The autumn air was crisp, and the temperature gradually cooled as food in the natural world became scarce. Autumn and Winter were the seasons when animals fiercely competed for survival.

Ye Yunian was an inexperienced adolescent giant panda. He still couldn’t differentiate another panda’s identity from their scent. However, Apple Bear, on the other hand, had already analyzed the identity of the approaching stranger—an eight-year-old male giant panda in his prime.

As the scent of the unfamiliar panda grew stronger, and he brazenly trespassed into their territory, Ye Yunian also sensed that something wasn’t right.

Apple Bear, though strong, was still a sub-adult panda. Compared to a full-grown panda in its prime, there was still a gap in strength. The fact that the intruder ignored Apple Bear’s territorial markings showed that he wasn’t intimidated by Apple Bear.

Yet, Apple Bear didn’t retreat. Even though the intruder was at his peak, Apple Bear wasn’t one to back down from a fight and wasn’t guaranteed to lose either.

Sensing the intrusion, Apple Bear began to issue low growls of warning. Giant pandas are sensitive to the sounds of their own kind, and even from a distance, the warning was clear.

Despite the warning, the intruder didn’t halt his advance.

Sniffing the air, Apple Bear understood the stranger’s intention. The intruder had his sights set on this territory and wasn’t planning to back down, which meant that one of them would have to leave.

There were two choices: leave voluntarily or fight to stay.

Apple Bear assessed the intruder’s strength, while the intruder gauged his power from Apple Bear’s markings.

Suddenly, the intruder paused, seemingly having noticed something.

Ye Yunian, uncertain why the intruder stopped, looked nervously at the still-alert Apple Bear.

Apple Bear lowered his head and met Ye Yunian’s slightly panicked gaze. After a brief pause, he leaned down to gently lick the fur on Ye Yunian’s head, offering comfort.

Ye Yunian felt somewhat reassured.

Since his release into the wild, Ye Yunian had only encountered Apple Bear and no other pandas. Naturally, he was curious about other pandas, but only if they were friendly. The intruder, however, didn’t seem friendly at all, leaving Ye Yunian a bit anxious.

Apple Bear’s comfort helped calm him down.

Right, there’s nothing to be afraid of! Even if they couldn’t win, they could just run away together!

Ye Yunian regained his composure and, in a gesture of gratitude, leaned over to lick Apple Bear in return.

Just then, a loud and threatening roar echoed through the forest as the intruding panda suddenly accelerated toward them.

Ye Yunian froze mid-lick, instinctively shrinking behind Apple Bear.

Apple Bear’s expression turned serious.

Ye Yunian didn’t understand, but Apple Bear did—the intruder had picked up on Ye Yunian’s scent and was now charging directly toward him.

However, after running for a short distance, the intruder stopped again.

It was odd.

Very odd.

At first, the intruder had smelled a nearly mature sub-adult panda—strong, but not stronger than himself. Confident in his ability to overpower Apple Bear, the intruder had continued forward, issuing his own warnings.

But as he progressed into the territory, he began to pick up the scent of a much younger panda, no more than two years old, clearly no match for him. This discovery excited the intruder, and he had planned to charge in and claim the territory by driving the younger panda out.

But why, as he got closer to the young panda, did the scent of the stronger sub adult panda become even more intense?

The intruding panda was confused.

He began to doubt his sense of smell.

He stopped to carefully analyze the air again. No, his sense of smell was fine. So why was a young panda hanging around with another nearly adult panda? In the wild, if a young panda strayed into an adult male’s territory, the adult would typically kill the intruder without hesitation.

Why hadn’t the owner of this territory killed Ye Yunian?

The situation didn’t make sense to the intruder.

But even though it puzzled him, he wasn’t ready to give up.

The land where Ye Yunian and Apple Bear resided was too bountiful to ignore—enough to support him through the entire winter. Apple Bear’s strength didn’t scare him, let alone Ye Yunian’s.

The intruder’s intentions were clear.

Apple Bear glanced at Ye Yunian, making a decision. With a low growl, he signaled to Ye Yunian.

Ye Yunian understood the message.

So, they weren’t going to fight after all!

Apple Bear walked ahead, and Ye Yunian quickly followed.

Not fighting was great!

Ye Yunian had been tense ever since the intruder appeared. While he knew Apple Bear was strong, there was no guarantee he wouldn’t get hurt in a fight. In the wild, even a small wound could become life-threatening if it wasn’t treated properly.

Ye Yunian truly feared Apple Bear getting injured in a confrontation.

So, he had no objection to Apple Bear’s decision to leave.

As the intruder’s scent grew fainter, it seemed he had noticed their retreat and didn’t pursue them.

Ye Yunian let out a huge sigh of relief and happily rubbed his head against Apple Bear. The forest still had plenty of food since winter hadn’t yet arrived, and more importantly, Ye Yunian vowed to finally overcome his dislike of bamboo stalks!

