American Hunting: Starting with Solitary Life in the Wilderness

Chapter 236 Christmas Family Feast
Lin Yu'an walked straight to the huge container warehouse, and a moment later, he came out carrying a square device in orange and black.

The side of the box features prominent white lettering: Jackery Explorer 2000 Pro. (Electric Power 2000 Pro Outdoor Power Supply)

Lin Yu'an carried the device, which looked like a large suitcase, into the chicken coop and placed it steadily on a pre-built wooden frame in the corner.

Arya's eyes lit up: "A portable power source? Honey, I thought you'd just run an underground cable from the central battery pack in our main house. Wouldn't it be more than enough to carry an extra small chicken coop for our precious little one?"

“Underground cables are the ultimate solution, but for now, this is more flexible. Moreover, I’ve done the math, and this solution has an astonishingly high energy efficiency ratio.”

Arya looked at the two plugs in his hand and started doing mental calculations: "Let me think... a 9-watt light bulb, we plan to use it for 14 hours a day, that's 126 watt-hours a day."

“Absolutely correct.” Lin Yu’an nodded approvingly and plugged the plug into the “Electrician” socket.

"This is the small part of the energy consumption; the big part is this water heater, which has a power of 100 watts. Although it has temperature control, it will definitely be running for quite a while in winter."

Arya continued her analysis: "That's right, especially at night when it's coldest. Assuming it runs for a total of 12 hours a day, that's 1200 watt-hours. So our total daily power consumption is 1326 watt-hours, which is about 1.33 kilowatt-hours."

"The power consumption itself is not a problem, after all, we spent nearly $15,000 in the summer to assemble that power storage system."

"It consists of 16 CATL Grade A lithium iron phosphate cells and a Victron hybrid inverter. We also built that temperature-controlled battery compartment for it."

Lin Yu'an looked at Arya and posed a question, "So, dear engineer Ms. McKinley, what is the cost of generating this 1.33 kWh of electricity using our diesel generator?"

Arya immediately said, "The key is that we won't start the 20-kilowatt diesel generator for those 1.33 kilowatt-hours of electricity. Instead, we'll wait until the main house's 20-kilowatt-hour energy storage system is depleted to its threshold before running it at its most efficient load range for a few hours."

"So under these optimal operating conditions, our generator's fuel consumption can be stabilized at 0.4 liters of diesel per kilowatt-hour. Diesel costs $6 per gallon, which translates to $1.59 per liter."

Lin Yu'an smiled and took over the conversation, completing the final calculation for her: "So, 1.33 kWh of electricity, multiplied by the optimal fuel consumption of 0.4, and then multiplied by the unit price of 1.59, is the actual electricity cost we pay for this chicken coop every day, which is about $0.84."

"It costs less than a cup of coffee, but this expense, at a cost of less than $1 a day, can be exchanged for at least 16 fresh eggs."

The two looked at each other and saw an appreciation for each other's intelligence in each other's eyes, as if they had returned to the days when they worked together seamlessly on group assignments in the classroom at Texas Tech University.

Lin Yu'an gently patted the orange and black device: "This 2160 watt-hour power supply is enough to power the equipment here for three whole days."

Only after this powerful energy core was in place did he begin the final electrical installation.

He took out the metal basin base that Arya had prepared and placed it in a corner of the main chicken coop. It was an electrically heated basin with a built-in thermostat to ensure the water wouldn't freeze.

Then, he took out another key device, an LED lamp holder that integrated a photosensor and a timer.

This is a professional poultry house lighting device that he specially selected when purchasing supplies in the summer.

Fix the lamp holder in the center of the roof, and then carefully turn the dial on the timer to set the start time to 6:00 AM and 8:00 PM, exactly fourteen hours.

Arya, watching his focused expression, smiled and asked, "Are you winding up our 'egg-laying machine'?"

Lin Yu'an smiled as well. He tightened a 9-watt LED light bulb and climbed down the ladder.

"That's right. In the polar night when there is no sun, 14 hours of light a day is the only way to keep them laying eggs."

Finally, he plugged the hot water basin and the timer light into the AC socket on the front of the "Electric Mini".

As he pressed the power switch, the power bank's LCD screen lit up instantly, displaying the remaining battery level: 40%. The indicator light on the water heater base next to him also emitted a faint red light, ready to be used.

The entire life support system of the chicken coop was officially activated.

By the time all the work was finished, the twilight in the south had long since faded, and night once again enveloped the earth, with only the aurora borealis on the horizon and the LED lights on the construction site shining tirelessly.

This chicken coop is exactly the same as the design drawings.

However, the interior of its main house has been transformed into an "insulated chicken coop" capable of withstanding the extreme cold of the Arctic.

