TopAppnovel Chapter 404 A Market at the US Military Base
Chapter 404 A Market at the US Military Base
Chapter 404 A Market at the US Military Base (Seeking Monthly Tickets)
Before heading to the military base steeped in Cold War history, Lin Yu'an stood alone on the balcony of his new home, making a phone call.
The moment the call connected, that familiar voice, tinged with a touch of languor and sweetness, traveled thousands of kilometers to reach me.
"Hi~ Honey, did you miss us?"
It was Arya. Even through the static, her gentle voice was as comforting as the Texas sunshine.
"It's me, darling." Lin Yu'an's voice softened unconsciously. "I'm sorry, the cell towers in Greenland are intermittent, so I haven't been able to contact you."
"It's alright, as long as you're safe," Arya said gently. "Ethan and Olivia just fell asleep. The two little ones are crawling around really fast now. Yesterday, Ethan even tried to catch the tail end of December."
"December? How's that little guy?" Lin Yu'an asked about the polar bear cub he had rescued, which should be almost seven months old now.
A cheerful voice came from the other end of the phone: "Ha! Don't even mention it! That guy's almost 150 pounds now!"
"It still thinks it's a baby. I think the Anchorage enclosure is about to burst its belly."
Before Lin Yu'an could speak, McCorz changed the subject, his tone revealing a capable air that reassured Lin Yu'an.
"Fortunately, I wasn't just watching it destroy things. I've been keeping an eye on the construction plans for the Arctic Pavilion during this time."
"The Chinese factory is very efficient. According to the latest schedule sent yesterday, all the heavy prefabricated components are expected to be completed in July."
McCormick flipped through the documents on the other end of the line. "These big guys will be shipped across the Pacific in containers and transported directly to our ranch in Montana for assembly."
"If we just get through this summer, and then in the fall, we'll have our own real private property in Montana in December."
"Thank you for your hard work, McCormick." Lin Yu'an couldn't help but praise him. Having a capable wife at home really makes things easier. "I'll arrange the reception in Montana."
"By the way, what about Amber? How's that Siberian tiger? Did December bully it?"
McCormick's voice lacked the competence he had displayed when discussing work, and instead carried a hint of helplessness and amusement.
"Amber—it's five months old now, growing very fast, and already weighs nearly eighty pounds. Although it looks majestic, but—"
McCormick sighed, his tone tinged with regret: "The consequences of inbreeding are already beginning to show."
It's more obvious than when it was a puppy.
"Its intelligence is clearly not high, you could even say it's a bit... dull. It learns things very slowly, and its eyes are always fixed on the surface, completely lacking the domineering presence that a king of the forest should have."
"Moreover, it is incredibly timid. Any sudden noise can frighten this 80-pound tiger so much that it will tuck its tail between its legs and scramble into a corner."
"It's completely out of its mind right now, relying solely on December and clinging to it excessively."
"Wherever Gan Eryue goes, it follows, like a silly little follower. When it sleeps, it can only fall asleep snuggled in December's arms."
Lin Yu'an felt a slight sinking feeling in his heart after hearing this, but also a sense of helplessness. This was a sin committed by humankind; the genetic lock of inbreeding was difficult to break.
"As long as it's healthy, it doesn't matter if it's a little silly, we can afford to raise it anyway."
Lin Yu'an gave a wry smile. "A Siberian tiger and a polar bear living in peace—if this scene got out, I doubt anyone would believe it."
"Yeah," McCormick chuckled, "but having my silly little brother around makes December quite enjoyable."
They would even save the seal meat they couldn't finish for Amber.
Finally, the phone reached Emily's hands.
As an expectant mother, her voice always exudes an intellectual calmness and a comforting power.
"Honey, my prenatal checkup went smoothly. My due date is still three months away, so you don't need to rush back. Focus on your career first."
Lin Yu'an suppressed his smile and solemnly promised, "No, darling, I'll set off as soon as I've finished dealing with these trivial matters here."
"I promise I will be back in Anchorage a month before you give birth, that is, before June."
I won't miss the birth of my child.
"And—" Lin Yu'an glanced at the beautiful cliffside wooden house behind him, his eyes gleaming, "When I get back, I have a huge plan to discuss with you."
"Okay, we'll wait for you."
