Chapter 111: Beautiful Woman, Seeking Patronage

This time, Wu Jue was completely lost, utterly disoriented in the chaotic anime festival with its dazzling performances and all sorts of strange curiosities.

His attention was constantly diverted, and he had no idea where to go. He thought to himself, “If I had known, I wouldn’t have come here. This is a human tragedy!”

Suddenly, he felt as if he had lost himself entirely; even Tel and Miaopu had vanished without a trace.

So, unable to help himself, he squatted by the roadside, anxiously wondering where they could have gone.

Suddenly, someone approached and tossed a coin right in front of him, saying, “These days, things are getting so trendy—dressing up like a monk and begging for sponsorship?”

Wu Jue was stunned. He picked up the coin and hurriedly called after the man, “Friend, you dropped your money! What do you mean by begging for sponsorship?”

The man, wearing glasses, looked at him, equally confused. “Brother, aren’t you the one dressed as a monk begging for sponsorship? Come on, only girls do that kind of thing. At least put up a sign or something. I was just feeling sorry for you…”

Wu Jue was speechless and explained, “I’m not begging for sponsorship. This poor monk has his pride. Besides, where are there girls begging for sponsorship?”

The man quickly pointed in a direction to get rid of Wu Jue’s persistent questions. Wu Jue followed the pointing finger and indeed saw several girls sitting scattered on the ground, each with a sheet of white paper in front of them, striking various pitiful poses.

As he approached, his face flushed with embarrassment. The papers bore phrases like “seeking sponsorship,” “will warm your bed,” and so on. Was this some kind of atonement?

He was just closing his eyes to recite a prayer when someone nearby whispered and pointed, “Oh my, even the monk is moved—this is serious!”

Wu Jue hurried to clarify, “No, no, please don’t spread rumors about this poor monk. I’m just looking, just looking.”

He moved forward, observing the little girls, each adorably charming. Suddenly, a familiar figure caught his eye.

Why was Xun’er sitting at the back, sticking out her little fist and pretending to be a cat, trying to charm passersby?

Even more pitiful was Alice, sitting beside her dressed in a maid outfit, bowing and rubbing Xun’er’s back, attending to her every need.

Wu Jue thought this world was becoming utterly absurd. He hurried over and asked, “Hey, what are you all doing? Were you looking for me? I was worried sick. Why didn’t you say a word?”

Xun’er put on a pitiful act, rubbing her eyes. “We just got separated from you, so we’re begging for someone to take care of us. Look, I’m kneeling here, my knees are all scraped.”

With that, she stood up and lifted her skirt to show him her reddened knees, drawing the attention of passing strangers who whispered and glared at Wu Jue, as if the injury had somehow been caused by him.

Wu Jue quickly said, “You’d better sit down. This is no way to behave. By the way, did you encounter any danger?”

He glanced at Alice, who was unusually quiet, as if she knew nothing. When his companions came looking for her earlier, how could she have slipped away so fast?

Xun’er patted Alice’s shoulder and smiled. “As long as I’m here, she’ll come when I call. How could she get lost? Big monk, you’re just too useless!”

Wu Jue looked at Alice, who remained silent. He guessed there was no point in saying more and shook his head. “Well, are you getting up now, or do you want to stay here and play a bit longer?”

Xun’er shook her head. “No way, I just sat down and haven’t had enough fun yet! I want to find a handsome guy, follow him around, enjoy good food and drinks, watch movies and play games every day, have him warm my bed and massage my back, and play hide-and-seek…”

Alice quietly interjected, “Isn’t it supposed to be you warming the bed?”

Before Xun’er could reply, a man nearby jumped over, saying, “I don’t mind, I don’t mind! Come with me! I’ll give you my entire salary this month!”

Wu Jue turned to look—it was a man nearing forty. Before he could say anything, Xun’er waved her hand, and the man, as if under a spell, staggered backward and walked away.

Who knew a little girl’s magic could be so effective—even a grown man couldn’t resist!

Wu Jue wiped the sweat from his brow, feeling the atmosphere heating up.

Xun’er resumed her seat, striking various alluring poses, mesmerizing passersby with her charm, until Comrade Miaopu came gasping over. “Ah, I’m exhausted! Finally found you guys! Why were you hiding here?”

Seeing Xun’er and Alice sitting on the ground playing “seeking sponsorship,” his fur bristled. “Mia, you’re kidding, right? What are you trying to do?”

Before he could finish his scolding, Xun’er grabbed him, saying, “Oh, you came just in time! Come, come, a cute kitty giveaway! Anyone who loves cats can’t miss this.”

“Mia! Who wants to be sponsored with you?” Miaopu was frantic but couldn’t escape Xun’er’s embrace.

Wu Jue watched, amused, shaking his head. “Aren’t you just walking into a trap?”

Alice stood and offered, “If he stays with you, I’ll find another place, okay?”

Just as she was about to leave, Xun’er commanded, “Nobody leaves without my say!”

Wu Jue wiped his sweat again. “If an enemy shows up, won’t they laugh themselves silly seeing this? Good thing Tel hasn’t arrived yet!”

“Well, I’m here now,” Tel suddenly appeared from nowhere, floating close by. “You Earthlings really have strange customs. What’s this sponsorship all about? As for the girl here, I’d even—”

Before he could finish, Xun’er waved her hand, and a purple aura gripped Tel’s throat, leaving him speechless for a long moment.

“Besides me, is there anyone else here who wants sponsorship?” she shot a cold glance at the others, completely ignoring them.

Wu Jue thought, this is enough—it’s time to end this!

Casting a sharp look aside, he suddenly shouted, “The enemy’s coming! Let’s go!”

Without another word, he scooped up Xun’er and Miaopu, sprinting off like the wind.

Xun’er, riding on his back, pounded him fiercely. “What are you doing? I was having so much fun, and you ruined it all! I don’t care—you have to keep me company. From now on, you must—”

“What did you say?” Wu Jue ran swiftly but missed the last two words, so he asked again.

Xun’er’s face flushed slightly as she leaned on his back and whispered, “You have to sponsor me for life.”

This time, she finally stopped fussing.

Poor Wu Jue carried two people on his back, running far from the festival grounds until they reached unfamiliar territory.

Looking up, he saw the entrance to a film studio. Dumbfounded, he set them down and asked, “Where have we ended up now?”

Miaopu jumped down calmly and scratched his neck. “Isn’t this a place for shooting movies? Looks like it really has become a film city.”

“Hey, can we go in, take some selfies, and act out a couple of scenes?” Xun’er perked up, standing and clasping her hands with envy.

At this moment, Tel, out of breath and restrained by a spell, and Alice were struggling to catch up with Wu Jue and the others.

The End of Chapter One Hundred Eleven: “Beauty, Seeking Sponsorship” has been completed!