usatvline Chapter 432 25 Days of Non-Stop Work
Chapter 432 25 Days of Non-Stop Work
Chapter 432 25 Days of Non-Stop Work
Before Lin Yu'an could even respond, a slightly hurried yet controlling voice interrupted.
"The first mate is certainly important, but Captain, I think you also need a navigator who can help you avoid the reefs and, incidentally, fill the hold with gold."
Scout Braun walked over with a glass of soda and his signature professional fake smile.
This top Hollywood agent has eyes as sharp as an eagle's, scanning the surrounding "sharks" with a guarded, predatory look.
"Scooter," Lin Yu'an said with a smile, clinking glasses with him. "I thought you were busy negotiating with Victoria's Secret about next season's opening show."
"That's for next week. Tonight, I'll serve you only."
Scout leaned closer to Lin Yu'an, lowered his voice, and said with a hint of tacit understanding and smugness that only the two of them could understand, "Remember those tech stock options you told me to buy with all my funds?"
Lin Yu'an raised an eyebrow: "Nvidia?"
"Bingo." Scout snapped his fingers. "While you were still rolling around in the snow in Greenland over that musk ox, the return on that investment has already exceeded 180% by the close of trading last night!"
Raven, who had overheard everything, smiled and released Lin Yu'an's arm: "Alright, it seems the navigator is going to take over the cockpit. I'll go over there and chat with Melissa and the others. You two talk business."
"Thank you for your understanding, beautiful lady." Scout gave a polite bow.
The moment Raven left, Scout's demeanor changed instantly. He was no longer the easygoing friend he once was, but a high-speed business machine.
"Follow me, Lin. Tonight, anyone in this hall with a net worth of less than one hundred million US dollars isn't worth even a second of your spittle."
"By the way, the negotiations with Mercedes fell through; they're not interested in sponsoring the sailing project. But I've heard that their market has been constantly squeezed by trams. So the budget..."
Scout was like an icebreaker, carrying Lin Yu-an precisely through the crowded world of fame and fortune.
"That's the CEO of LVMH North America. He's been very interested in your image for a long time. Louis Vuitton is looking for a new face that can represent the 'spirit of travel.'"
"That bald guy on the left, that's Peter Thiel from Silicon Valley, a fan of yours. He's fascinated by your survival strategies in extreme environments and wants to invite you to a closed-door seminar on his private island about the future of humanity. It's an excellent springboard into the top tech circles."
"And over there—"
Through Scout's introduction, Lin Yu'an was no longer meeting those minor figures tonight, but rather industry giants who truly controlled capital and resources.
The way they looked at Lin Yu-an was no longer just curiosity about an "internet celebrity" or "champion," but rather scrutiny and desire for a "super IP" with immense commercial value.
Just as Scout was about to take Lin Yu'an to meet a Wall Street tycoon, a burly, bearded, and wild-looking middle-aged man suddenly blocked their way.
"Lin! I'm so glad to see you!"
The man wasn't wearing a tuxedo, but rather a high-quality hunting jacket, which made him stand out from his surroundings, yet exuded a powerful aura.
"I am David Burnett." The man extended a pair of rough, large hands, his eyes gleaming with fervor. "Executive producer of The Survivor and Man vs. Wild series."
Upon hearing this name, Lin Yu'an's eyes flickered slightly. In the outdoor community, this was a godfather-like figure.
"I've heard so much about you." Lin Yu'an grasped his hand.
"Listen, Lin, I don't like beating around the bush." David Burnett was clearly an impatient man; he pulled out a tablet and opened a map.
It was a satellite image of the African continent, marked with a red skull.
"We are planning an unprecedented project – Wilderness Solitude: Global Battle for Supremacy. The location is not the mild rainforest of Vancouver, nor Patagonia."
He pointed heavily on the map: "It's here—deep in the Congo Basin, or on the edge of the Serengeti."
"No fences, no safety officers, just the real lions, hyenas, crocodiles, and the deadly black mamba."
David's voice was full of fervor: "We're going to invite the top survival experts from ten countries around the world. Roland from the United States, Jordan from Canada, the King of the Jungle from Australia—and of course, you, the champion from China."
"Imagine the scene, Lin. This isn't a competition, it's a gladiatorial arena! We're going to decide who truly reigns supreme at the top of the food chain on this planet! The sole winner will take home ten million US dollars in cash!"
"I know you're not short of money, but you're short of rivals, aren't you? You need that adrenaline-pumping thrill!"
Lin Yu'an had to admit that his heart did indeed pound violently a few times for a moment.
Africa. A land teeming with primal wildness and carnage. Compared to the frigid Arctic Circle, it possesses a far more complex and deadly ecosystem.
