Better Halves Episode 8 Recap
> Better Halves Recap
Worried that her initial attempt to expose Li Ang's true nature had failed, Shi Fa'ke expressed her anxiety to Lu Chi about the impending delivery of the engagement card. Lu Chi reassured her, instructing her to intercept Shen Tongyun and bring her back to observe Li Ang, promising to handle the situation personally. Meanwhile, Wang Ren, believing Shen Tongyun was content, wished her happiness and departed, leaving her with a sense of quiet sadness.
Still unconvinced by Li Ang's facade, Shi Fa'ke stopped Shen Tongyun, questioning if she was truly unaware of the rumors about Li Ang's violent character. Having experienced public slander herself, Shen Tongyun dismissed the gossip, stating she only trusted what she saw. Shi Fa'ke countered that a genuinely gentle nature should be consistent, proposing they return to the private room to observe him once more.
She promised to abandon her efforts to find another suitor if Li Ang proved to be truly kind. To put Shi Fa'ke's mind at ease, Shen Tongyun agreed. As anticipated, Li Ang's composure crumbled after they left. He erupted in a furious tirade, denouncing both Shen Tongyun and the "penniless scholar" Wang Ren, revealing his contempt and admitting his earlier behavior was an act.
The matchmaker, Ms. Deng, tried to placate him, reminding him he could mistreat Shen Tongyun after their marriage and even offering to find him another wife. At that moment, Lu Chi, revealing himself as the new owner of the tea house, entered to "apologize" for a staff error by offering a bowl of soup noodles, which he then spilled on Li Ang's robe. Enraged, Li Ang immediately attacked him. Shi Fa'ke and Shen Tongyun reappeared, witnessing Li Ang's unbridled violence.
Seeing his true, volatile nature, Shen Tongyun unequivocally called off the engagement, declaring herself unworthy of him. When Ms. Deng accused them of a conspiracy, Shi Fa'ke openly admitted to orchestrating the revelation, arguing it was necessary because Li Ang and Ms. Deng had deceived Shen Tongyun by concealing his violent tendencies, which she deemed marriage fraud. In response, Li Ang scornfully dismissed Shen Tongyun, claiming he never intended to marry someone so "fickle and immoral."
Concerned, Shi Fa'ke checked on Lu Chi, who reassured her, reiterating his promise to ensure her success. With the deception exposed, Shi Fa'ke immediately suggested to Lu Chi that they approach Wang Ren, who was at a nearby painting shop, to seize the opportunity. Lu Chi agreed to help, though Shi Fa'ke maintained a professional distance. Outside, Wang Ren overheard several people slandering Shen Tongyun.
Infuriated, he bravely defended her right to pursue love and beauty, passionately declaring his unwavering willingness to marry her and give her a lifetime of happiness. Unbeknownst to him, Shen Tongyun heard his heartfelt declaration. Shi Fa'ke then spoke with Shen Tongyun and Wang Ren. She advised Shen Tongyun on the importance of inner beauty, highlighting how a kind heart offers lasting protection, a stark contrast to Li Ang's handsome yet cruel nature.
Shi Fa'ke encouraged a disheartened Wang Ren, reminding him that Shen Tongyun had continued to interact with him despite his modest appearance and had hesitated over previous prospects because of him, indicating his unique place in her heart. Shi Fa'ke then pledged to take Wang Ren to Shen's Mansion the next day to formally propose. On the day of the proposal, Shi Fa'ke was disappointed by Wang Ren's simple attire.
She personally took him to the Xibao Pavilion, known for its exquisite garments, where the Master instructed his staff to assist them free of charge. Acknowledging the need to present himself well, Wang Ren asked Shi Fa'ke to select his outfit. She chose an elegant ensemble and even applied pearl powder to refine his appearance.
During their visit, Lu Chi appeared, prompting Shi Fa'ke to playfully demand he stay "a few hundred miles" away from Shen's Mansion until the marriage was complete, lest he "steal the bride." At Shen's Mansion, Wang Ren presented Shen Tongyun with a beautiful painting by Mr. Gushan as a wedding gift and earnestly proposed, vowing a lifetime of love. Shi Fa'ke encouraged Shen Tongyun to accept this devoted man.
