American Hunting: Starting with Solitary Life in the Wilderness

Chapter 303 Sino-US Co-productions Achieve Mutual Success

He picked up his encrypted tablet and glanced at the time in the bottom right corner.

Wyoming, January 25, 2022, 1 p.m.

It was 1 a.m. on January 26th in Guangzhou, China—a perfect working time.

He glanced at Emily, who was looking tenderly at the children beside him, and said softly, "Darling, watch the children for me. My next meeting is about to begin."

"A meeting?" Emily asked, somewhat surprised.

“Yes.” Lin Yu’an nodded. “A meeting about how to build a future home for December and Amber.”

As he spoke, he picked up his tablet and walked into the study with its unbeatable mountain view.

The heavy wooden door was closed, shutting out all outside noise.

Then, he skillfully opened the encrypted video conferencing software and entered a string of meeting codes that he already knew by heart.

The screen split into three distinct windows in the next second.

The window to the left opens to a bright yet bustling modern design institute conference room, filled with an oriental ambiance.

Li Wenbo, the chief structural engineer of Chimelong Group's design institute, is leading several elite engineers, ready for action. The table in front of them is piled high with drawings and documents.

The window to the right leads to an American-style office with walls covered in various zoo and theme park design sketches.

A white American man, around fifty years old, with a meticulously groomed beard, is smiling and nodding at the camera.

He is John Hammond, the chief designer of PGAV Destinations and a globally recognized top zoo design master.

At the very top, in the window representing the expert panel of the client, Dr. McCormick was already online.

She was wearing a slightly oversized white lab coat, and her long golden hair was neatly pinned up at the back of her head.

The background is the office of the Alaska Arctic Biological Research Center, where you can see the pale sky during the long daylight season outside the window, while the interior feels somewhat cold and desolate.

He cleared his throat and turned his attention to all the attendees.

"Good morning, Engineer Li. Good evening, Mr. Hammond." Lin Yu'an greeted the two main teams with a smile and in fluent English.

Then, his gaze returned to the window at the top, and his voice unconsciously softened slightly: "Good evening, Dr. McCormick."

Lin Yu'an's gaze passed over the cold data and windows on the screen, precisely capturing a complex emotion in her blue eyes.

In that instant, he clearly read the undisguised longing in the other person's eyes.

Despite having anticipated it, Lin Yu'an's heart still skipped a beat.

He took a deep breath without making a sound, nodded knowingly in response, and put the matter aside for the time being.

The first-ever trilateral online summit, spanning three continents and more than a dozen time zones, has officially begun.

After a brief greeting, Lin Yu'an got straight to the point, "Thank you all for preparing your initial ideas in such a short time. I believe both teams have already reviewed each other's proposals."

"The purpose of today's meeting is simple: I need both of you to have a comprehensive discussion on several key points of disagreement in the plan, and I will ultimately decide on the direction."

“Mr. Hammond, you and your team are responsible for defining the soul of this project, which is top-notch animal welfare standards, scientific research capabilities, and visitor experience.”

"And Li, you and your team are responsible for giving this soul a skeleton and body, that is, the most efficient and reliable engineering implementation solution."

"Our overall goal remains unchanged: to build the world's top polar animal conservation facility in the shortest possible time and at the most reasonable cost."

"The total budget is initially set at 40 million US dollars, and I hope to keep the total construction period within six months."

He paused, then turned his gaze to the window on his right.

“Mr. Hammond, let’s start with the most ambitious part of your proposal: the fully retractable glass curtain wall of the all-weather polar pavilion.”

"Please explain your core reasons for insisting on this design, especially after seeing the engineering risk assessment proposed by Engineer Li's team."

John Hammond's expression immediately turned focused, and he shared a screen displaying a visually striking rendering where the indoor and outdoor ice lakes were seamlessly integrated.

“Okay, Lin. Our core design philosophy is to maximize freedom of choice.”

"We should not decide where animals should be, but rather provide them with a wide range of environmental options so that they can make their own decisions."

"To achieve a 100% seamless connection between the indoor and outdoor environments, this wall, composed of three independent giant hydraulic glass curtain walls, is key."

"It offers more than just visual impact; it grants animals the most unhindered right of way. This is the embodiment of our philosophy and the soul of our design."

Lin Yu'an nodded, then turned to the window on the left.

"Engineer Li, I have seen your engineering team's assessment report, and the data is not optimistic. Please tell Mr. Hammond your conclusion directly."

Li Wenbo adjusted his glasses, his speech filled with the rigor of an engineer, directly addressing Hammond's ideals.

“Mr. Hammond, we completely admire your ideas. But to realize them, we need the German military-grade hydraulic system you mentioned in your proposal.”

"After contacting them for quotes, we concluded that the cost of procurement, transportation, and installation would exceed eight million US dollars, and the customization and installation cycle would take at least six months."

“This single item accounts for 20% of the total budget and will make it impossible to meet Mr. Lin’s requirements for the construction period from the very beginning.”