This pure and challenging invitation held a fatal attraction for Lin Yu-an.
"It sounds like—" Lin Yu'an was about to express his interest.
A hand suddenly slid in and pressed down on the tablet computer in David Burnett's hand.
"That certainly sounds like a great idea, Mr. Burnett."
Scout's smile remained unchanged. "However, please forgive my bluntness—the current Lin Yu'an is no longer the kind of athlete who can wrestle with crocodiles in a mud pit."
David Burnett paused, his expression changing slightly: "Scooter, this is a global live broadcast! It's—"
“Yes, I know that’s a huge amount of traffic,” Scout interrupted him bluntly. “But we have different plans for it.”
Scout turned around, blocking Lin Yu'an and David's eye contact with his back, then took out a gold-embossed business card and stuffed it into David's jacket pocket.
"If you are truly sincere, Mr. Burnett, please have your team bring a detailed proposal, a security assessment report, and a list of sponsors to my office in Los Angeles next Tuesday at 10 a.m. to discuss this further."
"This is an awards banquet, not a casting call. Excuse me."
After saying that, Scout didn't give the other party a chance to react and pulled Lin Yu'an towards the VIP lounge on the second floor.
"Why are you stopping me?" Lin Yu'an asked, somewhat puzzled, once they reached the empty terrace. "I think that project is quite interesting."
Scout loosened his tie, took two glasses of whiskey from the waiter's tray, handed one to Lin Yu'an, and then looked at him with a disappointed expression.
"Lin, my great artist, my knight explorer!" Scout sighed. "Haven't you realized it yet? Your identity has changed."
He pointed to the crowd downstairs who were still looking up at them.
"Two years ago, you were a contestant who had to eat squirrels and starve yourself to gain attention. Back then, you needed to prove yourself; you needed that championship title."
"But now? Look at the trophy in your hand! You're a Guinness World Record holder, a double IGFA Grand Prix winner, and the hero who conquered Greenland!"
Scout took a sip of his drink, his tone turning serious: "In this world, the hierarchy is very strict. The wrestlers are gladiators who roll around in the mud for entertainment!"
"And you should be sitting in the stands now, or as a special guest or mentor, commenting on their performances."
"Asking you to compete against those so-called survival experts? That would be beneath you!"
"What if you contract malaria in Africa, or get bitten by a venomous snake? What will happen to all those multi-million dollar endorsement contracts you haven't signed yet?"
"And," Scout sneered, "that David has a good plan. He wants to use your current global popularity to promote his new show."
"Ten million US dollars? Do you know how much you could earn in a month if you didn't go to Africa and just stayed in a studio shooting a few 'GG' movies?"
Lin Yu'an fell silent.
He had always considered himself a pure wilderness hunter, but Scout's words reminded him that in this commercial society, he had long been a huge commercial symbol.
"I know you yearn for the wildness of Africa," Scout said, his tone softening as he saw through his thoughts. "If you really want to go, we can find another way."
"Not as a contestant, but as a producer, or as the subject of an independent documentary invited by Discovery."
"We can assemble a top-notch team, with the best security and medical support, to let you go to Africa and shoot an epic film that is all yours alone."
"You can go lion hunting, you can go elephant tracking, you can do whatever you want, instead of acting in some damn 'Hunger Games' for that show."
"That's the power of capital, Lin. Learn to use it, instead of being consumed by it."
Lin Yu'an raised her glass and clinked it against Scout's: "You're right."
"I'm glad you're sober." Scout downed his drink in one gulp, then pulled a thickly folded notebook from his suit pocket.
A capitalist's smile appeared on his face: "Now that you're clear-headed, let's talk about what's going to happen this month."
Lin Yu'an looked at the notebook and suddenly had a bad feeling: "————What is this?"
"This is your debt repayment list." Scout opened the notebook, and the densely packed schedule was dizzying.
"Lin, I know you've had a lot of fun these past few months. First, you bought a sailboat and cosplayed as a Pirates of the Caribbean, and then you went to the Arctic Circle to live like a savage without warning."
"Your phone is off, and you don't reply to emails. Do you know how I've been shielding you from those crazy brands these past few months?"
Scout spoke while tapping the itinerary with his finger, his tone filled with the satisfaction of settling scores later.
"This is a debt you owe, and it's time to pay it back. Get back to work, my big star. Your vacation officially ends tomorrow morning at eight o'clock."
"First, there's the joint cover shoot for Vogue and GQ, themed 'Gentlemen and Beasts,' with photographer Annie Leibovitz. She's only available tomorrow or the day after, and you have to be there. It's about your status in the fashion world."
