Episode Summary
In this episode, Shi Fake successfully exposes Li Ang's true nature, paving the way for Shen Tongyun to realize her feelings for Wang Ren. Following a swift makeover and proposal, Shen Tongyun and Wang Ren get married in a grand ceremony organized by Shi Fake with help from her friends. Meanwhile, the relationship between Shi Fake and Lu Chi continues to develop, facing humorous interference from her protective brother but also growing stronger through shared moments and budding jealousy.
Spoiler Alert
Better Halves (2025) Episode 8 Spoilers
The episode picks up with Wang Ren, seeing Shen Tongyun apparently content with Li Ang, deciding to gracefully bow out. He congratulates her before leaving, but his dejected figure leaves Shen Tongyun feeling a pang of sorrow.
However, Shi Fake isn't buying Li Ang's nice-guy act for a second, convinced he's putting on a performance. She felt he went too far in deliberately trying to ruin things and persuades a hesitant Shen Tongyun to go back with her to the private room to see Li Ang's true colors, certain he couldn't keep up the facade for long.
Their suspicions are immediately confirmed. Once he believes they've left, Li Ang explodes in a fit of rage inside the room, which Shi Fake and Shen Tongyun overhear from the doorway. Just then, Lu Chi intentionally walks in and "accidentally" spills soup all over Li Ang's clothes. This is the final straw for Li Ang, who becomes enraged and starts a physical fight. As they scuffle, Shi Fake and Shen Tongyun make their dramatic entrance, causing the cornered and furious Li Ang to completely lose his composure and reveal his volatile nature.
With their mission accomplished, a delighted Shi Fake immediately pivots to matchmaking Shen Tongyun and Wang Ren again, and Lu Chi agrees to help her. Despite his help, Shi Fake consciously keeps a certain distance from Lu Chi. Meanwhile, Wang Ren, who is outside, overhears people slandering Shen Tongyun and steps up to defend her honor, an act that Shen Tongyun happens to witness as she walks out.
Shi Fake wants to strike while the iron is hot and push the two together, but Wang Ren is reluctant, believing Shen Tongyun's heart isn't with him. Shi Fake argues that while Wang Ren may not be a stunning beauty, the fact that Shen Tongyun was still willing to consider him proves he holds a special place in her heart.
To seal the deal, Shi Fake takes Wang Ren to the Xi Bao Ge Pavilion for a complete makeover. The transformation is a huge success. When they meet again, Shen Tongyun is visibly impressed and full of admiration for the new Wang Ren. She agrees to the match on the spot and, in a surprising turn, insists they hold the wedding in just three days. A slightly overwhelmed Shi Fake has no choice but to agree.
The rush creates a logistical nightmare. Shi Fake approaches He Ketian and He Kexian, needing over a thousand pastries made in three days. While He Ketian is initially unwilling due to the immense difficulty, He Kexian steps up and accepts the daunting task to help Shi Fake. Lu Chi also pitches in, offering to write all the wedding invitations. To ease any potential awkwardness between He Kexian and Lu Chi, Shi Fake brings them together, declaring that the three of them will work together to make the wedding a spectacular event.
Later that night, Lu Chi visits Shi Fake, who continues to keep him at arm's length. However, when her two older brothers spot Lu Chi and look ready for a confrontation, Shi Fake immediately jumps to his defense.
Three days later, Shi Fake successfully pulls off a magnificent wedding for Shen Tongyun and Wang Ren, leaving everyone impressed. Remembering how Shi Fake got drunk at a previous wedding, Lu Chi, knowing her low tolerance for alcohol, watches over her and prevents her from drinking.
Elsewhere, the Marquis of Wu'an is furious that his planned marriage alliance has failed. His new goal is to seize control of the Jin Qi Si (the Imperial Guard Command) to gain power over the capital's defenses, already scheming to use new marriage alliances to achieve this.
Feeling triumphant after another successful mission, Shi Fake goes for a walk with Lu Chi. They are spotted by her patrolling older brother, who immediately inserts himself between them to prevent any contact. He intercepts any food Lu Chi tries to give Shi Fake, eating it himself before handing her a different snack. Seeing this, the newlyweds Shen Tongyun and Wang Ren, who are also out for a stroll, cleverly pull the brother aside, finally giving Lu Chi and Shi Fake a moment alone.
With a rare chance for privacy, Lu Chi takes Shi Fake out for a meal and to watch a dance performance. As Shi Fake watches Lu Chi, who seems captivated by the dancers, she can't help but feel a little spark of jealousy.
