Chapter 366 Don't you have this ambition?: I can't bear to see him without a soul.
Ivanov became famous.
On June 2nd, the first day after her surgery, Wang Xiao turned on the color TV in her hospital room and saw Ivanov standing on the excavator bucket like a bodybuilder on the screen. That was the only thought in her mind.
She definitely has the potential to become famous.
Look at this young man, with his strong chest muscles, solid back, and abs complete with V-lines and a six-pack. Wow, that inverted triangle physique is so appealing to photographers!
The MTV cameraman didn't have time to go into the cafeteria and talk to the kidnappers face to face, but he caught his boss standing in the excavator bucket with a megaphone in hand, a moment of glory in his life. So he didn't hesitate to pick up his long guns and short cannons and use all his skills to start filming.
Even the sunlight seemed to favor handsome men. Despite the lack of reflectors and supplementary lights, the natural light of the setting sun illuminated every part of his body with unparalleled beauty.
No wonder the TV station keeps playing it.
Wang Xiao and Liu Ba stared at the television screen, glancing at the reporter's footage and then back at the individuals involved, trying to compare the images with the real people.
Ivanov blushed crimson under their gazes and practically begged for mercy: "Ladies, you are ladies, ladies shouldn't act like this."
He was grateful that he had been exercising and didn't have a big belly, and he was proud of his physique.
But he would get shy if he was stared at like that.
Wang Xiao, with a blank expression, asked, "Then tell me, what should a lady be like?"
Haha, since the surgery, she has only been allowed to drink a little water, and she is relying entirely on IV fluids to get through it.
The anesthesia wore off, and her shoulder ached in waves after the surgery; she felt like half her body was numb.
In this miserable situation where she can neither eat nor play, what can she do besides look at beautiful bodies to distract herself from her misery?
Are you suggesting she watch a federal government press conference and listen to well-dressed politicians recount the script of the hostage rescue operation—no, the details, the details she knows better than they do?
How awful! Sick leave is the most miserable vacation in the world.
Being free from trouble is the mark of a carefree god.
Ivanov thought for a moment, and the words "How about I let you touch the real thing?" were on the tip of his tongue, but he swallowed them back down.
Just kidding, he's still limping. What would he do if someone touched him and got him hard?
It's not always possible to have a spirit of sacrifice.
So Ivanov started coming up with a bad idea: "How about I get you some small toys?"
As he spoke, he winked and made faces, as if to say, "You understand."
He had read a story that said in the past, when women got tattoos, the tattoo artist would have sex with the customer to alleviate the pain without anesthesia, using the pleasure of sex to make her forget the pain.
Wang Xiao was speechless for a moment. "Thank you so much, bro, your thinking is really comprehensive."
Can't you use some common sense?
"Ivan, I just had surgery and I'm currently experiencing anemia."
Wang Xiao resisted rolling his eyes. "Does he think I'm afraid of not dying fast enough by causing trouble at this time?"
Her kidney energy and vital energy are depleted. With a dislocated joint and ligament avulsion fracture, she's injured like this. After surgery, she'll need rehabilitation. Even six months of abstinence would probably be too short for her.
She added a warning in return: "You'd better behave yourself too."
Don't make things worse, or there will never be a moment of peace.
Ivanov blinked his beautiful almond-shaped eyes and said seriously, "Who's being dishonest? I'm the most honest one."
There was a knock on the ward door: "Ivan, it's me."
Lyuba went over and opened the door. Standing at the door of the ward were Punonin and his wife Lydia, along with their two children, Tonia and Lena.
A family came to visit the injured person, bringing flowers with them.
Lydia asked with a smile, "What are you talking about?"
The atmosphere in the room is really nice.
What was originally a luxurious single suite in the ward was converted into a double room at Ivanov's insistence.
Even the bedside table between the two hospital beds was removed so that the beds could be placed closer together.
The ward was warm and inviting, with soft colors reminiscent of the flowing time depicted in Dali's paintings. If it weren't for the faint smell of disinfectant, one could easily forget that it was a hospital room.
Ivanov felt awkward as he watched Lydia scan her surroundings with a teasing tone. He couldn't very well bring up the topic of sex toys in front of his friend's wife.
Wang Xiao was much more unrestrained than him, grinning as she said, "I was talking about Ivan's beautiful body."
As she spoke, she deliberately looked up to indicate that she was watching television.
The screen then displayed Ivanov's radiant image, resembling a Greek statue.
He's got a great chest, a great waist, and a great back. Wow, the director really knows the secrets to generating buzz; the camera lingered on his buttocks, which were encased in shorts.
