Chapter 80

The Bear Kingdom is Now Mine Chapter 80

080 Lukashenko's Movements / Guests from Korea

December 27, 1997.

Nikolai paused his sword dance and returned to Russia.

This was because today was the move-in day for the 5,000 apartments (35 floors) he was building in Moscow.

The average temperature in Moscow in December is minus 5 degrees Celsius.

While the V-shaped roofs and courtyards of ordinary houses were covered with snow, it was as if this place was in a different world, with no snow visible on the ground.

"Custom curtains available."

"Cleaning services for move-in."

"Please receive two parking permits from the management office."

"Vistra (quickly) moving services."

"Those who want to redecorate, please visit the model home. You get a 10% discount if you apply during the move-in period."

《Model Home》

82㎡ (25 pyeong) - Building 101, Unit 101.

115㎡ (35 pyeong) - Building 120, Unit 101.

148㎡ (45 pyeong) - Building 150, Unit 202.

181㎡ (55 pyeong) - Building 200, Unit 201.

All of this was a system Nikolai had set up at the Ussuriysk apartment site, which he applied here as well.

The management office staff were also diligently doing their jobs.

"Excuse me, you can't just throw trash anywhere. There are food waste and trash separation collection points behind each building, so please use them."

"You can only park on the ground during the move-in period. After 7 PM, all cars must be removed."

"If you donate used books to the community library, we would be grateful."

The staff shouted until their mouths were dry.

"Those who have completed the move-in procedures, please receive the 'dacha' keys from the management office. Do not touch the plastic greenhouse boiler; the management staff will operate it for you."

"Senior center membership registration is open. Just register the elderly person's information."

"Kindergarten registration starts in 20 days. Please register at the office."

The apartment complex was bustling with people who had come to move in or to see their new homes.

"Wow! Dad, this place is so amazing."

"The clouds have come down to the ground!"

"Mom, I want to eat that! Mmm, mmm."

Steam was rising gently from the ground within the complex, like a mist.

This was due to the central heating system, which sent heat through the ground beneath the complex and into each building.

Not only children but adults were also amazed by this sight.

"Hey, where are the kids?"

"They went to the indoor swimming pool. They'll be back around five."

"I brought them to help with the cleaning, but what if they all go there?"

"Just leave it to the cleaning service."

"What? It's free? You do it then."

"How can this woman talk so loudly to her husband?"

"…."

Among the future residents, there were some arguing couples, but most were happy.

Nikolai, seeing them, asked the apartment management office director.

"Is the apartment website set up?"

"Yes, it will be operated by the management office, just like in Ussuriysk."

"Have all the fitness equipment arrived?"

"Out of 50 treadmills, two were defective and have been exchanged, but the rest have arrived."

Frowning, Nikolai asked the construction vice president.

"Are they German-made?"

"The last time there were no issues, but this is the first time this has happened. We will inspect them multiple times before accepting them next time. I apologize."

Nikolai and Sasha walked around, with the construction vice president and the apartment management office director following nervously.

"Director, have you tested the emergency stairs?"

"Yes, I tested them this morning, and there were no issues. We will check them twice a month."

In the event of a fire, the emergency stairs located at the back of the apartment buildings can be used.

They can be activated from the first floor of each building, and a metal staircase will extend from the 35th floor to the first floor in an instant.

"This seems fine. If you have any questions, get help from the Ussuriysk management office."

"We will do that."

At that moment, a group of young women rushed over.

"Mr. President?"

"Oh, it really is the president."

"Ah!"

Startled by the women's physical assault, the security guards tried to stop them, but Nikolai raised his hand.

He recognized their faces.

"Mr. President, hello."

"Are you moving in today?"

"Yes, I'm a first-time winner."

"Me too."

"I'm a third-time winner."

"I'm a second-time winner."

"You all seem to be close?"

"We made a website. The Unicorn Miss and Mister winners' website. Could you leave a message if you visit?"

"Sure. I'll drop by and leave a message sometime."

The beauty of the women gathered there was so striking that passersby gathered to see what was happening.

"Are you all moving into the 115㎡ (35 pyeong) apartments?"

"Yes."

"I sold mine and bought a 181㎡ (55 pyeong) one to live with my family. My father wanted a bigger 'dacha'."

"Congratulations. Oh, you look familiar…?"

"She's in a current drama. She signed a contract with Iri-on last month. You might have seen her in the chocolate pie commercial."

"Hello, Mr. President."

Nikolai smiled at her shy greeting.

"I was in a lunchbox commercial, and she was in a future car commercial. Haven't you seen them?"

"Oh, sorry. I don't watch much TV. Are you all Russian?"

"Eleven of us and I are Russian, she's from Belarus, and these two are from Ukraine."

"Mr. President, I'm from Moldova."

"Oh, and this one?"

"…I don't know her."

A woman who had been watching from the middle ran away when everyone looked at her.

