Chapter 476 You're Unhappy (Bug Fix): We Must Investigate This Thoroughly
Ivanov watched the whole thing without saying a word.
In fact, given his poor Chinese skills, by the time he finished listening to the bodyguards' translation, the matter was already over, and he had nothing more to say.
He simply followed Wang Xiao upstairs, while the latter was busy chasing after a red panda.
Who said red pandas are afraid of people? The one she keeps is a total attention-seeker; it gets incredibly excited when there are many people around and runs around everywhere. It's definitely not hiding out of fear.
When Wang Xiao picked up the red panda, Ivanov hugged her from behind and whispered in her ear, "Let's go for a walk."
Wang Xiao paused for a moment, then released his hand: "Okay."
The little panda, who had already fallen in love with swinging on the curtains, immediately darted away and rushed towards the curtains again.
Without a doubt, this curtain is completely ruined.
Poor housekeeper, these were her favorite curtains.
Wang Xiao shook her head regretfully. She was most afraid of ending this kind of lawsuit. She quickly went inside to put on a big coat, then went downstairs to say, "Mom, I'm going out with Ivan for a bit."
Although Chen Yanqiu and the others did not know what their daughter and the others were going out to do.
But when a person has become the core of family power, he or she doesn't need to explain every little detail of what he or she does; others will take it for granted and understand that he or she must have something important to do before going out.
Chen Yanqiu's only request was: "Put that cashmere scarf on, so the cold wind won't get around your neck."
Qian Xuemei also stopped encouraging her daughter to go out with her cousin, because her niece was out on important business and probably wouldn't have time to take care of the child.
After leaving the villa and getting into the car, Wang Xiao reached out and hugged Ivanov's arm, squeezing his hand, and whispered, "You've worked so hard. Come here, let me hug you. My darling has suffered."
She knows all too well what it feels like to have a lot of strangers in your home—uncomfortable, feeling like your personal space has been invaded.
Although her parents and uncle's family slept in another villa at night, she still felt a subtle awkwardness about everyone spending so much time together outside of sleeping, let alone Ivan.
Ivanov was held in her arms and patted on the back a couple of times, then she kissed his face twice before he belatedly realized what was happening. He immediately opened his eyes wide and shook his head frantically, "No, no, no, Wang, no, I love my mom and dad, and I love my uncle's family too. I swear, I'm not impatient or bored at all."
God, you can't frame me! I'm trying so hard to please them.
Wang Xiao reached out and touched the back of his neck, soothing him gently: "It's okay, what is the end of the year? Accounting during the New Year is one hurdle, and the big family gatherings and dealing with relatives and friends is another hurdle."
For many people, the latter is more terrifying than the former.
Ivanov felt extremely comfortable being touched, experiencing an indescribable sense of ease, and involuntarily became languid.
But he still didn't follow up on Wang Xiao's words, and firmly denied it: "No, Wang, I really like the atmosphere at home."
It's lively, bustling, and fun.
Wang Xiao couldn't understand: "Then what are we going out for?"
In the dead of winter, with snow almost burying the city, even Muscovites themselves preferred to stay indoors and indulge in melancholic literature rather than go out and have fun.
This time, Ivan turned around and hugged Wang Xiao, kissing her ear: "Because my king is unhappy, the knight must accompany my king to change his mood."
Wang Xiaoqi was baffled, his entire head frozen in the Moscow cold: "How come I don't know I'm unhappy?"
She didn't seem to be wearing a long face today, and she wasn't alone either, remaining silent and ignoring everyone. She didn't seem to have done anything that could cause misunderstanding.
Ivanov brushed the hair from her forehead to the sides and sighed softly, "But I know you're unhappy, I just know."
Wang Xiao is not someone who can be easily pleased. Even with beauty before her, it couldn't shake her stubbornness: "How do you know that? There must be some evidence."
She didn't want to be assumed to be in a bad mood for no reason.
As a boss, being misunderstood in this way can easily make subordinates nervous and even cause them to have other ideas. This is not conducive to the work.