Lin Yu'an turned off the lights, and the whole world instantly fell into the tranquility of the aurora.

He walked over to Arya and pulled her into his arms, even though she was exhausted but incredibly excited.

He lowered his head and planted a kiss on her forehead. "Let's go, Chief Engineer, we should prepare dinner. It's Christmas Eve."

Arya smiled and kissed him on the cheek. "Yes, sir. But don't even think about interfering with dinner tonight; that's Emily and my stage."

The two smiled at each other and walked side by side back to the wooden house that was warmly lit.

As they pushed open the door, a rich aroma of roasted meat and spices instantly enveloped them.

Emily, wearing an apron, took a huge, sizzling roasted turkey out of the oven.

The fireplace was burning brightly, and in the corner of the living room, the spruce Christmas tree that had been cut down from the forest had been newly decorated by Emily.

It was covered with bright colored lights and many small trinkets full of natural charm, such as bunches of red berries, golden pine cones, and several birch animals that Lin Yu-an had carved before.

There were also clay ornaments with Ethan and Olivia's little handprints, and under the tree, several gifts wrapped in kraft paper and tied with hemp rope were already piled up.

The entire cabin was immersed in a simple yet incredibly warm festive atmosphere.

Seeing them return, Emily smiled gently and said, "You look like you just came back from a war. Go take a hot bath, dinner will be ready soon."

Arya walked over to her, looking at the fine beads of sweat on her forehead from her busy work, and then at the complex Wellington moose steak on the table, her eyes filled with amazement.

"My goodness, darling, you're amazing!" Arya reached out and gently wiped a bit of flour from her cheek, exclaiming sincerely.

“You’re a superman. You’re all alone at home. Not only did you prepare such a feast that only a king could enjoy, but you also had to take care of those two little troublemakers, Ethan and Olivia.”

As she spoke, she leaned forward and gave Emily a loud kiss on the cheek, leaving a crisp "pop".

"Thank you for your hard work, my dear Emily."

Emily was a little embarrassed by her sudden act of intimacy. She laughed and said, "Oh, Arya, you're so cold."

"You two are the ones who have worked so hard, freezing outside the whole time. I can't just stay inside doing nothing, can I? Hurry up, the water's been boiling for ages, the food'll get cold if you don't go soon."

As she spoke, she gently pushed their backs, urging them towards the bathroom. Her urgency and care were warmer than any words.

Aria was amused by her serious expression. She turned around, and a sly glint rekindled in her pale green eyes as she stared intently at Lin Yu'an.

"Did you hear that, darling? Our 'Alaskan Little Chef' orders you to come take a bath with me right now!"

Before Lin Yu'an could answer, she grabbed his hand and pulled him unequivocally toward the master bedroom bathroom on the first floor.

The bathroom door clicked shut from the inside.

Emily was setting the table, and the sound of running water could be faintly heard coming from the bedroom. Soon, this monotonous sound was interrupted by intermittent, suppressed, and indistinct noises. It seemed to be a short gasp from Arya, or a rapid panting, and a low, muffled groan mixed with pain and pleasure.

Moisture, like thick fog, seeped out from the cracks in the bathroom door, carrying a damp and warm scent that permeated the bedroom.

The bathroom door was only opened again after an hour of showering.

When Lin Yu'an and Ailiya changed into clean and comfortable home clothes and returned to the living room, their entire demeanor was completely different.

Although Lin Yu'an's face still showed a hint of fatigue, it also showed a great sense of relaxation and languor as if his body and mind were extremely satisfied.

Arya, on the other hand, was radiant. Her already bright cheeks were now flushed with an alluring blush that lingered long after the intense exercise.

Her lips appeared fuller and redder than usual, and her eyes and brows exuded a captivating charm, as if she had been thoroughly satisfied.

Emily simply smiled at them, a knowing glint in her eyes, without saying anything.

At this moment, the large, dark oak dining table has been arranged into a breathtakingly lavish table, filled with a variety of dishes.

Everywhere you look, there is a warm and festive atmosphere. Flickering candlelight gently falls on the white tablecloth and exquisite tableware, reflecting the tempting luster of the food.

The orange flames of the fireplace, the twinkling Christmas tree lights, and the dim yellow wall lamps all combine to create a warm Christmas atmosphere.

At the very center of the table, without a doubt, was a perfectly roasted turkey, placed on a thick wooden cutting board, its skin an impeccable deep golden-brown.

The turkey, glistening with oil, is garnished with caramelized lemons, garlic, and sprigs of rosemary and sage, creating a rich blend of herbal aromas and meaty fragrance.

But this turkey is not the only star of the show; it is surrounded by a variety of colorful classic dishes, creating a feast for the eyes and nose.