Seeing this, the young girl Lena's eyes lit up. She held a pink carnation in her hands and walked to Ivanov's bedside. Her eyes, as blue as the sea, were watery as she said, "Uncle Ivanov, I wish you a speedy recovery."
Ivanov was already immune to such looks, and didn't even bother to blush again. He simply smiled and thanked her, "Thank you, my beautiful little girl."
Sunlight streamed in through the window, falling on their foreheads and faces.
Wang Xiao had to give a politically incorrect compliment, praising the man as handsome and the woman as beautiful.
Honestly, it's not that she's perverted; it's just that Russians generally mature early, and to her, an East Asian, a thirteen or fourteen-year-old girl looked like an adult.
Lena specifically chose children who had the best features of their parents and were particularly outstanding in appearance.
If it weren't for her family's strict training program, Wang Xiao would have already scouted her to be a star. She has a naturally elegant, aristocratic face, which is very rare in the entertainment industry.
Punonin was unaware that someone had already set their sights on his daughter.
But just looking at his daughter's sparkling eyes, his heart, as an old father, was shattered into pieces.
The tax police major general's forehead veins throbbed, and he immediately stepped forward, rudely interrupting the scene: "Alright, aren't you all feeling stuffy staying in your rooms? The sun is so nice, let's go out and soak up some sun."
Unfortunately, his little girl didn't let her poor old father off the hook. Her eyes instantly lit up like diamonds as she stared at Ivanov, unwilling to look away: "Uncle Ivanov, can you let me take a few pictures?"
After the TV station broadcast Ivanov's heroic deeds last night, when Lena went to school this morning, everyone's focus was on her Uncle Ivanov.
Female students, in particular, have come to idolize him even more enthusiastically than singers and movie stars.
Born into wealth, handsome, rich, and affectionate, with a brave heart, he fulfills everyone's fantasy of a male protagonist.
Compared to him, those celebrities seem to be inferior.
Ivanov was known for his good temper, and he was especially reluctant to refuse younger people. He immediately nodded and readily agreed, "Of course, my beautiful little girl."
Then he was pushed away by a young boy and girl to take all sorts of photos.
June in Moscow is the most vibrant and enchanting time of year.
The bleakness of winter has long since faded, and the sweltering heat of summer has yet to arrive. The air is warm and fresh, carrying a mixed fragrance of earth, grass, and newly blooming lilacs, which is invigorating.
Walking in the sunshine of late spring and early summer, Wang Xiao felt every pore on her body relax and open up.
Punonin frowned slightly, showing no interest in appreciating the scenery, and turned to look at Wang Xiao: "When are you and Ivan getting married?"
Strictly speaking, Slavs were not keen on intermarriage with East Asians.
If given a choice, they would prefer to choose Europeans or their own compatriots.
But there are always exceptions. The king's excellence was enough to overcome racial taboos and the shackles of bloodline.
Most importantly, Ivan truly loved her and would truly die for her.
That's enough.
Punonin, who has a happy family and a harmonious marriage, cannot find enough reason to stop a couple from being together.
Wang Xiao raised an eyebrow in surprise.
No, brother, yesterday there was a crisis that almost ended your career. Where do you get the energy to deal with such trivial matters of love and family?
Because her shoulder was secured with a brace, Wang Xiao shook her head with difficulty. She simply stopped moving her neck and directly refused, "No, the Russians won't welcome their First Lady being East Asian."
Punoning's eyes widened, suspecting that the person was still under the effects of the anesthesia from last night's surgery. Otherwise, why would she be spouting nonsense the moment she opened her mouth?
"What nonsense are you spouting?" The tax police major general couldn't listen to any longer. "What president? What president?"
"Really?" Wang Xiao wasn't eating and was only on an IV drip, so she didn't have much strength. After walking a few steps, she simply sat down on a white-painted linden wood chair and looked up at Punonin. "I thought the TV stations were broadcasting about Ivanov because the president was choosing his successor."
MTV is one thing, but MTV is an entertainment channel, known for its variety shows.
Using their own boss's beautiful body to boost ratings is simply keeping the profits within the family.
What's wrong with Channel One? A serious news channel, instead of reporting the news honestly and analyzing the Chechen hostage-taking and government rescue operations, why is the camera always focused on Ivanov's naked body?
Surely his small shareholding wouldn't be enough to make the TV station decide to change its mission and turn him into a national idol.
Unless instructed by the president, Channel One, as the president's exclusive channel, would not be so bored as to do such a thing.
So why did he do this? As a veteran in politics, his generous gesture was naturally intended to mentor younger generations.
Punonin frowned instinctively and blurted out, "That's impossible. Russia can't have such a young president."
