King of the Wilderness

Chapter 390: Chapter 228: Farewell on the Forty-Fourth Day

The other helicopter was a larger, more rugged Sikorsky S-92 heavy-duty helicopter. On its fuselage, a blue circular emblem featuring a polar bear and the earth was inscribed, with a line of clear English beneath it: ”Arctic Ecology Research Institute.”

The two steel beasts, the pinnacle of civilized world technology, landed steadily, one after the other, on the stretch of snow-covered ground in front of his shelter, which he had long cleared.

The rotors of the helicopters slowly came to a stop under massive inertia. Silence returned, broken only by the tinkling sounds of engines cooling down.

The helicopter belonging to ”Alone in the Wilderness” had its cabin door open first. The first to jump out was Mark, dressed in a heavy parka, his face filled with excitement and emotion.

Following him were a photographer carrying professional cameras and a female reporter with a microphone and recording equipment.

The heavy helicopter’s cabin door also opened almost simultaneously.

A woman, tall and wearing the same deep blue thermal attire with the research institute’s logo, nimbly jumped out first.

She wore goggles shielding most of her face, with wind-swept, slightly messy flaxen hair. Her movements were decisive and powerful without any hesitation.

Lin Yu’an had seen photos and knew she was Max Reine.

Max removed her snow goggles, revealing a face younger than Lin Yu’an had imagined.

Her skin appeared rough from constant exposure to polar snowstorms, but her eyes were as clear and profound as ocean waters beneath polar glaciers.

Her prominent brow bones and thick, spirited eyebrows highlighted those deep brown eyes, bright and profound like forest ponds.

She pulled down her wind mask, casually flipped her head, and her thick, glossy long hair fell like a golden waterfall.

It was not just a single flax color, but a warm tone in polar sunlight, intertwined with caramel and chestnut brown shades.

Lin Yu’an’s breath caught slightly the moment he saw her face.

More vivid and vibrant than what he had seen in photos, her skin was a healthy wheat color with subtle traces of prolonged outdoor work.

Yet, this did not detract from her beauty; it added a wild, irreplicable charm.

Though young, her gaze and posture carried a confidence and authority of a top scholar.

She was Max Reine, the woman who discussed Orwell in letters with him, joking with him.

Then, two more male staff in professional uniforms followed, carrying a seemingly heavy, instrument-laden professional transport case.

Max’s gaze instantly locked onto Lin Yu’an and the curious white fur ball in his arms, fearlessly observing everything.

Her lips involuntarily curved into a wide, radiant smile, instantly softening her scholarly authority and making her demeanor more lively.

Max walked over quickly, her snow boots crunching energetically on the snow.

”Lin Yu’an! Finally meeting you, you damn guy who cracked my password!” She started off with the same unique, unrestrained cheerfulness from her letters.

She reached Lin Yu’an, not immediately looking at the cub, but opened her arms and gave him a firm, strong hug.

”Thank you.” Her voice was clearer and warmer than it sounded on the phone.

”For my data box, for this little one, thank you for all you’ve done.”

The hug was brief but meaningful, filled with gratitude for him finding her precious data box and the highest acknowledgment for his excellent guarding over the past ten days.

”It was what I should do, Max.” Lin Yu’an released her, reciprocating with a smile.

Max’s gaze then shifted to December in his arms. Upon seeing the little fellow showing curiosity instead of fear towards so many strangers, even stretching its neck to sniff her unfamiliar scent.

Her eyes, accustomed to various stress responses, revealed an undisguised hint of surprise and approval.

”My God...”

She sincerely said, ”It looks... in great condition! I’ve never seen a wild cub so relaxed in a strange environment. How did you manage?”

”His name is December, that’s the name I gave him.” Lin Yu’an didn’t directly answer her question, but told her December’s name.

”December...” Max repeated the name, a flash of gentleness in her blue eyes.

”A beautiful name. Alright, let’s begin work, let me see how our December spent these past ten days.”

Two assistants stepped forward immediately, opening the professional transport case with a full set of more precise, portable wildlife medical detection equipment.

First, they took out a non-contact thermometer, and Max personally measured the temperature around December’s ear.