American Hunting: Starting with Solitary Life in the Wilderness

Chapter 296 The Eagle's Nest Mansion (Multiple Images, a Luxurious Look.)
Led by Arthur Vanderbilt, the group rode in Land Rover Defenders, slowly making their way up the ridge along a road cleared clean by snow groomers.

Outside the window is the stunning snowscape of Wyoming in the depths of winter.

Thick, dry, soft powdery snow blanketed the earth and the rolling Douglas fir forests. Every branch was evenly coated with snow, like a work of art made of frosting.

The whole world was transformed into a simple yet magnificent white oil painting, the air so pure it seemed filtered, each breath carrying the fragrance of snow and pine.

Inside the car, an advanced concealed floor heating system precisely maintains the temperature at a comfortable 25 degrees Celsius.

Two little ones, just woken up, were excitedly pressed against the car window, wearing soft cashmere onesies.

Their chubby little hands watched curiously as they left tiny handprints on the cold car window, which were quickly enveloped by the fog.

Her eyes were like two pairs of the clearest emeralds, reflecting the snow-covered fairytale world outside the window.

Occasionally, the sight of a bird flying by would elicit delighted cries of "Ya ya!" from them, as if they were engaging in the purest form of communication with this new world.

“They are so adaptable,” Emily said softly to Lin Yu’an, looking at the two children with affection. “I was worried they wouldn’t get used to the climate here.”

Lin Yu'an smiled and said, "They underwent the most comprehensive examinations after birth, and they have no fatal allergens and strong immunity. They can find their own paradise no matter where they are."

“We’ll be there soon.” Arthur’s calm voice came through the car’s intercom. “The Eagle’s Nest is located at the highest point of that ridge ahead.”

"Only here can you take in the entire Great Stone River Ranch, including Mirror Lake, Great Stone River, and the main peak of the Teton Mountains in the distance."

"It boasts the best, and only, 360-degree panoramic view on the entire ranch."

As the vehicle gracefully rounded the last bend surrounded by massive granite formations, the building was finally revealed to them in its entirety.

In that instant, time seemed to be slowed down.

Even Arya and Emily, who had seen the photos countless times, couldn't help but gasp in shock—a shiver of being utterly captivated by the magnificent beauty.

That doesn't look like a house at all.

Instead, it resembles a stone and wood fortress that has naturally grown from the top of an ancient mountain ridge, coexisting with rocks and forests, and taking thousands of years to emerge.

Its main body is constructed from rough-textured gray schist from the local mountains and Douglas fir logs with a diameter of more than half a meter.

Dozens of triangular roofs, each with a different angle, are stacked one on top of the other in a staggered arrangement, covered with thick, white snow, blending perfectly with the surrounding snow-capped mountain silhouettes.

Several enormous chimneys, built of the same stone and resembling medieval castle watchtowers, were emitting wisps of warm white smoke, blending into the cold mist rising from the valley.

Against the backdrop of the deep blue sky and the white snow at dusk, the building did not appear cold or aloof.

Instead, the warm, honey-colored light shining through the huge floor-to-ceiling windows that almost take up the entire wall fills the space with a sense of belonging, making it feel like a safe harbor and incredibly comforting.

This is their future new home! A true kingdom that belongs to them.

Arthur parked the car steadily on the rustic stone-paved parking lot.

As soon as the car door opened, two middle-aged women in dark cashmere coats with friendly smiles immediately stepped forward. They were the nannies that Arthur had urgently arranged.

Their movements were gentle and professional as they tenderly took the two babies, who were full of curiosity about their new environment, from Arya and Emily's hands.

“Mr. Lin, ladies,” Arthur explained, “this is Kate and Mary, who have over twenty years of experience in child psychology and early childhood education.”

"The next part of the time, they will take the two babies to play in the children's playroom, which is equipped with a full set of German-imported toys and safety facilities."

"The three of you can rest assured and enjoy this adult-oriented exploration."

