"Yeah." Sophia was quite obedient. She turned around and climbed into the carriage, then kicked down two small boxes of 20-pack Hiltons.
Two boxes of American-made cigarettes fell from the air to the ground, making two muffled "puff" sounds. These two muffled sounds seemed to hit Paul's heart, making him shaken.
As an officer specializing in border trade inspections, he naturally knew that these "luxury" consumer goods were contraband. Just based on these two boxes of cigarettes, he had reason to seize Zhao Xiaohai's entire truckload. But then again, he didn't dare give the order. He could certainly detain Zhao Xiaohai and his goods today, but what about tomorrow? Perhaps tomorrow, Zhao Xiaohai would walk out of the customs detention center without a care in the world, while he, a young captain, would have to pack up and leave.
Paul's loyalty to the country has not yet reached the point where he is willing to gamble his future and life on it.
Of course, this is also what most people think these days. After all, the test of being a hero is very harsh.
Most people cannot withstand the hellish test, so they cannot become heroes.
The situation is now very clear. People threw out these two boxes of contraband and gave them to him as gifts, which means that Paul has to make a choice - either "get on board" or "get out". If you were in his shoes, how would you choose?
Paul chose to go along with the crowd without even thinking about it.
Who says wealth and status can’t lead to debauchery?
"What's the matter, Comrade Paul? Are you dissatisfied with the weight of my gift?" After signing, Zhao Xiaohai smiled and said, not seeing any movement from Paul.
"Oh, no, no," Paul recovered from his shock and said with a forced smile, "I just think you're being too polite... Well, I'll take these... If you need any help in the future, just let me know."
"Of course. I'll be running this route often in the future, so I'm afraid I'll have to bother you quite a bit," Zhao Xiaohai said, rubbing his hands as he handed the registration book back. "Well, in that case, I won't bother you any more. Time is running out, and I have to rush to meet with Comrade Zyuganov."
"Oh, sir, please get in the car," Paul said with a smile, making way for me. "If you have a chance to come over next time, please come and sit with me. Oh, and by the way, give my regards to Comrade Zyuganov."
"Yes, yes." Zhao Xiaohai waved his hand and jumped into the car.
"Captain," a soldier behind Paul said as he watched the truck speed away, "this guy is quite generous. He gave me two boxes of American goods. I think there are more than two boxes of cigarettes in his truck..."
"Shut up!" Paul shouted before the soldier could finish his words. "If you want to get discharged peacefully, keep your mouth shut!"
"Yes! Comrade Captain." The soldier shuddered with fear and responded hurriedly.
"Go, move this box of things to my office, and take the other box and distribute it to the guys." Paul nodded with satisfaction and said.
"These are all contraband..." the soldier hesitated.
"Contraband?" Paul scoffed at the soldier's statement. He sneered, "Only when someone confiscates it is contraband. Now... hmph, where are the contrabands?"
The Dongfeng truck was running on the Soviet highway, and the rows of poplar trees on both sides of the road were flying backwards.
"What are you thinking about?" Sitting near the door of the carriage, Zhao Xiaohai looked at Sophia with a frown and asked casually.
"I'm wondering what you want from us." Sophia curled up, leaning tightly against the seat, sighed, and said softly.
"Ha, that's a hilarious idea," Zhao Xiaohai said as he fished out a cigarette from his pocket, took out a cigarette, and lit it up, laughing. "I'm a businessman, a serious businessman. Business is all about profit. Everything is just about making money. What else can I expect?"
"Really?" Sophia turned her head, staring at Zhao Xiaohai's face without blinking. After a long silence, she said softly, "But in my opinion, what you are doing now is far from as simple as you say."
"Oh, what do you mean?" Zhao Xiaohai blew out a smoke ring and said slowly.
"You know what I mean." Sophia turned her head and said to herself.
"I know?" Zhao Xiaohai glanced at himself subconsciously, then smiled. "You mean just now? Haha, that was just some necessary arrangements in the business world. One more friend always opens up another way, and one more enemy means more walls. I like to make friends all over the world. Besides, it was just two boxes of cigarettes just now, not something expensive."
"Really? Then what about the piano you bought for Comrade Zyuganov's granddaughter?" Sophia snorted coldly.
"Oh, that's not something valuable. Besides, it was Comrade Zyuganov who asked me to buy it for him, and he also paid for it. I can't refuse such a reasonable request, right?" Zhao Xiaohai rubbed his nose and said with a chuckle.
"Do you think I'm a fool?" Sofia shrugged at Zhao Xiaohai's words and said, "Let me tell you, I know much more about music than you do. Comrade Zyuganov's granddaughter is only ten years old this year. She only needs a cheap piano for 2,000 rubles. But what did you buy? A Bersendorfer concert piano. Haha, the world's top-notch piano, a luxurious concert piano that only the Moscow State Opera can afford. How much does it cost to buy it? Two hundred thousand dollars or three hundred thousand dollars? I think Comrade Zyuganov's monthly salary of 2,000 rubles is probably not enough to buy even a piano cover?"
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