“Oh my God!
It’s a giant panda!”
Wang Yi glanced sideways at Su Lin, who was staring intently at the panda.
“You really have sharp ears.
You could hear it from that far away?”
Wang Yi had been a forest ranger for several years.
In all that time, the closest he had ever gotten to a giant panda was seeing its round, fluffy backside from a distance.
This was the first time he had seen the national treasure up close.
He couldn’t help feeling a little envious of Su Lin’s luck.
It was his very first day as a forest ranger, and he had already encountered a giant panda.
Through the drone’s livestream, Su Lin’s fans were also seeing a wild giant panda up close for the first time.
“Panda!
Look, Mom!
It’s a giant panda!
I saw a giant panda!”
“Wow, that’s amazing!
How did Su Su hear the panda from so far away?”
“Could this be some kind of prop arranged in advance?
Just kidding!
I’m so jealous that Su Su gets to see a panda this close.”
“I want to pet the panda!”
“Don’t even think about it.
Pandas don’t let people touch them that easily.
When they’re in a bad mood, they won’t even let their keepers approach them.”
“Has anyone else noticed that the panda seems a little strange?”
It wasn’t just Su Lin and Wang Yi who noticed something unusual.
Several attentive viewers in the livestream had also noticed the panda’s strange behavior.
The giant panda lying in the distance kept making low, distressed sounds.
After observing it carefully, Su Lin noticed that its abdomen was contracting at regular intervals.
It was also repeatedly licking the area beneath its body.
Su Lin frowned.
“Brother Wang, I think this panda is giving birth.”
He paused before adding,
“And it looks like she’s having a difficult delivery.”
Wang Yi turned toward the young man beside him in surprise.
This young university graduate actually knew that the panda was having difficulty giving birth?
Earlier, Wang Yi had also been observing the panda carefully.
Now that Su Lin had pointed it out, he could indeed see the signs.
Before coming to the Sichuan Nature Reserve, Su Lin had spent a great deal of time studying the habits of wild animals.
He hadn’t expected that knowledge to become useful on his very first day.
Giant pandas can experience difficult births for various reasons.
Their reproductive anatomy makes the process challenging, and complications can occur when a cub is positioned incorrectly or when the mother is physically exhausted.
Judging from the panda’s condition, the labor had already been going on for some time.
If the cubs could not be delivered soon, both the mother and her unborn cubs could be in danger.
Su Lin cautiously took a step forward.
But Wang Yi immediately reached out and stopped him.
“Don’t make any rash moves.
Giant pandas can become extremely sensitive and defensive during childbirth.
I’m contacting the wildlife rescue station now and asking them to send professionals.”
Even a panda experiencing difficult labor could attack a person who approached too closely.
The animal in front of them weighed well over a hundred kilograms.
An adult giant panda might look adorable, but it was still a powerful wild animal with tremendous strength.
One wrong move could result in a serious injury.
That’s why Wang Yi didn’t dare let Su Lin get any closer.
Su Lin understood his concern.
But the panda’s condition was becoming increasingly urgent.
If the difficult labor continued for too long, both the mother and cub could be in danger.
More importantly, Su Lin now possessed the Animal Affinity Physique.
He wanted to see if he could somehow help.
Taking a deep breath, Su Lin cautiously approached the giant panda, doing his best to appear non-threatening.
The moment the panda noticed him getting closer, it immediately raised its head and let out a warning growl.
“Whoa!
The giant panda is having a difficult birth!”
“I thought giant pandas could just eat bamboo, relax, and give birth.
Why is this one having such a hard time?”
“The person above clearly doesn’t know much about pandas.
Difficult births can happen for various reasons.”
“Wait, if the panda is having a difficult birth, why is Su Su going over there?”
“Su Su, don’t go!
Bears can be extremely aggressive when they’re giving birth.
Don’t let him get injured on his very first day!”
“Pfft!
‘Died in the line of duty’ on his first day?
That’s hilarious…
but seriously, approaching a panda giving birth is dangerous.”
After finishing the phone call, Wang Yi turned around.
His expression immediately changed.
Su Lin was already standing much closer to the panda.
“Su Lin!
Don’t get any closer!”
Su Lin slowed his movements.
“Don’t be afraid.
I mean you no harm.”
He stopped several meters away from the panda and remained completely still.
The man and the panda looked directly at each other.
Because of his Animal Affinity Physique, Su Lin could clearly sense the emotions coming from the panda.
Anxiety.
Pain.
Fear.
The giant panda also seemed to be carefully examining the strange human standing in front of her.
For some reason, she didn’t feel the usual hostility toward him.
Instead, she felt an inexplicable sense of familiarity.
Then—
“Waaah…”
The panda made a soft, distressed sound.
[My stomach hurts…
The baby won’t come out…]
Su Lin’s expression became serious.
