HLM – Chapter 886 Been to the Arctic

The bullet-shaped sled required a hefty deposit—50,000 euros. Wang Bo got a mischievous idea: “How about we just drive it away and never return it?”

Eva frowned. “The deposit? Fifty thousand euros?”

“Of course we’d skip that. It’s basically buying the sled—I really like the design.”

Eva slapped her forehead. “Are you trying to show me your adorable stupidity? Fifty thousand is the deposit, pay attention.” Then she turned to the staff member. “Hey, handsome, how much would it cost to actually buy one of these sleds?”

The man smiled. “Probably around thirty to forty thousand euros.”

Wang Bo exclaimed, “That’s not playing by the rules!”

They drove slowly down the road when someone waved and shouted at them from the roadside.

Wang Bo turned to see Charlie, who had come along. He drove closer to the side. Charlie opened the door with a smile: “I saw Dale’s pumpkin carriage and knew it had to be you guys.”

“It’s a pumpkin sled!” Dale in front shouted back.

No one paid her any attention. Wang Bo asked, “Hey, you two having fun?”

The plump young lady, Britney, shyly lowered her head, while Charlie pointed to his legs. “See? My legs are still shaking—that’s how much fun we had.”

Wang Bo, not thinking much, asked innocently, “What did you go do? Was it that thrilling?”

Britney blushed even more, and Wang Bo immediately understood.

Apparently, the two had had a rough night. Britney, waking up to find herself transported from the Southern Hemisphere to the Northern Hemisphere, was moved and excited… and then with Charlie…

After muttering “Keep it in moderation,” Wang Bo drove on. Eva leaned close, teasing his ear with a playful lick, giggling: “How shall we spend this beautiful night?”

Wang Bo replied firmly, “I’ll give it my all!”

Eva giggled, her charm distracting him from driving.

As they left the city, someone stopped Dale’s pumpkin sled.

Wang Bo drove over. “Hey, ma’am, what’s going on?”

The sled was blocked by a heavily bundled woman. If this were the Middle East instead of Finland, Wang Bo would have ordered Zhuang Ding to tackle her—she appeared rather abruptly.

Behind her was a little girl dressed like a tiny bear, only half her cute face visible.

The woman said, “Hello, sir. My name is Helen Binus, and this is my daughter Hails. We saw your daughter’s amazing sled. Hails is very envious—may she try it for a bit?”

Wang Bo looked at Dale, slightly younger than his own, maybe four or five years old. He turned to Eva. “You decide.”

Eva pondered for a moment. “I think it’s fine. Dale, can you have a little sister ride with you?”

Dale nodded. “Okay! I’ll show her my driving skills!”

Hails cheered and ran clumsily toward the sled, trying to climb aboard.

But she was dressed too warmly; her short legs struggled to get up. Zhuang Ding came over, gently biting the back of her coat, and lifted her into the pumpkin sled.

Helen had initially worried, seeing the dog open its mouth toward her daughter, but when Hails was safely in the sled, she exclaimed in relief: “That dog is so smart!”

Back on the road, Dale waved. “Lead the way! Let’s go find Santa Claus!”

Santa Claus Village lay northeast outside the city. First, they crossed a pure white snowfield, then a low birch shrub thicket, and finally colorful wooden cottages appeared.

Around the cottages grew many Arctic fir trees, also covered in snow. Many visitors came here to tour the village.

Most visitors were adults. They came to see Santa Claus—not expecting gifts to magically appear in their stockings—but to fulfill childhood dreams.

Wang Bo brought Eva here for this very reason.

After visiting the Glowworm Cave, Wang Bo realized every adult has a soft corner inside, where a child who will never grow up resides—a true self who still remembers youthful dreams. He guessed that Eva, as a child, had probably dreamed of receiving gifts from Santa Claus herself.

Apart from visitors, the village surroundings were very quiet. Wang Bo got out to look around—endless icy tundra stretched in every direction.

The post-snow sky was exceptionally blue. White ground, drifting clouds, and low pine forests stretched to the horizon. In that moment, Santa Claus Village looked like a painting.

Some reindeer roamed the shrubs and firs—they were Santa’s steeds, managed by government staff, adding to the scenery.

The village was filled with quaint wooden cottages. Eva, checking a travel guide, explained that this was southern Lapland in Finland.

Wang Bo parked outside. He, Zhuang Ding, and Eva guided the sled into the village, eagerly examining the buildings and learning about local tourism.

Eva explained, “This village wasn’t built from scratch. It was originally inhabited by the Sami people—a brave and bold Finnish minority who dealt massive blows to the Red Army during the Soviet invasion.”

Wang Bo nodded. “I’ve heard of that war. Finland produced a famous White Death, right?”

Eva smiled. “Yes, but this festival isn’t the time to talk about that. Let’s focus on Santa Claus. Apparently, the popular red suit comes from traditional Sami clothing.”

Upon entering the village, they first saw a metal line pointing north. A sign explained that following it would lead to the Arctic Circle’s center.

Some tourists straddled the line for photos. Eva took him to do the same. Helen took several pictures of the three of them.

Wang Bo asked, “What’s so special about this line? Let’s take a photo with Santa instead.”

Eva laughed. “It’s a tourist activity. The Arctic center has a core marker made of the same material as this line. Taking a photo with it shows you’ve reached the Arctic.”

Helen nodded. “Yes. The guide said we must take a photo, then go to the visitor center to get an Arctic certificate. Come on, you two adorable girls, let’s take a picture.”

Dale beamed with innocence: “Long live friendship! May our friendship last forever!”