The cool river water instantly enveloped Ye Yunian as he plunged in. Using his paws, he tried to swim down to catch a fish. However, as soon as he submerged his head, he realized something was wrong.

It had just rained, and the river was overflowing. Although the surface appeared calm, the current was fast. Worse still, the water where he jumped in was too deep!

The rapid current swept Ye Yunian downstream before he even had a chance to react.

Fishing was the last thing on his mind now. Panic set in, but he didn’t hesitate. He quickly adjusted his posture and paddled with all his might, trying to swim toward the shore.

No matter how hard he tried, though, the current was too strong. Instead of getting closer to the bank, he was being pulled further away.

On the shore, Apple Bear sensed something was wrong. Without a second thought, the bear let out a distressed call and plunged into the water with a splash.

The water sprayed onto Ye Yunian’s face, and he turned his head to see Apple Bear swimming toward him. When the larger bear reached his side, it used its head to nudge Ye Yunian’s body, guiding him toward the bank.

The current was still strong, but with Apple Bear’s help, Ye Yunian finally felt like he was making progress.

After a few intense minutes, the two pandas managed to make it to shore.

Ye Yunian was completely shaken. As soon as they reached solid ground, he collapsed onto the smooth pebbles, gasping for breath.

Before he could gather his thoughts, he felt something clamp down on the scruff of his neck. He glanced up and saw Apple Bear, but didn’t resist. The larger bear dragged him farther from the river, ensuring they were at a safe distance.

Ye Yunian’s neck ached a little. He was about to express his discomfort when suddenly, Apple Bear jumped up, swinging its front paws through the air, and let out an angry “maa” sound.

Ye Yunian stared at Apple Bear in shock. It took him a couple of seconds to realize that the bear was scolding him.

Apple Bear was truly upset. It paced back and forth, its paws hitting the ground in frustration, before running back to Ye Yunian’s side and letting out another warning growl.

To be honest, Ye Yunian was still in a bit of shock. In the face of nature’s power, all creatures seemed so small. He had almost lost his life just moments ago, and his mind was still blank.

If anyone else had scolded him like this, Ye Yunian might have felt wronged. But looking at Apple Bear’s angry face, all he felt was a rush of warmth.

Apple Bear cared about him.

If the bear didn’t care, it wouldn’t have jumped into the river after him, nor would it be scolding him now that they were safe.

Ye Yunian’s eyes stung with unshed tears. He wasn’t scared of Apple Bear’s angry eyes; instead, he softly responded with a quiet call.

Apple Bear’s large body was still heaving with agitation, its frustration evident. Ye Yunian got up and obediently approached the bear, lowering his head like a chastised child.

Though it was early April, and the weather had warmed, the cold from being soaking wet still seeped into his bones. Apple Bear’s fur was drenched and still dripping, and the bear hadn’t even taken the time to shake off the water after getting out of the river. Its only concern had been dragging Ye Yunian farther from the dangerous riverbank.

Ye Yunian nuzzled his head against Apple Bear’s face, letting out a soft noise.

Apple Bear stood still for a moment.

Then, Ye Yunian stuck out his tongue and began cleaning the water droplets off Apple Bear’s face.

Apple Bear lowered its head and stared at Ye Yunian. The little panda’s eyes were just like his—dark and shiny.

The two bears held eye contact for a few moments.

Then, Apple Bear sniffed Ye Yunian before leaning in to lick the water droplets off his eyelids.

Ye Yunian knew what that meant—Apple Bear had forgiven him.

Delighted, Ye Yunian let out another cheerful call.

Apple Bear let out a soft grunt in response, and the tension between them finally melted away.

The two pandas shook off the remaining water, then sprawled on the sun-warmed pebbles by the riverbank, grooming their fur.

Thankfully, it was noon, and the warmth of the stones quickly dried them. After a while, Ye Yunian flipped over to bask his other side in the sun.

Apple Bear, lying beside him, simply lifted an eyelid before closing it again.

Once their fur was completely dry, the two pandas resumed their journey.

Before leaving, Ye Yunian stopped by the river for one last drink of water. He couldn’t help but notice Apple Bear’s gaze fixed on him, as if the bear was worried. It wasn’t until Ye Yunian finished drinking and safely returned to his side that Apple Bear finally looked away and continued walking.

Ye Yunian found it amusing but also heartwarming. He playfully nudged Apple Bear, sending a soft “panda energy” bump toward his companion. This time, he was careful to be gentle.

Apple Bear, unfazed, kept leading the way.

Ye Yunian happily followed behind, his steps lighter than before.

