King of the Wilderness

Liang Wenbin completely ignored his expression, continuing to hold Ethan, speaking as if to himself, yet also as if to everyone: "This little guy, holding him feels so solid and hefty! Ah... I wonder when my old Liang can hold my own family’s sweet grandchild."

"Our Liang family... surely won’t just end our lineage like this, will we?"

"Dad!" Sheng Risheng smiled wryly, feeling both embarrassed and awkward, stepping forward, "What are you saying? We’re in front of guests, give me some face!"

He could only laugh it off, "Aren’t we working hard here? We’ll definitely complete the task, definitely complete the task!"

This little episode, filled with the unique characteristics of a Chinese family urging for grandchildren, left Lin Yu’an watching with barely suppressed laughter.

Although Aliya and Emily couldn’t understand what they were saying, they could basically guess some of it from Sheng Risheng’s embarrassed and helpless face, which was almost turning red.

They exchanged a glance and saw a hint of bemused smile in each other’s eyes.

The group passed through the VIP channel and got into the lineup of black Audi A6Ls waiting outside. The convoy smoothly left the airport, headed towards the Cui Lake Hotel in Kunming City.

Along the way, Aliya and Emily were like curious children, with their faces pressed to the car window, looking at the cityscape outside, which was completely different from the United States.

Tall palm trees along the road, the constant flow of people and electric bikes on the streets, and those buildings with Oriental architectural style... everything made them feel curious and excited.

"Wow," said Aliya, her face almost pressed against the glass window, her emerald eyes filled with amazement, "There are so many people here! And I like the climate here, it’s warm, very comfortable."

Unlike Wyoming, with its vastness and sparsely populated, icy solitude, Kunming was bursting with vitality and filled with the lively atmosphere of human activity.

Emily, meanwhile, was more interested in the finer details; her gaze lingered on the life-filled street-side shops, balconies hung with cured meats and sausages, and elderly people leisurely sitting at the street-side sipping tea and playing cards.

"Honey," she turned her head to look at Lin Yu’an, who was also observing everything, her voice tinged with deep confusion and subversion, "This... this is completely different from the China I saw in the news."

Aliya quickly chimed in, "Exactly! I always thought... China’s cities would be gray and hazy, with crowded streets, people wearing similar clothes, and serious expressions."

She smiled a bit awkwardly, "The media always says the pollution is severe here, people live under great pressure."

"But look," she pointed outside at a lady who was pushing a baby stroller and dancing to music at the park entrance, "They seem... happier and more relaxed than The New Yorkers walking their dogs in Central Park."

Lin Yu’an observed the huge contrast in their eyes between what they expected and the reality, wearing a knowing smile. This was exactly what he wanted them to see with their own eyes.

He gently said, "Media only shows you what they want you to see, don’t they? Every country has its bright and beautiful side, as well as its issues that are being worked on."

"But true life, always hides in the most ordinary street corners, hidden in the most genuine smiles."

Translator Xiaochen also timely smiled and added in fluent English for them: "Ladies, welcome to the real China. Perhaps not every family here has a big lawn and pickup truck."

"But we have the safest and most convenient public transportation in the world, food you can taste anytime and anywhere, and this collective warmth and liveliness."

Emily nodded thoughtfully, looking at the rapidly passing modern skyscrapers outside the window and the ancient neighborhoods preserved below them, gently sighing.

"I feel... this place is like a vast set of contradictions. Ancient and modern, tranquility and bustle, harmoniously coexisting in an incredible way."

"Look over there!" Aliya suddenly excitedly pointed to a corner, "They’re selling fruits on the street, and... what’s that? It looks like a type of grilled cake."

Translator Xiaochen smiled, playing the role of guide for them: "That’s grilled rice cake, a specialty snack of Yunnan, made from rice. When there’s time, Mr. Lin will certainly take you to taste all the authentic food here."

This conversation began to shift Aliya and Emily’s understanding of this country from those skewed and rigid media impressions to a more well-rounded, real, and charming direction.

Their eyes were filled with endless anticipation for the upcoming Orient journey.

Upon arriving at Cui Lake Hotel and settling their luggage, Liang Wenbin conveyed the latest arrangements to Lin Yu’an.

"Yu’an, Director Zhang knows you just arrived today, so he’s scheduled the formal meeting for tomorrow morning."

His tone became solemn, "But tonight, he wants to host you and your family with a dinner at the hotel’s Chinese restaurant, as a personal gesture to welcome you. This is the hospitality custom of us Yunnan people, you absolutely must not refuse."

Understanding that the dinner was both a welcome and an informal introduction before the official meeting, Lin Yu’an gladly accepted.

That evening, in the top-level private room, Dianchi Hall at Cui Lake Hotel, Lin Yu’an met for the first time the leader of the Yunnan Province’s Tourism department, someone whose voice he’d only heard over the phone before.