American Hunting: Starting with Solitary Life in the Wilderness

Chapter 302 Inviting the Father-in-Law's Family

He paused, giving everyone time to process what he had to say, and then his eyes sharpened again.

"However, from this day forward, all our rules will be recalculated! Rigorous audits every quarter will be our unwavering ironclad rule!"

"I don't want to see anyone make any more management oversights. Do you all understand?"

"Yes, boss!"

This time, all the managers' answers were more heartfelt and more resounding than ever before!
Their voices were filled with the relief of surviving a disaster and gratitude for their new owner's magnanimity!

Lin Yu'an nodded in satisfaction and sat down in the main seat, inwardly admiring himself for his skillful use of both kindness and severity!
“David, handle Mr. Carter and Tom’s departure formalities properly, and let them leave with dignity.”

"Yes, sir."

Carter's face was ashen. He stood up at David's prompting, while Tom suddenly stopped in his tracks at the doorway.

He slowly turned around, his gaze sweeping fiercely over everyone in the room, as if he wanted to etch each and every one of them into his heart. His eyes were filled with resentment.

Lin Yu'an ignored Carter and his nephew, who had already left the meeting room, and instead looked at Hannah, the white girl who had survived.

His tone returned to calm: "Hannah, from now on, you are promoted to acting head of the veterinary station. Your new head is Emily."

"Your task is to fully assist her in familiarizing herself with everything here as soon as possible and to establish a set of drug and supplies management procedures that meet our new standards."

Hannah was so happy and excited that she couldn't speak, and could only nod vigorously.

This thunderous yet unpredictable scene unfolded in the blink of an eye.

Everyone was completely shocked by Lin Yu'an's tactics of giving, depriving, investigating, pardoning, and then giving again.

The sweetness of the dates had not yet completely melted away, the biting chill of the stick still lingered, and the final pardon brought unparalleled gratitude and awe.

They finally understood that their young master was far more than just generous. He was a truly shrewd and ruthless ruler.

He bought off all their excuses and slackness with money, and put them in golden shackles with a set of legitimate auditing procedures.

Then, he personally untied the chains that led to the past, leaving only the shackles that led to the future.

In the air, immense pressure and immense opportunity merged in a strange way, pressing down on everyone's shoulders.

Just then, Lin Yu'an's tone became gentle and infectious again, as if the cold-blooded dictator had never appeared.

He paused, his gaze sweeping over everyone, and said, word by word, "Does anyone have any questions about my requirements or my salary?"

The conference room was deathly silent. Who would dare to raise a question?
"Very good." Lin Yu'an's tone softened, and his imposing sharpness gradually subsided, replaced by a calm and sincere power.

He looked at everyone present and said slowly, "I am not making these demands to make things difficult for you, nor am I pursuing a cold, hard financial statement."

He paused, his gaze sweeping across the magnificent land outside the window, a hint of warmth in his voice.

“Because this will be my home from now on. Every inch of this 31,000 acres of land, every house, every tree, every cow, and every horse is part of my home.”

"I hope that you can bring a different perspective to your future work."

His gaze returned to the crowd, becoming extremely serious.

"Of course, our ranch strives to be number one, but I think the definition of number one might be different from what people usually understand."

"It's not a BMS rating written on paper, nor an equestrian medal hanging on the wall, nor a star rating given by a hotel rating agency."

Lin Yu-an's voice became deep and philosophical: "The first place I want to pursue is a standard that I can be proud of."

"What kind of beef do we use when we prepare steak for our family?"

His gaze swept over the old cowboy Hank almost imperceptibly. Hank's calloused hand unconsciously rubbed against the table, as if the deep wrinkles had smoothed out.

"What kind of horse do we choose when we let our children ride on horseback?"

A gentle light flashed in Maria's eyes as she thought of the gentlest Quarter Horse that she had personally selected.

What kind of service do we provide when welcoming a close friend home?

"There is only one answer—to use the best, safest, and most dedicated resources within our capabilities. Regardless of cost, and to leave no regrets."

"This is my only requirement for this place going forward: apply your expertise to this standard. Treat every detail of your work with the same standard you would use to serve your family."

A profound silence, unlike anything before, fell over the meeting room.

If the previous silence stemmed from fear and pressure, then the silence now is because a storm is raging in the hearts of everyone present.

Especially the old cowboy Hank Miller.

He worked on this ranch his whole life, serving old Hunter and encountering all sorts of so-called managers.

They talked about profits, efficiency, BMS ratings, and competition trophies. Those things were important, but they always felt distant to Hank.

But what are the standards for serving one's family?
The young man's boss used the simplest language to instantly break through all professional barriers and reach the very core of his soul.

Hank subconsciously recalled the half-cow he had personally selected, cut, and sent to his daughter's home far away last winter.

He remembers meticulously examining the texture of every inch of muscle to ensure it was the finest beef the entire ranch could produce.

He never imagined that his pickiness, born purely out of love and disregarding costs, would one day be defined by his new employer as the highest standard of work.

At this moment, Lin Yu'an was no longer just a powerful and shrewd new boss in his eyes.

