American Hunting: Starting with Solitary Life in the Wilderness

Chapter 261 The Treatment of Superstars

December 31st, the last day of 2021.

Dawns in Alaska are always unusually rare.

The sky over Wiesmann remained shrouded in a deep indigo, with only a faint glimmer of light, somewhere between pale white and light purple, barely visible on the eastern horizon.

Lin Yu'an had finished his unwavering morning patrol. The wolf pack, like the most patient hunters, remained lurking in the shadows, leaving no new traces.

This silent standoff no longer caused him any anxiety.

Inside the cabin, Arya and Emily were like two busy bees, making final preparations for his special journey today.

Today is the last day of 2021.

It was also the last day of his old brand ambassador contract with Arc'teryx.

It is also the day he will officially debut to the world in a brand new role—Global Brand Ambassador.

Two days ago, Marty Singh's legal team completed all negotiations with Archaeopteryx in an almost overwhelming manner.

The final contract unequivocally demonstrated CAA's strength and Lin Yu-an's current value.

Now is the time for Lin Yu-an to fulfill his first duty as ambassador.

“Darling, your tie is a little crooked.” Arya stepped forward and gently straightened his collar.

Instead of his usual outdoor-style windbreaker, he wore a sharply tailored dark gray suit from Veilance, Arc'teryx's high-end business line.

This suit is made of top-quality waterproof wool blend fabric, maintaining an elegant silhouette while also offering excellent functionality.

"I still feel it's a bit strange to attend their event dressed like this." Lin Yu'an looked at her somewhat unfamiliar self in the mirror and smiled helplessly.

“That’s not surprising at all.” Emily handed him his black coat, also from the Veilance collection, from the bedroom, her eyes sparkling with admiration.

"Marcus Weber's plan is shrewd. He not only wants to announce to the world that they have won back the most hardcore outdoor enthusiast."

"He also wants you to be the perfect bridge for Archaeopteryx to break down the barriers between the wilderness and Wall Street. Not only can you conquer the wilderness, but you can also easily navigate the city."

Upon hearing this, Lin Yu'an couldn't help but smile. Emily had seen through the other party's business logic with remarkable insight.

Outside, the distinctive roar of a single-engine propeller plane grew louder as it approached. It was Hank's red and white Cessna 206 jungle plane.

The plane's landing gear had been replaced with huge sleds adapted for snow landings, and it landed smoothly on the frozen river next to the cabin.

Lin Yu'an gave Alia and Emily a heartfelt hug goodbye, then picked up a simple suitcase, bent down, and boarded the plane.

"Hey, Lin! You're a big shot now!" Hank grinned, revealing a set of white teeth, his tone full of good-natured teasing as he was happy for his friend.

"Stop joking with me, Hank." Lin Yu'an laughed and punched his shoulder.

The plane took off again, heading south towards Fairbanks.

More than an hour later, at Fairbanks International Airport.

Lin Yu-an had just said goodbye to Hank when he boarded a Gulfstream G650ER bound for Vancouver International Airport.

-

As he stepped onto the gangway, the moment the cabin door closed silently behind him, it felt as if two worlds were separated. The icy air of Alaska was completely shut out, replaced by a warm scent filled with a subtle blend of leather and sophisticated fragrance.

The sight inside the cabin momentarily stunned him. It was completely different from the Cessna jungle planes he was familiar with, where practicality was the top priority.

There are no exposed rivets or cold metal here; the entire space is enveloped in off-white premium leather and deep-sheen mahogany veneer, luxurious yet understated. The carpet underfoot is soft and thick, making almost no sound when you step on it.

The cabin was so spacious that it didn't feel like an airplane; it was more like a mobile, airborne living room. A large table made from a single piece of mahogany was as smooth as a mirror, with delicate gold woven patterns inlaid along its edges.

A bottle of chilled Veuve Clicquot champagne was already laid out on the table, its golden bottle shimmering under the soft light. Next to it were two crystal glasses and a small plate with delicate French desserts.

