naruto-story Chapter 433 The Zhang Family!
Chapter 433 The Zhang Family!
Chapter 433 Going Home!
Raven was awakened by the noise in the bedroom. She sat up, rubbing her sleepy eyes, and was somewhat bewildered by the scene in the living room that resembled a Hollywood film set.
Chloe walked in, nodded politely to Raven, and then handed an iPad to Lin Yu'an.
"Mr. Lin, this is your schedule for today. Breakfast will begin in seven minutes and will last for fifteen minutes. During this time, the therapist will perform shoulder and neck muscle relaxation."
"After breakfast, we'll have 45 minutes for makeup and styling. We have to leave promptly at 9:30 to head to the Vogue photo studio."
These words were spoken very quickly and without any emotion, as if a military operation order had been read out.
Lin Yu'an took the iPad, looked at the schedule that was accurate to the minute, and shook his head with a wry smile.
Raven silently got up and found her clothes.
As she dressed and prepared to leave, the private space that had not long ago belonged to them had now been completely transformed into a high-speed workplace.
"I have to go." Raven walked up to Lin Yu'an, who was having her shoulders massaged by a physiotherapist, her eyes filled with reluctance.
She was once the freest seabird in this sea, but now she has to hand over her beloved captain to the land.
"Mmm." Lin Yu'an grabbed her hand and squeezed it hard.
"I'll text you every day." Raven tiptoed and planted a deep kiss on his lips. "Don't forget, your first mate will always be waiting for you to return from the port in Florida."
"I promise."
Raven turned and left. As the suite door closed again, Lin Yu'an's vacation officially came to an end.
For Lin Yu'an, the next 25 days were a battle even more intense than surviving in the wilderness.
The first stop was the photoshoot for the joint cover of Vogue and GQ.
The photographer was a legend in the world of photography, Annie Leibovitz. This gray-haired, powerful female photographer was known for her discerning eye and ability to capture the soul of her subjects.
"I watched your video in Greenland, young man." Annie, with an unlit cigar dangling from her lips, scrutinized Lin Yu'an in front of the camera.
"My original theme was 'Gentlemen and Beasts,' but that's too superficial now." She waved her hand, signaling her assistant to remove the expensive suits and props.
"I don't want you to play the beast; you are already one. Take off your shirt and sit on that block of ice. What I want to film is the primal divinity within the civilized world."
In the sub-zero temperature studio, Lin Yu'an sat shirtless on a huge block of ice radiating cold air.
He didn't need to deliberately put on a fierce expression; his eyes, which had gazed upon death, were full of stories in themselves.
Annie's camera shutter clicked incessantly as she excitedly exclaimed, "That's it! Don't move! Yes! That's the look that conquers all, yet shows compassion for all!"
This photograph later became the cover of GQ's annual special issue, with a title consisting of only two words—"The..."
ApePredator (top predator).
The second stop was a TVcGG shoot for Ulysse Nardin.
The filming location was chosen to be a huge underwater studio.
Lin Yu-an needs to wear a custom-made diving suit and complete a series of difficult underwater maneuvers to finally "find" the limited edition "Freak" watch from the deep sea.
The director had originally prepared a professional diving stunt double, but after seeing Lin Yu-an move freely in the water like a dolphin, the stunt double didn't even have a chance to go underwater during the entire shoot.
When Lin Yu-an held his breath underwater for more than four minutes and perfectly completed the last shot, the entire filming crew stood up and applauded him.
The third stop was Jimmy Fallon's "The Tonight Show".
This was his first time appearing on the highest-rated talk show in the United States. The audience was filled with curiosity.
"Lin, welcome!" Jimmy gave him a warm hug. "Honestly, I watched your speech at IGFA, it was absolutely awesome. But I have a question everyone's curious about—what did that 205-kilogram halibut taste like?"
The whole room burst into laughter.
Lin Yu'an smiled and calmly replied, "I don't know what it tastes like, Jimmy. But I know that the taste of freedom must be quite good."
This insightful and strategic answer instantly won applause from the entire audience.
In the program, he shared several interesting stories from his time in Greenland, such as how to use seal blubber as fuel and how to distinguish polar bear footprints.
His unique charm in telling stories of life and death with a nonchalant and understated style captivated countless North American housewives and young viewers overnight.
Filming, interviewing, signing contracts, and making appearances —
Lin Yu-an was like a spinning top, pushed around by Scout and his team, shuttling back and forth between New York, Los Angeles, and Chicago.
His daily sleep time was reduced to less than five hours, and the people he saw most often were makeup artists and drivers.
He didn't even have time to savor the applause after any event, because his private jet was already waiting in the airport's VIP lounge, ready to take him to the next battlefield.
He demonstrated remarkable professionalism and adaptability. No matter how demanding the photographer or how difficult the presenter, he always maintained an inner calm and strength.
Scout exclaimed more than once, "It's so convenient! I've never seen any artist work so intensely and still maintain this level of performance. If other artists were like this... well, I'm dreaming."
