The next day.

At the new campsite, work still consisted mainly of receiving and sorting the log cabin components.

Feng Mountain arrived at the runway early. The construction team could only pave 30 meters of runway per day, which was already the workers’ limit. However, the 90 meters that had been completed were enough for the P750 to take off and land normally.

Three hangars had also been completed. Feng Mountain and Yves each flew the Carnation and the Crown Colony over to the new airfield to prepare for the approaching freezing rain.

No sooner had they parked the planes and snowmobiles in the hangars than large, lead-gray cloud banks appeared in the sky.

Icy raindrops began to fall, quickly forming a thin layer of ice on whatever they touched, be it clothes or the ground.

All work on the construction sites had to stop.

The indigenous people and workers, being residents of Alaska, all had ways to deal with freezing rain.

They immediately covered the machinery with pre-prepared waterproof tarps, then returned to their quarters to wait for the storm to pass.

At the new campsite, after covering the log cabin components with tarps, the assembly workers discovered something strange. The freezing rain wasn’t forming a layer of ice when it hit the ground; it was just like a normal light rain.

Perhaps it was because the burning natural gas underground had raised the ground temperature.

The freezing rain fell for half a day.

The Snow Mountain River Beach blurred and lost its color in the downpour, the entire world seemingly veiled by a cold, gauze-like curtain.

Beyond the range of the Fire Seed’s light, the accumulated snow formed a thick, incredibly slick crust of ice. Walking on it was like dancing on a skating rink; one careless step and you would fall.

The Moonlight Forest suffered considerable damage. Tree branches, weighed down by the heavy ice, bent with creaking groans, occasionally punctuated by the sharp CRACK of them snapping.

When the rain stopped, Feng Mountain emerged from a small log cabin.

He did a round of all the construction sites. The airport runway was definitely affected; the frozen subsoil was already hard to excavate, and now they had to clear a layer of ice from the surface before they could even start.

The residents of Kivalina Town were crowded into the hangars. With no way to work, they gathered to play cards or sleep.

The new campsite was the least affected. The assembly workers continued their work, organizing the log cabin components.

This semi-stalled state of work continued until the fourth day, when the sun finally reappeared over the Crown Territory.

Sunlight, though not particularly warm, pierced through the clouds and spilled onto the Tundra.

With the sun’s return, smiles reappeared on the workers’ faces. They picked up their pace, trying to make up for the time lost to the freezing rain.

The once-quiet new campsite was again filled with the roar of machinery and the shouts of workers. Everything became busy and orderly once more.

The assembly contractor pulled the waterproof tarp off the foundation pit. He tested the concrete with an instrument, analyzed the feedback data, and finally, under the expectant gazes of the crowd, raised the device and announced loudly.

"We can start installing the log cabin!"

ROAR!!

The assembly workers threw their arms up and cheered. Although the pay for working in the Crown Territory was good and the food was decent, this godforsaken frozen wasteland was just too remote. There was nothing to do, no entertainment, and no women.

Only by finishing this job early, going back to the city to hit the bars, and appreciating the artistic performances at a strip club could they make up for all the suffering they’d endured these past few days.

The first step was laying the wooden foundation.

Beams 50 centimeters in diameter were laid one by one over the concrete foundation pit according to the blueprints, locking into place with the poured anchor bolts.

The initial foundation work was tedious and complex, but assembling the log cabin itself was comparatively much easier.

Thanks to the lack of any other entertainment in the Crown Territory, the workers had spent the last few days reading the assembly blueprints over and over. They could practically recite them backward, and the component numbers were as if engraved in their minds.

Two small construction vehicles continuously grabbed the required timbers from the piles of components, installing them onto the villa’s main frame under the direction of the assembly workers.

As time went on, the house’s frame, foundation, and subflooring were completed.

The second step was to erect the walls, floorboards, roof, and window and door frames.

At a speed visible to the naked eye, a brand-new log cabin villa gradually took shape.

Workers bustled about, carrying lumber and tools.

Logs were interlocked and supported by a mortise and tenon system, forming complete, neat, and beautiful log walls.

The large, sloped roof was tiled with carbonized wood shingles, giving it a deep black color and the unique look of something aged by time.

These carbonized shingles had been specially treated. Not only did they have excellent insulation, fireproofing, and anti-corrosion properties, but they could also better withstand wind and rain, providing the house with good thermal insulation and air circulation.

The only downside was the price.

Each shingle cost six US Dollars.

The third step was utilities installation. Once the initial structure of the house was complete, the plumbing and electrical team would begin installing wiring, pipes, and the fireplace within the walls.

At the same time, the wastewater pipes and HVAC vents would also be installed.

Once the Crown Territory has power and water, it could be seamlessly connected.

The fourth step was laying the insulation in the attic, floor, and basement.

For an extremely cold region like the Tundra, the Wind-Rolling Grass Company used organic fiber polymer insulation blankets. This type of insulation was effective against thermal conduction and had a very high R-value.

For smaller or irregular spaces, like the corners around beams and columns, they used liquid spray foam.

As for the villa’s internal mezzanines, attic, and roof, they used insulation batts made from a fire-retardant blend of fiberglass and mineral wool.

The final step.

