Chapter 744 - 468: Probing (2)

Chapter 744: Chapter 468: Probing (2)

"This damn cold snap and blizzard... it’s a real disaster. The North Slope Oil Base was affected too. We’re old friends, Feng Mountain. I can’t just stand by and do nothing while you’re going through a tough time. If you’re really having trouble with the funds for the boat, I can ask Chief Welta to approve a long-term, interest-free loan for the Crown Territory."

Jeff spoke while observing Feng Mountain’s reaction.

At the same time, he was calculating inwardly. ’If I can make this happen, my relationship with Feng Mountain will deepen. My position in the Wild Bull Tribe will be much more secure, I’ll have more say, and I might even get to participate in more of the tribe’s important affairs.’

"Oh, I couldn’t possibly impose!" A seemingly sincere, yet utterly fake, smile instantly bloomed on Feng Mountain’s face.

Seeing this, Jeff hurriedly mirrored the fake, somewhat stiff smile and thumped his chest. "Don’t worry about it! We Indians are all brothers. Your business is my business!"

Sitting in the back seat, Nash silently took in the phony atmosphere between the two.

He pursed his lips in disdain and turned his head to the window, watching the streetscape fly by.

The pickup truck was currently driving along Egan Drive, the main thoroughfare of Juneau City.

As the pickup truck left the mountain road, the view suddenly opened up, and Gastino Bay came into sight in the distance.

On the surface of the dark blue sea,

floating ice floes were like shattered pieces of white jade.

As the tide surged, they gently collided with one another, producing a dull, rhythmic sound.

It was as if they were performing a symphony that belonged only to the sea.

The distance from the airport to Juno City Center wasn’t far, less than 15 kilometers.

Along the way, the atmosphere in the truck was a bit strange. The two men, each with a thousand schemes, probed at each other with every word.

Both of them were tired of talking, to say nothing of Nash, who had to listen.

Soon, they arrived at the hotel they had booked in advance.

The three walked into the hotel lobby. Jeff went straight to the front desk and gave his name.

The front desk clerk was as round as a barrel. Upon seeing the guests, a professional smile immediately spread across his face.

After they provided identification,

the clerk enthusiastically led the three of them down a hallway to a room.

When the door opened, Feng Mountain saw it was a suite.

It wasn’t large, but it was very creatively designed.

The moment they stepped inside, a wave of warmth washed over them. The heating was turned up high, making them instantly forget the cold outside.

The suite had a large, floor-to-ceiling window on both the left and right walls, offering an excellent view.

Through the left window, the continuous snow-capped mountains were majestic and towering, their peaks shimmering with a golden glow under the sun. The right window, meanwhile, offered a panoramic view of the bay’s beauty. The seawater appeared a deep, dark blue as the light shifted, with ice floes drifting leisurely, bumping gently against each other with the rhythm of the tide.

Jeff looked around the room, then glanced at Feng Mountain.

Feeling that the suite was perhaps not grand enough for Feng Mountain’s status, he said apologetically,

"Feng, this is the best hotel in Juno. If you want something better, we’d have to go to the Denali Glacier Lodge, but that’s a half-hour drive from the city."

"No need. This is great."

Overcome by the room’s ample heating, Feng Mountain took off his animal-hide coat and casually draped it over a nearby chair.

’We’re only staying here for a few days anyway, no need to go to all that trouble.’

Besides, the temperature in Juneau City was relatively pleasant, averaging around minus 5 degrees Celsius.

It was quite comfortable here.

By the time they had everything settled, it was already 4 p.m.

Due to its latitude, Juneau City had two more hours of daylight than the Tundra.

The sun gradually sank in the west, and the daylight slowly receded, leaving the stage to the polar night.

However, the night in Juno was not one of pure darkness.

The twilight unique to dawn and dusk, like a soft veil of nature, left a faint glow in the sky.

It added a certain mysterious and gentle ambiance to the city.

"Alright, guys, time for dinner. I booked a table at the restaurant a week in advance." Jeff was eager to enjoy a lavish dinner with Feng Mountain and further strengthen their relationship.

