American Hunting: Starting with Solitary Life in the Wilderness

Chapter 217 An Unexpected Surprise! (10,000 words, combined into one chapter)

As evening fell, having finished all the things that needed to be done in December, Lin Yu'an was finally able to start preparing her dinner.

He glanced at the lake trout fillets hanging on the beam waiting to dry, then at the pile of red trout prepared for the cold smoking process that would begin tomorrow.

Finally, he specifically picked out a red-spotted salmon with a rather impressive size. This type of fish grows in pristine lake water and has delicate flesh and abundant fat.

His tone carried a hint of self-deprecation and relief: "I just complained that I was really tired of eating tasteless grilled fish chunks. But this one will still be grilled as part of my celebratory dinner."

Lin Yu-an chose the cooking method that best reflects its original flavor: direct grilling.

However, he did not act rashly because of this, but instead carried out a series of meticulous preparations.

First, carefully scrape off the fish scales, with gentle and focused movements, for fear of damaging the intact, gelatinous fish skin, which will be the most delicious part after grilling.

The process of gutting the fish and removing its internal organs is carried out with utmost care, precisely avoiding the bitter gall bladder to ensure the fish meat is pure and free of any fishy smell. After repeated rinsing in icy water, the entire fish takes on a silvery-white hue with a hint of pale pink.

Then, on both sides of the fish, use the sharp tip of a knife to make several parallel shallow cuts, just deep enough to cut through the skin and reach the flesh, but not too deep.

This method has scientific considerations. First, it allows heat to penetrate more evenly into the thick fish meat during grilling, preventing the outside from burning while the inside remains raw. Second, it breaks down the fibrous connections in the fish skin, effectively preventing the skin from cracking and curling due to rapid shrinkage under heat.

He picked up a pinch of sea salt and mixed it with crushed juniper berries. Juniper berries are common in the Arctic region and have a spicy aroma of pine and pepper, making them a natural deodorizer and flavor enhancer.

The mixed seasonings were evenly and gently applied to the skin and inside the cavity of the fish, and left to sit for nearly an hour to allow the flavors to fully penetrate.

The open flame in the fireplace had long since died down under his control, leaving only a flat, glowing red charcoal bed. This was the perfect heat source for roasting, a stable, persistent, and pure radiant heat.

Compared to flickering open flames, the heat emitted by charcoal cooks food in a gentler, more penetrating way without easily scorching its surface.

He used two freshly cut and water-soaked spruce branches to build a makeshift grill next to the fireplace; the damp wood would effectively prevent it from igniting the charcoal.

The fish was placed on the fire, and he used two sharpened wooden sticks to turn it over from time to time to ensure that every inch of the fish skin was heated evenly.

As the heat took effect, a wondrous physical and chemical change began. The fat layer under the fish skin was the first to melt, and drops of glistening oil seeped out along the cut he had made, then "drip-drop" onto the charcoal below.

The scorching charcoal instantly evaporated it, sparking a small cluster of orange sparks and a series of soft crackling sounds, while simultaneously sending up a wisp of smoke carrying the aroma of oil.

Soon, a pure and rich fragrance wafted through the small shelter.

First and foremost is the unique sweet and fresh aroma of the red-spotted salmon itself, originating from the cold lake water of the polar regions. This is the foundation of its flavor, pure and without any impurities.

Above all this, there floated a faint, crisp, slightly spicy woody fragrance of juniper berries, released from the fish's belly by the heat.

These flavors combine to create a wild, smoky, and exquisitely delicious temptation!
Night fell, like an animal hide smeared with thick ink, slowly covering the vast wilderness of the Canadian Arctic Circle.

The temperature was dropping at a visible rate, and the wind swept in from the distant ice cap, howling and wailing through the sparse black spruce forest.

In this land ruled by ice and desolation, every bit of light and warmth is precious.

At this moment, the only light source in the shelter came from a stone fireplace in the center, the dark red embers illuminating Lin Yu'an's focused profile.

For Lin Yu-an, the grilled, plump red-spotted salmon was a rare feast, but for another little life in the corner of the shelter, it was more like the last straw that broke its sanity.