Wang Xiao laughed, her eyebrows and eyes relaxing.
A linden wood bench was installed under a birch tree. The newly sprouted birch leaves had an almost transparent emerald green color in the sunlight. They swayed gently in the breeze, casting dappled, shimmering light onto her face.
Her voice trembled as she said, "Since you know that, why are you so nervous? The Soviet Union has only been dissolved for less than five years. Russian general education will be completely ruined in at least ten years. People don't treat electing a president like electing an idol. So—"
She looked up at the tax police major general, smiling broadly, "You don't need to worry, the Madams will appreciate Ivan's fit physique and consider him a good candidate for their son-in-law, rather than casting their votes for him."
The June sun isn't scorching, but if you stay in it for too long, it can still make your mouth dry.
Punonin's lips were inexplicably dry, so he decided to skip the topic: "Miss Wang, why talk about such pointless things? What I really want to discuss with you is your wedding with Ivan."
“Is it meaningless?” Wang Xiao was extremely surprised. “Vlamikil, I’m really surprised. Haven’t you thought about running for president yet? You’re 10 years older than Ivan. Russians should be able to accept a president in his forties.”
Lydia stayed by her husband's side, ready to help take care of Wang Xiao after her surgery.
Hearing this, she still nodded hastily: "Sorry, Xiao, I have to keep an eye on those two children, otherwise I don't know where they'll push Ivan."
Wang Xiao smiled at her and nodded slightly: "Please, Lydia, my dear friend. Actually, I prefer being with you to Flamigil."
Lydia smiled at her, glanced at her husband, and then left.
She left in such a hurry that the white doves that were pecking at the grass had to spread their angelic wings and fly away hastily.
Punonin did not see his wife off, because at this moment, his attention was focused on Wang Xiao.
Next to the linden wood bench is a fountain, where sunlight shines on the spraying water droplets, creating a rainbow of red, orange, yellow, green, cyan, blue, and violet, each color spectrum rich and full.
Even though Punonin knew that the rainbow was not a gift from nature but a man-made landscape, he still couldn't help but be moved at that moment.
He cleared his throat instinctively, sat down in an empty seat on the bench, and denied it: "Nothing like that. Why would you have such a strange idea?"
"Is that strange?" Wang Xiao's gaze wasn't on him, but rather on what was in front of him.
There, or rather, at the highest point of the entire hospital, stood guards with walkie-talkies in hand; they were police officers from the Ministry of the Interior.
This hospital is under the Ministry of Internal Affairs, and is considered part of Punoning's territory.
So here, Wang Xiao spoke without restraint: "Do you really still expect to become the president's confidant and advance along the path he has paved for you?"
She reached out her hand, and Lyuba, understanding perfectly, handed her a small bag of bread crumbs.
What should we do? She can't eat anything right now, but watching the pigeons eat is quite nice.
Wang Xiao clumsily tossed a piece of bread with his left hand, watching with interest as the pigeon flew over, snatched the bread, and said casually, "But I think you might not be able to get through this path."
She tossed another piece of bread and sighed softly, “Because you were born too well, Vlamikil, you and Ivan were both born too well.”
"Red Third Generation" refers to the glorious and upright "Red Third Generation," children of high-ranking officials whose families have deep roots in the government.
“You don’t need the president’s support; you naturally have a huge backing force behind you. Even though your fathers have retired, your family influence remains deep-rooted, and your relatives and friends are spread throughout the government and the country.”
Wang Xiao felt envious, envious on behalf of the president, "This is an advantage that our president, who comes from a farming family, cannot attain."
She frowned, looking quite serious. "I bet the president really hates you guys, which is why he used the 'two peaches kill three warriors' tactic, deliberately flattering Ivan to death during what should have been your moment of glory."
Punonin glanced at her impassively, his expression meaningful: "Isn't this Ivan's moment of glory?"
Wang Xiao didn't turn around, but instead tossed out a handful of bread crumbs, attracting several pigeons to flutter their wings and peck at them.
“Of course not.” She chuckled, as if amused by the pigeon’s eager and endearing antics, her eyes crinkling and her voice softening. “Ivan isn’t a mascot; his glory doesn’t lie here. Don’t you agree?”
Punonin did not answer her question directly, but simply denied it again: "You're overthinking it, nothing like that. What Russia needs most right now is stability; it cannot afford another upheaval."
Even if this stability is as stagnant as a pool of still water, it is still better than being torn apart.
Wang Xiao laughed, gently rubbing the breadcrumbs in her hands, and nodded in agreement: "You are truly wise. That's right, I also think now is not a good time to run for president."
