Landlord in the Arctic

Finally, he let out a sharp whistle toward the herd of horses grazing leisurely outside the camp.

From a short distance away, Ashes immediately came trotting over.

Once it reached Feng Mountain’s side, it shook its head affectionately and nuzzled his arm like a child seeking attention.

"Woman, are you riding or walking?" Feng Mountain deliberately raised his voice, shouting the words at Ashes with a mischievous grin on his face.

Ashes clearly didn’t understand its master, merely tilting its head with confused eyes as it continued to nuzzle him affectionately.

Standing nearby, Natasha knew perfectly well the question was meant for her. ’What a boor,’ she complained inwardly as a flash of displeasure crossed her face.

Still, she didn’t want to argue about it. The longer she delayed, the longer it would take to get back and treat the injury on her butt.

So she took a deep breath, suppressing her anger.

Then, with steps that were elegant yet defiant, she walked toward Ashes.

"Wait." Just as Natasha was about to reach Ashes, Zicao seemed to recall something. She quickly turned and hurried into a tent.

A moment later, she came hurrying out with a bundle of animal hides in her arms. She trotted past Natasha and went straight to Ashes.

With nimble hands, Zicao gently spread the hides over Ashes’s back, thoughtfully securing them with a leather strap to make sure they wouldn’t slip.

Once she was done, she turned to Feng Mountain, blushing shyly.

"Khilla, women are very delicate. You have to be gentle."

Without waiting for Feng Mountain’s reply, Zicao quickly lowered her head, turned, and trotted back to Natasha’s side.

She reached out to carefully steady Natasha and whispered earnestly,

"Sister, my mother told me that when you do... that sort of thing, you have to learn to protect yourself. Men only think about their own release; they don’t care about a woman’s feelings."

"!!!" Hearing this, Tasha’s face instantly flushed crimson. Her eyes went wide and her mouth fell open, but she was too stunned to utter a single word.

At that moment, she wished she could hide her face completely behind her hair to conceal her mortification.

"Yes, yes, you’re right. Zicao is so thoughtful. I’ll be sure—absolutely sure—to be careful next time." Feng Mountain had been momentarily stunned, not grasping the implication of Zicao’s words. But once he understood, a wicked smirk spread across his face as he readily agreed.

He deliberately drew out the words "next time," his eyes darting toward Natasha as if to see just how flustered he could make her.

Hearing Zicao’s words and Feng Mountain’s reply, Natasha’s anger flared anew. She whipped her head around and shot Feng Mountain a death glare, her eyes filled with resentment and fury.

It had to be said, a beautiful woman was exceptionally captivating even when she was angry.

And for a beautiful woman like Natasha, who exuded an air of nobility, that angry expression held a unique allure.

Natasha swallowed her anger and walked over to Ashes.

However, the pain from the spanking Feng Mountain had given her made it impossible to leap gracefully onto the horse’s back as she had when she first arrived.

Now, it seemed her only option for mounting the horse was to ask Feng Mountain for help.

Natasha’s expression instantly soured. With a stern face, she lowered her head slightly, steadied herself against the horse’s back, and muttered in a voice as quiet as a buzzing mosquito,

"Help me up!"

"What? What did you say? Louder!" Feng Mountain feigned ignorance, deliberately asking in a loud voice.

"!!!" The flames of fury in Natasha’s heart leaped higher.

She had also discovered another of Feng Mountain’s "fine qualities": he was petty and held a grudge.

’He knew perfectly well that I’m in pain and can’t move easily, yet he’s deliberately trying to humiliate me.’

But her pride and sense of dignity wouldn’t allow her to humble herself and ask for help again.

And so, Natasha straightened her back, a resolute glint in her eyes. She turned and began walking into the darkness alone.

Her figure, receding into the twilight, looked somewhat lonely, yet carried an air of stubborn persistence.

’Oh crap, I’ve gone too far!’

Feng Mountain cursed inwardly. Watching Natasha’s resolute departure, he began to panic.

