Max Level Return—I'll Protect That Fragile One

After Ye Mingluo picked up Huo Wen’an, he handed the map of Yujiang City to Huo Wen’an, two circles drawn on it with a black fountain pen.

Ye Mingluo pointed at the map and said, ”To the north is Yinxi Lake, and to the south is Yun Meng Lake. Both meet the conditions given by Medicine Farmer Star teacher. A Zui, which lake are we going to tonight?”

Huo Wen’an said, ”I’ve already sent people to Yinxi Lake; you and I will go to Yun Meng Lake.”

”In that case, you think Medicine Farmer Star teacher is more likely to go to Yun Meng Lake?”

Huo Wen’an nodded.

”What’s the reason?” Ye Mingluo thought Yinxi Lake to the north had fewer people, thus more suitable for a private meeting, making it more discreet.

Huo Wen’an’s reason was: ”I want to eat the sugar roasted chestnuts by Yun Meng Lake.”

Ye Mingluo blinked, thinking to himself, ”Is that even a reason?”

Yujiang City used to be a picturesque ancient city. Over a hundred years ago, the devastation of war almost leveled the city. Later, to vigorously develop the economy, blocks of high-rise buildings were erected in Yujiang City.

The entire city now, only Yun Meng Old Street to the south still retains the ancient architectural style from centuries ago.

The current Yun Meng Old Street has been developed into a tourist attraction. Becoming a tourist destination, the area gradually commercialized.

Huo Wen’an walked with Ye Mingluo on the smooth cobblestone path of Yun Meng Old Street, with small food stalls and handicraft stalls beside them.

Tourists crowded together, eating, drinking, taking photos, and singing, making the street especially lively.

Ye Mingluo held a coconut dessert, eating as he spoke, ”Do you remember? Previously, I brought your sister and you here to buy sugar water. At that time, a coconut cost only two yuan, it was so cheap.”

Ye Mingluo was born into a noble family of medicine, but his grandfather lived in Cangshan Town. During winter and summer vacations, Ye Mingluo went to Cangshan Town to accompany his grandfather and met Huo Wen’an and Huo Xin there.

At that time, he was a wealthy master from the city, and Huo Wen’an and Huo Xin were country bumpkins from the town. He successfully bribed Huo Wen’an and Huo Xin with snacks to be his followers.

The childhood Huo Wen’an was very innocent, his black, shiny eyes like grapes, glowing brilliantly when he looked at people. Three years ago they reunited, and Ye Mingluo never again saw such a clear, harmless gaze in Huo Wen’an’s eyes.

”I still remember, back then you always called me Brother Luo Luo.” Ye Mingluo reached out, lifting Huo Wen’an’s chin, teasing him, ”Come on, call me Brother Luo Luo again.”

”Disgusting.” Huo Wen’an suddenly turned around, passing through the narrow alley of the old street, arriving behind the old street at the ancient Yun Meng Lake.

Tonight was a full moon night, and the boating activity at the tourist area was particularly popular. On the lake floated dozens of small boats, where girls dressed in Hanfu were enjoying the night views from aboard.

Huo Wen’an and Ye Mingluo stood at the bridgehead, watching the small boats pass under the bridge.

Ye Mingluo’s gaze swept over those young, pretty tourists, asking Huo Wen’an with a frown, ”Look, who looks like Medicine Farmer Star teacher?”

Huo Wen’an said, ”Fool, she won’t show up. See if there’s an empty boat.”

Ye Mingluo understood Huo Wen’an’s meaning too. ”You mean, Medicine Farmer Star teacher herself won’t appear, but she likely placed something on a small boat?”

”Yes.”

Ye Mingluo turned his gaze towards the lake below, closely watching every boat approaching, afraid to miss anything.

Huo Wen’an’s gaze searched across the lake for a moment, noticing a small unmanned boat at the back of the fleet. The boat was rowed by a middle-aged woman, and the bow was adorned with a moon-shaped lantern.

On the deck beneath the lamp lay an oiled-paper umbrella painted with plum blossoms, and beneath it, a box.

”Found it!”

Across from Yun Meng Lake Bridge, there stood a high-rise built in the Hui architectural style on the lakeside. Historically, it was a tavern, now converted into a music bar and hotel.

Zhang Zhiyi sat side by side at the drinking table with her husband Xiahou Shang, as Xu Xingguang sat alone opposite them.

Xiahou Shang stared at Xu Xingguang’s now rosy, healthy cheeks and exclaimed, ”Seeing you so lively now, I can’t believe you were a vegetative state not long ago.”

Xiahou Shang raised his glass to Xu Xingguang, ”Welcome back to the Human World, Little Xingguang.”

”Thank you, brother-in-law, for hosting and inviting me for drinks today.” Xu Xingguang clinked glasses with Xiahou Shang, having just taken a sip of his drink when he heard Xiahou Shang’s apology.

”I’m very sorry for giving your contact information to Jiang Heng.” Years ago, Jiang Heng fell for Xu Xingguang at Xiahou Shang and Zhang Zhiyi’s wedding. Before the wedding ended, he asked for Xu Xingguang’s phone number.