American Hunting: Starting with Solitary Life in the Wilderness

Chapter 288 The Negotiations Have Settled the Outcome!

Inside the Hilton Hotel, Isabella was recalling yesterday's unpleasant three-way meeting.

McCorz's threats and the minister's instructions still echoed in my ears.

Yesterday, after the meeting, Isabella followed the motorcade back to the Hilton Hotel in the city center.

After settling in, disregarding her travel fatigue, she immediately dialed an encrypted direct line to report to her superior, Richard Winters, the Minister of the Environment.

“Minister, I have arrived in Anchorage.” Isabella’s voice was calm and professional, but a closer listen revealed a hint of suppressed seriousness.

"The situation is much more complicated than we anticipated."

She gave a brief summary of the meeting and concluded: "Dr. McCormick's stance was very firm; she refused any form of compromise."

"She also used the release of meeting recordings and our department's initial assessment that 'it has no value for rescue' as leverage for threats."

Winters on the other end of the phone let out a cold snort that was hard to decipher.

Isabella took a deep breath and dropped the most unbelievable bombshell: "Her ultimate goal is neither money nor control of the project."

"She demanded that the department, in the form of an official document, completely and permanently relinquish ownership of December and transfer it entirely to her personally."

After she finished speaking, a long silence fell on the other end of the phone. Isabella could even picture Minister Winters in his office, which was adorned with portraits of past prime ministers, slowly taking off his glasses and rubbing his temples with his fingers.

After a long while, Winters' voice slowly came through, his tone filled with the utmost contempt that a superior would have for a visionary!

He muttered to himself, as if commenting on a low-brow comedy, “It’s really… ridiculous.”

"A young scientist, blinded by idealism, dares to challenge a nation's symbol of sovereignty? Who does she think she is? Joan of Arc?"

He didn't yell at Isabella, but that nonchalance was more powerful than any outburst.

His tone turned serious: "Isa, I'm not asking you to gauge her emotions or assess the certainty of the threat. Your task is to solve the problem!"

“Yes, sir,” Isabella replied immediately.

Winters began issuing his instructions, every word imbued with political wisdom.

“Listen, those threats she’s making are really troublesome; they’re a media bomb that we need to deal with immediately. You did a good job of warning me in time.”

"However, ownership is not a negotiable issue; it's a red line!"

“You must make her understand that the natural heritage of the Canadian people is as sacred and inviolable as the maple leaf on our flag.”

“We can entrust guardianship and care to professionals on humanitarian grounds, but ownership can never and should never fall into the hands of any individual.”

"Once this precedent is set, will an American tycoon want to buy a mountain in Banff National Park tomorrow? Will they want to adopt a group of our national treasure, the beavers, the day after? There is no room for compromise on sovereignty issues!"

After ending her call with the minister, Isabella breathed a long sigh of relief.

However, she had just woken up today, jet-lagged, poured herself a glass of red wine, and was pondering how to eliminate the potential problems brought about by that assessment report.

Her young assistant, Delilah, rushed in, looking flustered, carrying a tablet computer.

“Ms. Leclerc!” the assistant’s voice was urgent. “You need to take a look at this immediately!”

"What's the matter that you're in such a panic? Is the sky about to fall?" Isabella frowned, somewhat annoyed.

Her assistant handed her a tablet computer, which displayed Twitter's real-time trending topics.

A sense of foreboding washed over Isabella as she clicked on the tweet that had ignited the entire charts.

Posted by: Justin Bieber.

Published: 3 minutes ago.

Content: "A surprise about love and protection. Next month, Madison Square Garden, my brother @林予安 and I will meet there."

The tweet was accompanied by a previously unseen high-resolution photo, showing a heartwarming scene from more than two months ago where Lin Yu-an was holding December in a helicopter.

Justin Bieber's fans went completely crazy under that photo.

"Oh my god! It's Lin! Justin actually invited Lin as a guest!"

"Look at that little polar bear! Did Lin rescue a little polar bear?"

"Love and protection! My heart is melting! Is the theme of this concert related to animal protection?"

Within an hour, the tweet had been retweeted over a million times.

Isabella's wine glass wobbled slightly, the crimson liquid nearly spilling. Her usually elegant and composed face instantly turned incredibly ugly.

She realized what a foolish mistake she had made. She was still using the slow, bureaucratic thinking of the old era to deal with her new-era adversaries. The internet is truly a terrible thing!

The other party didn't give her any time to stall!
She immediately grabbed the encrypted phone next to her and dialed the Ottawa number again.

After hearing Isabella's report, Winters's face instantly turned extremely ugly.

