American Hunting: Starting with Solitary Life in the Wilderness

Chapter 232 The Return Journey of the Underworld in the Polar Night! (5K views, please vote!)
Lin Yu-an boarded the program crew's plane and first arrived in the nearest city, Gusbay.

There, as required, he underwent a full-day physical examination at a hospital.

The doctor was amazed that after fifty days of extreme survival, his core physical indicators remained so healthy, with only mild malnutrition and severe fat deficiency. He advised the doctor to eat more high-calorie, high-nutrient foods to recover.

The next day, he declined all the celebratory banquets arranged by the production team and boarded a commercial flight to Fairbanks, Alaska, alone.

On the plane, he experienced for the first time the long-lost soft seats and warm, constant airflow of the civilized world, but he couldn't sleep. His body had become accustomed to alertness, and his thoughts had already flown home.

He didn't tell anyone; he wanted to give Arya and Emily a huge surprise.

When the plane landed at Fairbanks International Airport, it was already 2 p.m. local time.

On the verge of polar night, the sun had long since sunk below the horizon, leaving only a brief but brilliant glow on the southern horizon, like an infinitely stretched twilight. The whole world was shrouded in a tranquil and profound blue hue.

As soon as he stepped out of the terminal, a familiar, dry, and biting wind instantly enveloped him, making him feel the "warmth" of an Alaskan winter.

The temperature here is a few degrees lower than in Labrador, and fine ice crystal snowflakes are falling from the sky.

Instead of staying in the city, he dialed a familiar number directly.

"Hank? It's me, Lin."

A rough, excited voice came from the other end of the phone: "Lin! My God! Which hell did you crawl back from? How did it go? Did you win?"

"Yes, I won. I just got off the plane in Fairbanks. I'm sorry to bother you on Christmas Day; it's almost dark now, I don't know..."

"So what if it's black?" Hank interrupted him cheerfully on the other end, with the clanging of metal coming from the background.

"Have you forgotten what my plane is for? Don't even mention darkness, even in a blizzard with my eyes closed, I can still pull you back from hell by relying on the instruments!"

Upon hearing this, Lin Yu'an felt completely relieved and a genuine smile appeared on his face: "Then I'll trouble you, Hank."

“Of course! But you’ll have to wait for me a bit.” Hank’s voice sounded a little noisy.

"It's too cold. I need to attach heaters to the plane's engines and preheat them for at least an hour before it can take off safely. Including the flight time, it will probably take about two hours to get there."

He added, "Fairbanks is fine for takeoff, but that lousy place in Wiesman doesn't have runway lights."

“I’ll call old George right now and have him get a few guys to come up with snowmobiles and pickup trucks and use their headlights to create a ‘welcome home’ light carpet for me. Without that stuff, even God can’t find the right track.”

"Wait for me at the airport coffee shop. Have them prepare a piping hot coffee and a freshly baked cinnamon roll for you. You'll definitely need that! Get ready to go home, Lin!"

Lin Yu'an smiled, a warm feeling welling up inside him: "Okay, I'll wait for you."

In the cozy café at the airport, Lin Yu'an sipped her piping hot coffee and ate a cloyingly sweet cinnamon roll, feeling the sugar and calories rapidly entering her body. Food she had previously found unpalatable now tasted incredibly delicious.

Nearly two hours later, he received a call from Hank, who told him the plane was about to land. Lin Yu'an walked out of the coffee shop and arrived at the agreed-upon private runway. Night had completely fallen, and in the biting cold wind, the indicator lights on both sides of the runway stretched into the distance in the darkness.

Soon, Hank's familiar red and white Cessna 206, illuminated by the bright beams of searchlights, landed steadily on the runway.

The plane came to a stop, and Hank jumped out of the cockpit. When he saw Lin Yu'an walking towards him, the smile on his face froze instantly, replaced by shock.

“Oh my God… Lin… you look like a drug addict who’s been using ketamine for two years.”