As the weather grew warmer, more wildlife appeared in the forest. Apple Bear found a new bamboo forest for them, full of tender bamboo shoots, located near the riverbank.

Whether they were pandas or other wild animals, everyone preferred to live near water.

For the next few days, Ye Yunian had a new routine—after feasting on bamboo shoots, he would retreat to the bamboo grove by the riverbank to observe the other animals.

He had watched entire families of wild boars cross the river, deer herds, mountain goats, and even wolves with their cubs coming to drink from the river.

Ye Yunian enjoyed his little hobby immensely. But just when he and Apple Bear had nearly finished all the bamboo shoots in the grove, an unexpected guest arrived—a black bear.

Apple Bear was the first to notice it.

It was the middle of the afternoon, and Ye Yunian was sleeping soundly, sprawled on Apple Bear’s stomach after a satisfying meal.

But Apple Bear suddenly stood up, sending Ye Yunian tumbling to the ground. He rolled a couple of times before coming to his senses.

Still groggy, Ye Yunian looked up at Apple Bear in confusion. That’s when he caught a whiff of something that sent a chill down his spine.

Nervously, Ye Yunian rushed to Apple Bear’s side.

Apple Bear raised its head, tracking the source of the scent.

Ye Yunian followed the bear’s gaze and saw a dark figure across the river.

At first, Ye Yunian thought it might be another panda, but as the figure emerged from the forest, it became clear—it was a fully grown black bear.

The black bear was about the same size as Apple Bear, though slightly less muscular, likely because it had just come out of hibernation.

This meant that it was two against one—they had the advantage!

However, black bears and pandas typically avoided conflict with each other. Even though the black bear had spotted them, it didn’t make any aggressive moves. Instead, it continued walking along the opposite bank for a while before stopping far away to drink from the river.

Ye Yunian let out a sigh of relief.

It seemed that this black bear was just another animal passing through for a drink.

But Apple Bear remained alert, his nose twitching as he sniffed the air. After a few moments, he made his decision and began walking.

Ye Yunian was surprised.

Were they leaving already, even though they hadn’t finished all the bamboo shoots?

Apple Bear answered Ye Yunian with his actions.

Having lived with Apple Bear for this long, Ye Yunian had learned the bear’s personality. Once Apple Bear made up his mind, he wouldn’t change it. So Ye Yunian didn’t hesitate and quickly followed, though he couldn’t help but glance back at the black bear on the other side of the river.

The black bear had finished drinking but remained in the water, seemingly observing something.

Suddenly, it lunged into the river.

Ye Yunian stopped in his tracks, his eyes wide with shock.

Wait, catching fish was that easy?!

Ye Yunian was exasperated.

Why did he jumped into the water and got nothing!

Ever since that incident, Apple Bear had been keeping a close eye on him whenever they were near the river. Once, Ye Yunian had even spotted a plump fish swimming right in front of him, but before he could take a step toward the water, Apple Bear had already grabbed him by the neck and dragged him back.

That fat fish had slipped right through his paws!

Now, watching the black bear on the other side of the river enjoying its catch, Ye Yunian nearly shed tears of frustration.

Noticing that Ye Yunian wasn’t following, Apple Bear patiently stopped and looked back at him.

With a huff, Ye Yunian shook off his grumpiness and caught up with Apple Bear, gently nudging him with his head.

Apple Bear looked down, puzzled.

Ye Yunian grumbled, “chirping” a stream of complaints.

Apple Bear tilted his head in confusion.

He didn’t understand.

Ye Yunian often liked to “talk” to Apple Bear, and usually, the

larger bear could understand his general intentions. For example, when Ye Yunian was tired and wanted to nap, or when he wanted to sleep on Apple Bear’s belly, or when he refused to eat certain things like bamboo rats or snakes. But there were times, like now, when Apple Bear couldn’t quite grasp what Ye Yunian was trying to say.

Still, Apple Bear sensed that Ye Yunian was a little upset, though he wasn’t sure why. In response, the bear did the only thing he knew would always work—he leaned down and licked Ye Yunian’s face gently, in a show of affection and reassurance.

And, as always, it worked.

The moment Apple Bear licked him, Ye Yunian’s frustration melted away. Instead, he felt warmth bubble up inside him. Grinning, Ye Yunian nuzzled his head against Apple Bear’s fur, rubbing his face all over his larger friend.

If Apple Bear could read Ye Yunian’s mind at that moment, he would have known exactly what the little panda was thinking:

Ah, yet another day of being healed by fluff.