American Hunting: Starting with Solitary Life in the Wilderness

Chapter 263 The Interrogation Following the Media Shock (Bonus Chapter, Please Vote!)

Lin Yu'an simply nodded.

In front of the media, the two signed their names on the huge contract display board that symbolized their astronomical collaboration.

During the ensuing Q&A session, a female reporter from The New York Times immediately posed the pointed question that everyone wanted to ask but dared not ask.

“Mr. Weber, as we all know, just a few days ago, an assessment report about Arc'teryx not renewing Mr. Lin’s contract was circulating on social media.”

"How do you explain such a dramatic change in your company's attitude in just a few days?"

"Was this a reactive crisis management move made out of fear of Mr. Justin Bieber's enormous influence?"

This question is like a poisoned dagger, piercing straight into the heart of Archaeopteryx!
The air in the room froze instantly. All eyes were fixed on Marcus's face.

Marcus's smile froze for a moment, but he quickly followed the public relations script that Marty Singer had carefully prepared for him, revealing a helpless and sincere wry smile.

“I admit that there have been some… disagreements within us,” he said candidly. “Any successful company will have different voices.”

"But in the end, the brand's pursuit of excellence triumphed over short-sighted business data. We are pleased that we made the right choice in the end."

This answer, by avoiding the main issue, is practically perfect.

But at that moment, Lin Yu'an, who had been silent all along, suddenly picked up the microphone in front of him.

He looked at the female reporter and said calmly, "Perhaps it's more appropriate for me to answer this question."

Marcus's heart leaped into his throat! He never dreamed that Lin Yu'an would deviate from the script at this moment!

Lin Yu'an's gaze slowly swept across the entire room, finally landing on the camera lens.

"I don't think Archaeopteryx's previous decision was a misjudgment."

His first words caused an uproar in the audience!
“On the contrary,” he continued, his voice not loud but clear enough to reach everyone’s ears, “I think their previous assessment was very accurate.”

"Because Lin Yu-an, who doesn't get much commercial exposure, is a real person."

"That's Lin Yu-an, who chose to stay away from the hustle and bustle, focusing on building her own home and spending time with her family in the wilderness of Alaska."

"In that time frame, Lin Yu'an was indeed not worth a top-tier commercial contract."

"And today, standing here, recommended by Mr. Justin Bieber, and seen by the whole world, is another Lin Yu-an."

"This is me, enveloped by traffic, capital, and immense prestige."

A meaningful smile curved at the corner of his mouth. "So, Archaeopteryx didn't abandon anyone, nor did it choose the wrong person."

"They simply made two completely different, but both extremely accurate, value assessments of my product at different times."

“I respect their decision not to renew their contracts, because that was purely a business decision.”

“I also accept their new contract today, because it is purely business.”

“In this matter, there is no right or wrong, only choices. And I am glad that in the end, we both made the most advantageous choice for each other at this point in time.”

These words were like a spring breeze, instantly dissolving all the previous awkwardness and tension!
Instead of criticizing Archaeopteryx for being materialistic, he adopted an absolutely rational, God-like perspective, defining their behavior as a precise business judgment.

This not only instantly extinguished all the articles that the media had prepared about betrayal and being humiliated, but also demonstrated a great deal of vision to Arc'teryx!

Marcus Weber stared blankly at the young man beside him, and for the first time, a genuine sense of admiration welled up in his heart.

He knew how ridiculous his previous offer of eight million had been.

This man is worth far more than any number on that contract.

In the audience, the New York Times reporter who had asked the question had quietly put down the recording pen she was preparing to use to record further questions.

She had thought she had caught a bloodthirsty shark, but instead, the other party was a dolphin that gracefully leaped out of the water, leaving her speechless with its wisdom and composure. After a few seconds of silence, the entire audience erupted in applause that was more enthusiastic than ever before. This applause was no longer just a formality, but a heartfelt expression of admiration.

But the media's keen sense of smell never stops there. As soon as the applause subsided, the founder of the trendy media Hypebeast seized the opportunity, stood up, and asked a more direct question that was more in line with the young trend culture he represented.

