King of the Wilderness

"Of course, we’ll also open a donation channel to accept contributions from December’s fans, and all donations will be used for the broader cause of Polar Bear conservation."

Lin Yu’an emphasized, "The only and core requirement of this plan is guardianship."

"A fifty-year guardianship, protected by both international law and U.S. law, almost equivalent to ownership."

He added the final bumpers: "And, the breach penalty for both parties is 500 million dollars."

"If either party wants to terminate the authorization without cause in advance, they need to pay 500 million. This also includes us abandoning the rescue halfway, or being found to abuse animals, we would also need to pay 500 million."

Lin Yu’an smiled, "You see, this way, Environment Canada hasn’t opened the door for individual Polar Bear adoptions, yet it preserves their legal standing and face."

"At the same time, in a cooperative and innovative manner, they reasonably hand over this hot potato that is December to us, while gaining a good reputation worldwide for respecting life and being flexible. This is a perfect step which they cannot refuse."

"To make this step even more attractive, for the research center and the foundation, I’ll tell them I no longer need them to pay a single penny for this project."

"On the contrary, to thank them for their upfront efforts and future supervision, my December Foundation will donate one million US Dollars to each for other Polar Bear conservation projects."

"This way, Jenkins and Fisher shift from being responsible parties to beneficiaries and supervisors."

"All they need to do is nod and support this plan to get a free one million dollars and clear all relations. What do you think they’ll choose?"

Mai Ke was completely shaken by Lin Yu’an’s perfectly linked and seamless grand strategy, which even included drafting the opponent’s press release.

Looking at the man in front of her, she felt she wasn’t seeing an explorer but a top strategist who could manipulate politics, capital, public opinion, and law.

What he offered was not a choice but a meticulously designed maze leading to only one exit.

"I... I believe..." her voice was a bit dry, "The research center and the foundation will definitely agree. They have no reason to refuse..."

She said worriedly, "But, the core of this plan is money... Lin... 40 million dollars... That would place immense pressure on you."

Mai Ke knew Lin Yu’an had just made a lot from endorsement fees, but 40 million US Dollars was still an enormous number.

Lin Yu’an looked at her, revealing the most tender smile on his face: "Money is something you never need to worry about. To me, it’s just a number now."

He reached out, gently tidying some stray hair from her forehead.

"Mai Ke, you just need to remember, December encountering you has been its greatest luck in this life. You’ve taken on all the burden for it, now it’s my turn."

His voice was filled with unarguable affection and determination.

"Since my precious girl doesn’t want to return to the wild, even if I have to sell everything, I’ll keep it by my side!"

Mai Ke’s body and mind completely relaxed, now devoid of helplessness and pressure, replaced with a sense of happiness and security!

She nodded vigorously, finally revealing a heartfelt relieved smile.

She stood up, wiped her eyes, and returned to the energetic image of a talented young doctor.

"Then... before you officially declare war on Canada, do you want to see the poor little princess waiting to be rescued? It’s longing for you very, very much now."

"Of course! I can’t wait to see it, but I need to prepare some food for it first, you said on the phone its appetite isn’t good, I want to try a kind of food..."

————

Half an hour later, Mai Ke’s Subaru Outback stopped outside an Asian supermarket named Saigon Market in Anchorage.

Unlike the downtown chain supermarkets with bright windows and modern design, this supermarket’s appearance looked a bit messy.

The red Vietnamese signage stood out sharply in the gray snowy day. As the glass door opened, a complex and warm scent immediately rushed toward them.

It was a unique aroma mixed with various spices, pickled vegetables, seafood, and fresh fruits and vegetables.

For someone like Mai Ke, accustomed to the sterile scent of laboratories, this smell was somewhat foreign and even pungent.

But for Lin Yu’an, this smell, full of the worldliness of Human World, brought a sense of long-missed familiarity.

Mai Ke pushed a creaky shopping cart, curiously following behind him like an explorer entering a New Continent.

She watched Lin Yu’an skillfully navigate through aisles she didn’t recognize at all, as if this was his real home court.

Lin Yu’an’s goal was clear; he headed straight for the seafood section at the back of the supermarket.

"I need the freshest fish, the higher the fat content, the better. December needs high-calorie food to replenish energy, and the fishy smell of fish can stimulate its appetite more."

The ice platform in the seafood section was filled with various fish.

Lin Yu’an didn’t choose the more expensive looking cod or halibut, but went straight to the local catch section.

He picked up a red trout, silver all over with speckled spots on its back, pressed the fish’s body with his finger, and looked inside its gills, the fresh red color proved its absolute freshness.