Max Level Return—I'll Protect That Fragile One

”Director Ming Feng, Young Mister Ming Lan, let’s sit and chat,” Elder Tan Nan invited everyone to sit down.

Ming Lan finally stepped out from behind Ming Feng.

Without Ming Feng’s head blocking his view, Ming Lan looked up and saw the woman standing to the left and behind Elder Tan Nan.

She was wearing a light azure traditional cheongsam, with fair skin and fine bones, her black hair was tied back with a silver hairpin in a low bun, standing there gracefully without needing to make any movement.

A divine beauty, without a single flaw.

Ming Lan, never having seen a girl more beautiful than Xu Xingguang, thought her appearance outshone even ’Rong Yan’, the star known as the divine beauty warrior in the Divine Martial Realm.

No wonder on the way to Wuyuan Town, Dongfang Yi kept saying that the short video didn’t capture one-tenth of Xu Xingguang’s beauty.

At that time, he didn’t take it seriously, thinking Dongfang Yi, living in a small town, had never seen a top-tier beauty, so saw someone decent and thought she was drop-dead gorgeous.

Having seen her in person now, Ming Lan realized he was the ignorant one who mistook true beauty for an ordinary face.

Even after sitting down, Ming Lan couldn’t help but steal glances at Xu Xingguang.

With one dish still not ready, Elder Tan Nan asked Xu Xingguang to pour the Director Ming Feng a cup of tea. ”Xingguang, pour your Great-Great-Grandfather a cup of tea.”

Xu Xingguang, being the junior and a ’great-grandchild’ to Ming Feng, should indeed pour a cup of tea.

Ming Feng felt flattered and dared not move.

Xu Xingguang placed her canvas bag on the empty seat next to her, stood up, and with her delicate fingers, lifted the teapot and poured four cups of tea.

The first cup was handed to Ming Feng, the second to Tan Nan, and the third to Ming Lan.

The initial shock in Ming Lan’s heart had settled down by now.

Learning that a great beauty was related to him and by seniority this little beauty had to call him Great Grandfather, his feelings were a bit complicated.

Ming Lan accepted the tea with both hands, didn’t drink it, and placed it on the table in front of him. ”Hey,” Ming Lan shook his head with colorful over-the-ear dyed hair, nodding to Xu Xingguang, ”Little girl, how old are you?”

The private room fell silent instantly.

Elder Tan Nan frowned.

Ming Feng’s eyelids twitched wildly, and he gave a light cough.

But all of Ming Lan’s attention was on the peerless beauty, ignoring the hints from his Grandfather.

He got up and moved his backside to the vacant seat just one chair away from Xu Xingguang. Ming Lan tapped his fingers on the table, looking arrogant but not overly domineering.

When Xu Xingguang looked up at him, Ming Lan proudly said to her, ”Little girl, call me Great Grandfather, and Great Grandfather will take you to get revenge on that girl surnamed Jin!”

”With me backing you, it doesn’t matter if she’s the City Lord of Golden Gate City’s daughter or even the City Lord’s ancestor, they all have to apologize. Afterward, they’ll avoid you when they see you.”

What a disgrace, a Ming Family member from Divine Hidden Continent Emperor City bullied by a small City Lord’s daughter from Golden Gate City.

”But you aren’t completely soft; you knew to fight back.” Ming Lan had seen that video.

Before knowing Xu Xingguang was a relative, he thought Xu Xingguang had a bit of an attitude. Coming alone from the Mortal World to the Divine Martial Realm, with no support, didn’t even think of being low-key and even dared to make enemies.

Upon knowing Xu Xingguang was a relative, he felt she was a girl with backbone, not like a pushover easily bullied.

”Great Grandfather tells you,” Ming Lan, adopting a profound air, warned Xu Xingguang, ”In the future, when you meet someone without sense, just slash them for me. If you lose, run, and if he keeps chasing, call me. Great Grandfather will definitely help you settle it.”

After speaking, Ming Lan showed his left wrist and said to Xu Xingguang, ”Come on, let’s add each other as friends, keep in touch often.”

”...”

Xu Xingguang smiled but still cooperated by opening her low-end Intelligent Brain Terminal and adding Ming Lan as a friend.

Ming Lan glanced at the outdated terminal on her white wrist and said disdainfully, ”That’s such an old model, why are you still using it?”

Ming Lan was very generous. He said, ”After the meal, Great Grandfather will take you into the city and get the latest high-end model for you. Using that thing, it’s embarrassing our Ming Family.”

Xu Xingguang stared at Ming Lan for a while, then said, ”You do talk a lot, just like your Grandfather.” Just unknown if he cries as easily as his Grandfather does.

Upon hearing this, Ming Feng just felt embarrassed, wishing he could kick out the conspicuous Ming Lan.

Ming Lan felt somewhat proud, ”That’s right, I’m my Grandfather’s own grandson, how could we be different.” Ming Lan still didn’t know that the Grandfather he called since childhood was actually the Old Ancestor.

Ming Lan tapped his fingers on the table again, urging Xu Xingguang, ”Call me Great Grandfather, I’ll look after you from now on.”

Great Grandfather...

Xu Xingguang’s eyes unmistakably playful, looked over at Ming Feng.

Ming Feng felt embarrassed, lowered his head like a mute quail. Then Xu Xingguang smilingly looked at Ming Lan, parted her red lips, and called out, ”Flower Chicken.”