She emphasized, "I really don't feel unhappy at all; I'm quite happy."
Ivan looked at her and sighed softly: "If you were happy, you wouldn't have said you'd spend three or five hundred million US dollars to buy a company in Europe."
Seeing his distressed expression, Wang Xiao blinked twice before emphasizing, "What's the problem? If we don't buy it in the US, we can buy it in Europe. The regulations in Europe are more lenient."
“Three to five hundred million,” Ivanov emphasized. “You are very meticulous with your spending, not willing to spend a single cent more. Normally, you would only give a company of this size a budget of two hundred million US dollars at most.”
Wang Xiao chuckled: "What? You think I spent too much money? This type of company is expensive to begin with."
“No, you’re spending money to vent your anger, you’re unhappy.” Ivanov’s face was full of heartache. “You’re using this frustrating way to vent your unhappiness.”
He reached out and stroked his lover's cheek, pulled her into his arms, and whispered, "I'm so sad, you're not happy."
Wang Xiao was stunned.
Is she unhappy? Well, she probably really is.
The US government has repeatedly blocked her acquisition and investment plans. Even though she has lowered her stance so much, the other party still refuses to budge. It's incredibly frustrating!
She's definitely going to be angry, the kind of angry that makes her curse the US government and her ancestors for 18 generations.
Even if they weren't that ruthless, they should at least smash a vase and say a few curses.
But she didn't even smash a TV remote.
Not only that, she also immediately planned the next part for her subordinates.
Before the emotional outburst, reason takes over the entire body, arranging everything in an orderly manner, as if everything is under control and nothing unpleasant or difficult happens.
This is her; the instinct for survival forces her to suppress meaningless emotions to the greatest extent possible, and solve the problem first.
Once the problem is solved, whether you feel down or not seems to be unimportant.
Now she spread her hands: "OK, I guess I really am unhappy. But after spending three or five hundred million US dollars, even if I'm unhappy, I can be happy now."
Isn't that what a shopping spree is all about? The moment the money is spent, adrenaline surges, and the resulting thrill brings a sense of well-being. Spending three or five hundred million, and you still complain about feeling aggrieved?
Then there would truly be no one in this world who doesn't feel aggrieved.
But Ivanov still shook his head: "No, the money hasn't been spent yet. Such a large-scale acquisition would require several months of preliminary research. The satisfaction and excitement will be prolonged several months later, which doesn't make you happy right now."
Wang Xiao was at a loss and said helplessly, "You really understand me, even better than I understand myself."
“Of course,” Ivanov replied without hesitation. “I’m definitely the one who understands you best.”
Moreover, he understands her better than she does, because she hides, suppresses, or even ignores her true feelings.
Wang Xiao nodded, eager to get through this part quickly: "OK! OK! So, Mr. Dong, what are you planning to do?"
The car had already entered the main road, and there was a crossroads ahead. We had to choose a direction to go.
Ivanov had already planned it out: "Go do something that makes you happy."
He stroked the back of her head and said seriously, "My king, I don't want you to suppress your grievances, I don't want you to suffer any grievances."
So what's the happiest thing? Eating hot pot.
The newly opened hot pot restaurant next to Huaxia Commercial Street has its beams and pillars covered with chili peppers and chili pepper decorations, creating a bright red mess, clearly indicating that it doesn't intend to cater to local Russian customers.
As soon as Wang Xiao stepped into the private room, the bubbling hot pot filled her nostrils with its intense heat—it was so strong, it felt like she was back in Chongqing.
Even Wang Xiao couldn't help but sneeze, let alone Ivanov, who was already sneezing one after another.
Even so, he still stubbornly tried to persuade Wang Xiao: "Wang, let's have a good hot pot meal."
Since his parents came to Moscow, Wang has completely lost his freedom to enjoy hot pot.
Her mother took her pulse and said that she had a blockage in her middle burner, with heat in the upper body and cold in the lower body. She should not eat spicy or irritating foods, but should nourish her body and eat according to the diet her mother had prepared.
