Landlord in the Arctic

Heh!

Natasha chuckled softly, her smile as gentle and serene as a spring breeze.

She didn’t take Feng Shan’s accusations to heart at all.

With her abilities and resources, taking back the Crown Territory would be as easy as flipping her hand. If not for certain reservations back then, she would have never let Feng Shan set foot in Alaska in the first place.

She had only said what she did out of respect for Feng, not wanting to disappoint Feng Shan too much.

"Your Highness, should we bring out that document?" Andrei stepped forward, a look of dissatisfaction on his face.

Although he had just built a bridge of friendship with Feng Shan over a shared interest, any so-called friendship seemed insignificant before the Queen.

Natasha shook her head lightly, her tone relaxed. "That won’t be necessary. I’m just warning him, making him understand his current situation. If the Crown Territory is going to be repossessed by the bank in the end, it would be better for me to protect it."

Just then, Frank and Erica walked out of the restaurant.

Upon seeing Natasha, Frank’s expression was normal, showing no significant reaction. Erica, however, was as excited as a cheerful little bird. She hurried over, seemingly having completely forgotten the harsh lesson she’d received in the cabin not long ago.

"Queen, I admire you so much! Can we take a picture together?" Like an avid fan, Erica held up her phone, her eyes shining with adoration as she stared intently at Natasha.

"You’ve heard of me?" Natasha was a little curious.

After all, the Crown Territory was remote; she hadn’t expected someone here to know her name.

"I heard stories about you when I was a vagrant in Anchorage. You’re my idol!" Erica quickly explained, clasping her hands together and putting on a pitiful look. "Can we please get a picture? I’m begging you."

"Of course." Natasha didn’t refuse, a corner of her mouth lifting into an elegant smile.

Erica quickly cozied up next to Natasha, holding her phone high with one hand and making a peace sign with the other.

CLICK!

The phone made a crisp shutter sound.

A photo of the two beautiful women appeared on the screen, both beaming with brilliant smiles.

"Thank you so much! How about I treat you to dinner tonight?" After taking the picture, Erica was reluctant to leave, lingering by Natasha’s side like a little tagalong.

Just then, Feng Shan’s impatient complaint drifted over from the wooden bridge.

"Woman, are we going or not? If not, I have other things to do."

’What a crude man!’ Natasha shook her head helplessly, a look of disdain on her face. She turned and walked toward the wooden bridge, adding, "Uncle Frank, are you free? I’d like to go see the old campsite."

"I am!" Frank nodded like a true gentleman, a gentle smile on his face.

Erica hurried over to them as well, saying excitedly, "I’ll go with you guys!"

When Feng Shan saw the group walking toward him, he gave an indifferent shrug, then strode across the wooden bridge and onto the vast Tundra Wilderness.

...

NEIGH!!

On the tundra, Ashes, who had been leisurely grazing, immediately began to neigh excitedly upon seeing his master.

He raised his head, pawed lightly at the grass, and led the herd of horses over at a gallop.

Ashes was the first to reach Feng Shan, affectionately burying his head against his master’s chest. He nuzzled him nonstop, snorting as he pleaded for attention.

"This is a fine Quarter Horse." Natasha walked up beside Feng Shan and carefully appraised Ashes’s physique, nodding slightly with a look of admiration.

"Of course he is. His name is Ashes, and I’m planning to enter him in a competition next year." Feng Shan’s face beamed with pride as he introduced his most prized creation.

Ashes enjoyed his master’s stroking, his eyes half-closed as a contented rumble sounded from his throat.

Seeing this, Natasha also reached out and slowly placed a hand on Ashes’s back, her movements cautious as if testing the horse’s reaction. "I wonder how he runs."

The gesture startled Feng Shan. Ashes was known around the camp for his fiery temper and bad attitude.

He never let anyone but Feng Shan touch him.

But the next moment, something happened that completely defied Feng Shan’s expectations.

Not only did Ashes not fly into a rage as usual, but he immediately pulled his head out of Feng Shan’s embrace.

He turned and buried his head in Natasha’s arms, fawning over her like a sycophant—even more affectionately than he treated his own master.

’You traitorous beast.’

’Choosing beauty over your master.’

’I should have listened to Jeff and had you castrated!’

Seeing how affectionately Ashes was behaving with Natasha, a wave of jealousy washed over Feng Shan, and he ground his teeth in frustration.

"I like this horse very much. Has he been trained?" Natasha, completely oblivious to Feng Shan’s mood, was entirely captivated by Ashes.

She cupped Ashes’s large head with both hands, her slender, pale fingers stroking him gently. Her eyes were filled with fondness and admiration.

After asking Feng Shan, she didn’t even wait for a reply before giving Ashes a command in a gentle tone.

"Stay!"

As if he understood her command, Ashes’s slightly swaying body instantly became still. He stood rooted to the spot, his gaze fixed on Natasha, seemingly awaiting her next instruction.

The moment Natasha saw how obedient Ashes was, she knew this gray Quarter Horse had received professional training.

A glint of excitement flashed in her eyes, and she immediately made a bold decision.

She reached out her left hand, grabbed Ashes’s shoulder, and crouched slightly, shifting her weight to her right foot. With her legs bent, she gathered her strength, ready to spring.