He became a... like-minded person.

A person who truly understands this land and the simple pride deep in the hearts of these old folks.

It was a shocking experience, a feeling of the soul being instantly understood and illuminated!

In the silence, the deep wrinkles on Hank Miller's weathered face seemed to smooth out.

He slowly raised his head, met Lin Yu'an's gaze, and was the first to nod solemnly.

With his hoarse but incredibly firm voice, he simply replied, "I understand, boss."

This simple answer is neither obedience born of fear nor a promise driven by self-interest, but rather a heartfelt agreement with a shared belief.

Hank's voice was like a pebble thrown into a calm lake, instantly creating ripples in the hearts of others.

The stable manager, Maria, thought of the gentlest Quarter Horse that she had personally selected.

The logistics manager, Mrs. Gabor, remembered the wildflowers she had picked from her own garden for the master suite…

They had been doing this all along, but they never imagined that this extra effort would be elevated to the core philosophy of the entire kingdom.

An unprecedented sense of honor and mission rose in everyone's hearts.

"We understand, boss."

Maria, Mrs. Gable, as well as Jack, Murphy, David, and Sean, all responded in the same solemn manner, softly but firmly.

In their eyes, fear and awe had faded, replaced by a determination imbued with a higher meaning.

Lin Yu'an smiled with satisfaction. He knew that from this moment on, he had firmly grasped this kingdom in his own hands.

"Alright, the meeting is adjourned." Lin Yu'an stood up. "Everyone, return to your posts. I look forward to seeing your results."

"Yes, boss!"

Everyone responded in unison, and then got up and left the meeting room in an orderly manner.

The video windows on the screen closed one by one. The meeting just now was like a storm, completely washing away the old order of this land and injecting a brand new order into its future.

Soon, only Lin Yu'an and Arthur Vanderbilt remained in the large conference room.

"Arthur, let's go back to the study to talk."

"Yes, sir."

Back in that classically styled study, the flames in the fireplace still danced quietly.

Lin Yu'an sat down in the main seat, with Alia and Emily sitting on either side of him, their faces showing a mixture of seriousness and curiosity.

Arthur asked softly, "Sir, what is your decision regarding Mr. Hunter's final commission?"

Lin Yu'an did not answer immediately. His slender fingers gently picked up the letter, feeling the texture of the ancient parchment and the weight of the wax seal.

He raised his head to meet Arya and Emily's concerned gazes, his eyes calm and deep.

“We inherited Mr. Hunter’s land, his Warrior Charter, the business empire he built over decades, and even his ideals of guardianship.”

“We inherited almost everything from him… So what reason do I have to refuse to inherit his last wish? To let his daughter come home.” These words silenced Arya and Emily; they understood Lin Yu’an’s choice.

Lin Yu'an turned to Arthur and said in a calm but firm tone, "Arthur, I accept this commission."

"You are the witness to this mandate. Upon returning, please immediately initiate the relevant legal procedures to activate this 'Property Supervision and Enforcement Services Contract'."

"I, Lin Yu'an, officially become the supervisor of this mission from today onwards."

Upon hearing Lin Yu'an's decisive decision, Arthur's eyes shone with immense excitement and admiration.

He knew that Mr. Hunter had not made a mistake in choosing him. This new master not only possessed wealth and wisdom, but also a sense of responsibility and commitment befitting this legacy.

“Yes, sir!” Arthur bowed deeply.

“I will immediately inform the trust bank and Mr. Hunter’s legal team. I believe Mr. Hunter will be very pleased in heaven.”

Lin Yu'an nodded, then changed the subject, a smile of approval on his face: "I was very impressed with your professionalism and attention to detail in this transaction."

This heartfelt praise made Arthur feel incredibly honored: "To serve you is one of the greatest honors of my life."

Arthur glanced at the Patek Philippe on his wrist and continued, "Sir, now that you have made your final decision, what about the subsequent legal procedures for this commission?"

“My team will work seamlessly with the lawyers you designate. As the on-site advisor for this transaction, I have successfully completed my mission.”

“If you have no further instructions, I will return to New York immediately. Of course, if you have any further needs regarding resource connections in Wyoming.”

"For example, for your vehicle purchases, large investments, etc., please feel free to contact me anytime. I'd be happy to assist you."

He perfectly demonstrated the professionalism of a top real estate agent, closing the deal cleanly and leaving an olive branch for future cooperation.

“Very good.” Lin Yu’an nodded. “Give my regards to your team. Our cooperation will not end here.”

"Thank you, sir."

Arthur bowed again, then turned and left the study, leaving the space and the tranquility of the entire kingdom, along with its new mission, entirely to its new master.

Only Lin Yu'an, Ailiya, and Emily remained in the study.

Emily stared at the mysterious letter on the table, her eyes still filled with worry: "Darling, are you really sure? That place..."

Lin Yu'an took her hand, then looked at Alia, who was equally concerned, and gave her a reassuring smile.

He spoke slowly, his tone devoid of the sharpness he displayed when addressing subordinates and advisors, replaced only by tenderness reserved for his family: "It's decided, but there's no rush. We've only just arrived home, haven't we?"

