Landlord in the Arctic

School was letting out.

The supermarket suddenly burst with activity. Customers streamed in one after another, and the store entered its peak hours.

Hu Zi and Xiaohua dashed back and forth between the checkout counter and the shelves, incredibly busy.

Feng Mountain didn’t go up to help. Instead, he walked into the staff room by himself.

Before long, Hu Zi walked in, beaming with excitement.

He was holding his phone, a wide, irrepressible smile on his face.

"Brother, a few suppliers just called to apologize to me. They said from now on, I can pay for one shipment after receiving three, and they even promised to give me priority for their stock."

"Someone from Mei Xin Chain called too. They said the acquisition was a misunderstanding and their boss is coming over personally to apologize."

"Alright, that’s enough. Look how happy you are over such a small thing." Feng Mountain shot him a gruff look, lightly patting the Coca-Cola in his arms. He glanced at the time. "Are you done yet? If you’re done, let’s go home and cook. I still have to make fish for Hua’Er."

"All done! I’ll call Black Hide and have him bring back some of the Li Family’s pig’s head meat!" Hu Zi nodded quickly, his face still lit up with a brilliant smile.

After briefly giving instructions to the employees, Xiaohua walked over from the checkout counter. With a gentle smile, she linked her arm with Feng Mountain’s.

"Brother, let’s go home."

"Let’s go. Home." Feng Mountain nodded, his voice filled with happiness.

The three of them exchanged a smile and walked out of the supermarket, heading home.

...

The two apartments that Su Yang had sold to Hu Zi and Black Hide on the cheap were in Taishan Mansion, right behind the supermarket.

It was just a short walk from the community’s main gate.

This was Feng Mountain’s first visit since he had returned to the country.

Once inside, Xiaohua accompanied Feng Mountain on a tour of the apartment, and he nodded repeatedly in satisfaction.

It was a three-bedroom, two-living-room layout.

The space was wide and bright, with a large balcony that offered an excellent view. You could not only overlook the entire People’s Primary School but also see a sliver of the coastline in the far distance.

The setting sun streamed freely through the balcony, bathing the entire living room in a soft, golden light.

After touring the apartment, Feng Mountain understood clearly.

’This favor from Su Yang was no small thing.’

’Considering the current market price for an apartment in this location, the money I gave Hu Zi and Black Hide back then...’

’...would have, at most, been enough to buy a single unit.’

’But Su Yang was more than generous. Not only did he sell them two apartments, but they were right across the hall from each other.’

’The price was an absolute steal, and on top of that, he practically gave them a storefront property as well.’

’This was an enormous favor.’

Xiaohua pulled Feng Mountain to sit on the sofa, an unconcealable, happy smile on her face.

"Brother, this apartment was already renovated when we bought it. I just made a few simple changes with Black Hide. His unit hasn’t been touched at all. Both of these apartments have the best views and natural light in the whole complex. Plus, when the kids go to school in the future, we’ll be able to see them right from the balcony."

"As long as you like it!" Feng Mountain replied with a gentle smile, his eyes full of affection. He felt his worries ease.

’As for the favor...’

’I’ll just repay it when the time comes!’

’All that matters is that my brother and sister are happy.’

Just then, a cry of surprise came from the kitchen. Hu Zi walked out holding a black plastic bag, a look of astonishment on his face.

"Hua’Er, come look! A meter-long large yellow croaker! Goodness, this thing must be a spirit!"

Hearing this, Xiaohua quickly got up and went over.

When she saw it, she also started exclaiming in amazement.

"Wow, you rarely see a large yellow croaker this big!"

"I caught that fish from the sea this afternoon. It’s a genuine wild large yellow croaker, to help nourish Hua’Er’s body," Feng Mountain said as he walked over to them. He took the plastic bag and turned to head into the kitchen. "Is there an apron? Tie it on for me. With Hu Zi’s clumsy skills, he’d just ruin this fine fish."

Hu Zi scratched his head, looking a little embarrassed.

"Brother Shan, my cooking isn’t that great, but I am learning. Still, with a fish this good, it’s bound to be delicious if you’re the one making it."

Xiaohua found an apron in a cabinet.

She hurried behind Feng Mountain and gently tied it on him.

"Brother, thank you for doing this. How about I assist you from the side, just like in the old days?"

With the apron on, Feng Mountain started to clean the large yellow croaker at the sink.

The water ran as he washed the fish and shooed them away.

"No way. Go back to the living room and rest. This fish is a bit tricky to prepare, and I don’t want you to get tired."

Xiaohua smiled and shook her head. "Brother, I’m not that fragile. I’ll just stand here and hand you things. It’s no bother."

Feng Mountain looked at the expectant faces of Hu Zi and Xiaohua and waved his hand in mock exasperation.

"Alright, you two get out. Don’t get in my way."

And with that, the two of them were shooed out of the kitchen.

Not long after, the clatter of cooking began to echo from the kitchen.

The sound of the spatula hitting the wok and the SIZZLE of hot oil intertwined.

Hu Zi and Xiaohua stood at the kitchen doorway, watching with rapt attention as Feng Mountain busied himself with cooking.

At that moment, Feng Mountain, apron tied around his waist, was focused intently on the wok. His wrist moved nimbly as he stir-fried, his movements skilled and efficient.

It was a scene they hadn’t witnessed in many years.

Back then, as a group of young children, they had left the orphanage to follow Feng Mountain.

It was the same scene back at the small restaurant.

Feng Mountain would be in the smoky, fiery kitchen, stir-frying food with an apron on.

And they, a group of kids, would stand at the kitchen door, watching with eager eyes.

They would wait for the food to be done, and as it was being served, they would sneak a piece to taste. If Feng Mountain caught them, they would just giggle mischievously.

The corners of Hu Zi’s mouth turned up slightly, a flicker of nostalgia in his eyes.

"Hua’Er, look at Brother Shan. He’s still the same as before. The way he cooks hasn’t changed a bit."

Xiaohua nodded gently, her voice soft. "Yes, Brother has always been so good to us. He was then, and he still is now."

"What are you two standing around for? When the food’s ready, make sure you eat your fill."𝐟𝕣𝕖𝐞𝐰𝕖𝚋𝐧𝗼𝚟𝐞𝕝.𝗰𝐨𝐦