Landlord in the Arctic

Ha!

Hearing Feng Mountain say this...

The smiles on the chiefs' faces instantly stiffened, a flicker of unease in their eyes.

They quickly gave awkward laughs, pretending they didn't understand what Feng Mountain was saying.

After the red envelopes were handed out, the party's atmosphere gradually shifted as it began to wind down.

The crowd at the party started to thin out, splitting into different groups.

The energetic, fun-loving young people were still immersed in the joyous atmosphere, unwilling to leave.

They gathered in twos and threes.

Some continued to dance, swaying their bodies to the upbeat music, while others chatted, laughed, and drank, their cheerful laughter bursting out from time to time.

But the older folks, unable to fight off their exhaustion any longer, said their goodbyes and dragged their weary feet back to their rooms to rest.

Then there were the female camp employees who, having received a full seven-day holiday, happily dashed toward the campgrounds, their steps light and their mouths humming a tuneless little song.

As soon as they got back, they eagerly packed their bags, filled with anticipation for a warm Christmas at home and a reunion with their long-missed families.

「Back at the party.」

The lively atmosphere hadn't completely dissipated, and the lights still twinkled.

Though the music had softened, a joyful echo still flowed through the air.

"Feng!" Jenny's voice rang out as she emerged from the crowd with Erica, Demi, and Tammy.

Their faces were beaming, a hint of expectation in their eyes.

"What's up?" Feng Mountain asked with a gentle smile.

Seeing them, he casually pulled another stack of red envelopes from his pocket, handing one to each of them as he spoke.

"Good things come in pairs, so you get a second red envelope. This one is for Maria; give it to her later."

"Um…" After taking the red envelope, Jenny looked a little nervous. She unconsciously wrung her hands, her fingers trembling slightly. She then looked up, her gaze a bit evasive. "I'd like to go home for a bit, too. I haven't been back in a long time."

"Then go. You don't need to ask me." Feng Mountain, of course, wouldn't stop Jenny from wanting to go home.

Jenny had a falling out with her husband back then, but she never had any issues with her family.

Feng Mountain understood Jenny's longing for home and hoped she would go back for a visit.

However, when his gaze swept over to Erica and Tammy, he frowned slightly.

Those two had been terribly hurt by their families. If they went home, it would be like sheep walking into a wolf's den.

His eyes revealed his concern as he looked at the two girls and asked,

"Are you two going home as well?"

"I haven't had a family for a long time. You all are my family now." A shadow passed over Erica's face, a mark left by her painful past.

But she quickly shook her head, her gaze firm as she said, "We're planning to go with Jenny to her hometown. There's not much going on at the camp right now anyway."

"Mhm, Sister Jenny's hometown is in Montana, and I want to go see it." Tammy nodded her little head vigorously, her eyes sparkling with excitement, as if she were filled with endless dreams about Jenny's home.

"Don't look at me. Wherever they go, I go!" Demi shrugged nonchalantly, her eyes revealing her reliance on her companions.

"That's great. Staying cooped up at the camp all the time will drive you crazy." Feng Mountain nodded, a gratified smile on his face. He then stuffed all the red envelopes in his hand into Jenny's. "There's a saying back home: be frugal at home but generous on the road. Take some extra money with you when you travel. Buy whatever you like. If it's not enough, give me a call."

"Ooh, we're rich!" Erica's eyes lit up with excitement. She snatched the red envelopes and, pulling Tammy and Demi over, eagerly started counting.

The three of them put their heads together, muttering to themselves as they counted, their faces filled with satisfied smiles.

Jenny looked at Feng Mountain, took a gentle step forward, and with a soft, natural motion, reached out to thoughtfully straighten his messy fur coat.

Her fingers gently smoothed the wrinkles on his collar, her gaze concerned, as if she were handling a fragile treasure.

After she finished, she said softly,

"While I'm gone for the next few days, take care of yourself. I put a lot of prepared beef in the fridge; you just need to heat it up. I already spoke with Trish at the restaurant, and she'll call you for meals. All your clothes are in the closet, so just grab what you need. Put the dirty clothes in the basket, and I'll wash them when I get back."

Her tone was gentle and meticulous, every word filled with care, flowing like a warm current into Feng Mountain's heart.

'She really treats me like a child.'

Feng Mountain watched Jenny's earnest expression.

He couldn't help but reveal an expression of amused resignation, the corners of his mouth turning up slightly, his eyes full of warmth.

At the same time, a deep sense of being moved washed over him. It was a warm, fuzzy feeling that left him completely immersed in its coziness.

Even though he was being lectured like a child, 'this feeling of being cared for is really nice!'

Just then, the roar of a propeller suddenly broke the silence of the night sky. The sound grew from a distant drone to a clear hum.

Along with the sound, tricolor navigation lights blinked in the dark.

Old Tom's plane had arrived.

Feng Mountain looked in the direction of the approaching plane.

He gently hugged Jenny, resting his head near her ear, and said softly,

"The plane's here. You all should go back and pack so you don't get delayed. Remember to have Old Tom book your tickets—first class. I'm not short on money. Call me if you need anything. I'll come get you, no matter how far."

Hearing Feng Mountain's words, a warm feeling surged through Jenny. She wrapped her arms tightly around him in return, greedily taking in his familiar scent, as if it could give her a boundless sense of security.

Suddenly, her hands moved up to cradle his head, and without hesitation, she pressed her lips against his.