Chapter 254: Chapter 225: Compensation (Part 2)

Under Feng Jun’s guidance, the employees gradually mastered the production process.

Once everyone was proficient, Feng Mountain became a hands-off manager, leisurely watching everyone bustle about from the sidelines.

The vegetables in the garden were growing like weeds, their lush green leaves swaying gently under the lamplight.

It was no wonder Maria and Tammy were worried. If all these vegetables weren’t processed in time, they would go to waste.

The main task for the day was, once again, pickling vegetables.

Pickling cucumbers, radishes, and napa cabbage.

The cucumbers and radishes were sliced, and the napa cabbage was cut into long strips. They were placed in large vats; after a full layer of vegetables was laid down, a layer of salt was sprinkled on top. This process of alternating layers of ingredients and salt continued until the vats were full, at which point a heavy weight was placed on top.

This process used salt to draw the moisture out of the vegetables, making the resulting pickles crisp and delicious.

The Red Hat Man and his three companions arrived at the vegetable garden, escorted by the White Wolves. The sight before them made them pause—numerous female employees were bustling between the vegetable patches and the riverbank, their occasional laughter ringing out as clear and pleasant as silver bells.

"So many women!" the Red Hat Man exclaimed in envy. His three companions also looked surprised, their eyes sweeping back and forth across the female employees.

’Working in this kind of environment...’

’...wouldn’t be so bad.’

Meanwhile, in the garden, the female employees saw the four men standing there gawking and burst into even more unrestrained laughter.

Feng Mountain, with a cucumber dangling from his mouth, ambled over to the four men and sized them up.

"Have you made up your minds?"

"Sir, we’ve thought it over. We’re willing to work to pay off the compensation." The Red Hat Man took off his hat, bowing obsequiously. "My name is Gordon, and these three are Daniel, Parker, and Abbot."

Seeing Red Hat Gordon’s subservient demeanor, the other three men stared in disbelief.

’Didn’t we just agree at dinner that we were going to teach the people of Crown Territory a lesson?’

’Even if we have to work, we should maintain our dignity.’

’Boss Gordon.’

’Where did your dignity go?’

Feng Mountain nodded. He didn’t care what their names were, as long as they could work. He turned and led the four to a large, moss-covered area, pointing to a branch stuck in the dirt.

"See this? I’ve used this branch to roughly mark the land that needs to be cleared. Your job is to gather all the moss and then turn over the soil. Got it?"

"Got it, got it!" Red Hat Gordon nodded repeatedly. Then, right in front of Feng Mountain, he began digging up the moss and tossing it aside. His form wasn’t perfect, but his enthusiasm was commendable.

"They’re all yours, then." Feng Mountain nodded, satisfied. He gave a command to the four White Wolves and then walked away.

The White Wolves let out low growls as they spread out, curling their lips to bare sharp fangs. Each wolf fixed its gaze on one of the men, silently urging him to get to work.

At the sight, the four men hastily grabbed their shovels and got to work.

Truth be told, the mossy ground was incredibly difficult to dig. The soil underneath was completely entangled in the dense root systems of the moss, forming a tough, resilient web.

Every swing of the shovel required their full strength just to turn over a bit of soil.

Didn’t feel like working?

Fine. You just had to convince the Taiga Wolf at your side.

Wolves aren’t like people. Humans have emotions; wolves do not. They only follow their orders to the letter.

And under the watchful eyes of the Taiga Wolves, there was zero opportunity to slack off.

When Feng Mountain returned to the riverbank where the pickling was being done, Feng Jun sidled up to him and whispered, "Brother Feng, are you really leaving those four guys in the camp? Is that safe? What if they run away?"

"Ever been chased by a dog when you were a kid?" Feng Mountain shot him a sideways glance.

Feng Jun nodded quickly. "I have. I even got bit once."

Feng Mountain asked with a grin, "And what if they were wolves?"

’Wolves instead?’

Feng Jun’s expression instantly twisted in fear as he pictured the scene in his mind.

He imagined himself being chased across the wilderness by a pack of ferocious wolves, their sharp fangs and cold eyes making him shudder involuntarily.

In the Far North, the ferocity of wolves was legendary. Compared to dogs, they were far more ruthless and aggressive.

Thinking about those four men under the surveillance of wolves, Feng Jun couldn’t help but feel a pang of pity for them.

Escaping? That would be harder than reaching for the heavens.

"Brother Feng, you’re so devious."

’Get lost!’

