Episode Summary
Following the fire at The Hundred Flowers Festival, Shi Fake is cleared of blame for Matchmaker Deng's death thanks to the testimony of her friends and the intervention of Premier Zhu. The romantic tension between Shi Fake and Lu Chi escalates through several close moments. After helping her friend He Ketian annul an unwanted marriage, Shi Fake is inspired to follow her own heart. She confesses her feelings to Lu Chi at the wishing tree, and he joyfully reciprocates, offering her a symbol of his complete trust and commitment.
Spoiler Alert
Better Halves (2025) Episode 13
Devastated by the failure to save Matchmaker Deng, Shi Fake is comforted by Lu Chi. Suddenly remembering the danger her friends might be in, she insists on finding them. However, a leg injury prevents her from walking, forcing Lu Chi to carry her on his back. As they proceed, they run directly into Lu Xizhu and Zhu Yanyan, who are also making their way to safety.
The next day, Lu Chi and Shi Fake have successfully escaped the grounds of The Hundred Flowers Festival. A headcount reveals that everyone who attended is safe, with the sole exception of Matchmaker Deng, who tragically died in the fire. Just as everyone is breathing a sigh of relief, a group of officials arrives to arrest Shi Fake. They accuse her, as the event's organizer, of gross negligence leading to a loss of life.
Worried about implicating others, Shi Fake prepares to go with the officials willingly. However, her friends, knowing she is innocent, step forward to defend her. Zhu Yanyan speaks up, telling everyone that she personally witnessed Matchmaker Deng starting the fire. The arresting officials refuse to listen and insist on taking Shi Fake away. At that critical moment, Premier Zhu arrives, and his presence immediately diffuses the situation, forcing the officials to abandon their arrest. The crisis is averted.
With the danger past, everyone disperses from the festival. While walking through the streets together, the bond between Lu Chi and Shi Fake deepens. Shi Fake shows great concern when she notices Lu Chi is injured, though her older brother, Shi Qianqian, remains very wary of him.
Back at her home, Zhu Yanyan is preoccupied with thoughts of Lu Xizhu. Hearing his voice outside, she rushes to her window and gives him some medicine she had prepared. Meanwhile, as Shi Fake's family discusses the fire and her dowry, she is lost in a daze, fondly recalling her romantic moments with Lu Chi at the festival, so much so that she doesn't even hear her family speaking to her.
That evening, Lu Chi tends to Lu Xizhu's wounds. Lu Xizhu, however, feels no pain and instead wears a sweet smile. Wary that the Marquis of Wu'an might still try to harm Shi Fake after his previous schemes were thwarted, Lu Chi tasks Lu Yi with protecting her.
Later, while Shi Fake is in her room thinking of Lu Chi, she hears a noise at her window. Guessing it might be him, she happily opens it, though she feigns composure upon seeing him. Lu Chi has brought medicine for her injuries and intends to confess his feelings. However, Shi Fake steers the conversation toward the arson at the festival, preventing his confession. As they are talking, someone approaches, forcing Lu Chi to leap out the window to hide. When the coast is clear, they turn back towards each other, their faces suddenly so close that they are both tempted to kiss.
Shi Fake's recent matchmaking successes have made her highly sought after. Overwhelmed with cases, she shares some of her workload with colleagues at the Official Matchmaking Hall.
Zhu Yizhi approaches Shi Fake, asking her to preside over his wedding to He Ketian. Shi Fake knows he doesn't love He Ketian and is only marrying her to dodge the draft. She not only refuses but also presents him with an annulment certificate she had already prepared. When he becomes aggressive and tries to strike her, Lu Chi appears and swiftly subdues him, forcing him to sign the document.
With the signed annulment in hand, Shi Fake rushes to her best friend, He Ketian, to share the good news and have her sign it as well. This act of helping her friend inspires Shi Fake. She decides to stop being bound by old promises and to cherish the person right in front of her. She takes Lu Chi to the wishing tree, retrieves the wishing stone she had left there long ago, and throws it into the river, symbolizing her choice to be with him. Overjoyed by her confession, Lu Chi declares his own commitment by offering her a waist token that grants her unlimited access to his family's wealth.
