POLAR BEAR ARC CHAPTER 27

In the vast, sparsely populated expanses of Greenland, people sometimes build small houses in scenic, secluded spots, typically as vacation homes. These structures are often left unmonitored by the authorities as long as they don't cause significant disruption. The small wooden cabin that Otis had his eyes on was one such place—a temporary vacation home for locals, usually left vacant except when the owners came by with plenty of food, much of which often went uneaten.

As the temperatures rose, the food left behind began to emit strong odors, easily detected by Otis. Although he had been ambushed by poachers before, Otis approached this cabin with confidence, assured that there were no human scents lingering around. That's why he felt safe enough to bring Qiao Qixi along to forage for food.

Otis led the way boldly, occasionally glancing back to softly call for the hesitant little polar bear. To Qiao Qixi, it sounded like Otis was saying, *Come on, bro, why aren't you more eager to eat? Is there something wrong with your attitude?*

*No, nothing wrong here!*

But... Qiao Qixi gulped nervously, hesitating at the thought of breaking into the cabin to steal human food.

It seemed inevitable, though, as Otis had already reached the door.

So, with no choice but to follow, Qiao Qixi reluctantly decided to commit this "crime."

The little polar bear, wearing his yellow bucket, cautiously scanned the surroundings, and once he felt safe, he hurried after Otis. The last stretch he ran because, by then, Otis had already opened the door and gone inside.

To Qiao Qixi's surprise and gratitude, Otis hadn't forgotten about him and waited by the door, showing that he was indeed a good friend.

The wooden steps creaked under Qiao Qixi's paws as he carefully climbed up, briefly glancing at Otis's feet. *Wow, Greenlanders sure build sturdy wooden floors; there's no shoddy work here.*

The cabin, about 50 square meters in size, was small and simple. As soon as they entered, the air hit them with the strong scent of food starting to spoil—likely meat that had thawed and gone bad in the heat, an odor that polar bears could easily pick up.

It might have been Otis's first time breaking into a human dwelling, so he lacked experience. He walked over to a table, where some dried fish were laid out. These were likely once frozen but had since partially thawed and were now giving off a potent, fishy smell. The large polar bear sniffed one piece, decided it was still edible, and picked up a new piece to bring to Qiao Qixi.

However, when he turned around, the little bear was no longer waiting in the same spot. Otis quickly looked around and spotted the pudgy backside of Qiao Qixi in front of a pile of cardboard boxes.

Otis let out a low call and approached with the fish.

The little bear, hearing his guardian's call, turned around with his snout smeared in bright red tomato sauce. Unlike Otis, who was interested in the dried fish, Qiao Qixi was much more fascinated by the tomato sauce, canned fruit, sandwich cookies, and, unbelievably, even candy that he found.

"Oooh..." Qiao Qixi made a happy sound, feeling a wave of nostalgia wash over him at the sight of these long-missed foods.

Alexander loved this place and expressed his joy through happy sounds.

The sweet and tangy smell of the tomato sauce made Otis wrinkle his nose, though not out of dislike. He was merely trying to gather more information through scent.

Polar bears living in the wild are cautious about what they eat, carefully determining what's safe.

Otis put down the dried fish and, following Qiao Qixi's lead, tasted the tomato sauce. The sour-sweet flavor reminded him of the berries that grow in the summer.

This was likely the first time Otis had ever tasted such food.

The little bear, eager to share with his companion, quickly opened a can of fruit. Here's how he did it: using his paws to hold the can steady, he tilted his head and used his teeth to pull on the tab. It was an easy task, much like how a human would open it.

The clever little bear, whose intelligence shouldn't be underestimated, presented the opened can of fruit to Otis, hoping he would give it a try.

Given that large bears like Otis have a natural sweet tooth (they do love honey, after all), it didn't take long for Otis to be drawn in by the sweet aroma emanating from the little can. He sat down and quickly picked up a can of his own. After skillfully removing the tab and lid, he brought it to his mouth and licked at the fruit inside.

The sweet taste blossomed on his tongue, and it was indeed delightful.

The can of fruit, whether expired or not, brought joy to Otis. He seemed to enjoy it quite a bit.

Having walked for three days, both bears were starving, so the sweet fruit and its juice were a welcome treat.

Qiao Qixi didn't open any more cans after that, already having filled his yellow bucket with enough fruit. He almost forgot that anything placed in the bucket was considered his by Otis, who would never touch it. The rest was left for Otis to enjoy.

They spent the next little while happily savoring the canned goods, enjoying the sweet flavors that were irresistible to polar bears.

It had been a long time since Qiao Qixi had eaten human food, and he delighted in the plump, sweet yellow peaches, swallowing them whole without even chewing.

As for the smelly dried fish, it lay neglected on the floor. Perhaps once they finished all the canned food, the bears might remember it.

When it comes to eating, polar bears don't know moderation. A 6x6 box of fruit cans was quickly devoured by Qiao Qixi and Otis.