It really was a difficult delivery.
And judging by the panda’s condition, the labor might continue for quite some time.
Suddenly, an idea flashed through Su Lin’s mind.
He reached into his system backpack and took out an apple.
Then he took out a bottle of Nongfu Spring Spirit Liquid.
“I’ll give you an apple.”
Su Lin remembered reading that zookeepers sometimes used food to distract or calm pandas during stressful situations.
Besides, the spiritual liquid and Spirit Fruits he had received from the system had extraordinary effects.
If even ordinary animals could benefit from them, the panda might find them particularly appealing.
The giant panda sniffed the air.
A sweet, fruity aroma drifted into her nose.
Her body shifted slightly.
Her black eyes moved between Su Lin and the apple in his hand.
After hesitating for a moment, the panda slowly crawled toward him.
She grabbed the apple.
Crunch.
She took a bite.
Then another.
“Waaah!”
[Delicious fruit!]
Su Lin blinked.
It actually worked?
Even Wang Yi was stunned.
“What’s going on?”
A panda in difficult labor was supposed to be extremely sensitive.
Yet this one wasn’t afraid of Su Lin at all.
It had even accepted food directly from his hand!
The apple was sweet, crisp, and juicy.
The moment Panda Mama bit into it, its delicious flavor spread through her mouth.
She narrowed her eyes in satisfaction.
Then something even stranger happened.
A warm, strange energy began spreading through her exhausted body.
She had been completely drained by the difficult labor.
But now, she could feel some of her strength slowly returning.
Panda Mama quickly finished the apple.
Then she lay down again.
A sudden contraction caused her body to tense, and she let out a low groan.
“Waaah!”
[I have strength…
I have strength!]
Su Lin’s eyes brightened.
Seeing that the panda was no longer hostile toward him, he gathered his courage and took a few more cautious steps forward.
“Don’t be afraid.
I know you’re in a lot of pain.”
He spoke softly.
“Just hold on.
I’ll try to help you.”
Wang Yi and everyone watching the livestream were completely stunned.
“Su Su got that close to a giant panda just because of an apple?”
“Damn!
I’m going to try bribing a panda with an apple too.
I want to pet one!”
“That’s crazy!
You can’t just touch a panda’s belly like that.
Su Su, be careful!”
“Hahaha!
I heard pandas don’t usually accept food from strangers.
How did Su Su manage this?”
When the viewers heard that Su Lin intended to touch the panda’s belly, everyone became nervous.
If the panda suddenly became aggressive, Su Lin could be seriously injured.
“Here, drink some water.”
Su Lin carefully held out the bottle.
“Drink some water and keep going.
I’ll try to massage your belly.”
He slowly extended his hand.
Then, very gently, he placed it against the panda’s belly.
The giant panda only whimpered softly.
She didn’t resist.
Instead, when she saw the bottle of water in Su Lin’s hand, her eyes immediately lit up.
She grabbed it and began drinking.
The livestream chat exploded.
“What did I just see?!”
“Oh my God!
Su Su actually touched the national treasure’s belly, and the panda isn’t afraid of him!”
“He’s actually petting a giant panda!”
“That’s incredible!
I have a feeling the panda can understand what Su Su is saying!”
“But what’s a panda’s belly actually like?
I’ve heard they’re really soft.”
“Stop thinking about petting pandas!
Su Su is helping a panda give birth!”
“Hahahaha!
I thought I was watching a gaming streamer, but I came in and found him delivering a panda!”
“Let go of that panda!
If you have a problem, come at me!”
“Hmm?
Something strange just appeared in the comments.”
Su Lin ignored the livestream comments.
His entire attention was focused on the panda.
He moved his hand carefully, constantly observing her reaction and adjusting his position and the amount of pressure he applied.
The panda’s body gradually relaxed.
“Ooh…
ooh…”
[It hurts a little…
but that feels good.
You’re doing great.]
Su Lin’s lips twitched.
For some reason, the panda’s voice sounded both pitiful and strangely adorable in his mind.
The scene continued for several minutes.
Sweat gradually covered Su Lin’s forehead and soaked through his back.
Even Wang Yi couldn’t relax.
Neither could the viewers.
Everyone stared at the screen, watching the young forest ranger and the giant panda.
Then—
The panda suddenly tensed.
“Waaah!”
Su Lin immediately focused his attention.
A few moments later—
Poof!
A tiny pink creature slipped out.
A panda cub.
It was so small that it looked almost like a hairless mouse.
Su Lin froze.
He wiped the sweat from his forehead and finally let out a long breath.
He had succeeded.
But he didn’t completely relax.
Because through his Animal Affinity Physique, he could sense something strange.
There was still another cub inside the giant panda’s belly.
She was carrying twins.