Max Level Return—I'll Protect That Fragile One

At this moment, Ying Jinqiao, who was standing at the gate with his father and several uncles to greet the guests, also noticed Huo Wen’an and his entourage.

"Father, uncles, Captain Huo and the distinguished guests have arrived."

Upon hearing this, Old Madam Ying’s children all smiled warmly and approached to welcome Huo Wen’an enthusiastically. "It’s an honor to have you, Captain Huo. We apologize for not greeting you sooner and hope you, Lord of the Medicine Farmer Star, and Doctor Ye will forgive us!"

Huo Wen’an, who naturally looked frail and sickly, exchanged pleasantries with them in a leisurely manner.

Ying Jinqiao and his father personally accompanied Huo Wen’an and his entourage into the house, while the other uncles stayed outside to continue greeting guests. Upon entering the courtyard and passing through the second courtyard, they finally saw the main hall adorned with red lanterns.

An elderly lady with white hair, dressed in a maroon Tang suit, sat gracefully in a Taishi Chair. Below her sat many distinguished individuals of high status.

Among them, Xu Xingguang saw Jin Yunhai.

Jin Yunhai’s presence here represented the Xia Country Alliance Government.

Jin Yunhai glanced at them and then withdrew his gaze.

Leading in the front, Huo Wen’an brought Xu Xingguang along and nodded slightly to the kind-looking yet dignified lady of the house, congratulating her loudly, "Huo Wen’an of Huo’s consortium, on behalf of all the elders and juniors of Huo Family, wishes Old Madam Ying a long life!"

After Huo Wen’an spoke, Zheng Lie stepped forward from behind holding a square box. He bent down to present it to the old lady, and the butler standing by her side opened the lid.

Inside, there was a precious piece of Deep Sea Natural Red Coral, with the top remarkably resembling a peach.

"This is a Deep Sea Natural Red Coral, discovered by the villagers of Siwei Town on Divine Concealment Island, in a trench 2,300 meters under the sea, sixty years ago. Because it resembles a peach, it has been named Deep Sea Peach."

"Twelve years ago, the town mayor of Siwei Town gave the Deep Sea Peach to my father to celebrate his eightieth birthday. Now, twelve years later, my father is still in good health, so this may indeed be a blessed object."

"Since my father is of an advanced age and would have trouble with long travels, I have come to celebrate the old lady’s birthday on his behalf, wishing that the old lady would enjoy longevity and health like this Deep Sea Peach!"

Xu Xingguang quietly listened to Huo Wen’an finish his birthday speech.

Huo Wen’an is a man who dislikes trouble and is laid back, so he hadn’t prepared a single word of congratulatory speech beforehand. Xu Xingguang, displeased with his laziness, wrote this speech herself and made him memorize it.

Hearing him recite it without mistakes, Xu Xingguang lowered her head and smiled gently.

Huo Wen’an’s speech was elegantly delivered, and the gift was sincerely chosen, making Old Madam Ying’s face break into a smile full of wrinkles.

She laughed heartily and praised Huo Wen’an, "I heard a few days ago that Huo Canghai, the old friend, was fortunate enough to find his youngest son, and that Wen’an the virtuous nephew’s serious illness had been cured. This indeed is double happiness!"

"Wen’an, my virtuous nephew, you truly surpass your father by far! Under your leadership, Huo’s consortium will certainly sail into a boundless sea!"

Touching the red coral, Old Madam Ying said meaningfully, "This Deep Sea Peach is indeed an auspicious object!"

With just a few words, Old Madam Ying revealed all the recent major events on Divine Concealment Island.

She seemingly praised Huo Wen’an for his character and was genuinely happy for Huo Canghai’s reunion with his son.

In reality, she was conveying a message to him——

No matter how tightly you guard Divine Concealment Island, every move on the island doesn’t escape the Ying family’s eyes!

Throughout, Huo Wen’an maintained a calm smile and acted as if he hadn’t caught Old Madam Ying’s deeper meaning. He brought Xu Xingguang standing behind him forward. "Old lady, this is my fiancée, Xu Xingguang, the one who helped cure my serious illness and known as the Lord of the Medicine Farmer Star."

Old Madam Ying looked at Xu Xingguang, smiling like a cunning old fox.

Old Madam Ying said, "Recently, I heard that a remarkable doctor named Lord of the Medicine Farmer Star emerged in Xia Country. At that time, I thought, if there’s a chance, I must see them in person."

Old Madam Ying beamed as she observed Xu Xingguang, suddenly asking, "Miss Xu, you look very young, how old are you this year?"

"Replying to the old lady, Xingguang is about to turn 22."

"22 years old, is it."

Upon hearing this answer, not only was Old Madam Ying taken aback, but the distinguished guests in the main hall also displayed expressions of disbelief.

"Truly, heroes emerge young!"

Noticing Xu Xingguang holding a food box in her hand, Old Madam Ying curiously asked, "Miss Xu, what do you have in your hand? Is it a birthday gift prepared for this old lady here?"

Xu Xingguang smiled softly and said, "I heard from Sister Weak Weak that the old lady has no other hobbies but enjoys tasting delicious food. Xingguang doesn’t have any presentable gifts, so I personally made a dessert for the old lady."