"Can we take a photo with you, Mr. President?"

"Sure."

As soon as he said that, the beautiful women swarmed him on both sides.

Being models, they all carried cameras.

Sasha suddenly became a photographer.

After leaving the apartment complex, Nikolai asked the construction vice president.

"How is the 'Mirny' alrosa construction going?"

"The apartments, U-Mart, school, government offices, diamond processing factory, and surrounding shops are all proceeding according to plan."

"We need to finish everything by January 1999 as planned."

"There shouldn't be any problems."

"We also need to finish the gas and oil pipelines properly."

"Don't worry. We are checking regularly, and it will be completed without issues by July next year."

Everything is going well, but we need to be more careful during such times.

Nikolai, acting as an inspector, nagged and rechecked everything.

"Enjoy your vacation and see you next time. Call if there's an emergency."

"Are you going to Korea after your vacation?"

"I have to go back. Oh, right. I forgot to mention. We acquired a Korean construction company this time."

"…!"

"We might build some apartments in Korea. So, the vice president will have to manage that as well."

"Understood."

"Your salary will be higher than it is now."

"Thank you, Mr. President."

After parting with the construction vice president, Nikolai was about to get into his car when Sasha spoke.

"Nikolai, Yeva wants to greet you."

"What kind of greeting?"

Yeva, Sasha's fiancée, approached shyly, having been waiting outside.

"Yeva, say it."

"…"

"Let's get in the car first. We're going to see the house anyway."

"That's right. We're going to see the house. Yeva, get in. Let's go together."

The next schedule was to see the house that Maria had prepared as a wedding gift for Sasha.

As soon as they got in the car, Yeva mustered the courage to speak.

"Thank you."

"…?"

"For giving me a 5-carat diamond engagement ring."

"Oh, I see. Don't feel too pressured. Giving Sasha a gift like that is nothing to me."

"Still, it's very expensive…."

"I'm the president of a diamond mining company. It's not a problem. Just accept it."

A slight dimple appeared on Yeva's pale cheek.

A short while later, they arrived at the house, about 30 minutes by car from the center of Moscow.

"Wow…?"

"This is too much…?"

"Is this your first time here, Sasha?"

"Yes. My mother only gave me the address and the key."

"I didn't expect my mother to be so generous. This is a really nice house."

The house they were looking at was a three-story Russian-style mansion.

While it was much smaller than Nikolai's house, it was a scaled-down version and looked beautiful.

For two people to live in such a large house, Sasha and Yeva were surprised with wide eyes and open mouths.

"Living here with just the two of you might be scary. Yeva will have to live alone if you're not here, right?"

"You'll need to hire a few staff members. Yeva can't manage alone."

As they toured the house, they found that the front and back gardens were large, and the interior was beautiful.

While the houses of Yuri Yusupov and Nikolai's parents were much larger, this house was impressive enough to make ordinary people marvel.

"I thought your mother would give you a suitable house as a wedding gift, but I didn't expect it to be this big. I don't know how to express my gratitude."

"Just accept it gratefully. Our parents think of you like a son."

"…Thank you."

The tough Sasha had tears in his eyes.

Sasha had been happiest with Nikolai, except for the time he lived with his parents.

When the Soviet Union collapsed, he was surprised by the sudden change in people, but he always trusted and followed Nikolai.

Even when he first went to Korea and saw Sasha speaking fluent Korean, he trusted him.

Even when Sasha knew everything as if he had lived there, he trusted him.

He thought Nikolai must have his own unspoken reasons.

Over time, he felt that making that decision was the right one.

Now, he couldn't imagine a world without Nikolai and had become one of his closest confidants.

As 'Lifetime Regular Employee No. 1,' he was one of the few people Nikolai trusted and relied on.

After touring the house, Nikolai handed Sasha a card.

"Use this card to buy what you need for the house. There's no limit, so go ahead."

"…Can I really accept this?"

"Take it before I change my mind. Yeva can use it."

"Thank you for thinking of us so much."

"You seem to have forgotten, but I'm the one who introduced Yeva to Sasha. I'm happy as long as they are happy. Oh, if possible, have at least three children. Haha. Sasha was always lonely without a family."

"…"

Yeva and Sasha's faces turned red at the same time.

Sasha, who had told Yeva to get in the car first, said with a serious face.

"About the President of Belarus."

"President Lukashenko?"

"Yes. He's meeting with government officials."

The informants were now active not only in Russia but also in the independent states.

With the increased budget, the number of informants they could use had grown significantly.

This allowed them to continuously obtain high-quality information.

However, no one had reported to President Zahar about Lukashenko meeting with high-ranking government officials?

Since President Zahar hadn't mentioned anything to Nikolai, it meant Zahar didn't know either.

Nikolai judged that there were quite a few high-ranking officials who needed to be weeded out.

"Do you know why?"

