Landlord in the Arctic

He couldn't bear to let them be alone during a holiday meant for reunions?

So, Feng Shan made a last-minute decision to give everyone red envelopes.

He also let the employees choose whether or not to go home, hoping they could all have a Christmas with their families.

...

Soon, a long line formed in the middle of the party.

The employees in the line all had faces brimming with anticipation.

Erica had snatched the first spot. She walked up to Feng Shan with a broad smile, her eyes twinkling with joy.

She held out her hand, ready to receive the surprise Christmas red envelope.

"Here you go. Work hard next year, and try not to snore when you sleep!" Feng Shan's lips curved into a mischievous smile as he pulled out an envelope and placed it in Erica's hand.

The moment he said that, Erica's face turned beet red, like a ripe apple.

Embarrassed and flustered, her eyes darted around nervously as a burst of laughter erupted from the line behind her.

Spurred on by the laughter, Erica lowered her head and scurried away like a startled fawn.

Next, Demi came forward.

"Keep developing new wines for the Crown Territory next year. I'll support you with whatever you need," Feng Shan said encouragingly as he pulled out a red envelope and handed it to Demi.

"Don't worry, I've already started my research," Demi said, taking the envelope. A sly glint flashed in her eyes.

While Feng Shan wasn't looking, she leaned her head forward.

With a quick, gentle motion, she stole a kiss on Feng Shan's cheek, then turned and ran off like a gust of wind.

She left Feng Shan slightly stunned, a resigned smile appearing on his face.

It was Tammy's turn next.

Don't be fooled by Tammy's cute, doll-like face; she had a thousand tricks up her sleeve.

She bounced up to Feng Shan with a playful smile.

Feng Shan gave her a light, exasperated tap on the head, though his eyes were full of affection, and then handed her the red envelope.

"We need to expand the vegetable garden next year, so no slacking!"

"Hmph, I know!"

Tammy pretended it hurt, rubbing her head as she took the envelope.

Then, she copied what Demi had just done, leaning her head forward with sparkling, expectant eyes, as if she also wanted an affectionate response.

"What are you doing?" Feng Shan asked, knitting his brows in confusion at Tammy's eager expression.

"Demi got to kiss you, so why can't I? I want a kiss too!" Tammy batted her big, watery eyes, deliberately putting on a cute, wronged expression. Her voice was so soft and sweet it was practically dripping honey.

Hearing her words, Feng Shan was momentarily speechless, a look of resignation on his face.

He sighed softly, knowing he couldn't win against this mischievous little rascal. He had no choice but to lean forward and turn his cheek.

Seeing Feng Shan agree, Tammy's face instantly broke into a radiant smile, like a cheerful little bird.

She quickly planted a kiss on his cheek and then skipped away, completely satisfied. Her joyful figure seemed to float on the wind, leaving a trail of bell-like laughter behind her.

Next, Maria came forward.

Just as with the employees before her, Feng Shan first offered some words of encouragement with a gentle smile.

Then, he handed the red envelope to Maria.

After taking the envelope, Maria's eyes sparkled. Just like the others, she looked eager and leaned her head forward.

'What's with this bad habit you all have?'

'So after I hand out red envelopes, I have to hand out my face, too?'

Feng Shan grumbled to himself, a helpless, exasperated expression on his face.

But in the end, he couldn't bring himself to refuse, so he resignedly offered his cheek again.

And so, the scene that followed became...

One red envelope and one kiss on the cheek became the standard gift for the female employees.

One by one, they all wore expressions of wishes fulfilled, their eyes crinkling into smiling crescents, as if they had received the most precious treasure in the world.

Judging by their satisfied expressions, it seemed their interest in getting a kiss from Feng Shan far outweighed their interest in receiving a red envelope.

This made Feng Shan feel both warm and speechless, but seeing everyone so happy...

He felt it was worth it.

...

He finally made it through the line of female employees. Feng Shan felt like his cheek was swollen from all the kisses.

Just then, Alvin hobbled forward with a cheeky grin.