He switched to another slide filled with data and budget analysis, which clearly compared the two options.

"As we noted in our assessment report, Wyoming has an annual temperature range of over 60 degrees Celsius, and the connection between this massive glass and metal structure will face severe challenges from thermal expansion and contraction."

"This means that it will generate extremely high maintenance and calibration costs over its 50-year operating cycle."

"Therefore, our alternative is a sliding type, rather than a lifting type."

He then showed another 3D model, saying, "We designed the glass curtain wall as five independent units that can slide on hidden tracks."

"It can achieve an opening effect of more than 80% when fully opened. But its structure is more stable and the technology is more mature. We can have China's best high-speed rail window supplier produce it."

"The total cost can be controlled within three million US dollars, the construction period can be shortened to three months, and the subsequent maintenance cost is only one-tenth of the former."

"We believe this is the optimal solution between effect and reality."

This was the first direct, data-driven confrontation. Hammond looked at Engineer Li's proposal and fell into deep thought.

He pursued 100% ideal, while Engineer Li offered 90% effectiveness and 30% cost.

Before Lin Yu'an could continue, Li Wenbo proactively cut to the next core issue: "Secondly, regarding the total budget and construction period. Mr. Lin, you offered forty million US dollars and a six-month deadline."

"To be honest, it's extremely challenging. According to the standard construction process in the United States, we initially estimated the cost of such a project to be around $4500 million, with a construction period of 18 to 20 months."

“I’m sure you can find a way to reduce this time and budget,” Lin Yu’an said directly.

“Yes.” Engineer Li nodded. “Therefore, we proposed a solution that’s like a construction powerhouse in our plan.”

"That is to leverage China's strong industrial prefabrication capabilities and supply chain advantages to break down the indoor venues of Arctic Home into hundreds of modular steel structures and precast concrete units."

"These modules will be manufactured in factories in China, in sync with the design."

"This means that while Mr. Hammond's team was still making final revisions to the design drawings, our factory had already begun producing parts for the stadium."

"Once the snow and ice in Wyoming melt at the end of April this year, the foundation work will begin immediately. At the same time, the first batch of modules produced in China will arrive at the construction site."

"Then, we will have a Lego-like assembly process, with the American team in charge of on-site management and quality supervision, and the Chinese engineering team in charge of providing installation technical guidance."

His eyes gleamed with absolute confidence in engineering.

"In this way, we can reduce the main construction time on site from the usual eight months to three months. The total construction period can be shortened from 18 months to 8 months."

He added the most crucial point: "The total budget, through global procurement and prefabrication in China, can be optimized from 4500 million to around 3800 million US dollars, saving more than 15%." This plan is very tempting, but it also contains huge risks of cross-border collaboration.

However, this plan is completely consistent with Lin Yu'an's original prefabricated assembly plan, which can bring December and Amber to Wyoming as soon as possible.

After listening, Hammond immediately raised his biggest concern during the review of the proposal: "Engineer Li, your proposal is impeccable in terms of engineering, and it is full of Chinese-style efficiency and boldness."

"But this requires an unprecedented level of precision collaboration, measured in days, between our design team, our production team in China, our cross-border logistics team, and our on-site construction team in the United States."

“Any mistake in any part could lead to catastrophic delays in the entire project. We at PGAV have never attempted such an extreme multinational concurrent engineering project.”

Silence fell over the meeting room, and all eyes were on the one who could make the final decision.

Lin Yu'an listened quietly to the exchange between the two sides. He knew that now it was his turn, as the client, to make a decision.

He turned his gaze to McCormick in the panel of experts. "Dr. McCormick, do you have any questions or suggestions?"

McCormick nodded. "There is one point, which is about the design of the visitor area."

"In Mr. Hammond's proposal, visitors will enter the central area of ​​the venue through an underwater glass tunnel and look up at polar bears swimming underwater. This design is very impressive."

"But my concern is that the human surveillance from below and all around will cause long-term psychological stress to Amber, the naturally timid Siberian tiger."

Hammond immediately explained, "Doctor, your concerns are very valid, so the glass we designed is one-way reflective glass, and we will strictly control the light inside the tunnel."

"From the animals' perspective, they only see their own blurry reflections and not the tourists."

"This is currently the most advanced technology used in top aquariums, and it fully complies with the standards of the U.S. Animal Welfare Act (AWA)."

Lin Yu'an turned to Engineer Li: "Engineer Li, what are your thoughts?"

Li Wenbo pulled up a document containing relevant Chinese laws and regulations and case studies.

“Mr. Hammond, one-way glass is theoretically feasible. However, based on our operational experience at Chimelong Ocean Kingdom, this type of glass is greatly affected by the intensity of external light.”

“Under strong sunlight, especially with the added reflection from the water surface, it is difficult to guarantee a 100% one-way effect. Animals may still perceive shadows and movements on the other side of the glass.”