Interior finishing, laying the flooring, and installing the exterior drainage system.

Because the log cabin villa was assembled from modules, the interior finishing only included the basic infrastructure. The future owner could customize it as they saw fit.

The assembly of the log cabin villa took a week.

On the day of completion, everyone gathered in front of the cabin. More than just happy, they were shocked to see such a structure appear on the Far North Tundra.

It was truly unbelievable that such an exquisite log cabin now stood before them on the Far North Tundra, a land always considered barren and frigid.

When Frank received news of the cabin’s completion, he rushed to the Crown Territory at once. Jie Luo of the Wild Bull Tribe came with him.

Gazing at the cabin, Frank’s eyes sparkled with delight. "It’s absolutely beautiful!"

Jie Luo couldn’t help but nod along, though he sighed inwardly. ’Looks like the Chief’s plan to invite Feng Mountain is going to fail.’ He said aloud, "It really is beautiful. Man, are you planning to live on the Tundra permanently?"

’Where else would I live?’

Feng Mountain nodded and pulled out the bus keys, handing them to Frank. "The bus is yours now. Just give me a day to move my things out."

Frank took the keys, his heart filled with a mix of emotions. He spread his arms, pulled Feng Mountain into a hug, and whispered in his ear.

"Thank you!"

Feng Mountain didn’t know why Frank was so fixated on the bus. Perhaps, in years past, it had carried shared memories of him and his great-uncle.

"Mr. Feng, Mr. Feng!" Jennifer shouted for Feng Mountain from the crowd.

"Over here!" Feng Mountain raised his hand in response.

Jennifer came over, panting, with a large foam key in her hand.

"Mr. Feng, according to the traditions of your homeland, the new house must be opened by the owner himself. Everyone’s waiting for you!"

"Go on, man. You’re the star of the show today," Frank said, giving Feng Mountain a gentle push. Jie Luo, standing to the side, smiled in agreement.

Feng Mountain shrugged and followed Jennifer to the front door of the cabin.

The construction crew, the residents of Kivalina Town, and the assembly workers were all gathered in the open space in front of the cabin.

The members of the Crown Territory team stood around the entrance, each holding a party popper.

Amid everyone’s cheers, Feng Mountain took the model key from Jennifer. A happy smile spread across his face as he raised the key high, sharing the joyful moment with the crowd.

POP! POP! POP! POP!!

The party poppers shot out a shower of multicolored confetti, which drifted down from the air like fantastical snowflakes.

Applause and cheers rose and fell within the crowd. Radiant smiles bloomed on everyone’s faces as they celebrated this wonderful moment, feeling that all their hard work over the past few days had been worth it.

The colorful confetti landed on Feng Mountain’s shoulders and in his hair, but he paid it no mind. He shouted to everyone.

"We’re having a party today, and nobody’s going home sober!"

Before his voice had even faded, servers appeared in the open space in front of the cabin, carrying all sorts of food and drinks.

There was a sumptuous feast: golden, crispy roasted meats gave off an enticing aroma; exquisite desserts looked like works of art; and bottles of fine wine glinted charmingly in the sunlight.

For this day, Feng Mountain had specially hired a professional team from Fairbanks, flying them in to prepare for the party.

The people let out gasps of amazement and eagerly crowded around.

"Wow, this spread is incredible!"

"This is awesome! I’m going to eat my fill today!"

Everyone tasted the delicious food and drank to their hearts’ content, their laughter echoing over the new campsite.

Feng Mountain, Frank, and the members of the Crown Territory team pushed open the main doors and, led by Jennifer, officially stepped into the log cabin.

The ground floor was spacious and bright. Multiple floor-to-ceiling, triple-paned insulated windows not only let ample sunlight illuminate every corner but also effectively maintained the indoor temperature in cold weather, making one feel as if they were in a warm sunroom.

The space was divided into a living area, a recreation area, a kitchen, and a bathroom.

The living area was warm and cozy, with soft sofas arranged around a fireplace where people could enjoy its warmth on cold winter days.

The two-meter-high fireplace had a self-regulating temperature control that could automatically add wood based on the room’s temperature. Its built-in battery pack could last for half a year and was easy to replace.

The recreation area was in a corner of the ground floor, furnished with a pool table and a card table. The Wind-Rolling Grass Company, perhaps assuming all Chinese people play mahjong, had specially included an automatic mahjong table.

In the kitchen area, a full suite of modern appliances was available, and the spacious countertops offered plenty of room to show off one’s culinary skills.

A long log dining table could easily accommodate more than a dozen people at once.

Behind the recreation area, there were also three single guest rooms.

A hidden door leading to the basement was installed behind a feature wall.

The staircase to the second floor was built around a 70-centimeter-thick load-bearing tree trunk.

The stair treads, made of sturdy planks, blended perfectly with the trunk.

Walking on the stairs, one could almost feel the steady, solid presence transmitted from the trunk.

The second floor had a master bedroom, two secondary bedrooms, a common bathroom, and a study/lounge.

Everyone discussed the villa’s various details as they toured it.

Every corner exuded an air of refinement and comfort.

Watching everyone’s reactions, Feng Mountain felt a deep sense of accomplishment.

’I’m one step closer to my dream home!’

....