Chapter 107: Shut Up

Xu Fei’s brows were tightly knit.

This was indeed a thorny issue.

Xu Qing represented the Xu family.

If his own sister was humiliated at her father-in-law’s house and he ignored it, he would lose even more authority in front of Xu Qing in the future.

Yet—

If he let it go, the Du family would only look down on him and the Xu family all the more.

Xu Fei pondered swiftly in his heart.

Du Man stood up at this moment.

She knew Xu Qing was present, and spoke softly, “Xu Qing, I—I apologize on behalf of our family. Could you let this matter fall on me?”

Xu Qing pushed her away.

“Sister-in-law, let me be clear: if you keep persuading me, this may be the last time I call you my sister-in-law.”

Her expression was cold; her eyes had turned bloodshot.

As a girl with fierce pride,

Being slapped twice was intolerable.

In truth, Du Man felt miserable too.

Xu Qing’s words left her at a loss for how to persuade further.

She could only look to Xu Fei for help.

“This matter…”

Du Man watched Xu Fei, desperate to hear words of reconciliation.

But—

“Du Man, I know this is difficult for you, but it’s not just between us. They struck my sister; that’s a slap in the face to our whole Xu family.”

Hearing Xu Fei say this, Du Man felt a chill sink into her heart.

“Xu Qing, help me up.”

Xu Fei extended his hand as he spoke.

Xu Qing walked to the bedside, supporting Xu Fei as he got up.

“Come, let’s go to the Du family.”

Xu Fei gestured toward the door.

“Are you sure you’re up for this?” Xu Qing glanced at him worriedly.

“Underestimating me?” Xu Fei straightened his back with effort.

Then,

He tightened his belt another notch.

With his waist cinched,

He gained some support.

Xu Fei removed Xu Qing’s arm and stepped out.

“Be careful,” Xu Qing quickly followed.

At this moment,

Du Man was left alone in the room, staring blankly.

She didn’t know

Whether she should follow or stay home.

The hurt in her heart

Was hers alone to understand.

Xu Fei did this for the Xu family’s honor.

Xu Qing as well.

But—

Du Man knew she wasn’t just the Xu family’s daughter-in-law.

She was also the Du family’s daughter!

Ah!

Du Man couldn’t hold back.

She fell onto the bed, sobbing.

Her cries made Xu Fei, already at the door, pause.

He glanced back into the room.

“Alas!”

Xu Fei knew all too well how difficult this was for Du Man.

Perhaps it was best.

Let her cry at home.

Xu Fei, with Xu Qing, walked toward the Du family home.

By the time the siblings arrived, the gate was firmly shut.

Xu Qing picked up a stone from the roadside.

“What are you doing?” Xu Fei asked.

“We can’t let ourselves be bullied again, can we?” Xu Qing adjusted the stone in her hand, ready to retaliate if they tried anything.

“Put it down!” Xu Fei’s voice was icy.

“Why?” Xu Qing was baffled.

“Why? We’re here for an explanation. Must every problem be solved with violence?”

Xu Fei’s words made Xu Qing scoff.

“Xu Fei, I thought bringing you would give our Xu family some dignity. Look at what you’re saying. If we don’t fight back, are we to let them keep striking us?”

Xu Qing threw the stone aside, unwillingly, and turned away.

“Fine. Just don’t speak later; I’ll handle it.”

Xu Fei stepped forward and knocked on the door.

“Who’s there?” Du Ying’s voice came from the courtyard.

“It’s me, Xu Fei.”

Du Ying clearly wasn’t expecting him, but snorted coldly.

“Xu Fei, huh. Why are you here? The Du family doesn’t welcome anyone from the Xu family.”

Xu Fei replied, “Big brother, open the door. We need to resolve this. You wouldn’t want me knocking all night, would you?”

Du Ying actually believed Xu Fei capable of that.

He had no choice but to pinch his nose and head to the door. When he opened it, he glared at Xu Fei. “What do you want? I’m telling you, there’s nothing to discuss. Got it?”

Xu Fei ignored him.

He strode straight into the courtyard.

Xu Qing followed.

“Hey, what are you doing?” Du Ying called after them.

Xu Fei had already reached the house.

“Are all you Xus like this? No manners at all. My mother was right—you Xu family people have no upbringing.”

Xu Fei opened the door, paying no heed to Du Ying’s words.

Once inside,

From upstairs,

Father Du and Mother Du descended.

“Xu Fei,” Father Du greeted with some composure.

He smiled faintly and pointed to the sofa in the living room.

“Sit down.”

Mother Du shot a sidelong glance at Xu Fei—and at Xu Qing, who glared back at her.

Xu Fei made himself comfortable on the sofa.

Xu Qing stood behind, arms folded, her expression brimming with anger.

Du Ying entered the living room.

“Dad, he—” he started.

Father Du waved him off, then took the main seat.

Du Ying sat beside him, head turned, refusing to look at Xu Fei.

“Xu Fei, why are you here today?” Father Du got straight to the point.

Xu Fei didn’t beat around the bush.

He glanced at the angry Mother Du,

And at his brother-in-law, who wouldn’t meet his eyes.

“Dad, I’m here today about your family members slapping my sister Xu Qing twice.”

“What do you mean by that?” Mother Du protested.

She pointed at Xu Fei. “You come asking about this, but what about your sister pushing me down? How do you account for that?”

“Exactly,” Du Ying sat upright, pointing at Xu Fei. “My mother, at her age, was shoved to the ground. Her waist still aches! I haven’t gone after you about it, and now you come to me? Fine, let’s settle this!”

Xu Fei listened to them.

Then spoke calmly, “My sister says you insulted her first. Is that true?”

He looked at Mother Du.

“Mom, is that what happened?”

Mother Du hesitated.

“No, absolutely not!”

She lied in front of Xu Qing.

Xu Qing wouldn’t tolerate it.

“Hey, what did you say? You’re denying it now? Don’t forget, my sister-in-law was there too.”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about!” Mother Du flatly denied it.

Du Ying pointed at Xu Qing, “Enough. Look at you Xu family people. Xu Fei, the way she speaks to my mother—this is your family’s upbringing? Born with a mother but raised without one!”

As soon as his words left his mouth,

Bang!

Xu Fei slammed his palm down hard on the table.

“Shut your mouth!”