Chapter 752 - 472: Persuasion (Part 2)

Chapter 752: Chapter 472: Persuasion (Part 2)

Feng Mountain considered the proposal. The stakes involved were far more complex than they appeared on the surface.

With this in mind, he shook his head slightly. A faint, apologetic smile touched his lips as he spoke in a calm, unhurried tone.

"I’m sorry, but I have no such plans at the moment. If I have a need for this in the future, I’ll have my private financial advisor contact you."

With that, Feng Mountain raised his glass and took a small sip of beer.

He seemed to casually avert his gaze, but he was actually observing Jeff’s reaction on the sly.

He also used this gesture to make his stance clear, politely rejecting the second proposal.

’A private financial advisor!’

Hearing those four words, Jeff’s heart skipped a beat.

He was completely surprised that Feng Mountain had a private financial advisor.

Using ANST to transfer company assets was a common practice among Alaska Native Corporations.

Nearly every Indigenous Tribe did it, as they all saw the potential tax benefits and opportunities for asset management.

On the surface, doing so seemed to bring many benefits, like easing the tax burden and optimizing asset allocation.

But in reality, there were hidden catches.

Once a company’s assets entered the ANST system, getting them out again was nearly impossible.

Furthermore, ANST equity was typically held by Indigenous People.

However, over time, changes in the Indigenous population’s demographics, equity inheritance, and other factors could lead to an exceedingly complex ANST ownership structure.

This complex equity structure, in turn, could have a significant impact on the company that had contributed the assets. Its decision-making and operational direction could be constrained, and it might even get entangled in unpredictable problems.

To put it simply, the company belonged to Feng Mountain now, but one day in the future, that might no longer be the case.

Jeff, of course, knew about these potential risks.

His suggestion of a capital injection via ANST wasn’t a plot to take over Feng Mountain’s industries.

The Wild Bull Tribe owned the North Slope Petroleum Company and other Indigenous Companies. They were already rolling in money and couldn’t care less about the scraps Crown Territory had to offer.

He just wanted to use this method to forge a closer relationship between the Wild Bull Tribe and Crown Territory.

He had originally thought he could persuade Feng Mountain with the tax exemption aspect of his proposal, but it now seemed things weren’t that simple.

At this thought, Jeff felt a wave of insecurity and could only force an awkward smile.

To hide his discomfort, he also picked up his beer glass and took large gulps to mask his awkwardness.

The two of them fell into an awkward silence simultaneously.

The atmosphere instantly turned flat.

It was obvious the conversation had reached its end and there was no need to continue.

So, they hastily ended their exchange, got up, and returned to the hotel.

Back in his hotel room, Feng Mountain flopped onto the bed, his mind still lingering on the conversation with Jeff.

He kept mulling over the ANST private fund operating model that Jeff had mentioned.

Although collaborating with the Wild Bull Tribe seemed unreliable, it didn’t mean Crown Territory couldn’t use this model to optimize its own tax and asset management.

In fact, with proper planning and execution, it was highly feasible.

’When I get back to Crown Territory, I’ll talk to Tessa about this and get her opinion. I need to see if Crown Territory can implement this plan in its current state.’

The crisp sound of ice floes bumping against each other on the sea outside was like a gentle lullaby.

Feng Mountain’s consciousness gradually relaxed.

Before he knew it, he slowly drifted off to sleep.

「At dawn.」

Feng Mountain was awakened on time by his biological clock.

He got out of bed quietly, trying not to make much noise.

But the slight stir still woke Nash, who was sleeping in the adjacent bed.

The two quickly changed their clothes and left the hotel, full of energy.

The fresh air that hit their faces instantly woke them up a bit more.

Feng Mountain planned to take advantage of the beautiful morning to try a local Juno breakfast specialty.

At this hour in Juneau City, the sky was still a deep blue, and the faint glow of the streetlights intertwined with it.

A light sea fog from the fjord drifted freely through the city streets like fine gauze, draping it in a dreamlike veil.

