Luke boiled a kettle of water and brewed a pot of coffee.

Perhaps attracted by the aroma of the coffee, Walker also got up, came out of the RV,

"Captain Luke, thanks for letting me stay.

When we get back to Los Angeles, I'll treat you to a meal."

"Better make it a drink, two guys dining together is a bit odd."

"I know a rather quiet bar where I have a bottle of good wine stored, you will definitely like it."

"OK, it's a deal then."

Walker gave a bitter smile, "I need to get going, to check out my camp and my car.

After the black bear visited, it's bound to be a mess."

"That's what I was thinking, so why don't you have breakfast before going back, that way you'll have the energy to clean up the mess."

"You're right, do you need me to do anything?"

"You can set up the table and dishes, it won't take long." Luke washed his hands and started cooking breakfast.

The breakfast was simple.

He heated up salmon sandwiches from the fridge, along with milk, cornflakes, coffee, and blueberries.

In less than ten minutes, breakfast was ready.

Seeing the luxurious sandwiches, Walker swallowed and exclaimed, "Wow, it's a hearty breakfast, well-balanced, now I believe you are really here to enjoy camping."

As Luke put the cornflakes into the milk, he laughed, "Otherwise? What did you think I was here for?"

Apparently famished, Walker took a big bite of his sandwich, swallowing it down in just a few bites, and said, "At first, I thought you were also here to treasure hunt.

But a Treasure Hunter wouldn't prepare breakfast so elaborately, they would devote more energy searching for the treasure, exploring new areas, plotting routes...

rather than figuring out how to match their food."

It was Walker who brought up treasure hunting, perhaps because the daylight added a sense of security.

Seizing the opportunity, Luke asked, "You mean to say, others might also know where the treasure is."

"Exactly, as far as I know, there's not just one treasure map, there could be several, even a dozen."

"From what you're saying, the treasure could even be fake."

Walker paused for a moment, "That … could be possible.

But sometimes the process is more important than the outcome, right?"

Luke said, "Right, after all, you don't seem like someone who is short on cash."

Walker shook his head, "If treasure hunting was just about the money, then how would it be different from any other job, hmm?"

If another treasure hunter had said this, Luke would have thought it nonsense.

But coming from Walker, it seemed credible. If Walker was just in it for the money, there were many easier ways to make it. Only a fool would choose treasure hunting in the wilderness.

After the meal, Walker took the initiative to do the dishes.

Once everything was cleaned up, Walker picked up his backpack, "Captain Luke, thanks for the breakfast, I need to head back to the camp now."

"I wish you find the treasure soon."

"If I do find the treasure, I'll definitely share a portion with you," Walker said, then shook hands with Luke and said goodbye.

…

After eating, Luke locked up the RV and decided to take a stroll around the area.

The environment was a bit damp after the rain, the grass squelching underfoot and the ground slippery, making it easy to slip if not careful.

But falling on the grass wouldn't hurt much, rather, it added a bit of fun.

The tall spruce trees, animals between the trees, and all the natural scenery delighted his eyes and soothed his mood.

He went to the edge of Bear Lake, where the water was crystal clear. It was a free-flowing lake with a river upstream and downstream flowing directly into the sea.

Luke washed his face with the lake water, feeling refreshed and invigorated, although he regretted not bringing fishing gear, as fishing here would have been very relaxing.

Luke walked a big circle around the lake, liking it more with each step. Deciding just to go for it, he took off his outer clothes and dived into the lake.

Swimming here was much more pleasant than in a swimming pool.

The lake water was exceptionally clear, allowing visibility of the fish and shrimp in the water and the pebbles at the bottom. Occasionally, animals would come to the lakeside to drink.

Squirrels, peacocks, rabbits, deer, among others.

Luke stood in a spot near the lakeshore, the water reaching his chest, feet on the pebbles, watching the small animals around the lake, a smile unintentionally curving on his lips.

This scene of harmonious interaction between humans and animals—was quite marvelous.

Luke had an idea, that once he had money, he wanted to buy a large farm, live as neighbors with various wild animals, use the woods as a garden, the lake as a swimming pool, grow vegetables and fruits on the farm, and pick them fresh for consumption—all natural organic foods.

He would also raise chickens, ducks, and sheep, grabbing one whenever he felt like eating it.

From time to time, he would invite friends over for a whole roasted lamb.

If he wanted pork, he could drive into the woods to hunt wild pigs.

If he wanted fish, he could just catch some in the lake.

Such a pastoral life was desirable and filled with poetical charm.

Of course, this didn't mean city life was bad.

People are complex in nature; a person can't just eat sweets, nor can they eat only meats.

The best state is to have a home in the city, a paradise outside the city, life being flexible and varying, experiencing different things makes life more interesting.

Of course, the most fundamental requirement to achieve this dream is to have money.

"Woo-ao…"

Suddenly, a bear's roar came from the nearby woods.

Luke frowned slightly, a bit worried, hoping that old Walker wasn't in trouble again.

Since they were colleagues, Luke couldn't just ignore it. He put on his clothes, took his bear spray, and walked towards the direction of the roaring.

Luke only carried a handgun, and without a rifle or shotgun, it wasn't much use against a bear.

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