This meticulous arrangement allowed Lin Yu'an and his two companions to shed all their burdens and devote themselves wholeheartedly to exploring this "work of art"!

Arthur walked up to the massive double door, made of solid oak and black wrought iron, and gently pressed his fingerprint onto a stone block next to the door that looked no different from the wall.

"Welcome to the Nest of the Eagle."

With a very slight mechanical unlocking sound, the two heavy doors slowly opened inward.

The moment the door opened, a wonderful and intoxicating breeze wafted in.

It was a blend of the warm scent of pine and the faint, characteristic aroma of burning birch wood in the fireplace.

The sight before them made Arya and Emily hold their breath once more, their beautiful eyes filled with an indescribable shock.

This is no foyer; it's clearly the nave of a private chapel!

The ceiling is several meters high, with thick, dark wooden trusses crisscrossing overhead, supporting the towering dome and exuding a primal yet solemn sense of power.

Directly opposite the entrance is a fireplace wall made of massive granite, large enough for an adult to stand inside.

At this moment, a roaring fire was already burning inside, emitting a reassuring crackling sound.

The hanging chandelier on the ceiling is visually striking.

The most eye-catching feature is the giant chandelier, which is made of countless male stag antlers of different sizes and perfect shapes, combined with bronze and crystal.

It radiates a warm yet wild light, proclaiming the soul of this land.

In the transition area leading to the living room, a more modern giant chandelier made of amber glass and metal hangs, injecting a touch of artistic dynamism into this magnificent space.

The floor was covered with an intricately patterned, hand-woven Navajo wool carpet. Stepping on it felt as soft as walking on clouds, absorbing all the sounds of footsteps.

On either side of the foyer, two classic brown leather club armchairs are placed, seemingly inviting guests to unwind from their journey.

What truly shook their souls was the end of the foyer.

There were no walls there, but a huge floor-to-ceiling window that connected the entire living room.

Passing through the foyer, the living room opens up dramatically, presenting a luxurious scene that is slightly different from the grandeur of the foyer, yet more refined and breathtaking.

The space here is enveloped by an arched wooden beam structure that stretches gracefully like the ribs of a whale. The wooden beams, with their natural grain, converge at the top, creating a rhythmic beauty and a sense of power in the architecture.

Several modern metal levers weave through the space, cleverly balancing the classic and the modern.

Their eyes were immediately drawn to the main chandelier hanging in the center of the ceiling.

It was a meticulously crafted transparent glass lamp, its edges shimmering with a faint gold hue, like a flock of fluttering butterflies, or a cluster of dazzling crystal flowers blooming on the ceiling.

The light it emits, refracted through each piece of glass, becomes incredibly soft and dreamlike, infusing the entire magnificent space with unparalleled artistic flair and vibrant beauty.

At the far end of the space is a floor-to-ceiling glass curtain wall, which perfectly presents the evening scenery outside the window like a dynamic landscape painting.

Through the huge glass window, the magnificent snow-capped mountains and the vast forests covered in white snow outside the window, like a huge oil painting hanging between heaven and earth, crashed into their eyes without reservation.

Two large beige velvet sofas comfortably surround a simple square marble coffee table. A soft rug with subtle patterns defines this cozy seating area.

Several lake-blue velvet cushions adorn the sofa, instantly brightening the entire space and echoing the paintings on the wall, creating a sophisticated yet vibrant atmosphere.

Comfortable armchairs and side tables are carefully arranged by the fireplace and windows, ensuring that you can find a perfect spot to enjoy the view in any corner.

“My God…” Arya was truly speechless this time. She slowly walked into the space. “This…this is simply an art gallery…no, even more beautiful than an art gallery…”

Emily was drawn to the perfect color scheme and warm atmosphere.

She gently stroked the soft armrests of the sofa, feeling the delicate touch, and whispered to Lin Yu'an.

