Actually, before Yu Mian began writing this short story, he had meticulously reviewed dozens of issues from the “Star Beast World” science column as reference models.
However, Yu Mian realized that these popular science articles were more like explanatory texts. They introduced the habits, characteristics, and features of various beasts in exhaustive detail from start to finish.
While these were undoubtedly excellent pieces, showcasing substantial skill, they lacked a certain charm and memorability for younger readers.
Therefore, based on the “snow leopard” theme designated by the magazine and the provided reference materials and data, Yu Mian ultimately decided to write a story with a bit of a fairy-tale flavor.
Instead of conventional ideas such as writing from the collective perspective of a group of snow leopards or focusing on an adventurer’s interaction with a snow leopard, Yu Mian chose an approach far more unique.
He decided to transform a young student, Da Xi, into a small animal, allowing him to experience the life of a snow leopard firsthand.
And witness the beginning and end of a story in the world of snow leopards from the perspective of a child.
So this narrative choice immediately captivated the first batch of readers.
After all, how could a person suddenly transform into a snow leopard cub!?
It was almost whimsical, like a fairy tale.
No one had ever read such a science column before.
Yet this extraordinary opening instantly ignited the readers’ curiosity, compelling them to read on from the very first line.
[[When Da Xi lowered his head and saw his furry paws like plum blossoms, he subconsciously let out a sound, only to realize that his voice now resembled birdsong!
It turned out that most snow leopard cubs don’t make cat-like meows as people usually imagined but rather pleasant, bird-like chirps.
After calling out a few times, Da Xi quickly and helplessly realized that no one could hear him in this snow-covered cliffside.
So Da Xi shook his little head covered in snowflakes, leapt out of the snow, and unskillfully controlled his four small paws to stand in the deep snow.
“What should I do now…”
Thinking about being separated from his teacher and classmates, and that his backpack filled with food and tools was buried in the snow, Da Xi felt like crying. Feeling aggrieved, he began to slowly run across the snowy landscape.
His soft, chirping cries were faint amidst the swirling snow, but they soon attracted an enemy in this desolate land…a rosette spotted cheetah!
In fact, as low-altitude carnivores, cheetahs shouldn’t compete with snow leopards for food.
But as human activities drove the forest line upward, cheetahs gradually became active in territories traditionally belonging to snow leopards.
“Roar!”
Just as Da Xi sensed something was wrong and turned back in panic, he was shocked to find a massive leopard charging toward him with a roar!
“Chirp!”
Terrified, Da Xi’s small paws gave out, and he collapsed onto the snow. But just then, a brave adult snow leopard suddenly leapt into view.
The adult snow leopard scared off the invading leopard that had attempted to attack the cub. Although the leopard circled unwillingly for a moment, it eventually left.
Only then did Da Xi realize he had unwittingly trespassed into this adult snow leopard’s territory.
Snow leopards are solitary animals that seek out their own territory after reaching adulthood.
However, after driving away the intruder, this adult snow leopard merely glanced at Da Xi before turning away coldly. Da Xi quickly tried to follow it.
“Chirp!”
The soft chirp from behind made the adult snow leopard stop and glance back at the cub, only to hasten its pace as if to shake Da Xi off completely.
Damn it. This big snow leopard clearly didn’t want to pay attention to him…
Feeling frustrated, Da Xi continued chasing after the adult snow leopard. After all, he had no idea what else to do in his current situation.
When his paws grew weak, and exhaustion made his body heavy, Da Xi finally closed his eyes.
Perhaps he really would die here, never to see his family, teacher, or classmates again…
Yet, just as Da Xi sank into complete darkness, he vaguely saw a figure crouch hesitantly and begrudgingly before him, picking him up and carrying him back to its den.
From then on, the big snow leopard and the small cub began to grow familiar with each other.]]
“Thank goodness… at least it carried him back.”
Teacher Mu, who read until the encounter between the two snow leopards in one breath, did not realize that he had read so many words so effortlessly. Only now did his tense heart finally relax.
After all, if one of his students turned into a stranded snow leopard cub during a summer camp, he would be deeply worried about their safety in the wild.
Now that an adult snow leopard had taken the cub under its wing, things couldn’t be better.
Though this adult snow leopard did seem a bit aloof, the following interactions between the two melted Teacher Mu’s heart even more.
Because in the plot written by Yu Mian, the daily details of the two snow leopards getting along with each other were vivid and heartwarming.
[[The reticent adult snow leopard, Gredo, began teaching Da Xi how to hunt and groom his fur.
Occasionally, it would even use its thick, fluffy tail to shield the little one from the biting snowstorm that left him unable to open his eyes.
Although Da Xi, as a snow leopard cub, was undeniably cute, with his pair of clear, star-like eyes, he often stumbled clumsily whenever Gredo’s large tail brushed over his head. Each time, Gredo would use his paw to steady him again.
