Chapter 438 - 316: Gift
A 0.05% commission. At first glance, it seemed pitifully small.
But a quick calculation revealed that it would be a very substantial income.
Take the first batch of 50 container homes, for example. Their total cost exceeded 2 million US dollars.
Based on that percentage, he could easily pocket a 100,000 US dollar commission.
For him, this was undoubtedly a huge sum—enough to take both his life and career to the next level.
Feng Shan, on the other hand, was lost in thought.
’As the camp continues to grow, the number of permanent residents is bound to increase.’
’Jenny, Yves, Erica, and Maria are the camp’s veteran employees. They’ve been living in those mini-cabins all this time, which really doesn’t seem appropriate anymore.’
’I should at least set aside some land for them and give them each their own container home.’
’They’ve all worked hard with me to build this place. I can’t be the only one enjoying the good life; I have to make sure everyone who works for me gets to enjoy the fruits of our success.’
"Alright, it’s settled then. Design ten of the container homes as units suitable for a family of four. The other forty should still be mainly two-person rooms."
"Okay, no problem." Little Barry immediately slipped into his role as an agent, pulling out a notebook to jot down Feng Shan’s requirements in detail.
He added methodically, "Once I’ve selected a manufacturer, I’ll send you the blueprints for review. We’ll start production only after you’ve confirmed the designs. This will ensure the houses meet your needs and that production is accurate."
"That’s the best way. Just make sure it’s fast," Feng Shan agreed. After all, it would still be a while before the road was finished, which gave them ample time to prepare.
Little Barry immediately picked up his briefcase, eager to get going. His voice was full of energy. "I’m heading out right now to find the best container home company. The plane is waiting for me on the runway."
Seeing his eagerness, Feng Shan couldn’t help but laugh and wave a hand. "You don’t have to be in such a rush. After Christmas is fine!"
However, driven by the powerful allure of money, Little Barry was full of vigor, his eyes shining with excitement.
"God said that time is money! The one thing I’m short on right now is time. There’s always next Christmas."
"Fine. I’ll have someone take you to the runway."
Feng Shan smiled with amused resignation, understanding Little Barry’s dedication and eagerness.
He called for Wawa and had him take Little Barry to the runway on the snowmobile.
He had just finished his work.
Feng Shan happened to look up and saw Alvin in the distance, leading a group of sailors.
Each man had a case of beer slung over his shoulder as they strode out of the camp.
"Where are you all headed?" Feng Shan called out.
"To the hot springs! I hear they’re great for rheumatism. And we’re gonna drink some beer!" Alvin shouted back.
Fishermen have a particularly unique working environment, constantly surrounded by water.
Whether on a boat or working at sea, the humidity is always stubbornly high.
Prolonged exposure to such damp conditions makes the skin and joints susceptible to the effects of the moisture.
This is especially true for those fishing in frigid regions like the Bering Sea, where fishermen are directly subjected to the double whammy of cold seawater and biting winds.
When the body is exposed to the cold for extended periods, the blood vessels around the joints constrict, and circulation slows.
When this happens repeatedly, the nutrient supply to the joints is impeded. This leads to tissue damage and significantly increases the risk of developing rheumatism.
As a result, due to their long-term exposure to such harsh, cold, and damp environments, nearly one hundred percent of Bering Sea fishermen suffer from rheumatism.
Furthermore, the condition tends to worsen with age.
On Saint Paul Island, Feng Shan had often seen older local fishermen who had trouble walking. Their smaller joints, like their fingers and wrists, would be visibly deformed and swollen, making movement incredibly difficult.
Now, looking at this group of young men before him—all strong, healthy, and full of life...
But Feng Shan knew that if they didn’t take preventative measures, it would be too late by the time the rheumatism truly flared up.
At that thought, Feng Shan decided to give them a small gift as a reward for their hard work.
"Let’s go. I’ll join you. We can chat a bit."
And so, the group of more than thirty men marched boisterously toward the hot spring.
The hot spring had been much quieter since the tourists left. Nowadays, only an occasional staff member would go for a soak.
Permanent residents like Jenny and the others usually opted for the private hot spring at Feng Shan’s cabin if they wanted a soak, preferring the privacy.
"Let’s use this big one!" Feng Shan led the men to the largest pool and, standing right at the edge, stripped completely naked.
’It was all guys here anyway. Everyone was built the same, with the only differences being the... specifications of certain parts.’
The dim yellow light from the lamps filtered through the billowing steam, creating a hazy atmosphere.
The thirty-odd men laughed and joked as they stripped off their clothes. Standing by the edge of the pool, they actually started comparing sizes.
After a round of comparisons, the undisputed champion of... specifications... was none other than Feng Shan.
This group of rough-and-tumble guys had hoped they could at least one-up their boss in this department, to find some psychological equilibrium and feel a sense of validation.
But upon seeing Feng Shan’s specs, every last one of them felt utterly inadequate.
The competitive spark they’d just felt was instantly and ruthlessly crushed, and they could only slink into the hot spring in shame.
"’Boss, you’re the man!’ Alvin gave Feng Shan a thumbs-up, half-joking and half-teasing. ’It’s a real shame you’re not making movies in the San Fernando Valley. You’d definitely be a huge star.’"