The Arctic Cat brand was established over 60 years ago.

It is one of the early pioneers in the recreational vehicle industry, the world’s largest manufacturer of snowmobiles, and a producer of the world’s most high-end all-terrain vehicles (ATVs and UTVs).

The Pickup Truck pulled into the Arctic Cat dealership.

Behind the transparent glass windows, various types of snowmobiles were on display. They were like a pack of powerful beasts lying in wait, silently showing off their charm.

The snowmobiles, some with sharp, aggressive lines, others in vibrant colors, looked particularly dazzling under the showroom lights.

To avoid a repeat of the chaos at Frank’s House, Feng Mountain put his fur coat back on and followed Tom into the dealership.

An Indigenous salesman approached them, his face beaming with a warm smile.

"Welcome to Arctic Cat. I’m Jamie. How can I help you?"

"Jamie, is Sos in?" Tom glanced around the quiet showroom, asking casually when he didn’t see anyone he knew.

"Sorry, Sos is on vacation today. Would you like me to give him a call?" Jamie asked kindly, giving a slight bow when he heard Tom was looking for a colleague.

Tom waved his hand, indicating it wasn’t necessary.

"You’ll do. We’re planning to buy a batch of snowmobiles. Do you have any good recommendations?"

’A batch?’

’Not just one?’

The smile on Jamie’s face grew even more enthusiastic. "Of course, I’d be happy to help. Are you looking for racing or utility snowmobiles? I can recommend models based on your needs."

"Utility," Feng Mountain answered softly, adding, "They’ll mainly be used on the Tundra. The terrain has snowy mountains, tundra, and riverbanks. It’s best if they have a bit more power. I need to haul things."

Jamie nodded. Based on the information and requirements Feng Mountain provided, he led the two of them to a black and red snowmobile.

"This is Arctic Cat’s newest model, the Pandora Pantera 7000 Limited. It’s equipped with a 1049cc four-stroke EFI engine that delivers 150 horsepower. It’ll definitely meet your daily needs."

"It has a SLIDE-ACTION rear suspension with a tri-hub rear axle system, an adaptive-terrain linkage rear arm, and adjustable torsion springs."

"A deluxe digital gauge and altimeter with two display options, providing information on speed, RPM, a clock, mileage, run time, coolant temperature, exhaust temperature, intake air temperature, voltage, fuel level, and altitude."

"The Ripsaw track is 146 inches wide with 1.25-inch-high lugs. It’s durable and has high rubber toughness, so it won’t get stuck no matter how deep the snow is."

"On a full tank of gas, traveling at an economical speed, the range can exceed four hundred kilometers. Of course, the range will decrease if you’re carrying a heavy load."

"This Pandora Pantera 7000 Limited is the best fit for your requirements."

After finishing his introduction, Jamie waited quietly for the customers’ feedback, a confident smile on his face.

’It’s just business!’

’It’s rare for a deal to be settled on the first try.’

’As long as I show enough professionalism and goodwill, the customer will place an order sooner or later.’

Feng Mountain didn’t understand the snowmobile’s specs, but the person next to him did. He turned to look at Tom, but seeing the mesmerized expression on his face, he knew this machine was definitely top-notch.

"What’s the price?"

"Apologies, since this is the newest model, the price is 28,000 US Dollars. However, we’ll include external accessories and some spare parts, as well as three years of free maintenance service."

’28,000 US Dollars... that’s almost 200,000 RMB back home.’

Feng Mountain thought for a moment, then asked, "If I place an order now, how soon can I get them?"

Hearing this question, Jamie’s smile widened. "You can take delivery today. We at Arctic Cat have a warehouse right here in Polaris Town. You’ll just need to pick them up yourself. We don’t offer a delivery service. You know how it is, the shipping costs to the Tundra in winter are just too high, aren’t they, Mr. Tom?"

Tom’s expression immediately turned to one of surprise. He realized that Jamie had not only recognized him but was also deliberately provoking him.

’Have I ever delivered anything for Arctic Cat?’

’I think so.’

"You’re right, buddy. The Far North Tundra is huge, so of course the transport fees are high."

Not wanting to get involved in their little spat, Feng Mountain said directly, "I want seven Pandora Pantera 7000s, each in a different color. Is that a problem?"

’Seven units?’

’Worth 196,000 US Dollars.’

Jamie’s breathing suddenly quickened as he rapidly calculated the total price in his head.

The resulting number made his heart inexplicably race.

’An order this big... this is a once-in-a-blue-moon sale.’

"Buddy, it’s just you and Nash in the Crown Territory. Why do you need so many snowmobiles? Two would be enough!" Despite wanting to earn the shipping fee, Tom still offered his well-intentioned advice.

Feng Mountain shook his head.

’The Crown Territory doesn’t just have two people anymore. There’s Maria now, and in a little while, Hu Zi and the others will be coming over. There might also be friends that Zhang Kai brings. With so many people, they can’t just take turns riding two snowmobiles.’

’Better to get it all done at once to save trouble later.’

"I’ll order seven for now. If I need more, I’ll place another order. Let’s sign the contract."

"Okay, please follow me!"

Jamie was itching to produce the contract immediately, but procedure didn’t allow for it. He could only patiently invite the two to sit in the waiting area, have a colleague bring them coffee and dessert, and go prepare the contract himself.

’It just goes to show, as long as Frank isn’t around, everything becomes much simpler.’

In less than ten minutes, a freshly printed contract was placed in front of him.

He gave the terms a quick look; there were no issues.

Feng Mountain picked up a pen, signed his name with a flourish, and then tore out a pre-written cashier’s check, handing it to Jamie.

