The Amazon jungle in South America was the biggest primeval forest in the world.
There were countless ferocious and deadly animals and poisonous plants in the two million square miles of humid, hot land that was penetrated by the world's longest freshwater river, the Amazon River.
There were more than 20 million indigenous people who were almost cut off from the rest of the world living there. They lived in the Amazon River basin for generations and hunted in the forest for a living.
To some of the barbaric savages, other than their tribe, all animals could be hunted and all meat was edible. These people were usually called cannibals.
Due to the three specialties of ferocious beasts, poisonous mosquitoes and cannibals, there were usually only two types of people who dared to hike deep into the Amazon.
One of them was the real adventurers. To these people, the Amazon jungle was a paradise given to them by God. It was like water beside a thirsty person's hand or food on a hungry person's table. They would explore it even if they knew it was dangerous.
The other type were zoologists. To these people, the Amazon jungle was a natural biology museum, it was an academic paradise.
Apart from these two types of people, the rest of the people who hiked deep into the Amazon jungle were either idiots or crazy.
Conquering the entire jungle that spanned thousands of kilometers on foot with a few guides was even more ridiculous. Perhaps even a Rank-3 Wizard like Zhang Lisheng dared not try it.
Zhang Lisheng was stunned for a moment. He commented on the two real men who chose to explore the Amazon instead of spending Christmas by the stove, "Hmm, they're really brave …"
"Stop being sarcastic, Lisheng.
I was the one who introduced Henrick to Henry. I'll feel guilty for the rest of my life if something really happens to him, "Tina said as she walked to Trish's mother's ward. As Tina spoke, she had already moved to the ward of Trish's mother. She sighed and pushed the ward door open.
The wards in the public hospitals were almost the same. Ma Shan heard a loud roar when he followed Tina into the ward, "I don't want to listen to any reason or explanation, Mr. Nagoute! I don't want to listen to any reason or explanation!
My wife just got off the operating table, she's coming back to the ward now.
I want to hear good news when she wakes up, you know, good news.
Alright, let's not talk about it anymore. If you have the time, you might as well go find my son. "
As he spoke, a middle-aged man, who was at least two meters tall and had a square face and a big nose like a polar bear, stood in front of the hospital bed and pressed the call button on his hand.
The man was Trish's father, Howick Steg.
He was 45 years old now and was born into a strict Catholic military family in California. His grandfather had participated in World War II and served as a brigadier general in the army. He received the National Service Medal, Class II.
His father and brothers were all active high-ranking military officers.
Howick had served in the military when he was young. The unit he served in was the office of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, one of the highest decision-making organizations in the US military.
Previously, he was an intern in the office of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff, an executive third-class secretary … an executive secretary.
After serving for 12 years and obtaining the rank of Lieutenant Colonel and the Loyalty Medal, Howick who had accumulated a wide range of connections in both the military and politics decided to retire.
He established the Blue Water Public Relations Company in Washington to engage in political lobbying.
His unique work experience gave him the loyalty of a soldier and the cunning of a politician. On top of that, being born into a Catholic military family, he made both the hawk and dove political figures treat him as their confidant.
Just like what Howick said before, "A brilliant politician will have enough political literacy and maintain a fair attitude towards any political event. However, no matter how brilliant a politician is, he's not a piece of wood …"
Within a short two years, Blue Water Public Relations Company opened up a situation in Washington. They defused a couple of serious international political crises skillfully with their brilliant mediating methods.
After eight years of development, the company miraculously became one of the most successful political lobbying companies in the US political field. They had clients all over the world, ranging from African political powerhouses to the newly rising governments of world-class countries.
After achieving great success in his business, Howick who seemed to be fading out of the political circle by living in seclusion in New York had actually entered a deeper political level. Naturally, he became the new favorite of New York's upper class.
All in all, his career, family, love … Howick who had a smooth sailing life was strong and energetic. He never thought that any problem could stop him until his son, Henry, was born.
He had no idea how many times he had to clean up his son's mess. Although Howick still looked tough on the surface, deep down in his heart, there was a deep sense of helplessness.
The Amazon natives did not need to maintain a good relationship with Washington. That barren land was a blind spot that Howick's connections and power could not touch.
The only thing he could do was to pressure the rescue team that he found through a special way. God knew what the actual meaning of doing that was.
