King of the Wilderness

Max took on everything, but she didn’t know how to proceed without the funding support, without the professional team; everything needed to start over.

Max’s voice was filled with exhaustion, "So, now I’m just waiting."

"He said he would give me a reply in two days, but I think they will definitely agree because they are more afraid of the buried truth than I am."

"Once the agreement is signed, December will completely belong to my team!"

Her voice finally revealed a deep helplessness: "Lin, I don’t know if everything I’ve done to keep it was right or wrong."

"I promised you I would help it go home... but I might have to break that promise."

On the other end of the line, Lin Yu’an fell into a long silence.

Max’s heart sank little by little with this silence. What she feared most was Lin Yu’an’s disappointment.

However, when Lin Yu’an spoke again, there was no blame in his voice, only unprecedented gentleness and understanding.

"Max, don’t say that."

"You didn’t do anything wrong. If anyone is to blame, it’s me." His voice carried a hint of self-reproach.

"It was my feelings for it that created such a strong dependency, leading to the failure of the wild training assessment. This isn’t your fault."

These words instantly touched the softest part of Max’s heart.

She didn’t expect Lin Yu’an not only didn’t blame her but instead took the responsibility on himself.

Lin Yu’an shifted the tone, with a hint of relief in his voice, "And to be honest, Max, hearing this news, I’m even... a bit happy."

"This means," Lin Yu’an’s voice was filled with an undeniable longing, "maybe I... don’t have to be separated from it anymore."

Max was stunned, and this sincere confession left her momentarily at a loss for words.

Lin Yu’an continued, his tone regaining calmness and sharpness, filled with insight into the situation, "But Max, do you really think they would let go so easily?"

"What do you mean? I’ve cornered them; aren’t they afraid I’ll go to the media and expose them?"

"No, you have only pressured a few bureaucrats afraid of taking responsibility, individuals who can be discarded at any time. But behind them is the machinery of a nation."

"Environment Canada will absolutely not give up the ownership of a polar bear just because of a recording and an old report."

"Max, you have to understand, we are now playing a game against a nation. They won’t give in easily; we must be prepared for follow-up measures."

"Although they gave up on December once easily and now, due to the high risk, want to abandon it again."

"But they still won’t transfer ownership to you, at most they’ll grant you a guardianship filled with legal traps, and if the rescue fails, you’d be the perfect scapegoat."

"Once the buzz fades or December’s situation improves, they can take everything back at any time."

This analysis made Max, who was just immersed in the victory of the struggle and anticipating the spoils, feel as if she was plunged into an ice cave.

Lin Yu’an’s voice, filled with steadfast power, continued, "But rest assured, they won’t have this chance again!"

"Max, you’ve already won the toughest first half for December."

"I’m so glad I had your help, which allowed me to legally participate in December’s rescue. From beginning to end, you were December’s greatest benefactor."

"Now, leave the second half to me. I will never let December die in despair this way!"

"I want to try again! I want to see if it still maintains that dependency on me. If... if my presence can reignite its will to survive..."

"No matter how much money it costs, no matter how many resources are needed, I will try every possible means to wrestle the ownership of December from their hands!"

"We will raise it personally, accompany it through the most dangerous, most in-need childhood period."

"I will build for it the best, most unique home in the world!"

"Max, I’m coming over tomorrow, wait for me at your apartment!"

Lin Yu’an’s words were like a vow made on the ice plain, filled with unparalleled determination and resolve, completely overturning all of Max’s perceptions.

So Lin Yu’an arrived early today in Fairbanks, preparing to fly to Anchorage.

The snowy peaks of the Alaska Range receded slowly under the wings.

After nearly an hour and a half of smooth flight, the familiar and vast silhouette of Anchorage finally appeared at the horizon, like a steel beast sprawling by Cook Bay.

Lin Yu’an began to lower the flight altitude according to the navigation chart and GPS instructions, preparing to enter Anchorage’s controlled airspace.

He switched the communication frequency, and the calm and professional instructions of Anchorage Approach came through the headphones.

"Anchorage Approach, Turbine Otter N777LA." Lin Yu’an’s voice was steady and confident.

"N777LA, this is Anchorage Approach, good morning. Radar contact, please state your position and intention."

"N777LA, currently 20 miles south of Takotna, altitude 5500 feet, information received, requesting visual approach to land at Merrill Field."

"Approach request received. Cleared for visual approach to Merrill Field, remain east of the Cook Bay coastline, and be advised to avoid the Class A airspace of Stevens International Airport. Contact the tower 5 miles from Merrill Field, frequency 126.0."