Lin Yu'an breathed a sigh of relief after hanging up the phone.
His attachment to Alaska strengthened his resolve to establish an "outpost" on this icy plain.
He put away his phone, turned around, and walked down to the terrace.
Downstairs, Odak had already loaded the truck, and the twelve Greenland dogs that had made great contributions to the competition were sitting obediently in their carriers.
"Let's go, Lin! The plane is already waiting for us at the airport. We need to fly back to Karnak first."
In the afternoon, on the sea ice of Karnak.
When Lin Yu'an and Audak finished preparing their equipment and stood once again on the ice field at the edge of Kanak, the scene before them gave even the well-traveled Lin Yu'an a sense of primal awe.
This was no longer a lone hunter's operation, nor was it an ordinary caravan.
This is a tribal expeditionary force.
As far as the eye could see, the ice field, which had usually been deathly still and white for the past few months, was now covered with dense—
Dense black dots.
The total population of Karnak and its surrounding areas, including Siorapaluk, the world's northernmost natural village, is only about 800.
But today, almost all able-bodied men with professional hunter status, and even some healthy retired elderly people, have joined in.
More than fifty heavy sleds, fully loaded with goods, converged on the ice, forming two long columns.
The simultaneous roars of over six hundred Greenland hounds still created a terrifying sonic wave.
The voice was deep and resonant, like a subwoofer made up of countless throats, making the sea ice beneath our feet tremble slightly.
Each sled was piled high with straw ropes, tightly bound together.
Bundles of pristine white Arctic fox pelts gleamed silver in the sunlight; a whole, unprocessed narwhal tooth was stuck diagonally at the top of the cargo pile like a spear.
Women handcraft sealskin boots, and even whole Greenland halibut.
This is the wealth they've accumulated throughout the winter, the bargaining chip they risked their lives for in the blizzards of the polar night. And today, they're going to exchange it for the resources of modern civilization.
As the most respected old hunter in the village, and a rising star who had just won second place in the island championship, Odak naturally took the lead position.
Today he wore his finest Anorak suit, with a gleaming hunting knife at his waist, and brandished the long whip that symbolized his command with great flair.
"Listen up, guys!" Odak yelled back at the convoy behind him.
"Today is an American holiday, and it's our holiday too! We're going to empty their supermarkets! Let these Americans know how tough Greenland's products really are!"
"Let's go! Destination: Pitufik (Thule)!"
"Huk!!!"
At a command, dozens of long whips exploded in the air almost simultaneously, crackling like firecrackers during the New Year.
The massive convoy began to move.
The roar of sleds scraping against the ice resounded through the sky as this vast, primitive expeditionary force charged southward along the frozen coastline, a hundred kilometers away.
But this was not a forced march; it was a long road trip on the ice.
Since it was a holiday, everyone was very relaxed.
The sled dogs maintained a light, quick trot, keeping their speed at around ten kilometers per hour. This was a pace at which they could run all day without getting tired.
A journey of 100 kilometers across the ice is an unimaginable ordeal for ordinary people, but for these hunters, it's just a visit to a neighboring village.
Lin Yu-an piloted his "Mars" team, closely following behind Odak. Noah did not come; she was still settling into her new home.
Odak didn't even bother to stand up and crack the whip. He lay comfortably half-reclined in the back of the cart piled high with fox furs, holding a thermos and occasionally sipping hot coffee.
"Lin, do you know?" While taking a break to feed the dog, Odak pointed to the area ahead, his tone becoming somewhat complicated.
"That place—that was actually our original home."
"Yes, I know." Lin Yu'an handed Audak a cigar.
"Before 1953, Kanak didn't exist. Our ancestors lived in a place called Umanak, which is where the U.S. base is now located."
Audak lit a cigar, took a deep drag, and exhaled. "That's the best harbor in this area, with the most walruses and even a freshwater river."
"But then the Cold War began. The Americans came, and the Danes gave in."
"They said they wanted to build a radar to monitor the Russian nuclear missiles. We had to move more than 100 kilometers north to get to where we are now in Kanak."
"So, this isn't just a transaction. It's also a kind of coming home." Even though home has become a concrete runway and a radar station.
"But every year at this time, we have to come back and see. To tell those Americans that we're still here, that we're not all dead."
