Chapter 141: He's in a vegetative state: His mental state is leading.

Neither of the two bosses could sit still, so they rushed to Old Zhao's room.

Thank goodness, this batch of goods comes with all the room keys from the building management.

As soon as the door opened, Wang Xiao felt like he'd been screwed over.

The heating was suffocating, and the smell inside the house was so strong it made me want to vomit.

On the bed inside the room, a man who looked like a naked pig was kneeling, his white buttocks sticking up high, his upper body pressed down, and his hands tied tightly behind his back.

When the security captain saw this, he felt a wave of dizziness.

Because this position of binding is equivalent to burying someone alive, the chest cavity is compressed, and air will gradually become difficult to flow in until death by suffocation.

Without saying a word, the security captain immediately took out his dagger and cut the rope, then slammed it into his chest and lungs.

Wang Xiao didn't rest either; she immediately closed the door, blocking the curious onlookers.

In that instant, her thought was, "Damn it, please don't die."

What if someone really died? We need to find a way to keep the news under wraps and absolutely prevent anyone from knowing that someone has died in this house.

Why do that?

Nonsense, whose house wouldn't be considered a haunted house if someone died a violent death there? How would a haunted house maintain its value?

Business people are very particular about feng shui; who would want someone to die in their room?

So this person can die, anywhere is fine, but cannot die in the wholesale market.

People outside had already been alerted and were shouting at the top of their lungs, "Old Zhao, Old Zhao, say something!"

Sharing a small room with Lao Zhao, he was even more flustered: "What's going on? What's this?"

He and Lao Zhao both sell leather goods; one sells leather boots, and the other sells leather jackets.

Previously, the two of them each had their own room. During the day, the bed served as a shop, where they would open the door to do business. At night, once the door was closed, they would lie on the bed to sleep.

However, after a while, the room was too warm, and the smell of the leather goods became unbearable for both of them.

But when they tried to apply for dormitory accommodation, there were no beds left.

So the two discussed it and decided to go into business together, each working half a day.

They sell leather boots in the morning and leather jackets in the afternoon, helping each other out and freeing up someone to pick up the goods, as well as giving themselves a break.

Old Zhao rested in his room this morning.

Why didn't Xiao Tian hear anything when Lao Zhao had his accident?

Well, it has to do with the layout of the barracks. Although the two rooms sound like they're next to each other, there's a staircase separating them.

The room where Lao Zhao had the accident was a row of dormitories.

The morning was a busy time for everyone's business, and no one was slacking off in the dormitory.

The cafeteria lady just delivered boxed lunches, and Xiaotian took the lunch and went to send a fax. She doesn't know what happened after that.

Otherwise, they would have been summoned by their screams long ago.

Xiao Tian was still anxiously calling out, "Old Zhao, Old Zhao, can you say something?"

"I can't make a sound," Wang Xiao lied, "I had a stroke."

A gasp rippled through the crowd outside, mixed with laughter: "My goodness, is this guy about to go crazy?"

The door opened a crack, and Xiao Gao poked his head out to ask, "What's going on? What do you mean, 'going crazy'?"

The person who had just laughed looked a little embarrassed, touched his nose, and then said, "What else could it be? A foreign woman, of course."

The term "foreign prostitute" is an insulting term used within their community.

Xiao Gao pressed on, "Is it a familiar face? Which one?"

Like thugs, prostitutes also have their own territories. Venturing into someone else's territory to find food could very well mean they die without even knowing how.

The person speaking shook their head: "I don't know. Aren't all foreign women the same? Besides, I didn't even see their face clearly. They just swayed and left. Hey, why ask? You expect them to open their wallets right away?"

Xiao Gao readily agreed: "No, she also stole money, and turned it upside down."

Xiao Tian, ​​who shared a room with Lao Zhang, got anxious: "They stole them all! Damn it, I was planning to exchange them for money today."

The people around laughed again: "Who told you to be lazy? This matter can't be delayed!"

"Didn't the bank's agency close for the day last night?"

Then the conversation veered off-topic to the fact that the bank's agency closes too early; it should be open until at least 8 p.m.

Otherwise, what would they say?

Old Zhao went crazy looking for chickens, and they couldn't control him.

