Erica and the others appeared, immediately easing the awkward atmosphere. Feng Shan made a few jokes and pleasantries before making a clumsy retreat from the lakeside.

Even though he had temporarily escaped Jenny, Feng Shan could still feel a pair of resentful eyes staring at his back.

Back in his bedroom, he took a quick hot shower, changed into clean clothes, and left the cabin.

He strolled along the gravel path.

The AT&T service center was simple, converted from a small cabin. Inside, various pieces of office equipment were set up.

A girl in an AT&T uniform sat bored behind a desk, typing on a computer.

When she saw Feng Shan walk into the cabin, the girl quickly stood up, looking a little embarrassed.

Mr. Frank had originally sent her to work in Crown Territory, but now that she had been poached by AT&T, she was filled with guilt.

Her eyes flickered with unease, and she clasped her hands tightly as she greeted him timidly.

"Boss!"

Seeing the girl’s embarrassed expression, Feng Shan had no intention of reprimanding her. He smiled slightly, trying to ease her nervousness.

"Don’t be nervous. I’ve said before that everyone has the right to make their own choices. I hear AT&T is launching new services at the camp. Can you tell me about them?"

The girl looked at Feng Shan gratefully and quickly began to explain, "AT&T is providing more convenient and efficient communication services for the camp’s tourists and residents. We’ve launched brand-new roaming packages that include faster network speeds, more stable signal coverage, and more call time and data."

"When tourists arrive, they can skip the complicated setup procedures. They can enjoy international roaming package services in just one step."

Feng Shan listened intently to the girl’s explanation, nodding from time to time to show he understood. "Sounds pretty good. I hope these new services will help the camp’s development. The tour groups will be here in a few days, so make sure you provide good service."

"I will!" the girl nodded hastily.

"Alright, I won’t disturb your work." Feng Shan smiled and turned to leave the service center.

His next stop was the bar.

Melodious country music flowed slowly through the air, like a lively stream gently caressing the patrons’ eardrums.

A few customers were scattered around the main room—all of them residents from Kivalina Town on their break.

Feng Shan paid them a daily wage of $400, disbursed every three days, which kept the town residents’ pockets full of cash.

And for these Inuit,

the best use for money was buying alcohol and food.

Crown Camp provided room and board, so they didn’t have to worry about food. That meant the money could only be spent on drinks.

Thus, the bar became a place they frequented.

However, according to Demi, these Inuit were the bar’s biggest spenders and never haggled over the price of a drink.

Of course, drinking was fine, but excessive drinking was a major problem.

’They’re spending all their hard-earned money at the bar. Although that means the money I pay out comes right back into my own pocket, what about their families hundreds of kilometers away?

It’s winter now, a time when food is scarce, and that money could be improving their lives.

Hmm, I need to find some time to have a serious talk with Old Swan about this drinking problem.’

When the town residents drinking in the tavern saw Feng Shan appear, they all started greeting him.

"Hey, Mr. Sheriff, you’re back!"

"Feng, long time no see."

"Heard you went crab fishing in the Bering Sea. How was the catch?"

...

"Fellas, don’t forget to head to the restaurant later and try the Emperor Crab."

Feng Shan responded to the town residents while scanning the main room for someone, until he spotted Daisen, who wore his hair in a ponytail, sitting in a corner of the bar. A little girl was sitting next to him.

Daisen saw Feng Shan too and quickly stood up.

"Easy, man. How do you like Crown Territory?" Feng Shan walked over to the table, his gaze falling on the little girl.

The little girl seemed a bit shy. She lowered her head slightly, occasionally lifting her eyes to look around, her gaze filled with a mix of curiosity and fear.

’This must be Daisen’s daughter, the one with depression.’

Feng Shan bent down slightly and greeted the little girl with a bright smile.

"Hey, pretty Little Princess. Welcome to Crown Territory."

"Lotti, say hello," Daisen said, turning to his daughter with an encouraging look in his eyes.

The little girl, Lotti, shyly raised her head, her gaze flickering as she looked at Feng Shan.

She bit her lip gently, as if mustering her courage.

Then, in a faint but clear voice, she said, "Hello, sir."

The smile on Feng Shan’s face grew even brighter. He crouched down to be at eye level with Lotti. "Hi there, Lotti. It’s nice to meet you."

Seeing Feng Shan’s smile, the nervousness in Lotti’s heart gradually faded. The corners of her mouth turned up slightly, revealing a faint smile.

Daisen watched the interaction between his daughter and Feng Shan, his heart filled with emotion.

His eyes were locked on his daughter’s face. That faint smile was like brilliant sunshine, illuminating the softest corner of his heart.

’My daughter hasn’t smiled in a long time, not since she developed depression.

Taking large amounts of medication every day only made her depression worse, to the point where she even started showing suicidal tendencies.

I had no choice but to give up my career, close my leather goods shop in Polaris Town, and watch over her 24 hours a day to prevent her from harming herself.

I could barely sleep at night, constantly monitoring her every move.

That’s why Tom strongly suggested I bring her to Crown Territory for a visit, convinced a miracle might happen.’

Filled with hope, Daisen had brought his daughter to Crown Territory.

The moment they stepped into the camp, everything felt different.

The fresh air, the warm sunlight, and the friendly smiles of the people around them seemed to create a unique atmosphere.

Daisen could sense a flicker of curiosity and surprise in his daughter’s eyes.

In the time that followed, while they waited for Feng Shan.