He understood that his opponent had made a move, and the first move was an open strategy.

Lin Yu'an did not directly attack them; he simply announced that he would tell a story of any possibility on a globally watched stage, while the final interpretation of this story would be firmly in his hands.

That Chinese man is now holding that cultural promotion policy like a scorching sword to the throat of his political career! Forcing him to negotiate as soon as possible!
Winters jumped to his feet, knowing he had no time to waste and had to defuse the bomb before the concert!
"Isabella, quickly organize a video conference. I want to speak with them in person!"

Lin Yu-an and McCormick did not have to wait long.

Just as Scooter's promised five minutes were about to end, Justin Bieber's tweet ignited social media across the globe.

Half an hour later, the internal phone in McCormick's office that connected to the upper-level offices suddenly rang shrilly.

The two exchanged a glance, both seeing a knowing smile in each other's eyes.

McCormick pressed the speakerphone button.

“Dr. McCormick!” came the urgent voice of Director Fisher on the other end of the phone. “Do you have time now? Minister Winters of the Canadian Ministry of Environment wants to have an emergency video conference with you and Mr. Lin immediately.”

"Oh?" McCormick deliberately dragged out his words, glancing at Lin Yu'an beside him.

Lin Yu'an gave her a barely perceptible nod.

“Of course, Director Fisher.” McCormick’s tone regained its scientist’s calm and aloofness. “Mr. Lin and I happen to have some proposals for the ‘December Independent Conservation Project’ that we would like to discuss with you. We’ll be there shortly.”

It was still that same cold conference room, but the atmosphere around the conference table had changed dramatically.

Lin Yu-an and McCorz sat side by side at one side of the long table, looking composed, while Director Fisher and Mr. Jenkins sat upright opposite them like two jurors.

Two video windows were displayed on the huge screen at the front of the conference room: one showed Minister Winters with a somber expression in his Ottawa office, and the other showed Isabella Leclerc with a complicated expression.

A contest spanning thousands of kilometers has officially begun.

“Mr. Lin, Dr. McCormick.” Winters spoke first on the screen, his tone solemn, completely devoid of the contempt he had shown towards his subordinates before.

“We’ve seen Mr. Justin Bieber’s tweet, and it’s a…very impactful teaser.”

"I have only one purpose in calling this emergency meeting today: the Canadian government does not want to see any misunderstandings that could harm the friendship between us and animal lovers around the world."

This statement demonstrates a high level of political acumen, indicating a stance without admitting to being threatened.

He looked at Lin Yu'an: "So please tell me, Mr. Lin, what you hope for. I believe we can find a result that is beneficial to all parties, especially to December."

Lin Yu'an knew that the other party was ready to hear the terms.

He didn't say anything more, but simply connected his tablet to the conference room system.

The next second, the complete PowerPoint presentation about the "Romantic Path," filled with professional data and legal provisions, was clearly displayed in front of everyone.

For the next ten minutes, only Lin Yu'an's calm yet powerful voice remained in the conference room.

He talked about everything from a $40 million foundation to 50 years of regulatory power, from specific food and medical standards to $500 million in penalties for breach of contract.

From the million-dollar donations to research centers and foundations to ultimately shaping a humanitarian image for the Canadian government… every step is like a finely interlocking gear.

When Isabella saw the proposal for "long-term legal guardianship" on the screen, along with the clever explanation that Canada is still the country of origin in law, but has simply entrusted its sovereignty to us, she was deeply moved.

The anxiety that had been weighing on her finally felt like it could find a way to settle down.

After Lin Yu'an finished speaking, the conference room fell into a long silence.

Fisher and Jenkins were visibly shocked. Every aspect of the plan was perfect, but what chilled them even more was the terrifying financial resources supporting this grand scheme. A $40 million start-up fund, a $500 million penalty for breach of contract… these astronomical figures came out of Lin Yu'an's mouth with such nonchalance!
They looked at each other, each seeing the same question in the other's eyes: Isn't this young man just a minor internet celebrity made famous by a show about living alone in the wilderness? Just how wealthy is he?
On the other side of the screen, Minister Winters had his eyes closed, his fingers tapping lightly on the table.

After a long while, Winters opened his eyes, his gaze sharp as a knife, staring at the screen as if trying to see through Lin Yu'an's inner world.

He spoke slowly, his voice devoid of any emotion: "Mr. Lin, your proposal is very sincere and insightful; it truly provides us with a completely new approach to solving the problem."

He first gave his approval, but then brought out the only and most crucial point of contention.

"Personally, I can accept most of the framework you proposed in principle, including the funding solution and the model you proposed where we would oversee it."

