Landlord in the Arctic

Some made no effort to hide it, striking poses and giving looks full of suggestion.

Others secretly cast flirtatious glances, their eyes holding a hint of shy anticipation. Some even slipped notes discreetly into his hand.

’What is wrong with these people?’

’Don’t they have anything better to do?!’

Feng Mountain watched it all, feeling utterly helpless inside. An exasperated expression formed on his face; he didn’t know whether to laugh or cry.

’I don’t even have to think about it. It must have been those two big mouths who spread the word.’

’Otherwise, these girls are usually so well-behaved. How could they suddenly get so bold?’

Just as Feng Mountain was getting thoroughly annoyed, a somewhat cold voice called out leisurely from behind him.

"Mr. Feng."

"Miss Xu, long time no see."

Feng Mountain turned, his eyes lighting up.

Xu Hongxin stood not far away, dressed in a gray woolen trench coat.

The coat was impeccably tailored, perfectly accentuating her figure. She exuded the unique aura of a fashionable beauty.

Beside her stood a middle-aged man with a slightly stiff expression.

He looked like the type who was stern, serious, and never cracked a smile.

When she saw Feng Mountain, Xu Hongxin’s brow furrowed slightly. A complex emotion flashed in her eyes as she spoke.

"Mr. Feng, as a friend, I am reminding you of this out of goodwill. I’ve always admired your moral character, but when it comes to romantic matters, I think it would be best for you to exercise some self-control."

’Who do you think you are to me?’

’Control myself? Give me a break!’

"Thank you for the reminder. I’ll be mindful of it," Feng Mountain grumbled internally, but his face remained polite as he gave a slight nod in response.

With people like Xu Hongxin, who loved to stand on their moral high ground, it was pointless to say much.

There was simply no common ground.

So he turned, intending to walk away and not get tangled up in this any further.

But just then, Xu Hongxin’s cool voice rang out from behind him again.

"Mr. Feng, I wonder if you have a moment. There’s a matter I need to discuss with you."

Feng Mountain’s steps faltered. A trace of helplessness crossed his face as he stopped.

He sighed inwardly. He really didn’t want to deal with people like Xu Hongxin.

It felt like even speaking one more word to her might infect him with her bizarre moral puritanism.

A hint of impatience crept into his tone, and a flicker of vigilance showed in his eyes.

"What is it?"

Sensing the impatience in Feng Mountain’s voice,

The middle-aged man’s cheek twitched. He subconsciously took a step forward, about to start an argument.

But Xu Hongxin, quick as a flash, raised her hand to gently stop him, signaling for him to stay quiet.

The middle-aged man paused for a moment, then understood Xu Hongxin’s meaning and swallowed the words that were on the tip of his tongue.

He simply stood to the side, his expression growing even more rigid.

Xu Hongxin gave a slight nod, speaking with elegant composure.

"It’s like this. I’ve already acquired Su Ziweng’s restaurant. Next, I plan to convert the restaurant into a branch of Longfeng Bank and build a Jingli Hotel nearby."

She paused after speaking, her gaze softening as she looked at Feng Mountain, and then continued.

"I was wondering if the road construction project has been officially approved. The Xu Group has a highly experienced and capable construction team. If possible, they could contribute to the project and do their part."

Hearing this, Feng Mountain understood.

’She’s making such a huge investment in the Crown Territory.’

’It would be out of line for me to keep acting so sour.’

So, he adjusted his mood slightly, and his tone softened considerably as he revealed a little information.

"Thank you for the kind offer, Miss Xu, but the construction contractor for the road has already been decided. Work will begin on January 1st of next year, and it’s scheduled to be completed within two months."

Upon hearing this, a look of delight immediately appeared on Xu Hongxin’s face.

Her eyes sparkled with excitement. "That’s wonderful! In that case, I won’t disturb you any further, Mr. Feng."

"Right. See you later." Feng Mountain nodded lightly, gave a simple reply, and then turned and walked away quickly.

"Miss, he’s just some down-and-out kid who got shit-lucky. He’s even done time in prison. Is he really worthy of you saving face for him like this?"

