Max Level Return—I'll Protect That Fragile One

Seeing that Huo Wen’an was genuinely too exhausted to continue, Ye Mingluo sensibly refrained from teasing him further.

Kidding should genuinely amuse people; that’s a joke.

Sprinkling salt on one’s self-esteem isn’t joking, it’s just despicable. "How about we take a break here?" Ye Mingluo subtly suggested on behalf of Huo Wen’an, saying, "The path looks increasingly rugged, and we’ve been walking for hours. Let’s rest awhile, recharge, and then set off again for better efficiency."

Huo Wen’an looked up at Ye Mingluo.

He thought: I should treat Ye Mingluo better in the future.

After all, it’s Brother Mingluo who gave him candy since childhood.

Nodding, Xu Xingguang said, "Over this mountain is an iron lock bridge. That bridge hasn’t been maintained for years, and crossing it at night isn’t safe. Let’s rest here and cross when daylight comes."

Huo Wen’an felt warm inside listening to this.

His wife and brothers are truly good people.

"Song Chi, find a high flat spot for the tents." Xu Xingguang assigned the task to Song Chi.

"Okay."

With rich expertise in outdoor survival, Song Chi soon found an elevated and flat area nearby and pitched two tents. Xu Xingguang and Huo Wen’an shared one tent, while Ye Mingluo and Zheng Lie shared the other one.

Exhausted from the journey, Huo Wen’an slept deeply, unusually beginning to snore lightly. Xu Xingguang used earplugs to block the noise and barely managed to sleep.

The next morning, the group gathered in a circle eating bread, and Xu Xingguang suddenly said to Huo Wen, "If you snore again, you’ll have to sleep in a separate room from me."

Upon hearing this, Huo Wen’an was bewildered, while Zheng Lie and the others showed amused expressions.

"I snore?" Huo Wen’an was incredulous; he was always vigilant while sleeping, able to wake at the slightest disturbance. Otherwise, he would have been assassinated during the three years he was kept like a Combat Doll.

"Yes."

Song Chi raised his right hand, "I testify, Uncle, you indeed snored last night."

Zheng Lie also silently raised his right hand.

Only Ye Mingluo, who slept like a log, didn’t hear any movements from the neighboring tent.

Huo Wen’an was a bit taken aback, taking a bite of the soft bread, he replied without changing his expression, "It must be because I was sleeping next to the person I trust and care about the most, so I let my guard down."

Xu Xingguang clicked her tongue, eyeing the honey juice on Huo Wen’an’s bread, she said, "No wonder your mouth is so sweet, you’ve had honey jam this morning."

Huo Wen’an was amused and exasperated.

After breakfast, the five continued their journey and soon reached the mountaintop.

Standing on the wide-open mountaintop, Xu Xingguang looked down at the iron chain bridge between the two mountains, pointing to a grassy spot by the bridge piers, she said, "That’s where my grandfather used to fish years ago and accidentally fell into the river and disappeared."

Everyone followed Xu Xingguang’s direction, and indeed, the spot seems perfect for fishing. However, although the river below isn’t wide, its waters are deep, appearing dark green.

Huo Wen’an said, "Dark water means deep abyss, beneath is a deep pool with no visible bottom. If an elderly person fell in, it would indeed be difficult to climb out. Moreover, even though the river is narrow, the slopes on both sides are steep, making it hard to find a place to climb back up."

Huo Wen’an concluded, "If grandfather really fell in, he probably met his end here."

Xu Xingguang nodded, with a cold, solemn look she sighed, "I actually hope he fell in rather than being taken away by someone else."

"Let’s go, down the mountain, cross the bridge, and beyond that mountain is where my grandfather lived."

Descending the mountain was noticeably quicker, and nearing the iron lock bridge, they saw most of the iron sheets laid on the bridge were rusted and decayed, under which crossing wasn’t advisable.

But this was the only way through.

Song Chi pulled a safety rope from his bag, fastening the safety belt around his waist, and handed the other end to Xu Xingguang. "Boss, I’ll go first to test it."

Xu Xingguang tied the rope to the concrete bridge pier, shook several peppermint candies from a tin container, and distributed one to each person.

She also had one.

Without hesitation, Song Chi carefully crossed the iron lock bridge and successfully reached the opposite side, then untied the safety rope and threw it back to Xu Xingguang and the others.

Taking the safety harness in hand, Xu Xingguang handed it to Ye Mingluo, "Ye Mingluo, you first, Brother A Zui second, Zheng Lie third, I’ll be last."

Being last is often the most dangerous.

"I’ll go last." Huo Wen’an suggested swapping places with Xu Xingguang.