This guy is really something, he played himself into a stroke, isn't that a joke?

Knowing he was stingy, she deliberately chose to look for prostitutes in the middle of the morning.

At this time of year, the chickens that are willing to work are basically those that were frozen overnight without any business, and probably don't even have enough money for food today.

If they're lucky, they're even willing to spread their legs for a can of beer or a big loaf of bread.

The sound of an ambulance siren rang out downstairs, and medical staff carried a stretcher up.

The security captain quickly emphasized, "He's still breathing."

He was almost out of breath.

Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) is something only those who have performed it know; even if three people take turns performing it, it will still bring them to their deaths.

Of course, the medical staff couldn't just believe everything he said. They examined him, muttered a few words under their breath, and finally lifted him into the ambulance.

Wang Xiao and Ivanov followed.

The security captain urged the onlookers, "Alright, we'll let everyone know if there's any news."

Then everyone picked up their lunchboxes, ate them, and walked back.

Anyway, they can't possibly go to the hospital with us; everyone's busy with business right now.

The security captain didn't even ask the boss whether he wanted to call the police or anything like that.

Since the person is still breathing, there's no need to alert the police.

Besides, what's the point of calling the police? Just look at the prostitute's clean and efficient manner and the skill with which she tied people up; you can tell she's no ordinary person.

If they're not mistaken—

"It must have been a swallow that did it."

As a KGB female agent, Lyuba has a deeper understanding of Swallow.

To be honest, even among the agents, Swallow and Crow were still objects of sympathy.

No matter how much brainwashing they receive, all for the sake of the Soviet Union, normal people are unwilling to use their bodies as weapons.

Agents who are forced to perform missions physically for extended periods often develop psychological issues.

They've become accustomed to using their bodies as weapons.

Or they may be cynical, engage in emotional deception, and stir up trouble in other people's families.

Or they might simply go into the sex industry and use their bodies to make money.

During the Soviet era, their superiors turned a blind eye to their behavior.

After the collapse of the Soviet Union, swallows and crows became even more unrestrained.

Since their weapons are their bodies, retired Swallows either work independently or rely on the Mafia to train prostitutes.

Very few people are truly able to break free from this invisible cage.

Wang Xiao slowly exhaled and rubbed his face vigorously: "Let's see how he is."

It's not very good.

Tragically, despite the security captain and others' best efforts to resuscitate Old Zhao, the doctors determined that due to prolonged oxygen deprivation, he would be in a vegetative state for life unless a miracle occurred.

Everyone breathed a huge sigh of relief. It was good that nothing happened; as long as they were still angry, that was fine.

As for whether he will never wake up in this lifetime, what does that have to do with them?

To put it bluntly, some people might even think that dying under a peony flower is a romantic death.

but--

The anxiety of everyone can only be partially relieved, as the key issues have not yet been clarified.

So, was Lao Zhao's predicament purely his own fault, or was he simply caught in the tail end of a storm?

Of course, even if it is the latter, he cannot be said to be innocent.

After all, Yanzi didn't force him; he took the initiative himself.

Regarding the motive for the murder, the victim is already in a vegetative state, and the murderer is nowhere to be found, so we can only inquire from other sources.

Where can I ask for information?

It's a security company.

Despite Moscow having a population of over ten million, the security industry employs as many as one hundred thousand people.

In fact, at least half of them are members of the Mafia.

As for the other half, the security company owner, Ivanov's friend, who rushed over after receiving the news, bluntly stated: "Whether we are black or white depends solely on who pays."

Therefore, security companies are well-informed about the underworld.

The owner of the security company brought them some good news.

That is, so far, there are no orders from Huaxia Wholesale Building in the industry.

Theoretically speaking, the Mafia has not yet targeted wholesale housing.

The security company owner complained, "He brought this on himself."

Under normal circumstances, the swallows will not attack the clients. This is because they need to make money from them.

However, some clients of prostitutes are particularly foul-mouthed and love to harass others. They feel that because they paid money, they can insult and trample on the other person in every way.

If the two sides don't speak the same language, then distance makes the heart grow fonder, and the situation might actually be better.

But Old Zhao happens to speak Russian, or to be more specific, most of the Chinese merchants in this warehouse can speak Russian.

