Shi Fa Ke didn’t notice the hidden meaning in Lu Chi’s words, but remembered another matter, “Ah, that’s right, I went to the Zhu family yesterday…”

Lu Chi, hearing this opening, assumed she was going to bring up that inexplicable marriage proposal from the Zhu family again. His heart, which had been somewhat elated just moments ago, immediately sank. He looked gloomily at the completely oblivious Shi Fa Ke—the girl he fancied was more interested in matchmaking for him. What a troubling matter indeed…

“Do you know who I saw at the gate?” Shi Fa Ke said mysteriously.

“Who?” Lu Chi raised an eyebrow.

“That little fatty Zhu Li!” Shi Fa Ke said dramatically, “Turns out he’s a child from the Zhu family’s second branch.”

Lu Chi was genuinely surprised—she wasn’t going to talk about the Zhu family marriage proposal?

…But why suddenly bring up that little fatty?

“Though it’s only been a short while since I last saw him, he looks much thinner and more sensible.” Shi Fa Ke appeared quite emotional, “It seems he’s had a very hard time recently.”

“Jade must be carved to become a vessel.” Lu Chi said without any guilt.

“That’s true. You really put a lot of thought into it. Compared to that unreasonable little fatty, the current Zhu Li looks much more adorable.” Shi Fa Ke nodded in deep agreement, then changed the topic, “Do you know why his family elders suddenly wanted him to return to study at the family school? Wasn’t he doing well at the academy before?”

Lu Chi raised an eyebrow, suddenly understanding what Shi Fa Ke was getting at with this roundabout conversation… But he kindly didn’t expose her, just following her lead: “Because I discovered he has a photographic memory. I couldn’t bear to see him ruined by his stepmother’s indulgence, so I visited the Zhu family to inform Old Master Zhu of this matter. I imagine Old Master Zhu is now treating him like a treasure and wants to personally polish this rough jade.”

Shi Fa Ke was somewhat surprised—so Zhu Li actually had a photographic memory. That was truly remarkable.

“Actually, when Zhu Li saw me yesterday, he begged me to speak for him.” Shi Fa Ke finally got to the main point.

“Oh?”

“Ahem, he said he doesn’t want to return to the family school and wants to become your disciple… He wanted me to help persuade you. But I also know that taking on a disciple isn’t a small matter—what use could an outsider’s words be? When my third brother became someone’s disciple, that master tested him for a whole year. So I’m just passing along his message. Whether you want to take him as a disciple definitely depends on your own decision…” Shi Fa Ke spoke very tactfully, trying hard to express her meaning.

“Good.”

“Ah? What?” Shi Fa Ke was stunned, hardly believing her ears.

“Didn’t Zhu Li ask you to speak for him because he wants to become my disciple?” Lu Chi raised an eyebrow.

“Uh, yes…”

“I said, good.” Lu Chi smiled and said.

Shi Fa Ke was surprised for a moment, then also smiled, saying with understanding, “You were planning to take him as a disciple all along, weren’t you?”

A teacher transmits knowledge, imparts skills, and resolves doubts.

If Lu Chi didn’t cherish talent and couldn’t bear to see a genius with photographic memory ruined by his stepmother’s indulgence, why would he create trouble for himself by visiting the Zhu family to inform Old Master Zhu?

Most likely, Lu Chi had planned to take on a disciple early on, but was worried that Zhu Li might become arrogant and unmanageable because of his photographic memory. That’s why he was wearing down his pride. That little fatty Zhu Li had worried for nothing.

Lu Chi looked surprised, “Why would you think that?” He was being典型的得了便宜还卖乖.

Shi Fa Ke smiled and glanced at him sideways, “Don’t tell me you changed your mind and agreed to take Zhu Li as a disciple because of something I said? That would be too frivolous. Don’t worry… I won’t expose the fact that you’re actually quite pleased about taking Zhu Li as a disciple.”

He really was that frivolous!

Lu Chi sighed—unfortunately, in this world, no one believes the truth.

“Master Lu, you really are a responsible good teacher.” Shi Fa Ke praised him seriously.

Lu Chi felt somewhat ashamed at the praise.

Hmm, he actually wasn’t that noble.

As they spoke, the sound of carriage wheels came from outside.

“That should be Ke Tian returning.” Shi Fa Ke ran out happily, “I’ll go see.”

Lu Chi propped his chin on his hand, his face darkening, once again feeling that Miss He was truly too annoying.

The atmosphere had been just right.

Soon, they saw He Ketian struggling to carry a large food box inside. Probably because the food box was both large and heavy, her breathing was slightly rapid, and her pale cheeks were tinged with crimson.

“Why did you get such a large food box?” Shi Fa Ke marveled as she walked.

He Ketian, wanting to make a good impression, wouldn’t let Shi Fa Ke help carry it. Hearing this, she only smiled bashfully, “I didn’t know what Master Lu likes to eat, so I prepared several dishes.”

As she spoke, she walked to the table and struggled to place the large food box on it.

“Master Lu, I’m sorry for letting you go hungry because of me.” He Ketian said as she opened the food box lid and arranged the bowls and dishes inside one by one.

Chicken silk porridge, date paste and yam cake, a steamer of colorful small buns, several delicate side dishes, and even a bowl of bird’s nest soup. The utensils and preparation didn’t look like they came from a restaurant outside—most likely He Ketian had returned home once and had her family’s cook prepare them quickly.

Shi Fa Ke was somewhat amazed—when He Ketian said she had prepared several dishes, she was clearly being modest.

…No wonder it was so heavy.

This large box could be said to be very thoughtful.

He Ketian looked at Master Lin Yuan with some anticipation, hoping her carefully prepared food could erase his earlier displeasure and make him feel her sincere intentions. However, she was disappointed, because faced with this table of delicacies, Lu Chi, who claimed to be extremely hungry, showed no reaction, not even a change in expression.

“Miss He is too kind. I am unworthy of such treatment.” Lu Chi said with a straight face.

“I was the one who spilled your breakfast first. All this is what I should do.” He Ketian was eager to make amends. Momentarily forgetting her reserve, she personally served him a bowl of chicken silk porridge, “Master Lu, try this chicken silk porridge—it’s very light and sweet.”

Lu Chi suddenly stood up, “I dare not trouble Miss He.”

His movement was quite abrupt, yet somehow not so abrupt. If he were a rigid and pedantic scholar, this behavior wouldn’t be strange.

But… He Ketian always felt he shouldn’t have this kind of personality.

So she was slightly stunned and silently stepped back.

The atmosphere became somewhat awkward.

Her full enthusiasm had been doused with cold water again and again. He Ketian finally couldn’t bear it and said with a choked voice, “Master Lu, please take your time eating. I… will take my leave first.”

Her voice already carried a sobbing tone.

Even someone with a heart of iron and stone would probably soften upon hearing this. However, Lu Chi seemed even more than iron-hearted, only silently lowering his eyes in a respectful and polite manner—truly the iron heart among iron hearts…

He Ketian finally bit her lip and turned to leave.