew He Ketian had no good intentions—this must be at the instigation of that Third Brother from the Shi family! Perhaps Third Brother Shi was dissatisfied with A’Ke making porridge for him, which is why he had Miss He come to deliberately cause trouble!

In this moment, Lu Chi, who was nearly mad with anger, became completely dark.

“I… I didn’t do it on purpose. The pot was too hot, I didn’t grip it firmly and it fell to the ground. I’m sorry…” He Ketian held her scalded red fingertips, tears in her eyes.

Shi Fa Ke quickly scooped a ladle of cold water from the water jar, pulled He Ketian over, and pressed her reddened hand into the cold water, “It’s fine, it’s fine, it’s just a pot of porridge, don’t cry. How is your hand? Does it hurt?”

“It hurts…” He Ketian had always been delicate, saying softly with grievance.

Just! A! Pot! Of! Porridge?!

Lu Chi glared at Shi Fa Ke angrily—easy for her to say! That was porridge she had personally made, and he hadn’t even tasted a single mouthful! That was his breakfast!

He Ketian immediately noticed Lu Chi’s angry gaze and didn’t dare act spoiled anymore. She bit her lip and apologized with a face full of guilt, “I’m sorry, I seem to have made things worse…”

Lu Chi snorted heavily in his heart—you know you made things worse!

“It’s fine, it’s fine, I know you meant well.” Seeing her eyes redden again, Shi Fa Ke quickly coaxed her with some headache.

Lu Chi watched with jealousy—so irritating! He was also unhappy! Who would coax him!

No, no, he couldn’t get angry—anger would make him dizzy…

Shi Fa Ke was wholeheartedly coaxing He Ketian when she finally belatedly sensed the powerful resentment behind her… Turning back, she saw Lu Chi staring mournfully at the spilled meat porridge on the ground, his face pale and swaying as if about to collapse. Alarmed, she quickly ran over to support him, “Master Lu, are you alright?”

Lu Chi turned to look at her, squeezing two words through his teeth, “I’m hungry.”

Upon hearing this, He Ketian finally couldn’t help but break down in tears, “I’m… I’m sorry, Master Lu…”

Shi Fa Ke looked at He Ketian crying like a pear blossom in rain, then at Lu Chi beside her who was dizzy and seemingly delirious from hunger, feeling her head grow as large as a bucket.

“Ke Tian, you came by carriage, right?” Shi Fa Ke pressed her throbbing temples and asked.

He Ketian nodded while sobbing.

“Why don’t you have your driver help buy some food from a restaurant for Master Lu? Noodles, wonton, anything easily digestible would be fine.” Shi Fa Ke suggested.

He Ketian was momentarily stunned and panicked. Although she had always prided herself on her deep scheming, she was ultimately just an unmarried young lady—how could she withstand repeatedly embarrassing herself in front of her beloved? Now, hearing Shi Fa Ke’s words, she suddenly saw the light.

To make amends, she decided not to rely on her driver but to go personally.

“Your hand…” Seeing her volunteer, Shi Fa Ke was somewhat surprised.

“It’s just a bit red from the burn. After soaking in cold water, it’s fine now.” He Ketian said, glancing at Master Lu, hoping to receive a sympathetic look from him.

Clearly, she was disappointed.

Lu Chi refused to look at her at all.

“Master Lu, please wait, I’ll be back soon.” He Ketian said pitifully, then hurried out to make amends.

Shi Fa Ke was somewhat surprised by He Ketian’s attitude—she was actually willing to bow her head and apologize, and even personally go buy food. But she didn’t think much of it for the moment, planning to first help Lu Chi, who seemed dizzy from hunger, sit down.

“Ke Tian has gone to buy you food. Please bear with it for now and sit down for a drink of water.” she said.

Who would have thought that as soon as He Ketian left, Lu Chi was no longer dizzy or seeing double. He broke free from Shi Fa Ke’s support and walked to the table to sit down by himself.

Shi Fa Ke’s mouth twitched—how could she not understand what was happening?

“You really dislike her that much…” Shi Fa Ke said somewhat helplessly.

Lu Chi silently looked at the meat porridge that had died with eyes wide open on the ground, “I really am hungry.”