Looking at the team in front of him, Lin Yu'an understood that this was not just a commercial activity, but a cultural pilgrimage filled with memories of blood and tears.
They are asserting their sovereignty over this land in the most primitive way.
Eight hours later, at the gate of Thule Air Base.
When that legendary behemoth finally appeared on the horizon, the absurd feeling of temporal and spatial disorientation reached its peak.
The first thing that catches the eye is a massive, breathtaking BMEWS (Ballistic Missile Early Warning System) phased array radar.
It was a tall, silver metal wall, at least ten stories high and several hundred meters wide, like a giant eye from outer space, staring intently at the northern polar sky.
It stands on the wasteland, filled with the grand and cold violent aesthetics of the Cold War era.
At the foot of the radar, in front of this multi-billion dollar technological marvel, stood primitive hunters dressed in sealskin, driving wooden sleds, their faces covered in frost.
This is the most extreme contrast on Earth.
In front of the base's heavy blast-proof iron gate, a team of fully armed U.S. military police (MPs), armed with M4 carbines and wearing sunglasses, stood ready.
Behind them were armored Humvees, with the muzzles of heavy machine guns on their roofs slightly raised.
In normal circumstances, any civilian who gets close to the cordon would be immediately arrested or even shot.
But today, they did not raise their guns or shout at anyone.
On the contrary, the usually serious soldiers were all smiles, and some even took out their phones to excitedly film this spectacular scene.
For these soldiers who were exiled to the ends of the earth, this was also the "festival" they looked forward to the most all year round.
"Welcome back, hunters!"
A U.S. Army colonel in polar camouflage stood atop an armored vehicle, holding a megaphone, and shouted, his voice echoing across the ice field.
As the roadblocks were removed, the massive blast doors slowly slid to the sides.
Amidst the stark contrast, Lin Yu'an piloted his Martian squadron, following Odak, and brazenly stormed into the most heavily guarded military restricted area on the planet, amidst a deafening chorus of barking dogs.
After entering the gate, the ground turned into a clean, shiny black asphalt main road.
Odak was clearly experienced; he didn't foolishly drive the snow onto the asphalt, which would instantly wear out his precious skateboard and make it impossible for the dogs to move.
"Pull over! Walk on the snow line!"
At a command, the massive convoy skillfully drove onto the wide, snow-covered shoulders of the road on both sides.
That was a white path pushed out by snowplows, compacted and smooth, a highway for sleds.
And then a magical scene appeared:
On the black highway in the middle, dark green military Humvees and huge yellow snowplows are driving.
Along the snow belts on both sides of the road, there are primitive dog sled teams stretching for several kilometers.
Modern internal combustion engines and primitive biological engines thus marched side by side into the depths of the base.
A C-17 Globemaster III transport plane and an F-35 fighter jet were parked by the roadside, and were being watched by hundreds of dog paws covered in snow.
U.S. Air Force and Space Force soldiers in uniform stood on the roadside waving.
A grand market about civilization, resources, and desire is about to begin, under the watchful eye of radar.
Inside the base, a temporary market was converted from a huge C-17 transport aircraft hangar.
Odak directed the team to park the sleds in the designated snow area outside the hangar.
Hundreds of dogs were left outside, and the U.S. military thoughtfully provided several huge thawing water tanks for them to drink from.
"Come on! Come inside! My beard is freezing!"
Odak brushed the snow powder off his clothes and, with Lin Yu'an and Pita carrying the cargo, pushed open the small door on the side of the hangar.
"boom--"
A wave of heat, a mixture of the warmth of the heater, the aroma of hot dogs, the sweet smell of popcorn, and the noise of people, instantly hit the face, causing a layer of white fog to form on the lenses of people wearing glasses.
The sight before my eyes was astonishing.
This enormous space, large enough to park two giant transport planes, has now been transformed into a bustling indoor flea market.
High-intensity industrial lights shone overhead, dozens of long tables were neatly arranged, and American soldiers and Inuit hunters mingled together, the sounds of bargaining rising and falling.
"Lin! Come quick! Keep an eye on the stall for me!" Odak found an empty table and dumped the goods he had brought onto it with a "whoosh".
As soon as we set it up, the first customer came.
A burly Black sergeant was holding Odak's finest Arctic fox pelt, stroking it with obvious delight, and speaking gibberish in English.
