Having walked far from the bamboo forest, the once-chubby creature had slimmed down quite a bit.
Indeed, controlling your appetite and staying active are very effective methods for losing weight.
Before Bai Xue arrived, General Fu undeniably held the highest status around Han Cheng.
But after Bai Xue’s arrival and the birth of little Pea, Fu Jiang’s standing began to decline.
Then, a few days ago, that round black-and-white bear cub arrived—and Fu Jiang’s status dropped again…
This deeply hurt Fu Jiang, who already showed signs of enlightenment (or ego). So now, instead of staying much in the tribe, he led his pack of disciples and descendants to lazily wander the woods just outside the tribe’s fields, clearly sulking and giving his unreliable master the cold shoulder.
After wandering briefly, Fu Jiang squatted on the ground, drooping his head. But before long, he lifted his head again, ears perked up, and turned to look in a particular direction.
Before he could determine what it was, a strange wolf howl echoed not too far away.
Meanwhile, the giant panda nearby didn’t pay the wolves or their howls any mind.
With its massive frame, powerful jaws, thick fur, and sharp claws, it didn’t consider the wolves any threat.
It might seem slow and docile, but this panda was a hidden master.
Desperate to find her cub, the panda ignored the wolves and continued.
That’s just how pampered pandas with skills act—they do what they want.
However, as more and more wolves gathered around and circled her, even the capable panda grew a little nervous.
The panda slowed down, especially when she saw the alpha wolf, snarling and glaring at her with bared teeth.
Of course, Fu Jiang was furious. Already demoted in tribal status because of that cub Tuan Tuan, he now encountered an even bigger black-and-white bear? How could he not be upset?
First came one, and he got neglected. Now another, bigger one? Unacceptable!
Still, during their tense standoff with bared fangs and glares, neither side dared to make the first move.
Animal instinct told both that the other was no pushover.
And as the Green Sparrow tribe’s wolf pack had grown in numbers and unity, their gathered presence was incredibly intimidating—few beasts dared to mess with them now.
Meanwhile, in the tribe, Han Cheng was holding a recently-made makeshift baby bottle, his face stuck between a smile and a grimace.
Once again, reality proved that raising a bear cub is no easy task. And that using bamboo as a baby bottle nipple is not ideal, especially when the baby loves chewing bamboo.
The bottle had started perfectly intact, and Han Cheng had been quite proud of his invention. Now? Not so much.
The ceramic bottle itself was still fine—nobody was poor enough to eat clay.
But the bamboo nipple? It was a mess. Thoroughly chewed apart, with half of it missing entirely.
A glance at the chubby little cub Tuan Tuan, who was now rolling toward Bai Xue with paws outstretched, asking for cuddles—his mouth still moving—made it clear where that missing bamboo went.
The cub had fully adapted to its new life. After being fed and cuddled, it waddled over to a basin, waiting for Bai Xue to refill it so it could take a bath.
Han Cheng sniffed and muttered, "This little guy is living better than I am…"
Just then, he heard a commotion from far off.
Could it be another tribe?
He pulled the ruined bamboo nipple from the bottle, thoughts swirling.
Not long after, someone ran in with a report.
“Another big one showed up?”
Han Cheng repeated the words, glancing at the comfortably bathing Tuan Tuan—Could it be this cub’s mother showing up?
What other reason would a panda have to approach the tribe?
“Surround it, but don’t kill it—under any circumstances.”
Han Cheng hesitated only briefly before issuing the order. He instructed the messenger to tell Eldest Senior Brother and the others to ensure safety, but absolutely not to harm the panda.
It was a necessary warning. After all, what Han Cheng saw as a national treasure, the fierce warriors like Shaman and Eldest Senior Brother might see as a rare delicacy.
That thick bear pelt could make great clothing…
Han Cheng, coming from the modern world, had deep feelings for many things from his past life. And pandas—those clumsy, adorable national icons—held a special place in his heart.
His attachment wasn’t strange. When you’re forever separated from your childhood era, and things from that time exist only in memory, encountering something bearing those deep, nostalgic marks can hit hard.
That emotion didn’t include any desire to destroy—it was pure appreciation.
After ordering Bai Xue to hold onto Tuan Tuan and not let the cub leave the yard and locking the gate, Han Cheng headed toward the incident site, bringing with him a few bamboo shoots and some cut bamboo segments.
The skinny, disheveled giant panda, surrounded by Fu’s wolves and Big Brother’s armed warriors, was utterly confused.
She’d just arrived—how did she suddenly find herself surrounded by so many hostile-looking creatures?
Confused as she was, hunger and the scent of her cub kept her from backing down. She growled now and then, swinging her claws to show off her strength.
But her tough act didn’t last long.
When Han Cheng arrived, he casually tossed a fresh bamboo shoot her way.
The bamboo shoot landed squarely on the panda’s head by sheer luck.
Enraged, she roared and prepared to fight.
The Eldest Senior Brother and the others gripped their weapons, stepping protectively in front of Han Cheng.
But mid-roar, the panda stopped—she’d realized what hit her: a bamboo shoot.
And just like that, the once-ferocious creature fell silent.
Indeed, food has a powerful magic, whether it’s for people or animals.