Lu Chi walked over to stand beside her, glancing at Shi Fa Ke.

Shi Fa Ke and Chu Yizhi had grown up together as childhood sweethearts. Shi Fa Ke wanted to be a matchmaker, while the Chu family was considered a scholarly household in Tongluozhen. Though the two children had grown up together, “boys and girls should not sit together after age seven.” When the two spent too much time together, it easily gave rise to unnecessary speculation. In the end, in the eyes of scholarly families like the Chu family, matchmaking was merely a lowly profession.

Because they worried that Shi Fa Ke and Chu Yizhi were too close, and that she might want to marry into the Chu family in the future, the Chu family hastily arranged Chu Yizhi’s marriage while avoiding her, hoping to eliminate future troubles.

So even though Shi Fa Ke was completely innocent and harbored no romantic feelings, the Chu family had guilty consciences, especially after Shi Fa Ke caused such a scene at the wedding a few days ago, almost making them certain that Chu Yizhi had privately pledged himself to her.

These matters were all told to him by Elder Brother Shi. Forgive him for being unable to directly face that name Shi Qianqian.

A few days ago, when he went to the county office to handle a house rental contract, he encountered Elder Brother Shi. Later, the two agreed to drink together. Elder Brother Shi looked sturdy but actually had a very low alcohol tolerance. After a few cups, he began talking endlessly…

“Who are you?” Chu’s mother looked at Lu Chi with unfriendly eyes. “What do you mean by speaking so ambiguously?!”

“Am I not speaking correctly?” Lu Chi looked at Chu’s mother, who was becoming somewhat angry from embarrassment, his attitude quite polite and courteous.

“I can tell from your accent that you’re not local?” Lady Sun suddenly interjected. “I wonder what relationship this gentleman has with Miss Shi?”

“I indeed arrived in Tongluozhen not long ago, and my acquaintance with Miss Shi is merely a chance meeting.”

“If that’s the case, how much do you know about our business with Miss Shi?” Lady Sun said with an unpleasant expression.

“What a coincidence—the day I arrived in Tongluozhen, I happened to encounter Young Master Chu’s wedding procession and saw Young Master Chu once.” Lu Chi smiled slightly. “Then, by another such coincidence, five days ago, around evening time, when Young Master Chu was beaten in Nanluo Alley, I happened to be in the tea house across the street. The window seat on the second floor faced that very alley.”

The impact of this smile was quite significant. Even Chu’s mother and Lady Sun were momentarily dazed before realizing what he had said.

“Why didn’t you go save him!” Chu’s mother reacted and glared angrily.

“As you can see, I’m merely a weak scholar without the strength to truss a chicken.” Lu Chi spread his hands, speaking very sincerely. “Of course, I didn’t just stand by and watch. But when I was about to report to the authorities, they had already beaten him and fled.”

Chu’s mother was so angry she was speechless.

“Then surely you saw who beat my husband?” Lady Sun looked at him and asked.

Lu Chi nodded.

“Who was it?!” Chu’s mother hurriedly pressed.

“At a rough glance, about five or six people…”

“Then how can you be certain that Miss Shi’s father and brothers weren’t among them?” Lady Sun interrupted him, speaking very sharply.

“Because those five or six people were all young ladies.” Lu Chi said very innocently.

Lady Sun’s face suddenly flushed red.

The crowd of onlookers immediately began whispering among themselves. Being beaten by young ladies in a dark alley the day after his wedding, and five or six of them at that… Who would have thought that the usually shy scholar could be so wild? How many romantic debts had he incurred? Truly, one cannot judge by appearances.

Shi Fa Ke’s eyes sparkled as she looked at Lu Chi. This Young Master Lu was truly a righteous person who spoke up for justice—such a good man!

Lu Chi felt somewhat heated by someone’s stare from behind. He could almost imagine her sparkling eyes, and couldn’t help but want to laugh.

“You’re talking nonsense! My Yizhi has always been pure and self-disciplined. How could he possibly…” Chu’s mother became anxious. “I think you clearly have some unspeakable relationship with this little hussy, which is why you’re speaking up for her!”

These words were quite vicious toward a young lady.

“Please watch your words.” Lu Chi’s smile faded as he looked coolly at Chu’s mother. “I understand your maternal devotion, but that’s no reason to slander and defame another family’s daughter. Moreover, after witnessing your son being beaten that day, I immediately found the tea house manager to report to the authorities. Therefore, the tea house manager also knows about this matter. Whether I’m speaking nonsense or not, one inquiry will tell.”