"What did he say? He's going to give me two bottles of wine?" Odak looked at Lin Yu'an with a blank expression.
Lin Yu'an glanced at the two ordinary bottles of Jack Daniel's in the sergeant's hand.
"Hey, buddy," Lin Yu'an said in fluent American English.
"This fur is top-quality winter fur, without any blemishes. If you take it back to a fur shop in New York, it could sell for at least $800 as a scarf."
"You think you can just trade me two bottles of whiskey that cost $20 at the supermarket? That's really not fair!"
The sergeant was stunned, staring wide-eyed at the man wearing an Inuit sealskin coat.
"Holy shit! You speak English? Or with that damn Texas accent?"
Lin Yu'an smiled and pointed to the backpack behind the sergeant major: "Listen, buddy. I know you guys have good stuff. Don't try to fool us with that cheap liquor that only tastes like alcohol."
"We need MREs (Individual Resistant Rations), the kind that come in a complete box with a self-heating pack. Also, we need those BunnyBoots/Arctic Cold-Weather Boots you sent out."
'
"How about this leather for a case (12 packs) of MRE, two bottles of whiskey, and a brand new pair of boots?"
""
The sergeant hesitated for a moment, glanced at the perfect fox pelt—a wonderful gift for his girlfriend—and finally gritted his teeth, nodded, and took something out of his backpack.
"Deal! Damn, you're smarter than any Inuit I've ever met!"
After the black sergeant left, several young white men in flight jumpsuits quickly crowded around the stall.
They seem more restless and want something "cooler" and more mysterious.
"Hey! What's that monster made of bones?"
A lieutenant with a buzz cut pointed to a small, grotesque, and twisted statue made of walrus ivory and reindeer bone on the corner of the table and asked.
Before Audak could speak, Lin Yu'an interrupted, lowering his voice and speaking mysteriously, "That's Tupilak. In our legend, it's a soul-devouring creature used by shamans for revenge."
"Although it's just an art piece now, it was carved from real walrus ivory, and every cut carries the chill of the Arctic."
The young pilots' eyes lit up instantly. For these thrill-seeking youths, "curses" and "witchcraft" were far more appealing than warm gloves.
"I'll take it! I'll trade this for it!"
The lieutenant removed his stylish Oakley tactical polarized sunglasses and pulled a brand-new Leatherman multi-tool from his pocket, slamming it on the table.
"These sunglasses protect against snow blindness, and the pliers are a standard issue with titanium alloy handles. Is this little monster enough to replace them?"
Lin Yu'an picked up the sunglasses and examined them. The lenses were scratch-free; they were genuine. The Leatherman sled was even more valuable, more useful than anything else when repairing a sled.
"Deal. Be careful, don't let it crawl out at night and bite your toes." Lin Yu'an handed over the statue, making an American-style joke.
Immediately afterwards, a military doctor carrying a medical bag and looking somewhat refined squeezed in.
His goal was clear: the long sealskin boots that Grandma Maria had sewn by hand.
"These boots—they're really beautiful." The medic touched the exquisite embroidery. "My wife is in Minnesota, where the winters are very cold. I'd like to send them back to her."
"You have a good eye." Lin Yu'an nodded. "But these boots are all hand-tanned, waterproof and breathable, and won't freeze your feet even at minus forty degrees Celsius. So we need something practical."
He pointed to the first-aid kit on the medic's body: "We need that. The IFAK (Individual First Aid Kit), the kind with styptic powder and a tactical tourniquet."
"Two more bottles of antibiotics. You know, when you get injured on the ice, these things are more valuable than gold."
The military doctor hesitated for a moment; antibiotics were controlled supplies. But after glancing at the exquisitely crafted leather boots, he finally nodded.
He pulled two sealed first-aid kits and several bottles of medicine from his bag. "Okay, but don't tell anyone I'm allowed to trade this."
"Of course, no problem, I swear to God," Lin Yu'an assured, patting his chest.
Just as business was booming, the crowd suddenly fell silent.
Several soldiers who were haggling quickly stood at attention and made way for them.
A middle-aged white man wearing polar camouflage uniform and with the rank of colonel on his shoulder insignia walked over.
He looked to be around fifty years old.