Ivan knew how hard his Wang Ren had worked; she had a strong palate, and the colder the weather, the stronger her tastes became.
A hot and spicy hot pot meal will make her sweat profusely, and then she can take a bath, hoping that her unhappiness will evaporate with the sweat.
Yes, the most amazing thing about this hot pot restaurant is that there's a bathhouse next door, so you don't have to worry about smelling like hot pot after you finish eating.
Wang Xiao was quite tempted. Her taste buds did crave the stimulation of spiciness. However, due to her mother's strict control, her mouth had become as bland as described in "Water Margin".
But the next second, Wang Xiao shook his head, pulled Ivanov out of the private room, and complained with a look of utter displeasure: "Why did you eat hot pot? Can you handle it? Do you want to ruin your throat? Are you planning to end up in the hospital?"
Compared to the average Russian, Ivan is among those who can handle spicy food; he has even tried spicy duck neck from Wuhan.
However, considering that Russians are so fragile that they can't even tolerate the seasoning packets in instant noodles, his ability to eat spicy food is quite low.
After finishing a Chongqing hotpot meal, he'll be waiting to be rushed to the hospital.
Ivanov tried to argue further: "It's okay, I've made arrangements. I can have either the clear broth or the tomato broth; it's a yin-yang pot."
Wang Xiao remained unmoved: "You can't stand the smell in that room either, so come on, come on, let's get out of here!"
Ivanov felt he should hold firm: "No, I want you to cheer up."
Wang Xiao looked at him seriously: "You really want to make me happy?"
Ivanov felt as if his heart had been ripped out, because most likely, the next second Wang would say—"Then give me two male escorts."
He didn't want this to happen, so he could only look at her longingly, looking like he was about to cry.
Wang Xiao immediately gained the upper hand, glaring at him fiercely: "See? You're not being sincere!"
Ivanov gritted his teeth, reason telling him to give in. That's just how the Queen is; she's like the wind, she'll probably never stay. No one should try to hold onto the wind, or they'll all suffer.
But his emotions were so intense that even when he tightly gagged himself and let reason run rampant, he couldn't utter a sound, no matter how angry he roared and howled.
Wang Xiao reached out and tapped his chest, her face full of heartache: "Look at that, look at that! A man's words are like a devil's lies. No matter how sweet they sound, when it comes to actions, it's all just empty talk!"
Ivan could only retreat repeatedly, groaning in pain, "Your Majesty—"
Please, please.
Wang Xiao couldn't stand his gaze any longer.
She thought that although she was raising a red panda, she was probably more easily softened by puppies. Those wet, puppy-like eyes always managed to melt her heart.
She sighed and conceded, "Alright, alright, how about we skip the ice cream bomb? Three tubs of ice cream, that's the lowest I can go!"
Ivanov was startled, then hugged her tightly, whispering repeatedly in her ear, "You really are, you really are..."
Wang Xiao was baffled: "What's wrong with me? You're making such a fuss over three boxes of ice cream, you're really something..."
Then the world fell silent, and Ivanov kissed her.
Lyuba calmly shifted her gaze slightly.
Sometimes, she felt that Mr. Ivanov was really not very smart.
If he were smart enough, he would know that his boss wouldn't hurt him for no reason. She wouldn't easily do anything to provoke him. And things like male escorts—at least not until they had a falling out—she wouldn't touch them again.
Because she won't give anyone cause for criticism, and she won't easily disrupt harmonious relationships.
But Lyuba felt that she shouldn't be too harsh on Mr. Ivanov, after all, he had never been a particularly intelligent person, and he hadn't gotten to where he was today because of that.
Moreover, there are always people and things in the world that can make you relinquish your rationality and let strong emotions dominate your thinking.
This is probably what is meant by favoritism.
Miss Wang's preferences are obvious; besides eating ice cream in the dead of winter, she also enjoys pickled bamboo shoots.