On the other side, in the mahogany side cabinet, a huge LCD screen is slowly rising, displaying Vancouver's city night view. The dazzling lights are like a flowing galaxy, giving people a taste of the city's prosperity.

"Good evening, Mr. Lin." A flight attendant in an elegant uniform, with a capable demeanor, approached with a smile. Her voice was soft and professional. "The flight will take about two and a half hours. Please make yourself at home. Would you like a glass of champagne poured for you now?"

Lin Yu'an snapped out of her daze and nodded politely, "Thank you, have a drink."

He chose a private seat by the window and immediately sank into the wide, soft, ergonomic leather seat, so comfortable that he almost wanted to fall asleep right away.

He looked out through the iconic, huge oval porthole, and the lights of Fairbanks were rapidly shrinking below his feet.

The flight attendant handed him a glass of champagne, the bubbles hissing softly in the glass.

Lin Yu'an held the cold glass, a strange and complex feeling welling up inside her.

Just hours earlier, he had been in the Alaskan wilderness, pondering the movements of the wolf packs and the firewood in his cabin.

Now, however, he finds himself in this luxurious palace high in the clouds, drinking top-quality champagne, and flying towards a brand new battlefield built by capital and fame.

One is the ultimate natural civilization, and the other is the ultimate man-made civilization.

This ultimate comfort and luxury serves as a silent declaration, reminding him that his contract with CAA is not merely a contract, but a ticket to the pinnacle of the world. And behind this ticket lie countless rules, games, and challenges.

He gently swirled the glass, gazing at the golden liquid within. He took a small sip, the cool liquor sliding across his tongue, the lively bubbles bursting in his mouth in an instant, only to vanish just as quickly.

Then comes a bright and crisp acidity that instantly awakens all the taste buds. As he swallows the wine, a long aftertaste with citrus and almond flavors slowly emerges in his throat.

After tasting it, Lin Yu'an leaned back in the soft chair, watching the night view rushing past the window, which brought back that sense of unreality to his heart.

He recalled that just a few days ago, he was still arguing with Lao Mao over an exclusive contract with Bilibili and a brand ambassadorship with Arc'teryx.

And now, simply because he signed a contract with CAA, Scout Braun has only made a few phone calls.

Rolls-Royce chauffeured service, penthouse suites in five-star hotels, helicopter shuttles from luxury empires... the world's top resources began to automatically tilt towards him, serving him efficiently.

Even with his biggest secret—the ability to manipulate space—he couldn't help but feel like a powerless lone individual in the face of such a massive business system. This is the power of connections, the power of a platform, and the fundamental reason he chose to join this game.

About two and a half hours later, the private jet landed smoothly on the private jet runway at Vancouver International Airport.

When he stepped out of the hatch again, the last trace of confusion in his eyes had faded, replaced by a calm and sharpness that indicated he was about to enter the battlefield!
He had barely stepped off the gangway, and before he could even feel the cool Canadian air, CAA had already arranged everything for him.

A completely black Rolls-Royce Cullinan had already silently slid up in front of him.

Under the lights of the helipad, its massive body reflected a deep, obsidian-like luster. The enormous Parthenon-style grille was solemn and austere, and the goddess of celebration on the hood seemed to be a messenger leading it into another world.

The way it stood there didn't resemble a car; it looked more like a lurking, powerful steel behemoth.

A driver with a straight posture and wearing white gloves opened the back door for him with a smooth and elegant movement.

When the heavy car door closed, it didn't make a loud bang, but a dull, solid "thud," like the door of a bank vault being locked.

All the noise from the outside world was instantly shut out, leaving only the ultimate tranquility inside the car.

The warm air inside the car was filled with the scent of premium leather and a faint aroma of wood. The hand-stitched off-white leather seats perfectly enveloped his body in terms of touch and support.

On a built-in bar, a glass of Scotch malt whisky, served in an old-fashioned glass and topped with a single square ice ball, awaits him quietly. The amber liquid reflects a mesmerizing light under the soft, starry-sky ambient lighting.

