Chapter 27: The Emergence of the Shadow Boss

Late at night, Babu and Er-Gou were on the phone with their boss.

"Hello, Boss?"
"What about Dudu?"
"Dudu? She was in the car, but two monkeys suddenly darted out onto the road."
"Monkeys?"
"Yes, monkeys! It caused us to have an accident, and we accidentally lost Dudu in the chaos."
"What? You lost her?" The boss on the other end of the line crushed his wine glass in anger and roared at Babu and Er-Gou. "Find her and bring her back to me immediately!"
"Yes, yes, right away!"

Early the next morning, Su He handed the money for daily necessities to Logger Vick and stayed home alone to look after Dudu.
"Xiao He, keep a close eye on this little brat. If she turns my house upside down again, you’re the one cleaning it up."
"I got it, Vick. Hurry off to town now."

After Vick left, Su He looked at Dudu, who was still fast asleep on the bed, and felt a headache coming on. "Ugh, I have to go out and record the timber inventory later. How am I supposed to watch this little one? Wait, I can take her to see Briar and Bramble!"

Just then, there was a knock at the door. Su He walked out of the bedroom, puzzled. "Who could be out here in the middle of the deep forest?"
As the saying goes, speak of the devil and he shall appear. When he opened the door, Briar and Bramble were standing there.
"Oh, Briar, Bramble! Why are you here? I was just about to go find you."

Briar scratched his head. "Xiao He, when we were looking for food in the forest yesterday, we thought we heard some noise coming from Logger Vick’s place. Bramble and I decided to come over today to see if everything was alright, and if you needed any help."
"You absolutely do! You’re saviors for both me and Vick. Come into the bedroom, I have a surprise for you."

Su He led them inside and gently pulled back the quilt on the bed, only to find, to his confusion, that it was empty.
"What the—no way! When did this little ancestor wake up? Where did she run off to?"
"Xiao He, what is it? Why are you so nervous?"
"Don't ask, just a little kid! Help me find her quickly, or the house will end up in a disaster, and Vick will kill me when he gets back."

The man and the two bears began searching everywhere, but strangely, they turned the whole house upside down and couldn't find a trace of her.

Su He lay on the sofa, eyes glazed over. "It’s over. Vick is going to kill me when he gets back."
Briar asked, puzzled, "Xiao He, is it really that serious? It’s just a little kid, isn't it? Let’s just keep looking."
"Briar, you have no idea what that little brat is capable of."
"Hey, Bramble, don't move! Just stand right there, don't do anything!"

Behind Bramble, Dudu had climbed onto the refrigerator and was preparing to pounce onto the bear's head.
"What? Su He, why can't I move?"
"Stop talking! I told you not to move, so don't move!"
Briar, standing to the side, saw Dudu on the fridge ready to spring. "Bramble, listen to Xiao He, stay still!"
"What are you two talking about?" Just then, Bramble turned around, suddenly felt his vision go dark, and felt his bear face being grabbed and squished by tiny hands. "Ow! What is this? Briar, hurry up and get her off me!"
"I'm coming!" But every time Briar pulled Dudu off, she would start crying, and as soon as she was put down, she would happily start pestering Bramble again. Caught in this cycle, Bramble was completely bewildered.
"Briar, I told you to get her off me, what are you doing?"

Su He suddenly had a bright idea. "Bramble, could you please bear with it for a little while? Just let Dudu play with you for now, and I’ll have Vick bring you some delicious snacks later."
"Really? Well, alright then." Briar helped Bramble up and placed Dudu on his shoulders.
"Briar, I think Dudu really likes Bramble. Why don't I let her stay with you two for a couple of days?"
"No way. We don't even know whose kid this is, and we have no idea how to take care of a child."
"Oh, that’s a small matter! Vick and I will come help you. As soon as we find her family, we’ll take her back immediately. Please, Briar, I haven't slept well in two days—look at my hair, it’s a total mess!"
"Well... alright. Bramble and I will watch her for now, but you have to come over on time to help."
"Got it! Oh, and don't take Dudu near the water, kids catch colds easily."
"Got it."

Having agreed, Briar and Bramble took Dudu back to their tree hollow. With the little ancestor gone, Su He finally collapsed onto the bed and had a good sleep.

Meanwhile, in town, Logger Vick accidentally bumped into the police officer who had been chasing him on the highway. A high-speed chase ensued.
"Heh, I’m definitely catching you this time, kidnapper!"
Vick pedaled his bicycle with all his might, using his short legs, but he was no match for the police car. The officer rolled down his window and teased him, "Yo, those two little legs are working hard! When you get tired, I’ll take you to the station for a rest. Keep pedaling, straight to the station!"

Vick swerved into an alley, but after a frantic scramble, he found himself at the top of a flight of stairs. The officer had already driven around and was waiting at the bottom, politely opening the back door.
"Sir, please, after you."
Vick tumbled down the stairs and landed perfectly inside the patrol car.
"Hmph, let's see you run now." The officer tossed Vick's bicycle into the trunk and headed for the station.

On the side of the road, Babu and Er-Gou were putting up "Missing Person" posters.
"Hey, Babu, do you think this is going to work?"
"If it doesn't, what else do you suggest?"
Er-Gou had a brilliant idea. "How about we call the police?"
Babu looked at him like he was an idiot and slapped him upside the head. "Call the police? Are you out of your mind? We’re kidnappers! Do you want them to catch us?"
Er-Gou, having taken a few slaps, got angry and started a fight with Babu.

The police officer, currently transporting Vick, saw the commotion and pulled over.
"Hey, what are you two doing?"
Babu and Er-Gou froze.
"Nothing, nothing! We’re just putting up advertisements."
"Advertisements? Let me see."
Babu and Er-Gou waved their hands. "Uh, no, no, you can't!"
"Behave, let me see!" He pushed them aside and saw the poster on the wall—it was a picture of Dudu.
"That’s the little girl!"