Looking at Lin Yu'an's deep-set eyes, sharp, prominent cheekbones, and weathered appearance, Hank gave him a careful hug, as if afraid of breaking his "skeleton."

"Come on, get on the plane, I'll take you home! If Arya saw you like this, she'd be heartbroken."

Lin Yu'an smiled and threw his luggage into the cabin.

The plane took off into the pitch-black night, heading towards the far north, to the town of Wiesman.

Below, the coniferous forests are covered with boundless snow, and the riverbeds are frozen. Though there is no sunlight, the earth is not entirely shrouded in darkness.

A magnificent green curtain of light, like a divine ribbon, danced and stretched silently in the northern sky, casting its soft radiance upon the earth and causing the snow to reflect a dreamlike phosphorescence.

"Honestly, Lin, you really kept us waiting this time."

While skillfully piloting the plane, Hank turned his head and said loudly, "You've been gone for almost two months without a word. The people in town are practically sick of talking about you."

"Old George set up a betting pool at the bar, betting on when you'd be back this time. Not many people bet more than fifty days. Looks like those guys made a killing!"

"The situation is indeed... quite complicated." Lin Yu'an leaned back in his chair, looking at the familiar scenery outside the window, feeling his whole body relax.

"What exactly happened? I bet it's not simple," Hank asked curiously. "When you finally chose, did you win, or...?"

Lin Yu'an smiled and simply recounted the story of December, as well as his decision to forgo the overtime game. He didn't go into too many emotional details, but simply described the unexpected encounter and the final farewell in the most plain language.

After listening, Hank remained silent for a long time, his face showing a solemn expression, his azure eyes filled with admiration: "You've done something remarkable, Lin. A truly remarkable thing. I dare say that in all of Alaska, there are few people with your courage and sense of responsibility."

"And you? Has anything new happened in town these past two months?" Lin Yu'an changed the subject.

"New things? Lots of them!"

Hank perked up. "Last month, a big guy came here, a really big brown bear. It's been wandering around this area, and it's destroyed the outdoor smokehouses of several families. Several of our beloved sled dogs were also... sigh."

"Many smoking rooms were also completely destroyed, and the smoked fish and venison stored inside all winter were ruined. You know, in a place like this, it's no different from robbing a bank, and there's nowhere to seek justice. Insurance companies don't care about this kind of thing."

“That guy is incredibly audacious, completely fearless, and has become a threat to the entire community. So, we immediately reported the situation to the Fairbanks Fish and Game Department.”

Two days later, the state's wildlife officials arrived by helicopter.

"After assessing the situation, they determined that it was a 'problem bear' that had to be dealt with. Because we were the most familiar with this area, several skilled people in the town were officially authorized to act as guides and assistants to help the official track the bear."

"After tracking it for two days, it was finally shot and killed legally by the official himself at the foot of the Brooks Range. The bear skin, according to regulations, belongs to the state government."

"Also, the Dalton Highway was closed a few days ago due to a blizzard. A supply truck got stuck for a day, and in the end, a few of us on snowmobiles went to rescue the driver. That guy almost froze to death in the cab."

"Oh, by the way, your two big dogs are practically the little tyrants of town now. Last time a fox tried to raid your chicken coop, but they successfully stopped it."

Listening to these real and raw news stories, Lin Yu'an always had a smile on his face. This was life, this was the world he had been away from for so long.

He gazed at the aurora borealis outside the plane, shooting across the endless wilderness like a green curtain, and remained silent for a long time before suddenly asking, "Hank, is it difficult to get a private pilot's license in Alaska?"

Hank paused for a moment, then burst into laughter: "What? Are you envious of me flying a plane? Want to take to the skies yourself?"

“It’s not that I’m just envious,” Lin Yu’an said frankly, his eyes unusually serious. “There is a place that I need to be able to go to freely at any time.”