"Then, there's the signing ceremony for your global endorsement contract with Ulysse Nardin. They've commissioned a limited-edition 'Freak' watch for you, and you'll need to film a TV commercial. This is a multi-million dollar deal, with hefty penalties for breaking it off, so don't even think about backing out."
"Next, the Jimmy Fallon Show and the Ellen Show. You need to talk about your story in Greenland; that's a necessary way to maintain public interest."
"Also, Mercedes-Benz is making its global debut with the electric G-Class, and they specifically asked you to be there because your tough image and off-road spirit are a perfect match."
"And—" Scout turned a page and continued reading, "there are also three overseas promotional shoots for domestic brands, which we have to give them face."
Lin Yu'an felt a chill run down his spine: "Wait, Scout, all of this—has to be completed within a month?"
"To be precise, it's 25 days." Scout closed his notebook, grinning like a cunning old fox. "Because the remaining 5..."
"Oh, I've given you time to deal with your family issues."
"I think you need some time to reassure your other family members. But be careful not to get photographed by paparazzi."
Lin Yu'an gave a wry smile.
"Get ready, Lin." Scout patted him on the shoulder, his tone teasing but his eyes full of expectation.
"The next month will be more tiring than if you were in the wilderness. But I assure you, after this month, your name will be a billion-dollar superbrand!"
"When the time comes, if you want to go to Africa and buy a national park to travel in, I'll help you negotiate."
Lin Yu'an looked down at the brightly lit banquet hall and then at the ambitious agent beside her, taking a deep breath.
He knew Scout was right.
Having chosen this path, having desired the power to protect everyone, and having wanted to live freely in this world.
Then the rules and costs of these worlds of fame and fortune are the weight he must bear.
"Okay." Lin Yu'an downed the wine in his glass in one gulp, a resolute glint in his eyes.
He ignored Scout, turned and walked through the crowd, heading straight for Raven, who was chatting and laughing with a Vogue editor.
"Excuse me, ma'am, may I borrow your room for half an hour?"
Raven was a little surprised, but immediately understood. "Of course, my captain."
She gracefully bid farewell to the editor-in-chief, letting Lin Yu'an pull her along, and left this bustling, high-society world without looking back.
The two did not return to the hotel, nor did they go to any upscale restaurants.
Lin Yu-an had the driver take the car to the South Point Park Pier, a place far from the noise of tourists, where only late-night anglers and tireless waves could be seen.
They took off their expensive shoes and walked barefoot on the cool sand.
Lin Yu'an took off the dress jacket that was mixed with blue diamond powder and casually draped it over her shoulders, while Raven held up the shimmering fishtail skirt.
They bought two steaming hot Cuban sandwiches and chilled Materva soda from a 24-hour Cuban food truck.
Sitting on the breakwater, enjoying the salty sea breeze and listening to the distant ship horns, we devoured this "late-night snack," a stark contrast to the exquisite dishes served at dinner.
"This is much better than the caviar and foie gras we had before." Raven sighed contentedly and gently rested her head on Lin Yu'an's shoulder.
"I still prefer you like this." Lin Yu'an looked at her hair, which was ruffled by the sea breeze, "wearing beach shorts instead of an evening gown."
"Me too." Raven's voice was a little muffled. "But I know that starting tomorrow, days like this might be a long time from now."
Lin Yu'an didn't say anything, but tightened his arms and hugged her even tighter.
The tranquility that follows the fading of prosperity is always fleeting.
As the first rays of sunlight streamed through the floor-to-ceiling windows of the W Hotel's top-floor suite, bathing the room in a warm golden glow, the room was bathed in light.
This eight-hour "vacation" was ruthlessly ended by a sharp and forceful doorbell ring.
The time was exactly eight o'clock in the morning, not a second off.
Lin Yu'an opened his eyes, looked at Raven who was still fast asleep in his arms, and sighed helplessly. He knew that Scout's "tyrant" moment had arrived.
He quietly got up, wearing only a bath towel, and went to open the door.
Standing outside the door was a woman who looked to be in her mid-twenties, wearing a sharp black suit skirt, gold-rimmed glasses, and her hair neatly combed into a bun.
Her expression was as calm as an artificial intelligence, with no superfluous emotion in her eyes.
"Good morning, Mr. Lin. I'm Chloe, Mr. Scout's executive assistant," she reported in a flat tone.
Behind her was a whole team—makeup artist, hairstylist, costume designer, and even a chef in charge of nutritional meals and a physical recovery therapist.
Pushing various equipment and food carts, they entered the room, which had been filled with the enchanting spring scenery not long ago, quietly and efficiently, like a well-trained special forces unit.