You Plan to Kill me with Meng?

POLAR BEAR ARC CHAPTER 19

The drones used in polar regions are quiet and small, rarely drawing attention from the polar bears. Even if wild animals spot them, they often mistake them for birds. It's the land-based cameras that attract animals' curiosity.

At the moment, Qiao Qixi lay on a rock, legs spread, enjoying Otis's grooming. Because the sun was too bright, he kept his eyes closed, unaware of the drone hovering above, recording his pampered state.

If he knew a drone was observing, he would definitely jump up, close his legs, and keep a distance from Otis to maintain some dignity. But since he didn't know, he relaxed in the wilderness, abandoning all sense of human modesty.

Not only did he lounge without a care, but he also shamelessly enjoyed Otis's thrice-daily grooming sessions and insisted on cuddling while sleeping. Qiao Qixi: "I can explain! Being a polar bear is hard. As a naturally social animal, I crave warmth and companionship. Hugs are my emotional support; without them, how could I survive these icy days?"

Becoming more like a bear, Qiao Qixi curled up and fell into a sweet sleep on the rock. His goals had shifted from being a top professional to simply getting a good meal and a sound sleep. He guessed Otis's goals were similar, except Otis might want a mate come spring.

The flowing water and gentle sunlight created a serene atmosphere, though the temperature was a bit too warm. Otis seemed to enjoy the peace, his gaze calm and wise, always aware of his surroundings and nothing could shake him. He looked at his adopted cub with gentle affection.

After thoroughly licking the tired cub, paying extra attention to his paws that had been in the mud, Otis made sure there were no parasites. Only then did he groom himself, quickly and efficiently.

Days of traveling and hunting, enduring hunger and frustration from not finding food for the cub, had deprived Otis of a good sleep. Now, with a full belly, he lay beside the soft little bear for a well-deserved rest.

Despite the high temperatures, the small pools left by the receding tide were warming up, causing the trapped fish to float belly-up. In a few days, these pools would dry up, leaving behind a foul smell as the fish rotted.

The rocks retained too much heat, attracting flies and mosquitoes. Otis woke up growling softly, shaking his head to ward off the pests. The unusual heat and the bothersome insects woke Qiao Qixi, making him feel uncomfortable.

There was no shade on this barren stretch of coast, just some low bushes. Lying in the grass wasn't a good option either, as it was teeming with mosquitoes. Qiao Qixi feared he might get carried away by the bugs if he slept there.

Feeling the intense heat, the highly efficient insulation of their bodies became a burden. Qiao Qixi got up, and together they left the rocky shore. Although the shallow pools had fish, the soon-to-be-dried-up streams were not ideal for a summer retreat. They needed to find a cooler habitat.

So, the two bears set off again, seeking a better place to stay. Qiao Qixi chewed some mint leaves and licked Otis's face to cool him down, which also acted as a natural insect repellent.

Otis felt the cool sensation from the mint and appreciated the temporary relief from the insects. This started a habit for Otis; in future summers, he would always expect Qiao Qixi to lick him for comfort.

Elsewhere on the coast, other polar bears faced new challenges. Those that had shared the stranded whale were now experiencing hunger again, unless they had been exceptionally lucky in finding more food since leaving the muddy shores. But such luck was rare.

Suitable fishing spots were few, and any good locations were likely already occupied by other bears. Single mothers with cubs and not-yet-fully-grown juveniles were more likely to experience hunger. Polar researchers closely monitored these struggling bears and were ready to offer help when needed.

Qiao Qixi and Otis were also under surveillance, but for a different reason. Their unusual friendship and striking looks made them a unique subject of interest. This year, Otis was recognized as the most handsome and pristine adult bear, while Alexander, with his gentle temperament, was seen as an adorable little angel.

The Polar Enthusiasts Forum even had photos of Alexander interacting with humans at the rescue center, his big, shiny eyes, and fluffy white fur captivating everyone who saw them. It was a shame that people couldn't meet the famous Alexander, and only the handsome and strong Otis could be with him every day.

In the research station, diligent staff organized data, often sighing at the grim statistics. "The two juvenile bears we're following today aren't doing well," a young researcher said, showing a colleague a photo of an emaciated juvenile male bear, around three years old, that had collapsed on the barren shore.

"Judging by the skeleton, is it a female?" the colleague asked.

"No, it's a male."

"Wow..." the colleague sighed. "Alexander looks stronger than him at two years old."

"That's not a fair comparison," the young researcher shook his head.

"True," the colleague lamented. Alexander's life was far better than any other cub's. "Are you done? Let's go grab some food and unwind a bit."

"Sure," the young researcher laughed, "And maybe we can watch today's video of Alexander and Otis. Only they can lift my spirits."

"Don't forget, Alexander has been hungry for days," the colleague reminded.

"Yes, but he's still chubby," the young researcher retorted.

The two friends laughed and headed out, planning to share the latest footage of Alexander and Otis over their meal. In the harsh Arctic environment, these two little angels had become a source of comfort and hope for everyone. Seeing them healthy and loving each other brought warmth to everyone's hearts, easing the pain from witnessing the harsh realities faced by other bears.

If there was a miracle born out of this brutal summer, it was the great friendship between Otis and Alexander.

Leaving the shallow pools, they traveled for two more days and became hungry again. Qiao Qixi didn't regret moving on; he guessed that the shallow pools would have dried up by now anyway. Better to leave sooner rather than later.

Otis, though hungry, appeared as calm and collected as ever, leading the way. As a novice, Qiao Qixi still had no say in their direction, following closely like a shadow.

Recalling the previous time he threw a tantrum from hunger, Otis seemed more attentive this time, playing with Qiao Qixi in a patch of low shrubs to lift their spirits. However, the play was unfair, as Otis could easily hold Qiao Qixi's entire head in his mouth.

Qiao Qixi: "Hey! Don't you know men have two heads? Be careful!"

Too tired to play, he wished he could tell Otis that he was exhausted and didn't want to continue. Otis, however, seemed to enjoy the game, showing no signs of tiring.

The presence of shrubs suggested there might be ripe berries in the forest, a good source of nutrition in the summer. Sniffing carefully, Qiao Qixi detected a sweet scent in the air, making his mouth water. He eagerly abandoned Otis to investigate the source of the aroma.

Fortunately, Otis's temper with the cub was always exceptionally good, so he didn't mind being ignored. As long as he could see the cub's chubby figure, he stayed put and kept an eye on things.

Otis had barely settled for a nap when he heard a yelp from Qiao Qixi. Following his instinct, he rushed towards the sound.

Qiao Qixi had survived a fierce battle with a swarm of bees in the shrubbery, emerging with a chunk of honeycomb. Honey was delicious, sweet, and nutritious. Seeing Otis, he excitedly offered him some honey.

Honey was excellent for boosting nutrition in harsh summers. But Qiao Qixi felt a bit off, as he had been stung on the left cheek by a bee.

Revised ✔