Just as the atmosphere was perfect, suddenly there was a “snip” sound. A small pair of scissors suddenly appeared and cut the string connecting the paper kite in Lu Chi’s hand, and then… that kite flying highest swayed and flew away completely…

“Ah!” Shi Fa Ke cried out, “My paper kite… what are you doing!” She glared at the culprit who had cut her kite string, then froze. She saw five or six men standing before her, all burly and thick-waisted. The leader was thin and wiry, with a large scar like a centipede on his right cheek that seemed to writhe like a living thing when he smiled – clearly not a good person.

It was as if the words “bad guy” were carved right on his face.

“What’s there to pity about losing such a crude paper kite? Little lady, call me big brother and I’ll buy you a better one,” the scarred man said teasingly, snipping his scissors “click-click” in his hand.

This was… him flirting with her?

Shi Fa Ke stared with wide eyes in amazement. In all her years, no one had ever dared to flirt with her – this was truly a novel experience. She blinked and asked curiously, “Why do you carry scissors with you?”

And they were the embroidery scissors commonly used by young ladies too. What kind of hobby was this? Were all bad guys this strange nowadays?

The scarred man’s face twitched, seeming somewhat embarrassed and angry. Seeing this, Lu Chi quickly pulled Shi Fa Ke behind him protectively.

“Oh, this pretty boy looks like a rabbit lord. What’s this? Trying to play hero and save the beauty?” The scarred man suddenly burst into laughter, and the burly men behind him played along, each laughing uproariously.

The four words “hero save beauty” immediately made Shi Fa Ke realize what was happening. Where had Third Brother found these people… With their fierce and menacing appearance, she had almost believed it was real.

Looking around, perhaps because Jiao Jiao’s earlier crowd-dispersing skills were too effective, or perhaps because she had been too absorbed in flying the kite, without realizing it she and Lu Chi had run to a secluded area. At this moment, besides her and Lu Chi, and these people Third Brother had found, there was no one else around.

She had thought Third Brother’s people would give up the plan because the venue wasn’t suitable… but they had actually found such a perfect opportunity.

How professional of them.

“What do you want?” Lu Chi shielded Shi Fa Ke behind him, looking at the scarred man.

“Why be so nervous? I just want to chat with this pretty little lady. You pretty boy, don’t get in the way.” The scarred man said impatiently, raising his hand to push him aside.

Lu Chi grasped the scarred man’s wrist, “In broad daylight, you’re so arrogant – don’t you know there are constables patrolling nearby?”

“Ha, what I hate most in life is men who look so effeminate, talking so much nonsense.” The scarred man shook off his hand.

Shi Fa Ke, listening nearby, felt rather displeased. If you’re going to cause trouble, just cause trouble – why attack others with words? She poked her head out and taunted, “You carry embroidery scissors yourself yet call others effeminate.”

The scarred man’s eye twitched at her words, “What did you say?”

“I said you’re ugly yourself, yet won’t let others be good-looking? You’re so domineering – does your mother know?” Shi Fa Ke snorted.

The scarred man’s face immediately contorted.

Lu Chi’s mouth twitched upward as he pushed the protruding head back behind him.

The scarred man was furious, but seemed to be mindful of something and didn’t strike at Shi Fa Ke, instead stepping forward to kick Lu Chi.

Lu Chi’s eyes flashed slightly, then he acted as if he couldn’t dodge in time, taking the kick to his chest and falling to the ground.

Shi Fa Ke was startled and quickly went to help him up, “Young Master Lu, how are you?”

Lu Chi shook his head, comforting her, “I’m fine.”

Though he said this, a trace of blood seeped from the corner of his mouth.

Seeing this, Shi Fa Ke angrily turned to the scarred man, “Why did you hit him so hard!”

The scarred man laughed in extreme anger, “This is called hard? Beat him up!”

“Boss, beat… beat who?” The burly men looked at each other and asked.

“Beat that pretty boy, but be careful not to hurt this delicate little lady.” The scarred man grinned maliciously.

Shi Fa Ke’s eyes widened as panic filled her heart. She was about to rush forward when the scarred man grabbed her, “Little lady, don’t panic. Just watch nicely.”

Seeing Lu Chi surrounded by several men and already taking several hard hits, Shi Fa Ke’s eyes immediately reddened. She had completely forgotten about testing him and threw that thought to the back of her mind, “Stop! Stop!” She turned to glare at the scarred man, “Make them stop!”

The scarred man smiled sinisterly, “What’s the rush? This is nothing yet.”

Shi Fa Ke struggled desperately in anxiety, watching Lu Chi get beaten helplessly, tears about to fall.

In the distance, behind several drooping crabapple trees dense with rosy clouds, stood two men. One had an honest-looking face, while the other was none other than He Kexian, the young master of the He family’s wedding cake shop.

“Master He, isn’t this about enough?” The honest-looking man glanced at He Kexian and asked tentatively.

He Kexian watched coldly without speaking.

“You’re really serious about this? Didn’t you say we were just testing that Scholar Lu’s skills? I can see he’s really just a powerless scholar.”

“What’s the rush? Some people won’t shed tears until they see the coffin.”

“Sigh! How can I not be anxious? Look, Miss Shi is about to cry. If we really make her cry and her father and three brothers find out, will I still be able to survive in Copper Gong Town? This is a deadly business.”

“Isn’t deadly business what you do anyway?” He Kexian said indifferently.

“Master He, you jest. We went straight long ago and now just escort goods to make a living.” The honest-faced man said righteously.

He Kexian casually pulled out a silver ingot from his sleeve and tossed it to him.

“Thank you for the reward, Master He.” The honest-faced man caught it and smiled obsequiously, “I investigated him. Strangely, I only know he’s from Lan Prefecture, but can’t find out anything else – as if he appeared out of thin air. Though his scholar status is genuine.”

He Kexian narrowed his eyes, looking at that stupid girl jumping around anxiously in the distance, recalling the ridiculous things she had said when she came to propose the match that day.

“Young Master Lu isn’t someone of unknown background. He’s from Lan Prefecture, both parents are alive, and he has an older brother at home. He has an official title – he’s a scholar.”

“Young, good-looking, and with a promising future. Moreover, he’s helpful and has an excellent character.”

She had practically praised that scholar to the skies, making it grating to hear.

That day he had asked, “Good-looking? Better looking than me?”

“Mm, better looking than you.”

Hmph.

Nearby, the honest-faced man was contentedly fondling his newly acquired silver ingot when he heard Master He suddenly ask in a ghostly tone…

“Between me and that scholar, who is more beautiful?”