Max Level Return—I'll Protect That Fragile One

Xu Xingguang, wrapped in a bathrobe, sat on the bay window applying body lotion, unaware of how such a scene appeared in the eyes of Huo Wen’an, a charming and alluring sight.

Huo Wen’an exerted his greatest self-control to divert his attention away from Xu Xingguang, staring at the landscape painting on the wall, trying to count how many little saplings were in it.

By the window, Xu Xingguang said in a deep voice, "I’ve lived ten lifetimes, encountered many who wore human skin and called me brother, only to stab me when it mattered most."

"I told you before, in the first reincarnation, I was male. During that time, I had a brother who grew up with me. We ventured from a remote small town into the bustling big city. We competed everywhere, building fame, trying to make a name for ourselves."

"Throughout those years, he stayed by my side. I drank with him through his heartbreak, mourned with him through his parents’ deaths, and when he got into a car accident, I abandoned the competition to go to the emergency room to pray for him."

"When he was critically ill, and the hospital issued a critical notice, I signed the consent form for him. Although we weren’t blood brothers, our bond was deeper than that of actual siblings. I treated him as the most trustworthy person."

"But he, during his first global culinary competition, took one million from the opponent and sold me out. I remember clearly, that day I was to make a stew, which required saffron. Yet he prepared the saffron tainted with poison for me."

"That pot of soup poisoned all the judges, and I, therefore, was imprisoned, banned from competing."

Huo Wen’an no longer had the mood to count saplings.

He turned to look at Xu Xingguang on the bay window, seeing her expression calm, he couldn’t help but ask, "How long were you imprisoned?"

She said, "Five years."

"The year I was imprisoned, I was 22 years old; the year I was released, I was 27 years old."

"Then later, how did you get through it?" Huo Wen’an felt heartache for Xu Xingguang of that lifetime.

Xu Xingguang said, "I’ve forgotten how I got through it, but after that incident, I realized one truth. Anyone, even your closest kin, can become the traitor who stabs you."

She tilted her head to gaze at Huo Wen’an, calmly saying, "Huo Wen’an, even you could betray me."

Huo Wen’an parted his lips, wanting to say he would never treat her like that.

But thinking about how Xu Xingguang lived ten lifetimes, the experiences and perceptions she underwent far surpassed his own. She could speak such words, making it clear that she had spent endless time verifying this truth.

His promises and vows, in the face of Xu Xingguang’s experiences, had no weight.

Huo Wen’an felt somewhat defeated inside, but more so was his heartache for Xu Xingguang.

She was forced into endless reincarnation, repeatedly experiencing the process from birth to death, unable to control her own life and death, unable to choose her gender, and seeing no end.

How did she get through it?

If it were him, could he manage?

Possibly, when betrayed and stabbed in the first lifetime, he would completely blacken, plunging deeper into the abyss.

The world consciousness chose Xu Xingguang for a reason after all.

"Xingguang. Knowing that even I might betray you, why do you dare to open your heart to me?"

Xu Xingguang laughed, she said, "I have been betrayed by those closest to me, but I have also been protected by people who would give their lives. Huo Wen’an, maybe you will betray me, but you might also risk your life to protect me."

"If, because of my past experiences, I dare not trust you, to love you, how unfair is that to you. Huo Wen’an, only the weak dare not speak of love." And she is a warrior.

Huo Wen’an gazed at her blankly, thinking that in this moment, Xu Xingguang was truly captivating.

"Zhang Zhiyi is my senior, she has been kind to me, of course, I should treat her sincerely. But when we notice her anomalies, we mustn’t hesitate."

Xu Xingguang coldly and clearly said, "If you love someone, you trust them; if you use someone, you trust them. But if you notice something wrong with someone around you, you must eliminate it completely." Because any grass not thoroughly uprooted could trip you.

Seeing Xu Xingguang being aware, Huo Wen’an was relieved. He asked Xu Xingguang, "You have known Zhang Zhiyi for so many years, have you ever noticed anything odd about her?"

Shaking her head, Xu Xingguang said, "I was unconscious for three years, after waking up, I had little memory of many things in real life. If not for Senior actively contacting me, I would have nearly forgotten her existence."

Xu Xingguang stood up and left the bay window, lighting incense, she said to Huo Wen’an, "I lit An Shen Wood incense, you should rest for a while, we have a busy night ahead."

Huo Wen’an stared at the burning incense, frowned, and said, "You wouldn’t be trying to coax me to sleep, then head to the psychiatric hospital alone, would you? Xu Xingguang, don’t make me angry."

He didn’t want to be the little bunny behind Xu Xingguang.

"What are you thinking? You’re just ill, not incapacitated, not to the point of being useless. Rest assured, I will wake you on time."

With her words, Huo Wen’an then rested assuredly and fell asleep.

Xu Xingguang, however, couldn’t sleep.

She sat alone in the study, found a blank sheet, and wrote down all she remembered related to Zhang Zhiyi—

Zhang Zhiyi, orphaned at age 15, oppressed by relatives, nearly dropped out, later received mother’s help, successfully completed high school.

At 18, she was admitted to the International Language Department of Yujiang University, meeting her mother for the first time, the two hit it off, becoming teacher and student.