In the warmest corner of the shelter, December had just finished licking the "milk substitute" from the birch bark bowl with great satisfaction.

Its little belly swelled up slightly. The bowl of food, made with fish oil and cod liver paste, temporarily satisfied its hunger, giving it the leisure to pick up the little wooden toy that Lin Yu'an had made for it again and play with it by itself.

This afternoon, as Lin Yu-an was processing a large catch of fish, the entire shelter was filled with a fresh, fishy smell.

As a descendant of apex predators, December showed great curiosity about the fish, stumbling over to them several times, sniffing them incessantly, and even trying to lick the blood off the fish with its tongue.

But each time, Lin Yu'an gently but firmly lifted it away. Although the smell was tempting to it, the attraction was temporarily suppressed after it had eaten its own special meal.

However, the aroma wafting over at this moment was completely different from that cool, fishy smell.

This is a warm and penetrating scent! It's a complex aroma produced by the melting of fats at high temperatures and the Maillard reaction of proteins under the heat of charcoal.

This olfactory signal is telling its genes that this is the most efficient energy source available immediately! This signal violently assaults its most primal instincts!
December's movements froze instantly, and the small piece of wood in her mouth fell to the ground with a "thud".

Those pure, obsidian-like round eyes blinked blankly for a moment, their small nostrils twitching rapidly more frequently than ever before, trying to decipher the source of this new, more aggressive scent than raw fish.

It completely abandoned the now tasteless piece of wood, and its fluffy little head abruptly turned towards the fireplace.

It saw it; in the dark red firelight, the golden-brown, sizzling fish exuded a deadly allure.

An overwhelming primal urge instantly overwhelmed its satisfaction from just having eaten. It climbed off its soft spruce bed, and with an eagerness beyond its years, its four still somewhat clumsy little legs began to take steps.

Its paw pads were still very delicate, and when it stepped on the compacted ground of the shelter, it made a clear "thump, thump" sound.

They went straight to Lin Yu'an's feet, their attention focused on the delicious food on the fire in the human's hand.

It raised its fluffy little head, its bright black eyes fixed on the sizzling grilled fish, and let out a longing "humming" sound.

The little nose was still working tirelessly, greedily inhaling every fragrance molecule in the air, and a trace of glistening saliva even seeped from the corner of its mouth, hanging precariously on its black lips.

Lin Yu'an naturally noticed the little "greedy bear" at his feet, and couldn't help but smile when he looked down at December's longing expression.

"Oh? You can smell it?"

He deliberately slowed down his movements, using a wooden stick to flip the grilled fish over so that the skin on the other side could be heated evenly, instantly making the aroma even stronger.

He tore off a small piece of the fish skin, which was roasted until it was crispy and golden brown, like a potato chip, and put it in his mouth.

"Click——"

The crisp chewing sounds were exceptionally clear in the quiet shelter, like a switch that instantly ignited the last vestiges of December's patience.

"You can't eat this." Lin Yu'an said to it while savoring the salty, crispy fish skin, his tone full of teasing amusement.

“This is my dinner. It has a lot of salt in it. You are too small. You will get sick if you eat it.”

December, of course, couldn't understand this complex human language, but it could clearly sense a sense of "rejection" and "exclusivity."

It's anxious!

This huge, warm creature had always provided food for it when it was hungry, but this time, it was eating alone right in front of it! A mix of resentment and anxiety welled up in its heart!

December supported its body with its hind legs and struggled to stand up. Its two furry front paws with small black claws tugged at Lin Yu'an's trouser leg.

From deep within his throat, a sound louder and more powerful than usual emerged: "Awoo... Awoo..."

The sound was no longer the weak, pitiful sob of yesterday, but a protest full of confidence and a hint of coquetry.

Lin Yu'an was completely amused by its adorable appearance. He put down the wooden stick in his hand, stretched out his finger, and gently scratched December's fluffy chin.

Despite the laughter, Lin Yu'an would never compromise on matters of principle.

