King of the Wilderness

"Really?! That’s wonderful!" She quickly walked over, her emerald-like eyes shining amazingly, "I can see where you grew up! And the Great Wall, Forbidden City, and those legendary cuisines..."

"Can we accompany you while you work, and also have a true China trip?"

Seeing Aliya’s excited look as she began planning the travel route, Lin Yu’an couldn’t help but laugh: "Of course, that’s my plan. I’ll take you to visit the most beautiful places during my off hours."

"Then we need to prepare quickly!" Aliya’s action efficiency was as strong as ever.

Emily also immediately got into the swing of things, handing Olivia to Lin Yu’an, while gracefully walking to the desk to search for guides on the computer.

"That’s right, it’s manageable for the three of us, but traveling internationally with two babies under two years old involves a lot of preparation."

While speaking, she tapped quickly on the screen, her voice clear and orderly: "First is the visa. I checked, and the situation is more complicated than I expected."

She turned the screen to Aliya, "Aliya, yours is the most straightforward. Because you and Lin have a legal marriage certificate, you can apply for a Q1 family reunification visa."

Then she pointed to herself, showing a slight smile of assurance: "I can apply for an L tourist visa. The procedure is simple too; just provide the itinerary and hotel reservation."

"Now, the most troublesome is concerning the children." Emily’s brow furrowed slightly, her expression becoming serious.

"According to my research, since Lin is a Chinese citizen, even though the children were born in the United States and hold U.S. passports, the Chinese government still views them as Chinese citizens. So they cannot apply for a visa."

"Then how can they go?" Aliya immediately asked nervously.

"They need to apply for a special document called a China Travel Permit." Emily clicked open a page showing a small blue book similar to a passport.

"This is basically their entry passport to China. Applying for it also requires their birth certificates and the original passports of both of you."

"However, before applying for the travel permit, they must first have their own American passports! And that is the biggest challenge."

She switched to the application guide page from the U.S. Department of State, and the list of items made Aliya feel overwhelmed: "We need to fill out the DS-11 form, provide their original birth certificates, and passport photos meeting specifications."

Emily looked at Lin Yu’an, her tone incredibly serious: "The most crucial point is that the law requires both parents to be present when applying for a passport for children under 16."

The study was instantly filled with the efficient and detailed discussions of the two hostesses.

Looking at that complicated process, Aliya immediately thought of the practical operation phase: "Okay, while you handle these legal documents, I’ll deal with the logistics."

"There’s no direct flight from Jackson Hole to China; we need to first fly to Los Angeles or San Francisco to transfer... Long-haul flights are too taxing on the babies, I’ll check which airline has the best infant services."

"Perfect division of labor." Emily agreed, "Also, the travel permit application must be done at the Chinese embassy or consulate in the U.S. The closest should be San Francisco or Los Angeles."

"We can arrange to do the passport, visa, and travel permit all at that stop."

One focused on researching different airlines’ baby cradle dimensions and children’s meal recipes, while the other downloaded and printed various application forms, highlighting every detail that needed attention with a marker.

Lin Yu’an held two little ones equally curious about the tablet screen, quietly watching this scene, feeling warmth in his heart.

This is family, a place where no matter where he goes in the world, someone will prepare everything for him and accompany him.

As they enthusiastically discussed what kind of baby food to prepare, even considering whether to bring along a dedicated child safety seat, Aliya’s voice gradually died down.

She looked at the tedious visa application process on the screen, then at Emily deeply absorbed in researching flight routes, and finally focused her gaze on Lin Yu’an’s face.

Her eyes, always gleaming with vitality, now bore an unprecedented seriousness and depth.

"My dear," she slowly began, interrupting Emily’s train of thought, "before we plan this trip to China, I think there’s something more important we need to do first."

"Hmm?" Lin Yu’an and Emily turned to her somewhat surprised.

"We can’t delay any longer, concerning Dr. MacKeez... we must go see her."

"Before we embark as a whole family on the journey to your homeland, I want to ensure that our family is indeed whole."

This statement immediately made Emily understand her intent, her eyes showing wholehearted agreement.

Aliya looked at Lin Yu’an and continued: "We all adore that brave and pure girl. But we can’t just leave her alone in Alaska, facing uncertainty about the future in solitude."

"So," Aliya made her proposal, her tone akin to a true queen planning the future of her kingdom, "I suggest we soon set off for a trip to Alaska."

"Let’s go to Anchorage, see December and Amber in person. Then Emily and I can formally talk to Dr. MacKeez, tell her everything about us, and listen to her true thoughts."

"At the same time," a trace of melancholy flashed in her eyes, "we should revisit Wiseman, bring Whiskey and Honey back; they should return to us. While we’re at it, we can also formally bid farewell to Stan and those old friends."

"Once we handle all of this, once our family no longer has any unresolved questions, we can happily embark on the journey to China together."

Lin Yu’an looked into Aliya’s eyes, filled with sincerity and determination, and beside him stood Emily nodding vigorously in support.

"Okay." He took a deep breath, his voice full of resolve, "Let’s do as you say, I’ll arrange the flight route now."

Immediately, he dialed MacKeez’s number.

Upon hearing that familiar voice, Lin Yu’an’s tone subconsciously softened a touch: "MacKeez, it’s me... Yep, my family and I are planning to fly to Anchorage to see December and Amber."

On the other end of the call, MacKeez, after a brief silence, immediately agreed happily.

Lin Yu’an looked at the magnificent snow-capped mountains outside the window, his heart clear.

Before returning to that distant eastern homeland, he must first head back to where his story began, to unravel the last emotional knot and to welcome the kingdom’s last member, who may be the most unique one.