She ate the pickled bamboo shoots along with the pickled peppers, hissing like a snake from the spiciness, and then put a mouthful of cold ice cream into her mouth to relieve the spiciness.
Of course, Lyuba had every reason to suspect that what the boss wanted was not to relieve the spiciness, but rather for the pain from the spiciness and the pain from the coldness to combine on the tongue, thus triggering a fierce battle in the mouth.
That was also a battle, a bloody and deadly one.
Ivanov was extremely agitated.
He watched Wang Xiao eat a bite of pickled pepper and a bite of ice cream, and couldn't help but reach out and cover her stomach.
My God, how badly must her stomach be hurting? How much pain must she be in?
It's too unfair to her; she shouldn't have to endure this kind of pain.
But Ivanov couldn't stop her, because the torment of the mind is more harmful than physical pain.
Wang Xiao felt a fire burning in her stomach, and the more intense the fire, the more she wanted to put chili peppers and ice cream into her mouth.
She knew perfectly well that this was actually harmful to her, but people are so strange; often, harm can bring a bizarre pleasure that makes it hard to stop.
However, ice cream always runs out eventually.
After three boxes of ice cream, Ivan stopped indulging her and emphasized to her, "Your Majesty, we agreed that three boxes meant three boxes."
Wang Xiao could only put down his spoon and slump onto the sofa in the office on the commercial street, sighing. He would occasionally take a sip of warm milk and then lament that it would be better if it were iced milk, as that would help relieve the spiciness.
Unfortunately, Ivanov pretended not to hear and reached out to press her Zusanli acupoint to help relieve her stomach discomfort caused by her reckless behavior.
Wang Xiao looked at the whorl of hair that was visible as he lowered his head and suddenly blurted out, "I hate it! They wouldn't sell to me! May they never make any money again!"
Ivanov replied without hesitation, "Fine, one day they'll be begging to sell us things."
Wang Xiao still felt it wasn't enough: "No! Let them come begging to us, wanting to buy our things, and we won't sell them to them! An eye for an eye!"
Ivanov smiled and nodded: "Okay!"
He would never say anything to her that refused him.
Wang Xiao stroked his chin, hesitating: "Should we buy more from European companies? Did I buy too many?"
How about we cancel this plan? As for what to do with Chen Jingjing? We'll find a way to squeeze her in. Hehe, she'll be graduating from university next year, so classes aren't that important anymore.
Ivanov refused: "No, of course I'll buy it. Happiness now and happiness in the future are both happiness. I don't want you to have any less happiness."
Back at the villa that evening, while Wang Xiao was taking a bath, he went to the study to call Punoning.
The latter answered the phone and jokingly teased him, "My God, you still have time to call me? Shouldn't you be as busy as an eight-legged octopus, splitting yourself into two people?"
"That's why I need your help," Ivanov said matter-of-factly. "Help me investigate these companies."
Punonin immediately became alert: "What are you trying to do? Ivan, you can't use the same tactics again and again, or do you think the CIA is just for show? Our people can be easily traced."
He also earnestly advised him, "Ivan, you need to have a broader perspective. The current economic turmoil in the United States is not good for us."
Ivanov was baffled: "When did I say I wanted to throw America into chaos? What strange things are you talking about? I just need to find out the details of a few companies. You know, they keep their best stuff to themselves. If you do ordinary business research, you won't be able to figure out their capabilities at all, and you'll easily be fooled by their shoddy work."
He was impatient with small talk and went straight to the company name, "That's all. Please investigate as soon as possible. Also, I need detailed reports on semiconductor-related companies in Europe."
No one is better at uncovering people's secrets than the intelligence agencies.
A stock market crash in the United States made him realize just how unreliable the financial statements of these seemingly glamorous companies really were.
Okay, this is probably a common phenomenon.
Punonin could no longer laugh; he had to remind his friend, "Ivan, what you're doing is abusing public resources for private gain."
So he even wanted to use the KGB's influence to win over his fiancée!