“I love it here. It’s magnificent, but it also feels…warm and comfortable. That blue cushion and that painting bring the whole house to life.” Lin Yu’an smiled and gently pulled the two women into his arms. He could feel their heartfelt joy and awe.

This is more than just a mansion; it's a promised land filled with love and warmth. Everything here has exceeded his highest expectations of the word "home."

This landscape, this palace, will all belong to him and his family!
He gazed out the window at the magnificent canyon gradually sinking into twilight, a sense of peace settling over him. He said gently, "Let's go, this is just the beginning. Let's continue our tour of our palace."

“Please follow me.” Arthur smiled, like a well-trained court butler, and began to lead them to explore every amazing corner of this “palace.”

They first arrived at the open-plan kitchen and dining area that connects to the living room.

The space is cleverly divided into two parts: a dining room for formal banquets and a more intimate family kitchen and dining area.

“This is our main dining room,” Arthur explained, “which can easily accommodate twenty guests at the same time.”

The restaurant continues the building's imposing style, with thick wooden beams running across the ceiling.

The dining table, crafted from dark walnut wood, has a smooth, mirror-like surface that seems to clearly reflect the structure of the ceiling.

Above the dining table hang two round fabric pendant lights, resembling war drums, emitting a warm and soft glow that adds a touch of coziness to this solemn space.

The dining chairs are particularly unique in design, with light gray fabric upholstery and modern openwork designs on the backrests, creating an interesting dialogue with the rustic wood and stone environment.

What caught Arya's eye the most was the decoration in the center of the table—two huge, ivory-white decorative horns, fixed to a heavy wooden base.

This raw, wild element, combined with the surrounding exquisite tableware and elegant ambiance, creates a captivating aesthetic.

“It’s so beautiful,” Arya exclaimed softly. “Holding a Christmas dinner here would be like being in a movie.”

Then they went to the kitchen and family dining area on the other side. Emily's eyes lit up instantly when she saw it.

"All the kitchen utensils here are top-of-the-line models from Gaggenau and Miller in Germany."

Arthur introduced the facilities with great familiarity, "Including two extra-large built-in refrigerators, a temperature and humidity-controlled wine cabinet that can store two hundred bottles of wine, a steam oven, a vacuum sous-vide maker, an induction cooker, a gas stove, a teppanyaki grill... It can meet the needs of any Michelin three-star chef."

Emily's fingertips gently traced the smooth, cool surface of the massive island platform, crafted from a single block of granite, her heart filled with boundless longing for the future.

This kitchen is perfectly designed, with cabinets made from natural wood knots that provide ample storage space.

On one side of the island counter are several comfortable square bar stools, where families can enjoy breakfast or afternoon tea.

Next to the kitchen is a smaller family dining table with a few comfortable chairs, which is more suitable for everyday family meals.

Emily could almost immediately picture the future scene—early mornings, serene snow-capped mountains outside her window, where she would prepare a nutritious breakfast for her family, sunlight streaming through the window onto the island terrace.

In the evening, the family gathers here to share the day's interesting stories, and she has even begun to think about how to use this perfect kitchen to make those complicated dishes.

Next, they visited the entertainment facilities located on the first floor and the basement level one by one.

The luxury of the private IMAX theater exceeded their expectations. The two rows of leather sofas that could be fully reclined and had heating, ventilation and massage functions made Aria exclaim that it was more comfortable than the first class of an airline.

The professional-grade temperature-controlled wine cellar, which resembled a medieval monastery wine cellar, also caught Lin Yu'an's attention.

This is a space completely enveloped in warm red bricks, from the walls to the beautiful and sturdy barrel vaults overhead, all meticulously constructed from individual, richly colored red bricks.

The most dazzling feature of the entire room was undoubtedly the enormous chandelier hanging above the long dining table.

It resembles countless glass branches coated with platinum, stretching and intertwining freely in the air, forming a complex yet vibrant structure.

Lights illuminated the interior, casting dappled, dreamlike shadows that bathed the entire red brick space in a sacred yet romantic hue.