He knew very well that the grilled fish he made used a lot of coarse salt that he had painstakingly refined. This high-salt food was absolutely poisonous to a cub whose kidneys and digestive system were not yet fully developed. He couldn't risk this little life.

However, looking at December's longing eyes, he felt a pang of guilt.

He recalled something he'd seen in some wildlife documentaries: that carnivore cubs, at some point during lactation, begin to show interest in solid food. Perhaps he could give it a safe, entirely new experience?

His gaze shifted to another corner of the shelter. There, he placed a fresh lake trout fillet that he had deliberately set aside that afternoon while processing his catch.

Lin Yu'an patted December, who was still tugging at his trouser leg, reassuringly, then turned and walked to the fish fillet.

He drew his hunting knife from his waist and carefully sliced ​​off a small piece from the fattest part of the fish fillet. The piece of fish was small, with almost no visible tendons or membranes; it was a pure piece of fish meat, unseasoned, uncooked, and unmarinated.

Holding the small piece of fish, I returned to the fire pit and gently waved it in front of December's nose.

"Would you like to eat this?"

A meaty aroma, completely different from the rich smell of grilled fish, instantly filled December's nostrils.

Its attention was immediately drawn to the new smell, and it even forgot to continue tugging at Lin Yu'an's trouser leg. It just nodded its little head vigorously, almost comically, as if using all its strength to say, "I want to! I want to eat!"

Seeing its reaction, Lin Yu'an knew he had done the right thing. He squatted down and slowly handed the piece of fish to December.

December cautiously approached, sticking out its tiny pink tongue and tentatively licking the piece of fish with the tip of its tongue.

After confirming that it was safe and edible, it no longer hesitated, and with a flick of its long tongue, it rolled the small piece of fish into its mouth.

This was the first time in December that it had truly tasted solid food. Its mouth began to move clumsily, and its still-growing, pointed baby teeth finally found their purpose.

For it, this was an unparalleled and wonderful experience; the freshness of the fish blossomed completely on its taste buds. It quickly swallowed a small piece of fish, and after finishing, December seemed to want more.

It raised its head, looked at Lin Yu'an with its clear eyes, and then kept nuzzling its little head in his outstretched palm, sniffing around with its wet nose, trying to find even the slightest trace of fishy smell.

That affectionate yet greedy look unexpectedly struck Lin Yu'an's heart.

He gently stroked December's fluffy back with his other hand and whispered, "That's all, little gluttonous bear. That's all you can eat today. When you're a little older, I'll give you a whole one."

Lin Yu-an withdrew his hand and finished the remaining grilled red-spotted salmon. This celebratory dinner seemed to taste especially good because of the little person sharing it.

As night deepened, the wind outside the shelter grew increasingly mournful.

Compared to the freezing cold outside, the shelter was warm and peaceful.

After cleaning up the leftovers from dinner, Lin Yu'an began preparing for his rest that night. Instead of discarding the leftover fish bones and skin, he carefully used two sharpened sticks to scoop them into the still-warm embers in the fireplace.

"Fuck-"

The grease and moisture remaining on the bones evaporated instantly upon contact with the hot charcoal, producing a soft crackling sound. Soon, a burnt smell replaced the aroma of the fish, but this was exactly the result Lin Yu'an wanted.

This is one of the most thorough ways to dispose of organic waste in the wild. The high-temperature charcoal fire will completely carbonize the residue, eventually burning it into odorless ash, thus completely eliminating the source of odor that might attract predators with a keen sense of smell.

After doing all this, he moved the remaining charcoal in the fireplace to the side, covered it with a thick layer of ash, and made a "fire".

Wood ash is an excellent heat insulation material. It can effectively isolate the air, allowing charcoal to slowly smolder overnight in an oxygen-deficient environment. It can continuously emit a small amount of heat to maintain the temperature of the shelter, and also ensure that it can be easily used to start new firewood the next morning.

Then, he turned his attention to December.

After tasting its first bite of fish, the little guy seemed quite satisfied. With the high-energy "milk substitute" it had drunk earlier starting to take effect in its small stomach, it was now getting a little drowsy.

Lin Yu'an smiled, turned around and walked to the corner where he stored his supplies, and took out a wolf skin that still smelled of smoke and blood.

