American Hunting: Starting with Solitary Life in the Wilderness

Chapter 342 The Two Sides of Heaven

The taxi smoothly came to a stop in front of a modern luxury hotel next to the seaside boulevard.

Lin Yu'an didn't linger at the front desk for long and quickly checked in.

His room was on a high floor of the hotel, with a spacious terrace overlooking the vast ocean.

Push open the French windows, and the sea breeze rushes in, carrying just the right amount of humidity and temperature.

Downstairs is the hotel's exquisite swimming pool and private beach, and further away is a "white forest" composed of densely packed masts.

A huge yacht marina, with countless white sailboats and luxury yachts moored in the harbor, gleaming in the sunlight, resembles a city-state from the Age of Exploration.

Without taking a break, he took out his phone and dialed the number of a local sailing school that Scout had already arranged for him.

This driving school enjoys a prestigious reputation in Fort Lauderdale and throughout South Florida, known for its rigorous instruction and experienced captains.

“Bluewater Sailing Academy, this is Captain Mike. How can I help you?” A steady, loud voice with a slight Florida accent came from the other end of the phone.

“Hello, Captain Mike,” Lin Yu’an said in fluent English. “My name is Lin Yu’an, and I am a student that Mr. Scout Braun has booked for me.”

“Aha! Lin! We’ve been waiting for you!” Captain Mike’s voice immediately became enthusiastic. “Scooter said you’re a guy who learns things like a monster.”

"Welcome to Fort Lauderdale. Have you arrived at the hotel?"

"Yes, I just arrived."

"Great, get some rest after your long flight. See you at the school pier at eight o'clock tomorrow morning."

"I'll send you the address and berth number later. Are you ready for the best learning journey of your life?"

“Of course.” Lin Yu’an’s voice was calm and firm.

After hanging up the phone, Lin Yu'an admired the boundless blue sky outside the window for a while. Then he took out a sophisticated gimbal and a mobile phone for live streaming from his luggage.

This is part of a new plan he agreed upon with Scout, after the original domestic challenge project was shelved for some reason, which affected the partner platforms TikTok and Tencent.

However, when Scout presented Lin Yu-an's even more outrageous "A Round-the-World Voyage from Zero" plan, TikTok's response was unexpectedly positive.

"Live streaming? You're willing to start live streaming during the learning phase?" The head of the Douyin project team could hardly believe his ears; the surprise came too suddenly!
"Teacher Lin, that's great! You should have started live streaming a long time ago. Even just sitting there chatting would have been enough to support half of our outdoor streaming community!"

They almost instantly crafted a brand-new S-level live streaming contract for Lin Yu'an, promising top-tier traffic recommendations on the homepage.

For the platform, Lin Yu'an, who has already achieved legendary status, is certainly a guarantee of top-tier traffic, but he is somewhat distant from ordinary viewers.

The story of how a master is made, with its unique sense of companionship, growth, and uncertainty, is fatally attractive to the audience.

This means stronger fan loyalty, more authentic interaction, and a super IP that can continuously generate buzz!

TikTok's response speed was astonishing; in less than 24 hours, a brand-new S-level live streaming contract was sent to Scout's email address.

The contract not only offered generous terms, but the platform also promised to mobilize resources to provide comprehensive pre-launch promotion and publicity for Lin Yu'an's "Sailing Log" series of live streams.

At this moment, what Lin Yu'an needs to do is to light this fuse.

I logged into my social media accounts on Douyin and TikTok. Both accounts had been inactive for quite some time since their last update.

But his private messages and comment section are filled with messages from fans all over the world every day, asking about his recent situation in various languages.

Scout's team has already transformed Lin Yu-an into a global outdoor adventure star, with his TikTok following even larger than that of Douyin in China.

He edited two short texts with almost identical content in both Chinese and English:
"Above the mountain peak lies a vast expanse of stars and seas. A new journey awaits, see you in our live stream tomorrow night at 8 PM (Beijing time)."

The accompanying photo is the same one he casually took with his phone on the terrace at that moment—a photo of the yacht marina bathed in the golden sunset.

