Chapter 16: Becoming Partners

“Help!” The southern unscrupulous merchants, the big apes, were desperately running forward, while Tuantuan was hot on their heels, his massive body knocking down the surrounding trees one by one.

Su He, carrying Bald Qiang, dodged to the side, watching Tuantuan disappear into the distance.

“Are you okay, Brother Qiang?”

“I’m fine, fine. I’m doing great. But Su He, was that white bear just now really the Mountain God?”

“Yes, it was. Let’s follow and see what’s going on.”

Meanwhile, Tuantuan suddenly rammed forward fiercely with the horns on his head, pinning the big ape Er Gou against them.

“Grab him! Otherwise, don’t even think about getting a single penny!” The southern merchant shouted as he ran, directing the big apes.

“Boss, what you’re saying sounds just like in Journey to the West, when the Nine-Headed Insect sent Benboba to get rid of Tang Sanzang and his disciples. We’re barely keeping ourselves safe; how can we catch him now?” Er Gou loosened his clothes, giving the merchant a look of disbelief.

“Er Gou, let’s focus on survival first.”

At that moment, as Er Gou took off his clothes, the warming patches attached to them scattered everywhere, one sticking to Tuantuan’s rear.

Suddenly, as if provoked, Tuantuan flung the two on his horns off, somersaulted to the ground, then slowly got up, glaring fiercely at the southern merchants.

“Don’t eat me! I won’t let you eat me! I’m a photographer—a very professional one. I can take cute photos of you. If you eat me, no one will be there to take pictures of you anymore!”

With a roar, Tuantuan dashed into the forest.

Su He, who had just arrived, quickly followed after the fleeing Tuantuan.

“Hey, Su He, where are you going? It’s dangerous!”

“Brother Qiang, don’t worry about me. I’ll take care of myself.” With that, Su He hurried after Tuantuan.

As the sun slowly rose, Tuantuan angrily stormed through the forest, breaking trees in his path. Bear Er on his back was violently shaken off and thrown to the ground.

Bear Er looked at the retreating Tuantuan, quickly stood up, and shouted, “Don’t run, big white bear! Wait for me!”

“Bear Er!” Hearing his name called, Bear Er turned his head.

“Su He, what are you doing here?”

“Oh, I saw you on the big white bear earlier and thought you were in danger, so I hurried to help.”

“Got it. No more talk, Su He. I’m going after her. This time, I won’t lose her again.”

“Wait, Bear Er, I’ll go with you.” With that, the two—man and bear—followed the footprints in the snow.

After a while, the footprints led them to an icy lake with a huge hole in the center.

“She should be here,” they said, looking toward the pit. Suddenly, a white figure flew out, rolling on the nearby snow.

Bear Er was delighted. “Big white bear, it really is you! That’s amazing!”

“Hey, Bear Er, wait a moment. Don’t rush.” Before Su He could stop him, Bear Er dashed forward.

As Bear Er joyfully bounced closer, Tuantuan noticed him, stood up, and glared fiercely.

“White bear, what’s wrong with you? Don’t you remember me?”

Seeing the fierce Tuantuan approach step by step, Bear Er grew nervous, slipped, and tumbled down the slope. Tuantuan also rushed down, standing before Bear Er and growling softly.

“Big white bear, it’s me. Don’t you really remember me?” He reached out to touch Tuantuan, but before he could, Tuantuan roared and tried to swat him away.

Su He, witnessing this, knew Tuantuan wouldn’t hurt Bear Er but still stood ready, protected by his white scales, to shield Bear Er.

At that moment, a stone slipped from Bear Er’s small backpack, catching Tuantuan’s attention. The bear suddenly halted as if deep in thought, then growled softly as if warning Bear Er not to come closer and ran away.

“What’s wrong with Big White Bear?”

Bear Er picked up the stone, understood something, and looked at the retreating Tuantuan.

“Are you okay, Bear Er?” Su He rushed over and helped him up.

“Su He, this stone seems very important to Big White Bear. We have to follow and see.”

“Alright.”

Su He and Bear Er hid behind a tree, watching Tuantuan roll in pain.

“Su He, what’s he doing? He looks like he’s in agony.”

“Bear Er, I think it’s because of that warming patch on his rear. He must be uncomfortable. Let’s help him.”

“Okay.”

Meanwhile, in the forest, Big Bear was searching everywhere for Bear Er. “Bear Er, where are you?”

As he walked, he noticed the uneven snow and the damaged trees.

“Someone just destroyed this place. No good, I need to find Bear Er quickly.”

“King Jiji, what happened here?” Maomao asked from a hiding spot.

“How would I know? Come on, let’s go check it out.”

At that moment, Tuantuan lay on the ground, wincing in pain, staring at his rear.

“Bear Er, try spreading the honey from your backpack onto a snowball and toss it over. See if it attracts Big White Bear.”

“Great idea! Su He, you’re so smart!” Soon, a honey-coated snowball was thrown in front of Tuantuan.

Looking at the golden snowball, as tempting as an egg laid by a two-and-a-half-year-old hen, Tuantuan swallowed it in one bite, then licked his lips as if savoring a delicacy.

“The honey snowball worked! Let’s make a bigger one.” Su He called to Bear Er to find more honeycombs.

Before long, Tuantuan eagerly devoured the giant honey snowball. Bear Er circled behind him, ready to tear off the warming patch, but Tuantuan was too tall, and Bear Er couldn’t reach.

“Bear Er, come here! I’ll pull you up.” Su He tossed a rope to Bear Er and pointed to a nearby tree branch.

“Got it.”

“Damn, if it weren’t for the last time the White Snake gave me all her strength, I wouldn’t have been able to pull Bear Er up.”

Suspended in the air, Bear Er lunged toward Tuantuan’s rear and tore off the warming patch. Tuantuan noticed Bear Er’s rummaging, flicked his tail, and threw Bear Er off.

Then he growled and approached Bear Er. Suddenly feeling the absence of the burning heat, Tuantuan happily rolled on the ground.

Seeing this, Bear Er laughed, “Even when you’re angry, you’re so adorable.”

Noticing Bear Er staring at him, Tuantuan coquettishly turned his face away and walked off alone.

“Hey, Big White Bear, wait! Su He, hurry up!”

“Coming!”