Because Wang Xiao really went to great lengths to provide them with excellent service, he even arranged for a proper international student to teach them Russian, three classes a week, which were held in the canteen of the wholesale building.

Everyone knows that knowing Russian can help increase their sales, so they study it very diligently.

Even if they can't write or recognize Russian words, it doesn't prevent them from using Russian for daily communication.

At least when soliciting prostitution, conversation is not a problem.

Wang Xiao remained silent, making no attempt to defend Lao Zhao.

She's gone mad. Why would she take sides for ladybugs?

Besides, doesn't she know what kind of trash these people are?

It's ridiculous that men take sleeping with women of a certain ethnicity or social class as a sign of true submission to that ethnicity or social class.

In this respect, the Ah Q mentality of some Chinese men is quite prominent.

Women are not seen as equals, but as stepping stones to demonstrate their power and prestige.

"I'll go and notify his family."

Wang Xiao went straight to make an international call.

What else could we do? Help Old Zhao track down the killer across thousands of miles?

What a joke! Leaving aside whether they want to or not, the key issue is that they can't do it either.

That was Swallow's doing.

The Armenian businessman in question was the one whose home was broken into and ransacked by his girlfriend and her friends.

He went all out, spending a fortune to get the Mafia's help to get justice and teach the murderer a lesson.

And what was the result?

As a result, the Mafia kept coming to him for money, treating him like a sucker, causing him immense suffering, while the perpetrators of the evil deeds still went unpunished.

He later became a member of the doll club, where they discussed and analyzed the matter privately.

Based on his description of his girlfriend and the whole incident, everyone agreed that it was typical of Yanzi's doing.

Swallow's relationship with the Mafia is extremely close and quite complicated.

Therefore, even if it damages their reputation, the Mafia won't easily deal with Swallow after receiving the money.

Wang Xiao eventually found Lao Zhao's family and briefly explained the situation.

They opened the door because they didn't see anyone go out to eat and were afraid something might happen.

They didn't know exactly why it turned out this way.

If you need to call the police, they can help you do so on your behalf.

However, Wang Xiao still honestly reminded the other party: "It probably won't be of much use, and the police might not care."

"Don't call the police." After a brief moment of panic, Old Zhao's wife quickly calmed down. "Thank you for your help. We'll be there as soon as possible."

Are the police in Moscow people not to be trifled with?

As soon as the police arrived, they seized the goods and payment, saying it was related to a case.

Whether the case can be solved is a big question mark. Even if it is solved, it will be a very long time coming.

But the money and goods that have been seized are gone forever; that's a foregone conclusion.

Wang Xiao breathed a sigh of relief and assured him, "We won't abandon him. The doctor is still treating him, and Lao Zhao is being looked after."

The person on the other end of the phone seemed distracted, only humming twice before hanging up, probably because they were in a hurry to complete the formalities.

When Wang Xiao returned to the ward, the security company boss was looking at Ivanov with a complicated expression: "Ha, my buddy, what kind of luck do you have?"

Why hasn't the Mafia made any move to use him as a scare tactic yet?

It wasn't because the Mafia was chivalrous and patriotic, or because they admired his love for the people and couldn't bear to take action against him.

Instead, a powerful figure spoke up, forbidding them from making any rash moves.

Where did he meet this big shot? He didn't actually go out of his way to meet him.

This bigwig is a byproduct of the motorcycle export business.

Here's a little-known fact, not exactly obscure: during the Soviet era, Russian mafia—

That's right, gangs didn't just appear after the collapse of the Soviet Union.

When Moscow hosted the 1980 Olympics, then-President Lezhnev's son-in-law summoned gang leaders from various districts of Moscow to help maintain social order during the Games.

During this period, Russian gangs mainly made their fortunes by relying on large state-owned enterprises, and their identities were somewhat similar to those of government officials who engaged in illegal profiteering or had connections with them.

This practice continues to this day; leeching off state-owned enterprises for profit remains a significant source of funding for the Mafia.

The motorcycle business is doing well now, and the big boss behind that motorcycle factory with military factory background is reaping the benefits.

Therefore, he made a firm statement, vowing not to allow anyone to cut off his source of income.