Who spoke with certainty and who was being unreasonable was clear at a glance.

Chu’s mother was momentarily speechless.

“I apologize. My mother-in-law loves her son dearly, which caused her to lose composure.” Lady Sun quickly supported Chu’s mother and looked at Shi Fa Ke through tears. “Miss Shi, you grew up with my husband as childhood sweethearts, and my mother-in-law also watched you grow up. If my mother-in-law said anything inappropriate, please don’t hold it against her.”

This advance and retreat was simply admirable.

Shi Fa Ke simply didn’t like scheming, but that didn’t mean she was stupid.

“I admit I was too willful, doing inappropriate things at Chu Yizhi’s wedding before. I acknowledge my mistakes, but I cannot take responsibility for things my father and brothers didn’t do.” Shi Fa Ke looked at Lady Sun and said seriously, “It’s true that Chu Yizhi and I grew up together, but my mother said that now that Chu Yizhi is married, I should avoid impropriety. So I will never see him again. Please rest assured.”

Lady Sun looked at her with a complex expression, then supported Chu’s mother and left.

The onlookers, having no more excitement to watch, soon dispersed.

Shi Fa Ke turned around, her eyes bright and shining as she looked at Lu Chi. “Young Master Lu, you’re truly a wonderful person!”

Lu Chi laughed helplessly. He’d been given another “good person” card.

“How did you happen to be here? If not for you, I wouldn’t have known how to escape that situation.” Shi Fa Ke’s face was full of gratitude and relief.

“Well, being somewhat short of funds, I came out to set up a stall selling calligraphy and paintings. I saw you walking over looking dejected from afar, and before I could greet you, I saw you being troubled by those people.” Lu Chi pointed to a nearby location where there was indeed a stall set up.

Remembering the reason for her dejection, the bright light in Shi Fa Ke’s eyes immediately disappeared, and her usually spirited little face dimmed.

Oh no, what to do… She had boasted so shamelessly before, saying everything was in her hands and he should just wait to be a bridegroom. But now she had ruined everything! And Young Master Lu had just helped her—she was even more ashamed to face him!

Seeing her wrinkled face as she dodged his gaze, Lu Chi couldn’t help but laugh. This Miss Shi really was someone who wore all her thoughts plainly on her face…

“Was your visit to the He family for the marriage proposal unsuccessful?” he asked.

“Eh, how did you know?!” Shi Fa Ke was startled, then realized what she had said and quickly covered her mouth.

Lu Chi laughed, pointing to her face. “It’s all written on your face.”

Shi Fa Ke hung her head somewhat vexed. “I’m sorry…”

“Can you tell me what happened?” Lu Chi said, pointing to his stall set up nearby. “Let’s sit there for a moment.”

Shi Fa Ke nodded and followed him over somewhat dejectedly.

After listening to Shi Fa Ke’s dejected account, Lu Chi nodded in understanding. “So the He family’s embroidered ball marriage proposal was just a publicity stunt to attract business for their shop, and couldn’t be taken seriously?”

Shi Fa Ke nodded gloomily.

“In that case, let’s abandon the marriage proposal. I’ve troubled you for nothing.”

Shi Fa Ke quickly shook her head. “I’m the one who wronged you, speaking so boastfully…”

“Why are you apologizing? This matter wasn’t something you could control.” Lu Chi smiled slightly.

His magnanimity and gentleness made Shi Fa Ke feel even more guilty. She was also secretly annoyed at the He siblings for going back on their word. Such a good person as Young Master Lu, yet they looked down on him so much—didn’t they know not to look down on the poor youth! Thinking of this, her heroic spirit arose. She patted her chest and declared, “Don’t worry, Young Master Lu, your marriage is in my hands! I swear on my dignity as a matchmaker that I will definitely find you a satisfactory good wife!” She even nodded at him seriously.

No… there’s no need for such a solemn oath…

I’m not particularly urgent about finding a wife…

Lu Chi’s mouth twitched, and his gaze couldn’t help but wander. Patting her chest so forcefully like that—didn’t it hurt?

But faced with her serious little face, Lu Chi felt he should say something. So he cleared his throat and cupped his hands, saying, “Then I entrust my lifelong happiness to you, Miss.”

After saying this, he felt… eh? Something seemed not quite right about those words?

“Leave it to me!” Shi Fa Ke waved her hand very boldly.

At this moment, Shi Fa Ke didn’t know that she would deeply regret her impulsiveness and loose tongue in the future…