’This damn kid. Can’t he say anything right?’

Feng Mountain didn’t bother responding to him and walked straight into the radish patch to get back to work.

Just then, the roar of an airplane echoed through the dim sky above the camp. 𝒻𝘳𝘦𝘦𝘸ℯ𝒷𝘯𝘰𝑣ℯ𝑙.𝘤𝑜𝘮

A moment later, Yves appeared in the vegetable garden with two people in tow.

A man and a woman, both with Asian features.

The woman appeared quite young, with fine features. The man was in his forties, with a steady demeanor and a scrutinizing gaze.

The trio walked to the edge of the radish patch, and Yves called out to Feng Mountain, who was busy working.

"Khilla, this Miss Xu is looking for you."

’Looking for me?’

A flicker of confusion passed through Feng Mountain’s mind. He stopped his work, walked out of the vegetable patch carrying a bundle of radishes, and approached the trio, looking at the two unfamiliar faces.

"Can I help you two with something?"

"Excuse me, are you Feng Mountain?" The young woman’s bearing was unlike that of an ordinary person. The corners of her mouth were turned up in a faint, almost imperceptible smile, and her Mandarin accent made it clear she wasn’t from the mainland.

Although she spoke politely, Feng Mountain could detect an aloofness that implied a difference in status. He simply hefted his radishes, walked right past the pair, and headed for the riverbank.

He had no desire to get entangled with people who carried such a strange air of superiority.

"You..." The young woman froze, her face a mask of astonishment and confusion.

The middle-aged man at her side frowned. He was about to speak, but she raised a hand to stop him.

Seeing this, Yves shrugged.

’It’s not my place to comment on Khilla’s attitude.’

He then left the two of them and entered the vegetable patch to help out.

"Miss, the man has no respect for you whatsoever," the middle-aged man said, his brow furrowed in displeasure.

The young woman, however, did not get angry as the man had.

A shrewd light glinted in her eyes, and the slight curve of her lips bespoke a calm composure.

"We’re here to seek a partnership, not to show off. With a business worth hundreds of millions of US Dollars a year, he’s earned the right to be arrogant."

With that, the young woman walked toward the riverbank. She stood quietly to one side, neither speaking nor making a fuss, simply watching Feng Mountain’s every move in silence.

A gentle breeze blew past, ruffling her hair and adding a touch of lively beauty to her appearance.

’This broad is up to no good!’ Feng Mountain grumbled to himself.

’If she came at me with force, I wouldn’t be afraid. Why would I fear a direct confrontation on my own turf?’

’I’d just grab her and toss her out onto the frozen Tundra. Let the 40-below-zero weather freeze her into submission.’

’But this subtle approach...’

Feng Mountain found it hard to deal with.

The female employees working nearby began to whisper amongst themselves, their gazes darting between Feng Mountain and the unfamiliar young woman, their eyes filled with juicy gossip.

Feng Jun sidled up to Feng Mountain with a sly grin, putting on a show of earnest concern.

"Brother Feng, who is this woman? You can’t betray Ms. Zhan and Sister Ai. We’re not the type to play around and..."

Before he could finish, THWACK! A sharp flick to Feng Jun’s forehead made him cry out in pain and clutch his head.

’You talk too much.’

’No one’s going to think you’re mute if you just shut up.’

Feng Mountain pulled his hand back, a ’serves you right’ look in his eyes, and walked over to the young woman.

"What is it that you want? I don’t believe we’ve met."

"My surname is Xu," the young woman said, her face filled with an inexplicable pride.

She lifted her chin slightly, as if the name itself carried some special meaning.

However, after waiting a while for her to continue and getting nothing, Feng Mountain rolled his eyes.

’I don’t have the patience to play guessing games with this girl.’

"And? Can’t you just say everything at once?"

"You..." The middle-aged man at her side started to speak, but she once again raised her hand to stop him.

The young woman looked at Feng Mountain, a hint of stubbornness flashing in her eyes.

"Xu Hongying is my cousin. My name is Xu Hongxin."

Feng Mountain replied impatiently, "Master Xu isn’t in the Crown Territory. He should be on Saint Paul Island at the moment."

The young woman shook her head. "No, I’m not here looking for Xu Hongying. I’m here for you, Mr. Feng. I was hoping we could sit down and talk."

Feng Mountain sighed to himself. ’People don’t show up out of the blue for no reason.’ This sudden visit couldn’t be for anything good. He gestured for the two of them to follow him.

...