Max Level Return—I'll Protect That Fragile One

But the play must go on.

Xu Xingguang also burst into tears, crying more genuinely than Xu Zeqing.

Xu Xingguang pressed her forehead against Xu Zeqing’s shoulder, gripping his hair tightly, sobbing, ”I don’t have a mom anymore, I don’t want to lose my dad too. Dad, I’ve forgiven you, I really have.”

Upon hearing this, Xu Zeqing let out a sigh of relief and promised, ”From now on, Dad will be your strongest support, and won’t allow anyone to hurt you!”

”...Okay.”

After a while, Xu Zeqing let go of Xu Xingguang. He wiped his tears awkwardly with his sleeve and said softly while leaning at the foot of the bed, ”Your Aunt You is indeed not a forgiving or kind woman, and she can’t treat you equally, but she is a good mother and a good wife.”

”The relationship between her and me can’t be considered deep, just getting by together. The one I love the most is always your mom.” Xu Zeqing patted Xu Xingguang’s hand and said, ”Dad is still young, and you will get married in the future, so Dad needs someone to accompany me.”

This is a commonplace excuse among many men.

Xu Xingguang remained silent.

Xu Zeqing knew she couldn’t let go of this matter, nor could she accept the existence of You Jingqiu and her brood, nor was he in a rush to change this stalemate in a short time.

Xu Zeqing squeezed Xu Xingguang’s hand worryingly and asked, ”Xingguang, were the things you said downstairs before just in anger?”

Xu Xingguang nodded and said, ”Of course, it was just anger. I never seduced Chu Zimu, nor would I seduce You Jiaoyang.”

”That’s good.” Xu Zeqing said earnestly, ”There’s something I haven’t told you yet. Ming Yue and Jiaoyang’s household registrations have been transferred to our home, so you are siblings in name, and he is your brother. Jiaoyang is indeed a very nice kid, but he is your brother in name, so don’t do anything reckless!”

Xu Xingguang listened to Xu Zeqing’s advice, nodded, and said, ”I understand.”

”As long as you understand.” Xu Zeqing looked at his watch and then said, ”It’s almost eleven o’clock, your body just recovered, you should rest well, Dad won’t bother you anymore.”

”I’ll see you off.”

After seeing Xu Zeqing out of the room, Xu Xingguang’s tear-stained eyes suddenly became clear and cold.

Ha.

When it comes to acting, who can’t do it?

It turns out Xu Zeqing accompanied her in such a big father-daughter emotional act tonight just to lay the groundwork for those last few words. He was afraid that she and You Jiaoyang would develop feelings beyond sibling affection.

Why?

Xu Zeqing transferred the household registrations of You Jingqiu’s two children to his name, which means he allowed that pair of siblings to share his property.

Xu Zeqing, being so selfish and self-interested, how could he be willing to hand over his property to others?

At the thought of You Jiaoyang’s face, which bears some resemblance to Xu Zeqing’s younger self, Xu Xingguang’s eyes turned dark and fierce.

She spread her palm open, and there were a few strands of short black hair tangled on her fingertips.

They were pulled from Xu Zeqing’s head when she pretended to embrace him earlier.

Whether the truth is as she thinks, will soon be revealed.

After last night’s heart-to-heart talk, the atmosphere between father and daughter became noticeably more intimate the next day.

Xu Xingguang got up early on purpose and went to the kitchen herself to make a bowl of beef rice noodles. The rice noodles smelled fragrant and savory, even more than the dishes made by the maid auntie.

You Jingqiu and her family were eating the bland breakfast made by the maid auntie, but their eyes were on the tempting noodles in Xu Zeqing’s bowl, unable to enjoy their meal.

Xu Zeqing commented with a smile, ”Our Xingguang’s cooking has really improved greatly. The noodles taste quite good.”

Xu Xingguang came out of the kitchen, holding a small bowl, and said, ”Dad, enjoy your meal, I’m going to Grandpa’s room now.”

”Okay.”

Seeing Xu Xingguang heading to the elder’s room, Xu Zeqing added, ”Truly a good, filial child.”

Hearing this, the expressions of the three people at the table varied.

You Mingyue thought Xu Xingguang was truly an expert at pretending, pretending to be filial and virtuous.

You Jingqiu, on the other hand, couldn’t stand Xu Zeqing’s constant praise of Xu Xingguang while ignoring her own two children.

You Jiaoyang stared at the noodles in Xu Zeqing’s bowl, wondering if there was more in the pot, as he also wanted to taste some.

When Xu Xingguang brought the rice noodles into the elder’s room, Xu Qingnian was already awake, staring at Xu Xingguang with a flushed face and an uneasy expression.

Seeing the elder’s hands tightly clutching the bedsheet, Xu Xingguang instantly guessed, ”Do you need to use the toilet, Grandpa?”

Xu Qingnian remained silent, it was his pride at work.

Xu Xingguang simply turned around and left with the bowl of rice noodles.

Seeing her leave, Xu Qingnian’s expression became saddened and desolate again. Just as he decided to resolve everything on the bed, he saw Xu Xingguang return, now wearing a mask.

”What are you doing in here!” Xu Qingnian said angrily, embarrassed.

Xu Xingguang approached the bed, inserted her hands under the elder’s armpits, and dragged him to sit at the bed’s edge. Then, using her slender back, she hoisted Xu Qingnian and headed to the toilet.

Don’t be fooled by Xu Qingnian’s skinny frame; an elderly person’s bones can be quite heavy, not to mention Xu Qingnian stands over 1.8 meters tall.

Carrying him forward was somewhat strenuous for Xu Xingguang. Fortunately, she had experience as a combat pilot and a Mecha Warrior, and while her current body was frail, she knew how to use leverage effectively.

Suddenly being lifted by Xu Xingguang, Xu Qingnian was startled and exclaimed, ”Girl, how can a little girl like you carry me...”

But Xu Xingguang carried him to the toilet in one go. Staring at the slightly yellowed toilet, she frowned, pressed the flush button to clear out the murky water, and then silently positioned Xu Qingnian over the toilet.

Although Xu Qingnian’s hands hadn’t reached a paralyzed state, they were still clumsy, with fingers shaking to the point of being unable to pull down his pants neatly.

Seeing this, Xu Xingguang went ahead and pulled down his pants for him.

Xu Qingnian was both ashamed and panicked, but Xu Xingguang maintained a calm demeanor and said, ”Grandpa, it’s okay now.”

The elder sat on the toilet, his paralyzed lower body lacking any support, and without Xu Xingguang’s assistance, he would fall over. Helpless, he had to set aside his shame and dignity, relying on Xu Xingguang’s help to relieve himself.

Xu Qingnian used to be a high school principal, but as an elder, he found himself in such a state, tortured by a strong sense of pride that made him want to end it all.

But he was afraid of dying.

Watching the old man’s pitiful face turning teary-eyed, Xu Xingguang restrained herself from asking, [You always said only boys can carry on the family line, so how come your son neglects you at such a time?]

But she wouldn’t mock a powerless elder at this moment.