The Story in 3 Sentences
A young man named Xu Yang returns to Changbai Mountain to live a quiet rural life centered around foraging, farming, and livestreaming his mountain adventures.
His peaceful routine is hilariously upended when a snow leopard named Xiao Hua latches onto him as its chosen human, creating a chaotic yet endearing bond that blurs the line between wild and domestic.
As Xu Yang builds his homestead and navigates the quirks of mountain living, his reluctant yet undeniable connection with Xiao Hua—and a growing menagerie of animals—turns his solo retreat into a lively sanctuary of interspecies camaraderie.
Why It Stands Out
1. The Leopard’s Denial Is the Whole Vibe
Few slice-of-life stories capture comedic dissonance as perfectly as Xu Yang’s public insistence that he has “absolutely no ties” with the leopard constantly nuzzling him on livestream, while locals all know the truth. This running gag isn’t just funny—it’s the soul of the novel’s charm, turning wildlife companionship into a low-stakes, high-charm social farce.
2. Rural Realism Meets Gentle Fantasy
Unlike typical xianxia or overpowered-system tales, this novel grounds its magic in realism: real herbs, real foraging, real animal behavior. The “system” is subtle, never breaking immersion, and the focus stays on sustainable living, seasonal rhythms, and the quiet joy of building something from scratch in the wilderness.
3. Livestreaming as Narrative Bridge
The livestream format isn’t a gimmick—it’s how the story connects Xu Yang’s private mountain world with the outside audience, both in-universe and for readers. Viewer comments mimic real fan reactions, creating meta-humor and emotional resonance without veering into cringe or artificial drama.
Characters That Leave a Mark
There’s Xiao Hua – the young male snow leopard whose fierce loyalty and playful antics make him the undeniable co-star, despite Xu Yang’s repeated (and futile) attempts to deny their bond.
You’ll meet Big Yellow, who isn’t just a dog but a boisterous guardian of the farm, often clashing comically with newer animal arrivals while asserting his top-dog status with dramatic flair.
And Niu Zhuang? They’re the one who brings human warmth to the homestead as one of Xu Yang’s early farmhands, representing the slow return of community to an otherwise solitary mountain life.
The Flaws Fans Debate
Readers frequently note inconsistent pronoun usage for Xiao Hua, with the text sometimes referring to the clearly male leopard as “her,” which breaks immersion and suggests translation or editing oversights.
Some feel the story wraps up too abruptly around chapter 460s, leaving promising subplots—like deeper exploration of local folklore or expanded farm operations—underdeveloped.
A few fans mention the plot can feel repetitive in the middle chapters, cycling through similar foraging-and-animal-rescue loops without enough narrative escalation.
Must-Experience Arcs
Ch. 1–50: The Leopard’s Claim – Xu Yang’s first encounters with Xiao Hua set the tone, blending survival realism with absurd humor as the leopard refuses to leave his side, culminating in their livestream debut that shocks viewers.
Ch. 150–220: Farm Foundations – With Big Yellow and other animals joining, Xu Yang shifts from solo scavenger to homesteader, building enclosures, hosting local markets, and navigating early conflicts with poachers.
Ch. 400–460: Sanctuary of Many – The farm becomes a refuge for injured wildlife, and Xu Yang’s role evolves into that of an unofficial mountain guardian, with Xiao Hua now a mature protector patrolling the territory alongside him.
Killer Quotes
“Who in Changbai Mountain doesn’t know that this leopard is my underling? Ask anyone, they all know!”
“It approached me on its own. I’m not familiar with it, really not familiar.”
“With both human and leopard as witnesses, you still want to deny it?”
Cultural Impact
Fans often meme Xu Yang as “Disney Princess of the Wild,” joking that all forest creatures obey him despite his protests.
The novel sparked niche interest in real-world Changbai Mountain foraging, with readers asking whether the herbs and survival tactics depicted are accurate.
Despite having fewer than 10 public reviews on Webnovel, it maintains a cult following in slice-of-life circles, frequently recommended alongside “The Zoo”-style animal-centric stories.
Final Verdict
Start Here If You Want:
A stress-free escape into nature where danger is minimal and joy comes from small victories like finding ginseng or watching a leopard nap in your yard.
A protagonist who’s competent but not overpowered, building a life through patience, knowledge, and kindness rather than combat or schemes.
Wholesome humor rooted in situational irony—especially the gap between Xu Yang’s public denials and his private acceptance of his animal entourage.
Study If You Love:
Narratives that use livestreaming as a structural device to explore audience-performer dynamics in rural settings.
The quiet subversion of the “lone survivor” trope by emphasizing community—both human and animal—in wilderness storytelling.
Xianxia-adjacent works that reject cultivation tropes in favor of grounded, ecological worldbuilding and sustainable living ethics.
Avoid If You Prefer:
Fast-paced plots with high stakes, political intrigue, or romantic subplots—this novel offers none of those.
Flawless prose or tightly edited translations; occasional errors, especially with animal pronouns, may distract meticulous readers.
Stories that clearly separate human and animal roles; here, the boundary is delightfully, intentionally blurred to the point of absurdity.
