Landlord in the Arctic

Before long, the camp employees began to arrive one after another.

In no time, the dining hall was abuzz with voices and bustling with activity. People greeted each other, their laughter and cheerful chatter mingling to drive away the morning chill.

When it came to traditional Christmas Eve and Christmas food, the classics usually included roast turkey, Christmas ham, mashed potatoes, and pumpkin pie.

Considering the camp's environment and the availability of ingredients, Jenny had swapped the roast turkey for roast grouse and roast Thunderbird. There was also beef and mutton from their own ranch, as well as reindeer, moose, and fresh fish.

To ensure the gathering went smoothly, the food had been prepared into semi-finished dishes days in advance. All that was left was the final step of cooking before they could be served.

"Feng!" Just as Feng Mountain was swamped with work, Jenny, dressed in her chef's uniform, wove through the crowd to find him.

Jenny had a slightly apologetic look on her face. She frowned a little and said, "There are too many people eating today. The dining hall can't fit everyone at once. Could we change it to an outdoor buffet?"

"No problem," Feng Mountain agreed instantly, without a second thought.

He had actually noticed this problem long ago.

The number of people at the camp had long surpassed a hundred. It was unrealistic to expect them all to squeeze into the dining hall.

Even if Jenny hadn't mentioned it, he would have brought it up himself.

It would be better to just bring everyone out onto the Tundra, light some bonfires, and roast a whole cow and some sheep on the spot. It would be lively and have a great atmosphere, just like their last big get-together.

"I'll arrange it." Feng Mountain glanced around and happened to see the two young masters walking into the dining hall, yawning nonstop with their arms slung over each other's shoulders. He immediately drafted them for labor. "You two are just in time. Move these tables and chairs out to the Tundra."

Huh?!

Hearing this, the two young masters' faces were instantly plastered with confusion.

They had spent all night partying with that group of sailors at the tavern. Their heads were still groggy, and their eyelids felt heavy. They were just thinking of quickly finishing breakfast and diving into bed for some much-needed sleep.

But they hadn't expected to be snagged by Feng Mountain the moment they set foot in the dining hall.

"'Huh' what? All you do is eat and laze around, turning night into day. It's time you did something useful. You're being a bad influence on the whole camp." Feng Mountain shot them a glare, his expression filled with disdain.

Scolding them, he hoisted a table onto his shoulder and started walking toward the door.

If anyone else had dared to humiliate them like this, the two young masters would have been furious and ready to fight.

But when facing Feng Mountain, they didn't dare act out in the slightest.

Because Feng Mountain wasn't all talk. When he got physical, he meant it, and he didn't hold back.

Even if ten of them ganged up on him, it would be useless. They'd just be serving themselves up on a platter for Feng Mountain.

Getting beaten black and blue would be a huge loss of face.

The two young masters exchanged a miserable glance, their faces full of resignation. Dejected, they could only hoist the tables and chairs, following Feng Mountain with their heads hung low, dragging their feet with every step.

...

For today's packed Christmas Eve party, Feng Mountain ultimately chose a spot by the Melting Ice River, near the wooden bridge.

This area happened to be a flat patch of mossy ground. It was also close to the camp, making it convenient for transporting supplies and saving both time and manpower.

After choosing the spot, Feng Mountain started setting up, carrying over tables, chairs, and benches.

A short while later, Nash, having finished feeding the Tiger Pack, hurried over and joined the setup crew.

Soon after, Yves, David, the veterans, and Gordon also showed up one after another, along with a group of enthusiastic sailors. Everyone pitched in together; no one was idle.

As the saying goes, many hands make light work.

In less than an hour, the once-empty mossy clearing was filled with tables and chairs.

Once the area was set up, Feng Mountain led the group in digging up the mossy ground to create two large pits.

Meanwhile, everyone else was busy with their own tasks, working with great enthusiasm.

Some were in charge of decorating the Christmas tree, hanging all sorts of ornaments on its branches. Others shuttled back and forth between the tavern and the party site, hauling over sound equipment and various kinds of alcohol to ensure everyone could enjoy the music and drinks.