He paused, his voice becoming low and gentle: "In December, the little bear was sent to the Arctic Biological Research Center in Anchorage. It's a long detour from Wiesman, and the roads aren't safe in winter; it takes at least two days to go there and back."

“I want to fly my own plane to see her. I want to be by her side at every crucial stage of her rewilding training. This is… my promise to her.”

Hank's smile slowly faded, replaced by a deep understanding and emotion.

Lin Yu'an continued, "Of course, living here with an airplane means you can do so much more. Whether it's hunting in more distant places or helping others in emergencies, as you said, everything will be different."

“You’re right.” Hank’s expression turned serious.

"In Alaska, airplanes aren't a luxury, they're a necessity, a life-saving tool. Learning to fly because of a promise—that's the coolest reason I've ever heard. As for whether it's difficult or not..."

He thought for a moment and replied, "It's difficult for the average person. Theoretical knowledge, flight hours, and high costs are all hurdles." He glanced at Lin Yu'an, a hint of admiration in his eyes, "But for you, I don't think it's difficult."

"why?"

"Because you have a natural calmness and focus. When flying a plane, especially in the awful weather of Alaska, the most important thing is not skill, but mindset."

"It's about whether you can stay clear-headed and make the right judgment when facing unexpected situations. In this respect, I think you are much better than many rookies who have flown hundreds of hours."

Hank grinned, revealing a set of white teeth: "How about it? If you're interested, I'll personally teach you once you've recovered. My pilot's license includes instructor certification, how about that? Hahaha!"

"It's a deal." Lin Yu'an looked at his generous friend and felt a warm current welling up in his heart.

On his future blueprint, another exciting goal has been added.

When that familiar, sparse light nestled between the forest and mountains appeared on the horizon, Lin Yu'an's heart began to pound uncontrollably.

The plane landed on a makeshift runway, and Lin Yu'an declined Hank's offer to take him home on a snowmobile.

"No, Hank. I want to walk this last leg of the journey myself."

“I understand.” Hank smiled knowingly. “Go on, your family is waiting for you.”

Lin Yu'an, carrying his backpack, trudged along the familiar snow-covered road, heading towards the depths of the forest, towards the home he had been away from for almost two months.

The closer he got, the slower his steps became. The feeling of being apprehensive about returning home was vividly displayed at this moment.

Finally, he passed through the last small spruce forest, where the forest cabin he had built with his own hands, filled with love and memories, stood quietly under the aurora borealis not far away.

The roof was covered with a thick layer of snow, and wisps of warm white smoke were rising from the huge stone chimney. Clearly, someone was home; the fireplace was burning brightly.

Inside the house, in front of the warm fireplace, on the thick, soft carpet, a heartwarming family scene is unfolding.

Two Bernese Mountain Dogs, Whiskey and Honey, who had grown into enormous creatures, lay lazily on either side of the carpet, like two loyal guards.

Suddenly, Whiskey, which had been resting with its eyes closed, abruptly raised its head. Its large, droopy black ears perked up warily, and it stared blankly toward the doorway, letting out a low, confused "woof" sound.

Immediately afterward, Honey, who was next to her, also sensed something, raised her head, and stared warily at the doorway, her tail twitching uneasily.

"What's wrong, babies?"

Arya was kneeling in the center of the carpet, teasing two little "fleshy balls" dressed in thick onesies who were crawling around on the carpet with building blocks. They were their nearly eleven-month-old twins, Ethan and Olivia.

Ethan was more active, struggling to crawl towards his mother. His younger sister, Olivia, was quieter, simply fiddling with a round block in front of her with her little hands.

Hearing Arya's question, Emily, who was sitting on the sofa and intently flipping through a parenting book by the light of the fireplace, also looked up.

She saw the unusually wary posture of the two large dogs, and her heart sank.

“Arya, something’s wrong.” Her voice instantly turned calm and alert. “They seem to have discovered something.”

Arya immediately realized the danger. In this desolate place, in a wooden cabin far from town, there were only two women and two crying babies. It was the perfect crime scene for anyone with ill intentions.

