"There’s no hurry. The camp is on break today, so you can relax a little." Feng Shan waved his hand with a smile. Looking at the four of them now, he was filled with emotion.

’Manual labor really can change a person.’ He recalled how arrogant and domineering these four had been, lording it over him and his people in the heavy snow.

But now, after just a few days of farming, every one of them had become so honest and well-behaved.

The hostility about them had long since vanished.

Just then, Xu Hongxin walked over from the camp with elegant strides, dressed in a uniquely styled fur coat.

The coat’s fur was glossy, lending her an air of primitive, wild beauty without sacrificing her dignified presence. She was especially conspicuous in the polar night.

"Mr. Feng, do you have a moment? I’d like to talk to you." Xu Hongxin approached Feng Shan and gave a slight bow. She wore a polite smile, and her tone, while gentle, carried an undertone that brooked no refusal, making it clear she had something important to discuss.

"Of course." Feng Shan nodded, then glanced at Gordon and the other three. The meaning in his eyes was self-evident.

Gordon and the other three were sharp enough to take the hint. They immediately gathered their vegetables and quickened their pace, not wanting to disturb the conversation.

"How about by the river?" Xu Hongxin pointed to the nearby Ice River, where a long bench sat by the bank.

The scenery beside the Ice River was uniquely beautiful, and the surroundings were relatively quiet. It was indeed a good place for a talk.

The two of them walked to the riverbank together and sat on the bench.

Xu Hongxin wore her usual sharp, capable expression, her eyes gleaming with intelligence. She got straight to the point.

"Mr. Feng, I plan to leave the Crown Territory tomorrow. Before I go, I’d like to discuss a business deal with you."

"What kind of deal?" Feng Shan’s brow furrowed slightly. He looked at Xu Hongxin, confused and curious, waiting for her to continue.

"I’d like to open a Dahua Bank branch and a hotel in the Crown Territory. I was wondering if that would be possible." Xu Hongxin watched Feng Shan with a burning intensity.

After this period of observation, Xu Hongxin had discovered that the Crown Territory was practically an undeveloped tourist treasure.

The environment was pristine, the food was clean, and there were even hot springs—it was perfect for restorative getaways.

She herself suffered from nervous exhaustion. She was a light sleeper who would wake at the slightest sound and had to take various health supplements every night before bed.

But ever since she started staying in the Crown Territory, not only had her sleep improved, but so had her appetite. She used to feel full after just a few bites, but now she could eat plenty of vegetables and meat at every meal.

Moreover, she hadn’t touched the health supplements she’d brought with her, and she felt exceptionally clear-headed and relaxed every day.

So, Xu Hongxin had shifted her business focus from seafood to the Crown Territory.

Over the past few days, she’d chatted with other tourists and discovered that she wasn’t the only one who felt the change; they all had more or less the same experience.

All things considered, Xu Hongxin decided she had to lay her cards on the table with Feng Shan before she left.

’No matter what harsh conditions Feng Shan proposes, I’ll agree. I have to seize the market. The Crown Territory is bound for major development in the future.’

Feng Shan stared intently at Xu Hongxin.

’Did she get some inside information? Does she know the Crown Territory is about to get a highway?’

’That would make sense. Jeff said the state government already made the highway approval public.’

’With the Xu Family’s connections, they would have naturally gotten the news, too.’

Thinking about it, he had to admit Xu Hongxin was a natural at business, a hundred times better than that Master Xu, who only knew how to eat, drink, party, and get by on dumb luck.

"You certainly have a good eye. Once the new highway reaches the Crown Territory in three months, it won’t be this easy to invest."

Before he had even finished speaking, Xu Hongxin’s eyes went wide.

She couldn’t believe what she was hearing.

’The Crown Territory is getting a highway? And in just three months?!’

Seeing Xu Hongxin’s shocked expression, Feng Shan realized he must have guessed wrong. It seemed she didn’t know about the highway after all.

Before he could say anything, Xu Hongxin shot to her feet, her expression earnest.

"Mr. Feng, please believe in my sincerity. Dahua Bank’s operations have expanded to 19 countries and regions across the Asia-Pacific, Europe, and North America, with 500 branches and offices. We were also the first bank in Southeast Asia to offer electronic services to our clients."

"As for the hotel, The Lo&Behold Group has dozens of five-star hotels around the world. Our main business is management services for the tourism and hospitality industry, and we can bring entirely new streams of visitors to the Crown Territory."

"Sit down, sit down. Don’t be so serious." Feng Shan gestured for her to calm down.

Just as he was about to continue, a FLAP FLAP FLAP of wings announced Loki’s arrival as the bird landed on his lap.

