Landlord in the Arctic

Chapter 272 - 234: Migration (Part 2)

"Okay."

Nash answered, then turned and walked toward his tribespeople, shouting something in their native language.

The next moment, the women of the tribe by the bonfire pulled their scampering children away. The men gathered around a bearskin rug, with a few Tribal Elders sitting on its edge while the younger tribesmen stood nearby.

The members of the Bear Tribe began discussing amongst themselves in their difficult-to-understand native tongue. Their conversation was occasionally punctuated by raised, argumentative voices. Judging by their gestures and expressions, however, it seemed the tribespeople were not optimistic about relocating.

Just then, Jeff hung up his phone and hurried back.

He was startled to see that the Bear Tribe had already begun discussing the relocation. He quickly looked around, spotted Feng Shan savoring some roasted meat, and rushed over to him. With an anxious look, he asked, "Feng, did the Yosemite Tribe agree?"

"Still in talks." Feng Shan offered him the roasted meat in his hand. "Try some. It’s pretty good."

Jeff just shook his head with a wry smile.

’How can he be in the mood for roasted meat at a time like this?’

He had just called his tribe. When Chief Welta heard the news that the Bear Tribe might be relocating, his reaction had been intense. He sounded like he wanted to fly over immediately.

Fortunately, the distance from Norton Bay to the Susitna River wasn’t too great. He could get here in an hour by plane.

"Chief Welta is on his way. He hopes to have a good talk with you."

’What!’

’That old geezer is coming?’

Hearing that name, Feng Shan instantly lost his appetite for the roasted meat in his hand.

’The last time we met, I nearly lost my life.’

’What kind of trouble is he planning to stir up this time?’

"Chief Welta doesn’t want the Bear Tribe’s reservation land to be taken back by the American Government. It would have a significant impact on the entire Athabasca Tribe community."

"I understand." Feng Shan nodded. When he first came to Alaska to inherit the Crown Territory, the American Government had wanted to buy it back from him too. He then said, "Forget it. I’m going to go see Nash’s father. Let me know when the Chief arrives."

After speaking, Feng Shan took advantage of the Bear Tribe’s discussion to quietly slip away from the clearing where the welcoming ceremony was held. He spotted the little tribal girl who had brought him wine earlier, hiding nearby and eavesdropping on the adults.

"Hey, what are you looking at?"

Startled by Feng Shan’s voice, the little girl snapped out of it and turned to see him, a flash of panic in her eyes.

"Do you know where Nash’s father’s house is?" Feng Shan asked gently.

"I do." The little girl nodded without hesitation.

"Can you take me there?" An idea suddenly struck Feng Shan, and he pretended to be afraid of being seen. He not only lowered his voice but also kept glancing around furtively. "We can’t let anyone see us."

"Mhm." The little girl nodded again, mimicking Feng Shan. She first looked around warily, her little eyes darting about. After confirming no one was paying attention to them, she gestured to Feng Shan and whispered, "Follow me."

With that, the two of them—one big, one small—slipped away from the clearing.

Freed from adult supervision, the little girl instantly became more lively.

She skipped ahead with light, brisk steps, occasionally stopping to wait for Feng Shan to catch up.

The afternoon sun, like flecks of crushed gold, scattered across the wide surface of the Susitna River. The water seemed to be covered in a layer of shimmering golden satin, sparkling with a captivating light.

Although southern Alaska had also entered winter, the temperature here was much warmer compared to the icy, bone-chilling Far North Tundra Region.

A hint of coolness hung in the air, but it wasn’t piercingly cold. The breeze that brushed against one’s cheeks was refreshingly crisp, not the sharp, searing pain of the Tundra winds that felt like a knife’s edge.

"What’s your name? Your English is so good," Feng Shan said with a warm smile, looking at the skipping girl beside him as they strolled along the riverbank.

A gentle breeze, carrying the faint moisture of the river, softly rustled the little girl’s hair.

"Chu-li," the girl answered crisply. Seeing Feng Shan’s blank expression, she couldn’t help but flash a cute smile. "Teacher Lucy said that’s the word for fireweed. My name is Liu Lan. Teacher Lucy taught everyone in our tribe English, and I’m her best student."