The middle-aged man’s face was full of indignation.

In his heart, his young miss was of noble status. When had she ever been wronged like this?

To put it bluntly, Feng Mountain was just a nobody who got a lucky break. What right did he have to put on airs?

"Uncle Luo, this isn’t Singapore. The environment is different, so naturally, the situation is different. There are some people we are destined to be unable to control."

Xu Hongxin frowned slightly and let out a soft sigh, a trace of helplessness in her eyes.

For the family group to have grown to its current scale,

who knows how many shady, underhanded methods were used behind the scenes.

If they could successfully win Feng Mountain over, whether through the lure of money or the temptation of women,

as long as they could get him to work for the group, the future rewards would surely far outweigh the costs.

But reality was less than ideal.

From their previous interactions, it seemed that no matter what method they tried, Feng Mountain remained unmoved. He simply wouldn’t take the bait.

Xu Hongxin had secretly sent people to investigate Feng Mountain’s past back in his home country.

It turned out he was an orphan who had grown up depending on other orphans for survival.

Later, through his own efforts, he opened a restaurant, but fate played a cruel trick on him.

While avenging his girlfriend, he lost control of his emotions and ended up killing someone, which led to an eight-year prison sentence.

After his long prison sentence ended,

He unexpectedly received an inheritance from a relative in far-off Alaska—what was now the Crown Territory.

Since coming to Alaska,

Feng Mountain had lived a very low-key life, rarely going out or deliberately making public appearances.

Even more unexpectedly, he had somehow managed to establish a connection with the North Slope Petroleum Company.

And because of this, he secured a direct highway construction project, which undoubtedly brought a huge opportunity for the development of the Crown Territory.

Furthermore,

He also had an uncle, a lawyer nicknamed "The Viper," with whom he had a somewhat inexplicable relationship.

This uncle held a very high status in both political and legal circles, with extensive connections and enormous influence.

Initially, Feng Mountain’s life in the Crown Territory had been quite impoverished; he was constantly strapped for cash.

But later, through some unknown means—perhaps through the fishing industry—he slowly accumulated a considerable fortune.

But even when he became well-off, he didn’t indulge in a luxurious lifestyle in the slightest.

He didn’t buy expensive luxury goods to show off his wealth, nor did he fool around with women like other nouveau riche. His life was as disciplined as a Puritan’s.

He spent his days dressed in a simple animal-hide coat.

He often hung out with the coarse Indigenous People, blending in with them as if he truly enjoyed it.

The only thing that could be considered romantic was something she had learned from Xu Hongying.

Apparently, some sparks had flown between him and a few pitiable women in the camp.

But in Xu Hongxin’s eyes, this so-called romance was not even worth mentioning.

’With Feng Mountain’s current wealth and status, what kind of woman couldn’t he find? Why waste time and energy on these ordinary women?’

On the surface, Feng Mountain seemed simple and unpretentious. But when one dug deeper into his background and character,

one would discover that he seemed to be shrouded in an impenetrable fog.

Everything about him was mysterious.

All of this left Xu Hongxin, who had been gifted and perceptive in judging people and matters since childhood, completely baffled. She couldn’t see through Feng Mountain at all.

Gazing in the direction Feng Mountain had left, Xu Hongxin’s eyes held a complex mix of emotions as she spoke softly.

"Uncle Luo, I’m putting you in full charge of the bank’s renovation. I’ll also have to trouble you to oversee the hotel matters."

"Feng Mountain said the highway will be completed in two months. Knowing his character, he probably isn’t lying to me. Have the company prepare in advance, and start work the moment the highway is finished. I have a feeling the Crown Territory has a future of great development ahead of it. We can’t miss this opportunity."

"I understand!" The middle-aged man nodded slightly, his attitude respectful. Then, as if remembering something, he asked, "What about Young Master Hong Ying?"

The moment Xu Hongying, that Eldest Young Master Xu, was mentioned,

A flicker of emotion, not easily noticed, crossed Xu Hongxin’s indifferent face.

She was so furious she could grit her teeth, wishing she could bite a chunk of flesh out of him,

just to vent the rage in her heart.

...