“But,” his tone became incredibly firm, “there is no red line that can be crossed regarding ‘ownership’ and that fifty-year guardianship that is almost equivalent to ownership.”

He watched as Lin Yu-an offered his counter-offer: "We can sign an exclusive full guardianship agreement, but the term is a maximum of ten years, with a penalty of one hundred million US dollars for breach of contract. This is the maximum concession the Canadian government can make without touching the fundamental sovereignty."

Instead of rejecting the entire deal, he drastically reduced the timeframe and the amount, attempting to preserve his dignity and actual control as the negotiator.

McCormick's heart sank instantly; she knew this was a world of difference.

However, Lin Yu'an still wore that calm and composed smile, as if Winters' words were exactly what he had expected.

He didn't directly refute it, but instead lightly tapped the tablet in his hand. The next second, an image appeared on all the large screens in the conference room.

That's Justin Bieber's face.

He addressed the camera in his signature voice: "Hey everyone! I have some great news to share! At my Madison Square Garden concert next month, I'll be joined by a very special and highly respected brother of mine, Lin Yu-an! Together, we'll be bringing a unique story about love, life, and protection to audiences all over the world! Stay tuned!"

The video was very short, only a dozen seconds long, but the information it conveyed was enough to make Minister Winters on the other side of the screen feel suffocated.

Lin Yu'an spoke slowly, his voice not loud but clearly carried to Ottawa.

“Mr. Minister, there are two versions of this video. One version is the one you are seeing now, a heartwarming trailer about love and protection.”

He looked at Winters, a cold glint in his eyes: "And the other version is about rescue and betrayal. In that version, I would show the world the official assessment signed by Environment Canada's Northern Service: 'Not worth rescuing, we recommend following nature's selection.'"

"Minister, do you think this cold-blooded result might escalate into an unusual media storm? Besides, this result is backed by the Wilderness Solitary Living program team, so you can't deny it."

These words were like a poisoned dagger, instantly piercing through all the pretense and pretense in the conference room!

Isabella's face turned deathly pale instantly, and Minister Winters' pupils on the other side of the screen also contracted sharply!
There was deathly silence in the conference room.

Minister Winters closed his eyes; he felt a throbbing pain in his temples.

But beneath his tightly closed eyes, his brain was racing, frantically assessing the deadly situation before him.

That assessment report on the annihilation of humanity was a Damocles' sword hanging over his political career.

Once exposed, all his past political posturing about environmental protection and animal welfare will become a laughing stock, and he will be torn to shreds by angry citizens and political enemies.

However, there are many ways to defuse a bomb, and the most foolish is to completely compromise. As a seasoned politician, Winters' thinking has long surpassed simple threats and capitulation.

A crazy thought flashed through Winters' mind: What if... what if we turned enemies into allies?
Instead of passively defusing the bomb, it's better to actively embrace it, or even turn it into rocket fuel to propel yourself to a higher power throne!
After a moment of shock and anger, he keenly sensed an unprecedented opportunity within this crisis.

This little polar bear named December... is no longer just an animal; it is a crucial element that can determine his future political path!
Lin Yu'an, this young man, is even more terrifying. Not only does he possess astonishing wealth and connections with top global figures, but what's even more frightening is that he wields the nuclear weapon of public opinion!
However, if handled properly, he could completely repackage this scandal, which could destroy him, into a model of transnational cooperation led by him, showcasing the brilliance of Canadian humanitarianism.

The bigger Lin Yu-an's stage, the more touching the story of December, and the greater the political prestige he, the unsung hero who defied public opinion, can gain!

Environmental protection, animal welfare, international cooperation, friendships with top celebrities... these are all the most valuable votes!
Having figured all this out, Winters' wildly beating heart gradually calmed down. He knew now was not the time to haggle over preserving that so-called "sovereignty."

Instead, they want to use the utmost sincerity to completely bind Lin Yu'an and this polar bear to their cause.

The brief panic in Winters' eyes had vanished, replaced by the resolute and profound look of a gambler betting everything.

Having made his decision, he squeezed out a single word through gritted teeth, his voice soft but resounding.

"No problem, Mr. Lin."

"Furthermore, we can include a clause in the agreement promising the Canadian government that, for fifty years, unless there is a serious breach of contract on your part, it will never unilaterally revoke custody for any reason. This is the greatest sincerity I can offer!"

Lin Yu'an and McCormick exchanged a glance; they hadn't expected the other to make such a huge concession so easily.

A 50-year guardianship right that is almost equivalent to ownership, locked up by a $500 million penalty for breach of contract, is enough to achieve all their goals.

