Chapter 10

The Bear Stew is Now My Turn Chapter 10

010 Early Education / The Shocked Third Uncle

After obtaining a new life, Nikolai directly revealed two secrets for the first time.

The first one.

"Three bears live in one house, Papa Bear, Mama Bear, and Baby Bear. Papa Bear is fat, Mama Bear is slim, Baby Bear is so cute, and he does a good job, wiggling and wiggling."

This nursery rhyme is incorrect.

Among the threats to baby bears, Papa Bear is also included.

Papa Bear, when excited, sometimes kills his cubs, so Mama Bear chases him away after giving birth.

In other words, even if 'three bears live in one house,' Papa Bear cannot live with them.

Even if he brings food and earns money, he is treated poorly, whether in the animal world or human life.

Although the composer and lyricist are unknown, someone must have created it, and it seems they hid the male's sorrow in the lyrics.

Since I told Sonya that the nursery rhyme 'Three Bears' was created in Korea, there shouldn't be any problems later.

"Sonya, the important part here is to raise your shoulders and smile cutely when you say 'wiggling and wiggling.' You have to melt the hearts of the audience like melting candy."

"Like this~?"

She does it better than I taught her.

"Ooh! Yes, that's it. Sonya, you're a genius."

"It's because I'm like Papa."

"Alright, let's move on. There's another thing you shouldn't forget."

"…?"

"You shouldn't have the bad prejudice that all Papa Bears are fat and all Mama Bears are slim. Look over there."

Today, while 'Lifetime Regular Employee 2' was diligently working in the workshop, he was startled by Nikolai's words.

It has been 45 days since he built a separate workshop in the backyard and started upgrading 'Yandex.'

He plans to invite all the IT experts in Russia when he earns more money.

"Isn't Sonya's Papa slim?"

"Papa is very slim."

"Right. But the Mama on TV is very fat, isn't she?"

"Yes."

"Exactly. So, you shouldn't have prejudices. Even adults sometimes make mistakes, so pretty Sonya should understand."

"Sonya is kind, so she will understand."

"Our Sonya is kind, pretty, and has a big heart. Now, go show this song and dance to Grandpa Ivan, okay?"

"I'll be back."

Just as she was about to turn around after giving a belly bow as taught, Nikolai continued.

"Wait a moment, Sonya."

"…?"

"What did Uncle say to do after the song?"

"Like this~?"

Sonya puts her hands together, palms up, and pushes them forward.

"Ooh, well done. Today, you must get it from Grandpa Third. Got it?"

Nod.

"Go on."

As Sonya ran out, Sasha looked bewildered.

"Wow, how can you make a child do all the hustling?"

"Ah, hustling? It's to teach her to earn her own pocket money and to start economic education early. Why don't you understand that?"

"Damn."

"Ilya, am I doing something wrong to Sonya?"

"No, no. Sonya has become much brighter since she came here. I told her to learn from you, so please continue to take good care of her."

"Sasha, did you hear that?"

"Ah, I shouldn't have said that."

Indeed, the 'Lifetime Regular Employee 2' training is firmly in place.

A little later, Sonya came in with a sunflower-like bright smile.

"Uncle! I earned a lot today."

You didn't receive it, you earned it?

"Let me see. What's this? Wow~ You earned 500 rubles today?"

A few months ago, a bowl of pork stew cost 3 rubles, so 500 rubles is a large amount, equivalent to 166 bowls at that time's exchange rate.

The value of the highest denomination banknote in Russia is among the highest in the world.

"Did Grandpa Third give you this?"

"Yes. Didn't I do well?"

"Indeed. You did very well. The earnings were excellent today."

Uncle Anton is so generous. He doesn't look it, but he is.

"Now that you've earned money, it's time to study. What should you do after earning money?"

The second secret began.

"One! You must buy dollars or gold!"

"Right, well done. And what did I tell you to do when you save more money?"

"One! Invest in stocks."

"Be more specific."

"Invest mainly in IT companies like Apple, Microsoft, and Dell Computers!"

"Well done! And?"

"One! Long-term investment is the principle! You can't make money with short-term trades!"

"Didn't I say there's an exception?"

"Follow Uncle's instructions and cut your losses quickly!"

It's a bit strange to talk about cutting losses to a child.

"Let's change one thing. Instead of 'cut your losses,' say 'sell.' Sell! Try it again."

"Follow Uncle's instructions and sell quickly!"

"Right."

"What are all men in the world?"

"Thieves!"

The more Sonya's voice grew, the more complex the expressions of Ilya and Sasha, who were watching from the side, became.

"Who are the exceptions?"

"Papa! Grandpa! Uncle Denis! Uncle Nikolai!"

Sasha flared up.

"Nikolai! Why am I excluded?"

"Um, should I include Uncle Sasha?"

Nod.

"Then Uncle Sasha is also an exception! Now, let's wrap it up. What is Sonya's dream?"

"To be Uncle Nikolai's secretary!"

"Indeed, Sonya is a genius. What should you do with everything you learn from Uncle?"

"Secret! Don't tell anyone!"

"What kind of secret?"

"Don't even tell inanimate objects!"

"Right, don't tell this desk or that screwdriver. Got it?"

"Yes!"

"Since you did well today and earned a lot, you can play a lot."

"Then I'll quickly feed the bear piggy bank and play in the garden."

"It's chilly today, so wear a scarf and gloves when you play."

Nikolai, who now calls -15°C chilly, had adapted to Russia in just a few months.

Sonya, who ran to her father like a squirrel and gave him a loving kiss, turned her head as she went out.

"By the way, Grandpa wants Uncle Nikolai to stay longer. Grandpa Third is looking for you."

"Got it."

