Landlord in the Arctic

Around noon, the sky was shrouded by a dark gray curtain, looking incredibly gloomy.

The sun struggled behind the clouds. It managed to peek out for a moment, only to be blocked again by another layer of dark gray clouds.

The sunlight fought its way through the obstruction, its rays falling dim and lackluster upon the earth. A gray pall hung over everything.

It was as if the entire world was veiled in a layer of somber gauze, creating a sudden tightness in one’s chest and an inexplicable sense of oppression.

Inside the camp’s dining hall, however, a completely different, lively scene was unfolding.

People were gathered around tables laden with delicious food, their laughter and chatter rising and falling as they enthusiastically savored the authentic Chinese dishes.

Meanwhile, a man and a woman were taking a slow, leisurely stroll down the camp’s gravel path.

Compared to the bustling dining hall, their figures looked somewhat solitary on the quiet path.

Natasha cut a graceful figure in a dark red qipao adorned with delicate floral embroidery.

As she walked with light steps, the dress swayed gently, the embroidered flowers seeming to appear and disappear, lending her a unique charm.

Feng Shan walked beside her.

His gaze occasionally fell upon Natasha, then shifted to the distance, as if he were lost in thought.

The two walked on in silence.

It felt as if everything around them had grown quiet.

Only the crunch of their footsteps and the whisper of the occasional breeze could be heard.

"I’m going back to Lengwan this afternoon. Once the itinerary is arranged, I’ll let you know so we can go to St. Petersburg together." Natasha turned slightly, her gaze on Feng Shan, her voice as soft as a passing breeze.

"Alright, I’ll wait for your call." Feng Shan nodded calmly, a hint of anticipation for the trip in his eyes.

As he spoke, Natasha suddenly stopped, as if she had remembered something important.

She turned her head and looked directly at Feng Shan, her eyes now holding a hint of inquiry as she asked.

"Are you under pressure for the funds to buy the boat? If it’s inconvenient, I can provide a loan, but the fixed annual interest will be calculated at 40%."

The moment he heard 40% interest.

’This interest rate is insane!’

If he borrowed 80 million, he’d have to pay back 32 million in interest alone after one year.

’She really is a mafia Queen. So ruthless, even to an acquaintance.’

Feng Shan shook his head, a wry smile on his face.

In truth, the money for the boat wasn’t a huge problem for Feng Shan at the moment.

He already had a plan in mind.

If worst came to worst, he could just agree to Chief Welta’s terms.

Agree to make the Crown Territory a Holy Land for the Alaska Indians.

If not that, he could just ask the Elder Chief for a loan directly.

The North Slope Petroleum Group was incredibly wealthy; forget tens of millions, even a hundred million or more...

...would probably be a drop in the bucket for them.

Borrowing a few tens of millions wouldn’t be difficult at all.

If none of these methods worked out, he could still consider a loan from Wells Fargo Bank.

After all, the Crown Territory’s land appraisal report showed it was worth 50 million. He had only borrowed 20 million against it before, so he still had 20 million in available credit.

Besides, once he bought the fishing vessel and made a huge haul in the Bering Sea, with the help of the Fire Totem and the abundant fishing resources, he could easily pay off any external debt.

However, Feng Shan was still a bit puzzled by Natasha’s outrageous demand. He really couldn’t understand it.

Frowning slightly, his eyes showing his confusion, he asked curiously.

"As your nominal fiancé, do I still have to pay such a high interest rate on a loan?"

In Feng Shan’s view, given their special relationship, he should at least get some preferential treatment.

Hearing this, Natasha lifted her chin slightly, her tone cool and business-like as she explained.

"Business is business, and personal is personal. The two cannot be mixed. It’s precisely because you are my nominal fiancé that I’m offering you a fixed annual interest rate. If we went by the company’s standard variable interest rate for loans, the annualized rate can go as high as 400%. Are you sure you need it?"

’Four hundred percent?!’

’This isn’t a loan, it’s fucking highway robbery.’

’Even if I got the money, I’d just end up working for the loan company to pay off the interest.’

Feng Shan suddenly felt the urge to curse but ultimately kept his mouth shut.

’So she offers me such a high interest rate...’

’...and I’m supposed to thank her for it.’

Seeing the stiff expression on Feng Shan’s face...

...Natasha seemed to feel a bit bad. She sighed inwardly, and her tone softened with a touch of emotion.

"After so many years of development, Lengwan has become more and more formalized. The relationships are intricate and complex. There are some things even I can’t do anything about. To be honest, I’m quite envious of your life—carefree, able to do whatever you want."

Feng Shan caught the loneliness and helplessness in Natasha’s voice. His eyes darted, and he deliberately teased, "Then why don’t you move to the Crown Territory? Half the land here is your dowry, anyway."

He was trying to dispel the heavy atmosphere between them with a bit of lightheartedness.

At his words, Natasha rolled her eyes without a second thought—a beautiful, flirtatious eye-roll, as if chiding Feng Shan for his wishful thinking.

"In your dreams. I told you before, I’m..."

"Someone who doesn’t believe in marriage, I get it!" Before Natasha could finish, Feng Shan cut in as if answering a quiz question, finishing her sentence for her.

Their eyes met, and then they looked at each other and smiled.

The past resentments, the unpleasantness, and all the unspoken feelings...

...seemed to melt away with that one smile. Everything was understood without a word.

Just as they were smiling at each other, the atmosphere having lightened considerably...

Feng Shan suddenly remembered something. He stopped, reached into the pocket of his animal-hide coat, and after fumbling for a moment, pulled out a somewhat crude-looking Bear Tooth Necklace.