The security company owner solemnly emphasized, "My dear Ivanov, whether you can save the country through industry, I don't know. But you truly saved yourself. However—"

His expression grew increasingly serious. "My dear friend, you know that I cannot survive in Moscow, not because I am so powerful, but because I never provoke powerful people."

To put it simply...

If Ivanov were to clash with the Moscow mafia, sorry, he would absolutely not be charging into battle to help his friend.

The main theme is "from the heart".

Ivanov gritted his teeth: "Shut up, I don't dare to count on you. Just make sure the wholesale market doesn't have any problems."

The security company owner raised his hands high, looking completely innocent: "If he hadn't left the prostitute in the room, things wouldn't be like this now."

Ivanov ignored him and turned to ask Wang Xiao, "How is it?"

He wasn't afraid of his family causing trouble; he just found it annoying.

Now that things have come to this, they can't just leave like this; they have to wait until Old Zhao's family comes.

Good heavens, every minute they spend in Moscow is like walking a tightrope.

Wang Xiao patted his shoulder reassuringly: "It's alright, the family members are in a relatively stable mood."

She understood Ivanov’s tension and fear very well.

Because, on the surface, foreigners are more likely to encounter danger than locals in Moscow.

But if the Mafia wants to make an example of someone, then Ivanov is clearly the more likely candidate among the birdmen to be chosen.

After all, Moscow is his territory.

Aside from dealing with Chinese businessmen, Ivanov handled most of the matters himself.

Now that the Mafia wants to intimidate the newly rich, targeting him is certainly a more suitable option.

To the people of Muscovites, Wang Xiao has always been an outsider.

Ivanov took a deep breath and nodded absentmindedly, "That's good. We'll pick them up when they arrive."

Wang Xiao shook his head: "No, we won't wait. We'll set off according to the original plan."

Ivanov's eyes lit up instantly, like a child hearing they don't have to do homework during winter break, a mixture of relief and disbelief: "Really?"

God, he had absolutely no desire to stay and deal with this damn mess.

But he's the boss; he can't be a deserter.

Wang Xiao encouraged him to give up: "We can't do everything ourselves. We've already done the most important thing, confirming that he wasn't being retaliated against by the Mafia."

Otherwise, she wouldn't have dared to let Lao Zhao's family come over.

Ivanov was overjoyed and nodded repeatedly: "That's right, that's right, we've done enough."

The security company owner, standing nearby, agreed, saying, "It's good for you to go out and lay low for a while."

Not confronting them head-on is itself a sign of weakness, and it's like giving the Mafia a way out.

Otherwise, if the assassin Victor had been shot on the spot, and there were no retaliation actions taken against him, given the St. Petersburg Brotherhood of the Mafia behind him and the Moscow Mafia organization that hired him, wouldn't people laugh at him?

Ivanov's departure was tantamount to a gesture of surrender; the Mafia could then conveniently back down.

The tense atmosphere eased slightly as one side withdrew.

But when Ivanov left, Ovechkin went crazy.

Just kidding, bro, what am I going to do if you leave?

Ivanov, with the spirit of "better to die than lose myself," completely ignored him: "Do whatever you want. Am I supposed to just abandon my business in China forever?"

Wang Xiao echoed him, "The office building we invested in has just started construction, and we have to go and keep an eye on it."

Ovechkin was on the verge of tears: "What about me? You can't just abandon me!"

Wang Xiao and Ivanov exchanged a glance, then simultaneously shrugged and shook their heads in a rather cruel manner. What to do? Just let it be.

It was the security company owner who kindly offered a suggestion: "Why don't you go to China with them? How many bodyguards do you want? I can arrange the most loyal ones for you. $50 an hour."

Ovechkin was furious: "You're taking advantage of my misfortune! It's not like I haven't paid before, it should be 20 US dollars."

The security company owner, however, said seriously, "This is an overseas job. According to Russian tradition, when you're sent abroad, your salary will definitely be more than double."

Ovechkin was furious, but he still reluctantly hired two bodyguards for himself.

Because Ivanov said that it was impossible for him to follow him around like a shadow after they arrived in China.

He needs to learn to walk independently.

Before leaving, the two bosses gave the merchants in the wholesale market another warning.

Behave yourself!

