Chapter 51
When the little fox sensed Wen Xin's whereabouts through the statue, he was sleeping.
It suddenly woke up, its mind was confused, and it hurried to the scene of the incident, forgetting whether it had instructed the disciples to clean up all traces of its identity.
Now that Wen Xin mentioned it, the word "nervous" was immediately written on its face.
The next second, Wen Xin's hand reached out.
Compared to before, his palms have obviously changed. The soft flesh has become firmer, with a slender and graceful line.
The most changed parts are the sides and pads of the fingers, which are covered with a thin layer of gun coils.
But the hand was just as gentle as it was when it rubbed the little fox's furry head.
The little fox's pointed ears were also covered under his palm. He subconsciously leaned back and raised his head to rub against his palm comfortably.
Wen Xinduo rubbed it twice, looked at the painting on the wall, and said with emotion: "It's younger than I thought."
The painting shows a middle-aged man in his forties. The background is the setting sun and the dusk. The city behind him is devastated and zombies are waving their claws and wreaking havoc.
With his back to the ferocious zombies, the middle-aged man leaned against the broken wall, holding a yellowed Bible in his left hand, pressing it against his chest tiredly.
His right hand dropped downward, as if he wanted to touch the little fox in front of him that was slightly raising its head.
Whether it is the colors or the outlines of the lines in this painting, you can see the painter's good intentions.
The middle-aged man in the painting occupies half of the space, but most of his body is submerged in the shadows of the wall.
The little fox's body is not big, but it is wrapped in the afterglow of the setting sun, as if it were coated with a layer of sacred and inviolable light.
If you are someone who is sensitive to appreciating paintings or colors, you will easily see that the subject in this painting is a little fox.
But most people tend to think in a negative way, especially middle-aged people, where the proportion is several times higher.
Coincidentally, the title of the painting was written in gold at the bottom.
--"pope"
It seemed that Wen Xin asked that question only after seeing these two words.
The little fox couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief.
The man in red robes also felt fortunate.
When Wen Xin called out the word "Pope" just now, his tone was very calm, without any question, just statement, as if he had already recognized who the Pope was, and even he couldn't help but tense up.
Fortunately, it was this painting.
The red-robed man let out a sigh, then felt that he was being a little too nervous.
Even though their acting skills may be a little worse, the script was agreed upon hastily, and some details were not taken care of.
But how easy is it for His Holiness the Pope, who can control other people's minds at any time, to make Wen Xin unaware of the problem?
The fact that Wen Xin is still ignorant and unaware until now, isn't this proof that His Holiness the Pope has used his powers?
However, in order to prevent any further mistakes, the man in red robe secretly winked at the believers behind him.
The believer understood and quickly called a few people behind him to rush to the front room to take down all the murals.
The red-robed man turned around and saw Wen Xin standing in front of the mural. He seemed to be very interested in the person in the mural. He smiled and said, "Yes, this is our great Pope."
Anyway, the little fox is also on it, so the man in red robe has no psychological burden to introduce it this way.
Upon hearing this, Wen Xin carefully observed the middle-aged man in the painting.
She has short black hair, simple clothes, and an ordinary face that seems to be full of sorrow.
The little fox was still moving under his hand just now, but now it is silent.
Wen Xin lowered his head and saw the young man staring at the middle-aged man, with some emotions emerging in his eyes, he couldn't tell whether it was melancholy or sadness.
Wen Xin asked: "What kind of person is he?"
The man in red robe didn't know much about the middle-aged man in the painting because the other person died not long after he met him and the little fox.
It’s just that the middle-aged man didn’t die at the hands of zombies, nor did he die from any other accident.
It was because I couldn't wait for the person I wanted to wait for that I chose to jump off the building.
Of course the man in red robe would not say this out loud.
According to the meaning of Wen Xin's question, the other party should be asking what kind of person the current Pope is, and the man in red robe just followed up on this question.
"It is not for us to comment on what kind of person His Holiness the Pope is."