"Not yet."

What is this guy up to?

"What did Lukashenko say when he went to the Kremlin before?"

"He asked for a billion dollars. Casually."

"Wow! A billion dollars? That's insane."

Sasha, who wasn't involved in the Black Hole's financial operations, blinked in disbelief at the unimaginable amount.

"Nikolai told him to wait while he thought about it."

"When was that?"

"It was the end of August, so it's been a little over three months."

"…Ah, I see. It seems he's trying to gather information through government officials because it's been three months with no news. He probably doesn't want to ask for the loan again himself."

No, that's not it….

"The Lukashenko I know isn't the type to beat around the bush. If he wants something, he says it directly. That's why he boldly asked for a billion dollars."

"That's true."

"Sasha, don't come with me this time. Stay in Russia and gather more detailed information. You have a lot to prepare before the wedding."

"Understood."

They needed to gather information on what President Lukashenko was up to.

They had planned to embrace the 14 independent states, and this might accelerate the timeline.

* * *

A few days later, on New Year's Day, Nikolai and his family, as usual, went to Yuri Yusupov's house early in the morning.

However, loud voices were coming from Yuri's study.

Everyone outside could hear, so they listened quietly.

"Who sent you? Your in-laws?"

"What do you mean? I'm just saying what I think."

"You've been quiet all this time, so someone must have encouraged you. Isn't that right?"

"Father, no one did."

"I spoiled my only daughter, and now look what happens."

Yuri was flabbergasted.

The Olga he knew would never speak up like this.

She always asked her brother to do things for her and never spoke up boldly like this.

Especially not about something so significant.

Even as a Yusupov, a woman in Russia couldn't act freely, and Olga had always maintained a certain level of decorum.

But suddenly asking for an inheritance was unexpected.

Yegor, listening outside, shook his head.

He had warned Olga not to visit President Zahar, but she had gone ahead and done it on New Year's Day.

Yegor thought her in-laws must have said something to her.

That's why Olga, who had never spoken up like this before, did so now.

Ivan, standing nearby, thought they needed to intervene and nodded to Yegor.

Yegor nodded back.

"Let's go in."

"Okay."

As Ivan, Yegor, and Nikolai entered the study, Olga turned her head sharply and glared at Nikolai.

"Everyone's here?"

"Everyone is here."

In response to Ivan's answer, Yuri said with a bitter smile.

"I'm sorry for shouting on New Year's morning."

"We heard everything. Can I say something?"

"Go ahead."

"I agree with Father. You should meet your in-laws once."

"Brother!"

"Be quiet."

Yuri thought for a moment.

"Hmm…."

Olga's in-laws had stopped visiting since the collapse of the Soviet Union, when the Yusupov family was in decline.

They had known the situation and stayed away.

After the Yusupov family recovered, they tried to contact them, but Yuri deliberately avoided them.

He disliked their two-faced nature, always taking advantage of the family's good times and abandoning them in bad times.

They had offered no help when the family was struggling, which made Yuri dislike them even more.

Now, they were using Olga to ask for an inheritance.

'They are despicable.'

Yuri, having made up his mind, asked Olga in a heavy voice.

"Alright. How much do you want?"

Olga, as if she had been waiting, quickly replied.

"Give me 30 GUM department stores."

"Wow…."

"Give me 30, and I won't ask for anything more."

Everyone swallowed hard at her words, seeing Yuri's blood pressure rise.

After taking a deep breath, Yuri calmed himself with a sip of tea.

"Before that, set up a meeting with your in-laws. I need to meet them once."

"…Do I really have to?"

"Set up the meeting. We'll decide on your request afterward."

"…Understood."

Managing family is so difficult.

Even after building a renowned business through decades of hard work, many businesses have collapsed due to family issues.

Yuri wanted to avoid such a situation and decided to meet the in-laws to understand the situation.

Nikolai, observing the situation, could see Olga's future.

'With Grandfather taking action, the in-laws…'

* * *

Near the end of the New Year's holiday, someone from Korea visited.

It was the chairman and his son from Ohseong Group.

"Chairman, have you been well?"

"I'm always the same. How about you, Chairman Lee?"

"Yes, I've been well. I've been exercising lately."

Yuri, hearing through the interpreter, turned his gaze.

"Your son is here too?"

"He came to greet you for the New Year."

The son greeted him, and Chairman Lee cautiously asked.

"Chairman, can I meet Mr. Nikolai?"

"Hmm…."

Yuri had already told Nikolai that such a situation might arise.

People might ask him to arrange a meeting with Nikolai, and he should refuse if possible.

Nikolai, always thinking ahead, was an unpredictable presence.

"It seems to be about acquiring Korean companies."

"…That's correct."

"Didn't you contact him directly?"

"He seems to be avoiding me, so I'm asking you."

Yuri, after a moment's thought, decided.

"I'll let you meet him,