Landlord in the Arctic-Chapter 59: Madman

Julie stepped out of the car and pulled cosmetics from her press bag. Using the side-view mirror, she quickly applied a light touch-up. She took the offered microphone, and after the cameraman gave a three-two-one countdown, the camera light illuminated her visibly excited face.

"Viewers, this is NBC Fairbanks. I’m Julie Brenda, reporting live with an urgent update."

"In the Extreme North Bay area, a brown bear attacked a wilderness supply camp, leaving a woman severely injured. However, a Level 4 Blizzard in the area has made rescue efforts impossible. The woman is in critical condition and could die at any moment."

"Just moments ago, we learned that a fearless knight, in an effort to save the injured woman, resolutely flew his plane into the terrifying blizzard clouds. He made a forced landing at the supply camp and brought the severely injured woman to safety."

"I will now be interviewing people at the scene."

Julie, microphone in hand, walked over to an airport employee. "Hello, sir. What are your thoughts on this rescue?"

The employee looked on with a mix of solemnity and admiration. "God, it’s just incredible! Flying into a blizzard to save someone in these extreme weather conditions... Is he a madman?"

Uh!

Julie paused for a moment, then quickly walked over to a blond man. "Excuse me, why did you come here today?"

The blond man waved his arms excitedly. "Fack, everyone on Facebook and Twitter is talking about this madman! I came all the way here to see what he looks like. I’m hoping to become his friend so I can give him a call next time I’m in trouble."

"Hey, beautiful, want to exchange numbers? I know a restaurant with some great red wine."

"!!!"

’Alaskan men are all just boars controlled by their lower halves.’

’If he weren’t at least a little charming, I would’ve smashed this microphone in his face.’

Julie decided to end the random interviews and turned back to the camera.

"For now, let us wait here with the utmost reverence and anticipation for the safe return of our knight and the injured woman."

...

During the long and anxious wait, all eyes were fixed on the sky.

The setting sun spread across the sky like orange-red satin, dyeing the entire world in a warm and magnificent hue.

Suddenly, the roar of an airplane echoed in the distance.

Feng Mountain appeared in the skies above Fairbanks, piloting his plane.

The last rays of the setting sun glinted off the fuselage of the Carnation, reflecting a dazzling light.

Two rescue planes flanked it, their wings cutting through the sunset clouds and leaving long white contrails.

The people on the ground immediately burst into cheers, the excitement spreading rapidly through the crowd.

Julie excitedly reported into the camera, "God be praised, they’re back! Our hero has returned!"

"Fack!!!" The blond man who had just been hoping to befriend the knight turned pale the moment he saw the plane’s fuselage. He quickly pulled out his phone and dialed a number.

The phone rang a few times before connecting. The blond man asked cautiously.

"Hey, man, where are you right now?"

"Almost at Fairbanks."

"I bet you’re on a plane, right?"

"Yeah."

Hearing this, the blond man pumped his fist in an exaggerated show of excitement.

"Man, you’re famous, you know that?"

"Facebook and Twitter are blowing up with your story! Do you need an agent? I just so happen to have my agent license."

"Get lost!"

They were about to land, and Feng Mountain had no time to waste chattering with Frank. If he wasn’t firm, Frank could keep talking until the next morning.

"Such a heartless man." Frank held his phone and shook his head helplessly. Seeing the runway cordoned off with security tape, he squeezed through the crowd, shouting, "Let me through, I’m the knight’s family!!"

At the controls of the Carnation, Feng Mountain descended steadily toward the runway, watched by the tense and expectant crowd.

The plane’s wheels neared the ground. The moment they made contact with the runway, they bounced lightly once before settling, and the plane came to a smooth stop.

The scene erupted in thunderous applause and cheers from the excited crowd standing behind the security line.

Paramedics pushed a gurney forward and, with the help of airport staff, opened the cabin door.

When Susan was carried out of the cabin, her warm clothing removed, and pulled from the sleeping bag, the previously ecstatic crowd fell instantly silent.

The bright red blood was jarring. Only then did people remember that a poor woman had been mauled by a brown bear.

As Feng Mountain jumped down from the cockpit, a wave of exhaustion suddenly washed over him.

The tension and anxiety from the rescue, compounded by the fatigue of flying a thousand kilometers, all hit him the moment he landed safely. His legs trembled slightly, but he forced himself to stand steady, an unconcealable weariness in his eyes.

The airport staff and the police officers maintaining order all looked at him with admiration.

Julie hurried forward, raising her microphone and eagerly thrusting it toward Feng Mountain’s face. "Hello, I’m reporter Julie Brenda from NBC. Your heroic rescue in the Blizzard was admirable. Can you tell us what went into making that decision?"

"???" Feng Mountain looked quizzically at the woman who had suddenly jumped in front of him. Just as he was about to speak...

A familiar voice cut in.

"Sorry, my family member needs to rest right now. Please direct any questions to me."

Frank elegantly stepped between them, deliberately standing in front of Feng Mountain and positioning his own handsome face for the camera.

’You?’

Julie’s brow furrowed.

’Isn’t he the same asshole who just tried to get my number?’

"Excuse me, please don’t interfere with my interview, or I’ll call the police."

"Ha! Feng, she says she’s going to call the cops on me!" Frank put on an exaggerated smile and turned to Feng Mountain, giving him a look.

’Son of a bitch.’

’What’s he up to now?’

Feng Mountain recognized that familiar look. His gaze went past Frank to the female reporter’s face, and he seemed to understand what his friend was planning.

He didn’t like being in the spotlight anyway, so he might as well let Frank handle it. With that, he nodded in confirmation.

"That’s right. Talk to him about anything you need. I need to rest now, sorry."

’This...’

Julie was instantly dumbfounded when she saw Frank’s teasing smile.

"Buddy, you look exhausted. The car’s in the parking lot. Go get some rest. I’ll come find you after the interview." Frank readily took out his car keys.

Feng Mountain nodded, took the keys, and left the runway with the help of the police officers who were maintaining order.

The star of the show had left, and the injured woman had been sent to the hospital.

There wasn’t much excitement left to see, and anyway, they all had their photos.

The townspeople left in twos and threes.

Reaching the parking lot and finding Frank’s car, Feng Mountain climbed into the back and curled up on the seat. After a day of heart-pounding thrills and complete mental and physical exhaustion, he wrapped himself in his leather coat and drifted off to sleep without realizing it.

...

The morning quiet was shattered by the roar of airplane engines.

The continuous and ever-intensifying noise was like a sharp awl, violently dragging Feng Mountain from his deep slumber.

He sat up and looked around the car’s interior in a daze, then suddenly swore.

’That son-of-a-bitch Frank.’

’He left me to sleep in the car all night!!!!’

’He said he’d find me after the interview. So where is he?’

He pulled out his phone and dialed the number.

He called several times with no answer. Finally, on the last try, the call connected. A tired, lazy voice came through the receiver.

"Hello? Who’s this?"

"Guess who?" Feng Mountain asked through gritted teeth.

"Oh, man, calling this early just to play guessing games? You’re obviously... Fack..." On the other end of the line, a sleepy-eyed Frank abruptly broke free from Julie’s grasp and sat up. He asked guiltily into the phone, "You weren’t in the car all night, were you?"

"What do you think?"

Frank could practically hear the sound of teeth grinding over the phone.

...