It's 8 PM Beijing time, which is exactly 8 AM Florida time.

This timing allows most domestic fans to watch during prime time in the evening, while also allowing North American fans to witness his new journey at the start of the day.

The two posts were like two deep-water bombs dropped into the calm lake of the global internet.

Fans both at home and abroad who had already set up a special follow received notifications within seconds, and the message spread exponentially across different social networks.

The domestic fan community instantly exploded:

"Holy crap! Lin Shen updated! Finally, there's news!"

"The big one is coming! The big one is really coming!"

"Eight o'clock tonight! Great! Perfect timing to watch it when I get home after evening self-study! I've set my alarm!"

"The stars and the sea? What does that mean? Is the new project related to the ocean?"

"Live streaming? So sudden? Is Brother Lin finally going to take the path of live streaming e-commerce?"

On TikTok overseas, the comment section was filled with exclamations of amazement in various languages:

"...There's still December?! Please, please tell me our beloved fluffy white overlord is alright!"

"Tomorrow morning at eight o'clock? Okay, set the alarm for 7:50! I can't be late!"

"The new trip is cool, Lin, but we're demanding you pay the polar bear tax! We need new video in December!"

"I hope I'm with McCormick in December and have a great time. But we absolutely have to see that furry girl on your live stream!"

Countless speculations and discussions have filled this yet-to-be-started global live stream with suspense and anticipation.

After releasing the trailer, Lin Yu'an put down his phone. He had a whole day to adjust to the time difference and get into the right mindset.

He changed into a light linen shirt, beach shorts, and a pair of comfortable boat shoes, put on sunglasses, and stepped out of the air-conditioned hotel lobby.

A wave of humid air, carrying the fragrance of tropical plants, enveloped him instantly. He strolled leisurely south along the A1A coastal road to a beach.

Walking barefoot on the fine, white sand, feeling the gentle waves lapping over his feet, the scene before him caused him a moment of disorientation, followed by a strange sense of nostalgia.

He clearly remembered that in his previous life in 2025, Sydney's Bondi Beach was no longer a paradise for surfers and sun lovers, but more like a giant open-air refugee camp.

The beach was crowded with large family groups, with dozens of tents and plastic mats of various colors lined up one after another, leaving almost no gaps and forming de facto private territories.

The air was thick with the nauseating smell of curry and spices, mixed with the greasiness of food, completely drowning out the fresh, salty sea breeze that should have been refreshing.

Along the coastline after the tide recedes, discarded plastic bags, feces, disposable plates, and leftover chicken bones are everywhere, attracting flocks of seagulls to frantically snatch the food.

On Toronto Island in Canada, however, it's an auditory hell.

Bollywood music blared from dozens of cheap portable speakers, creating a noise war devoid of any aesthetic appeal.

What made the locals even more uncomfortable was the groups of men who walked directly into the lake wearing only ordinary jeans or underwear and shamelessly washed their faces and bodies with the lake water.

They would brazenly scrutinize every woman in a bikini from head to toe with their undisguised gaze, filling the entire environment with an unsettling sense of offense.

Those public spaces that once belonged to everyone seem to have been completely overturned by a more aggressive community culture. It's not a cultural difference, but a disregard for public order.

Fort Lauderdale, on the other hand, still maintains a classic beach order.

Every person and every group here tacitly maintains an appropriate social distance.

The only sounds in the air were the waves, the cries of seagulls, and the cheerful conversations and laughter of people mingling together.

On the beach, young men with well-defined muscles rushed out to sea with surfboards, chasing the rolling white waves.

What's even more eye-catching are the groups of girls gathered in twos and threes. They seem to be the most vibrant scenery on this beach, walking sculptures of hormones.

Their skin, whether a healthy wheat color or a carefully tanned honey color, shone with a charming, moist glow under the protection of sunscreen. Fine white sand particles clung to it, refracting golden light in the sunlight.

As they move, the light flows gently along the contours of their shoulder blades and the muscle lines of their long, slender legs, outlining a near-perfect blend of strength and beauty.

