American Hunting: Starting with Solitary Life in the Wilderness

Chapter 318 The Motherland (Seeking monthly votes~ lulu.)

The following day, a Gulfstream G650ER business jet roared into the sky from Tetboro Airport, carrying Lin Yu-an and his family on this epic expedition that spanned two continental plates.

This time, their route followed the shortest distance between two points on Earth—the great circle route.

After taking off from New York, the plane did not fly directly west, but instead climbed northwest, its flight path drawing a beautiful arc on the huge display screen.

It will fly over Canada’s vast Hudson Bay, skim the edge of Alaska, and finally enter the vast North Pacific Ocean near the Aleutian Islands.

This is a route that is rarely experienced by ordinary passengers, connecting the North American and Asian continents in the most efficient way.

“Wow,” Arya exclaimed in surprise, looking at the flight path on the screen that was stretching northward. “I thought we would keep flying west, but it turns out we’re heading towards the North Pole first.”

Lin Yu'an smiled and explained to her, "This is the great circle route. Because the earth is round, this arc is the shortest distance from New York to China when viewed on a flat map."

After nearly thirteen hours of smooth flight, the aircraft made a brief technical stop at Narita International Airport in Tokyo, Japan.

In just over an hour, the plane quickly completed refueling and route checks, and Arya and Emily took the opportunity to stretch their legs in the VIP lounge with the children.

After taking off again and flying for more than five hours, when the plane finally landed smoothly on the business jet tarmac at Kunming Changshui International Airport, everyone was attracted by the completely different scenery outside the window.

There are no skyscrapers like in New York, nor the snow-covered landscapes of Wyoming.

Instead, there are rolling red soil hills and a humid, warm atmosphere full of subtropical vibes.

Sheng Risheng and Liang Wenbin had been waiting for a long time at the bottom of the gangway.

"Anzi!" Sheng Risheng was the first to rush over and give Lin Yu'an a big bear hug. "You're finally back!"

Lin Yu'an smiled and patted him on the back: "Long time no see, Shengzi."

After a brief exchange of pleasantries, Sheng Risheng immediately turned his gaze to Aria and Emily behind Lin Yu'an. He was, of course, aware of his childhood friend's astonishing family situation.

But he was a worldly man after all, and after a brief moment of inner turmoil, he immediately showed the warmth of his master.

"Hello! Welcome to China!" he greeted in his broken English, then winked at Lin Yu'an in Chinese, "Anzi, aren't you going to introduce me?"

Lin Yu'an smiled and naturally introduced them: "This is Arya, and this is Emily. Arya, Emily, this is my best friend, Sheng Risheng."

"Hello, Aria, Emily!" Sheng Risheng said warmly. A young woman dressed in a business suit and looking very capable immediately stepped forward and translated for him in fluent and standard English.

Sheng Risheng pointed to the woman and explained to Lin Yu'an, "This is Xiao Chen, the translator I specially hired for you. She will accompany you throughout the trip to ensure smooth communication!"

Arya and Emily smiled and politely responded to his greeting through the translator, impressed by their friend's overly enthusiastic manner.

Liang Wenbin, on the other hand, approached in a more composed manner.

He held Lin Yu'an's hand tightly, his face beaming with heartfelt enthusiasm, "Yu'an, welcome home! You must be tired from your journey!"

Then he turned to Arya and Emily. He had, of course, also learned about Lin Yu'an's special circumstances from his son-in-law.

As a cadre who had been immersed in the system for many years, he knew exactly what to say, what to do, and what to pretend not to know.

He didn't use the ambiguous term "Madam," but instead smiled and nodded at them in a very natural and friendly manner, like an elder.

"Arya, Emily, hello. I am Liang Wenbin." His eyes were full of appreciation for the younger generation. "I have heard Yu'an talk about you before. Meeting you today, I can see that you are both rare and wonderful young ladies! It must have been hard for you to travel with your children all this way."

These words, without explicitly stating their relationship, showed both women equal respect and care, instantly bridging the gap between them and making Arya and Emily feel incredibly comfortable and at ease.

When Lin Yu'an carefully took Ethan and Olivia out of the baby carrier, Liang Wenbin's eyes lit up instantly.

