Chapter Three: The Lumberjack Robot

After returning to Bald Strong’s house, Su He lay down on the sofa and closed her eyes to rest. Suddenly, the door of the cabin was kicked open with a loud bang, instantly waking her up. She saw Bald Strong enter, his face beaming with joy.

Seeing Su He, Bald Strong exclaimed happily, “Xiao He, I got accepted! From now on, I, Bald Strong, am officially a tour guide. I won’t have to endure Boss Li’s exploitation anymore.”

“Congratulations, Brother Qiang. By the way, tomorrow, Big Bear and Second Bear are preparing a welcome party for me. Brother Qiang, you should come along. That way, you’ll become friends with the forest animals,” Su He said.

Bald Strong hesitated, “But what about all the bad things I did before? Will they forgive me?” He recalled how he had once tried to sell the forest animals to a circus and had cut down so many trees.

Su He waved it off casually, “Don’t worry. You’re not a lumberjack anymore, and you want to help protect the forest too.”

Hearing this, Bald Strong nodded firmly, “Alright, I’ll go with you tomorrow.”

“By the way, Brother Qiang, I’ve come to this forest but haven’t had a place to stay yet. I want to build a cabin, but there’s no way I can do it alone. I was hoping you could help me,” Su He said with a shy smile.

Bald Strong patted his chest confidently, “What’s the big deal? Building a cabin is nothing. Leave it to me, Brother Qiang.”

“Alright then, thanks, Brother Qiang. I’ll stay at your place tonight.”

The next morning, Big Bear slowly woke from his sleep and suddenly remembered that today was Su He’s welcome party. He jumped up and shook Second Bear awake. “Second Bear, wake up! Today is Su He’s welcome party, we can’t be late!”

Since it was already winter, Second Bear still couldn’t wake up despite Big Bear’s vigorous shaking. Reluctantly, Big Bear had to slap him a few times.

“Ouch, my face!” Second Bear shouted, covering his face and jumping around, eyes blazing as he glared at Big Bear. “Big Bear, did you hit me just now?”

“Did you have a nightmare again? I’m your brother. How could I hit you?” Big Bear said with a righteous expression.

Second Bear thought to himself, “Maybe I really did have a nightmare.” Then Big Bear hurriedly pulled him outside. “Come on, no more dawdling. Today is Su He’s welcome party. We can’t be late.”

When Big Bear and Second Bear arrived at Bald Strong’s house, Second Bear nervously whispered, “Big Bear, do you think when we knock, Bald Strong will come out and shoot us?”

“Stop guessing. Didn’t Su He say yesterday that Bald Strong won’t cut trees anymore?” Big Bear reassured him and knocked on the door.

Su He opened the door and happily said, “Big Bear, Second Bear, you’re here!”

“Yeah, let’s hurry. Everyone must be waiting for us,” Big Bear said, ready to leave with Su He.

“Wait, Big Bear, bring Bald Strong along too. He’s stopped cutting trees and wants to help protect the forest,” Su He pulled Bald Strong along.

“Alright then, let’s go together.”

Soon, they arrived at the meeting place where a squirrel, a gopher, and an owl were waiting. Nearby were two monkeys, one with a smug, proud expression on its face. Su He thought, “This must be King Kunkun.”

“Big Bear, where is that human? Hurry and call him out to pay respects to His Majesty,” the proud monkey demanded.

“Yes, yes, call him out to see the king,” the yellow-haired monkey next to it chimed in.

Big Bear ignored the two monkeys. “This is Su He, a forest ranger. He will help protect the forest with us,” he said, pulling Su He forward.

“Hello everyone, I’m Su He, but you can just call me Xiao He,” Su He smiled warmly at the crowd of animals. Each one reminded him of childhood memories, filling him with joy.

“And there’s one more who will protect the forest with us,” said Second Bear, grinning as he pulled Bald Strong out from behind.

“Hi, everyone,” Bald Strong greeted awkwardly, scratching his head.

When Bald Strong’s name was mentioned, the animals all backed away, fear evident in their eyes.

“Don’t be afraid! Bald Strong has stopped cutting trees. He’s now a tour guide and will help protect the forest with us,” Big Bear explained.

The animals all brightened up, “Welcome, Bald Strong!”

But King Kunkun thought to himself, “Two humans wanting to protect the forest? There must be something fishy.”

From then on, everyone happily played together. One day, King Kunkun saw Bald Strong and Su He behind some grass, not knowing what they were doing. Thinking they were up to no good, probably cutting trees again, he raised a stick to confront them. But to his surprise, they were planting saplings, with Big Bear and Second Bear nearby. King Kunkun’s suspicions were dispelled.

“Brother Qiang, there’s only a month until New Year, and since it’s winter, no tourists will come to Bear Ridge. What about your New Year supplies and ticket home?” Su He asked curiously.

“Sigh, I’ve been thinking about that too. I don’t know if I can go home this year,” Bald Strong said gloomily, sitting on the sofa.

Su He thought to herself that if it weren’t for building the cabin—since she had spent her last savings on furniture—she could have helped Bald Strong get home for the New Year.

Suddenly, the roar of a chainsaw echoed through the forest. Bald Strong and Su He hurried out to investigate. On the way, they saw Big Bear, Second Bear, and other animals running toward them.

Following their gaze, they saw a massive logging robot, its enormous cutter felling tree after tree.

“Oh my god, what on earth is that thing?” Big Bear exclaimed, stunned.

“Who cares what it is? It’s just a big chunk of metal. How dare it destroy the forest—let’s show it what we’re made of!” Second Bear grabbed a nearby stone and hurled it at the robot.

The robot barely flinched when hit on the head by the stone.

“Damn it, it didn’t even react! Second Bear, let’s give this guy the punishment Bald Strong got for destroying the forest!”

“Big Bear, could you watch your words? I’m right here, you know,” Bald Strong said, displeased.

“Ha ha, sorry, forgot you were here,” Big Bear said awkwardly, scratching his head.

“Second Bear, let’s attack. Let’s show him what we’ve got!”

“Alright!”

Big Bear and Second Bear leapt onto the robot, swinging their fists at it. But the robot’s steel body made their attacks feel like mere tickles.

Despite their efforts, Big Bear and Second Bear were sweating profusely, their hands swollen and red.

“This guy’s skin is way too tough.”

Big Bear then grabbed a nearby tree and smashed it against the robot. The robot sensed the danger and turned around.

[Danger detected. Activating defense mode.]

“What?”

Before Big Bear could react, the robot threw a heavy punch, sending him flying.