Lin Yu'an's gaze swept across the entire dining table, and a sense of familiarity called "tradition" instantly welled up in his heart.

He saw the bowl of golden, crispy traditional filling, the soul of the festival baked with bread cubes and herbs.

I saw the sauce bowl filled with silky gravy, the perfect accompaniment to turkey and mashed potatoes.

I also saw the bowl of roasted baby potatoes that smelled strongly of garlic, and the plate of brightly colored Parmesan roasted carrots.

These dishes are like the fixed honor guard of Christmas, each with its indispensable place.

Lin Yu'an knew that in the eyes of Americans, the Christmas atmosphere would be like a puzzle missing a piece if any one of these elements were missing, just as most Chinese people would definitely eat dumplings during the Chinese New Year.

Emily not only perfectly replicated these classic works, but also added amazing highlights to this grand event with her own ingenuity.

His gaze fell on a white porcelain plate on which lay two slices of creamy pumpkin, cut into accordion-like thin slices, roasted until soft, sweet, and fragrant, and garnished with sage leaves.

Beside it, a bowl of vibrant green pea salad and a bowl of Brussels sprout salad mixed with Italian sausage slices bring a refreshing color and a complex taste.

Of course, there was also the pecan pie quietly sitting in the corner, and several plates of assorted pickled olives and mixed nuts as appetizers.

The space between the tables was decorated with a few emerald green pine branches and clusters of bright red holly berries, which enhanced the festive atmosphere to the extreme.

"Wow," Lin Yu'an exclaimed, looking at everything before her. Each plate seemed like a work of art that Emily had carefully crafted with love.

He exclaimed sincerely, "Honey, are you planning to open a restaurant?"

Lin Yu smiled and pulled out the chair in the main seat and sat down. Aria and Emily also sat down on either side of him.

Ethan and Olivia were placed in their special baby high chairs, curiously looking at everything in front of them.

Before picking up her knife and fork, Arya poured deep red wine for Lin Yu'an and herself, and crystal clear sparkling apple juice for the pregnant Emily.

Arya raised her glass first, cleared her throat, and attracted the attention of Lin Yu'an and Emily.

"Alright, before we begin, I'd like to propose a toast."

She raised her glass, her pale green eyes looking at Emily with tenderness and sincerity. "I'd like to offer this first token of my respect to Emily. Thank you for choosing to join our family."

"Thank you even more for taking care of me and the children like family during these two difficult months, and for preparing such an incredible feast for us."

"This is your first Christmas in this home, Emily. We are so happy to have you here. Welcome, my dear sister."

Emily's eyes instantly welled up with tears, and she raised her glass in a silent tribute to Arya.

Then, Arya turned her gaze to Lin Yu'an, "And then, of course, a toast to the survivors of our family! Welcome home, dear. Every day without you felt like a year. This family cannot live without you."

She concluded, "So, let's toast to our home, and to our future!"

Just as Aria was about to say "Cheers" and clink glasses, Lin Yu'an smiled, gently raised one hand, and gestured for her to wait.

Arya and Emily both looked at him with some confusion.

Lin Yu'an's gaze was filled with guilt, gratitude, and love as he looked deeply at Alia: "Darling, your toast was perfect. But I'd like to add one more thing."

He raised his glass, solemnly and exclusively to Arya: "We also want to offer a special toast to you, Arya. Thank you for carrying everything alone while I was away."

"You not only have to take care of two children, but also soothe Emily's emotions, manage the household perfectly, and even start a project as big as building a chicken coop."

"You are the strongest pillar of this family. Thank you for your hard work, my wife."

After saying that, he turned his gaze back to everyone at the table, raised his glass even higher, and said in an extremely solemn tone: "Now, for our family, for our wonderful mistress, for our future, Cheers!"

"Cheers!" This time, Arya and Emily's responses were tinged with happiness. The three glasses clinked gently in the center of the table, producing a crisp, melodious sound.

This glass of wine, imbued with all acceptance, welcome, gratitude, kinship, and love, was slowly drunk by the three of them.

After setting down their glasses, the atmosphere became quiet and solemn. Lin Yu'an naturally reached out and took the hands of Aria and Emily respectively.

They also reached out their hands, and the three hands joined tightly together on the table, forming a warm, closed loop.

No one spoke, but Lin Yu'an could feel the excitement in their hearts from the warmth emanating from their palms.

Everyone closed their eyes and silently expressed their gratitude.

Thanks to the gifts of this land, thanks to the warmth of home, thanks to their steadfast support during his absence, and thanks to fate for allowing him to be reborn and return to Arya's side.

A moment later, he opened his eyes and nodded heavily to the two of them.

The silent ceremony ended, marking the official start of this grand feast.

(End of this chapter)