’Feng Shan couldn’t help but think that if he had the kid come to the camp as a guide, his chatty personality might make the tourists feel especially at ease.’

After all, the tour groups were all Chinese, making communication with the staff a bit inconvenient. He couldn’t always rely on Brother Kai.

Once more tourists started coming, Brother Kai wouldn’t be able to handle it all by himself. Besides, Feng Shan had plenty of other work to do and couldn’t be there at all times.

If the camp had a dedicated, full-time bilingual employee, it would solve the communication problem much more effectively.

At that thought, Feng Shan took out his satellite phone, found Feng Jun’s number, and dialed.

After a few rings...

"Brother Feng, is that you? What made you call me? Let me tell you..." Feng Jun’s voice, tinged with surprise, came through the line, immediately launching into a ramble.

He was like a chatterbox whose lid had been thrown open, a faucet that couldn’t be turned off, just gushing on and on.

"Stop. Don’t say another word. I have something to tell you. If you’re interested, just say yes. If not, we can just forget it!"

Feng Shan didn’t give him a chance to get a word in, quickly explaining the reason for his call.

Otherwise, if he let Feng Jun set the pace, the call could last until morning.

Suddenly cut off, Feng Jun paused for a moment on the other end of the line, but he quickly fell silent, waiting for Feng Shan to continue.

"Uh, okay!"

Feng Shan spoke quickly. "Here’s the deal. You know I have a piece of land in the Crown Territory. I’m developing it for tourism, specifically for tour groups from China, and I need a full-time translator. If you’re interested, say yes. If not, no big deal. The salary is 4,000 US Dollar a month, room and board included."

"Yes!"

"’Yes’ to what? Are you coming or not?" Feng Shan was taken aback by Feng Jun’s one-word reply. He was expecting a whole rambling speech.

"You told me to keep it simple, so I said yes! When do I leave?" On the other end of the line, Feng Jun was ecstatic.

’Four thousand US dollars a month was not a low salary in Alaska.’

’Plus, with room and board covered, if he was frugal, he could save up enough money for his younger siblings’ tuition in just one year. He could also pay off the debt he took on to come abroad.’

So much for the chatterbox.

Feng Shan, of course, had no idea what Feng Jun was thinking. Since the kid had agreed, he gave him Tom’s phone number.

"Alright then, take down this number. Get in touch with him, and he’ll arrange a flight to take you to the Crown Territory."

"Oh, and make things clear with Lin. I don’t want it to look like I’m poaching his staff."

"Hanging up!"

...

「Fairbanks Forest Home Chinese Restaurant.」

The front of the building housed a spacious, bright dining area and kitchen, while the back served as living quarters for the owner and his employees.

Just after Feng Shan hung up, a wild howl erupted from the dormitory. Feng Jun was jumping around his room, flailing his arms and legs in excitement as if he were possessed.

Hearing the commotion, the other employees rushed over, curious to see what was happening.

Lin, who had been sitting in his room drinking tea, was startled by the sudden shriek. He stormed out of his room and bellowed down the hallway.

"Fengzi, have you lost your mind? What are you screaming about in the middle of the day?!"

Just then, Feng Jun threw open his door and dashed in front of Lin like a gust of wind, his face flushed red and his eyes glinting with excitement.

Before Lin could even react, Feng Jun scooped him up in his arms and started spinning him around.

Feng Jun was surprisingly strong. Lin’s feet left the ground as he was spun through the air, letting out a muffled cry.

The other restaurant employees peeked out, their faces showing a hint of envy at the pair’s seemingly intimate display.

Lin was scared witless. "Let go of me! Damn it, are you on something? I’m a man! If you’re that desperate, I’ll lend you 50 US Dollar to go sort yourself out at the park!"

"What are you talking about? I’m saving myself for Sufen! I’m not about to waste it on some white girl." Hearing this, Feng Jun immediately let go of Lin and spat on the ground, his face a mixture of embarrassment and annoyance.

’He didn’t want Lin to think he had some weird fetish.’

His thoughts then returned to Feng Shan’s offer, and his face lit up again. He couldn’t wait to share the good news with Uncle Lin.

"Uncle Lin, do you remember that Brother Feng who came to eat here the other day?"

Brother Feng?