The hair at his temples was already gray, a mark left by years of wearing military caps and the harsh winds of the Arctic.
He had deep crow's feet at the corners of his eyes, but his gray-blue eyes were still as sharp as an eagle's.
Although his physique wasn't as lean as that of a young soldier, his broad and sturdy build gave him an imposing and authoritative presence.
He didn't look at the furs on the stall, but walked straight up to Lin Yu'an, his gray-blue eyes scrutinizing the Eastern face.
The colonel's voice was deep and authoritative, carrying a sense of oppressive authority from someone accustomed to a superior position: "Your English is very good, young man."
"And you have a perfect Texas accent. You don't look like you grew up drinking seal oil. Who are you?"
The atmosphere around them instantly became tense. Odak also sensed that something was wrong.
Lin Yu'an, however, maintained his composure. He stopped what he was doing, looked directly into the colonel's eyes, and spoke.
"Sir, I am a friend of Odak's and his translator. I am indeed not a local."
As he spoke, he slowly took out his wallet from his inner pocket, pulled out a card, and handed it over.
"I am a U.S. permanent resident, and this is my identification."
Lin Yu'an said with a smile, "I came here to experience life in the polar regions and to exchange some winter supplies for my old friends."
"You can register my information, and I am willing to take responsibility if any problems arise in the future."
The colonel took the green card, carefully checked the photo and security features, and then gave Lin Yu'an a long look.
His open and honest attitude and legitimate status largely dispelled the wariness in his eyes.
In this godforsaken place, encountering a well-mannered "one of our own" in some sense is a pleasant surprise.
"Mr. Lin." The colonel handed the green card back to him, a slight smile finally appearing on his tense face.
"Welcome to the ends of the earth. I never expected to hear a familiar accent here."
"Since you're operating legally, there's no problem. Let your friends trade with peace of mind, just don't sell drugs or guns."
"Of course, sir."
With the crisis averted, the colonel did not leave immediately; his gaze fell upon the most prominent spot on the stall.
There stood a huge, bleached musk ox skull, its two curved horns exuding a majestic and imposing aura.
"This big guy—" the colonel pointed to the skull, his tone revealing an undisguised fondness, "would look great in my office. How much?"
Lin Yu'an glanced at Audak. Although Audak couldn't understand the words, he understood the gestures and nodded quickly.
"Sir, we won't change the MRE or the canned food."
Lin Yu'an leaned closer. "We need some really good liquor. I know the officers' club has Brandon bourbon whiskey, the one with the riding cork."
The colonel paused for a moment, then burst into laughter, pointing at Lin Yu'an: "Not only does your accent sound like someone from Texas, but your taste is too! Deal! I'll have someone bring it to you in a bit!"
With the colonel's departure, the previously somewhat reserved trading scene erupted into a frenzy.
Even the base commander paid the bill, which is equivalent to giving Lin Yu'an's stall an "official" gold signboard.
"Oh my god, Lin!"
Odak held the first-aid kit he had received in exchange, looking at the piles of American military supplies, his beard trembling with excitement.
"You're amazing! Before, when we came here, we were always treated like beggars. Today, I feel like we're big bosses on an inspection tour!"
With Lin Yu-an, the "chief negotiation expert," in charge, Audak's business flourished.
In this warm hangar, the speed of cargo turnover is astonishing.
Soon, the furs and ivory carvings they brought were exchanged for piles of real hard currency.
Several boxes of Marlboro cigarettes specially supplied by the US military, boxes of canned luncheon meat, high-lumen tactical flashlights, and paracord, a favorite among hunters.
But that's just the appetizer. The real main event is the BX (base supermarket) inside the base.
Two fully armed military police officers blocked the way in front of the automatic sensor glass door of the supermarket.
Odak stopped and solemnly took out the plastic card holder with a hanging strap from his inner pocket.
The card was printed with his photo, fingerprints, and a line of eye-catching English: "[Thule Air Base - Local Resident Visitor Pass]".
"This is what we commonly call a 'good citizen certificate'."
Odak handed the card to the military police for scanning, then turned to Lin Yu'an to explain, his tone even carrying a hint of smugness as a member of the privileged class.
"In Karnak, there are no more than fifty people who own it."
"You must have a clean record, no poaching history, no history of drunkenness or disorderly conduct, and be reviewed annually."