”...”

Ming Lan’s face darkened, ”Hey, you little girl, don’t you have any manners? I give you a chance for revenge, and you don’t even seize it.”

”Why are you so stubborn?” Ming Lan was annoyed at Xu Xingguang’s lack of tact and ability to handle situations.

Ming Feng couldn’t hold it any longer and stood up with a ’whoosh’.

Before Ming Lan could completely anger Xu Xingguang, he strode over to Ming Lan, grabbed him by the ear, and lifted him up, ”You embarrassing little brat, get out of here right now!”

Dragging the wailing Ming Lan to the door of the private room, Ming Feng kicked him out before turning back to apologize to Xu Xingguang, ”Mother...”

Realizing Elder Tan Nan was watching, he swallowed the word ’mother’ that was on the tip of his tongue and, with difficulty, called Xu Xingguang by name. ”Xingguang, that kid has been wild since he was young. Just ignore his nonsense; he’s just talking out of his ass.”

Xu Xingguang wouldn’t bother arguing with a little kid.

She curiously asked, ”Is this the mainstream aesthetic in Emperor City now?” Xu Xingguang shook her head, ”It’s the first time I’ve seen someone’s hair sporting all the colors of the rainbow.”

It’s like he dyed all the colors from Calabash Brothers onto his head.

Xu Xingguang spoke with a serious tone, but Ming Feng was so embarrassed his old face turned red, gritting his teeth, he said, ”I’ll have him shave that hair off later.”

Elder Tan Nan watched their interaction, feeling something odd.

Ming Feng’s cautious and respectful attitude didn’t seem like he was dealing with a younger person, rather like he was trying to please an ancestor.

At this moment, waiters filed in and served the table with delicious dishes.

This restaurant was the most upscale in Golden Gate City, but their dishes were all simple water-boiled, steam-cooked, and low-temperature fried foods.

Elder Tan Nan picked up some stir-fried lotus root slices with chopsticks and said to Xu Xingguang, ”This restaurant has a good reputation and the food tastes great, give it a try.”

Ming Feng recalled that his mother could win hearts not only with martial prowess but also with her cooking skills.

The Divine Hidden Emperor once even pretended to be sick just to eat a dish personally cooked by his mother.

Seeing Xu Xingguang only tasted a few bites before putting down her chopsticks, Ming Feng said, ”The food in Emperor City is quite good. Whenever you have time, you should come to Emperor City to taste it.”

Having not tasted Xu Xingguang’s culinary skills for many years, he added, ”I have a full set of kitchen utensils at my home. You can come and cook yourself.”

”Wait until the vacation,” Xu Xingguang replied with a nod.

Interns do have vacations, although not long, there is still time to visit Emperor City.

Upon hearing this, Ming Feng became elated, ”When you decide to come, let me know in advance, and I’ll prepare the freshest ingredients.”

”Okay.”

Elder Tan Nan’s sharp old eyes kept flickering between the two of them, finding the situation increasingly peculiar.

Who is actually the elder here?

After the meal, although reluctant, Ming Feng had to bid farewell to Xu Xingguang.

If not for Elder Tan Nan glaringly waiting for Xu Xingguang, Ming Feng could have very well held her and cried out a moving scene of ’a mother and son hard to part’ drama.

Seeing tears in Ming Feng’s eyes, Xu Xingguang felt weary, ”No crying.” He’s such an old bone, yet becomes increasingly emotional.

Ming Feng sniffed, forcing back his tears.

”You said you’ll visit Emperor City when you’re free, don’t lie to me.” Ming Feng’s tone was grievance-filled.

Xu Xingguang rubbed her forehead, nodding repeatedly, ”Yes, I will. Now hurry and go, just looking at you wears me out.”

Crying and whining like that, it doesn’t befit an adult.

Only then did Ming Feng leave, glancing back every few steps.

Not until Xu Xingguang was out of sight did he finally compose himself and went to the bar downstairs to find Ming Lan.

Seeing his grandfather, Ming Lan thought he’d finished his business and had come to take him back to Emperor City.

Setting his glass on the bar and settling the bill, he quickly approached the entrance. ”Grandpa.” Ming Lan rubbed his hands together, asking Ming Feng, ”Did you get the Starlight Sword?”

Ming Lan was still unaware that Ming Feng’s true purpose wasn’t to retrieve the sword but to reconnect with family.

Staring at the multi-colored shoulder-length hair under the light, Ming Feng said, ”Come with me to a place.”

Baffled, Ming Lan followed Ming Feng out of the bar.

They went downstairs, crossed the street, arriving at the entrance of a barber shop. Instantly sensing danger, Ming Lan instinctively hugged his multi-colored hair and yelled, ”Grandpa, this is my life!”

Ming Feng said, ”Shut up!”

He kicked his grandson into the barber shop, forcing the hairdresser to shave Ming Lan’s colorful hair off, revealing a layer of pale scalp.

For the first time seeing Ming Lan’s scalp color, Ming Feng felt invigorated.

”Young man, keep this hairstyle from now on.” Ming Feng patted Ming Lan’s shoulder, ”Your old ancestor likes it.”

Ming Lan, almost in tears, did not want to acknowledge Ming Feng, ”Hmph!”

Without his colorful hair, Ming Lan felt completely out of place, like a girl without underwear venturing out—utterly uncomfortable.