Old Madam Ying didn’t ask who ’Sister Weak Weak’ was.

Xu Xingguang opened the box and said to the butler, "Please, could the butler help me with two bowls?"

The butler immediately signaled the servants to bring the bowls over.

Xu Xingguang took a bowl, scooped a small spoonful from the food box, and placed it in her own bowl. Holding the bowl in her left hand and the spoon in her right, she said to the Old Madam, "Let me taste it first for you, Old Madam, to see if this snack is still warm. You should not eat cold food at your age."

Upon hearing this, Old Madam Ying praised her, "What a considerate and sensible child."

Everyone knew that when Xu Xingguang said she was checking the temperature of the porridge, her real intention was to test for poison.

She elegantly drank that small half bowl of porridge, covered the food box again, and said to the Old Madam, "It’s quite hot, if you’re not hungry right now, perhaps you should wait a bit before trying it."

The so-called wait was to give Xu Xingguang some time to test if the porridge was truly non-toxic.

If it were poisoned, Xu Xingguang would show signs of poisoning.

This scene orchestrated by Xu Xingguang was flawless.

Old Madam Ying witnessed Xu Xingguang’s series of performances and praised her in her heart.

She said to Huo Wen’an, "Wen An, my virtuous nephew, wherever did you find such a gem; so smart and attentive." Cunning and meticulous in her actions, she is truly an excellent candidate to become the family matriarch.

Huo Wen’an smiled proudly, holding Xu Xingguang’s hand, he marveled, "All my life’s suffering was merely preparation to meet her."

Upon hearing this, Old Madam Ying laughed heartily, looking at all the noble guests, and said, "Everyone, take a look, our Captain Huo, just like his father, is also a man of deep feelings!"

Everyone laughed along.

"Wen An, my virtuous nephew, not all the guests have arrived yet. Why don’t you and Miss Xu sit on the side for a while?"

"Alright."

Huo Wen’an led Xu Xingguang to sit beside Jin Yunhai, while Ye Mingluo, Cheng Yue, and Zheng Lie went ahead to the main banquet hall.

They sat there for more than half an hour.

When most of the guests had arrived, Ying Jinqiao and his son had the butler inform the kitchen that the feast could begin. At this moment, Old Madam Ying suddenly said, "Bring me a bowl of the snack Miss Xu made for me to taste."

Today, those who sent snacks and delicacies for Old Madam Ying were too numerous to count, with many even having top chefs from national banquets personally prepare them.

Yet, Old Madam Ying, though accepting these with a smile, did not touch them at all.

Only Xu Xingguang’s snack won her appreciation.

In the end, it was Xu Xingguang’s willingness to test for poison herself that earned Old Madam Ying’s sincerity.

Old Madam Ying mentioned tasting Xu Xingguang’s porridge just to show her some favor. Yet, upon actually tasting it, her eyes lit up, she exclaimed with surprise, "This porridge is more fragrant and tender than ordinary crispy rice porridge, and these little red fruits in it, are they..."

Old Madam Ying’s eyes widened in disbelief, "Are these Longevity Fruits?"

Longevity Fruits are precious medicinal materials in the Ying Family, and Old Madam Ying would only have a few added to her food when she was unwell.

Yet, in the porridge Xu Xingguang gave her, there were more than ten Longevity Fruits.

This little girl is truly generous.

Xu Xingguang smiled and nodded, "Yes, these are Longevity Fruits, today is the Old Madam’s 90th birthday, it’s fitting to have Longevity Fruits."

Old Madam Ying couldn’t stop eating and finished the entire bowl of porridge; not only did she not feel full, but her stomach felt warm. Putting down the porridge, she proactively said, "You mentioned Ying Ruoruo earlier, this Ying Ruoruo you spoke of, could he be from the Ying Family branch in Capital City that’s engaged in business?"

Hearing this, Xu Xingguang knew that Old Madam Ying was someone who got the hint.

A real old fox indeed.

"Yes, from that Ying Family." Xu Xingguang mentioned offhandedly, "Although their family is in business, her son is quite a smart child. He’s been interested in traditional Chinese medicine from a young age, and even as a child, he can easily identify various herbs."

"Such a smart child, if nurtured by Old Madam’s side, he would definitely have a bright future."

Everyone could tell that Xu Xingguang was recommending that child to the Old Madam. However, the Old Madam was known for being impervious, not necessarily giving face to Xu Xingguang.

But this time, Old Madam Ying nodded and said, "In that case, I must meet and test the child to see if he is truly as talented as you say."

Xu Xingguang subtly flattered her, "Old Madam’s love for talent is truly admirable."

Old Madam Ying’s smile deepened.

Huo Wen’an’s fiancée is indeed a cunning little fox.

As an old fox, Old Madam Ying appreciates such daring, resourceful, and talented little foxes.

Jin Yunhai and the others found it incredible that Xu Xingguang managed to win over Old Madam Ying with just a bowl of porridge. But Huo Wen’an was extremely proud, holding Xu Xingguang’s fingertips, he whispered to her, "Well done, Xu Xingguang."