David ran a power cord from the camp all the way to the party site, then used a series of wooden poles to string up a long line of colorful Christmas lights.

The moment the power was connected, the entire area was instantly enveloped in twinkling, multicolored lights. The dazzling, brilliant colors reflected off one another, immediately intensifying the festive atmosphere and transforming the icy Tundra into a magical fairy-tale world.

Seeing this, the men grew incredibly excited.

They applauded and cheered, some even whistling. The sounds of laughter and shouting mingled together, echoing across the Tundra for a long time.

As time passed, more and more people heard the news and came to join the grand event.

The whole site grew increasingly boisterous, like a pot of boiling water.

Just then, the Bear Tribe appeared, led by their chief, Bear's Fang. They were carrying freshly slaughtered cattle and sheep, the meat still giving off a faint warmth, clearly prepared especially for this gathering.

At the same time, various Inuit Chiefs from the towns and tribes across the Tundra also began to arrive.

Normally, they might have minor conflicts and grudges over territory or resources.

But at a feast hosted by Feng Mountain, they all had an unspoken agreement to set aside their prejudices and temporarily put those unpleasantries behind them.

At some point, the camp's children emerged like a flock of cheerful little sparrows, chirping and chattering.

They laughed and played at the party site, chasing each other and weaving between the crowds and the tables, their clear, bell-like laughter ringing out from time to time.

In the center of the site, the two huge pits had been dug and were now filled with dry firewood.

Someone lit the firewood, and in an instant, a roaring blaze leaped into the air.

The scorching flames danced merrily, greedily devouring the wood and quickly warming the surrounding air. It drove away the pervasive cold, allowing everyone to feel a fiery passion even in the middle of the frozen landscape.

Feng Mountain wasn't idle either. He took a slaughtered cow and bound it with wire to a thick wooden pole.

Next, he set up simple racks on either side of the bonfire and placed the pole with the bound cow onto them.

He used the high heat from the flames to roast the beef first, drawing out the moisture to make the meat firmer and improve its texture.

As for the mutton, it was much simpler to handle.

Feng Mountain cut the mutton into fist-sized chunks, skewered them onto iron rods, and stuck them in neat rows next to the bonfire.

The cattle and sheep from the ranch ate moss that grew under the care of the Fire Seed.

Their meat was tender and juicy, with its own unique, fresh aroma.

It didn't need many seasonings to enhance the flavor; it was already excellent on its own. A simple roasting was all it took to release an enticing fragrance.

After that, the party site became even busier.

Crates of alcohol were brought over, along with all sorts of colorful drinks and freshly picked fruits and vegetables. Green lettuce, bright red tomatoes, sweet strawberries, and fresh cucumbers were washed, plated, and brought to the tables, filling the long buffet line with a dazzling array.

Feng Mountain's plan was simple and direct: to lead everyone in enjoying the satisfying pleasure of good food on the icy Tundra.

Then, they would have a blast for two days and forget all their troubles.

Afterward, everyone would return to their own homes and families to welcome the new year.

The preparations continued without pause, and in the blink of an eye, it was noon.

The camp's guests also began to arrive, anticipation written on every face.

Even Natasha, who had taken over the log cabin, made an appearance, instantly drawing everyone's attention.

She had changed into a pale silver evening gown today. The fine sequins on the dress glittered in the dim light like stars in the night sky.

Her long, golden hair was partially pinned up, with a few strands trailing along her fair neck, adding a touch of languid charm.

An elegant and noble aura emanated from her every subtle movement.

Paired with her bright and captivating face,

her aristocratic air was on full display at a single glance.

She was like a Princess who had stepped right out of an old fairy tale.

Aunt Natalia, who was beside her, was just as radiant.

Compared to when they met at the tavern last night, she had a different kind of charm today, like a dried flower petal that had been nourished by spring rain, unfurling in delicate beauty.

She radiated a gentle glow.

...