Howler's roar silenced the ward. Only Trish's soft sobbing could be heard. Sheila stayed by Trish's side and comforted her softly. There were two tall and skinny young men who looked similar standing next to them, accompanying them quietly.
"Trish, I'm sorry. If I didn't …" Tina walked softly to Trish and apologized for the umpteenth time with a sad face.
"It's not your sister's fault. I'm just worried about Henry when I heard dad arguing with the search team.
Henry … he's only 17, he's only 17 … "
"Henry will be fine, Trish.
Oh yeah, look, Lisheng is here to see you. He's a jungle hunter, he's familiar with the primeval forest. He just said that the Amazon isn't that scary as long as we're fully prepared.
Am I right, Lisheng? "Tina signaled Zhang Lisheng with her eyes as she spoke.
"Trish, what Tina said is right.
To me, the primeval forest is divided into four layers like a donut. It won't be too dangerous if your brother hired a native guide, "Zhang Lisheng nodded and said.
Howick who had always loved his daughter felt like his heart was being stabbed by a knife when he heard Trish's crying. He hated himself for losing his temper and screaming, scaring his daughter.
He pretended to care and said hearing what Zhang Lisheng said, "Young man, are you Trish's friend too?
I heard that you're very insightful about the jungle. Can you talk about the layers of the donut in detail? " He wanted to distract Trish.
"Of course, sir. The layers of the jungle aren't as obvious as the donut, they're intertwined.
The first layer is the outer layer with the lowest sweetness. Using the Amazon River as an example, I'm guessing this area should include most of the Amazon River basin …
The fourth layer is the core area with the highest sweetness. It includes a few unexplored primeval tribal gathering places in the middle of the Amazon River, the swamp in the west and … "Zhang Lisheng explained.
Howick's expression turned serious listening to Zhang Lisheng's narration. As a top political broker, his instinct told that the young man before him was not someone who would exaggerate.
"Young man, it seems like you do have your own understanding about the jungle."
"I'm just familiar with the information and habitats of all the known insects and reptiles in the world."
"Uncle Howick, Lisheng has been living in a small mountain village built in the primeval forest in Western Sichuan, China for over ten years. He's a real jungle hunter, he saved my life in the jungle before," Tina added.
"You're the young man who saved Tina before? I heard Trish telling me your story at the dining table, she said you have a giant centipede that can hunt."
Zhang Lisheng was stunned for a moment and said while smiling, "You must think that's a fantasy right?"
"No, to a person who's worked in the Joint Chiefs of Staff for 12 years and had temporarily stayed in Black Africa for three months, that's not a fantasy at all," Howick looked at Zhang Lisheng and extended his hand in a formal manner, "I'm Howick Steg.
Young man, I'd say nice to meet you if we didn't meet under such a situation. "
"Mr. Howick, my name's Zhang Lisheng …" Zhang Lisheng shook Howick's hand and said.
At this time, the door of the ward was suddenly pushed open, and a few nurses used a stretcher to push an unconscious woman who was still dripping from an IV drip. She was naked and covered with a velvet quilt, and there was a heartbeat monitor on her chest.
There was a doctor following behind the stretcher, "May I know who's the patient's relative?"
"Doctor, I'm her husband. May I know how's my wife doing?" Howick let go of Zhang Lisheng's hand and rushed to the doctor to ask.
"The surgery was successful, the patient's life is temporarily out of danger. However, she mustn't be agitated …" The doctor began describing the patient's condition to Howick.
The care workers moved the exhausted lady onto the bed carefully and began setting up all sorts of medical monitoring equipment.
Trish walked to her mother's window quickly and cried secretly while looking at her sleeping mother.
Her boyfriend and friends all comforted her in a low voice, empathizing with her.
Since everyone had something to do in the ward that was extremely crowded, Zhang Lisheng seized the opportunity to leave.
It was a good thing to regain his friendship with Tina, but it was not worth it to take up too much of his energy. In the next few days, Zhang Lisheng lived his life as usual and completed his first semester of studies after coming to the US.
His average grade of 'B' for the seven courses was not bad, but considering that he was a transfer student and he only attended half of the class hours of the other students, the result was rather commendable.
It was winter break after the exams. When winter break came, the New Year's Ball would begin soon.
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