Pedestrians moved quietly through the mist, their footsteps soft, as if afraid to break the morning’s tranquility.

From time to time, the long, loud blast of a fishing boat’s horn sounded from the sea as it headed out.

Soon, Feng Mountain found a restaurant on the roadside called The Hangar on the Wharf.

A sign in the window indicated that they served breakfast.

The restaurant’s exterior looked a bit old, but it was full of historic charm.

Its outer walls, weathered by time, were mottled and colorful, as if telling tales of its former glory.

The display window showcased some fresh ingredients, as well as some meticulously prepared sample breakfast dishes.

The sight alone was enough to make one’s appetite surge.

As he pushed the door open, a wind chime hanging on it made a crisp sound. It was like the first musical note of the morning, dancing lightly in the air and breaking the silence of the polar night outside.

The restaurant’s predecessor must have been a hangar or some kind of workshop.

The exposed concrete walls, rough and solid, were like a silent old man who had witnessed the passage of time.

Metal pipes and ventilation equipment crisscrossed the ceiling, all left unconcealed, displaying a rustic and rugged texture.

This unique style created a strong visual impact, making one feel as if they had been instantly transported into a space filled with industrial flair—a complete departure from the restaurants Feng Mountain usually frequented.

The tables and chairs in the dining area were arranged in a neat and orderly fashion.

The spacing between each table and its neighbors was just right.

This layout afforded guests a sense of privacy while they ate, without making the space feel cramped, creating a comfortable and relaxed dining environment.

Although it was early morning, quite a few people were already dining inside, yet it didn’t feel noisy or chaotic.

The customers were either chatting softly or focusing on the food before them, creating a harmonious and quiet atmosphere.

Meanwhile, the servers moved briskly between the tables, their faces radiating warm smiles as they provided attentive service to every customer.

As Feng Mountain and Nash entered the dining area, before they could even find a table, a girl with beautiful, shiny black hair and a neat apron tied around her waist approached them with a brisk pace and a beaming smile.

Her bright eyes sparkled with enthusiasm as she asked with a smile, "Hey guys, need to fuel up for the morning?"

This friendly and natural greeting instantly gave Feng Mountain a good impression.

Compared to the Deckhand Dave’s Fish Tacos they visited yesterday, this was much more pleasant.

The restaurant yesterday had been decent enough, but it lacked this kind of overwhelming warmth.

Just the server’s attitude alone was enough to put someone in a good mood the moment they walked in.

Feng Mountain was also charmed by the girl’s enthusiasm.

A relaxed smile appeared on his face, and he played along, joking in response.

"That’s right. I’m so hungry right now I could eat a Polar Bear!"

Upon hearing this, the waitress immediately feigned a look of shock, her eyes widening as she said with exaggeration,

"God!"

Then, she skillfully pulled out a chair at the table in front of them and made a welcoming gesture.

"We don’t have Polar Bear on the breakfast menu, but we do have fresh omelets, reindeer sausage with fried eggs, delicious crab sandwiches, and waffles. And of course, a great cup of coffee to wake you up."

"That’s a shame," Feng Mountain said with a smile as he walked over. "We’ll have two of the specialty breakfasts, please. By the way, do you have hot cocoa? My companion and I are allergic to coffee."

Hearing this, the waitress looked Feng Mountain and Nash up and down. Then, she leaned in a little and said in a conspiratorial whisper,

"You’re in luck! I can’t believe you’re allergic to coffee, just like me. I’ve got some freshly squeezed orange juice that’s absolutely amazing. You have to try it. One moment."

After speaking, she gave them a wink and turned, walking briskly toward the kitchen.

’Now *this* is what you call service,’ Feng Mountain thought with a satisfied smile. He comfortably pulled out his chair and sat down, with Nash taking a seat right after him.

A cozy atmosphere filled the restaurant.

The soft chatter of the other customers created a pleasant ambiance, allowing Feng Mountain and Nash to feel a unique sense of comfort and ease in the early morning hours.