In the past, this wolf pelt was the moisture-proof and cold-proof layer he used under his sleeping bag when he slept. He wanted to create a luxurious, custom-made bed for December.

He walked to the warmest spot in the shelter, a corner close to the side of the fireplace, yet maintaining a safe distance. The floor there was dry and warm from the constant radiant heat emanating from the fireplace stones, making it the most temperature-stable area in the entire shelter.

First, a thick layer of pine needles and hay was laid on the ground. The fluffy plant fibers filled with still air made it an excellent material for building an insulation layer. Then the wolf pelts were laid on top, fur side up.

And so, a warm, soft "luxury bear den" with a faint scent of leather and smoke was born.

"Alright, December, come and take a look." He gently picked up the sleepy little furball and placed it on the wolf skin.

December's four little paws first sank into the thick, soft wolf fur, and an unprecedented feeling of being enveloped in warmth and smoothness came over them.

It sniffed curiously with its nose and smelled the unfamiliar scent of another powerful predator. Instead of feeling afraid, it became even more excited. On the soft wolf skin, it rolled around several times like a kitten that had found a new toy.

Finally, it curled up into a near-perfect white ball of fur, contentedly preparing for bed. Seeing that it seemed to really like its new bed, Lin Yu'an smiled with satisfaction.

He then returned to the other side of the shelter and crawled into his sleeping bag.

However, just as he closed his eyes and his consciousness began to blur, a slight rustling and pattering sound pulled him back to reality.

He opened his eyes and saw a white figure climbing down from the "luxury suite".

December didn't stay obediently in her new bed.

With a clear goal in mind, it walked straight to Lin Yu'an's sleeping bag and began to stubbornly nudge the zipper pull with its little head, trying to squeeze inside.

Lin Yu'an was somewhat amused and exasperated: "Hey, December, go back to your own bed, it's much more comfortable here than here."

He reached out, picked up December, and placed her back on the soft wolfskin bed.

Lin Yu'an returned to his sleeping bag, and as soon as he zipped it up, that familiar "click-clack" sound rang out again.

As expected, that stubborn little white creature crawled over once again.

"go back."

"Awoo..." December protested with a hint of grievance, but was still picked up and taken back.

It came again a minute later.

After three or four rounds of back and forth, Lin Yu'an finally surrendered.

A thought flashed through his mind: would indulging it now create a bad habit? After all, although it was a cub, it was still a polar bear. But this thought lasted only a second before being replaced by a more scientific idea.

This brings to mind the concept of "contact comfort," a conclusion reached by psychologist Harry Harlow through his famous experiments with rhesus monkeys.

For infants of primates and many mammals, attachment to their mothers is not just a physiological need for milk, but more importantly, a way to obtain warmth, comfort, and a sense of security through physical contact.

For December, Lin Yu'an is its only "mother" at this moment.

Even the most luxurious wolfskin bed is essentially just a warm, soft object. It has no heartbeat, no breath, and no familiar scent that could bring it ultimate security.

"Alright, alright, you win." He sighed helplessly, but his voice carried a hint of doting affection that he himself was unaware of.

He simply unzipped his sleeping bag completely and patted the spot next to him.

December immediately understood, and with a joyful "roar," it burst in like a small white cannonball.

It skillfully found a comfortable spot in Lin Yu'an's arms, naturally resting its little head on his arm and closing its eyes contentedly.

Lin Yu'an looked at the little guy with a mixture of amusement and exasperation, carefully tucking the sleeping bag back in and wrapping the tiny "warm baby" tightly around himself.

The cub's body is a highly efficient energy converter with an extremely vigorous metabolism. Its body temperature is even higher than Lin Yu'an's own, and a steady stream of heat is continuously transmitted through its thick fur.

He could feel the little guy's even breathing and his steady, powerful heartbeat. This subtle and regular rhythm of life soothed all the tension and loneliness in his heart during the silent polar night.

Sleepiness surged in like a tidal wave.

Before finally drifting off to sleep, Lin Yu'an had one last thought: perhaps the remaining ten days of "wilderness parenting" wouldn't be as difficult and tedious as he had initially imagined.