Wen Xin was not surprised by the red-robed man's protection.
"Then I would like to meet His Holiness the Pope. I wonder if I can have this honor?"
As he spoke, he rubbed his little fox and said, "Thanks to him for taking in our Xiaoqi during this period. No matter what, I have to say thank you to him in person."
The red-robed man looked at the little fox hesitantly.
His idea was to avoid seeing her as much as possible, after all, talking too much would only make things wrong.
But the specific implementation will depend on the Pope's own wishes.
The little fox did not give a clear answer.
It curled up quietly in Wen Xin's arms, with its head pressed close to him, like a worried child who had found his support again.
Sensing the little fox's anxiety and sadness, Wen Xin hugged it tightly without thinking and coaxed it, "Be good, I'm here."
That was the end of the audience with the Pope.
Wen Xin was arranged by the red-robed man to live in the living area inside the church.
The room is fully equipped, with a solar charging plate connected to the fireplace, various books neatly arranged in the cabinet, paper and pens on the desk, an independent bathroom, and three layers of quilts that are changed daily.
Such a configuration would not be shabby even before the end of the world.
There were no other problems except that there were a lot of guards outside the door.
Wen Xin paid special attention to the guards' shift changes.
Before one batch leaves, the next batch arrives, almost seamlessly.
He looked at the believers who came to serve him and seemed to make a joke inadvertently.
"Isn't it a bit of a waste to mobilize so many people just for me?"
The believer was stunned for a moment, and quickly explained: "No, Mr. Wen, our guards here have always been very strict, and we are not targeting you deliberately."
He added: "If you want to go somewhere else, you can always tell us and our people will lead you there, and you won't be stopped."
Wen Xindun paused, then revealed a look of sudden realization: "So that's how it is."
Without continuing the topic, he brought up another matter.
"I have a friend whose parents live in City B. He should have moved here a few months ago. Can you help me find out his whereabouts?"
Wen Xin explained some of Tang Qi's situation, and the believers nodded after listening.
"It shouldn't be hard to find him. We'll let you know as soon as we get any news about him."
The man in red robe had not left yet. He heard the conversation and paid special attention to Wen Xin's reaction.
Seeing that the man looked normal and had no objection to the accommodation arrangement, the man in red robe was completely relieved.
Everyone left, leaving only Wen Xin and the little fox.
Wen Xin placed the little fox on a stool, lifted the quilt he was going to sleep on, and put his palm on it to check.
The little fox was very confused.
"Hmm?"
What are you doing, Wen Xin?
Even after being separated for a while, Wen Xin could still guess the meaning of the little fox's cry when he heard it.
He said, "Looking for a bug."
The little fox had watched many TV dramas before and knew what a bug was. He tilted his head.
It still remembered that the protagonist in the cartoon said that eavesdropping was a bad behavior, but it needed to eavesdrop on the conversations between bad guys to find evidence, so it had to use it.
The little fox opened his mouth and wanted to say something.
Afraid that Wen Xin might notice something was wrong, he closed the door.
What it actually means is: Don't worry, Wenxin, I will never do anything bad to you under any circumstances.
The little fox hugged his big tail and added guiltily: Hiding my identity doesn't count.
Checking eavesdropping devices is a habit that Wen Xin brought from the training camp.
In fact, under current conditions, not many enemies can afford to use eavesdropping devices, so most of the students just listened and didn't take it seriously.
Wen Xin followed the instructor's instructions throughout.
Wen Jinfeng has a special identity, so as a relative, it won't do any harm for him to be more cautious.
After checking the house and making sure there were no problems, Wen Xin stopped by the window.
Staring at the heavily guarded guards, a hint of deep thought flashed across his eyes.
Wen Xin was paying attention to the deployment of these guards all the way.
There are five people on each side at the church door.
On the way from the church to the living area, there are an average of two people standing at each intersection.
After entering the living area, the number of guards gradually increased. There were three people standing guard at each intersection, and one person patrolling on both sides.