"With this, you'll be seen as a good neighbor by Americans."
"What about us?" Pita asked, shrinking back with some concern. He didn't have the certificate.
"Don't worry, I'm your guarantor."
Odak pointed to the two men behind him and said to the military police, "Guest."
According to regulations, a credential holder can vouch for two visitors to enter, but must accompany them throughout the visit.
The military police nodded, but when their gaze fell on Lin Yu'an's Asian face, they still warily extended their hand: "ID?"
Lin Yu'an didn't say anything, but calmly handed over his US green card.
The military policeman took the green card, glanced at the eagle emblem on it, and his expression instantly relaxed.
"Welcome home, sir."
At overseas bases, holding a green card is almost equivalent to being a half-U.S. citizen. Lin Yu-an's entry into the system was even smoother than Pita's.
"But remember the rules," the military police handed the badges back to them, pointing to Odak, "the person holding the badge must pay at checkout; no one else can buy tax-free goods."
"Understood! Understood!" Odak patted the bulging cash in his pocket. "The money's all with me!"
'
The green light turns on. Proceed.
When Odak pushed his enormous American-style shopping cart into the huge supermarket, the expression on his face was like that of Ali Baba saying "Open Sesame."
The temperature here is a constant 23 degrees Celsius, and the air is filled with the sweet aroma of popcorn and the smell of floor wax. The latest American pop hits are playing in the background.
This is a world apart from the icy world outside, where temperatures drop to minus thirty degrees Celsius and the air is thick with the smell of blood.
The shelves were piled high with a dazzling array of American goods; the sheer abundance of material goods overwhelmed Pita behind him.
-
"Take it! Take it all!"
Odak was directing Pita not like he was shopping, but like he was conducting a military raid.
"That one! That bucket one!" Odak pointed to the Skippy peanut butter and strawberry jam on the shelf, which looked like paint buckets.
"Bring me five buckets! Spread this on hard bread, and one bite will heat you up! It's like high-calorie lava!"
"And all that colorful water!" he pointed to cases of Gatorade. "It tastes like medicine, but that's what American athletes drink; it gives them energy!"
When they reached the biscuit section, Odak suddenly stopped, his eyes shining as he stared at the famous blue tin can.
"This is it! Danish Blue Tin cookies!"
Odak grabbed a can and patted it like he was admiring an antique: "Although Denmark also sells them, the ones sold at the American base are export specials!"
"Stronger butter flavor! Sweeter! Give me ten cans! Maria loves this the most."
Finally, Odak arrived at the daily necessities section. He stopped in front of a wall of ultra-soft toilet paper, his expression turning solemn.
"Pita! Carry three bags! No, five bags! Fill every gap in the sled! This is the biggest reward I've given my ass all year!"
Seeing these tough guys who usually tear raw meat with their bare hands and fight against wind and snow, now looking at the snack and toilet paper shelves with shining eyes and haggling over every penny, Lin Yu'an couldn't help but chuckle.
By the time we finished shopping, it was already noon.
Odak led everyone to the famous Dundee's fast food restaurant in the base.
The place is filled with American country style, with American football team flags hanging on the walls and CNN news playing on the TV.
The hunters took off their heavy leather coats and squeezed onto the same long table with the uniformed American soldiers.
When the American burger with a double beef patty, flowing golden cheese, and a huge pile of fries was served, Odak closed his eyes and took a deep breath.
"That's the taste!"
Odak grabbed the hamburger and took a big bite, ketchup smearing all over his beard.
"It tastes so much better than raw seal meat! Seriously! If I could eat this every day, I'd sell my soul to the devil!"
'
Lin Yu'an also ordered a hamburger and drank an iced cola.
The surroundings were filled with the cacophony of English and Greenlandic languages, and outside the window stretched massive radar screens and desolate ice fields.
At that moment, a young American soldier sat down opposite Lin Yu'an with a plate in his hand. He looked to be only twenty years old, with a youthful face.
"Hey, sir." The soldier looked at Lin Yu'an curiously. "I heard you're from outside? Outside—"
How are things now?
"Outside?" Lin Yu'an was taken aback.
"I mean—the real world." The soldier pointed to the snow and ice outside the window. "I've been here for eight months, and all I see is snow and radar. I've almost forgotten what the grass is like."