If you want to live a good life, don't cause trouble.

Otherwise, Old Zhao's fate awaits you.

If you're feeling really stifled, choose between small toys and inflatable dolls, it's up to you.

If you still think it's not as fun as being with a real person, just imagine that a swallow could take your life, and you'll know that safety comes first.

Don't think I'm just trying to scare you; Old Zhao's example is right in front of us.

What does "vegetative state" mean? It means a state where life is worse than death, and all that's left is breathing.

Everyone fell silent, too afraid to utter another word.

However, Ovechkin, who had been observing the whole thing, couldn't help but pour cold water on Wang Xiao's enthusiasm as he left: "Miss Wang, saying that won't help. On the contrary, it will only make more people curious. Ivanov, stop playing dead, isn't that right?"

Ivanov vehemently denied it: "I'm not curious, I'm not curious at all."

Ovechkin had never seen a more hypocritical fellow, and couldn't help but chuckle: "That's Swallow, after all!"

Don't men understand men? A femme fatale is the most alluring, and a mysterious and seductive female agent is as captivating as a poppy.

Who could refuse? Yet, I don't want to get close to her.

You have to understand that in the Soviet era, ordinary people wouldn't even have the opportunity to order sex if they wanted to.

Wang Xiao had to admit that he was right.

Moreover, if things go wrong, this could actually become a selling point for brothels.

I really don't know whether it's a tragedy of the times or a tragedy of humanity.

However, Wang Xiao could no longer control it.

She had given the warning she needed to, but good advice is useless when someone's determined to die. If they were determined to seek their own demise, there was nothing she could do to stop them.

However, Wang Xiao still made a last-ditch effort, trying to patch things up: "Let's bring 'The Great Swordsman' over here and broadcast it in Russia."

Haha, she really tried her best.

Even dressing up a rabbit as a wolf, or using the stereotype that all Chinese people know martial arts, would work.

After all, most Mafia members are bullies who prey on the weak and fear the strong, and generally dare not provoke tough opponents.

She had no other choice.

The group rushed towards Jiangzhimen as if they were fleeing a disaster.

Whether it was a coincidence or not, they actually ran into Old Zhao's family members at the airport, who were about to leave for Moscow.

Wang Xiao had no choice but to bite the bullet and step forward to comfort the other person.

But Lao Zhao's wife was clearly not in the mood, and only gave a few simple "uh-huhs".

Wang Xiao understood perfectly; anyone who encountered such a distressing situation would wish the man were dead.

What's the point of living? Just to waste air?

But she couldn't let anyone die, at least not in Russia.

As for how they deal with the person they brought back, that's their own business.

Old Zhao's brother, on the other hand, really wanted to argue with them. If he wasn't worried about missing his flight, who knows how long he could have kept nagging.

Chen Yanqiu had just returned from Xiaozhou with her team when she saw her daughter waving goodbye to someone. Curious, she asked, "Who is it? Who is this?"

Wang Xiao briefly explained the situation and couldn't help but complain, "Maybe they'll just pull out his tube as soon as they get there."

Seriously, Lao Zhao's brother still has the nerve to say that the wholesale market didn't protect Lao Zhao properly.

Haha, you're forty years old, but I thought you were four.

Of course, a four-year-old child probably wouldn't be that shameless.

After hearing this, Chen Yanqiu immediately dismissed her daughter's conjecture: "Nonsense, why would they want to pull the plug? This is the best time."

The aunt next to him nodded in agreement: "That's right. Men with money tend to go bad. Old Zhao is like this now, lying there on his deathbed, he has no choice but to behave himself."

Wang Xiao complained, "Wouldn't he be more obedient if he stopped breathing?"

"Oh dear," the aunt couldn't help but shake her head. "You're thinking too simply, girl. If the man is gone, the woman definitely won't be able to keep their family's factory."

Chen Yanqiu nodded in agreement: "That's right. This situation is the best. The man is still breathing, so his brother won't be left without a family line."

She sighed again, "Isn't this great? We have the factory, we have the money, and the men can't mess around anymore. It couldn't be better."

Wang Xiao was stunned.

I never expected this from you, Chairman Chen. You are actually like this.

Their mental state is very advanced.

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