His challenge has fundamentally transformed from a solitary struggle for survival against nature into a responsible journey of protection.

The next day.

The sky was still a pale, fish-belly white, for dawn in the Arctic is always stingy and slow. Inside the shelter, the embers in the fireplace still emitted a faint warmth from the ashes, keeping the indoor temperature above zero degrees Celsius, a stark contrast to the frigid temperatures of minus thirty degrees Celsius outside.

Lin Yu'an slowly opened her eyes amidst the warmth and tranquility.

He felt a tingling sensation in his right arm. Looking down, he saw the culprit: December was still fast asleep, her head resting on his arm.

Just then, a low, rhythmic buzzing sound came from the distant sky.

The sound was not the chaotic howling of the wind, but a mechanical Hertz resonance with extremely strong penetrating power, which could be clearly heard even through the thick walls of the shelter.

Lin Yu'an's hearing had become exceptionally sharp; he suddenly sat up, all sleepiness gone.

Little December in my arms was also startled awake by the sudden loud noise and pricked up her ears alertly.

Its body tensed instinctively, and a low, threatening growl escaped from deep within its throat—a fear of the unknown ingrained in its genes.

"Buzz-buzz-"

The sound grew closer and louder.

It's a helicopter! And judging from the deep sound of the engine, this is definitely not an ordinary small sightseeing helicopter. It is likely a medium or heavy model that has been specially modified to adapt to the polar environment.

Lin Yu'an instantly understood—it was Mark! It was the production team! The supplies he had promised had arrived!

A surge of indescribable excitement welled up within him. He quickly dressed, picked up the still somewhat frightened December, and strode out of the shelter, where a biting cold wind rushed towards him.

"Don't be afraid, it's December, everything will be alright."

Lin Yu'an looked up and saw a bright orange helicopter hurtling towards him from the distant horizon. Instead of descending to land, it hovered steadily at an altitude of about fifty meters.

It was a Bell 412 helicopter, with its signature four-bladed main rotor and twin-engine design, which gave it extremely high flight stability and safety redundancy in harsh polar climates.

The vibrant orange-red is an internationally recognized polar rescue color, providing optimal visual visibility in the vast white snowfields.

The massive main rotor compresses the air downwards, creating a powerful downwash that, like an invisible giant hand, violently blows away the loose snow on the ground, forming a spectacular, ever-expanding circular snow wave.

Lin Yu'an had no choice but to turn to the side, using his back and thick parka to shield December in his arms from the fierce wind and snow, while squinting and staring intently at the steel behemoth hovering in the air.

Suddenly, the side door of the helicopter slid open to the side, but instead of a person, a military green object was pushed out of the door.

The object did not fall directly. The instant it left the cabin, a small guide parachute about one meter in diameter was launched with a "bang," quickly filled with air, stabilized the object's posture, and caused it to fall vertically instead of tumbling.

Immediately afterwards, after descending about twenty meters, the main parachute was triggered, and a larger, orange-red, cross-shaped low-altitude parachute suddenly opened.

This low-altitude infiltration parachute is designed for low-altitude, precise delivery, minimizing descent speed and ensuring safe landing of supplies.

Lin Yu'an watched as the huge, waterproof transport box made of high-strength polymer material, suspended under an orange-red parachute, slowly and precisely drifted down towards the flat snowfield not far in front of him.

"boom!"

The shipping container finally landed gently on the snow, where the thick snow acted as a perfect cushion, allowing it to settle firmly in place.

Almost at the same moment the transport container landed, the automatic release mechanism on the parachute was triggered, and the parachute lines separated from the container instantly. The huge parachute canopy tumbled a few times in the wind and landed a short distance away, preventing the container from being dragged away by the continuous wind.

Having completed its delivery mission, the helicopter didn't pause for a moment. It turned its nose, the engine roared, and it quickly climbed up, soon disappearing into the distant horizon.

The entire process was seamless, taking no more than a minute from hovering to the end of the deployment, demonstrating a high degree of professional precision and efficiency.

