American comics: I am full of martial virtues and I love to be kind to others.

"Do you need any help?" Lynn asked.

“Let me try it myself, this is a man’s job,” George insisted, and then began to assemble the grill according to the instructions.

But it soon became apparent that the barbecue grill was much more complex than it appeared. The various parts and screws left George somewhat bewildered.

“Who wrote this instruction manual? A Martian?” George complained. “I can’t understand it at all.”

“Let me see,” Lynn came over to help, “maybe we can fix it together.”

The two men began to study the complicated barbecue grill, while Gwen watched their efforts and couldn't help but laugh.

“You two engineers,” she joked, “can’t even handle a barbecue grill.”

“This isn’t an ordinary barbecue grill,” Lynn defended them, “it’s a high-tech product.”

“Yes,” George agreed, “it has temperature control, airflow adjustment, and automatic ignition.”

After half an hour of effort, they finally managed to assemble the barbecue grill and successfully light the fire.

"Victory!" George raised his hands in celebration. "Human ingenuity has triumphed over complex machinery."

“Now we can start barbecuing,” Lynn said with satisfaction. “I can’t wait to taste the flavors of outdoor barbecue.”

Gwen prepared a generous amount of ingredients: hamburger patties, sausages, corn, and some vegetables. Soon, an enticing aroma began to waft across the lakeside.

“It smells amazing,” Gwen took a deep breath. “Outdoor barbecues just have a special charm.”

“That’s because of the added benefit of fresh air and the natural environment,” George explained as he flipped the hamburger patty. “The same food always tastes better outdoors than indoors.”

Just as they were enjoying their barbecue, another little incident occurred. A squirrel climbed down from a nearby tree, attracted by the aroma of the barbecue, and cautiously approached their picnic area.

“Look, we have guests,” Gwen said softly, pointing to the squirrel.

The squirrel was clever; it kept a safe distance but was clearly very interested in their food. Its little nose kept sniffing the aromas in the air.

“It’s so cute,” Gwen said. “Can we give it some food?”

“It’s best not to,” Lynn advised. “Feeding wild animals might make them dependent on humans, which isn’t good for them.”

“And we don’t know what food is safe for squirrels,” George added.

The squirrel seemed to realize it wouldn't get any food and turned away in disappointment. But a few minutes later, it returned, this time with two companions.

"Looks like the news spreads fast," Lynn laughed. "The whole Squirrel Community knows there's a barbecue here."

The three squirrels observed them from a safe distance, occasionally exchanging a few words, as if discussing the aroma of barbecue.

“They’re so funny,” Gwen couldn’t help but laugh, “like little food critics.”

The barbecue was finally finished, and they enjoyed a delicious outdoor lunch at a picnic table by the lake. Hamburgers, sausages, grilled corn—everything tasted even better than when they ate indoors.

“This is absolutely the best burger I’ve ever had,” Gwen said contentedly. “The magic of the outdoors is incredible.”

“And with such a beautiful view as a backdrop,” Lynn said, looking at the lake, “this is better than any fancy restaurant.”

“That’s the beauty of a simple life,” George remarked. “No complicated arrangements or expensive spending, just family, nature, and simple food.”

After their meal, they lay on a picnic blanket, basking in the warm afternoon sun. A gentle breeze caressed the lake's surface, bringing with it the fresh scent of air and water. The occasional song of birds drifted from afar; everything seemed so peaceful and serene.

“I feel like I could stay here forever,” Gwen said with her eyes closed. “No hospital emergency calls, no traffic noise, just the sounds of nature.”

“I understand that feeling,” Lynn said, closing her eyes to enjoy the sunshine. “Sometimes we get so used to the fast pace of city life that we forget the value of slowing down.”

“That’s why we need vacations like this,” George said. “It reminds us what’s truly important.”

They lay by the lake for about an hour, half-asleep and half-awake, enjoying the tranquility of the afternoon. Occasionally, a gentle breeze would blow, rustling the leaves, and the lake water would lap against the shore; everything was like a peaceful symphony.