On one side of the room is a huge arched viewing window, with a long table made of heavy black walnut wood placed in the center.

At the other end of the room, a huge arched double door made of glass stood quietly.

Through the square glass panes on the door, you can clearly see the brightly lit, professional-grade, temperature-controlled wine cellar behind it.

Countless top-quality wines, like soldiers awaiting inspection, are neatly displayed on the wine shelves.

Arthur explained at the opportune moment: "This cellar contains more than five thousand bottles of his life's collection, from the five great Bordeaux estates to Romanée-Conti in Burgundy, and Screaming Eagle in Napa Valley, California... All of these will be given as gifts to the new owner of this house."

Lin Yu'an walked slowly to the huge viewing window. He could imagine that in the future, he would sit at the head of this long table and raise a glass with his family.

Just when they thought they had seen the pinnacle of luxury, Arthur smiled and led them to a series of even more breathtaking spaces.

This is a circular bathroom located inside the tower, surrounded by a huge curved floor-to-ceiling window that offers an unparalleled 270-degree view of the mountains.

An equally enormous circular jacuzzi, capable of accommodating several people, is embedded in the center of a marble platform, with bright red rose petals already floating on the water.

Above the bathtub hangs a small, ornate, vintage chandelier made of brass and crystal, adding a touch of palatial luxury to the space.

Standing here, I have the illusion of ruling the world, with mountains beneath my feet. It's as if the whole world is just a backdrop to my bath.

Emily was captivated by this pure beauty. She imagined bathing here, surrounded by warm water and rising steam, while before her eyes lay a pure white world of ice and snow. This stark contrast was an unparalleled pleasure in itself.

"I...I want to go in and soak for a while right now! Immediately! Right now!" Arya couldn't wait any longer; she grabbed Emily's hand and shook it excitedly.

"Can you imagine? Sipping champagne while watching the sun set behind the snow-capped mountains—it's...it's like living the life of God!"

Lin Yu'an couldn't help but laugh when he saw her childish appearance.

Beyond its luxurious interior, the outdoor spaces of this Eagle's Nest are equally breathtaking. Arthur led them to a semi-open outdoor lounge area covered by a roof.

This is a space filled with warmth and simplicity, with a beautiful arched wooden roof structure that echoes the living room.

The floor was made of thick wooden flooring, and on one side was a huge fireplace made of stone, in which flames were burning fiercely.

Several sofas and chairs woven from logs and rattan, along with thick cushions and blankets full of ethnic flair, are casually arranged around the fireplace.

A wrought iron candle chandelier hangs from the ceiling, and several infrared heaters stand in the corner to ensure that it is warm as spring even on the coldest winter nights.

Arthur explained, “We call this the Fireside Corridor, which is perfect for sitting here after dinner with a glass of whiskey or a cigar and enjoying the most peaceful night in the mountains.”

Lin Yu'an nodded. This was indeed a perfect place to completely relax and have a heart-to-heart talk with friends.

However, that's not all.

After they crossed the indoor infinity pool, a dreamlike place where half is the height of summer and half is the depths of winter, and where they could take in the snow-capped mountains from the warm pool.

They arrived at the main terrace.

This terrace features a more modern and open design. The floor is paved with dark gray stone slabs, and a modern fireplace made of exposed concrete becomes the visual focal point.

Next to the fireplace, there is also a professional-grade outdoor barbecue grill, and a set of simple teak sofas and dining table and chairs are placed on the terrace, which can accommodate more than a dozen people for a party at the same time.

Several black, high-efficiency heaters were suspended from the ceiling, ensuring the comfort of the space.

Standing here, the view is more expansive than anywhere else I've been.

The frozen Mirror Lake glowed with a pinkish-purple light under the setting sun, while the distant mountains stretched all the way to the horizon.

“It’s perfect…” Emily exclaimed sincerely, “We have barbecues here in the summer and enjoy the snow here in the winter… This place fulfills all my fantasies about life!”

(End of this chapter)