Looking at the longing in the young soldier's eyes, Lin Yu'an suddenly realized that this was not only a market for hunters, but also a window for these soldiers.
For hunters, this is a paradise of supplies. But for these soldiers, it is a cage called "duty".
"It's fine outside." Lin Yu'an smiled and handed the soldier a cigar. "Hold on for a few more months, and you'll be able to go home."
The soldier took the cigar, a glint in his eyes. "Thank you. Yes, home."
Lin Yu'an patted the young soldier on the shoulder and watched him leave.
Just then, a burst of giggling from a corner of the restaurant caught his attention.
In that booth by the window sat three young Inuit girls. They were quite different from the hunters' wives outside, who were wrapped in heavy sealskin and had weathered faces.
They took off their outer Arnolac, revealing skinny jeans and cheap but brightly colored low-cut sweaters underneath.
She wore heavy makeup, which was a bit exaggerated for this latitude, and strong perfume, trying to cover up the smell of living in the smoky environment of seals all year round.
Surrounding them were four or five U.S. Air Force sergeants who looked somewhat like thugs.
The table was piled high with fried chicken, fries, and milkshakes that the soldiers had paid for. A sergeant had his arm around one of the girls' waists and was whispering something in her ear.
She was still fiddling with a pair of silky pantyhose she'd bought from PX supermarket. The girl didn't resist; instead, she laughed heartily, her eyes occasionally drifting towards the sergeant's bulging physique.
This ambiguous atmosphere seemed out of place among the hunters around them who were feasting on meat.
"That's a different kind of deal."
Following Lin Yu'an's gaze, Audak chewed on a hamburger, his tone as calm as if he were commenting on the weather, without any contempt, only a kind of indifferent detachment from the world.
"We call them winter wives."
"What do you mean?" Lin Yu'an looked away.
"American soldiers stay here for six months at a time. The polar nights are long, cold, and lonely. And these village girls—"
Odak pointed out the window: "They've had enough of the damn snow, enough of the local men who only kill seals and reek of fish. They yearn for the life in Hollywood movies."
"And so, the transaction was born."
"Soldiers provided them with dollars, stockings, cigarettes, or simply the privilege of spending the night in heated and hot dormitories."
"And the girls offer tenderness, or—a kind of fantasy."
Lin Yu'an looked at the girl who had taken the stockings and leaned against the soldier, and asked, "Are they doing this for money?"
"Not entirely." Odak shook his head, a hint of pity flashing in his eyes.
"What they want is a boat ticket."
"Every girl like this dreams of marrying an American soldier, getting a green card, or even just being a housewife in the American countryside, which is better than gutting fish here."
"But the reality is cruel. Most of the time, once spring comes and the planes that come to relieve them take off, the soldiers forget about them completely, just like throwing away an empty beer can."
"All that was left for them were a few pairs of worn-out stockings, or—a mixed-race child with blue eyes."
Odak pointed to that corner: "Look at that girl who's laughing the most, she's Peeta's cousin."
"She's already had three American boyfriends, but she's still eating burgers here."
Lin Yu'an fell silent.
Looking at the girl's fawning and hopeful smile, he suddenly felt that the cola in his hand tasted a little off.
In this corner forgotten by civilization, everyone is struggling to survive in their own way.
Hunters trade guns and dogs for supplies, while these girls are gambling their youth and dignity on an almost impossible future.
"This is also part of Greenland, Lin." Odak stood up, put on his hat, and didn't want to watch anymore.
"Let's go." Audak's eyes regained their fervor. "Our most important task is not yet complete."
"Before we're kicked out by the military police, we have to go to Class Si (the liquor store)."
Lin Yu'an glanced out the window: "Kick them out?"
"Lin, don't forget this is a military camp, not a hotel. The Americans are polite to us, but they still have their limits."
"Seven o'clock in the evening is the deadline; that's the time Cinderella has to leave. Once it's past seven, the military police will come in patrol cars to clear the area."
"Except for those girls who are willing to risk hiding under soldiers' beds, all hunters with good citizen certificates must go back to the ice fields."
"If we stay here, our passes will expire next year. Nobody dares to joke about that."
"Understood." Lin Yu'an nodded. "Then we need to hurry."
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