Around 3 p.m., they decided to take a walk along the lake. There is a lakeside path that offers different views of the lake.

“How long is this path?” Gwen asked, tying her sneakers.

“About three miles,” George said, checking the map. “Not too long, but enough for us to enjoy all sorts of beautiful scenery.”

They began hiking along the trail. The trail wound through dense forest, occasionally offering views of an open lake. Along the way, they saw various wild animals: more squirrels, a few hares, and various birds.

“Look over there,” Lynn pointed to a black dot on the lake, “what’s that?”

Upon closer inspection, they discovered it was a loon, swimming gracefully on the lake.

“Loons are very rare,” George said excitedly. “We were lucky to see one.”

“Its swimming style is so graceful,” Gwen exclaimed, “much better than ours this morning.”

As they continued their hike, they discovered a small waterfall cascading down the hillside into a lake. The waterfall wasn't large, but it created a beautiful rainbow in the sunlight.

“It’s so beautiful,” Gwen said, taking out her phone to take pictures. “I have to capture this beautiful scene.”

“But photographs can never fully capture the beauty of reality,” Lynn said. “Some things must be felt with the heart.”

“That’s right,” Gwen put down her phone, “Let’s remember this moment with our eyes and our hearts.”

During their hike, they encountered other tourists by the lake. An elderly couple was birdwatching, a family of four was picnicking on the lake, and several young people were paddling canoes. "It seems we're not the only ones who like this place," George observed.

“But it’s big enough to accommodate everyone,” Lynn said, “and everyone respects the environment and each other.”

After their hike, they returned to the cabin in the early evening. The setting sun cast golden rays across the lake.

“Now is the best time to watch the sunset,” George suggested. “We can sit on the pier and watch it.”

They carried three chairs to the dock and sat down quietly to enjoy nature's spectacle. The sun slowly sank, and the sky changed color from blue to orange, then to deep red. The lake, like a mirror, perfectly reflected the colors of the sky.

“This is absolutely the most beautiful sunset I’ve ever seen,” Gwen said softly, as if afraid that speaking loudly would spoil the beauty.

“Every sunset is unique,” ​​George wisely stated, “just like every day of life, it has its own unique beauty.”

“I think I’m starting to understand why you always emphasize the importance of a simple life, Dad,” Lynn said with emotion. “This kind of beauty can’t be bought with money.”

They reluctantly returned to their cabin only when the sun had completely set and the stars began to appear in the sky.

“Today was a perfect day,” Gwen concluded. “Even though we didn’t go fishing, we experienced so many wonderful things.”

“Tomorrow we’ll get our fishing licenses and then begin the real fishing adventure,” George planned, “but today is certainly a perfect start.”

At night, they chatted by the fireplace in the cabin, sharing their feelings and memories of the day. The lake outside sparkled in the moonlight, and everything seemed so peaceful and beautiful.

“I’m already looking forward to tomorrow,” Lynn said. “If the first day is this wonderful, the next few days are sure to be even more amazing.”

“That’s the real meaning of a vacation,” George said contentedly. “It’s not about escaping life, but about rediscovering its beauty.”

The next morning, Lynn awoke to the sound of birdsong. Through the cabin window, he watched the mist rising from the lake slowly dissipate in the morning sun, a scene of breathtaking beauty. The fatigue from yesterday's swim had completely vanished, replaced by a long-lost sense of refreshment.

"Good morning," George said, already preparing breakfast in the kitchen. "How did you sleep?"

“Excellent,” Lynn stretched. “The air in the mountains is magical; I feel so energized.”

“That’s the power of nature,” George said with a smile. “What’s the plan for today? Go to town to get a fishing license?”

“I’d like to go hiking first,” Lynn said, looking out at the mountains. “Yesterday when I was hiking, I noticed a trail that looked quite challenging.”

"Hiking?" Gwen yawned as she came out of the room. "Sounds good, shall we go together?"