This just illustrates one point.
The deeper you go into the church, the closer you get to its core.
When he got to the room where he was living, he saw guards gathered in groups. There were so many of them that if a thief saw him, his heart would probably jump out of his chest.
Believers say this is normal.
So, whose residence deserves such protection?
Wen Xin retracted his gaze and looked at the little fox intently.
From the excellent treatment he received, the unusual reactions of many believers, to the current accommodation arrangements.
The answer is already apparent.
The little guy twitched his furry pointed ears and looked at him in confusion.
"Hmm?"
What's the matter?
Wen Xin curled his eyes helplessly.
He walked over, but before he reached the little fox, the latter stood up and jumped into his arms impatiently.
Wen Xin caught it subconsciously, and his face was covered with the hot tail.
A very nostalgic feeling.
I don’t know if the dumplings can control their own weight, but every time Wen Xin picks them up, he doesn’t feel too tired.
But just holding this tiny ball in my arms, with its head rubbing against me, I feel as if I have regained the courage to face the hardships of the world.
"I was just wondering how much our Xiao Qi has suffered during this period."
Wen Xin stroked the little fox's chin and asked in a low voice: "Have you been bullied? Are you unhappy?"
As the young man asked gently, the little fox's body stiffened little by little.
It raised its head, its eyes gradually became moist, then it turned away suddenly and shook its head.
Wen Xin was silent for a moment, then smiled softly and said, "No, that's good."
Running all the way is really exhausting.
As it was getting late, after playing with the little fox for a while, Wen Xin prepared to wash up and go to bed.
The moment my head touched the pillow, sleepiness came over me like a tide.
Wen Xin's eyelids twitched violently.
His sleep was not bad. After all, a poor rest meant that he could not complete the next day's training well.
But because he had been attacked by the pockmarked man with a sleeping potion, Wen Xin was very repulsed and alert to this unreasonable strong sleepiness, and reflexively frowned to resist.
The next second, he saw the little fox poking its head out from under the quilt.
The little fox showed half of its round head, and its two soft ears were flattened, making it look a little cute.
Wen Xin didn't want to sleep, so he stared at him with his big watery eyes, looking at him, looking at him over and over again.
"Hmm?"
Why aren't you asleep yet?
Wen Xin: “…”
He sighed helplessly in his heart.
The next second, the illusion, without any resistance, successfully enveloped Wen Xin's consciousness and carefully pulled him into a dream.
In a dream.
Wen Xin was conscious and did not feel any discomfort.
He slowly opened his eyes.
When Wen Xin saw clearly who was in front of him, he couldn't help but be stunned for a moment.
The middle-aged man cleared his throat and said, "I am the Pope of Idealism. I heard that you want to see me?"
The two of them were now in a quiet and peaceful courtyard, surrounded by flowers and green leaves, with water flowing under the bridge and occasional bird calls.
Wen Xin was surprised.
He didn't expect that the person in the mural would actually appear before him.
Looking someone in the eye is offensive.
Without much hesitation, Wen Xin performed the etiquette he had learned from the red-robed man: "Yes, Your Holiness."
The middle-aged man waved his hand and said directly: "You don't have to be so distant with me."
“…”
The tone of his voice sounded as if he was extremely familiar with him, and Wen Xin couldn't help but raise his eyes.
The middle-aged man coughed lightly and said, "What I mean is that you gave me a very friendly feeling. I felt like I had known you for a long time, so there is no need to be so formal."
Wen Xin's mouth twitched.
Doesn't it mean that after evolving into a complete form, the body will also grow?
Why does he feel that Xiaoqi hasn't changed at all?
He stared at the silly fox who thought he hadn't been discovered yet.
Before the latter could not help but look away, he lowered his eyes and said, "Okay, then I won't be polite to you."
Having said that, Wen Xin really stopped being polite and took the lead in sitting on the stone bench.
Seeing that the little fox was still in a daze, he reminded him, "Your Highness, don't you want to sit down and chat?"