Old Lin frowned, thinking for a moment. He recalled the young Chinese man who had come with Mr. Frank, the one who supposedly owned a piece of land called the Crown Territory on the Tundra.

"I remember. What about him?"

Feng Jun started flailing his arms excitedly, as if he’d just won the lottery.

"What about him? He invited me to work for him! He said he’s building a tourist area for groups from China and needs a Mandarin translator. He’s offering 4,000 US Dollar a month with room and board included!"

Hm?

Lin stared blankly for a second, then smacked Feng Jun on the back of the head. A teasing smile spread across his face; he clearly didn’t believe a word of it.

"What kind of crazy dream are you having? Four thousand US dollars a month? You’re worth about 4,000 Vietnamese Dong. Just keep working honestly here, pay off your family’s debt by next year, and save up to marry your Sufen."

Feng Jun rubbed his head, annoyed. He pulled out his phone and said urgently, "I’m not making it up, it’s true! If you don’t believe me, look at the call history. We just hung up; the call is still at the top of the list."

Really?

Lin took the phone and glanced at the screen. There was, indeed, a recent call.

His first reaction, however, was a sense of foreboding.

Despite Fairbanks being one of Alaska’s most remote northern cities, its crime rate remained stubbornly high.

Gangs, drug dealing, robberies, and scams were common occurrences.

Even the restaurant had to install an iron security gate, and everyone avoided going out at night unless absolutely necessary.

Lately, there had been a rising trend of crimes targeting the Chinese community, and the police department had even stopped by the restaurant to issue a warning.

’Could someone be targeting this naive kid?’

’The kid was a bit of a motormouth and a gossip, but he was simple, kind-hearted, and incredibly gullible.’

’If someone had intentionally set a trap for him, it would be big trouble.’

Lin handed the phone back to Feng Jun. "Don’t be in such a hurry to accept. Let me ask around and check out this Brother Feng’s background first. If he’s really running a tourism business and needs a translator, it won’t be too late for you to go then."

Once his initial excitement faded, Feng Jun realized he had been a bit impulsive. He nodded. "Okay, I’ll listen to you, Uncle Lin. Oh, right, I remember Brother Feng came with Mr. Frank that day. They seemed to get along really well."

Mr. Frank.

He was the most famous lawyer in Fairbanks, claiming there wasn’t a case in Alaska he couldn’t win.

Just the other day, he’d started some sort of "Frank’s Home for Wanderers," and Forest Garden had even donated a lot of free boxed lunches.

Lin immediately took out his phone to call Frank and verify the story.

After a moment, Lin looked at Feng Jun, who was grinning foolishly. "Alright, stop grinning like an idiot. I always say you’re one lucky kid. You came to Alaska, got scammed, and ran into me. You work as a waiter and run into Feng. You’re just fated to meet helpful people!"

"So? Is it for real?" Feng Jun couldn’t suppress the smile on his face.

Lin nodded, his own voice tinged with happiness for the young man. "Mr. Frank confirmed it. It was Feng Shan who called, and the job offer is real."

"I knew it was real! I’m going to pack my bags right now!" Feng Jun exclaimed, bobbing his head in excitement.

SMACK!!

Lin slapped him on the head again. "What’s the rush? Take a look at the time. You can work your last shift tonight. I’ll personally drive you to the airport tomorrow morning."

Then, as if remembering something, he looked toward the other restaurant employees gathered in the hall.

"Liu! After we close up tonight, let’s make a big feast. Our little madman here has met his benefactor. He’s on his way to striking it rich!"

"You got it!" Liu said, a hint of envy in his eyes.

The other employees also broke into smiles, offering Feng Jun their congratulations.

Feng Jun rubbed his head where he’d been slapped, his heart swelling with emotion.

He remembered when he first drifted into Fairbanks, nearly freezing to death on the streets. Uncle Lin had saved his life, and the other older staff at the restaurant had always taken good care of him.

Back then, he had been lonely, helpless, and completely lost about his future.

"Uncle Lin, Uncle Liu, Sister Zhang... When I strike it rich, I’ll fly a private jet to pick you all up! We’ll go on a yacht, eat Emperor Crab, and party with white women!"

"Get outta here! Your auntie would skin me alive!" Lin raised his hand again.

...