“You can continue to rest,” Lynn said. “I want to go hiking by myself and enjoy some quiet time to think. We can go get the fishing license together this afternoon.”

"Is it safe to hike alone?" Gwen asked worriedly. "What if you get lost?"

“I’ll bring a map and a compass,” Lynn reassured her, “and I have extensive experience in the wild. More importantly, I’ll tell you my specific route and estimated return time.”

“Alright then,” George nodded in agreement, “but you must promise us you’ll be back by 3 p.m. If you don’t return on time, we’ll contact the rescue team.”

“Deal,” Lynn promised. “I’ll be very careful.”

After breakfast, Lynn prepared his hiking gear: plenty of water, energy bars, a first-aid kit, a map, a compass, and an emergency communication device. Although he wanted to escape the hustle and bustle of the city, basic safety precautions were still necessary.

“Remember, stay on the main trail and don’t stray from the route,” George reminded him again. “The weather in the mountains changes quickly; if it starts to rain or get foggy, turn back immediately.”

“I know, Dad,” Lynn hugged George and Gwen, “you can relax by the lake, maybe read a book, and enjoy a peaceful morning.”

At eight o'clock in the morning, Lynn began his hiking trip. The trailhead was about ten minutes away from the cabin; it was a well-marked trail that looked very well maintained.

The initial stretch of the path was relatively gentle, winding through a dense pine forest. Lynn slowly adjusted his breathing and pace, enjoying the feeling of walking alone in nature. The air in the forest was fresh and moist, with squirrels occasionally leaping among the branches and birds singing in the woods.

As the altitude increased, the trail began to steepen. Lynn started to feel the challenge of mountain climbing, but this physical exertion made him feel fulfilled and satisfied. His work at the FBI, while often requiring physical exertion, had a completely different tension and pressure compared to the purely physical challenge he was now facing.

An hour later, Lynn reached his first rest stop, a rocky platform overlooking the lake. From this vantage point, Mirror Lake looked even more beautiful, like a sapphire nestled among the mountains. He could see the distant cabins and George and Gwen on the dock.

"The scenery is truly magnificent," Lynn muttered to himself, taking out his water bottle to rehydrate.

As you continue climbing, the trail becomes even more rugged. The forest here is more pristine, the trees are taller, and the ground is covered with a thick layer of fallen leaves and moss. Occasionally, the sound of flowing water can be heard in the distance—the sound of a mountain stream flowing through the rocks.

Another hour passed, and Lynn had ventured deep into the heart of the mountains. The trails were still clear, but the surrounding environment had become wilder and more pristine. He began to understand why this place was called a wilderness reserve—it truly preserved nature in its most untouched state.

Just then, Lynn heard some unusual sounds. Not birdsong or the wind, but human voices?

He stopped and listened carefully. It was indeed a human voice, and it sounded excited, even somewhat panicked.

"Help! Is anyone there? Help!"

The sound came from the dense forest ahead, about fifty meters from the trail. Lynn immediately became alert. Although he was on leave, years of FBI training had made him instinctively sensitive to any unusual situation.

Lynn carefully left the trail and moved towards the direction the sound came from. He tried to remain silent, unsure of what lay ahead. The forest was dense, greatly limiting visibility, but the sound grew clearer and clearer.

"Please, wake up! Don't die!"

This was definitely not the sound of an ordinary climber encountering difficulties. Lynn quickened his pace, remaining vigilant.

After passing through a particularly dense thicket of bushes, Lynn spotted the source of the sound, a sight that immediately put him to work.

In a small clearing, a middle-aged man dressed in camouflage, who looked like a hunter, was kneeling on the ground, holding a woman in his arms. The woman was wearing hiking gear, but her clothes were covered in blood. The hunter kept shaking the woman, repeatedly saying, "Wake up, please wake up."

Lynn's first reaction was to immediately assess the situation. The woman was clearly seriously injured and needed medical attention. But at the same time, the scene was also suspicious—a hunter carrying an injured woman in the middle of nowhere was statistically unlikely to be a coincidence. (End of Chapter)