Ivanov wasn't ashamed at all: "Then why don't you talk about when I used my personal resources for public purposes? When Wang was trying to import the technology and processes that Russia needed from South Korea, why don't you say she was meddling?"
Punoning was speechless and could only skip this part. He even took the initiative to show goodwill: "How about this, I'll arrange a few companies for you to use as shells, so it will be easier to acquire the companies you want."
Since the Soviet era, due to strict technological blockades, the KGB had to establish a number of similar companies, using the names of European or even American countries, to circumvent large-scale official censorship and then achieve technology transfer.
Although times have changed, with the collapse of the Soviet Union and the end of the Cold War, many such companies have ceased operations and become dust buried by history.
However, some companies are still surviving tenaciously. Their long history and rich experience can help Wang easily achieve many acquisition targets.
Punoning said seductively, "How about that? You guys don't need to try to play games anymore. I'll arrange for the company to connect with Wang."
“No need!” Ivanov refused without hesitation. “We only need the company’s real information, not a shell company.”
Is the KGB someone you can easily mess with? Once you're on their side, they'll be someone you can't shake off.
Ivanov didn't want to be kidnapped, and he especially didn't want the king to be kidnapped as well.
It's acceptable for everyone to work together towards a common goal, like recreating ancient America.
There's no need for anything more!
The ease and convenience we enjoy now are all seeds of future trouble.
Punonin sighed regretfully: "Ivan, how heartbroken Mr. Chubais must be that you're avoiding him like the plague. You've always been his preferred presidential candidate."
Ivanov had a headache: "Why are you here again? He's already given up, why aren't you? I've told you so many times, I won't be president, I absolutely will not be."
Punonin said, as if joking, but with a serious tone, "You should change your mind. Having a president as your son-in-law is such an honor for your father-in-law and mother-in-law. Be a dutiful son-in-law, Ivan. Only then will you be the son-in-law your mother-in-law likes the most."
“First—” Ivanov retorted, “Wang is an only child, and no matter what, I am my mother’s favorite son-in-law because no one can compare to me. Second, my parents never expect any president as their son-in-law.”
Punonin felt he had to shatter his naiveté: "My God, Ivan, how could you have such a strange idea? Just because you're indifferent to fame and fortune doesn't mean others should be. I guarantee there's no father-in-law or mother-in-law in the world who wouldn't like their son-in-law having great power."
"Alright!" Ivanov interrupted him impatiently. "I know what you're thinking. You all think Wang will help me in the next election, and her results in 1996 have proven that as long as she intervenes, the presidency is mine for the taking."
"But why are you all overlooking one thing? What is Wang's reason for taking action? What would she gain by putting me in the presidency?"
"Oh, the glory of being the First Lady? Does it mean her anything? No, not at all! She loses far more than she gains."
"Have you forgotten? We discussed this a long time ago: the First Lady is a position, a civil servant without being a civil servant. The head of state's time is entirely dedicated to the country, and so is the First Lady. Apart from charity and cultural promotion, she can do nothing else. Her position dictates that her life is completely bound. She cannot even have her own independent thoughts, otherwise she will be seen as part of the country's chaos."
“Once she has this identity, no matter what she does, she will attract a lot of unnecessary scrutiny, and people will over-interpret all her actions. Even if her business has nothing to do with me and I have not provided any help, she will still become an inappropriate presence.”
"Because no country's management can be so meticulous, in order to avoid large-scale corruption, at least on the surface, the First Lady should stay away from these things."
Ivanov began to press aggressively, “Vlamikil, tell me, is this fair to the King? Just because she loves me, God, of course I know she loves me, I can feel her intense love—so she has to sacrifice her life for me? No, absolutely not! I will never allow such a thing to happen. Otherwise, I will despise myself, I will be stealing someone else's life!”
Punonin was rendered speechless by his machine-gun-like barrage of questions, and after a long while, he weakly replied, "Oh! Ivan, this..."
After trying for ages, I still haven't gotten anywhere.