She threw out more breadcrumbs, saying, “I said the same thing to Luzhkov. Now, unless you have a magic bullet that can immediately revive the Russian economy, you are unlikely to be a match for the president.”
She sighed, looking very regretful, "Because you've missed a scene like the president's, where he stood on a tank during the August 19th uprising, holding a megaphone and calling on all Muscovites to defend Russia."
"Not enough." She kept sprinkling bread crumbs, even though her left hand was incredibly clumsy.
"The Chechen war lasted too short a time; six months was not enough to instill fear and boredom in the Russian people. So ending it now will not have a sufficient impact on the nation."
"The terrorist attacks by Chechen illegal armed groups have not yet reached a large scale. They were wiped out the first time they entered Moscow. So the people have not yet had time to realize how profound the significance of this event is."
“Sober professionals in the military and political circles will understand that if this hostage crisis is not properly resolved, Chechen illegal armed groups will get a taste of success and become even more emboldened, continuously carrying out more terrorist attacks.”
Wang Xiao scattered the remaining breadcrumbs among the pigeons, letting out a long sigh: "It's a pity they represent too few votes, not enough for you to enter the Kremlin."
People are easily swayed by their emotions, and if the emotions are not right, it means the timing is wrong.
To make a move, one must lie low and wait.
Punonin paused for a moment, watching the pigeon finish its bread and flap its wings to fly away, before changing the subject again: "Alright, let's not talk about that. Miss Wang, let's talk about your marriage with Ivan. You know..."
He realized halfway through his speech that his conversation partner had indeed been distracted, but their attention was still not on his topic; instead, it had turned to the patient who was also out in the sun.
Oh, to be more specific, she's a fellow patient who shares the same illness as Wang Xiao.
Like her, he was an unlucky guy who was knocked down by a grenade during the hostage crisis.
Perhaps for the sake of unified management, or perhaps out of fear that they would be abducted again, in any case, the ambulances eventually took everyone to this hospital managed by the Ministry of Internal Affairs.
People who live in Moscow year-round, even Chinese people who are accustomed to sun protection throughout their lives, will adapt to local customs and never let a good sun opportunity pass them by.
The husband pushed his wife out to sunbathe on the lawn in front of them.
But for some reason, the two got into an argument.
As if she could no longer bear it, the husband yelled at the top of her lungs, "Have you had enough? Put your hand on your heart and tell me, apart from this matter, in everything have I not thought of you first? Who are you giving me this attitude for?"
The wife replied expressionlessly, "Don't I know you? You'd love for me to die so you can find someone else."
"Don't push your luck and keep going like this!" the husband snapped angrily. "If you were in my shoes, would you go in and take my place? Stop with the empty promises!"
Well, even Wang Xiao has to admit that his idea of trading one for one was too unethical.
Look, the once loving and harmonious couple has now developed cracks in their relationship.
It will probably become a thorn in my heart, a crack that can never be repaired in this lifetime.
Although Punonin couldn't understand Chinese, he had strong observation and analytical skills. Seeing this, he guessed the situation with great accuracy and took the opportunity to persuade Wang Xiao: "Miss Wang, Ivan loves you so much, he loves you more than his own life. He is willing to give up his life for you."
Wang Xiao sighed; he couldn't stand the gossip anymore.
She nodded gently: "I know, but that doesn't guarantee anything."
She pointed to another couple next to her; the husband had gone into the cafeteria to take his wife's place, which is why he was injured.
At this moment, the couple looked deeply in love and their relationship was incredibly strong.
Unfortunately, Wang Xiao, the gossip queen, happened to know a little bit of the inside story.
"This husband is willing to risk his life for his wife, isn't that great? Isn't that touching? But almost everyone in the market knows that he loves to visit prostitutes and he also has a mistress."
Wang Xiao couldn't help but sigh, "This is the complexity and unpredictability of human nature. Being willing to die for someone doesn't mean that he (or she) will be loyal to that person."
Punonin swore to God that he truly wanted to vouch for Ivanov.
But he had watched Ivan grow up since he was a child, and didn't he know what kind of dissolute character the latter was?
If he were to actually make that promise, he might be struck by lightning immediately.
Punonin had nothing to say, so he could only stand up and say, "They are businessmen, those businessmen who surround the president and go in and out of the Kremlin and the Presidential Club."
Although their methods were quite roundabout, involving several detours.
But Punonin has people and power. If he wanted to investigate, he could still find out what happened.
“No wonder.” Wang Xiao nodded knowingly, then sighed, “The President likes ordinary people without family influence. It’s a pity that without family guidance, they still lack political acumen.”