“Okay, I agree too.” Lin Yu’an nodded immediately, the negotiation going so smoothly that it felt almost unreal.

As soon as he finished speaking, everyone present seemed to hear the sound of a boulder falling to the ground.

A public opinion crisis that was about to explode globally was successfully resolved at the last moment before it broke out.

The war over the ownership of December, a war filled with twists, threats, and games, has finally come to an end.

December remains under Canadian ownership, but its next fifty years will belong to Lin Yu-an and McCormick.

For the first time, Minister Winters wore a formulaic politician's smile.

He nodded with satisfaction: “Very good, Mr. Lin, Dr. McCormick. I believe this is a perfect outcome that benefits all parties. Isabella will remain in Anchorage to finalize all the legal details of the agreement with your lawyers.”

He paused for a moment, leaning forward slightly, as if to share a secret between friends, but his tone was full of profound meaning.

He said slowly and deliberately, "Of course, now that we are partners, I personally believe that positive publicity for this innovative collaboration should also be an important part of our partnership. What do you think, Mr. Lin?"

Winters revealed his true intentions: this was not merely a crisis management maneuver, but a political investment. He began to demand a return.

Without waiting for Lin Yu'an's reply, he continued, "For example, on that stage in Madison Square Garden, in that story about love and protection..."

"If Mr. Lin could appropriately mention the flexibility and humanitarian spirit demonstrated by Environment Canada in this transnational relief effort during his presentation, I think it would be very helpful in consolidating the achievements of our cooperation and in showcasing the image of a responsible major power to the world."

He didn't finish his sentence, but simply picked up the water glass on the table and took a small sip. However, his sharp eyes never left Lin Yu'an's face, and his meaning was all too clear.

McCormick frowned slightly; she was somewhat disgusted by this blatant political bargaining.

But Lin Yu'an was not surprised at all. When Winters, after being threatened with death, not only did not bargain but offered more generous terms than he had imagined, he had already guessed the minister's plan.

This old fox wasn't forced to submit at all; he was taking a huge gamble! He was betting that the political rewards this little polar bear could bring him would far outweigh the risk of the assessment report being exposed.

His tough stance on the red line just now was nothing more than a brilliant performance to test his own hand and determination.

Having figured all this out, Lin Yu'an's face revealed a knowing and tacit smile. This ambitious minister had paved the way to victory for him; now, it was his turn to offer this ally the political bargaining chip he needed most.

He spoke slowly, his voice carrying just the right amount of respect: "Minister, I think you may have a slight misunderstanding about the story I'm about to tell you."

Winters' eyes narrowed slightly on the other end of the screen, and his hand holding the water glass froze in mid-air.

Lin Yu'an continued, his tone becoming incredibly sincere: "There is only one version of the story I'm telling, and that is the Road to Glory."

"On that path, Environment Canada has never been a passive partner, but a bold leader! I will make this clear to the world in the story."

He looked at Winters, and then, as if on a whim, added something even more weighty: “Moreover, I even think that simply praising the Ministry of Environment is far from enough, because what really makes all this happen is not the institution, but the people.”

"Secretary Richard Winters, it was your extraordinary vision and courage that enabled this international aid cooperation, despite the opposition, after you learned of the news. I will tell the world that it is your wisdom and courage that have given December a brand new future."

These words were like the warmest spring breeze, precisely blowing into Winters' heart. All he wanted was praise for the Ministry of Environment, but Lin Yu'an gave him all the credit!

This young man from the East not only instantly saw through his ambition, but also so cleverly took the initiative to claim this huge credit for him!

Looking at the young man on the screen with his deep eyes and sincere smile, Winters felt a genuine sense of...admiration for the first time.

Minister Winters' smile finally became less formulaic and more genuinely warm.

“Very good, Mr. Lin. It seems we have a very high degree of agreement on cooperation.” He put down his water glass and gave the final signal, “Then I look forward to enjoying a wonderful performance next month.”

"It's a pleasure doing business with you, Mr. Lin."

"It's a pleasure to work with you, Mr. Minister."

"Oh, by the way, Isa, you must fully cooperate with the lawyer's work to try to finish this quickly. I still have a lot of official business to attend to."

Isabella instantly understood Winters' hidden meaning: sign the contract quickly, don't create obstacles, and return to Canada as soon as possible.

As the video conference ended, the screen went dark. A tacit political deal, transcending money and law, was thus struck.

And the future of December has finally been completely locked away in the safest safe.

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.

(Good afternoon! It's another crazy Thursday.)
(End of this chapter)