Even after consuming that much, their stomachs still felt empty—a testament to their bottomless appetites.

Finally, Otis's gaze returned to the dried fish on the floor, but just then, the little bear made a new discovery.

After rummaging through the place, he found a box of sandwich cookies and dumped them on the floor.

Aha! Isn't that a nice surprise?

After finishing off the canned goods, there were still sandwich cookies, flavored with orange and filled with a thick layer of sweet cream.

Qiao Qixi saw the dried fish but figured that with so much food in the cabin, the fish could wait. They would save it for last.

Otis found the sandwich cookies acceptable as well.

Polar bears aren't picky eaters. In harsh conditions, a hungry polar bear will even dig through human garbage for scraps. They'll eat just about anything edible.

That said, Otis had never been desperate enough to rely on scavenging. He was large, strong, and an excellent hunter in the Arctic Circle—a bit of a proud, clean bear who wouldn't stoop to eating rotten meat unless absolutely necessary.

The dried fish wasn't that bad, just starting to go stale in the heat.

With other food still available, the two bears pushed the dried fish aside, continuing to search for more edible items.

Qiao Qixi found some large sausages in the kitchen cabinets, still sealed and apparently not expired.

He happily took one out, holding the sausage steady with his paws before tearing open the packaging with his teeth. He took a bite—delicious, with a generous amount of meat. It was very similar to the large sausages made by Russians, a bit salty but otherwise perfect.

Otis was also munching on the sausages. When it came to food, he was much more enthusiastic than the little bear, understanding that eating his fill was a top priority.

Being strong and full of energy was essential for taking care of the little bear.

After downing two arm-thick sausages, Qiao Qixi felt content but a bit thirsty, prompting him to rummage through the cabin for something to drink.

His search paid off when he found some glass bottles of soda on a shelf. Opening a bottle was easy for him, his teeth acting as a natural bottle opener, allowing him to enjoy the sweet, fizzy drink inside.

The soda was likely meant for children, placed next to some bottles of alcohol—not surprising given that people in cold regions often rely on liquor.

But Qiao Qixi had no interest in the strong spirits. He sat on the floor, slightly panting, his plump body resting against the cabinet as he sipped on the orange soda.

All the activity had tired him out.

Otis had finished all the remaining sausages, and Qiao Qixi guessed he might be thirsty too. Otis's eyes roved around the room before finally landing on the few bottles of soda Qiao Qixi had nestled between his legs.

Ah, does Otis want some soda too? Okay then!

The sausages were indeed quite salty.

Just as Qiao Qixi was about to generously offer two bottles of his beloved soda to Otis, the large bear's attention shifted to another glass bottle—not soda, but the human alcohol.

Qiao Qixi's eyes twitched. *Is Otis really going to drink alcohol?*

He wanted to stop him, worried about what might happen if Otis got drunk.

As a pair of burglars, Qiao Qixi felt they should eat and leave quickly—drinking could only slow them down.

But he had no effective way of stopping Otis, who seemed genuinely interested in the scent of the alcohol. After cautiously exploring the taste, Otis actually started drinking it.

It turns out Otis liked alcohol.

The little bear, clutching his orange soda, hiccuped, silently praying that Otis wouldn't get drunk. They

still needed to leave this place soon.

However, it wasn't long before the tired little bear himself started to doze off.

*Uh-oh, looks like I'll have to take a nap here,* he thought.

Sleepy from the soda, Qiao Qixi downed the last few sips before curling up on the floor, quickly drifting off.

He wasn't sure when Otis returned to his side, but he vaguely remembered the scent of alcohol wafting closer before a wet tongue began to lick his mouth, nose, and cheeks. It reminded him of a tipsy human getting affectionate after drinking.

Otis, slightly tipsy but far from drunk, cuddled the sleeping little bear, showering him with affectionate licks.

The large bear, who had downed a bottle of alcohol, seemed in high spirits, though he wasn't intoxicated.

Apparently, that light, pleasant buzz that comes after drinking wasn't just enjoyable for humans; even animals found it hard to resist.

Qiao Qixi, worn out by the soda, slept deeply, feeling incredibly comfortable and secure.

Perhaps it was because he was finally sleeping indoors, shielded from the wind and away from the harsh sun.

With a natural pillow beside him and gentle caresses in his sleep, he felt a deep sense of security.

After more than two months, this was the first dream Qiao Qixi had about humans since coming ashore. It was a very ordinary dream, filled with scenes from his school life, familiar faces, and names of classmates and teachers that remained clear as day.

He also dreamed about his post-graduation life—his boss was a nice person who enjoyed taking them out for good food after work.

It was a warm dream, free of any sad goodbyes or regrets about losing touch with old friends. He felt that his current life was just as good.

Qiao Qixi, who had learned to be optimistic, held onto the belief that when things don't go as planned, it's because fate has something better in store.