"Before thinking about how to explore that dark underwater labyrinth, I'd rather explore our own kingdom first."

"These 31,000 acres of land, those rolling forests, clear rivers, adorable animals... there is so much beauty waiting for us and our children to discover together."

He turned around and extended his hands to his two wives.

"Let's go, my queens, forget those heavy stories. Today, let's just be ordinary people who have just moved into a new home."

"Our first priority is to familiarize ourselves with our kitchen, choose our preferred bedroom decor, and... select the first toys for the babies' playroom."

These words instantly dispelled all the gloom in Arya and Emily's hearts. They smiled at each other, their faces once again radiating happiness.

Yes, they've just arrived home. The adventures to come are already set, but the happiness of the present is what we should cherish most.

Looking at their smiling faces, Lin Yu'an felt a sense of peace.

He had accepted the weighty task, but that didn't mean he had to set off immediately.

He will wait until the most opportune moment, after he has completely taken control of the kingdom, before considering the final entrustment that belonged to another king.

Now, all he wants is to enjoy the pure joy of being the head of the family.

The family left the study, which held so much history and decision-making power, and returned to the more homely living room.

Sunlight streamed in through the huge floor-to-ceiling windows, warming the thick Navajo carpet.

The two little ones were chasing a rolling ball on the soft carpet, babbling and making a series of silvery laughs.

Lin Yu'an, Ailiya, and Emily nestled comfortably on the sofa, sipping the hot tea that Elena had just brought, enjoying this rare moment of tranquility.

Looking at this heartwarming scene, Lin Yu'an's heart stirred.

He turned to look at Arya, who was gazing tenderly at the children, and said softly, "My dear, we are truly settled now."

Arya raised her head, a questioning look in her beautiful eyes.

Lin Yu'an took her hand and continued, "I think it's time to invite your family to come and visit."

Upon hearing the words "invite family," Arya's eyes lit up instantly, filled with an irrepressible joy and excitement.

Since leaving her family, she hasn't had a proper get-together with them in a long time.

She couldn't wait for her father Robert, her mother Martha, and her brothers—Wyatt, Garrett, Beau, and especially her closest twin brother Clay—to see for themselves her current life and how happy she was.

However, Emily, sitting on the other side, couldn't help but suppress her smile, and a hint of unease flashed in her eyes.

Unlike Arya, whose family was a vast and unfamiliar entity to her.

The thought of facing Arya's father, her brothers who each had two wives, and the ladies called mothers filled her with an invisible pressure.

How will they view themselves? How will they view this unique family?
Lin Yu'an keenly noticed the starkly different emotional shifts between his two wives.

Without making a sound, he reached out his other hand and gently took Emily's cool fingertips into his arms.

He was about to say something to comfort Emily when Arya, in her excitement, beat him to it.

Arya noticed Emily's awkwardness and immediately snapped out of her reverie. She moved from the other end of the sofa and sat down close to Emily, affectionately taking her arm.

“Hey, darling,” Arya said, her blue eyes sparkling with sincerity and warmth, as she gently shook Emily’s arm. “Are you worried about my family?”

Emily nodded somewhat shyly.

Arya couldn't help but laugh, a smile as bright as the Wyoming sunshine. "Don't worry, you don't have to worry at all! My family is actually very, very good."

Her tone became incredibly gentle, as if she were sharing a sweet secret.

“My dad, Robert, looks very serious, but he has the softest heart. He loves us daughters the most.”

“My mother Martha and several other mothers will love you like their own daughter.”

"And my brothers, Wyatt, Garrett, and Beau, are all true Western gentlemen who will never make you feel uncomfortable in the slightest."

“They may be traditional, but what they value most is family. And you, Emily, have long been the most important and irreplaceable member of my family.”

"They will only be happy for me to have a sister like you, and they will never look at me differently."

This heartfelt and loving reassurance is far more touching than any forceful declaration.

Emily looked up into Arya's sincere and pure eyes, and all her anxiety and unease melted away like ice and snow into a warm current.

She nodded vigorously, a relieved smile returning to her face.

Lin Yu'an watched this scene quietly from the side without saying a word.

He looked at his two wives, one passionate as fire and the other gentle as water, who were now perfectly intertwined, supporting and comforting each other.

His heart was filled with unprecedented satisfaction and pride.

Seeing that Emily was completely relieved, Arya could no longer contain her excitement. She jumped up from the sofa and kissed Lin Yu'an and Emily on the cheek.

"That's wonderful!" She looked at the two of them, her eyes filled with happiness. "I'll call Clay right now and have him tell everyone this good news!"

As she spoke, she ran to the balcony with her phone, just like a happy little bird, eager to share her joy.

On the sofa in the living room, Lin Yu'an watched Aria's joyful figure and shook his head with a smile.

Then he tightened his arms, holding Emily even closer. He was also filled with anticipation for the upcoming family gathering.

Immediately, he withdrew the warmth from his face, and his expression became focused and sharp again.

Before welcoming his family, he had more important and urgent work to do that needed to be started immediately.

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)