"Oh my! This must be our little darling!" He quickly stepped forward and carefully took Ethan from Lin Yu'an's arms.

Looking at this little guy with black hair, blue eyes, and delicate features, his smile was practically melting.

"So alike! So alike! That nose, those eyes, they're practically identical to yours!" He held Ethan, teasing him with obvious affection, then turned his gaze to Olivia in Emily's arms, displaying the loving kindness of an elder.

While teasing Ethan in his arms, Liang Wenbin glanced at his son-in-law Sheng Risheng beside him, seemingly unintentionally, and felt a surge of anger.

He deliberately sighed and said, "Oh, look at Yu'an. He's only been away for a few years, and he's already got a son and a daughter when he comes back. I can't help but envy his good fortune."

Upon hearing this, Sheng Risheng knew that his father-in-law was about to start again, and an awkward yet helpless smile immediately appeared on his face.

Liang Wenbin completely ignored his expression and continued to hold Ethan, talking to himself as if to everyone else: "This little guy is so heavy and sturdy in my arms! Sigh... I wonder when I, Old Liang, will be able to hold my own precious grandson."

"Our Liang family... surely we won't just die out like this, will we?"

"Dad!" Sheng Risheng smiled wryly, feeling both embarrassed and awkward, and stepped forward. "What are you saying! We're in front of the guests, give me some face!"

He could only laugh it off, "We're still working hard! We guarantee to complete the mission, we guarantee to complete the mission!"

This little episode about having a baby, full of Chinese family characteristics, made Lin Yu-an, who was watching from the side, unable to help but laugh.

Although Arya and Emily couldn't understand what they were saying, they could roughly guess what was going on from Sheng Risheng's embarrassed and helpless face, which was almost flushed red.

They exchanged a glance and saw a hint of goodwill in each other's eyes.

The group passed through the VIP channel and boarded several black Audi A6Ls that were already waiting outside. The convoy smoothly drove out of the airport and headed towards the Cuihu Hotel in KM city.

Along the way, Arya and Emily, like two curious children, pressed their faces against the car window, looking at the cityscape outside that was completely different from that of America.

The tall palm trees lining the road, the constant flow of people and electric vehicles on the street, and the buildings full of oriental architectural style... everything made them feel novel and excited.

“Wow,” Arya practically pressed her face against the car window, her emerald eyes filled with amazement, “There are so many people here! And I love the climate here, it’s warm and cozy, so comfortable.”

Unlike the desolate, sparsely populated, and snow-covered Wyoming, Kunming, the Spring City, exudes a vibrant energy full of life and everyday warmth.

Emily, on the other hand, was more interested in the more subtle details. Her gaze lingered on the lively little shops on the street, the balconies hung with cured meats and sausages, and the elderly people sitting leisurely on the street drinking tea and playing cards.

“Darling,” she turned to look at Lin Yu’an, who was also observing everything, her voice filled with a deep sense of confusion and disbelief, “this…this is completely different from the China I’ve seen in the news.”

Arya immediately chimed in, "Yes! I always thought... Chinese cities would be gray and gloomy, with crowded streets, people wearing similar clothes, and serious expressions."

She smiled somewhat embarrassedly, "The media always says that the pollution here is very serious and that people live under tremendous pressure."

“But look,” she said, pointing to an older woman pushing a stroller and dancing to music at the park entrance, “they look…happier and more relaxed than the New Yorkers walking their dogs in Central Park.”

Lin Yu'an looked at the stark contrast in their eyes, a mixture of shock and disbelief from reality, and a knowing smile appeared on his face. This was exactly what he wanted them to see with their own eyes.

He said gently, “The media only shows you the side they want you to see, doesn’t it? Every country has its glamorous side, and it also has problems it’s trying to solve.”

"But real life is always hidden in these most ordinary streets and alleys, and in those most genuine smiles."

The translator, Xiao Chen, smiled and added in fluent English, "Ladies, welcome to the real China. We may not have every family with a large lawn and a pickup truck."

"But we have the safest and most convenient public transportation in the world, delicious food that we can enjoy anytime, anywhere, and the lively and warm atmosphere of a community."