*So, is Otis fate's gift to me?*

Otis also slept soundly, the alcohol helping him achieve a deep, restorative sleep that rejuvenated both his body and spirit.

The small cabin was quiet; as a remote building, there was no electricity.

The only evidence of the two bears' "crimes" was the footage captured by the drone following them, showing them breaking into the cabin. What they did inside was known only to them.

Perhaps eight hours passed, maybe ten, when Qiao Qixi finally stirred awake in Otis's embrace. He yawned, stretching his paws as he looked around.

The place was a mess.

It looked like the aftermath of a wild party, with everything in disarray. Yup, it was the aftermath of a two-bear party.

Not just with soda and snacks but also with alcohol.

Qiao Qixi glanced up at Otis, the handsome bear still deep in slumber, his head resting against the wall. They had chosen a somewhat hidden spot to sleep, so even if someone entered, they wouldn't be spotted right away.

It seemed that wherever Otis slept, he instinctively chose a concealed location.

That nap was fantastic. Qiao Qixi smacked his lips, stretched out his limbs, and snuggled back into Otis's embrace for a bit of lazing around.

No school, no work—why bother getting up?

As the bears slept, the humans who monitored them through the drone wrapped up their shift, finding themselves both amused and worried by what they saw.

There was concern, too.

*Why did Otis and Alexander venture inland and break into a human cabin?*

The humans knew the bears were intelligent enough to ensure the cabin was empty before entering.

But it had been a long time, and the two bears still hadn't come out. How could they not be worried?

#Today, Otis and Alexander broke into a human cabin.#

The humans chose not to share the images, fearing that revealing the bears' whereabouts could bring them trouble.

"They've been in there for hours. I'm really worried about them," one of the monitors said.

"They broke into a cabin? My God, I hope there's no one inside."

"Yeah, let's pray the place is empty. It's safer for both the people and the bears."

"They haven't come out yet, so there must be a lot of food in there."

"Bears don't act without reason. They wouldn't break in if there wasn't something good to eat inside, so I wouldn't worry too much."

"They probably found a nice stash of food and decided to nap after gorging themselves, haha."

"In recent years, more and more polar bears have been found venturing into human areas to scavenge for food. It's heartbreaking to see these big guys struggling."

"This summer, Otis and Alexander haven't gone hungry as much. The polar night will be here soon, and things will start cooling down."

"Please hurry up and bring the polar night. I hate waking up to darkness, but for their sake, I want it to come quickly."

Yes, the polar night was approaching.

About a month to go.

This summer, Otis and Alexander had indeed fared better than most polar bears.

When Otis woke up in the cabin, the alcohol's effects had worn off. He was in a lazy mood, his half-closed eyes reflecting contentment and satisfaction.

He shifted, sliding to the floor to lie on his back, still holding the napping little bear, and gave his paw a lick.

The weather had been oppressively hot lately, with the outdoor temperatures refusing to drop, but the cabin's roof provided some shade, making it relatively cooler inside.

This brought a significant sense of relief to Otis.

After a big meal, he showed no interest in the remaining food, except for the bottles of alcohol that the little bear didn't care for.

When Qiao Qixi woke up, he continued to nibble on cookies and snacks like a little squirrel.

After all, his plan was to eat up all the food and then leave the scene of the crime.

*As long as no one catches us, it's like nothing ever happened,* he thought with a grin.

There were legendary thieves of the past who scaled walls and stole from the rich to give to the poor. Now there were two chubby polar bears breaking in to feed themselves. The scale might be different, but the spirit was the same, Qiao Qixi thought smugly.

Meanwhile, Otis seemed in no hurry to leave the cabin, likely because it was cooler inside and he wasn't sure where to go next.

*Sigh.*

Qiao Qixi took another bite of his cookie, feeling a bit lost and uncertain about the future.

Crumbs scattered across his fluffy, chubby belly, and some sugar even stuck to his fur, making quite a mess.

As he pondered how to clean it up, Otis's head suddenly appeared, his nimble tongue quickly sweeping up the crumbs and sticky sugar from Qiao Qixi's fur.

What more could a pampered little bear ask for?

All he could do was kick back, relax, and keep munching.

Otis had clearly lost interest in the little bear's food, but he was a bear with a sense of humor. After cleaning up Qiao Qixi's belly, he suddenly moved closer, bringing his mouth near the little bear's lips.

"Hmm?" Qiao Qixi thought Otis wanted the cookie he was chewing, so he generously offered it to him.

*Go ahead, don't be shy.*

But it turned out Otis was just playing around. He gently nibbled on the cookie, then returned it to Qiao Qixi.

*...*

*Seriously, can you not?*

That kind of playfulness would definitely make him blush.

Sometimes, Qiao Qixi deliberately ignored Otis's actions, especially those that seemed flirtatious, like now.

*Ah, I must have misunderstood. Polar bears can't possibly have such mischievous thoughts,* he convinced himself.

Revised ✔