After Otis's "attack" and his subsequent gentle soothing, the fear and exhaustion from the long day finally caught up with Qiao Qixi, and he drifted off to sleep.
However, his heart was far from at ease before he fell asleep.
Qiao Qixi had grown so accustomed to Otis's constant care and protection that he nearly forgot Otis's true nature—that of a solitary king of the ice. Otis's fighting prowess was undeniable, and at his core, he was competitive and ruthless.
Male polar bears often target younger bears not only out of hunger but also because of an innate instinct to eliminate any potential threats and competition, even if that competition is still just a cub. This is the primal instinct of a predator, a genetic memory ingrained deep within them.
Otis's deep, resonant roar had not only nearly scared Qiao Qixi out of his wits but also served as a stark reminder: as a young male polar bear, he would eventually become a rival to Otis.
This wasn't just a baseless fear; it was the truth.
In Otis's eyes, Qiao Qixi was a future competitor for survival resources and mating opportunities. The fact that Otis hadn't killed him and was instead raising him was already an extraordinary thing.
But how long could this "abnormal" situation last?
Qiao Qixi's thoughts were spot on, aligning with the conclusions of most researchers who believed that the turning point in this "non-mainstream" friendship would come when Otis reached his first mating season.
The summer season would give way to spring soon enough, and perhaps within less than half a year, Otis would realize that he had made a bad deal—raising a useless bear that would eventually encroach on his territory and survival chances. And then, Otis might very well turn on him, expelling him with force.
Or worse, giving him a thorough beating before kicking him out.
*...That's terrifying.*
The little bear who cautiously nestled in Otis's embrace tonight was one who had many worries on his mind.
That ear-splitting roar had driven a wedge between him and Otis, an unavoidable barrier.
How to put it—though they shared the same bed, they had different dreams. Otis, wary of the growing cub becoming a competitor, and Qiao Qixi, wary of the day when Otis might suddenly wake up and decide to end him.
*The more you think about it, the more tragic it seems.*
It was like the relationship between an ancient king and his ministers.
*Too tragic.*
As Qiao Qixi mulled over these thoughts, he finally fell asleep.
When he awoke, the sun was still shining brightly, and the sea breeze carried a slight warmth. The mother bear and her cub were nowhere to be seen.
And neither was Otis.
Yes, he was alone, lying in the shade, guarding their now-empty sleeping spot.
This was a rare occurrence, and it only confirmed his fears. The moment a rift appears, it's only a matter of time before you fall out of favor, and then, inevitably, get kicked out.
Qiao Qixi quickly twisted his head around, looking for his little yellow bucket—the only personal belonging he could take with him.
Finding it, he breathed a sigh of relief.
In the process of locating the bucket, he spotted Otis, who was standing by the sea, patiently waiting for prey. So, Otis had gone hunting.
Seeing Otis's massive silhouette gave Qiao Qixi a fleeting sense of security.
YOU ARE READING
You Plan to Kill me with Meng?
RomanceSYNOPSIS: Qiao Qixi woke up one day to find himself transmigrated as a polar bear and he merely took more care of the injured bear next door when the other side see him in a different light. A gay... bear? Later he found out his guess was right. Shi...