As Da Xi grew more familiar with Gredo, he learned that the reason Gredo initially disliked him was because of the strong human scent he carried, which instinctively repelled the snow leopard.]]
“So that’s why?”
When Teacher Mu read this explanation, he suddenly wanted to ask why humans caused such aversion in this snow leopard.
Fortunately, the following text addressed this question:
[[“Why don’t you like humans?”
One day, while following Gredo on a hunt, Da Xi couldn’t help but ask in a low voice.
However, Gredo didn’t respond.
Da Xi was used to this. Gredo was always aloof and didn’t like to talk, often replying with only one sentence after he spoke dozens.
But Da Xi was certain of one thing: Gredo wouldn’t abandon him.
However, just as Da Xi became more accustomed to the snowy wasteland, Gredo was gravely injured during a hunt. A pack of wolves and the previous cheetah had attacked him. Though Gredo ultimately triumphed and reclaimed the food, he was severely wounded.
Upon returning, Gredo silently dropped the prey before Da Xi and collapsed in the den, blood flowing incessantly.
“Are you going to die? Gredo? Can you still hear me?”
Da Xi was so frightened that tears welled in his eyes.
After all, Gredo’s unusual weakness and silence made Da Xi, who had always been under his protection, realize for the first time that this wasn’t some make-believe game.
This was reality, and he was facing the primal battle of natural selection and survival of the fittest.
Even the powerful and seemingly invincible Gredo could die in this merciless struggle for existence.
“No… I can’t let Gredo die like this.”
In the midst of his initial panic and fear, Da Xi finally summoned his courage and looked out at the boundless snowfield before him.
During his time here, Da Xi had been observing the terrain, trying to pinpoint where he had first transformed into a snow leopard.
Recalling the various skills Gredo had taught him, Da Xi set off across the snowfield. After searching tirelessly for an entire day and night, he miraculously found his backpack.
Exhausted, Da Xi bit down on the strap and dragged the backpack back to the den. Using his paws, he fumbled through its contents until he found the emergency wilderness medicine. He clumsily sprinkled it over Gredo’s wounds, praying fervently for his recovery.
Fortunately, the emergency medicine proved by the school was incredibly effective. Gredo’s infected and festering wounds began to heal, and within a week, he gradually regained his strength.
During this time, Da Xi ventured out alone to hunt for the first time, bringing food back for the usually powerful Gredo.
“I’ve grown up, Gredo.”
When Gredo woke up, Da Xi affectionately rubbed his tail against Gredo’s chin and received a look of approval and a rare, gentle lick in return.
However, when Gredo noticed the backpack in the den that was obviously a human belonging, his expression instantly became wary and hostile.
“Uh… I just happened to find it. It’s got lots of fun things inside. Do you want to see them, Gredo?”
Da Xi quickly tried to cover it up, not wanting Gredo to know he was actually human and risk alienating him.
After all, in Da Xi’s eyes, Gredo had become an incredibly important friend.
If he ever turned back into a human, he wished he could take Gredo away from this harsh plateau wasteland and back to the safe, resource-abundant Central Star.
Gredo eventually seemed to believe Da Xi’s excuse and no longer resisted when Da Xi rummaged through the backpack. He even allowed Da Xi to drag out many intriguing items.
Among these, the object that fascinated Gredo most was a mirror.
Gredo often stared at his reflection in the mirror for a long time, then leapt behind it in vigilance, as if suspecting another snow leopard identical to him was hiding there.
Each time, Da Xi couldn’t help but burst into laughter, covering his eyes with his tail.
He really wanted to tell Gredo that it was a human mirror and that the reflection was just his own image, not another snow leopard.
During this time, Da Xi became increasingly familiar with snow leopard habits and behaviors. At a glance, he now resembled a proper young snow leopard, no longer the clumsy little cub who once walked crookedly.
But what Da Xi didn’t expect was that Gredo’s mortal enemy, the cheetah, didn’t meet its end in a grand showdown with Gredo where they settled their score once and for all.
Because human poachers appeared.
The sound of gunfire echoed endlessly between the melting snow cliffs, sending every creature on the plateau scattering in terror.
Only Da Xi was looking at Gredo who was standing motionless on the cliff. He found that he was looking down at the cheetah being dragged away by humans.
The once fearsome and arrogant leopard Da Xi hated now lay lifeless and still. It was dragged roughly by human poachers, leaving a pool of blood, and its tail hung limply on the ground.
Faced with the unexpected death of Gredo’s mortal enemy, Ban, Da Xi found that he was not happy.
But he didn’t have much time to dwell on his complicated emotions. Together with Gredo, he had to begin a new life of hiding from human poachers.
After all, Gredo’s sleek, glossy fur was viewed by poachers as a priceless trophy, the perfect material for luxury wild animal pelts that fetch high prices.]]