Only late at night, when he was alone on a Gulfstream private jet bound for the next city, did Lin Yu-an feel a little tired.
He would lean against the porthole, looking down at the unfamiliar yet bustling city skyline composed of countless lights, and a strong sense of alienation would well up in his heart.
He misses the extreme tranquility of the Greenland ice sheet, the pure freedom on the Bahamian seas, and even more so, his family waiting for him in various places.
After 25 days, a commercial storm that swept across the entire North American continent has finally come to an end.
"Well done, Lin." Scout handed over a bottle of ice water, his face beaming with undisguised excitement.
"The contract with Ulysse Nardin has officially taken effect, and LVMH has also extended an olive branch. The cover of GQ magazine sold out."
"I just received the data; your current global business valuation has officially surpassed one billion US dollars."
"So," Lin Yu'an took the water and drank most of the bottle in one gulp, her eyes remaining completely expressionless, "can my vacation begin now?"
Scout glanced at his watch and nodded: "You have a full month from now on."
No phone calls, no emails, you are free.
"Book me a flight to Anchorage as soon as possible."
Scout paused for a moment: "Anchorage? Not going to Montana? I thought you'd go back to the farm first."
Lin Yu'an shook his head, a hint of tenderness, like the trepidation of returning home, finally appearing in his eyes: "No, my family—they are waiting for me."
It was already evening in Alaska when the Gulfstream G650 business jet landed smoothly at Anchorage International Airport.
In June, Alaska is on the verge of the midnight sun, and the sky at seven o'clock in the evening is still as bright as in the afternoon.
The surface of Cook Bay shimmered with golden light, while the distant Chugach Mountains were bathed in a soft pinkish-purple hue by the setting sun.
Lin Yu'an walked down the gangway without any luggage, carrying only a simple backpack.
He spotted the familiar Ford F150 pickup truck next to the helipad at a glance.
The car door opened, and a fiery red figure rushed out first.
"Hey! Great hero!"
Like a burning flame, Arya, with undisguised passion and longing, rushed into Lin Yu'an's arms.
For the past two months, she could only see her man on television and in magazine covers. The torment of seeing him but not being able to touch him transformed into a warm and forceful embrace.
"I watched your show on Jimmy's Show," Arya said, tilting her head back, her green eyes gleaming with pride.
"My God, you're absolutely stunning! But I have to warn you, if you dare say 'freedom tastes good' in front of the camera again, you'll be sleeping on the sofa when you get home!"
Lin Yu'an smiled and pinched her pert nose: "Don't worry, home is the freest place."
Following closely behind was Emily, who was carrying a huge pregnant belly.
Her steps were slow and steady, and her face wore a gentle and serene smile.
Unlike Arya, she didn't pounce on him; she simply stood there quietly, gazing at him with eyes as gentle as lake water.
But the unspoken words in those eyes were more profound than any passionate embrace.
Welcome home.
When Lin Yu'an walked up to her, Emily reached out and gently touched his cheek, her fingertips slightly cool.
"You've lost weight," she said with concern.
Lin Yu'an took her hand, then carefully leaned down and pressed his ear against her protruding belly, which resembled a small mountain.
He could clearly hear strong fetal movements coming from inside; it was his soon-to-be-born daughter greeting him.
"I'm back," he said softly, as if speaking to Emily, and also as if speaking to the child in his womb. "I'm sorry to have kept you waiting."
"We know you'll be back soon," Emily said, her voice trembling slightly.
"Wow! Hey you two, could you please consider the feelings of a minor?" A lively voice came from the back seat of the pickup truck.
Dr. McCormick peeked out, holding two chubby little ones babbling and waving their tiny hands, calling out, "Daddy! Daddy!"
The two little ones, Ethan and Olivia, who were already a year and a half old, immediately cried out excitedly when they saw Lin Yu'an.
Lin Yu'an's heart melted instantly. He quickly walked over, picked up the two little ones, one in each arm, and scooped them up in his arms. The two children let out silvery laughter.
"Did you miss me, you little rascals?"
"think!"
"think!"
"Hmph, it's not just them who thinks that." McCormick jumped out of the car, arms crossed. "Someone can only fall asleep holding your picture every night."
"Hey! Michael!" Arya's face turned red instantly.
Amidst the warm playful banter, the feeling of home finally washed away all the fatigue and alienation accumulated over the past 25 days in the world of fame and fortune.
Instead of returning to the city, they drove directly to the Arctic Biological Research Center located on the outskirts of the city.
That place was not only where McCorz worked, but also a temporary residence for two other family members.
As Lin Yu'an entered the huge, semi-open enclosure specially designed for polar bears and Siberian tigers, two figures immediately rushed over from a distance.
"December" is running ahead.
This nearly one-year-old female polar bear is already quite large, but not nearly as big as an adult male polar bear.
It still retained some of its endearing, clumsy appearance, and upon seeing Lin Yu'an, it immediately stood up excitedly.
It nuzzled Lin Yu'an's chest affectionately with its big, furry head, making satisfied purring sounds.