The driver kept his eyes straight ahead, reporting the itinerary in a calm, almost mechanical tone, as if he were stating today's weather forecast rather than some astonishing arrangement.

"We are now heading to your hotel, the penthouse suite at the Fairmont Pacific Rim."

"The press conference tomorrow morning is scheduled for 10:00 AM. At 9:00 AM sharp, an LVMH Group helicopter will take you from the hotel's rooftop helipad to the Arc'teryx headquarters."

The Rolls-Royce Cullinan smoothly glided out of the airport, like a ghost ship sailing on a black asphalt road.

Lin Yu'an leaned back in the soft chair, watching the city outside the window transform into a flowing scroll of light and shadow.

He felt less like he was in a car and more like he was in a mobile, isolated cocoon, being precisely transported to his next destination by a powerful and invisible force.

Finally, the ghost ship silently came to rest beneath the understated yet luxurious entrance of the Fairmont Pacific Rim Hotel.

As soon as the driver opened the car door, the hotel manager, who had been waiting there, stepped forward with a perfectly timed smile and bowed, saying, "Good evening, Mr. Lin. Welcome to Vancouver. Your room is ready, please follow me."

From airplane to car to hotel, the entire process was seamless, with no waiting time and no unnecessary conversation.

This top-of-the-line service machine, operating at high speed around him, was demonstrating to him, in an undeniable way, the power that CAA represented.

Without any complicated front desk registration, Lin Yu'an, personally led by the manager, took a private elevator directly to the hotel's top floor—the presidential suite.

This suite is also known as the Rock Star Suite because it has hosted countless world-class rock stars.

When the heavy door was opened and the motion-sensor lights in the suite slowly turned on, Lin Yu'an's breath involuntarily paused for a moment.

What comes into view is a huge space of over 300 square meters, like a villa in the sky.

The two-story-high floor-to-ceiling windows offered him a breathtaking panoramic view of Vancouver's nightscape, from the dark green silhouette of Stanley Park to the shimmering waters of Bradney Bay and the majestic silhouette of the Coast Mountains in the distance.

The room's design is the epitome of modern luxury, with a custom-made Fazioli grand piano in the living room and original works by Andy Warhol hanging on the wall.

On the second-floor terrace, there is even a private fire pit and hot tub.

"Your luggage has been delivered. There is 24-hour private butler service in the room. Please feel free to ask if you need anything."

After introducing the room, the hotel manager tactfully bowed and withdrew, leaving Lin Yu'an alone to enjoy this ultimate tranquility and luxury.

Lin Yu'an didn't touch the expensive piano, nor did he pay attention to the top-quality vintage champagne on the bar.

He simply walked to the huge floor-to-ceiling window and looked down at the dazzling starry sky below, formed by countless lights.

He recalled seeing another starry sky in Alaska, also at night.

Those were billions of stars hanging in the velvety night sky, pure and free of any light pollution.

One in the wilderness, the other in the mortal world.

One represents absolute nature, the other represents absolute civilization.

And now, it seems that he possesses the highest-level pass to both of these worlds!
He took out his phone and made a video call home.

Soon, Arya and Emily's concerned smiling faces appeared on the screen.

"Wow... Honey, where are you?" Emily exclaimed, looking at the magnificent night view behind him.

“Vancouver.” Lin Yu’an smiled and turned the camera so they could also see the suite. “It was arranged by CAA.”

Looking at the screen, at the warm and simple wooden house he had built himself, and at the extremely luxurious modern space in front of him, a strange and absurd feeling rose in his heart.

After spending a long time with his family and making sure the children were asleep, he hung up the phone.

He poured himself a glass of whiskey and went up to the second-floor terrace.

The crisp air instantly cleared his head, which had been flushed from being enveloped in luxury.

He knew that this was just the beginning. Tomorrow's press conference would be his first real battle under the spotlight.

He downed the liquor in one gulp, feeling the fiery liquid burn down his throat and into his stomach.

Then, she turned around and walked back to the palace-like room, and lay down on the large, soft bed that could comfortably accommodate four people.

A good night's sleep.

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

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(End of this chapter)