Before Alvin could even speak, Feng Shan sensed his intention and took a step back, cutting him off.

"You can have the red envelope, but if you dare try to kiss my cheek, I'll break your other leg and put you in a wheelchair for the rest of your life."

"That's not fair! Why can they kiss you?" Alvin immediately looked indignant, his mouth pouting like a wronged child.

"Get the hell away from me," Feng Shan said, goosebumps of disgust breaking out on his arms.

However, under Feng Shan's threatening gaze, Alvin didn't dare say anything more.

After taking the red envelope, he sulkily walked away, muttering under his breath.

The people around them couldn't help but let out a good-natured laugh at the scene, and the little interlude made the atmosphere even more lighthearted and cheerful.

As the stack of red envelopes in his hand visibly dwindled, the line also grew shorter.

When giving and receiving gifts abroad, especially in Western culture, people usually open them on the spot. It's considered a sign of respect and gratitude, allowing them to immediately express their joy and appreciation. This makes the giver feel that their gift is valued and loved.

In China's culture, however, people traditionally prefer to open gifts after the giver has left.

This isn't out of disrespect, but rather stems from a cultural tradition of subtlety and modesty.

Opening a gift in front of the giver might pressure the recipient. They might worry that if the gift isn't what they expected, their expression or words could betray their feelings and embarrass the giver.

"WOW!!"

A loud gasp of astonishment suddenly erupted from the crowd, like a stone tossed into a calm lake, sending out ripples.

Someone had opened their red envelope.

Based on the thickness of the envelope and their own estimates, they thought the amount inside probably wouldn't exceed 500 US Dollar.

After all, with so many people getting envelopes, the amount couldn't be that large.

However, when what they pulled out wasn't a wad of cash but a cashier's check, they were stunned.

Then they saw the amount clearly printed on the check.

5,000 US Dollar.

That figure spread through the crowd like a bombshell.

This was what the boss had casually described as "not a lot of money, so don't mind"?

It clearly far exceeded everyone's imagination.

As time went on, gasps of surprise rose one after another, like successive waves in the ocean.

The family members, who had initially just been watching the fun, were at first muttering to themselves.

'With so many people getting red envelopes, how much could each person possibly get?'

But when they heard the continuous gasps around them and learned that the amount in the envelopes was actually 5,000 US Dollar...

Their eyes lit up instantly, and one by one, they turned to look at Feng Shan with fiery gazes.

That was a cashier's check for 5,000 US Dollar!

That was no small sum.

The family members' eyes were filled with envy and desire, and they couldn't help but wonder to themselves.

'I can't believe the camp's boss is so generous, so open-handed.'

'I wonder if the Crown Territory is still hiring.'

'If I could work here, maybe I could get these kinds of generous benefits and wages, too.'

For a time, the atmosphere became exceptionally lively. The sounds of discussion and admiration mingled together, lingering in the air.

"Feng, why didn't we get red envelopes?" the tribal chiefs asked, their faces holding ambiguous smiles.

They deliberately raised their voices, a cunning glint in their eyes, as if waiting to see how Feng Shan would respond.

"You guys?" Feng Shan narrowed his eyes and rolled them without hesitation. "Fine, you want red envelopes? Then starting tomorrow, come to the camp and work. Take your pick: farming or herding."

Don't be fooled by these tribal chiefs who went around crying poor all day, looking pitiful.

In reality, the tribe was the tribe, and the individual was the individual. There were a lot of ins and outs to it.

The tribe is the tribe, and the individual is the individual.

The annual dividends from the Alaska Indigenous People's foundation were nothing to scoff at.

Driven by profit, under-the-table deals that couldn't see the light of day existed in every country.

This was especially true for Indigenous People at the chief level. They were extremely shrewd in these dealings and wouldn't take a single cent less than what they were owed.

Their act of being destitute was just a front to secure more benefits.

Thinking of this, Feng Shan sneered inwardly. He could see right through the chiefs' little schemes.

...