American Landowners: Starting with Hunting in Alaska

Chapter 101 You're a real tough guy now, Su Wei! (Bonus Chapter)

"Stop! Stop shaking!"

Su Wei felt like this big guy was shaking his breakfast out of him.

He grabbed Aruk's wrist with his other hand, twisted it with force, and finally freed his arm.

"Just lucky."

Su Wei rubbed his sore shoulders and didn't go into details about the life-or-death struggle in the U-shaped valley last night. "That guy was out of bullets and was stunned by the flashbang, so I just finished him off with a shot."

"It's that simple?"

Aruk looked at him suspiciously, his thick black eyebrows twisted into a pretzel.

"Otherwise what?" Su Wei shrugged. "You think I can fight a former Marine with bayonets?"

Aruk scratched his head, his messy short hair looking like a bird's nest.

That sounds quite reasonable.

But he was also a hunter, and he knew that some things were not as easy as they sounded.

Neither Blake's appreciation nor those ten points were based on luck.

However, Su Wei was unwilling to elaborate, and he would not force him.

"Alright, you always manage to cause a big commotion."

Aruk grinned, his usual憨直 (honest and simple) manner returning, and slapped Suwei on the back. "No matter what, ten points! Now, among our batch of newcomers, who can compare to you?"

"I don't even feel like my brother is my brother anymore, where did this ruthless person come from!"

"You're a completely different person now! You're a true tough guy, Suwei!"

He became more and more excited as he spoke, his big face glowing red, even happier than if he had scored points himself. "When you become successful and a high-level hunter, don't forget to give your brother a hand."

"I can't forget it." Su Wei smiled.

"By the way, about the bear hunt—" Aruk rubbed his hands together, a little embarrassed, "I just heard from the old devil that he told you to rest. Shall we talk about it later?"

Although he is easygoing, he can still distinguish between what is important and what is not.

Last night's confrontation with a wanted criminal was a life-or-death situation; anyone would have to think twice.

"Okay, after I'm done with this busy period."

Su Wei didn't rule out any possibility, saying, "Let me settle things at home before we go into the mountains."

1

"That's great! Just hearing that is enough!"

"When you're ready, be sure to call me! The two of us are sure to catch the biggest brown bear on this island!"

Aruk was a straightforward man; since Suvi had agreed, he didn't press the matter further.

He glanced in the direction Blake had left, then shrank back. "You should go back and rest. You don't look too good. I have to go too. I just saw that guy—Old Tom—calling for help unloading the goods. I'll go see if I can get a free drink."

This guy just can't stay still.

"Go ahead," Su Wei waved his hand.

Aruk gave a couple more instructions, then turned and ran off in a flash.

Even his running silhouette resembles a black bear, looking rather silly.

Suwei stood there until the exhaust fumes from Aruka's beat-up pickup truck completely dissipated, and only then did the buzzing noise in his ears stop.

Finally, it's quiet again.

He took a deep breath of the cold air, rubbed his temples to relieve his fatigue, and found his mind clearer than ever before.

Three million two hundred and fifty thousand US dollars.

Ten guild points.

Blake's formal apprentice.

These things together meant that he had finally gained a foothold in this world and was no longer a person struggling to survive at the bottom of society.

No longer are they being chased by debts until they can't breathe.

As for his life, there's still a future ahead.

Su Wei thought: He really needs to think about this carefully.

That's good, it's a good time to rest.

Get in the car and start the engine.

The snowmobile's engine emitted a slightly weary roar.

If you listen carefully, you can also hear intermittent stuttering sounds.

It seems it's nearing its end.

Good, now that the blizzard has stopped, its mission of being forcibly extended is over.

It's time to consider repairs.

But now, it still needs its final journey.

Instead of going straight back to Emily's apartment, Su Wei stepped on the gas and drove towards the town's largest supermarket.

The supermarket was very warm, even a bit stuffy.

There weren't many people among the shelves; most of them were elderly women picking and choosing.

-

Suwei pushed her shopping cart and strolled through the meat section.

Some scattered yellow discount tags stood out conspicuously.

In the past, he would have stood here and immediately started calculating the price per pound of meat, figuring out the most cost-effective way to buy it.

But now, he looks at the expensive organic beef in the freezer.

I've found that I no longer subconsciously calculate prices like I used to.

This is the ease that money brings.

It also gave him confidence.

