Landlord in the Arctic

Feng Shan made his way through the party.

He could occasionally hear hushed teasing, along with stifled snickers that still managed to reach his ears.

He looked up.

All he could see were faces filled with amusement, which made his own expression darken instantly.

He hurried away from the noisy, bustling party, his mood still mired in an inescapable embarrassment.

As his gaze swept idly across a corner, he saw Natasha sitting there quietly.

Her silver evening gown accentuated her graceful figure. She was like a rare orchid in the night, exuding a subtle fragrance—elegant yet understated.

The images from the phone video flashed through Feng Shan's mind.

The part where he pinched her cheek and talked about spanking her.

A rush of hot blood surged to his cheeks.

He was so embarrassed he wished he could dig a hole and hide in it.

After a moment's hesitation...

...he steeled himself, picked up a chair, walked over to Natasha, and sat down.

"About earlier... I'm sorry. I drank too much." Feng Shan's voice was a little strained. He lowered his head slightly, not daring to meet Natasha's eyes, and nervously rubbed his hands on his legs.

Natasha acted as if she hadn't heard his apology.

Instead, she just raised her beautiful eyebrows slightly.

She was clearly a little surprised by his act of sitting next to her without permission.

She tilted her head slightly.

Her gaze fell lightly on Feng Shan, a hint of scrutiny in her eyes.

"You can't hold your liquor. I suggest you don't drink recklessly in the future. Your behavior when drunk is..."

Feng Shan leaned back in his chair and waved his hand dismissively, trying to ease the awkward atmosphere with a casual attitude. "I only drink like that when I'm with my own people."

Natasha didn't speak. Her azure eyes, like a deep lake, were fixed on Feng Shan's face.

Her gaze was sharp and focused, as if trying to see right through him.

Being stared at like that...

...made Feng Shan's skin crawl. He felt like a specimen under a microscope.

Panic flared in his heart.

He subconsciously avoided her gaze, his eyes darting around as he asked with a guilty conscience.

"What are you looking at?"

The corners of Natasha's mouth turned up in a meaningful smile, one that seemed to hold a secret. "What happened today... was it a deliberate act, or was it unintentional?"

"What are you talking about?" Feng Shan continued to play dumb, his eyes wandering, refusing to engage with her question.

"Never mind. Whatever your goal is, you've at least gained some importance in my eyes." Natasha huffed, not bothering to expose Feng Shan's true intentions.

'Because some things don't need an answer. You can see them with your own eyes.'

Then, she raised her chin slightly, a trace of arrogance in her eyes.

"As a new acquaintance, I must say, you're playing this game of chess quite well. There are 150,000 Indigenous People in Alaska—that's a very powerful force, both in politics and the public sphere. With the American Government progressively improving welfare for Indigenous People, winning their support would make it easy to become a state legislator."

Natasha's voice was calm and certain, as if she were stating an established fact.

"What chess game? You're overthinking things!" Feng Shan's eyes went wide. He hadn't expected Natasha to have such a vivid imagination.

He'd just gotten a little carried away while drunk and decided to create a little surprise on a whim.

How did it become so convoluted coming from her?

As if it were some grand, ulterior conspiracy.

"Is that so?"

Natasha raised an eyebrow, her tone full of amusement.

The rising inflection of her voice was like a hook, snagging at Feng Shan's nerves and making him antsy.

At the same time, she tilted her head, watching Feng Shan with a half-smile.

Her eyes revealed a hint of disbelief.

As if to say, 'I'd like to see what else you can come up with.'

"Believe it or not. I can't be bothered to explain it to you."

Feng Shan retorted irritably, his face a mask of impatience.

He really didn't want to get tangled up in this topic with Natasha any longer. The woman's train of thought was too erratic.

If they kept talking, who knew if her imagination would run wild and she'd accuse him of plotting to overthrow the United States.

Feng Shan decided to end this mindless conversation. He didn't want to be led by the nose by Natasha.

Just then, he happened to glance over at a group of children nearby. Instantly, two fluffy white figures came into view.

That one glance was like a flash of lightning in his mind.

It made Feng Shan suddenly remember that nagging feeling that something was missing.

He immediately slapped his forehead in a moment of sudden realization.

It was his two godsons, Xiong Da and Xiong Er, that were missing!

Without a second thought, Feng Shan stood up and, without another word, headed toward the group of children.

Watching his rapidly retreating back...

...Natasha furrowed her brow slightly, lost in thought.

She recalled her conversation with Feng Shan just now.

'From his expression and his eyes, I really couldn't detect a single trace of ambition.'

But this just filled Natasha with more questions.

'If he has no ambition, why would he go to such great lengths to create that mysterious flame, inspiring near-worship from the leaders of the Indigenous People—to the point they would pour out their hearts and even kneel in prayer to him?'

'But if he *does* have ambition, why did he act so indifferent when faced with my very tempting suggestion? It's as if the chance to become a political figure holds no appeal for him whatsoever.'

Besides, Natasha knew perfectly well...

...her words just now were less about exposing Feng Shan's intentions...

...and more about giving him a hint, pointing out a path to the pinnacle of power.

Because the potential held by the Indigenous People of Alaska was immense.

After all, the entire population of Alaska was only about 700,000, and the Indigenous People made up nearly a third of that.