Deeply moved, Shen Tongyun not only accepted but also declared her desire for the wedding to take place in just three days, a decision both she and Wang Ren implored a surprised Shi Fa'ke to facilitate. The sudden request presented a formidable challenge. Feeling overwhelmed, Shi Fa'ke despaired. Lu Chi offered his help, but Shi Fa'ke, preoccupied with procuring over a thousand wedding cakes, initially insisted only He Kexian could manage such a feat.
She approached He Ketian, who firmly refused the impossible order. However, her brother, He Kexian, overrode her objections and bravely committed to the task. Witnessing this, Lu Chi volunteered to write the numerous wedding invitations. Impressed, Shi Fa'ke accepted, gathering her team to make the wedding a grand success. Later that night, Lu Chi visited Shi Fa'ke as she wrote invitations. She warned him that her brothers would beat him if they found him.
Just as he was leaving, her two brothers, Shi Xianxian and Shi Chongshan, discovered him. Chongshan immediately attacked, but Shi Fa'ke intervened, revealing that her brothers had drugged Lu Chi with knockout medicine, enabling his pretense of memory loss. She fiercely defended him, threatening to tell their mother, which caused her brothers to retreat. Shi Fa'ke then secretly instructed Lu Chi to keep his recovered memory a secret while she shielded him as her brothers escorted him out.
Three days later, Shi Fa'ke orchestrated a splendid wedding. During the reception, Shen Tongyun’s father, Lord Shen, bowed deeply to Shi Fa'ke, recalling how her mother had arranged his own marriage and commending her as a worthy successor. After the ceremony, a tearful Shen Tongyun thanked Shi Fa'ke, acknowledging she had learned to value genuine affection over superficial beauty. Shi Fa'ke, in turn, reaffirmed her conviction that true matchmaking is about helping people find sincere partners.
As guests toasted her, Lu Chi vigilantly kept Shi Fa'ke from drinking, knowing her low alcohol tolerance. The familiar scene sparked a forgotten memory for Shi Fa'ke of promises she had made to him. He offered to wait for her to fulfill her promise, and in return, she declared she would forgive him if he bought her street snacks for an entire month without repeating an item. They sealed the deal with a handshake.
Meanwhile, Marquis Wu'an was enraged that Li Ang's failed marriage had thwarted his plan to control the Imperial Cavalry Bureau. He dismissed his subordinate's suggestion of violence, explaining it would expose them. Instead, he planned to control whoever became the new Commander by arranging a strategic marriage for him through the Official Matchmaking Agency. Back home, Shi Fa'ke's mother praised her success, attributing it to her diligence.
Shi Fa'ke gave credit to Lu Chi, subtly noting her father and brothers had wronged him. Her mother agreed and instructed her to thank him properly. Dismayed, her father ordered his sons to monitor Shi Fa'ke and keep Lu Chi away. Shi Xianxian, the eldest, volunteered to take the lead. True to his word, Xianxian began his daily surveillance, accompanying Shi Fa'ke and Lu Chi on their outing while on his street patrol.
He constantly intercepted the snacks Lu Chi offered Shi Fa'ke, eating them himself. Their stroll was interrupted by Shen Tongyun and Wang Ren. Observing Xianxian’s interference, Shen Tongyun created a diversion by loudly complimenting her husband's appearance to Xianxian and playfully pulling him away, leaving Shi Fa'ke and Lu Chi alone. Seizing the chance, Lu Chi led Shi Fa'ke to the Flower House, known for its food and performances. They watched the renowned dancer, Hua Yuerong.
Shi Fa'ke playfully questioned Lu Chi's captivated gaze. He admitted the dancer was beautiful but quickly clarified that her smile lacked Shi Fa'ke's pure radiance and her dance lacked genuine emotion. They overheard patrons gossiping about Hua Yuerong’s relationship with Vice Commander Xu Ao. Shi Fa'ke defended Xu Ao, stating her mother had vouched for his upright character. Just then, an imperial decree was announced, promoting Xu Ao and reinforcing Shi Fa'ke's faith in his integrity and her mother's judgment.