"Dad, Coca-Cola is trying to eat me! It’s terrifying!"

"Well, it’s your own fault for provoking her. You’re lucky Prince and Princess aren’t home, or you’d get an even worse beating. Now, just behave yourself."

Feng Shan gently tapped Loki on his little head, then turned back to Xu Hongxin.

Recalling Old Liu’s advice, he put on an air of importance and said,

"The Crown Territory welcomes all investment. A bank would certainly reduce a lot of hassle, and a hotel is no problem either."

"But as you’ve seen, I’m not really the best at operations. To be frank, my plan is to eventually establish the Town of Crown Territory. I will only be responsible for managing the town itself; everything else will be left to the free market."

"Of course, whether it’s the bank or the hotel, everything must be done by the book."

’By the book?’

Xu Hongxin’s expression grew troubled. 𝘧𝘳𝘦ℯ𝓌𝘦𝒷𝘯𝑜𝑣𝘦𝓁.𝒸𝘰𝓂

She had heard from Su Ziweng that despite Feng Shan’s usually nonchalant demeanor, he was secretly a regular Gorantai—a ruthless predator with a dark heart who would devour you without spitting out the bones.

Anyone who wanted to do business in the Crown Territory had to give Feng Shan a stake in their company.

Su Ziweng’s own Chinese restaurant had to give up a 40% stake, which made it impossible to stay afloat, so he had to go back to his home country to find sponsors.

The shooting range also had to give up a 40% stake. It might look like a lot of people were using it, but in the end, all the profits went right into Feng Shan’s pocket.

Sun Jia had been in the tavern drowning her sorrows on several occasions, crying to her about how crooked Feng Shan was.

Right, and there was Daisen’s leather goods shop.

Feng Shan demanded a 40% stake from him, too, which is why Daisen never committed to opening a shop here. He planned to pack up and go back to the city after selling off his current inventory.

Privately, Su Ziweng even called Feng Shan "Mr. Forty Percent."

At this thought, Xu Hongxin’s expression grew pained.

Giving up a 40% stake in the hotel was one thing, but how could she possibly give away shares in Dahua Bank? Besides, she was just opening a single branch in the Crown Territory; the profit margin wouldn’t be that high.

"Mr. Feng, I’m truly sorry. For the hotel, you could contribute the land as your equity stake, but I have no way of giving you shares in a Dahua Bank branch. I can, however, pay a land usage fee. I very much hope we can reach an agreement."

"A 40% stake?" Feng Shan looked completely bewildered.

Xu Hongxin hesitated for a moment before deciding to be honest. "It means that anyone who wants to do business in the Crown Territory has to give you a 40% stake—plucking a feather from every passing goose, so to speak. That’s why you’re called ’Mr. Forty Percent.’ I’m really sorry."

"Fack! Who gave me such an awful nickname?" Feng Shan was furious.

’I have so many nicknames—Carnation Knight, the Fenrir Terminator, the Ice Sea Guardian—which one of them doesn’t sound good? Aren’t they all positive?’

’Mr. Forty Percent.’

’Who’s so damn uncultured?’

"Su Ziweng was the one who told me." Xu Hongxin seemed to sense something was off and quickly tried to distance herself from the matter.

"Bullshit! That son of a bitch!" Feng Shan angrily whipped out his phone and called Su Ziweng. The second the call connected, he yelled, "You dog-fucker, this ’Mr. Forty Percent’ thing is—" TUUT... TUUT... TUUT...

Unfortunately, Su Ziweng didn’t give Feng Shan a chance to finish. He hung up immediately. When Feng Shan tried calling back, the phone was already off.

Feng Shan was left speechless. He gave Xu Hongxin an exasperated shrug.

"Don’t listen to that bastard’s nonsense. I never demanded any 40% stake. I would be thrilled to have you invest in the Crown Territory. Once the town is established, you’ll just need to pay your taxes according to the regulations. There’s no graft, and certainly no extortion."

Then he added another sentence.

"And in the future, try to spend less time with that pair of unlucky bastards. Stupidity is contagious."

Xu Hongxin covered her mouth to stifle a giggle. Now that she was getting to know him better, she realized Feng Shan wasn’t the cold, unreasonable person the camp rumors made him out to be.

In fact, he was quite charmingly masculine.

’It’s a pity he’s gay, though. He’s surrounded by female employees, but I’ve heard he hasn’t touched a single one of them.’

’Especially those female managers who are always with him.’

’They’re always complaining that he’s completely oblivious to their advances.’

’He’ll even push them away when they throw themselves at him.’

....