Chapter 15: The Arrival of Tuanzi

Originally, Bear Big was listening attentively, but when Bear Two mentioned the great white bear again, something felt off.

"Yeah, yeah, Bear Big, it's him, it’s definitely him. He’s grown up now, this big," Bear Two said, gesturing with his hands.

"Enough, Bear Two, stop bringing up that bear. I want to hear you talk about your own flaws," Bear Big replied sternly.

"What? Flaws?" Bear Two sniffed the air, puzzled. "Bear Big, I don’t have any flaws."

But Bear Two didn’t notice Bear Big’s face darkening as he continued talking about the great white bear.

"Really, really, Bear Big, it’s definitely her. When I saw the horn on his head, I was sure. All these years, I’ve wanted to see her again, so as soon as he appeared, I recognized him. It’s definitely him, no mistake. I was so excited that I rushed forward, but then the car drove off, and I missed him again."

Bear Big’s expression grew darker still. He slowly walked over to a nearby log, sat down quietly, and said nothing more.

Seeing Bear Big ignore him, Bear Two hurried over. "Hey, Bear Big, don’t you believe me? I’m not lying. Everything I said is true."

When Bear Big still didn’t respond, Bear Two rummaged through his small backpack. "Where is it? Where is it? Ah, look." He pulled out a stone and placed it before Bear Big. "Look, Bear Big, this stone fell from his head back then."

"Enough," Bear Big stood up and brushed the stone away from Bear Two’s hand, then glared fiercely.

Frightened by Bear Big’s stern gaze, Bear Two stammered, "Bear Big, listen to me, this time I really—"

"I said enough! A bear must act like a bear. I have to protect the forest, look after everyone, and take care of you. But you? What do you do besides cause trouble? All these years, I’ve given you chances, believing you’d change, even just a little. But you haven’t. You chose to avoid responsibility, to make excuses for your mistakes, and you’ve ruined everything." With his anger vented, Bear Big turned and walked away, leaving Bear Two alone and feeling wronged on the ground.

Under the sunset, Bear Two wandered through the forest, crossed streams and waterfalls, and before he knew it, night had fallen. He found a large rock, lit a campfire, and recalled moments from his childhood with Bear Big. His thoughts drifted to Bear Mother.

Meanwhile, Bear Big, sitting quietly in a tree hollow, wondered if he had been too harsh just now. He soon rose and went out to find Bear Two.

Outside, Momo, ever the watchdog, saw Bear Big emerge and warned Gigi, who was sneaking bananas nearby.

"King Gigi, Bear Big is coming out."

Gigi tossed aside his banana peel. "Finally caught by me, the king. Let’s follow Momo." Like a shadow, he trailed closely behind Bear Big.

Nearby, Bear Two, asleep by the campfire, dreamed he was surrounded by molten lava and strange patterns, then a terrifying giant bear appeared. Suddenly, he was jolted awake.

“Bang!” A gunshot rang out, drawing Bear Two’s full attention.

---

"Ergou, we’re here to catch bears, not to shoot birds. Ouch, my ear!"

"It’s so cold, I shivered. Hey, why aren’t you cold wearing so little?" Ergou, shivering, looked at Big Monkey in confusion.

Big Monkey beamed proudly, opening his shirt. "You don’t know? Heh heh heh, I have a warming patch."

Bald Qiang watched the two bantering. "Weren’t you telling me you came here for tourism? Why are you catching bears?"

The Southern Trader approached Bald Qiang. "Heh heh, handsome, you’ve got the money. Don’t ask questions. There’ll be rewards once this is done."

"Less talk, more action," Big Monkey and Ergou chimed in.

Seeing their wicked grins, Bald Qiang glanced at Su He, who was yawning nearby.

"What about Su He? They seem to be here for Bear Big and Bear Two."

"Don’t worry, Qiang. I checked the situation earlier in the car. They’re not after Bear Big or Bear Two—they’re after the legendary Mountain Spirit."

"The Mountain Spirit? Isn’t that just a children’s tale?"

"Qiang, I don’t think it’s a myth. The Mountain Spirit probably really exists. You should prepare yourself mentally."

"Su He, since when did you get so mystical? Did Old Zhao take you as an apprentice?"

Su He smiled at Bald Qiang’s teasing.

"Maybe I’ve just seen more of the world."

Suddenly, the Southern Trader’s camera beeped. "Movement nearby. The bear’s close. Let’s go."

Meanwhile, Bear Two, hiding behind a tree, tensed up, fearing he’d been discovered. He tried to sneak away but stepped on a cursed branch with a loud snap.

Hearing the noise, the Southern Trader halted the group.

"Stop! Get down!"

Then he signaled to Big Monkey and the others, who crawled stealthily like maggots and rolled forward.

Su He, seeing Bald Qiang about to do the same, held him back. "Three idiots doing stupid things. Qiang, don’t bother."

---

Bear Two spotted a small snowy mountain in the distance and ran to hide nearby. Approaching cautiously, he was shocked to hear the mountain’s rise and fall accompanied by deep, heavy breathing.

"What... what is that?"

The group following behind heard the noise and grew uneasy.

"Don’t make a sound. Don’t scare it. We need to catch it off guard." The Southern Trader checked the GPS on his camera.

"It’s right here. Get ready." He handed climbing gear to Big Monkey and Ergou, and the three began ascending the snowy mountain.

Halfway up, the mountain suddenly trembled violently.

The climbers were thrown to the ground by the quake.

"Qiang, whatever you see, run immediately. Otherwise, it’ll be dangerous," Su He warned as he looked back.

"What’s going on, Su He?"

Before Bald Qiang could ask, the mountain shook again, revealing its true form.

"Boss, what’s that?" Big Monkey stared in terror at the massive creature.

Unlike Big Monkey and Ergou, who were frightened, the Southern Trader trembled with excitement, as if witnessing something extraordinarily rare.

"It’s her," he whispered, snapping photos relentlessly of the round figure before them.

"It’s you, the great white bear," Bear Two gasped in shock.

Triggered by the camera flashes, the great white bear roared fiercely and charged toward the Southern Trader and his men.

Su He immediately grabbed Bald Qiang and fled.

"Su He, what’s going on? Was that giant bear really the Mountain Spirit?"

"Qiang, no time to explain. We need to escape first." Though Su He had merged with the White Snake, he wasn’t sure if the bear would attack him. Who knew if it recognized the White Snake?