Ivanov, not wanting to waste any more time, quickly moved on to the conclusion of the conversation: "Charity has never been the Queen's ideal; she has no interest in it, so the position of First Lady holds no appeal for her. Her life doesn't need it to embellish it. As for my father-in-law and mother-in-law—"
He couldn't help but complain, "God, whether it's you or Anatoly, you're both smart people, smart people from childhood to adulthood. But are your minds different from ordinary people's? Is a glamorous daughter more important or a glamorous son-in-law? Is a daughter's brilliant life more meaningful or a son-in-law's impressive resume more meaningful?"
"Of course it's the former! Normal parents, even if they need to rely on their children, would rely on their own children, not their daughters-in-law and sons-in-law. To put it bluntly, the two sides originally had no relationship; it was all based on marriage. Once they divorce, everything is for nothing."
"How confused must one's thinking be to believe that the parents-in-law would prefer their son-in-law to be successful rather than their daughter?"
Ivanov shook his head, full of disdain, "Just give up your weird ideas. You're too clever for your own good, and your cleverness has backfired."
Unfortunately, there are still many self-proclaimed clever fools in this world. That's why there's the so-called "son-in-law party."
Punoning was speechless, so he could only surrender: "Alright, alright, you've got quite the mouth. I was just joking, and you're already talking so much. Okay, you're not allowed to argue anymore, or I'll have to arrange for someone to investigate you. I'm just doing all this work for you every day."
Ivanov remained unyielding: "Are you just giving me work? This is clearly a training ground for you, a chance to gain experience and see how, in the post-Cold War era, you can close the technological gap with the West by one or two generations in key technological fields within ten years. I can't and won't touch the military industry, but I can't just stand by and watch you do nothing. Everything is like rowing against the current; if you don't move forward, you fall behind!"
Punoning said irritably, "Well, thank you so much for giving us a great opportunity to work."
Ivanov replied calmly, "You're welcome. After all, we're on the same side."
While Punonin was about to hang up in anger, Ivan was still boasting, "I only said these things to you because I considered you one of my own. If you don't believe me, go ask Anatoly if I've said these things to him. What a far-reaching achievement it is to have a talent network and intelligence gathering system embedded in the forefront of Western technology."
The tax police major general was clearly not interested in the promises he made and slammed down the phone.
"Tsk tsk," Ivanov shook his head, sighing deeply. "This Vladimir, his temper is really getting worse and worse."
She hung up the phone, got up and pushed open the study door, and saw Wang Xiao standing outside, wearing a thick bathrobe.
She shook her head at him: "Sorry, I didn't come here to listen to your phone call. I originally wanted to make a call myself."
The telephone line in Ivan's study had the highest level of security. She would sometimes use the study phone to make important calls.
“It’s alright.” Ivanov stepped aside to let her in. “Do you need to make a phone call?”
Wang Xiao shook her head, smiled, and looked up at him: "No, you've already arranged it, and you've arranged it better than I have."
Ivanov opened his arms and hugged her: "I just want to make things easier for you, so you don't have to work so hard."
Wang Xiao silently stroked his back, then suddenly spoke: "Do you want to be one? If you do, I'll help you. I've said it before, I'll help you realize all your dreams."
"No!" Ivanov instantly became alert. "Don't even think about using this as an excuse to dump me. I won't let your scheme succeed."
Wang Xiao couldn't take it anymore and had to surrender: "Okay, okay! You're just paranoid. When did I say I was dumping you? Seriously."
Russian literature about sadness is so powerful; a perfectly normal person can imagine themselves crying.
Ivanov laughed, lowered his head, and rubbed his forehead against hers: "You said it yourself, you have to keep your word."
Wang Xiao chuckled to himself, thinking to himself, "My sister has said so much."
However, for the time being, she really doesn't plan to cause any trouble.
As long as she's comfortable, that's enough. He made her feel comfortable.
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Sorry, I played all day yesterday and watched fireworks last night. This morning before updating, I found a lot of typos. Correcting the typos delayed me until now, and I seriously suspect there are still many typos.
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