He couldn’t worry about anything else. He rushed forward and, without a second thought for her wishes, wrapped his arms around her waist and swept her into his arms.

Natasha hadn’t expected Feng Mountain to do something so sudden.

Shocked and furious, she began hammering his sides with her fists.

Don’t be fooled by the fact that she was a woman; Natasha was trained in combat. Her punches were powerful, and each one landed squarely on Feng Mountain’s waist and ribs.

Nearby, the members of the Bear Tribe were all watching.

Feng Mountain forced himself to remain calm, gritting his teeth against the pain and not daring to let it show on his face.

He endured the barrage of punches while calling Ashes over.

Once Ashes was close, he put on his most gentlemanly and considerate expression, setting Natasha as gently as possible onto the horse’s back.

As soon as she was settled, Feng Mountain winced and muttered,

"I hit you three times, you hit me all these times. Now we’re even!"

’Even?’

Natasha snorted inwardly. Although she had taken the opportunity to give Feng Mountain a beating, her mood had actually improved considerably.

’Still, they were far from truly being even.’

’Being petty and holding a grudge wasn’t just a man’s prerogative; it was an innate part of a woman’s nature.’

’Today’s beating was just collecting a little interest. As for the principal, there would be plenty of opportunities for him to repay it slowly in the future.’

Having finally gotten Natasha settled—and earning himself a pointless beating and an aching side in the process—Feng Mountain felt rather aggrieved. Still, he forced a smile and bid farewell to the people of the Bear Tribe.

"I’m heading out. Remember, everyone come to the camp for the festival tomorrow."

The tribespeople all smiled and nodded in response.

Amid a chorus of farewells, Feng Mountain mounted the black horse, gently kicked its sides, and it set off, leaving the camp behind.

Neither of them spoke on the way back, and the atmosphere was heavy.

Only the rhythmic CLOP-CLOP of hooves on the grass echoed in the silent air.

...

The moment they returned to camp, Andrei, looking extremely agitated, darted forward to carefully help Natasha down from the horse.

When he noticed Natasha’s slightly strange gait, his concerned expression instantly sharpened, and he shot a furious glare at Feng Mountain.

Frank, on the other hand, had a knowing smile on his face.

As a man of the world who had seen and understood a great deal, he naturally understood the reason for her strange walk. A meaningful glint shone in his eyes as he watched the scene unfold with great interest.

Erica covered her mouth, her eyes wide with an expression of utter disbelief, looking too shocked for words.

Her gaze darted back and forth between Natasha and Feng Mountain.

"Feng, what did you do to Her Highness!" Andrei demanded, supporting Natasha as he glared angrily at Feng Mountain.

From the way he was poised, if he hadn’t been busy supporting Natasha, he would have already rolled up his sleeves and lunged at him with fists swinging.

Feng Mountain rubbed his nose, an awkward expression on his face. His eyes shifted evasively as he stammered, "If I said it was from riding... would you believe me?"

’Riding?’

’Do you take me for an idiot?’

Andrei scoffed inwardly, his eyes filled with contempt.

Of course he didn’t believe such a lame excuse. He was about to press the matter when Natasha cut him off.

Natasha’s voice was tinged with annoyance and exhaustion; she clearly didn’t want to discuss the matter any further.

"Shut up and help me back to the cabin!"

After the two had left, the planned tour of the camp had to be put on hold.

A sly grin on his face, Frank walked over with a light step and gave Feng Mountain a solid, friendly punch on the shoulder. His eyes were full of admiration as he said with a laugh,

"You dog! I was worried you wouldn’t be able to get together with Natasha, but I didn’t expect you to make a move so quickly. Not bad, way to go!"

"Feng, are you really with the Queen now?"

Erica’s eyes lit up instantly. She stared intently at Feng Mountain, as if afraid of missing the slightest change in his expression.

Faced with their gossipy expressions, Feng Mountain could only shake his head and remain silent.

....