Episode Summary
Shi Fa Ke wins the right to host the Hundred Flowers Festival thanks to Lu Chi's deciding vote, and he overhears her confess her feelings and the real reason for her emotional distance. As Shi Fa Ke takes charge of the festival preparations, she ousts a scheming Matchmaker Deng from the committee. Meanwhile, new and old romances begin to blossom, particularly between Shi Fa Ke's brother, Shi Xian Xian, and Li Pan'er, all leading up to the day of the festival where Deng plans to make a scene.
Spoiler Alert
The episode kicks off with the tense vote between Shi Fa Ke and Matchmaker Deng. With the votes tied, it all comes down to Lu Chi. To the surprise of everyone, especially a confident Deng, Lu Chi casts his deciding vote for Shi Fa Ke, securing her victory in the written test. Matchmaker Deng is left stunned, while Shi Fa Ke realizes Lu Chi has been helping her all along.
Overjoyed, Shi Fa Ke returns home to celebrate with her family. Later that night, she waits by the wall separating her home from Lu Chi's, hoping to thank him. Unaware that he is just on the other side, she speaks her heart out into the night. She reveals that the reason she's been hesitant to get close to him is because of a childhood marriage promise she feels bound to fulfill. Lu Chi hears every word.
Meanwhile, Matchmaker Deng faces the wrath of Marquis Wu'an, who is furious about her failure to secure the rights to host the Hundred Flowers Festival and a previously failed assassination. The Marquis's butler berates her and threatens to strip her of the Head Matchmaker title, a position she desperately fought for and is unwilling to lose.
Shi Fa Ke heads to the Xi Bao Pavilion to distribute VIP tickets for the festival. Li Pan'er cleverly suggests she deal directly with Lu Chi, as he was the largest financial contributor. To boost his public standing and ensure financial transparency, Shi Fa Ke gives all the tickets to Lu Chi for distribution and invites him to the Official Matchmaking Hall to personally oversee the event's finances. This move infuriates Matchmaker Deng, who insists that as Head Matchmaker, all accounts should go through her, likely so she could skim from the funds. Shi Fa Ke stands her ground, flatly refusing and officially removing Deng from the festival's preparatory committee.
Back at Xi Bao Pavilion, a mysterious customer arrives who seems unusually familiar with the place and refers to Lu Chi by a unique name. Li Pan'er's sharp intuition leads her to correctly guess that he is the "Er Dang Jia," the pavilion's second-in-command. While he is startled at being discovered, Lu Chi is not upset. The staff is excited about the festival, and the "Er Dang Jia" even manages to snag a VIP ticket.
Needing more help with preparations, Shi Fa Ke's older brother, Shi Xian Xian, and her father, Shi Chong Shan, volunteer. While working, Shi Xian Xian literally bumps into Li Pan'er again. The brief touch of their hands sends him into a flustered panic, and he runs away, much to Li Pan'er's amusement, who finds his shyness quite charming.
Shi Fa Ke notices the clear chemistry between her brother and Li Pan'er. Lu Chi also brings up that their father, Shi Chong Shan, seems interested in He Ke Tian, but Shi Fa Ke dismisses it, noting that He Ke Tian is already married. To show their family's support for Shi Fa Ke's success, Head Matchmaker Tao (their mother) hosts a dinner for her close friends. Lu Chi arrives with lavish gifts for the family. During the meal, Tao also picks up on her son's feelings for Li Pan'er and begins to inquire about her background. Later, Lu Chi encourages Li Pan'er to be open to finding love.
As the day of the Hundred Flowers Festival arrives, Matchmaker Deng is seen dressing elaborately, clearly planning to make a dramatic and unforgettable entrance.
