Chapter 1817 Old Terekin
According to Eastern Orthodox doctrine, there is a Maslenitsa holiday every year. According to their tradition, there is a period of about 40 days after Maslenitsa without any major festivals. This makes Russians very bored, so each region has its own local festival during this period. For example, Norilsk has "Shrovetide".
There are similar festivals in other places. Although the names are different, the times are basically the same, either the last day of winter or the first day of spring.
Xiao Peng rested for a day and went out of the city with Terekin and others the next day. They made a scarecrow with wood and old clothes, poured oil on it and set it on fire to represent the end of winter and the beginning of spring.
Well, they are in the northern hemisphere, and the spring, summer, autumn and winter are the same as in China, except that the climate in spring, autumn and winter is basically the same as winter... Basically, this tradition is more of a formality, and it will take two or three months before the real spring arrives.
After lighting the scarecrow, Xiao Peng thought there was some other activity going on, but he found that several young people were saying goodbye to each other and telling him to see him tomorrow.
This left Xiao Peng confused.
So there's a second day to this holiday? Aren't they staying with Terekin? Where are they going?
But he didn't bother asking. He would know tomorrow, right? He was going to visit Terekhin's family now. Terekhin's father wanted to thank Xiao Peng for saving his son.
When Xiao Peng learned about this, he was a little confused. Terekhin was already in his fifties, so Old Terekhin must be at least seventy or eighty, right? Why was Terekhin so afraid of Old Terekhin?
Terekin should be living a good life. You can see it when you go to his house. Although he also lives in an apartment, it is two apartments connected together. Moreover, the living conditions at home are quite good. Moreover, one of his cars was burned, but he is driving another one now. At least it shows that his living standard is above average.
When Xiao Peng arrived at the old Trekin's house, he had a clue before he even entered: the old Trekin lived in a villa with a separate courtyard. This villa seemed to be the residence of leaders in the former Soviet era.
As soon as he entered the yard, Xiao Peng was a little confused: there were many statues of former Soviet leaders here, and slogans from the Soviet era could be seen everywhere in the villa.
It is not uncommon to see statues and slogans in these former Soviet-built cities, but it is rare to see them in private homes.
"My father is an old Soviet man, and he still likes to collect all kinds of things from the Soviet era. He bought statues, guns, and so on," Terekin explained.
Xiao Peng laughed after hearing this: "You can buy such a large statue for your collection? Your father must be very rich!"
Terekhin shook his head and said, "What kind of money do I have? These statues are cheap. For two cases of vodka, they'll drive them over to you. What do you think? Why don't you buy some and put them in your yard?"
Xiao Peng laughed: "Forget it, I can't transport such a big statue! Huh?"
He discovered that there was also a statue of the 'King of Medals' here.
He earned the nickname "King of Medals" for his numerous medals, even breaking a Guinness World Record. However, he also had the worst reputation, with nearly all the jokes about the Soviet Union occurring during his reign. So seeing his statue here was strange to Xiao Peng.
"Honestly," Xiao Peng said to Terekin, "I think I'm beginning to understand why your father collected statues. These statues are all from the hands of sculptors. The lines are very smooth and the artistic level is very high."
There is a sculpture area in Orange Garden, and the sculptures there are all from famous artists, so Xiao Peng has some knowledge of sculpture.
After hearing this, Terekin laughed and said, "You should tell this to my father. He will be very happy."
"You saved my son?" An old man's voice came while Xiao Peng was still looking at the statue. It should be old Terekin.
Xiao Peng turned around and smiled, "It was Terekhin who reacted quickly and burned his car to call for help. Otherwise, I wouldn't have seen him."
After hearing this, Old Terekhin said, "It's cold outside, come in and sit down!"
Once inside the old Terekhin's villa, a maid brought him his coat. Xiao Peng found the room filled with Soviet-era collectibles. This was an old collector.
"Is there anything strange?" Old Terekin asked Xiao Peng as he looked at the photos on the wall.
Xiao Peng said, "You really like collecting these things."
After hearing this, Old Terekhin laughed and said, "I used to be an internal guard, responsible for the leader's personal protection."
Xiao Peng suddenly understood: "No wonder you look so healthy. Why do you live here?"
It’s not surprising that the leader’s personal guard lives in such a house, but why is he not in Moscow but in this small Arctic town?
"I came with Yuri," said old Terekin. "Please sit down."
Xiao Peng sat on the sofa with an expression of sudden enlightenment.
The son of the "King of Medals," as old Terekin called him. Former First Deputy Minister of Foreign Trade of the USSR, he was dismissed from office for suspected corruption and his assets were confiscated. However, he wasn't sent to prison and instead faded from public view. So, where is he?
The children of the "King of Medals" didn't fare well. His son was like this, and his daughter, Galina, was even worse off. Initially known for her dissolute lifestyle, her first two marriages were marked by betrayal. She met her third husband in a nightclub, only to be imprisoned for corruption. After her second divorce, she continued to be plagued by scandals. Adding to her alcoholism, her own daughter committed her to a mental hospital. Her final words were: "I only want love."
"Spicy vodka, would you like a drink?" Old Terekhin asked Xiao Peng, but his hands didn't stop. He poured Xiao Peng a glass of wine. The glass caught Xiao Peng's attention. It was an ordinary square glass, but it was printed with gold-plated fonts, saying "1968 KGB Ministry of Internal Affairs Sambo Internal Communication Competition Gold Medal."
No wonder Terekin is afraid of his father, it turns out this Sambo technique is a family inheritance! The old man is quite skilled!
Xiao Peng was delighted when he saw the wine glass. Back then, similar competitions were often held in China, and many of the prizes were large enamel teacups with printed characters. But what about Russia? They gave out wine glasses with printed characters.
Seeing this, Terekin grumbled, "It's all Russia now. The Soviet Union has been disintegrated for so long, what do you still want to do with it?"
Old Terekhin glared at me and said, "You know shit! How can life be better for us Russians now than it was during the Soviet era? At least back then everyone had enough to eat and drink. How about now?"
He turned to look at Xiao Peng and said, "Xiao, why are people so mean these days? The Soviet Union gave us such a good life, so why do people say bad things about it now? Why is that?"
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