"Mr. Lin, hello. First of all, congratulations. We noticed that you chose the Veilance series today, instead of the more representative Alpha SV jacket. At the same time, LVMH's helicopter has also attracted a lot of attention."

Does this mean that your future personal brand will lean more towards the fashion and luxury sector, while gradually fading out your hardcore outdoor enthusiast image?

This is a very pointed question. It directly touches on the sensitive nerves of Arc'teryx's core fan base, those hardcore outdoor enthusiasts.

If Lin Yu'an's answer leans too much towards fashion, it will undoubtedly alienate the brand's foundation. If she completely denies it, it will seem hypocritical and waste the enormous value brought by LVMH's publicity stunt.

Upon hearing this, Lin Yu'an simply smiled slightly. He looked at the founder with a calm and confident gaze.

"Thank you for your question. Actually, I think that the outdoors and fashion have never been opposites. They are like mountains and the lakes that reflect them, one pursuing the ultimate height, and the other showing the breadth of inclusiveness."

He paused for a moment, giving the photographers on site enough time to react.

"When I'm in the Alaskan wilderness, facing temperatures of minus forty degrees Celsius and wolves, an Alpha SV is my armor; it represents survival and conquest."

"But today, as I stand here facing you all, a well-tailored Veilance suit is my language of communication with this civilized world; it represents respect and dignity."

His gaze swept across the entire room, his voice steady and powerful: "Therefore, I will not downplay any label. I will only prove one thing to everyone."

“A truly strong man can build shelters in the wilderness and earn respect in the conference room! Archaeopteryx gives me the confidence to cope with any environment, and I will open the door to a wider world for Archaeopteryx.”

These words once again ignited the entire audience!

Instead of avoiding the issue, he elevated his personal choice to the level of brand philosophy, perfectly blending two seemingly contradictory areas, while giving Arc'teryx and potential luxury allies an incredibly respectable stepping stone and ample room for imagination.

Marcus Weber, listening nearby, was deeply moved and almost wanted to stand up and applaud Lin Yu-an immediately.

Before everyone could recover from the brilliant answer, the editor-in-chief of *Outside* magazine, the most authoritative magazine in the outdoor community, a highly respected elder, also stood up. His question returned to the essence of outdoor sports.

“Lin, we’ve all seen your videos in Alaska. Your awe of nature and wisdom in survival are truly impressive. But now, you’ve signed with CAA and entered the world’s top business system.”

"What we're worried about is whether the involvement of capital and the pursuit of traffic will erode the purity of your content creation? Will your future videos feature more and more commercial placements, losing that most precious sense of authenticity?"

This is the most pressing and potentially fatal question for all fans. If handled poorly, he could be labeled as a shill or someone who has "gone astray" on his reputation forever.

Lin Yu'an's expression turned serious, and he nodded slightly to the editor-in-chief to show his respect.

“I fully understand your concerns, because authenticity is the foundation of all my content and the most important contract I have with my audience. I assure you, and all my friends who follow me, that this contract will never be broken.”

He changed the subject, a sharp glint in his eyes: "But at the same time, I also believe that business and authenticity are not mutually exclusive."

"A good axe will allow me to build a cabin much faster. Sufficient funds will support me on grander expeditions to explore remote corners and bring more breathtaking scenery to everyone."

"My principle is simple: I will only collaborate with brands that, like me, pursue excellence, respect nature, and can truly help me realize my dreams of exploration."

"I will not compromise my content for the sake of business. On the contrary, I will use the power of business to create greater content. My roots will always be in that wilderness."

After he finished speaking, he gave the editor-in-chief of Outside a deep look.

The old man was stunned, then nodded solemnly and sat down. He knew he had overthought things. The young man before him was more clear-headed and stronger than he had imagined.

After that, no one asked any more questions.

It's not that there are no problems, but rather that everyone realizes that any attempt to challenge his linguistic traps will ultimately become stepping stones to highlight his wisdom and vision.

The applause that followed the press conference was thunderous and prolonged. They came today to witness a business signing, but unexpectedly, they witnessed the coronation of a king.

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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