Silence returned to the surroundings, with only the sound of the wind and the orange-red parachute lying on the snow.

Lin Yu'an, holding December in his arms, strode toward the supply box.

The GoPro action camera he wore around his neck had captured this amazing scene in its entirety.

Arriving at the supply box, I unlocked the four military-grade quick-release latches on the box and opened the lid.

The contents of the box made his eyes light up instantly, and the anxiety that had been hanging over him finally subsided.

All items inside the crate were securely held in place by custom-made, pre-molded black high-density foam, with each item having its own unique groove, ensuring that they would remain undamaged even under the impact of an airdrop.

The most eye-catching thing in the box was several large metal milk powder cans stacked neatly.

Lin Yu'an picked up a can; it was quite heavy. The design of the can was professional and meticulous. He immediately noticed a key detail: all the product information was clearly labeled in both French and English.

"High-energy formula milk powder for Arctic mammal cubs (Stage 1)".

Lin Yu'an's heart skipped a beat. In Canada, English and French are official languages, and all legally distributed goods must comply with the bilingual labeling law.

This seemingly insignificant detail is a powerful signal, silently confirming everything Mark said on the phone: this supply was entirely from official Canadian channels, a fully compliant and legal formal relief shipment.

He continued reading and found a detailed ingredient list attached to the can: crude protein content ≥40%, crude fat content ≥30%, and it also highlighted high levels of DHA, taurine, and various trace elements.

This formula precisely mimics the high-fat, high-protein characteristics of polar bear breast milk, with an energy density far exceeding that of any conventional milk powder.

"Look, December, your formula has arrived! This is specially supplied by experts, much better than the fish soup porridge I make." He couldn't hide his excitement and waved the formula can in front of the little guy.

In addition to the core milk powder, the box also contains matching special equipment, including a 1-liter capacity special baby bottle made of food-grade silicone with clear markings and three replacement nipples of different diameters and hardness.

To accommodate the sucking intensity of pups at different stages of growth, there is also a long-handled nylon bottle brush and a portable, battery-powered UV sterilization box to ensure the absolute sterility of the feeding tools.

In addition, several brown dropper bottles were securely fixed to the side, labeled "Concentrated Vitamin D3/E Supplement," "Chelated Calcium Solution," and "Probiotic Complex Drops," each with clear instructions on the recommended daily dosage.

Lin Yu-an noted that the term "chelated calcium" means that calcium ions are wrapped in amino acids, which allows them to exist in a form that is more easily absorbed by the intestines, greatly improving bioavailability.

This is crucial for the rapid development of the cub's bones, while probiotics help the fragile gut of the December cub establish a healthy flora to cope with possible indigestion.

On the other side is a professional medical monitoring kit, which, when opened, contains more than just simple first-aid supplies.

Instead, it is a handheld, non-contact infrared thermometer with the words "Vet-Temp" printed on it. It is designed specifically for veterinary use and can accurately measure the surface temperature of animals from a certain distance.

There is also a small pulse oximeter next to it, but its probe is a specially made veterinary ear clip type, which can be used to monitor the heart rate and blood oxygen saturation of December in a quiet state such as sleep. These are the two most direct data for assessing cardiopulmonary function.

And a specially designed stethoscope with a pickup head much larger than that of a medical stethoscope, equipped with a digital signal amplifier, capable of penetrating thick fur to clearly hear the cub's heartbeat and breathing sounds.

There was even a set of sterile stool collection tubes and several fecal occult blood test cards. The guidelines recommended that he be tested every two days for December to monitor his digestive health.

Besides the medical equipment, there was something else in the box that Lin Yu'an didn't expect: a rugged electronic recorder that was waterproof, dustproof, and shockproof, similar to a reinforced PDA, and came with an electronic scale and a soft measuring tape.

Dr. McCorz instructed him to record his weight, length, temperature, food intake, frequency and consistency of bowel movements daily for twelve months.

This precise data will be the gold standard for assessing the health of cubs and adjusting feeding programs, and will also become a unique and valuable scientific research record on the growth of polar bear cubs under emergency conditions.