The little fox thought Wen Xin would refuse him two or three more times, but he didn't expect him to be so casual. He looked at him strangely.
He sat down leisurely and looked at Wen Xin: "From your behavior just now, you don't look like a guest, but more like a host."
Wen Xin said calmly, "After all, His Holiness the Pope has already said that we hit it off right away. If I continue to be polite, wouldn't that be disobeying your will?"
The little fox suddenly realized: "That's true."
After these words, the pavilion fell into a brief silence.
The little fox held the cup on the stone table, not knowing how to start talking.
Unexpectedly, Wen Xin, who was usually quiet, was the first to speak.
"How has your Holiness been lately?"
The little fox paused and looked at Wen Xin suspiciously: "Why do you ask that?"
Wen Xin said naturally, "Because I also feel a sense of familiarity with Your Majesty the Pope, and I really want to be friends with you."
Hearing him say this, the little fox's eyes lit up, and he could hardly hide the excitement and happiness on his face.
Wen Xin always had the illusion that he was going to turn into a ball and jump up.
Fortunately, the little fox seemed to remember the Pope's identity at the critical moment, and nodded modestly: "You have good taste in being friends with me."
Wen Xin smiled and confirmed: "Yes, I have always thought so."
"Since we are friends, I want to know more about friends."
He blinked. "Of course, I won't just let you speak."
"In exchange, if you want to hear it, I can also tell you how I've been doing during this period."
Just a few simple words made the little fox surrender.
But when he opened his mouth, he was a little stuck. Finally, like a timid ostrich, he buried his head again.
“I don’t know what to say.”
He pulled Wen Xin into a dream, naturally he had something to tell her.
But in the end, I even forgot how to speak honestly.
Wen Xin remembered something.
"Today I saw a painting in the church. It was called The Pope. You looked very sad in the painting."
He asked, "Would you mind telling me what you were thinking at that time?"
The little fox was stunned for a moment, and his mouth was slightly pursed into a straight line.
Wen Xin saw this and said quickly: "If it's inconvenient to say it, forget it, it's okay."
"…There is nothing that cannot be said."
He lowered his eyes: "Besides you, I can't find anyone else to talk to about this."
Wen Xin calmed himself down and encouraged him softly, "Just talk, I'm listening."
If you want Wen Xin to quickly know what happened at that time, you just need to simulate the scene at that time in your dream.
But there would be a risk of being discovered.
So the little fox chose to tell the story orally.
"The painting was actually beautified because Bishop Shi said that if the real situation was depicted, it would be very bloody and it would be unlucky to hang it in the church."
Little Fox: "But there was a lot of blood, all over the ground."
Wen Xin asked, "Is anyone injured?"
The little fox hummed softly: "Besides, there is no way to save it."
He seemed to be plunged into that tragic scene once again, and the hand holding the teacup trembled involuntarily.
A slender white hand reached out and touched the little fox's head.
Rubbing it again and again, with silent pity and heartache.
The little fox suddenly raised his eyes and met the warm and gentle gaze.
The young man still said the same words, and his tone did not change.
Calm and gentle.
"Go ahead, I'm here."
【Author’s words】
Thank you to the little angels who voted for me or irrigated me with nutrient solution during 2023-04-29 23:58:30~2023-04-30 23:58:33~
Thanks to the little angel who threw the rocket: 53748093 1;
Thanks to the little angels who cast mines: Pang Bai and Lu Lu;
Thanks to the little angels who irrigated the nutrient solution: Yue 56 bottles; jikooooook 37 bottles; 53748093 33 bottles; Ji Ke Fireworks 14 bottles; Shan Li, Mu Mu Mu Mu Mu, Lin Jiang 10 bottles; Shi Han 9 bottles; Charlie Su 4 bottles; Fei, Yizhi Qiming Fei 2 bottles; He Wan Mai Wai Fu, Tan Jiu, Shu Ying 1 bottle;
Thank you very much for your support. I will continue to work hard!