Max Level Return—I'll Protect That Fragile One

”Young Master, I just saved your life, I don’t need you to pledge yourself to me. You can be grateful to me, respect me, but you absolutely cannot fall in love with me.”

Miss Xu was quite experienced when it came to rejecting suitors.

For someone like Xiahou Huai Gui who was pampered, upright in conduct, yet deeply calculating, she couldn’t use the typical subtle rejection with him.

The budding affection was mercilessly cut off by Miss Xu. Though not heartbroken, Xiahou Huai Gui still felt somewhat unwilling.

”So, Miss Xu isn’t willing to give me even the slightest chance?”

Miss Xu nodded, ”You can be my partner, my friend, but you absolutely cannot be my suitor. I have actively sought marriage with Huo Wen’an, and I must remain responsible to him, I hope the Young Master understands.”

If it were before, Xiahou Huai Gui would have found such words absurd and funny.

A girl actively proposing to a boy was somewhat lacking in modesty.

But when this happened to Miss Xu Xingguang, Xiahou Huai Gui only felt envy.

He envied Huo Wen’an’s good fortune despite his frail condition.

”Alright, I understand.” Xiahou Huai Gui genuinely liked Miss Xu and contemplated developing their relationship further.

But since Miss Xu clearly refused him, he wouldn’t stubbornly persist.

As mature adults, it would be quite unbecoming to make a relationship too strained.

”Isn’t it time Miss Xu treated me to a meal?” After dispelling inappropriate thoughts about Xu Xingguang, Xiahou Huai Gui immediately adjusted his position, gracefully saying, ”You used me to successfully scheme against You Mingyue; I’m somewhat a contributor.”

”Treating me to a meal wouldn’t be too much.”

Miss Xu wasn’t a stingy person, and she agreed right away. ”Tonight then, I have some work to handle right now, let’s have dinner at Friendship Building tonight, how does that sound?”

”Sure.”

*

Miss Xu returned punctually to Bingfeng Entertainment Building, and with the production director and the lead actor, they interviewed more than ten actresses.

In the end, Xu Xingguang decided on a female actress named Cheng Xizhou.

After the meeting, the director invited Miss Xu to a gathering, claiming a private room was reserved at Friendship Building.

Miss Xu politely declined on the grounds that she had another engagement, but the director said, ”Miss Xu can bring your friend along. Today is the day for the crew’s important members to gather, Miss Xu is a busy person, it’s rare to have a chance when you’re available, not going would disappoint many.”

Seeing the lead actor and production executives eagerly looking at her, Miss Xu said, ”One moment, I’ll check with my friend’s opinion first.”

Miss Xu mentioned the crew gathering in her WeChat with Xiahou Huai Gui.

After listening, Xiahou Huai Gui said, ”Then let’s go together.”

Deciding to join the gathering, Xiahou Huai Gui intended for the director and others to see the deep friendship between Xiahou Family and Miss Xu Xingguang. In the future, this could help Miss Xu avoid many minor troubles at work.

Understanding Xiahou Huai Gui’s goodwill, Miss Xu laughed and said, ”After the work is finished, I’ll host a banquet to invite you alone.”

”That’s a treat for me.”

After a brief chat, Miss Xu told the director, ”My friend agreed, so let’s go directly to Friendship Building.”

”Alright.”

Upon arrival at Friendship Building, the director asked Miss Xu, whose friend hadn’t arrived yet, ”Miss Xu, what does your friend do?” He wanted to understand more about Miss Xu’s friend’s identity for easier interaction.

”Him?” Miss Xu said, ”He’s just a musician.”

Upon hearing this, the director understood, ”A pianist.”

Huo Lan approached Miss Xu and quietly asked, ”What’s your friend’s name?”

Miss Xu said, ”Xiahou Huai Gui.”

Huo Lan: ”...”

Saying Xiahou Huai Gui is a musician wasn’t incorrect.

Xiahou Huai Gui arrived at the private room five minutes before mealtime, and the director and others, never having met the Xiahou Family’s Young Master, didn’t recognize him.

But they could deduce his background from Xiahou Huai Gui’s attire and his dignified demeanor.

This must be a gentleman born into a privileged family, educated amongst elite circles.

At this moment, Huo Lan stood up, slightly respectfully greeted the Young Master, ”Hello, Young Master Xiahou, I’m Huo Lan, the director at Bingfeng Entertainment. It’s an honor to meet you.”

The title Young Master Xiahou startled the actors and investors into silence.

The director’s pupils trembled slightly, and looked at Miss Xu with innocence and panic.

This is the ’just a musician’ friend Miss Xu mentioned?

For these actors, this turned out to be the calmest and safest meal they’ve had; no investors dared to make inappropriate advances, no big bosses told greasy vulgar jokes, and they certainly didn’t have to worry about pleasing the financiers after the meal.

With Young Master Xiahou, a prominent figure who doesn’t drink or womanize, present in the room, nobody dared to act out.

After the meal, the director quietly breathed a sigh of relief.

”Miss Xu, it’s dark already, do you need me to take you home?” After the gathering, Xiahou Huai Gui displayed gentlemanly manners, offering to escort Miss Xu home.

Huo Lan listened without speaking but kept stealing glances at Miss Xu.

In Huo Lan’s view, Miss Xu is destined to be the future Lady Captain of Divine Concealment Island; it was hardly Xiahou Huai Gui’s place to escort her.

Miss Xu rejected Xiahou Huai Gui again, ”The Young Master’s body is still in recovery, you should go home early and rest. This place is far from Tuo Ling Peak.”

Turning to glance at Huo Lan, Miss Xu said, ”Director Huo will escort me.”

Being named, Huo Lan promptly cooperated with Miss Xu, nodding to Xiahou Huai Gui, ”Rest assured, Young Master, I’ll ensure Miss Xu returns home safely.”

Xiahou Huai Gui stared at Huo Lan for a moment, realizing the person must be from the Huo Family.

With a nod, Xiahou Huai Gui left first.

Once he left, the private room immediately became lively again.

The director wiped the non-existent cold sweat from his forehead, helplessly telling Miss Xu, ”Miss Xu, if friends like that are coming next time, please don’t tease us again.”

The director, being over fifty, couldn’t bear such a shock.

Miss Xu smiled mischievously, ”Alright, I was being playful this time, I apologize to the director.”

The director smiled helplessly yet contentedly, ”See you at the opening ceremony.”

”Sure.”