Because they had figured out the president's thoughts, they realized that the president actually disliked people from high-ranking official families, so they joined forces to try to scrap the Sakhalin-1 oil and gas field project.
This not only dealt a blow to Ivanov, a third-generation Red Army leader, and pleased the president, but also caused her, a foreign businesswoman, to suffer a great loss, making all foreign investment in Russia, as well as foreign capital interested in investing in Russia, feel threatened and dare not make any rash moves.
In this way, no foreign capital will enter the fray to compete with them for the high-quality industries that they have their eyes on during the privatization of Russia.
Little did they know that by doing so, they were planting a time bomb for themselves.
The president is the president, and they are themselves.
Their interests are not always tied to the president's.
Punonin glanced at her, presumably she didn't need his guidance on what to do.
That secret, suppressed breath made Punonin unable to resist the urge to slap Ivanov, who was laughing heartily and having a great time. He stepped forward and slapped Ivanov on the back of the neck.
Poor Ivanov cried out, his eyes wide with surprise: "What are you doing? Vladimir, I'm a patient! I just had surgery on my leg yesterday."
Punoning gritted his teeth: "How can you laugh like that? Look at how bad your character has become! Even if you're not willing to die for Wang Xiao, she still wouldn't believe you would be faithful to your marriage."
Ivanov touched the back of his neck, which was sore from the beating, and honestly admitted, "I can't believe myself either."
Then, before Punonin made his second move, he hurriedly added, "The same goes for her."
Punoning couldn't breathe and almost choked to death.
So he slapped her even harder, because two streams of anger were greater than one: "I think you're just wasting your money! If you were poor, you would live a quiet life."
"No way." Ivanov, who was being beaten and howling, still had to tell the truth. "Wang will make a comeback. You know how good she is at making money. She can make money no matter what."
Punonin had thoroughly investigated Wang Xiao's resume, so he couldn't refute his words. However, the tax police major general was unwilling to give up, so he could only concentrate his anger on Ivanov, gritting his teeth and saying, "Then I'll bankrupt you. Once you're poor, you'll behave and won't dare to cause any more trouble."
In a family, as long as one person can tolerate it, the family relationship can be stable.
Ivanov stared wide-eyed at his old friend in disbelief: "You're so cruel to me! Wang was right, you really can't be trusted."
Punoning ignored his anger at being talked about behind his back, and glared at her, emphasizing, "She's reliable. She'll never let you go hungry. Can't you just stay with her and live a peaceful, stable life?"
“No, that won’t work.” Wang Xiao staggered over and smiled at Ivanov.
Behind him stood a two-meter-high cast iron fence with an exquisite black spire, overgrown with rose vines and blooming with pink and white flowers, the most dazzling hustle and bustle under the Moscow June sun.
Wang Xiao bent down and gently stroked his cheek. "If the company goes bankrupt, Ivan will have to live at the mercy of others and will lose the confidence he has today. Ivan like that will be half-dead and soulless."
She sighed softly, her gaze lingering, "How could I bear to?"
Lyuba followed along, looking at the sky and the earth, at every new green leaf, and at every blooming flower.
Otherwise, what would she think?
A woman can always find a million reasons not to get married.
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Note: The day of surgery is called the day of surgery; surgery number 1 is called the day of surgery, and number 2 is called the first day after surgery. Also, let me mention some things about the oligarchs during the Ye family era.
Among the oligarchs of the Ye era, Vladimir Potanin was the son of a high-ranking official in the former Soviet Ministry of Foreign Trade, belonging to the category of children of high-ranking officials.
Potanin enjoyed a privileged upbringing and gained admission to the Moscow State Institute of International Relations thanks to his family connections. After abandoning politics for business, he leveraged his father's political and business influence to seize power during the privatization of state-owned assets, becoming one of the seven oligarchs and building a vast business empire.
The other six oligarchs are not typically considered to be children of high-ranking officials.
These six oligarchs are: Berezovsky, president of the United Bank; Gusinsky, president of the Bridge Bank; Vinogradov, president of the International Commercial Bank; Smolensk, president of the Capital Savings Bank; Friedman, president of the Alfa Bank; and Malkin, president of the Russian Credit Commercial Bank. Berezovsky, a mathematician by training, amassed his fortune through automobile trading. Gusinsky, of Jewish descent, was a theater director before founding the Bridge Bank. Vinogradov made his fortune through the private bank, the Moscow International Commercial Bank. Smolensk, initially a geologist and typesetter, founded the Capital Savings Bank. Friedman, an engineer and black marketeer, founded the Alfa Bank. Malkin, president of the Russian Credit Commercial Bank, has no apparent background as the son of a high-ranking official.
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