King of the Wilderness

Chapter 391: Chapter 228: Farewell on Day 44

”38.6℃, a perfectly normal body temperature.”

Immediately, an assistant took out a specially designed stethoscope with a soft probe for young animals and carefully placed it on December’s chest.

December seemed to feel a bit ticklish and even stretched out a paw to curiously nudge the stethoscope tube, eliciting gentle laughter from the crowd.

”The heartbeat is strong and powerful, about 120 times per minute. The lung sounds are clear, no noise at all. Perfect,” the assistant reported to Max.

While observing, Max asked, ”Lin, have you been keeping track of its weight and length?”

Lin Yu’an immediately recalled the data, ”The last measurement was last night, weighing 15.2 kilograms, with a length of 85.5 centimeters from the tip of the nose to the base of the tail.”

Upon hearing this number, Max and her assistant both showed expressions of disbelief.

”Incredible growth rate.”

The assistant murmured, ”This exceeds the growth data of any same-age cub at our base. Its condition is practically textbook level.”

After looking over the log, Max’s appreciation was almost undeniable in her eyes: ”Lin, your data recording is better than many of our professional interns. That electronic log will be an invaluable research resource.”

Suddenly, Lin Yu’an was reminded of a long-standing question, ”I’ve always wondered, is December a boy or a girl?”

Max smiled. She put on a pair of clean gloves, expertly took December from Lin Yu’an’s arms, flipped it over, and carefully examined its tail area.

She looked up, with a mischievous smile on her face, ”Lin, for the past ten days, you have been wholeheartedly caring for a ’little princess.’ December is a very healthy little girl.”

Girl...

The word struck a chord in Lin Yu’an’s heart. He looked at the little one in Max’s arms, still gazing innocently around, and his eyes softened. It turned out she was his little sweetheart.

”All right, all indicators are perfect.” Max returned December to Lin Yu’an’s arms and gave her final conclusion.

”Lin, you’ve created a miracle. Now, it’s time to take her home.”

At this moment, the female journalist who had been quietly recording stepped forward and quickly handed a microphone to Lin Yu’an.

”Mr. Lin, hello, I am Emily, a special correspondent for the ’National Geographic Channel.’ Millions of viewers worldwide have seen your story with December through the special cuts of ’Alone in the Wilderness.’”

”Right now, the audience is most curious about what it’s like to suddenly become an animal caretaker during such an extreme survival challenge?”

Lin Yu’an, holding December, looked at the female journalist and the camera pointed at him, feeling a bit emotional.

He paused for a moment, revealing an honest smile: ”Experience? Hmm... at first, it was pure trouble and fear. Because of her, all my plans were disrupted, and I even faced the risk of food shortages...”

He glanced down at December, who was curiously gnawing at the zipper of his collar, ”But soon, that feeling changed. It became a responsibility, a... sweet burden.”

”Every day, you’re no longer just thinking about how to survive yourself, but rather how to keep another more fragile life going.”

”Your world expands suddenly. That feeling is amazing and exhausting, but when you see her grow stronger day by day, you realize it’s all worth it.”

The cameraman gave December a big close-up, and the little one, seemingly aware of being watched, gave a big yawn at the camera.

Emily continued to ask, ”We learned that you prepared substitute milk for her and even sacrificed some of your own scarce food to feed her. Under the pressure of extreme survival, what compelled you to make such a choice? You know, according to the rules, you could have completely ignored her.”

Lin Yu’an was silent for a moment, his gaze deepening, ”I am a father, and I have two children who also need my care.”

”When you see a defenseless, near-frozen cub lying right before you, your mind doesn’t think about rules or challenges. You only think about how to save her.”

”It’s an instinct, a parental instinct written in all human genes. I simply did what a father would do.”

His words were simple, yet powerful, stirring emotion in everyone present.

”One last question, Mr. Lin.” Emily’s voice also took on a sentimental tone, ”You’re about to part with December. After everything you’ve been through together, what do you want to say to her most now?”

Lin Yu’an lowered his head, gently brushing his cheek against December’s furry little head.

He looked into December’s eyes and softly said, ”In the future, become a true King of the Icefield. Strive to learn, grow strong, and run freely in this land that belongs to you.”

”And then... if you can, don’t forget, there was once a strange two-legged creature who loved you very much.”

The interview ended quickly, and the moment of handover finally came.

Two of Max’s assistants brought over an airline crate specifically designed for transporting large animal cubs, with good ventilation and warm lining. The crate was made of high-strength composite materials, sturdy yet lightweight.

They opened the heavy metal latch on the crate door, producing a crisp ”click” sound. This sound, like a cold switch, instantly shattered the calm atmosphere at the scene.

The two assistants exchanged a glance, and one of them rubbed his hands together, trying to appear friendly as he reached out towards December in Lin Yu’an’s arms, preparing to place her into the cold cage.

However, just as his hand was about to touch December’s fluffy fur, December, who had always been gentle and curious about everything around her, suddenly tensed up as if a defense switch had been flipped!

From deep within her throat came a fierce, primal growl filled with threat!

”Aaaah-wooooo!”

This sound was no longer the usual whining or whimpering but sharp, loud, full of warning and fear!

She quickly turned her head, even opening her small mouth to reveal a row of sharp milk teeth, ready to bite fiercely at the assistant’s hand with lightning speed!