The bikini fabric on her body was pitifully small, a simple tie-up swimsuit, with thin knots barely covering the key parts, and the straps crossed in a provocative geometric shape at the back, making one worry that it might break with every stretch.

The high-cut swim trunks generously expose the long thighs and full hip curves to the air, visually stretching the legs to the extreme.

When a girl bends down to pick up a seashell, the spine of her back reveals a beautiful groove that extends downwards and disappears into the depths of her waist, stretched to its limit by her swim trunks.

Another girl lay on a bath towel, lazily turning over from her side to her stomach. This simple movement revealed the defined abs on her waist and the rounded curves where her hips and legs met, creating a picture full of tension.

Their movements were graceful and natural, full of unintentional sexiness. A girl stood up, raised her hands above her head, and gathered her wet long hair into a ponytail. This movement made her already flat stomach taut, and her breasts became more prominent.

The other woman applied sunscreen to her back with the help of her companion. When she arched her back slightly, the shape of her shoulder blades was clearly visible, like a pair of wings about to unfold.

They confidently and generously displayed everything they were proud of. Their laughter was crisp and loud, and their eyes showed no shyness as they openly welcomed all admiring glances.

This scene, woven from sunshine, sweat, youth, and confidence, is a vibrant visual feast!

[P.S.: I tried my best, bro. I even tried bikinis of all three races, censored and uncensored, but all were rejected by the reviewers, and I got a warning.]

Lin Yu'an found a shady spot under a palm tree and sat down against the trunk. He wasn't deliberately spying, but rather appreciating a vibrant scene called life.

Coming from the cold, harsh wilderness of Alaska to this vibrant, hormone-filled paradise, the stark contrast gave him a sense of being in another world.

He spent more than half an hour on the beach before continuing his city exploration.

Drawn by the rich aroma of coffee and roasting, he turned into a side street.

On the street corner, there is a unique little shop called "Ann's Florist & Coffee Bar".

This shop is half flower shop and half cafe, with the entrance filled with blooming orchids, bird of paradise and hibiscus flowers, creating a colorful scene.

Lin Yu'an went inside and ordered an iced Americano and a slice of local lime pie.

“You’ve made a good choice, young man,” a smiling middle-aged woman wearing a floral headscarf said in a friendly southern accent behind the bar. “This is a recipe passed down from my grandmother. I guarantee it’s the most authentic taste you can find in Fort Lauderdale.”

“That sounds great,” Lin Yu-an replied with a smile. “I’m really looking forward to it.”

"Is this your first time visiting our city?" she asked, glancing curiously at Lin Yu'an as she deftly operated the coffee machine. "You don't look like an ordinary tourist."

“Yes, this is my first time here,” Lin Yu’an said frankly. “I plan to stay here for a while and learn some new things.”

“Then you’ve come to the right place,” the woman said, pushing coffee and pie toward him. “Fort Lauderdale has nothing but fun.”

"Later you can take a ride on our water taxi, it's much more pleasant than smelling car exhaust on the road. Let it take you for a stroll on Las Oras Avenue, you'll love it."

"Thank you for your suggestion, that's exactly what I was thinking." Lin Yu'an picked up the plate and found a seat by the window.

The pie has a refreshing sweet and sour taste with a rich citrus aroma, which perfectly neutralizes the heat of Florida and truly lives up to its reputation.

After saying goodbye to the enthusiastic coffee shop owner, Lin Yu'an accepted her suggestion.

Instead of going back to the main road to hail a taxi, he followed the directions on his phone's map, walked through a path lined with hibiscus flowers, and arrived at an inconspicuous dock beside an inland waterway.

A yellow sign with an anchor symbol stands on the dock, indicating "Water Taxi" stop.

Soon a yellow open-top boat slowly pulled ashore. The boat was much larger than a regular taxi, and the tourists sat comfortably in the seats around it, enjoying the cool breeze from the river.

Lin Yu'an bought a day pass, which meant he could hop on and off at any stop. He found a great spot at the bow of the ship with a wide view.

As soon as the ship leaves the dock, an experience completely different from that on land begins.

The sounds of car engines and horns were gone, replaced by the splashing of boats cutting through the water and the sound of the wind rushing past your ears.

