King of the Wilderness

Chapter 402: Chapter 232: Emily’s Surprise!

”Hi, Ethan, Olivia... Daddy’s back.” His voice was filled with an unprecedented gentleness.

The two little ones, almost eleven months old, obviously felt a bit apprehensive towards this man exuding a strange and weathered aura.

Ethan was bolder, merely curious as he looked at him, tightly clutching a block in his hand, as if assessing this newcomer.

As for his sister Olivia, she instinctively shrank back, her little mouth slightly puckered, seemingly a bit scared.

Lin Yu’an felt a bit disheartened. Fifty days of absence is enough for a child not even a year old to forget their father’s appearance and scent.

He didn’t rush to embrace them, knowing it would only frighten them. Instead, he placed the meticulously polished, smooth and warm birch wood carvings of a little bear and dog that he had brought all the way back from Labrador gently on the carpet in front of them.

The two little ones’ attention was immediately drawn to these novel toys.

Ethan, being the boldest, hesitated for a moment but ultimately reached out his chubby little hand to grab the small wooden bear, lifting it in front of his eyes and examining it curiously.

A tender smile appeared on Lin Yu’an’s face. He knew that rebuilding the father-son trust required just a little patience and time.

Finally, everyone gathered around the wide and soft sofa in front of the fireplace.

Aliya and Emily sat on either side, closely hugging Lin Yu’an, as if afraid he would disappear for a long time again.

As for Ethan and Olivia, after the initial hesitation, they finally became familiar with the warm and reassuring scent of their father and sat quietly on Lin Yu’an’s lap.

Ethan sat on his left leg, still curiously gnawing on the wooden bear, while Olivia, less interested in the toy, leaned against his right arm, her small hand tightly clutching his clothing.

Lin Yu’an began recounting the events of the past two months to them.

He spoke of the sudden blizzard, the thrilling lone wolf hunt, and the snow hut smokehouse he built himself... Of course, he focused on December’s story.

Starting from when he discovered the nearly frozen little life in the snow; how he made substitute milk, clumsily assisted in excretion; then Dr. MacKeez’s intervention, and finally that heartbreaking farewell.

Upon hearing that their husband had lived alone for over ten days with a wild polar bear cub and successfully saved it, the two women’s faces were filled with disbelief and shock.

Aliya held Lin Yu’an’s hand tightly, while Emily gently caressed his cheek, now more angular due to weight loss, feeling his pain.

They couldn’t imagine how he, alone in such a helpless environment, bore great pressure and risks to protect another equally fragile little life.

”So... how is she now?” Emily asked softly, her eyes full of concern and maternal glow.

”She’s doing well.” Lin Yu’an took a red rubber ball out of his pocket and placed it on the coffee table.

”Dr. MacKeez promised me that once my challenge is over, I can visit her anytime. Moreover, she invited me to be a special advisor at their institute, to participate in December’s growth and rewilding training.”

He looked at Aliya and Emily, saying seriously, ”So, I think after I rest for a few days and recover some strength, I’ll take you and the kids to Anchorage, to visit our... other family member.”

”If possible, I plan to spend a few days there every month, to participate in her growth.”

He quickly added, afraid they might misunderstand, ”Of course, I promise to spend much more time at home with you and the kids. I owe you all too much.”

Hearing this, Aliya and Emily exchanged a glance and suddenly burst into laughter.

”Alright.” Aliya nodded without hesitation, then glanced at Emily, adding, ”But, it might be better to wait until Emily’s condition is more stable.”

Lin Yu’an paused, looking somewhat puzzled at Emily, ”Emily? What’s wrong? Are you unwell?”

”I’m fine.” Emily shook her head, though an unnatural expression flashed across her face, and she instinctively sunk her body deeper into the sofa.

Concern tightened around Lin Yu’an’s heart, fearing she was ill. Just as he was about to inquire further, Aliya skillfully changed the subject.

”You mentioned wanting to spend a week in Anchorage every month?” Aliya looked at him, a hint of playful teasing in her eyes.

”What about here at home? You disappear for two months, and now you’re planning your next ’business trip’?”

Lin Yu’an immediately heard the teasing in her words and quickly clarified, ”Absolutely not! This time I won’t leave you all for so long again, this home is my most important place.”

”Since Emily is unwell, we can slowly plan the trip to Anchorage, prioritizing you and the family.”

Hearing this, Aliya and Emily exchanged a glance.

This time, they didn’t laugh; instead, their eyes revealed a mix of relief and a mysterious sense of ”it’s about time.”