"Long time no see, little guy, you've gotten even fatter." Lin Yu'an smiled and scratched its chin.
Following behind was Amber. This little Siberian tiger still walked with a slightly clumsy gait.
Unlike the passionate and unrestrained December, it cautiously approached and gently licked the back of Lin Yu'an's hand with its barbed tongue, as if confirming his scent.
"Alright, alright, everyone come here!"
McCorz whistled, leading the two little ones to an open space nearby.
Emily and Arya leaned on his shoulders, one on each side. The two children ran around, and not far away, December and Amber were also chasing and playing with each other.
This scene is as heartwarming as an oil painting.
"Oh, right," Emily suddenly remembered something, "How's Raven—is she alright?"
This question caused the air to fall silent for a moment.
Arya also raised her head, her green eyes filled with a complex emotion.
They all saw the news reports of Lin Yu-an and Rui-wen's intimate moments on the red carpet, and they also saw the huge blue diamond ring on Rui-wen's hand.
Lin Yu'an did not evade; he held his two wives' hands tightly.
"She's fine," he said calmly. "And she asked me to pass on a message to you."
He paused, looked into their eyes, and repeated, word by word, "She said the sea is vast and can hold many ships. A sufficiently strong harbor can hold just as many."
Emily and Arya exchanged a glance, both seeing a hint of relief in each other's eyes.
Raven's words were full of wisdom and respect. She didn't put herself in the position of a competitor, but rather asked to join as an equal.
"She's quite the smooth talker," Arya said, pursing her lips, but the hostility in her tone had vanished.
Emily smiled gently and said, "Since it's your choice, we believe you."
Lin Yu'an knew this was just the beginning. It would take time for them to truly accept each other. But this honesty had already laid a solid foundation for the future.
"Let's not talk about that," McCormick broke the slightly heavy atmosphere. "Our soon-to-be dad has been enjoying his time in the spotlight; isn't it time to show off his fatherly skills?"
"Our soon-to-be father has been enjoying his time in the public eye for so long, shouldn't he show off his fatherly prowess?" She tilted her head, her blue eyes gleaming with mischief.
"We're having a party here tonight to celebrate our hero's return! The task of grilling the meat is yours!"
Lin Yu'an took her hands, which were clasped together in front of him, and replied with a smile, "It's my pleasure, Doctor."
"Hmph." McCormick snorted, but he couldn't hide the smile on his lips.
evening.
The setting sun cast a long shadow of him, and the charcoal fire crackled as it was lit. The aroma of meat quickly filled the air.
Just as Lin Yu'an was skillfully flipping the grilled meat, McCorz came over with two glasses of ice-cold beer and handed him one.
"Noah?"
She mentioned the name seemingly casually, but her eyes, like a scalpel, precisely locked onto Lin Yu'an's expression.
Lin Yu'an paused almost imperceptibly as he flipped the grilled meat.
"Who?" He pretended not to hear.
"Don't play dumb." McCormick took a sip of his beer and leaned against the railing. "We watched every single second of your live stream in Greenland."
"The Inuit girl who stayed by your side the whole time, wasn't her name Noah?"
"Oh—you mean her?" Lin Yu'an's expression returned to normal, and she explained in a relaxed tone, "She's just an ordinary local guide. Very professional, she helped me a lot."
"Hmph, an ordinary guide?" McCormick raised an eyebrow, his face clearly showing his disbelief.
"Honey, the way she looks at you in the live stream doesn't seem like she's looking at an ordinary employer."
There was worship, worry, and—longing?
Lin Yu'an's heart sank. He knew how sharp McCormick's observation skills were, but he didn't expect that she could interpret so much information from even casual eye contact during a live broadcast.
The story of Noah and the ties of their past lives is far too complicated and heavy.
In this lifetime, perhaps even he and Noah themselves haven't figured out how to face Arya together.
It's not just about having another sister; it involves emotional entanglements on another level.
"Really, you're overthinking it." Lin Yu'an turned her head to meet McCormick's probing gaze. "If there's anything going on, I'll definitely tell you the truth. I promise."
McCormick stared at him for a full ten seconds, as if trying to find even the slightest trace of a lie on his face.
Finally, she shrugged, raised her glass, and clinked it against his.
"Okay, I'll trust you for now."
Lin Yu'an smiled bitterly and drank the wine in his glass in one gulp.
He knew that this "interrogation" was just the beginning.
The complex yet warm family he built with his own hands is like a ship sailing on a long voyage; any storm could bring unexpected turbulence.
And Noah is perhaps the deepest and most unpredictable ocean current beneath that seemingly calm surface.
He turned around, looked at Arya and Emily playing and laughing with the children in the distance, and then looked at the all-knowing McCorz beside him, a huge sense of responsibility welling up in his heart.
At this moment, he is neither a super IP worth a billion dollars nor a hero who conquered the deep sea.
He was just a husband, a father, and a man trying to maintain the balance of his kingdom.
What he sees before him is the most precious treasure he is willing to protect with the whole world.