King of the Wilderness

He dialed CAA agent Scoot’s phone number.

"Scoot, it’s me."

"Lin! My God! You finally found the time to call me! Do you know how many offers I’ve turned down this week?"

"Put those aside for now," Lin Yu’an interrupted him, "I have a new idea, a brand new program that’s all my own. I need CAA’s help to make it a reality."

What Lin Yu’an wanted to do was a Chinese version of wilderness survival, fully led and produced by himself!

He laid out his vision over the phone: "Scoot, I want to create a brand new survival challenge show in China. I want to explore the most magnificent and dangerous corners of my homeland."

"For example, the snowy Changbai Mountain, the misty Ailao Mountain in Yunnan, the mysterious Shennongjia primal forest..."

He paused and added a few more challenging locations that he had already researched.

"Or, go to the Taklamakan Desert in Xinjiang and challenge the crossing of the Sea of Death. Experience the harshness and grandeur of the plateau at Hoh Xil in Qinghai. These places are full of unique landscapes and survival challenges."

On the other end of the line, Scoot, after a brief silence, let out a heartfelt exclamation: "Lin, you always surprise me. This idea... is fantastic!"

"A global influencer with 5 million followers returning to his mysterious homeland for an adventure? The story itself is enticing! We’ll immediately set up a special group to evaluate the feasibility of this project!"

Ending the call with CAA, Lin Yu’an knew the grand plan needed one critical catalyst.

A strong partner in China that could provide him with official support and resources.

His eyes landed on Sheng Risheng’s number in his phone contacts and he dialed it.

"Hello?! Anzi!" The voice of his childhood friend Sheng Risheng instantly came through, loud and exuberant, mixed with the "clatter" of mahjong tiles in the background, "You finally remembered me! Happy New Year!"

"Happy New Year, Shengzi." Lin Yu’an responded with a laugh, "Still playing mahjong?"

"Of course! Won a little money, just calling you to share some luck!" Sheng Risheng’s tone suddenly shifted, adding a hint of grievance, "I mean, you’ve been quite negligent, haven’t you?"

"What happened?"

"What happened?" Sheng Risheng raised his voice a notch, "That Lamborghini Urus! Have you gone mad? I just helped you register a shell company in the Cayman Islands!"

"You just gave me a car that could buy a house! How am I supposed to ask for your help again?"

Lin Yu’an chuckled, "One thing has nothing to do with the other. You helped me a lot, you deserve the car."

"Hehe! Now I drive it and another Ferrari every day to buy groceries, the attention rate! Tsk tsk~" Sheng Risheng boasted proudly, "By the way, you’re quite the celebrity now! You haven’t left the trending topics in the country! Awesome, brother!"

After exchanging pleasantries, Lin Yu’an got straight to the point.

"Shengzi, I need to discuss something important and ask for your help."

"Shoot! Except for climbing mountains and diving into fires!"

"I want to create my own survival challenge show in the country." Lin Yu’an briefly explained his idea to Sheng Risheng.

"I need official support, like filming permits, logistics, coordination, etc. So, I was wondering if you could feel out your father-in-law’s stance on this?"

Sheng Risheng’s father-in-law was the deputy director of the cultural and tourism bureau of a prefecture-level city in Yunnan Province. Although not holding a high position, he had extensive contacts and understood the rules within the system.

"Is that all?" Sheng Risheng immediately agreed, "Leave it to me! My father-in-law has been so worried about the tourism GDP of their city that his hair is almost white."

"If an international star like you goes there to shoot an episode, he will worship you like the God of Wealth! Hahaha~ Wait for my news!"

An hour later.

Sheng Risheng called again, his voice filled with irrepressible excitement.

"Anzi! It’s done! I just talked to my father-in-law, and he was so excited he nearly dropped his teacup!"

"He’s hesitant to call you directly, afraid it’s too abrupt. But he wants me to tell you he’s 100% supportive of this matter! Plus, he thinks shooting in just one city is too small-minded!"

"He’s going to contact the provincial tourism bureau director immediately! He was old colleagues with the director and they have a strong relationship. He says your project can be elevated to the level of a provincial key cultural promotional project!"

"He said don’t rush, let him communicate internally first and come up with the most comprehensive collaboration plan, then someone from the leadership will contact you officially. Wait for his good news!"

These words completely reassured Lin Yu’an. He knew with his friend’s father-in-law as the internal intermediary, half of the success was already achieved.

Two days later.

Lin Yu’an was in the study, planning Arctic Hall matters with Emily, when an unfamiliar call from Yunnan came in.

He answered the call, a steady male voice came through: "Hello, is this Lin Yu’an, Mr. Lin?"

"It’s me, and you are?"

"Ah, hello hello, Yu’an!" The caller’s tone instantly turned warm, as if meeting an old friend not seen for years, "I’m Sheng Risheng’s father-in-law, Liang Wenbin!"

"Hello Director Liang, you’re too kind." Lin Yu’an greeted politely, already forming a preliminary judgment of the caller’s familiar enthusiasm.