"This piece won't do; it's too fatty."

Suvilo looked over several boxes of beautifully presented Wagyu beef and tapped his finger on the glass of the freezer.

Stewed potatoes don't need that kind of melt-in-your-mouth high-end steak; that would be a waste of good meat.

His gaze settled on a piece of beef belly.

Layers of fascia wrap around the red meat, with a thin, evenly distributed layer of fat. This is what makes the meat chewy and the broth rich and flavorful when stewed.

Suwei picked up the box of meat, weighed it in his hand, and estimated it to be about three pounds.

"You're the one."

Tossed it into the shopping cart.

Next up is the vegetable section.

Suwei picked out a few yellow-fleshed potatoes with soil still on their skin.

This type of potato has a high starch content and is easy to stew until tender.

Finally, it blends into the broth, becoming a gritty paste.

Compared to those hard, white potatoes that remain unboiled even after being cooked for ages, this is the soul of stew.

I also took two carrots, one onion, and a small bunch of cilantro.

As he passed the condiment section, he also grabbed a bottle of light soy sauce, a bag of rock sugar, and a packet of dried spices such as star anise and cinnamon.

Although the seasonings here aren't as plentiful as those in Chinatown, they're enough for a simple home-style dish.

When it came time to pay, Su Wei didn't even look at the total amount on the receipt and just swiped her card.

Pushing a cart full of food out of the supermarket, the cold wind made him tighten his collar.

This feels so good.

No need to risk your life in the wilderness, no need to worry about where your next meal will come from, you're simply busy making a delicious meal.

This is probably what life is really like.

I got back to the apartment just after 11 o'clock.

As soon as I entered, I saw Emily sitting in a wheelchair, looking out the window.

Hearing the door open, she turned her head sharply, her blue eyes instantly lighting up.

"You're back?"

-

"Um."

total.

Su Wei changed his shoes, picked up the two large bags in his hands and shook them, "I kept my word, a big meal."

The white fluffy ball on the sofa only slightly raised its eyelids and let out a soft hum after Su Wei returned.

Then, she fell into a deep sleep again.

The marshmallow was clever; it knew it wasn't mealtime yet.

Instead of going through the trouble of asking for it, it's better to wait patiently for Suwei to prepare the food.

Emily swallowed hard, her eyes glued to the bag, wishing she could pounce on it right now.

"I smell beef!"

"Do you have a dog's nose?" Su Wei chuckled.

He stepped forward and rubbed the little guy's head, only to be slapped away by a pair of white paws.

Su Wei smiled helplessly and carried the things into the cramped kitchen.

Although the kitchen is small, it is very clean and tidy, and has all the necessary pots, pans and utensils.

Su Wei tied on an apron, washed her hands, and took the pot off the stove.

Cut the beef into 2-centimeter cubes, put it in a pot of cold water, add ginger slices and cooking wine, and simmer.

Skim off the foam that rises to the surface, then scoop it out and drain.

Heat oil in a wok, add a few rock sugar pieces, and stir-fry over low heat.

Caramelizing sugar is a skill; too early and it won't turn red, too late and it will taste bitter.

Su Wei stared at the bubbling sugar bubbles at the bottom of the pot, and the moment they turned a deep reddish-brown, he poured in the beef.

Sizzle—!

The loud bang, accompanied by the instant aroma of meat, made Emily, who was in the living room, restless.

"It smells so good!"

She pushed her wheelchair to the kitchen doorway, peered into the room through the door frame, her eyes pleading like a kitten waiting to be fed.

Su Wei ignored her and quickly stir-fried the beef, coating each piece with a bright red caramel color.

Add water until it covers the ingredients.

Throw the spice packet into the sauce, then add light and dark soy sauce for color and flavor.

Bring to a boil over high heat, then reduce to a simmer and cook slowly.

Time passed second by second.

The rich aroma of meat began to permeate the small apartment, forcefully penetrating every corner.

This aroma is a masterpiece of fats and spices cooked at high temperatures, capable of awakening one's most primal appetite.

Forty minutes later.

Suwei lifted the lid of the pot and poured in the chopped potato chunks and carrots.

Continue simmering for another twenty minutes.

Until the broth thickens, the edges of the potatoes begin to melt, and the beef trembles, glistening with juice.

Reduce the sauce over high heat.

Sprinkle with a handful of bright green cilantro.

out of the pot.