Finally, in a small compartment, he also found several "toys": an extremely sturdy red ball made of natural rubber, and an educational toy that could be stuffed with food.

This is part of “environmental enrichment,” which aims to meet the behavioral needs of animals by providing appropriate stimulation, thus preventing them from becoming bored and anxious in a monotonous environment.

All of this far exceeded his expectations. This was no longer a simple supply operation, but a complete mobile, miniature wildlife breeding and research station.

At the very top of all the supplies lay a waterproof document bag sealed in a plastic sleeve.

Lin Yu'an's heart raced slightly as he carefully tore open the seal and pulled out a few sheets of paper.

The top one is an official document titled "Temporary Care Authorization for Wildlife".

The document clearly states that Mr. Lin Yu'an is authorized to provide temporary emergency care for the polar bear cub with the serial number ECCC-PB-2023-012 for a period of fifteen days, until a professional team from Environment Canada arrives.

The document also includes a printed "Emergency Guide for Temporary Care of Polar Bear Cubs," which details feeding frequency, water temperature and concentration for preparing formula, key points for daily bowel observation, and emergency treatment suggestions for abnormal conditions (such as diarrhea, lethargy, and refusal to eat).

Lin Yu'an read the document word by word, his heart filled with mixed emotions.

This means that his actions have been elevated from a player's personal act of kindness to a formal rescue operation that has been officially recognized and brought under supervision.

Below the official documents and the Emergency Guidelines, there is a neatly folded sheet of paper bearing the logo of the Arctic Ecological Institute.

The handwriting on the letter was not printed, but in a smooth yet slightly sharp English handwriting style that he had seen before; it was McCormick's.

Lin Yu-an:
Hello, I won't call you 'sir' anymore. After you read my private journal and accurately guessed my password, I feel that we no longer need to be so 'official' between us.

I received your letter through that loud-voiced producer Mark. To be honest, the past 24 hours have been like a storm, and your letter is the most interesting part of the storm. I have to admit, I read it three times.

The password is '1984'. You guessed it right, so precisely it gave me goosebumps. Most people, upon seeing that box, would only think about how to chop it open with an axe.

And yet you sat down and started analyzing what kind of intellectual its owner was, even quoting Orwell… Seriously, how did you do that? In a situation where you were almost starving, you still had the mind to play this kind of intellectual game? What kind of person are you, anyway?

Regarding my blog, you said that during your loneliest moments, you felt a kind of 'wonderful companionship'.

You know what? It feels really weird. When I write those things, I'm just talking to myself, complaining about the weather, grumbling about JC's snoring, and jotting down those fleeting, potentially worthless thoughts.

I never imagined that someone else, in the solitude of another time and space, could resonate with those words. It makes me feel as if our solitude has somehow intersected.

So, I forgive you for the offense caused by the reading, but next time we meet, you have to tell me which of the rants you liked best.

Okay, let's get down to business. Although I'd love to continue discussing Orwell with you, we have a furry little guy waiting to be rescued.

I have learned about your incident with the polar bear cub through Mark. Please allow me, on behalf of this institute, to express my sincerest respect and gratitude for your respect for nature and your help to Arctic animals.

The official document in your hand is the result of our coordination through some 'unconventional' channels; you can consider it your 'legal license'.

I will personally lead the team to pick it up in ten days (there may be a delay).

Yes, you read that right, I came in person.

Because I was very curious about what the person who wrote that letter looked like.

The supplies and guide included with the package were prepared for you by me after staying up all night. I need you to understand that for the next ten days, you will not only be the caretaker of the little polar bear, but also a 'scientific data collector' on the front line.

The electronic recorder, electronic scale, and tape measure inside the box are key to this mission.

I demand that you apply the same intelligence and meticulousness you used to crack my code, and strictly follow the requirements in the "Guidelines" to accurately measure and record its core physiological data at fixed times every day.

These data are of immeasurable value to us; they will become a unique record.

Mark also told me that your show will be broadcast on a wider scale, which means you will soon become a star in some sense!

Don't mess this up, I'll read "Mr. Profound Reading Notes".

