American Landowners: Starting with Hunting in Alaska

She looked Su Wei up and down several times, and only after confirming that he had all his limbs intact and no wounds on his body did she finally relax completely.

My shoulders, which had been tense, slumped down, and the last bit of strength I had been holding on dissipated.

"God bless……"

Emily leaned her weight on her cane and let out a long breath.

"I was just on the phone with the police."

"If I still haven't heard from you, I'm prepared to ask them to send a helicopter into the mountains for a search and rescue."

As she spoke, she held up her phone, its screen still lit up.

The number displayed above is the Kodiak Police Department's emergency hotline; all that's left is to press the call button.

This girl is serious.

Su Wei had been slowly recounting his repair stories, but now he stopped, feeling a warmth in his heart.

Regardless of his past or present life, he was used to being alone.

Therefore, when people were worried about him because of his disappearance, it felt both strange and warm to him.

"I'm sorry I made you worry."

Suwei's voice softened.

"The blizzard was so heavy that the cell tower broke, and I was only just able to get out."

"Sit down, don't stand in the wind."

Emily sidestepped to make way, her movements somewhat clumsy.

Su Wei followed him over.

This is a typical studio apartment in a small town.

It's not very big, only about forty square meters.

The furniture was scarce, even rudimentary.

A folding dining table, two chairs, and several unopened cardboard boxes piled in the corner made the place look a bit messy.

The only place that felt like home was the bed by the window, where the blankets were crumpled up in a mess, and the bedside table was piled with books and several empty medicine bottles.

There was a faint smell of disinfectant in the air, mixed with the fermenting smell of expired bread.

That's really terrible.

Su Wei's gaze swept across the dining table.

On top was a half-empty bag of dry, hard sliced ​​whole wheat bread, and next to it was a bottle of cold water that was almost empty.

They didn't even have a decent cup; they just blew straight from the bottle.

This is what a wounded soldier has been eating these past few days.

"You're just going to eat this?"

Suwei pointed to the things on the table.

Emily awkwardly hid the bread bag behind her back, a faint, unnatural blush rising on her pale face.

"Well... actually, it's not that bad."

She tried to save face.

"Besides, I didn't move around much, so I didn't burn much energy and I'm not very hungry."

Gollum—

A long and loud protest came out of her abdomen, showing no mercy.

The air froze for two seconds.

Emily closed her eyes in despair and buried her face in her hands.

The scene of the social death.

"Alright."

Su Wei couldn't help but laugh.

"Stop hiding. Just wait."

He unzipped the jacket on his chest completely.

"Eek!"

The long-awaited marshmallow sprang out like a spring, landing lightly on Emily's uninjured leg, then snuggled into her arms and expertly found a comfortable spot to lie down.

The furry touch and warm body temperature instantly enveloped Emily.

"Marshmallow!"

Emily exclaimed in surprise, forgetting her embarrassment, and hugged the little fox tightly, burying her face in its soft neck fur and rubbing against it a few times.

"My goodness, you're such a little heater!"

Marshmallow was clearly enjoying the beautiful woman's embrace, his eyes half-closed, making gurgling sounds in his throat, and his fluffy tail was still sweeping back and forth on Emily's arm.

This guy is an arrogant old man in front of Su Wei, but an absolute sweetheart in front of Emily.

That's a huge double standard.

Su Wei placed a waterproof bag he was carrying on the table.

"Here are some dried meat strips and two cans of food."

Su Wei checked the time.

"I need to go to the Fish and Hunting Bureau now."

"I'll make you that braised pork when I get back from taking care of my business."

"The Fisheries and Hunting Bureau?"

Emily looked up, her fingers still unconsciously combing the fox fur.

"What are you doing there?"

"They're probably busy dealing with complaints about wild animals wandering into town right now."

"research."

Su Wei's words were concise and to the point.

"Whether it's a brown bear or a red deer, without a professional hunter's license, those hat-wearing guys will fine me so badly I won't even have my underwear left."

In this world, the Bureau of Fishing and Hunting wields astonishing power.

The consequences of illegal hunting are not as simple as fines; in serious cases, it can lead to imprisonment.

Although Su Wei now has a cheat code, legally he is still a novice with only an amateur certificate.

If you want to legally make some money this winter, that certificate is the hurdle you must overcome.

"Professional Hunter Qualification Examination?"

Emily paused for a moment, then became somewhat serious.

"Suwei, that's very difficult."

"Moreover, it's currently the mountain closure period, so the examiners will definitely make things difficult on purpose, especially that examiner named Blake, who is notoriously cold-hearted."

"I know."

Su Wei nodded, his voice flat and unresponsive.

"But once I pass the test, I can legitimately enter the mountains."

"Those red deer and brown bears are my bank repayment receipts."

Emily looked at him.

The man in front of me was wearing a slightly worn dark windproof jacket, and his stubble was heavier than the last time I saw him, but his whole aura had changed.

If the Soviet Union in the past was silent and reserved.

So now he is like a sharpened hunting knife.

Although it's still in its sheath, its sharpness is already undeniable.

This change made her feel unfamiliar, yet inexplicably at ease.

"Then be careful."

Emily didn't try to dissuade her further, but simply gave her some gentle advice.

"Don't argue with that Blake, he's petty."

"Don't worry, I'm going to take an exam, not to fight."

"You can have the marshmallows for now."

Suwei pointed to the fox that was nestled in Emily's arms and wouldn't move.

"The Fisheries and Game Bureau does not allow pets."

"It's quite well-behaved; it should be able to keep you entertained."

"You said it, you can't go back on your word!"

Emily immediately hugged the woolen ball in her arms tightly, as if afraid that Suwei would snatch it back.

"It's my temporary roommate now."

Su Wei smiled, turned and walked towards the door.

He paused as his hand rested on the doorknob, then turned to look at Emily.

The girl was sitting in a chair, holding a white fox in her arms, with a vast expanse of white snow outside the window behind her.

This scene was much more pleasing to the eye than the pitiful bread and cold water.

"Be patient."

Su Wei left out a sentence.

"I'll treat you to something hot tonight."

After saying that, he opened the door and strode out.

The security door was closed.

The footsteps gradually faded into the distance.

Emily hugged the cotton candy, staring blankly at the doorway. After a long while, she buried her face in the fox fur.

"You heard that too, didn't you, Marshmallow?"

She muttered to herself.

"He said there would be hot meat for dinner..."

"Should I believe him, or should I cook you, my backup plan, first?"

Marshmallow:"???"

……

Go back downstairs.

A gust of cold wind blew, and Su Wei's smiling face quickly constricted, turning into a calm expression.

He got on the snowmobile and started it.

The engine roared.

Suwei did not set off immediately.

He pulled out the map he had prepared beforehand from his pocket, his gaze fixed on a mark at the other end of the town.

Kodiak Island Fish and Game Bureau Office.

It is also the location of the Hunter's Guild branch on Kodiak Island, Alaska.

It was a red brick building, and there were always several dark green patrol cars parked in front of it.

It is also the true power structure on the island, holding the power of life and death over all hunters.

But for Suwei, it was a tollbooth on the road to wealth.

To survive this cruel winter and to move that mountain of $160,000 in debt, this is the first step that must be taken.

Su Wei put on his goggles, concealing the fleeting glint in his eyes.

Twist the accelerator all the way to the floor.

The snowmobile roared, its front end jerked up, and like a wild horse, it galloped wildly toward the end of the street.

with a clear purpose.

The hunt has begun.