He presented another design proposal: "Therefore, our suggestion is to cancel the underwater tunnel and instead build an observation hill on the north side of the polar pavilion, utilizing the terrain."

"Visitors will enter the building, which is disguised as a rocky mountain, from the back area through a tunnel. They will observe the animals through multiple one-way viewing windows at different angles."

"The advantage of doing this is that it completely eliminates visual distractions and provides an absolutely safe zone for the animals."

"Secondly, and most importantly, it is more in line with the ultimate goal of our project in terms of its legal nature."

This statement piqued the interest of both Lin Yu'an and Hammond.

Li Wenbo explained, "When researching the project background, we noticed a key point: Mr. Lin, you established a non-profit organization with scientific research and education as its core objectives."

"Based on this, our team specifically reviewed Wyoming's land and tax laws and found a clause that could be perfectly utilized."

He projected the highlighted portion of a legal document onto the screen.

"Under Wyoming statute 39-11-105, property owned and operated by a nonprofit organization and primarily used for educational purposes is exempt from property tax."

"Now, let's compare the legal characterization of the two proposals." Li Wenbo's logic was as clear as a knife.

"While Mr. Hammond's underwater glass tunnel is highly visually appealing, legally it would almost certainly be classified as an entertainment facility by the tax assessment department."

"This means that it not only cannot enjoy tax exemptions, but also needs to pay high commercial property taxes every year for its high construction costs."

A slight smile curved his lips. "And the mountain we proposed for observation, we can officially name it a scientific research observation station."

"Its entire design will revolve around scientific research and education, with science popularization display boards and teaching spaces inside... It will be perfectly defined as an educational facility."

"Under the premise of achieving the same observation purpose, our solution is not only cheaper to build, but also easier to maintain."

"More importantly, it will allow the entire Arctic Home project to legally save hundreds of thousands, or even millions of dollars, in property taxes every year in the future."

This is a top-level collision of Eastern and Western thinking.

Americans, drawing on animal psychology and tourist experience, have created a dreamlike ideal.

The Chinese, on the other hand, have found a smarter and more sustainable realistic path to this ideal by focusing on engineering implementation, operating costs, and the deep utilization of local policies and regulations.

“Okay, next topic: the back-end medical center.” Lin Yu’an didn’t stop at all; he directly pointed out the point of contention.

"Both teams designed it to be underground, but Mr. Hammond's proposal mentioned concerns about biosafety in its appendix, while Mr. Li's proposal emphasized cost and efficiency more."

"Now, I'd like to hear everyone's reasons."

This time, Engineer Li spoke first: "Mr. Lin, our logic is very simple: efficiency and cost."

"Building the medical center underground, directly connected to the animals' back-of-house rest area, can minimize the distance and time animals need to be transferred while under anesthesia."

"This is the safest and most efficient design, while also maximizing land use and shared structures, and having the lowest construction cost."

Hammond immediately objected.

“I completely disagree.” His tone was very firm. “Engineer Li’s plan overlooked the most critical issue—biosafety isolation.”

"A top-tier medical center that will serve not only December and Amber in the future. As you, Mr. Lin, expect, it will become a regional central hospital."

"This means that it may receive sick animals carrying unknown pathogens from other zoos or even the wild in the future."

“If we build this hospital and the homes of healthy animals in the same building underground, the consequences of any cross-infection would be catastrophic.”

He presented his design plans, stating, "Our PGAV proposal is to build a completely independent polar animal medical and research building at a separate location, 500 meters away from the main Arctic Home building."

"This building will have its own independent air circulation system, water treatment system, and personnel disinfection channel. It will be connected to the Arctic Home via a dedicated, fully enclosed animal transport channel."

"This will significantly increase construction and land development costs, with the initial estimate requiring an increase of at least four million US dollars in the total budget and extending the construction period by at least two months."

Hammond's tone was full of awe for science: "But this is the only solution that can ensure the entire park reaches the highest biosafety level (BSL-3). In the life sciences field, safety is always more important than cost and efficiency."

This was yet another typical clash of ideas.

Chinese people value integration, efficiency, and economy.

Americans, on the other hand, believe in independence, redundancy, and rating.

With the final topic presented, the nearly two-hour-long, high-intensity information-bombardment phase of the proposal presentation finally came to an end.

A long silence fell over the meeting room.

All eyes were focused on the one who could make the final decision.

Lin Yu'an leaned back quietly in her chair, her fingers tapping lightly on the table unconsciously.

His brain, like a supercomputer, was rapidly processing the massive flow of information, weighing the pros and cons of each option.

Every decision that follows will profoundly impact the ultimate outcome of this massive project, which will cost nearly half a billion dollars, and the quality of life for Amber and her family in December.

After a long while, he finally sat up straight, his gaze sweeping over everyone on the screen.

"Gentlemen, thank you for your excellent work. After listening to all the proposals, I have made my decision."

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)