Emily nodded thoughtfully, gazing out the window at the modern skyscrapers rushing past and the neighborhoods below that preserved their ancient charm. She sighed softly, "I feel... this place is a giant paradox. Ancient and modern, tranquil and bustling, coexist harmoniously in an incredible way."

“Look over there!” Arya suddenly pointed excitedly to an intersection. “They’re selling fruit on the street, and… what’s that? It looks like a kind of flatbread.”

With a smile, translator Xiao Chen acted as their tour guide: "That's roasted rice cake, a specialty snack from Yunnan, made with rice. When we have time, Mr. Lin will definitely take you to try all the authentic local delicacies."

This conversation led Arya and Emily to shift their perception of the country from the previously one-sided and stereotypical media impressions to a more three-dimensional, real, and fascinating one.

Their eyes were filled with boundless anticipation for their upcoming journey to the East.

After arriving at the Cuihu Hotel and settling his luggage, Liang Wenbin conveyed the latest arrangements to Lin Yu'an.

"Yu'an, Director Zhang knows you just arrived today and are tired from your journey. So he has arranged a formal meeting for tomorrow morning."

His tone became serious, "However, tonight he wants to host a welcome dinner for you and your family at the hotel's Chinese restaurant in a private capacity. This is our custom of hospitality in Yunnan, so you absolutely cannot refuse."

Lin Yu'an knew that this dinner was both a welcome party and an informal assessment before the formal meeting, and he readily agreed.

That evening, in the most luxurious private room, Dianchi Hall, at the Cuihu Hotel, Lin Yu'an met for the first time the leader of the Yunnan Provincial Department of Culture and Tourism, whom he had only heard on the phone but never seen in person.

Director Zhang was in his early fifties, slightly overweight, and wore black-rimmed glasses. He looked gentle and refined, exuding an air of scholarly elegance.

Upon seeing Lin Yu'an, he warmly grasped his hand, his face beaming with genuine admiration.

"Comrade Yu'an, welcome home!"

The word "comrade" brought Lin Yu'an a long-lost sense of warmth.

The atmosphere at the dinner was relaxed yet lively.

The table was laden with a variety of delicacies that were unique to Yunnan, from steamed chicken in a clay pot to crossing-the-bridge noodles, from wild mushroom hot pot to Xuanwei ham...

Arya and Emily were completely captivated by the rich variety of Chinese dishes they had tasted for the first time, and they were full of praise for them.

After several rounds of drinks and several dishes, Director Zhang put down his chopsticks, looked at Lin Yu'an, and finally got to the point.

His tone was full of anticipation for the future.

"Yu'an, Wenbin, several experts in the department, and I have studied your program concept repeatedly. We all agree that this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity!"

"So, before we discuss this in detail at tomorrow's meeting, I'd like to hear your thoughts briefly."

Lin Yu'an looked sincerely at Zhang Chengzhi and Liang Wenbin across from him, knowing that they had finally arrived at the main topic of the meal.

His tone was full of respect, “Director Zhang, Uncle Liang, let me first give you a brief report on my initial ideas for this filming trip back to China.”

Zhang Chengzhi and Liang Wenbin exchanged a glance, both gesturing for the speaker to begin. Clearly, they wanted to hear what this "God of Wealth" had to say first.

Lin Yu-an didn't mince words; he went straight to the point: "My vision can be summarized in two words—ultimate authenticity and global resonance."

"First and foremost, it's about ultimate authenticity." Lin Yu'an's voice became steady and powerful. "I hope this program can return to the purest essence of survival."

"Just like what I did in 'Living Alone in the Wilderness,' I carried all my own filming equipment and went into the challenge area alone to record the most authentic, immersive, and uninterrupted experience of solitude in the wilderness."

"Alone?" This suggestion surprised Liang Wenbin. "You mean... no film crew with you? What about safety and filming quality..."

"I will use the most professional equipment and logistical support to solve the safety issues," Lin Yu'an explained. "And the shooting quality is precisely the biggest advantage of this model."

"It captures a person's most genuine emotions and most instinctive survival wisdom when facing nature. I believe that this extreme sense of authenticity is the core charm of this type of program and what can truly move audiences around the world."

