Chapter Forty-Nine: Pushed Away

Xu Fei returned home.

To his surprise, Du Man had not come back yet.

"Xu Fei, what on earth did you do to sister-in-law?" Xu Qing rushed out of the house, pointing at him and demanding.

"I... I didn't do anything to her."

"Didn't do anything? I've been home since school let out, and I haven't seen her at all. If you didn't bully her, why hasn't she come home?"

Xu Fei began to worry as well. Thinking back to last night, Du Man hadn't brought him water for washing his feet as she usually did. That was already abnormal. This morning she hadn't gotten up either, just lay in bed, and he had to make breakfast himself.

Reflecting on it, it seemed Du Man had behaved strangely ever since the incident with Chen Rong. Could it be connected to Bai Siyuan? He had only heard that name, but hadn't caught any details.

"Do you think sister-in-law went back to her family's house?" Xu Qing suggested, prompting him.

Yes, that seemed the most likely. Over the years, Du Man rarely kept in touch with friends, but often went back to her parents’ home over money matters. Recently, when her brother returned from business in the south, she had visited them once.

Xu Fei thought for a moment, then said, "I'll go check."

"Xu Fei, don't get into a fight with the Du family," Xu Qing warned, not without reason. The old Xu Fei, every time he visited the Du family, ended up sparring with them.

Xu Fei waved her off. "Got it," he replied, already closing the door behind him as he left.

...

The Du Family.

Du Man’s father had once been the deputy director of the Donghai City Education Bureau. Her mother was also a teacher at Donghai No.1 High School. She had an older brother and sister. Her brother, Du Tao, was the one who went south for business. Her sister, Du Li, also worked as a teacher at Donghai No.1 High.

By all accounts, Du Man came from a distinguished scholarly family. Xu Fei marrying Du Man was, frankly, quite unusual. He had only graduated from a technical school, his parents were ordinary working people. No matter how one looked at it, he was hardly a match for Du Man’s family background.

Already disfavored by his mother-in-law, Xu Fei was looked down on even more after his parents’ misfortune.

"Sister, don't go back. Tomorrow I'll go to the neighborhood office and ask the director to step in and demand a divorce from Xu Fei," Du Tao said, never having liked his brother-in-law.

Du Man remained silent.

"Your brother's plan is good. Look at how he treats your friend Chen Rong," her mother said, deepening Du Man’s confusion and resentment toward Xu Fei.

The incident with Chen Rong was the spark for all of this. Du Man’s return home was orchestrated by Chen Rong. After urging Zhang Lei to seek out Peng Yu and failing to discipline Xu Fei, Chen Rong went to the Du family the next day and exaggerated Du Man’s suffering at Xu’s home a hundredfold.

Du Tao went straight to Xu Fei's house and brought Du Man back. Du Man hadn’t wanted to return, but her mother’s words left her no choice.

"If he doesn’t come tonight, tomorrow your brother will go to the neighborhood office, get the director involved, and resolve your issues," her mother said, glancing at Du Tao.

"Understood, don’t worry, Mom. I’ll take care of it first thing tomorrow," Du Tao replied.

Knock knock...

Du Tao glanced outside.

"Who’s coming this late?"

"Who else? It’s Xu Fei. Go open the door. He’s here—good, I’ll settle things with him today," his mother said, pointing outside.

Du Tao went out, calling gruffly, "Who is it?"

"Big brother, it’s me, Xu Fei."

Du Tao opened the door, looking at him sideways. "What are you doing here so late?"

"I’ve come to take Du Man home."

Du Tao snorted, "Home? What are you thinking? Come inside, we’ll talk."

Xu Fei recognized the Du family’s resolve and followed Du Tao into the house.

"Mom," Xu Fei greeted Du Man’s mother with a smile and a nod. "Where’s Dad?"

"He’s at a dinner tonight," she replied coolly, sitting on the sofa and pointing at a small stool nearby. "Sit down."

Xu Fei glanced at the stool—it was a clear statement of their attitude toward him.

"I’m just here to take Du Man home. It’s late, so I’ll not sit," he said, looking toward Du Man, who sat in a corner of the bed.

Her back was to him, and Xu Fei saw her shoulders trembling slightly.

Crying?

Xu Fei felt a pang.

"Du Man, we..."

"Du Man can’t leave tonight."

Can’t?

The word ignited Xu Fei’s anger. They could look down on him, but Du Man was his wife—taking her home was only right. Why should they prevent him from taking his wife, right in front of him?

"Mom, why can’t I take her home?"

Du Man’s mother laughed coldly. "Don’t you know?"

"What do I know?" Xu Fei’s tone was stiff.

"Xu Fei, who do you think you’re talking to?" Du Tao stepped forward, pointing at Xu Fei’s nose.

"Enough, Tao! There’s nothing more to discuss. Chen Rong told me things I didn’t believe, but now Xu Fei, you’re really something—daring to talk to me like this?" her mother glared at Xu Fei.

"I..." Xu Fei lowered his head. "Mom, I’m sorry—I’m just anxious. If you misunderstand me, I hope we can resolve it face to face. As for what Chen Rong said, she’s still an outsider."

"Outsider? She’s your wife’s best friend. As they say, the bystander sees most clearly. I didn’t want to interfere, but if others can’t stand to watch and come to me for help, I can’t let Du Man, my daughter, live like that in your house!"

Her mother’s voice rose, her arms gesturing emphatically.

"Mom, you mean..."

"Divorce!" Du Tao spat out the word, glaring at Xu Fei.

Xu Fei looked over at Du Man, "Du Man, is that really what you want?"

Du Man neither turned nor answered.

"Of course she does. Otherwise, why would she come home?" Du Tao said, pushing Xu Fei.

"Go now. Tomorrow we’ll meet at the neighborhood office and settle the paperwork."

Xu Fei didn’t know how to explain. He was burning inside.

"Is this because of Bai Siyuan?" he walked over to Du Man, who was already in tears.

Du Man stiffened.

"Xu Fei, what did you say?"

"I’m asking—is it because of Bai Siyuan that you want to divorce me?"

Du Man stood up abruptly and slapped Xu Fei hard across the face.

"You’re shameless!" she shouted angrily.

Xu Fei was stunned.

"I..." He regretted his words, but he’d been overwhelmed with anger.

"Go now. Tomorrow we’ll see each other at the neighborhood office," Du Man said, pushing Xu Fei away.