Her expression instantly turned serious.

Emily remained calm. She quickly put the book aside, strode to an inconspicuous storage cabinet in the corner of the living room, skillfully entered the password, and opened the cabinet door.

He took out two dark, reassuring Glock 17 pistols and two spare magazines.

She handed one of the guns and the magazine to Arya, who was also walking quickly towards her.

“You stay here and watch the children, and keep an eye on the door. I’m going upstairs to check.” Emily’s voice was very low.

Arya took the gun, skillfully disengaged the safety, checked the magazine, and then half-squatted on the carpet, using her body to shield the two children who were unaware of what was happening behind her.

Emily, crouching low, moved like the most agile cheetah, silently making her way up to the second floor. She went straight to the bedroom window facing the door and cautiously peered out through the gap in the curtains.

On the snow, beneath the dancing aurora, she saw a tall, solitary figure.

The man stood there quietly, carrying a huge bag on his back, motionless, just gazing at their house from afar.

His clothes looked somewhat worn and made him appear rather disheveled in the cold wind.

But the moment Emily saw the familiar hunting clothes he was wearing, her pupils dilated sharply!

She covered her mouth, as if afraid she would scream out loud. A huge, indescribable joy, mixed with uncontrollable sorrow, instantly overwhelmed all her composure and vigilance.

She turned around, forgetting even to keep quiet, and shouted downstairs, "Arya! It's Lin! Lin's back! Our husband... he's back!"

Arya, who was downstairs, froze the moment she heard the name.

The next second, the two women rushed to the door, unlatched it, and shoved the heavy wooden door open!

"Wang! Wang Wang Wang!"

The whiskey and honey, which had been unable to contain themselves any longer, shot out excitedly like two black and white cannonballs!
Lin Yu'an was lost in his own emotions when he suddenly saw the door of the wooden house being pushed open. Immediately afterwards, two familiar figures rushed toward him through the wind and snow.

The two large dogs were completely different from when he left fifty days ago. They had grown even bigger, their shoulder height almost reaching his waist, and they were the robust appearance of adult dogs.

But when they rushed over, their wildly wagging, propeller-like tails and the "woofing" sounds filled with joy and grievance were exactly the same as when he left.

"Whiskey! Honey!"

He dropped the longbow, spread his arms, and squatted down.

Two large dogs, each weighing over 100 pounds, crashed into his arms with unstoppable force, the impact even causing him to take two steps back.

They excitedly and frantically licked Lin Yu'an's cheeks and neck, making coquettish whimpering sounds in their throats, as if accusing him of leaving without saying goodbye for the past two months.

Lin Yu'an smiled, letting them engulf him. He hugged the two loyal big guys tightly, feeling their familiar scent and warm body temperature.

Just then, two more figures that haunted his dreams rushed into his field of vision.

Arya and Emily, who had even forgotten to put on their coats and were only wearing thin wool sweaters and pajamas, ran quickly across the snow that had been trampled by the two big dogs and ran toward him without any regard for anything else.

Their faces were beaming with uncontrollable joy.

Lin Yu'an smiled and pushed away the still-whining dog, slowly standing up. This action stunned Whiskey and Honey; they tilted their heads, looking at him in confusion, as if asking, "Why did our hug end so quickly?"
He looked at them, and they looked at him.

Time seemed to stand still at this moment.

"I am back."

His response was a joyful cheer from Arya!
"Forest!"

Like a lithe female leopard, she pounced into his arms with great force, the impact causing Lin Yu'an to take half a step back before regaining his balance.

She wrapped her arms tightly around his neck with all her might, then cupped his weathered face in her hands and kissed him fiercely, almost as if punishing him!
Her lips, like a glowing ember, pressed against his lips, which were already numb from the cold. It was a kiss so hot it could melt ice and snow! It was filled with undeniable passion and longing.

(End of this chapter)