The scenery on both sides of the river was presented to him from an unprecedented perspective.

The ship's guide was a retired captain with a deep bronze tan and wearing a Panama hat.

He clearly knew every inch of this body of water like the back of his hand. Holding a microphone, he began his talk show in a humorous and slightly exaggerated tone.

"Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the real Fort Lauderdale!"

He pointed to the left bank, “See that ship? A 150-foot Phidias, its value is probably… well, probably more than all of us combined could afford!”

"Its owner is an old shark from Wall Street who only comes here for two weeks a year. Most of the time, the ship's purpose is to tell the neighbors, 'Look, I'm richer than you!'"

The tourists on the boat let out a good-natured chuckle. “Now look to your right,” the tour guide’s voice rang out again, with a hint of mystery, “this canal, we call it Billionaire Street.”

"The total value of the ships docked here might be higher than the GDP of some small countries. Tom Cruise filmed a movie here, in that Spanish-style red-tiled roof building..."

Lin Yu'an's gaze swept over the extremely luxurious mansions and yachts, but his heart was not greatly stirred.

In the wilderness, he had seen snow-capped mountains more magnificent and glaciers more spectacular than this.

These wonders, built by human wealth, are certainly amazing, but what truly moved him was a different kind of scene.

In the shadow of a priceless mega-yacht, he saw ripples appearing on the water's surface.

Immediately afterwards, a huge gray nostril slowly rose to the surface of the water, exhaling a moist breath.

"Oh ho! Look! Our old friend has come to say hello!" the tour guide exclaimed excitedly.

It was a huge manatee that seemed completely oblivious to the steel behemoths around it. It simply rolled over in the water, then slowly swam away again.

Its appearance instantly added a touch of natural gentleness and wildness to this waterway that was once filled with the scent of money.

The tourists on the boat took out their phones to take pictures and exclaimed with delight.

The water taxi stopped at a station called Las Oras.

This is Fort Lauderdale's most famous shopping and arts district, where the surrounding architecture has become more refined and elegant. Many uniquely decorated restaurants have sprung up along the riverbanks, where people sit outdoors, enjoying lunch while watching the boats pass by.

Lin Yu'an disembarked here, ready to explore this renowned avenue.

The brief journey on the water had given him a deeper understanding of the city.

It is not just a city floating above wealth, but a unique paradise that perfectly blends life with nature, civilization, and luxury.

Lin Yu'an walked into a fishing tackle shop called "Tark's of Las Olas".

This store is more like a small maritime museum, with everything from professional deep-sea trolling rods to a variety of shiny lures and state-of-the-art fish detectors.

The shop owner was a burly old man with a white beard. He was wearing reading glasses and intently oiling a huge fishing reel.

Seeing Lin Yu'an's gaze linger on a row of heavy equipment used for trolling marlin, he looked up and grinned.

"I can tell from your eyes that you're not just some guy who wants to fish for small fish at the dock." The old man's voice was a little hoarse, as if it had been polished by the sea breeze.

"I hope I'll have the opportunity to use them in the future." Lin Yu'an's eyes revealed his appreciation for these powerful pieces of equipment.

"Hopefully we won't catch anything big," the old man put down his work and walked over with interest. "Ready to head out to sea?"

“Yes,” Lin Yu’an nodded, “To be precise, I’m planning to travel around the world. This equipment is one of my future goals.”

The old man's eyes lit up instantly. He re-examined the young man from a foreign country, his eyes filled with more respect.

"Travel around the world? Ha! There aren't many young people saying that these days."

"Most people just want to take their party yachts, haul a bunch of bikini-clad girls out for a few champagne drinks, and brag about conquering the ocean. Bullshit! That's called taking a bath!"

He pointed to a huge blue marlin specimen on the wall, and the old man's eyes became distant, filled with pride and reminiscence, as if he had returned to that afternoon when he fought with the giant creature.

"See it? 320 pounds of blue marlin, right off the coast of the Bahamas. I spent a full five hours with it, and my arm almost broke."