As Sonya disappeared, Sasha burst into a hollow laugh.

"Well done, well done. You taught her well."

"A child's brain is the most malleable until 7-8 years old, so it's important to lay a good foundation."

"Foundation?"

"If my teaching method seems strange, ask your father. I have permission."

"I'm fine. It's okay."

Since Ilya, the father, is fine, what can a new recruit, just promoted from 'thief,' say?

"Did you get any mail from Sergei?"

"No, I didn't."

"That's strange. It's been over a month since I sent it. Why hasn't he replied? Maybe I should have used a different subject line…."

"What was the subject line?"

"A lucky letter."

This letter didn't start in Britain with some content about luck.

I learned about it by chance. Let's be friends. If you ever go to the US, let's have a meal.

That's what I sent.

Is this being mistaken for a new scam?

There's still time, so we can gradually get closer. For now, I need to focus on getting a substantial business fund from Grandpa in December to build a large supermarket.

Ah, I also need to pay attention to Yeltsin's impeachment trial on May 1st.

"Then I'll go see Uncle Anton. Sasha, stay with Ilya and get anything he needs."

"His expression was off when I came in. He looked anxious, as if being chased by something."

"Hmm. I have a feeling."

* * *

"Did you buy dollars and gold, Brother?"

"Father said to, so of course I did. I even took out loans from banks in the independent states."

"Ha, this is really…."

Anton, sitting on the living room sofa, sighed deeply, his face contorted.

"Why? What happened?"

"The market is running out of dollars. Gold isn't being sold either. Banks suddenly stopped giving loans. It's all too sudden."

It's not just that.

Prices are skyrocketing, while the currency value is plummeting.

Another reason Anton is burning inside is that he only followed half of Father's instructions.

He invested half of his funds in dollars and gold but secretly acquired a good steel company with the other half.

He planned to use bank loans for the company's operations, but all banks announced a loan freeze.

Everything that was fine two months ago has gone wrong.

Other businessmen are likely experiencing similar situations.

This is why Anton is burning inside and his mouth is drying up.

"Father predicted this. It's bad for Russia, but good for our family."

"It was Nikolai who predicted it. Where is Nikolai now?"

"He's probably in the workshop behind the house."

"Workshop? There's a workshop here?"

"I built it recently."

"What does he do there?"

"Um, what was it… Ah, right. He makes computer programs. Why are you looking for him?"

"Well, I need to ask him."

At that moment, Sonya confidently entered and sang 'Three Bears' with a dance, melting hearts.

Anton, who was burning inside, couldn't help but watch as Ivan, his brother, enjoyed the child's performance with a contented look.

When the song ended, Sonya extended her hands to Anton.

Anton, taken aback, took out a 500-ruble note from his wallet. It just happened to be the highest denomination.

He has pride. How can he ask a child to return it? Besides, his wallet only had 500-ruble notes.

Anton had to let the 500 rubles go with a forced smile.

On the other hand, Sonya, who earned a large sum, quickly disappeared to the workshop with a message from Grandpa.

A little later, Nikolai entered the living room and greeted everyone.

"Hello."

"Hey, Nikolai, sit down."

Maria, who brought drinks, also sat on the sofa.

"You don't look well. What's wrong?"

"Wrong? Ha. It's about what you said before."

"What did I say?"

"You know, what you said at Grandpa's birthday."

Nikolai drank the drink his mother brought for Anton.

"…"

"Ah, yes. What about it?"

"Ahem. As you predicted, the domestic economy is in chaos. Dollars and gold are scarce in the market."

Nikolai didn't answer but nodded calmly, indicating he was listening.

Anton was burning inside, but the others in the house were watching from the sidelines.

Anton straightened up and continued.

"How did you get that information? How could you, who only draws pictures, predict this?"

Cousins, regardless of age, always talk about drawing.

They have a knack for drawing big pictures of the future but can't draw with their hands anymore.

"That's a bit harsh. What information do I have? Can you just know what you want to know?"

"Well, that's true…."

"I don't understand why Uncle is so anxious."

"What do you mean?"

"If you followed Grandpa's advice, there's no reason to be anxious. You should be happy, right?"

"…"

"Or, did you not follow Grandpa's advice?"

Suddenly, Anton, who didn't realize it himself, felt his breath catch in his throat and his eyes blinked rapidly.

He's not an ordinary person.

Nikolai, who had belittled his cousin's opinion by talking about drawing, couldn't speak as the opinion became reality.

Ivan, with a serious expression, asked.

"Did you really not follow Father's advice?"

"…No. Who can defy Father? I came to see what Brother thinks because the market situation is so strange. …I have an appointment with Second Brother, so I'll go."

"Ah, okay."

As Anton left with a pale face, Ivan muttered.

"Anton's behavior is suspicious today."

Maria, hearing her husband, tilted her head.

"That's true. It's also strange that he suddenly came after a few months. He didn't really not follow Father's advice, did he?"

"Surely not. If he did, …uh. I don't even want to think about it."

"Father took out loans from all the banks, right?"

"So they say."

"How much did he get?"

"From all the major banks… uh, probably a few hundred billion rubles."

A few hundred billion rubles?

That's incredible.

For a regular person… no, even for a professional, how many years would it take to earn a few hundred billion rubles?

It's an astronomical amount that couldn't be accumulated even if you started earning from the Russo-Japanese War.

And he bought all dollars and gold with those few hundred billion borrowed rubles.

'Phew…'

Also, since the loans were in rubles, if he pays them back with rubles that became worthless in December?

This results in enormous profits on both sides.

As Nikolai was lost in thought about the massive amount, Ivan's voice broke through.

"By the way, where do you and Sasha go these days?"