At 21, she participated in the International Student Diplomatic Model United Nations event, eloquently attacking various arguments, becoming famous in one battle, successfully attracting Xiahou Shang’s attention.

At 22, she graduated university, entered the Xia Country Alliance Government directly, becoming the translator for the former Yujiang City City Lord. Same year, wed Xiahou Shang.

Earlier last year, she was promoted to the designated translator for the Presidential Order of the Alliance Government. It can be said that all confidential international documents must pass through Zhang Zhiyi’s hands.

Her importance to the Alliance Government is no less than Jin Yunhai.

Writing up to this point, Xu Xingguang suddenly realized Zhang Zhiyi’s life has indeed been smooth sailing.

Her parents died, and someone sponsored her education.

She went to college and met Xiahou Shang, who comes from a distinguished family. Despite her lowly background, she soared to become the most prestigious City Lord’s Wife of Yujiang City, and has now become the confidant beside the president.

If she were to write a novel about it, it would be a headstrong female protagonist’s satisfying tale.

She played the worst hand of cards and achieved the best ending.

Putting down the pen, staring at the text on the paper, Xu Xingguang felt exceptionally heavy-hearted. If Zhang Zhiyi really had issues, she would indeed be a huge trouble.

She knows too much.

A sudden sound of footsteps came from the stairwell, Xu Xingguang looked outside.

"Song Chi?" Xu Xingguang got up holding that sheet of paper, walked to the shredder.

After shredding the papers completely, Xu Xingguang then said to Song Chi, "Come in and talk."

Song Chi didn’t come in, he stood in the hallway outside the study, asking Xu Xingguang, "Boss, do you and uncle have something arranged for tonight?" Ever since figuring out the identities, Song Chi forced himself to change how he addresses Huo Wen’an to uncle.

Xu Xingguang was somewhat surprised, didn’t expect Song Chi’s sensing power to be this keen, "Why do you think so?"

Song Chi said, "Just a hunch."

As the ace assassin of Rashomon Organization, Song Chi naturally has a keen sensing power toward conspiracies and schemes.

Xu Xingguang didn’t hide it from him, she said, "Your uncle and I are visiting the mental asylum tonight."

Song Chi pressed his lips together, he said, "Let me go with you." Afraid that Xu Xingguang would decline, Song Chi volunteered, "I’m quite capable, not comparable to the boss, but much better than the average person. I can go and stand guard for you."

Song Chi’s candidness made it impossible for Xu Xingguang not to agree, "Alright, then you can stand guard outside." Indeed, they needed someone to assist outside.

At this moment, someone else came upstairs, it was Zheng Lie who should’ve been asleep in Huo Wen’an’s building.

Zheng Lie saw Song Chi hadn’t slept yet, seemed to be discussing serious matters with Xu Xingguang, he hesitated and said, "You guys talk first, I’ll come back later."

Xu Xingguang directly called him over, "Zheng Lie, do you need me for something?"

Zheng Lie glanced at Song Chi, seeing Xu Xingguang didn’t intend to make Song Chi avoid, he just then walked beside Song Chi, straightforwardly asked Xu Xingguang, "Miss Xu, do you and the Pilot have other plans tonight?"

Xu Xingguang: "..."

"Coincidentally, Song Chi just asked me the same question." Xu Xingguang curiously looked at him, "How did you figure it?"

Zheng Lie said, "The Young Helmsman ate a bit more tonight, I suspect he has other activities arranged."

"That’s all?" Xu Xingguang felt a bit incredulous. Even a palace manager wouldn’t know the emperor this well.

"Alright then, you two will go with us tonight."

Zheng Lie was delighted, he said, "What time do we leave, I’ll prepare."

"Two o’clock."

"Got it."

At 2 AM, Xu Xingguang promptly woke up Huo Wen’an, the four dressed in black, led by Huo Wen’an, passed through the farmland path at the foot of Cangshan, in just over twenty minutes, they arrived at the town’s entrance.

The four stood amidst nearly ripe paddy fields, Huo Wen’an pointed at the buildings on the hillside, he said, "That’s the mental asylum, let’s climb over the wall."

"Okay."

As it is a mental asylum, it holds mentally disturbed patients, the walls are a few dozen centimeters higher than ordinary hospitals, but such height poses no difficulty for Zheng Lie and Song Chi.

Song Chi had personally witnessed Xu Xingguang’s extraordinary combat prowess at the Underground Beast Fighting Arena, he knew this wall height was no obstacle for Xu Xingguang. Through darknet videos, Zheng Lie also witnessed Xu Xingguang’s fighting performance, thus was not worried about her.

His greater concern was for Huo Wen’an whose illness had just recovered but body not fully recuperated.

Zheng Lie suddenly crouched at the corner of the wall, said to Huo Wen’an, "Pilot, step on my shoulder to go up."

Huo Wen’an: "..."

Xu Xingguang chuckled softly, asked Huo Wen’an, "Brother A Zui, how about I carry you up?"

Huo Wen’an’s face nearly blended with the pitch-black night.

"Get out!"

He took slight steps back, bent like a leopard, lightly tapped the wall with his toes, successfully and easily flipped over.

Observing, Zheng Lie touched his nose, said, "Miss Xu, please go first."

Xu Xingguang imitated Huo Wen’an, also effortlessly leaped over the tall wall.