Arya studied Lin Yu'an's unusually grave expression and felt her heart tighten. She nodded. "Go ahead, Lin. I'm listening." She sensed whatever he was about to say mattered.
Lin Yu'an guided her to the sofa, steadied his breathing, and tried to make his voice sound calm. "Arya, I saw a TV show about a wilderness survival challenge. The winner gets one million dollars."
He kept his tone steady while watching her closely. One million dollars made Arya's pupils shrink. She knew what that sum could mean: it could erase their immediate financial worries and maybe let them buy a house in Austin, giving their children a stable place to grow up. But the words wilderness survival also made her chest tighten. Having grown up in Montana, she understood how dangerous the wild could be.
"That show? The one you always watch?" she asked, frowning. Unease trembled in her voice. "Isn't that really dangerous? Honey, you-"
Lin Yu'an took her hand and held it tightly. "Yes, it's that show. I know this sounds crazy. I know you're pregnant and need me here. But one million dollars would solve so much. With it, we wouldn't worry about rent. We could buy the best formula and diapers, and maybe a home of our own. I don't want you and the babies to struggle because of me."
He paused, then spoke with resolution. "I've learned a lot from watching the show- how to build shelter, find food, handle wild animals- and from my time living alone in remote areas before. I'll be careful. The production provides basic medical support and an emergency extraction mechanism. If I can't continue safely, I'll withdraw. The prize matters, but it's not worth risking your safety or the babies'."
Arya listened quietly, fingers rubbing back and forth across his palm. When he finished, silence settled for a few long moments. Her eyes were wet when she looked up. "Lin, are you sure? The wilderness can be brutal- bears, wolves, mountain lions. What if-" Her voice trembled. "I don't know how I'll live without you. The babies need their father."
Her worry was a knife at Lin Yu'an's heart. He rested his chin on her head and spoke softly. "I know. I'm terrified, too. But I value my life precisely because I want to be there for you and the kids. I won't do anything reckless. If it's too dangerous, I'll quit. You and the babies come first."
She nodded but did not immediately let go. She understood that he was doing this for their family, yet the thought of him facing the unknown alone tightened her chest. Finally she raised her head, tears welling but her expression steadying.
"If you really decide to go," she said through a sob, "I support you. But promise me you'll always put your safety first. Promise you'll come back. The babies and I will wait for you."
Lin Yu'an gripped her hand and said solemnly, "I promise. I swear."
Her support steadied him more than anything else. With Arya's blessing, he sprang into action. The registration deadline for Alone in the Wild Season 8 was less than a week away. First he prepared Arya for life while he would be gone. He transferred nearly all their remaining savings from his part‑time earnings- about ten thousand dollars- to their joint account so Arya would be financially secure.
Then he began his application. He carefully filled out the form, weighing how to present his skills. The skills section required proficiency in shelter building, foraging, trap making, and wilderness first aid. In the motivation essay he wrote from the heart: For my beloved wife and our unborn twins. I want to win a better life for them through my own effort. I believe I can endure.
He also attached a news link about the supermarket incident to demonstrate his determination and the public interest surrounding him. Next came the skills demo video. There was no pristine wilderness near Austin, so he rented a private farm and filmed himself building shelters, starting fires, and demonstrating foraging and basic first aid. After editing the footage he submitted it on the program's official site.
Then came the wait. Just as Lin Yu'an prepared to consider other options, an email from Alone in the Wild appeared in his inbox.
"Mr. Lin Yu'an, congratulations. Your application has passed preliminary review. We are interested in your background and potential. Please be available for an online interview in the next 48 hours. Good luck. Alone in the Wild production team."
His heart leapt. Excitement and a new kind of pressure surged through him. The golden opportunity had arrived.