Feng Shan nodded slightly, savoring the name.

"Liu Lan... I’ve heard of that flower. It’s beautiful when it blooms—a huge stretch of pink, like a rosy cloud that has fallen to the earth. Your name is just like the fireweed, it sounds so lovely the moment you hear it."

Hearing Feng Shan’s praise, the little girl’s smile grew even brighter. She gave a happy little jump and then skipped ahead again, shouting back as she ran.

"I love my name, too! I’m going to be as pretty as a fireweed flower!"

Watching the little girl skip about, her pure innocence was like a bright light, scattering much of the gloom in his heart.

The corners of Feng Shan’s mouth turned up unconsciously, his eyes filled with a gentle warmth.

At the riverbank, the sun continued to spill its warmth, and the river continued to murmur.

Every ray of light carried warmth, enveloping everything in a cozy atmosphere.

The two figures, one large and one small, walked slowly onward through the picturesque riverbank scenery.

Liu Lan would stop from time to time to observe the rocks and plants by the river, and she would excitedly run back to Feng Shan to share her new discoveries.

Feng Shan listened patiently, responding to every bit of her curiosity and joy.

It was as if time itself had slowed down in that moment.

All that remained was this simple, beautiful moment of companionship, so captivating that one would be reluctant to break the peace and tranquility.

"Liu Lan, if I were to take you away from here to an even more beautiful place, would you be willing to go?"

Liu Lan tilted her head, her big, dark eyes blinking with confusion.

This place was the only world she knew. From the day she was born, the tribal camp had been the center of her life. She had never truly imagined what the outside world was like.

"If I leave the camp, I won’t be able to wait for Teacher Lucy. She told us to wait for her to come back to the tribe. She said she was going to teach me more English."

"Where did Teacher Lucy go?" Feng Shan asked, curious.

Liu Lan dejectedly picked up a stone and threw it hard into the river. With a PLOP, the stone hit the water, sending up a small splash.

"Last time, Teacher Lucy took us to the forest to learn about plants. We ran into a few strange white men by the Reindeer River. After they argued with Teacher Lucy, she left the tribe."

’Reindeer River?’

’Strange white men?’

’Could it be those white gold prospectors who invaded the Bear Tribe’s territory?’

Feng Shan suppressed his doubts. The situation felt like it was getting more and more complicated. He couldn’t jump to any conclusions right now, so he just pushed down his questions and silently committed the name Lucy to memory.

’Even if the Bear Tribe is unwilling to relocate, I have to help them for Nash’s sake.’

"We’re here. That’s my house up ahead." Liu Lan stopped and pointed her little finger toward a dilapidated wooden cabin not far from the riverbank.

The cabin looked like it had seen many years; time had left its mottled marks upon it.

The wooden walls, having endured years of wind and rain, had faded from their original color to a dull, grayish-brown.

"Your house?" Feng Shan frowned. "No, that’s not right. I need to go to Nash’s house. Nash’s father is injured."

"That’s right, it is my house. Nash is my older brother." Liu Lan, however, was unhurried. With her hands behind her back, she puffed out her little chest, a sly smile on her face.

Feng Shan finally understood. He shook his head with a helpless sigh, the corners of his mouth turning up in a slight smile.

"Alright, you win. Take me to see your father."

Yes!

Liu Lan had successfully pulled off a small prank. Proud of her masterpiece, she turned and skipped toward the cabin, pulling open the wooden door and beckoning Feng Shan inside.

Feng Shan followed her into the cabin.

The moment he stepped inside, he was plunged into darkness, as if he had suddenly entered another world.

The darkness was like thick ink, shrouding everything. Only the faint sliver of light filtering in from the doorway allowed Feng Shan to barely make out the ground at his feet.

A faint, musty smell of old wood mingled with the scent of burning herbs filled the air.

After a moment, Feng Shan’s eyes gradually adjusted to the dim light inside the cabin.

He slowly began to survey his surroundings.

.....