He said in a somewhat crude tone, "Young man, when you watch the fishing line being pulled out like a bullet, feeling that brute force coming from the seabed..."

"You and this sea monster are connected by a thin thread, battling wits and courage for hours, and finally, with all your might, you drag it onto the ship's side..."

"That feeling... I guarantee it's fucking more fun than all the beautiful women you've ever slept with in your life combined!"

Lin Yu'an was amused by the old man's crude yet highly infectious description, but at the same time he could fully understand the passion contained in the old man's words.

“I can imagine,” he said solemnly.

“Come back to me when you have your boat and are ready to sail the open sea,” the old man patted him on the shoulder, as if it were a tough man’s way of passing on a legacy and making a promise.

"I guarantee I'll provide you with the best equipment so you can take on any fish you want to challenge."

"It's a deal." Lin Yu'an clasped his calloused hand tightly.

As he left the fishing tackle shop, he felt that his dream of sailing had gained another solid piece of the puzzle, one with the salty, fishy flavor of the sea.

An afternoon passed quietly in this way—strolling, observing, and engaging in friendly conversations with strangers.

He didn't visit any famous tourist attractions, but instead, like a sponge, absorbed the city's cultural atmosphere.

In the evening, Lin Yu-an decided to have dinner at a local steakhouse that had a high rating on the map.

I hailed a ride-hailing car, and the vehicle drove through a quiet residential area before merging onto the city's main thoroughfare—the Federal Expressway.

As night deepened, the scenery outside the car window began to change.

The low-rise buildings that looked unremarkable during the day now seemed to be awakened by the neon lights, exuding a cheap and direct hormonal aura.

Huge billboards displayed images of voluptuous women and provocative slogans such as "The Cheetah Gentlemen's Club," "Solid Gold," and "Scarlett's Cabaret."

These names shimmered with an ambiguous pink and purple glow against the deep blue night sky.

The buildings themselves mostly lack windows, giving them a mysterious and enclosed feel. Only the huge parking lot and the occasional figures moving around at the entrance hint at the hustle and bustle inside.

Along the road, the windows of adult product stores shone with glaring red lights, and their signs read "XXX" and "Adult Superstore".

Several inexpensive motels displayed "Available" signs, their lights appearing somewhat old and dim.

At a traffic light intersection, the car stopped. Lin Yu'an saw one or two scantily clad, heavily made-up women standing by the bus stop.

Their eyes scanned the passing vehicles, a stark contrast to the healthy, radiant bikini-clad girls on the beach during the day.

One of the women's eyes met Lin Yu'an's, and she gave him a professional smile without any hesitation.

The driver was a slightly overweight Black man in his forties. He noticed Lin Yu'an's gaze and glanced at him in the rearview mirror.

Then, in a nonchalant tone, he said, "Welcome to the other side of heaven, buddy."

Lin Yu'an withdrew his gaze and calmly asked, "The other side?"

“Yeah, man,” the driver said, opening up as he was clearly happy to educate the outsider.

"During the day we have sunshine, beaches and billionaires' yachts, which is the A-side of paradise for tourists and the rich."

"At night, this place becomes the other side of paradise, a place for ordinary people with cash in their pockets who want to have some fun."

He gestured with his chin toward the flashing neon lights outside the window: "See those clubs? The Cheetah, Solid Gold... they've been around for decades."

"When you walk in, the lights are dim, the music is loud, and the drinks are expensive, but the girls' figures are absolutely genuine."

"For twenty dollars, you can buy a dance. A pretty girl will sit on your lap and dance for the length of a whole song. You can look, you can smell, but you can't touch her. That's the rule."

The light turned green, and the car slowly moved forward. The driver lowered his voice, his tone becoming even more mysterious.

"Of course, there are always people who don't follow the rules, or who want more. Then you'll have to go to the VIP room. The price there is different, a few hundred dollars, and the experience you get is different too."

"As for the specific kind of fun... well, that depends on how thick your wallet is and how much that girl likes you."

He glanced at the street corner he had just passed: "As for those on the roadside... well, that's even more straightforward."

"For a hundred dollars, or maybe less, you can experience the fastest, most emotionless Florida-style passion at the motel next door."

