Chapter 44: Like Strangers

Xu Feng’s departure seemed to have brought little change to the Feng household; at the very least, the daily routines of the others remained untouched, and it is likely that the vast majority of them were not even aware he had left.

"I have kept your courtyard in the house for you. You are welcome to come back and visit whenever you wish."

Upon reaching the entrance, Feng Yumian spoke up. The expression on her face was clearly sincere, and Xu Feng was surprised that the young girl would go so far.

"Thank you, but it is unnecessary. This is likely the last time I will ever return. If you wish to see me, you can simply come find me."

A good horse does not turn back to graze on the grass it has already passed; having once been drenched in the rain, why would Xu Feng ever step back into the downpour?

Just as the two were about to enter, they bumped into Zuo Jincheng, who was walking out of the Feng residence. He seemed to be in high spirits, humming an unrecognizable tune as he stepped out. He did not mock Xu Feng as he had in the past upon seeing him; he merely cast a playful, mocking glance his way before turning and walking off. It was unclear what scheme the man was brewing.

"Is something wrong with his head? Why is he grinning at me like an idiot?"

"Ever since you left, that fellow has been shameless enough to move into the Feng house. We can’t drive him away, and I have no idea what my father is thinking. I don’t want to see him at all, but unfortunately, my words carry no weight here," Feng Yumian said, looking at Zuo Jincheng’s retreating back with disgust. She had loathed him from the very beginning.

Xu Feng did not dwell on it. As long as the man was not plotting against him, he had no intention of paying him any heed. With his current strength, he no longer had any reason to fear Zuo Jincheng. If the man truly lacked self-awareness and dared to provoke him, he would not mind teaching him a lesson he would never forget.

"Heh, that waste is finally leaving the Feng family. Eventually, this vast family fortune will bear the surname Zuo. If I can also secure this merit, my future will be bright indeed."

Zuo Jincheng had just learned from Feng Yuzhi that the Matriarch intended to preside over her divorce from Xu Feng that day, which was the source of his good mood. He had been coveting the Feng family assets for a long time. Unfortunately, he had been a step too late; under the Matriarch’s insistence, Feng Yuzhi had married Xu Feng, but fortunately, it had not ruined his plans.

...

Feng Yumian led Xu Feng all the way to the main hall.

The Matriarch had rarely left her bed, but she was dressed in formal attire today, looking quite solemn. Beside her stood Master Feng and Feng Yuzhi, both standing with reserved postures. Upon seeing Xu Feng, no one greeted him, and Feng Yuzhi turned her face away with disdain, as if she could not be bothered to look at him.

Xu Feng cared little for what the father and daughter were thinking; he had come primarily to show respect to the Matriarch.

"Greetings, Matriarch."

"Quickly, rise. No need for such formalities. It is our Feng family that has failed you, causing you such grievances. I am at fault; I have no face to meet our ancestors."

Regardless of anything else, the Matriarch was an elder, and she had treated him with genuine kindness. How could Xu Feng let her apologize to him? Before she could stand, he hurriedly helped her back into her seat.

"Please, Matriarch, sit. These were our own choices, and they cannot be blamed on you. Do not shame this junior."

"Hmph, putting on an act."

As they spoke, Feng Yuzhi muttered to herself nearby. She remained deeply dissatisfied with Xu Feng’s unannounced departure; in her view, if anyone was to leave, it should have been her sweeping him out the door. Leaving like this made it seem as though she were the one being abandoned.

Xu Feng pretended to hear nothing. He did not want any open confrontation with her. Things had reached this point, and there was no possibility of repairing their relationship; there was no need to engage in petty verbal sparring, as it would only cause unnecessary unpleasantness.

"May I ask, Matriarch, if there is a reason you had the Second Young Lady bring me here?"

Xu Feng’s greatest fear was that the Matriarch still held onto hope and would attempt to reconcile him and Feng Yuzhi as she had before. On one hand, he did not want to make things difficult for her, but on the other, he truly did not want to step back into this quagmire.

Fortunately, this time, the Matriarch did not mention that he and Feng Yuzhi should try to live well together.

"Xu Feng, I know your heart is set on leaving, so this time I will not stop you. I brought you here today mainly to use my aging face to preside over your divorce."

After saying this, the Matriarch seemed to deflate, losing all the spirit she had possessed just moments before. She dared not imagine what would become of the Feng family after she was gone. Perhaps this was fate; the will of heaven could not be defied.

"I have caused you trouble, Matriarch. It should not have come to this."

Ultimately, the grievances were between him and the rest of the Feng family; the Matriarch had little to do with it.

"Your marriage was something I presided over, and it is the Feng family that has wronged you. While I am still clear-headed, let us settle this cleanly. Upon the divorce, the Feng family will compensate you with a residence and five thousand taels of silver."

"Additionally, take the slave contract of that girl, Dong'er, with you. I dare not make any demands of you, only hoping that you will not hold a grudge against the Feng family."

The Matriarch knew better than anyone that once the divorce was finalized, the goodwill accumulated by their ancestors would be severed forever. She would no longer ask Xu Feng to support the Feng family, as that would only make things difficult for him. As for the future of the Feng family, she would have to leave it to fate.

"What I am most worried about is the girl, Yumian. She has been spoiled by the family, and I fear she will cause much trouble in the future."

The Matriarch held Xu Feng’s hand as if they were just chatting, but Xu Feng knew that these words were meant as a final entrustment.

"Do not worry, Grandmother. Within my capabilities, I will look after the Second Young Lady."

Unlike Feng Yuzhi, Xu Feng did not particularly dislike Feng Yumian. If such a day ever came, it would be no trouble to lend her a hand.

Hearing Xu Feng still willing to address her as Grandmother, the Matriarch smiled broadly. She knew she had not misjudged the man; it was simply that the Feng family lacked the fortune to keep him.

Once the conversation concluded, Feng Yuzhi placed the divorce papers before Xu Feng. She intended to say something more, but Xu Feng gave her no chance, decisively picking up the brush to sign his name.

Feng Yuzhi was furious but remained silent, signing her own name on the other side. The divorce papers still needed to be filed with the local authorities, but once signed, they were effectively strangers. This piece of paper had not been of much use to Xu Feng; it had felt more like a shackle binding him. Now that he had severed it with his own hand, he felt an immense sense of relief.

"You are so eager to leave the Feng family. As for that Red Lotus, I suspect she is just a mistress you’ve been keeping on the side, isn't she?"

"The path was chosen by you. No one forced you this time."

Xu Feng’s reply seemed completely off-topic, and Feng Yuzhi did not understand the true meaning of his words.