Territory? They could always find a new one.

Ye Yunian hummed softly as if to reassure Apple Bear, regardless of whether Apple Bear understood.

After walking for some time, Ye Yunian realized they had reached the edge of their territory.

Feeling a bit regretful that they wouldn’t be able to return, Ye Yunian paused, casting a longing glance back at the forest.

Apple Bear stopped as well.

Thinking that Apple Bear was feeling the same reluctance, Ye Yunian hurried over to comfort him.

Unexpectedly, Apple Bear leaned in and gave Ye Yunian’s face a hearty lick, followed by a couple of gentle bleats.

Since Ye Yunian wasn’t born a panda, his human instincts made him adopt a few human-like habits.

When leaving Apple Bear’s side for short trips around the territory, Ye Yunian would make a long, drawn-out “bleat” to signal that he would return soon.

At first, Apple Bear didn’t understand what it meant and would follow him. But after Ye Yunian shooed him back each time, Apple Bear eventually understood the meaning of the long “bleat.”

Now, however, it was Apple Bear who was making the sound.

“Go and come back?” Where was Apple Bear planning to go?

Before Ye Yunian could figure it out, Apple Bear had already turned around and started walking back the way they had come—toward the direction of the intruder.

Ye Yunian, alarmed, rushed forward and bit down on Apple Bear’s arm.

Hadn’t they already left? Why go back and fight now?

Whining anxiously, Ye Yunian pleaded with Apple Bear to stop.

But Apple Bear only paused briefly before making the same long “bleat” again.

No, you can’t go.

Realizing that biting Apple Bear’s arm wasn’t working, Ye Yunian let go and stepped in front of him.

At that moment, it finally dawned on Ye Yunian why Apple Bear had brought him here.

Apple Bear had led him to safety and intended to go back alone to fight.

This territory might be good, but surely they could find another one!

Standing on his hind legs, Ye Yunian wrapped his arms around Apple Bear’s head, refusing to let him leave.

Apple Bear was forced to stop.

Ye Yunian clung tightly to Apple Bear’s head, determined not to let him go.

Apple Bear had always been patient with Ye Yunian. Since Ye Yunian didn’t want him to leave, he obediently stood still.

After a while, Ye Yunian glanced down at Apple Bear and, unable to resist, licked his eyes.

Apple Bear’s eyes were so beautiful—maybe they didn’t need to fight after all?

What if—just what if Apple Bear got hurt?

Apple Bear didn’t move, simply gazing back at Ye Yunian, fully understanding the concern in his eyes.

But Apple Bear couldn’t back down.

Each bear had its own thoughts, neither fully understanding the other.

Just as Ye Yunian was about to let go, a loud, threatening roar echoed through the forest again.

Startled, Ye Yunian released Apple Bear and hid behind him.

The intruder, sensing that Apple Bear and Ye Yunian hadn’t gone far, let out a warning roar and even started running toward them.

It was easy to give up territory, but with winter approaching, finding a new one capable of supporting both Apple Bear and Ye Yunian would be difficult.

That was why Apple Bear couldn’t retreat.

Ye Yunian let out a couple of anxious whimpers, signaling Apple Bear that they should leave.

But instead, Apple Bear stood on his hind legs and let out a louder roar in response to the intruder.

Ye Yunian’s head was spinning.

Before he could try to dissuade Apple Bear again, the latter suddenly sped off in the direction of the intruder.

In the blink of an eye, Apple Bear had disappeared from Ye Yunnian’s sight.

Panic surged through Ye Yunian. He shouted after him twice.

But this time, Apple Bear didn’t respond. He was already rushing straight toward the intruder.

The intruder was indeed powerful, but not so much that Apple Bear feared him. The reason Apple Bear initially led Ye Yunian away was to avoid accidentally hurting him in the fight.

Now that Ye Yunian was in a safe spot, Apple Bear no longer had to hold back—he was ready to confront the intruder head-on.

Ye Yunian was left standing there, anxiously pacing in circles.

What should I do? What should I do?!

Why did Apple Bear charge back to fight?!

At that moment, Ye Yunian realized why Apple Bear had pulled him away earlier. Apple Bear had been worried about him getting hurt—he didn’t want Ye Yunian to be in danger.

But just because Ye Yunian was safe didn’t mean Apple Bear should be at risk!

Didn’t Apple Bear realize that with the two of them fighting together, their chances of winning were much higher?

All his previous fear was completely forgotten. Without hesitation, Ye Yunian took off running in the direction Apple Bear had gone.

In Apple Bear’s heart, Ye Yunian was very important, which was why he didn’t want him to be injured.

But similarly, in Ye Yunian’s heart, Apple Bear was just as important—he didn’t want him to get hurt either.

“Wait for me, Apple Bear! Let’s take him down together!”