"But I don't recommend it, man. It's dangerous. Cops and all sorts of trouble love places like that."

The driver's tone was devoid of any moral judgment, as natural as if he were introducing a local specialty dish.

"This is Florida, a place where anything can happen. If you have money, you can buy almost any kind of happiness, whether it's legal or on the fringes of legality."

Lin Yu'an didn't continue the conversation, but simply looked calmly out the window.

The city presents a stark contrast to the sun-drenched beaches and exquisite art of Las Oras during the day, yet together they form the complete and authentic face of the city.

This warm land was indeed much more complicated than he had imagined.

A few minutes later, the vehicle turned off the main road, leaving the flashing neon lights behind, and the warm lights and well-dressed guests reappeared in front of the restaurant.

It was as if everything that had just happened was just a bizarre and fantastical dream.

The fare had been automatically paid via a mobile app, but before getting out of the car, Lin Yu'an took out a twenty-dollar bill from his wallet and handed it to the driver.

The driver paused for a moment, looking at him with some confusion: "Hey, buddy, the fare and tip have already been paid online."

“I know,” Lin Yu’an said calmly. “This is your tour guide fee; your explanation was excellent.”

The driver was stunned again, then burst into a deep, hearty laugh.

He took the twenty-dollar bill but didn't immediately put it in his pocket. Instead, he twirled it between his fingers for a moment, and his eyes showed more respect and approval as he looked at Lin Yu'an.

“You’re pretty smart, buddy,” he grinned, revealing a set of white teeth. “You’ve got more than just that piece of gossip that everyone already knows about for twenty dollars.”

His tone became more serious, and he leaned forward slightly, as if he were about to share a secret.

“I can tell you’re not the kind of person who causes trouble, but sometimes trouble just comes knocking on your door.”

“Dude, as a reward for this twenty dollars, never go alone into those neighborhoods north of Sunset Boulevard and west of Highway 95, especially at night.”

He drew a rough outline in the air with his finger: "That's not Heaven B, that's Hell's rehearsal ground."

"There are no glittering clubs there, only dark alleys and guys hungrier than you. The police don't like going there, and tourists should definitely avoid it. Do you understand what I mean?"

These words were more serious than when he introduced the red-light district before, carrying the sincere admonition of someone who had been there.

Lin Yu'an nodded: "I've got it."

“Very good.” The driver seemed satisfied with his reaction. He pulled a slightly worn business card from the sun visor and handed it to him.

The business card was simple, with only the name Marcus, a phone number, and a line of small print (24/7 car service - reliable & safe).

Marcus said, "This is my number. I drive most of the time, but I don't just drive for ride-hailing services."

"If you need to go somewhere, or need to run something and don't want to leave a record on the app, or need a driver who knows the local way... call me anytime."

"For the sake of this twenty dollars, I guarantee you a fair price and will help you avoid all unnecessary trouble."

This goes beyond the scope of an ordinary ride-hailing driver; it's more like a self-recommendation from a local guide or problem solver.

Lin Yu'an took the business card, glanced at it, and put it in his pocket. "Thanks, Marcus."

“You’re welcome,” Marcus leaned back in his chair, resuming his languid posture. “Now, enjoy your steak. Remember what I said.”

"You too, I wish you a prosperous business tonight." Lin Yu'an said, then got out of the car.

This little business card and that twenty-dollar warning are probably more valuable than the scenery you see all afternoon.

In this unfamiliar city full of both opportunities and dangers, having a local connection like Marcus who knows the rules is never a bad thing.

After enjoying a perfect dinner, the journey back to the hotel felt like a rewind and a recollection of the trip.

The flashing neon lights and tranquil mansions, images of paradise A and paradise B, flashed alternately in his mind, eventually settling into stillness.

Back at the hotel, standing on the terrace, looking at the boundary between light and shadow of the city lights in the distance, I felt an unprecedented sense of peace.

Whether it's Paradise A or Paradise B, they are merely the surface of this city.

What he is about to conquer is the more real and vast blue world beyond all these appearances.

(End of this chapter)