This move left Jamie completely stunned.

Usually, customers buying snowmobiles either used a credit card or set up an installment plan. It had been a long time since he’d seen someone pay in full with cash.

Holding the thin cashier’s check, Jamie’s hand trembled slightly. He quickly handed it to his manager.

The manager didn’t doubt the check’s authenticity for a second. It was a Wells Fargo Bank cashier’s check, and he could verify it with a single phone call.

Besides, a customer who could spend almost 200,000 US Dollars at once was bound to be a repeat buyer.

For this reason, the dealership manager went beyond his authority to offer Feng Mountain even more complimentary gifts, including a portable vehicle shelter worth thousands of US Dollars.

’This manager is good. He knows how to do business.’

Feng Mountain was very satisfied and mentally made Arctic Cat his first choice for future snowmobile purchases.

Although Arctic Cat couldn’t deliver the seven snowmobiles he bought to the Tundra, they had no problem delivering them to Old Tom’s Flying School.

After confirming the delivery time, the two left the Arctic Cat dealership, sent off by a crowd of sales staff.

...

Next stop on the list: buying fuel storage tanks.

Inside the Pickup Truck, while waiting at a red light, Tom turned his head to Feng Mountain and made his request again.

"Buddy, how about you just buy my flight school!"

"Isn’t the flight school doing well? Last time you said you had lots of students," Feng Mountain said with a wry smile.

Uh...

Tom was at a loss for words. His face flushed with embarrassment, and he slumped helplessly in his seat.

"I was lying. The truth is, the flight school hasn’t had any new students for a long time. Nobody wants to learn to fly in a beat-up, second-hand plane."

"Alright, tell me about the flight school," Feng Mountain said, casually grabbing a bag of chips from the storage compartment, opening it, and starting to eat as he asked.

Tom sensed an opportunity and quickly explained the real situation at the flight school. He knew Feng Mountain was aware of the school’s actual state, so making things up would only backfire.

"The flight school covers one acre. It has one main runway, a second-hand Cub trainer aircraft, an office building, a maintenance station, and a classroom. As for taxes, the federal tax is 21% annually. The current business income is under 25,000 US Dollars, so for now, it’s reported at the lowest tax rate of 0%."

"Even though there’s no business tax, I still have to pay annual dues to the aviation association and airspace usage fees to the aviation authority. All told, it loses twenty to thirty thousand US Dollars a year."

"How much are you asking for it?" Feng Mountain was thinking of getting a permanent airfield in Fairbanks to make future travel more convenient.

’I’m not counting on it making money. Fairbanks is full of flight schools, and Tom’s is a shoestring operation at best.’

"The asking price is 100... no, 500,000 will do." Tom stated the price cautiously. In reality, he’d be making a profit even if he sold it for 500,000.

’The land in Fairbanks is practically worthless, the runway is just a simple layer of poured concrete, and the so-called office and maintenance station are just second-hand portable buildings.’

’The only valuable thing is the second-hand Cub, but I brought that plane over under my instructor’s license, so it’s not even an asset of the flight school.’

’500,000!!’

Feng Mountain laughed and pointed a thumb at himself. "What do I look like to you?"

"What do you look like?" Tom was completely baffled by Feng Mountain’s question.

"Do I look like a sucker?!" Feng Mountain said mockingly, then continued, "Only a complete idiot of a sucker would pay 500,000 US Dollars for your broken-down school. Buddy, be honest. 50,000, take it or leave it!!"

"Fifty... fifty thousand!"

Tom was stunned by the price. A moment later, he broke into a wide grin.

"Sold! 50,000 it is! We’ll sign the contract later. No backing out!"

’I bid too high!!’

Seeing Tom’s grin that nearly reached his ears, Feng Mountain knew he’d been had. He pursed his lips, wanting to go back on his word, but couldn’t bring himself to say it.

BANG BANG BANG!!

Just then, an agitated man outside the window started pounding on the glass. He had a gun in one hand pointed at Feng Mountain, while his other hand pointed at the traffic light.

"Bullshit, you two damn faggots! If you’re gonna screw around, get a hotel room! You’ve missed a few green lights already! Believe it or not, I’ll blow your fucking heads off!"

Tom slammed on the gas, and the Pickup Truck shot forward with a lurch.

In the rearview mirror, Feng Mountain saw the man hopping around on one foot. He silently made the sign of the cross over his chest.

As for the matter of buying Tom’s flight school for 50,000 US Dollars... the money wasn’t much, but he was afraid it would turn into a bottomless pit after the purchase.

’I should probably consult Frank and see what he thinks.’

’Anyway, I said I’d buy it, but I didn’t say when. I’ll just put it off for as long as I can.’

Tom, meanwhile, was in an exceptionally good mood. He’d finally sold that sticky, troublesome flight school and would no longer have a nervous breakdown over it.

With each of them harboring their own ulterior motives, they arrived at a gas station.

The Pickup Truck came to a stop. Tom got out hurriedly and motioned for Feng Mountain to follow him through a side door into the gas station’s backyard.

A dozen or so barrel-shaped oil tanks of various sizes were scattered around the yard, some upright, some on their sides. Two Huskies appeared from somewhere, and upon seeing Tom, they acted as if they’d been reunited with a long-lost relative.

"Barnett! Barnett! We’ve got business!" Tom yelled while playing with the dogs.

"Stop shouting!" A middle-aged man with a balding, "Mediterranean" hairstyle came out of a room. Seeing how affectionate the two Huskies were with Tom, he cursed.

"Bullshit. I count on you two to guard the place, and you wouldn’t even know if the whole house was carried away."

...