Seeing the thoughtfulness and slight doubt on the faces of the two leaders, he immediately played his second trump card.

"Of course, to realize this model and promote it globally, I need top-notch partners. So before I decided to return to China, I had already completed the initial platform setup with my brokerage firm, CAA."

He paused, each word deliberate and weighty: "Currently, Discovery Channel has confirmed that it will be a co-producer and the exclusive global television distributor of the program, while TikTok and YouTube have also reached strategic partnerships with us."

These words were like a bombshell, instantly opening Zhang Chengzhi's mind! He immediately realized that what Lin Yu'an brought was not a simple filming intention, but a top-tier international project that had already been set up and was just waiting to be launched!

By having the Discovery Channel endorse the quality of the program and then using TikTok, a massive traffic source, for a global bombardment... this combination of tactics is even more perfect than their initial plan for a Sino-foreign co-production!

Lin Yu'an didn't give them much time to be shocked, and continued to offer reassurances for Yunnan.

"Director Zhang, I know that what you care about most is what this program can bring to Yunnan. So I designed a special theme for the first episode, Yunnan: 'Mysterious Yunnan: From Human Life to the Heart of the Wilderness'."

"What I hope to show to the world is not the symbolic labels of Lijiang and Dali that are already well-known to tourists, but a more three-dimensional, more mysterious, and more explorable Yunnan."

He held up two fingers and clearly explained: "My concept is divided into two core parts: a love letter to the world and an expedition of extreme solitude."

"First of all, this love letter is a 30-minute preview. Before venturing into the wilderness alone, I will first act as a guide and narrator, leading a global audience on an immersive exploration of the everyday life in Yunnan."

"Let them understand what kind of splendid civilization was nurtured in this land I am about to challenge."

His description was vivid: "My journey begins in Kunming. I will visit Dounan Flower Market, the largest in Asia, stroll along the Green Lake in the early morning, and introduce to the world the red-billed gulls that have traveled thousands of miles to dance with the citizens."

"To tell the story of the leisurely and unhurried life of this Spring City, sit down in a most authentic street-side restaurant and present the complete ritual of a bowl of Crossing-the-Bridge Rice Noodles from raw to cooked, and let that ultimate freshness be conveyed to the world through the lens."

"Then, I will set off from Kunming and head south to Jianshui Ancient City to showcase the centuries-old wells and tofu workshops, and experience the inheritance of ancient techniques."

"I will also visit the Yuanyang Rice Terraces and delve into the villages of the Hani people to explore the great wisdom behind this landscape, which has been carved into the earth for thousands of years, reflecting the harmonious coexistence of humanity and nature."

"This pilot episode will be my personal journey of tracing the origins of civilization. It is full of respect for the people of this land, curiosity about the culture, and love for the food."

"It will be distributed globally through Douyin and TikTok platforms. This is not only to promote the program, but also to give Kunming its first gift - a global invitation full of stories and warmth."

"And when global audiences are deeply captivated by the civilization and warmth of this land, our second part—the expedition of extreme solitude—will officially begin."

"At the end of the pilot episode, the camera will follow me as I bid farewell to the city lights and the hustle and bustle of the world, and alone, I will pack my bags and enter the real secret realm—the primeval forest of Ailao Mountain."

"The stark contrast between the bustling world and the most extreme loneliness creates unparalleled dramatic tension."

"In the challenge, I will share everything I discover in that mysterious jungle—unique plants that have never been seen on camera before, encounters with wildlife, and how I build a shelter using local materials..."

"I want to inspire the world's audience to have the strongest sense of curiosity and awe for this land as they follow me in my struggle for survival."

Lin Yu'an concluded, "Ultimately, what we need to do is work together to create a brand new image for Yunnan, one that combines the warmth and inclusiveness of everyday life with the mystery and pristine natural wonders, making it a place worth visiting to experience the depth of civilization."

These words, presented in a progressive manner, are vivid and relatable, demonstrating both warm humanistic concern and a precise communication strategy.

It completely dispelled the last trace of doubt that Zhang Chengzhi and Liang Wenbin had about the "publicity effect".

What they saw was a grand vision that far exceeded expectations and was enough to make the world rediscover Yunnan.

(End of this chapter)