“It’s just a pot of porridge. Ke Tian has already admitted her mistake, and hasn’t she gone out to buy you food…”

You should know, getting He Ketian to bow her head and admit fault wasn’t easy.

Lu Chi looked at her silently, saying mournfully, “But I prefer meat porridge.”

Shi Fa Ke felt tremendous pressure under his gaze, “Then I’ll make it for you again tomorrow…”

“Mm.” Lu Chi was satisfied and withdrew his gaze.

Shi Fa Ke let out a gentle sigh. When Master Lu threw a tantrum, he was quite formidable… But he was sick and hungry, so throwing a small tantrum was understandable. She poured him a cup of hot water, “Have some water to moisten your throat first.”

Lu Chi reached out to take it and slowly sipped.

Seeing him obediently drinking water, Shi Fa Ke turned to clean up the broken pot pieces on the ground. But just as she picked up a piece, Lu Chi pressed down on her hand.

…Wasn’t he just sitting drinking water? When did he crouch behind her? And wasn’t he dizzy and weak from hunger? How were his movements so quick?

“What’s wrong?” Shi Fa Ke turned to look at him.

“These fragments are sharp. Move aside, be careful not to cut your hand.” Lu Chi said in a low voice.

“It’s not that serious. I’ll just be careful. You sit down.” Shi Fa Ke said, trying to pull her hand free.

Once—didn’t break free.

Twice—didn’t break free.

“Master Lu?” Shi Fa Ke was puzzled.

Lu Chi, holding the soft, delicate small hand, couldn’t help but feel stirred again, unconsciously becoming lost in thought. When Shi Fa Ke called him, he quickly snapped back to attention. He coughed lightly and released her hand, “You move aside, I’ll pick them up.”

Without allowing any objection, he pushed her aside and picked up the fragments one by one, placing them in a dustpan.

Seeing this, Shi Fa Ke let him be and just helped clean up the porridge scattered on the ground.

Lu Chi looked at the meat porridge being swept away and suddenly said mournfully, “What a pity.”

Seeing his resentful expression, Shi Fa Ke felt somewhat helpless. She didn’t know why Master Lu was so fixated on this one pot of porridge…

“Master Lu.” Unable to bear his mournful gaze any longer, Shi Fa Ke decided to find a topic, “I remember you said you’re from Lanzhou?”

Hearing this question, Lu Chi’s gaze paused, his heart slightly tightening, “Mm, what about it?”

“Have you been to Thousand Cliff Mountain?” Shi Fa Ke carefully probed, “…About ten years ago, did you go there?”

“Events from ten years ago—how could I remember them so clearly?” Lu Chi showed just the right amount of confusion on his face, “Why do you suddenly ask this? Is there some reason?”

Shi Fa Ke hesitated for a moment but still didn’t mention Zhu Yanyan’s matter… After all, this involved Zhu Yanyan’s reputation. If Lu Chi wasn’t the person she was looking for, it wouldn’t be appropriate for Lu Chi to know about this. This world was harsh on women, so Shi Fa Ke had to be cautious.

“No particular reason, just curious.” Shi Fa Ke smiled, saying with a face full of longing, “I wonder what Flying Jade Stronghold on Thousand Cliff Mountain is like. It would be wonderful if I could see it.”

Lu Chi’s expression became somewhat strange, “Isn’t that a bandit stronghold? Aren’t you afraid?”

“Why should I be afraid?” Shi Fa Ke said with an innocent face, “My father said that Flying Jade Stronghold is full of righteous bandits and chivalrous thieves who specialize in robbing the rich to help the poor. They’re not real villains.”

Seeing her longing expression, Lu Chi’s expression became increasingly subtle, “If you like it… there will be opportunities in the future.”

As he said this, his gaze unconsciously glanced at her wrist, where the jade-green bracelet was hidden under her sleeve and couldn’t be seen clearly, but… he knew she must be wearing it.

Having already put on his bracelet, there would naturally be opportunities to visit Flying Jade Stronghold in the future.

He spoke vaguely, and Shi Fa Ke didn’t take it to heart, naturally not knowing that Lu Chi had already marked her as his possession… unknowingly, she had already become a member of Flying Jade Stronghold on Thousand Cliff Mountain.