The three left the hotel and headed to the restaurant. Considering it was close, they decided not to drive.

After all, the restaurant was on the same block, just a few minutes’ walk away.

They hadn’t gone far when Feng Mountain spotted a food truck open for business on the side of the road, its body covered in an eye-catching advertisement.

A few customers were lined up in front of it, waiting.

The faint smell of fried fish drifted through the air, wafting into his nose and instantly whetting his appetite.

As he got closer, Feng Mountain noticed the food truck had an interesting sign.

A Shield hung from an iron anchor, and on the Shield was the restaurant’s name: Deckhand Dave’s Fish Tacos!

The name translated to "Deckhand Dave’s Fish Tacos."

"This is the place. Their fish tacos are fantastic. I come here for a meal every time I’m in Juno."

Jeff said, familiarly greeting the cook inside the truck.

The cook was a sturdy, middle-aged man with a warm smile. Seeing Jeff, he responded with equal enthusiasm.

The two were like old friends who hadn’t seen each other in a long time.

After the greeting, Jeff led Feng Mountain and Nash past the food truck and into an open area.

At the far end of the open area stood a wooden building with a distinct nautical theme.

The building’s exterior was full of maritime charm; its wooden outer walls were painted blue, like the color of the sea.

A few small sailboat models hung by the entrance, swaying gently in the breeze.

He pushed the door open.

Soft light, like a gentle veil, spread evenly across the floor, cloaking the entire space in a warm halo.

Inside, an abundance of nautical-themed decorations was everywhere.

Looking around, he saw various yellowed nautical charts hanging on the walls. A model of an iron anchor stood silently, demonstrating the power of the sea, while fishing nets were draped casually to the side, seemingly still carrying the damp scent of the ocean.

The ceiling mimicked a starry sky, with twinkling lights that created a mysterious and romantic atmosphere.

These elements were carefully arranged and cleverly blended to create a rich maritime ambiance.

Then there was the dining area.

It was packed with wooden tables and chairs, arranged so closely that their backs were nearly touching.

However, a small sailboat ornament sat on each table, a detail that showed great care.

However,

the cramped layout didn’t seem to affect the diners’ enjoyment of their food.

They were either chatting softly or digging in, immersed in the pleasure of their meals.

Over by the windows, diners could enjoy the charming view of the bay while savoring their delicious food, the shimmering surface of the water glowing faintly under the night sky.

"Hey fella, got a reservation?" a male waiter in a sailor uniform asked casually as he passed by the trio, carrying a tray of what was clearly a meticulously prepared dish fresh from the kitchen.

"You must be new." Jeff was taken aback for a moment, a hint of confusion on his face. After his gaze lingered on the waiter for a second, he smiled and said, "Yes, a reservation for Jeff."

The sailor-suited waiter quickly turned and shouted toward the bar, "Hey! A Mr. Jeff has a reservation!"

Almost instantly, a clear response came from the direction of the bar.

"That’s right, Mr. Jeff! Table A1, we saved it just for him."

"Table A1 is by the window overlooking the sea. There’s a number on the table. Fellas, that’s the best spot in the restaurant. You’ve got good taste."

As the waiter spoke, he gave a slight nod toward the window, indicating the table’s location.

With that, he turned and went to serve other customers.

Leaving the three of them standing there, still waiting to be shown to their reserved table.

’He just left? Didn’t even show us the way. And I’m a regular customer! If this were back home, any restaurant that dared to leave a regular hanging like this would get an earful.’

Feng Mountain muttered under his breath and pursed his lips, his expression full of dissatisfaction.

He turned and glimpsed Jeff’s chagrined expression; he looked as though the waiter’s "neglect" had put him in an awkward position.

The three followed the number on the table, found their spot, and sat down.

Table A1 was just as the waiter had said, right by the sea window with an excellent view.

Outside the window,

the bay view stretched out before them, the moonlight scattering across the shimmering surface of the water.

In the distance, the horizon where the sea met the night sky formed a deep expanse of blue.

The slightly bumpy process of getting seated, however, added a peculiar little hiccup to the prelude of their dinner.

....