Since you can read my password and logs, I believe you can also understand the weight of my next suggestion.

Our institute has been looking for people with excellent wilderness survival skills, strong psychological qualities, and a sense of awe and empathy for wild animals.

Frankly, we've found many who possess the former, but few who also embody the latter and can quote George Orwell. You're like a…rare hybrid, a savage scholar, or a civilized beast? Forgive my lack of words.

If you can complete this data recording task excellently, you will demonstrate your rigor and reliability to us.

On behalf of the head of the Arctic Ecological Research Institute, I would like to extend an informal invitation to you: We would like to appoint you as a 'Special Consultant for the Polar Project' of our organization after the conclusion of this challenge.

This means that in the future, you will have the opportunity to be deeply involved in more aspects of the rescue, rehabilitation, and even rewilding training of polar bear orphans.

It also means you'll have many opportunities to participate in the growth of this little polar bear, and you'll also have a coffee with me and JC to continue the topics we didn't finish discussing today.

Please consider my suggestion carefully. Now, everything depends on your performance.

Looking forward to reuniting with you, the healthy little bear, and my precious documents in ten days.

Best of luck.

(P.S.: JC is doing great, just complaining about the coffee in the lab. I didn't show him your letter; it's a little secret between us.)
—McCoz

Lin Yu'an held the letter in his hand, his breathing becoming somewhat rapid. This was no longer a simple official letter or a thank-you note.

The style of this letter perfectly matches the unruly, resilient, and humorous image he gleaned from the diary.

The undisguised curiosity and appreciation in the letter made him feel that he was no longer a passive rescuer, but a recognized equal dialogue participant.

But none of these were the real reasons that made his heart race.

What truly got his blood pumping was the weighty promise in the letter: to appoint him as a special consultant for the organization's polar projects, with the opportunity to be deeply involved in the planning and training of polar bear cubs.

This promise instantly struck at the most conflicted part of his heart.

After spending a day together, an unavoidable thought kept lingering in his mind: in ten days or so, he would have to be separated forever from the little life he had saved with his own hands.

He was just a passerby, a temporary ferryman. Whenever he saw December becoming more and more dependent on him, the impending separation felt like a hidden pain, making him both gratified and saddened.

But now, McCormick's letter has completely changed this inevitable "end point"! The invitation to be a special advisor means that his interactions with December will not come to an abrupt end in ten days!

He will have the opportunity to witness its growth in a more professional capacity, watching it grow from a helpless newborn to a healthy animal, undergo rewilding training, and even... one day in the future, witness its return to the real ice field!

This is no longer a regretful farewell, but a hopeful beginning!
A tremendous, indescribable sense of excitement and motivation instantly filled his entire body! This thrilled him more than winning any challenge prize!
The electronic recorder in his hand will record more than just dry numbers; it will be his "ticket" to his future in December! It is the only proof that earned him this consultant position!

Lin Yu'an carefully kept the letter and the official documents close to his body.

Then, I picked up December, who was a little nervous because she saw the big, unfamiliar creature, and rubbed my cheek against its fluffy little head.

His eyes became more determined and brighter than ever before.

"Did you hear that, December?" His voice trembled with barely suppressed joy.

"We won't separate! No, I should say, even if we do separate, I'll still be able to watch you grow up! I promise you!"

The little guy seemed to sense the strong positive energy in his emotions, and instead of being nervous, he stuck out his little tongue and licked his chin.

"Alright, we need to do our best together!"

Lin Yu'an looked into its eyes and said solemnly, word by word, "From today onwards, you are not only a bear with legal status, but also a very important 'scientific research project,' and I will become your best 'special advisor'!"

The rising sun finally broke free from the horizon, casting its golden rays across the frozen land.

With this "professional equipment," this "legal license," and even more importantly, the promise that allows him to continue protecting the future of December.

Lin Yu'an was absolutely confident that he could ensure the little guy was in the healthiest and strongest condition to welcome the arrival of its destined savior—Dr. McCormick.

The next ten days will no longer be a countdown to separation, but a brand new journey of protection filled with challenges, responsibilities, and boundless hope.

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(End of this chapter)