Episode Summary
In this episode, Shi Fake and Matchmaker Deng officially begin their rivalry to find a wife for the rebellious Qi Shaoheng. With Lu Chi's constant help, Shi Fake manages to win Shaoheng's reluctant agreement for a matchmaking contest. The episode ends with the first presentation of candidates, where both matchmakers face different but significant obstacles with the discerning Madam Qi.
Spoiler Alert
Better Halves (2025) Episode 3: A Tale of Two Matchmakers
The episode kicks off with Matchmaker Deng arriving at the Qi residence, contract in hand, ready to arrange a marriage for Qi Shaoheng. However, Shaoheng himself dramatically snatches the contract and tears it up, threatening her in the process. Seeing an opportunity, Lu Chi suggests that Shi Fake should step in and take on the matchmaking task for Shaoheng. Madam Qi is hesitant at first, mainly because Shi Fake's parents are currently imprisoned, which tarnishes her reputation. But after seeing her son's rebellious act, she agrees to let Shi Fake have a try. She calls back the spurned Matchmaker Deng, and a new competition is set. Deng initially tries to dismiss Shi Fake as the daughter of a criminal, but Shi Fake argues that since Deng already failed once, she's unlikely to succeed again. Convinced by this logic, Madam Qi decides to let both matchmakers attempt to persuade her stubborn son.
Later, Lu Chi takes Shi Fake to Liu's Teahouse. They spot a hawker selling tanghulu (candied fruit) to Liu Luan'er and sense something is off. Inside, they overhear scandalous rumors being spread about Qi Shaoheng and immediately suspect Matchmaker Deng is orchestrating a smear campaign. Just then, Qi Shaoheng arrives. When Shi Fake approaches him with an offer to be his matchmaker, he callously splashes water on her. Lu Chi jumps in to shield her, angrily shoving Shaoheng against a pillar. The two men have a tense standoff before Shi Fake and Liu Luan'er anxiously pull them apart.
It soon becomes clear that Qi Shaoheng is the one paying people to spread rumors about himself, even trying to drag Lu Chi into the fabricated gossip. Shi Fake is furious. As a prank, Shaoheng challenges her to arrange a "marriage" for his two horses to prove her skills. To everyone's surprise, and in a desperate bid to secure the official matchmaking commission, Shi Fake agrees. By cleverly using the horse wedding as a metaphor, she manages to talk sense into Shaoheng, who finally agrees to let her handle his real marriage arrangement.
Just as Shi Fake tastes victory, Matchmaker Deng reappears to sabotage her, badmouthing her to Madam Qi. Lu Chi cleverly brings Qi Shaoheng into the argument, letting him make the final decision. After Lu Chi lays out the pros and cons of each matchmaker, Shaoheng declares a contest: both Shi Fake and Matchmaker Deng will find a candidate for him, and he will choose the one who presents him with a woman who truly captures his heart. Madam Qi is touched by Lu Chi's unwavering support for Shi Fake. As they leave the Weiyuan Escort Agency, Shi Fake runs into her two older brothers. She wants to introduce Lu Chi, but he has already slipped away quietly.
In a surprising turn, Shi Fake tells Lu Chi she wants to show him her family's most precious treasure. She leads him to a secret room filled with detailed profiles of all the wealthy, unmarried women in the capital, revealing her intention to find a match for him. Lu Chi firmly refuses. Her brothers, suspecting where she took him, come looking for them, but Shi Fake manages to stall them long enough for Lu Chi to escape.
Meanwhile, Lu Chi discovers that Shi Fake's good friend, Zhu Yanyan, hasn't been avoiding her out of spite; she's been forcibly kept at home. He is relieved, knowing this news will comfort Shi Fake, who believed her friend had betrayed her. Lu Chi also pieces together why it's so crucial to match the Grand Tutor's daughter with Qi Shaoheng. He resolves to help Shi Fake's family out of their predicament before telling her about a "10-year promise" between them. As Shi Fake tries to gather support for her matchmaking endeavor, she finds every door closed; Matchmaker Deng has secretly warned everyone against helping her. Lu Chi breaks the news about Zhu Yanyan, and as predicted, Shi Fake is overjoyed to learn her friend is still loyal.
The climax of the episode takes place at the Xibao Pavilion, where both matchmakers present their chosen candidates. Madam Qi happens to witness the arrogant and ill-mannered behavior of the Grand Tutor's daughter, who was brought by Matchmaker Deng. In contrast, Shi Fake's candidate, with a little help from the staff at Xibao Pavilion, appears graceful and virtuous. Despite this, Madam Qi remains unimpressed, criticizing the girl for having a poor "bearing" or presence.
