Chapter 66

In the Soviet Union, those who reached the level of members of the Central Committee had their own supporters, like Khrushchev's Ukrainian Central Committee members, Suslov's propaganda system cadres, Brezhnev's Dnipropetrovsk clique, Shelepin's Komsomol group and the KGB behind him, Molotov's foreign affairs system, and Beria's Ministry of Internal Affairs, etc. Having a solid base provided enough room for maneuver. If one was a lone fighter, like Frol Kozlov, who relied entirely on Khrushchev's promotion, the rise might be rapid, but the fall could come with just one reshuffle meeting.

Without a doubt, Khrushchev's most trusted Ukrainian faction, with Frol Kozlov at the Central Committee level and Tereshchenko and others at the local level, was the most powerful force in Soviet politics, far more so than the still nascent Dnipropetrovsk clique and Komsomol group.

"So, it seems you've entered a remarkable circle! Your work should be going smoothly, right!" Yaroslav, feeling a bit warm, took off his military uniform. Compared to a few months ago, Valya hadn't changed much; her face was still a perfect oval, and her body hadn't become bloated. This was because Valya was a tall and beautiful woman, standing at 1.7 meters with a very well-proportioned figure. Even her perfect chest shape hadn't changed due to pregnancy, still resembling a luscious peach.

"Not necessarily. There's a lot of opposition in the Ukrainian government to the promotion of Russian education. Forget it, let's talk about you!" Valya took out a newspaper from the drawer and waved it playfully, "Look at how brave my husband is! Someone who doesn't know might think you're giving a pre-war speech!" The photo on the newspaper showed Yaroslav facing West Berlin, addressing the 65th Guards Tank Regiment.

"Stop joking, didn't you see that Sherman was pointing a gun at me!" Yaroslav muttered, standing up and placing a bookmark in the file next to the surprised Valya, "I can stay in Kyiv for ten days. I'll pick up our daughter first. We'll go out tomorrow!"

"I haven't finished work yet..." Valya's whining was cut off by Yaroslav, "You married me, not the Soviet Union! I'll do my part for the country, and you should rest when you need to. There are eleven deputy ministers of education; the ministry won't collapse without you for a few days..."

After tidying up, they left the office and ran into a hurried Alya. Seeing the two, Alya's eyes lit up, and she asked, "Is it you? You're the one in the newspaper, Valya's husband?"

After Valya's introduction, Yaroslav said politely, "Comrade Alya, my wife has only been working in Ukraine for a short time. You must have helped her a lot. I work for the KGB, so if you need any help, don't hesitate to ask!"

"My nephew also wants to join the KGB!" Alya said and then asked, "Are you leaving?"

"The KGB welcomes anyone who is ideologically sound and meets the standards!" Yaroslav deflected with a single sentence, resolving to eliminate any unsuitable candidates if this woman tried to push them through, "I'm going to take Valya out for a walk and take a week off! Please handle things for me, Comrade Alya. I'll see you when I have time..."

Leaving the office, Yaroslav had Isayev and Motny take his daughter and Yelena to the apartment, while he and Valya returned to the apartment. This was Yaroslav's first time entering his wife's residence in Ukraine. The apartment was not large, about 70 square meters, which was considered above average for Soviet housing of that era. Although it wasn't as grand as the KGB apartments in Moscow, it didn't show the high taste of the Ministry of Education.

The room was mainly warm in color, and it was clear that Valya and Yelena had carefully decorated it. There were two bedrooms, one large and one small, and a small living room with a carpet on the floor. Walking on it, one could feel the floorboards beneath, which were not well laid, and the gaps between the boards could be felt underfoot. On the left was the typical small Soviet kitchen. Overall, it was similar to other newly built apartments in the Soviet Union.

"I need to take a shower; I smell..." Valya, sitting on the sofa, wriggled around, and her restlessness made Yaroslav very worried about the safety of their child. It was difficult for the child with such an active mother.

"What shower? Hot showers can be suffocating. Come on, I'll take you! Be careful here, and don't do this again! Usually, let Yelena accompany you, and bring the agents and the gun I arranged for you..." Under Valya's watery gaze, Yaroslav's tone changed with each word, completing the transition from assertive to submissive in just three sentences.

"Bring the scissors..." This made Yaroslav pause, and Valya, with a coy smile, said, "What are you looking at? You've trimmed it before. It's been half a year, and it's grown so much, it's uncomfortable..." Oh! Yaroslav silently stood up and complied.

After finishing the intimate task, the next day, six people went to the Kyiv Zoo. Lukani held Yaroslav's daughter Yulia, and Isayev and Motny played with the child. Yaroslav led Valya and Yelena around, but it seemed they attracted more attention than the animals. It was Sunday, so the zoo was a bit more crowded.

"It's because you attract so much attention!" Valya, holding Yelena's hand, rolled her eyes, "Can't you come out in civilian clothes? You're showing off your KGB authority in the zoo!"

"I didn't bring civilian clothes, and what's wrong with wearing a military uniform? They're just jealous of me!" Yaroslav tilted his head, refusing to back down, "What, are they the people? Just because I work for the KGB, I'm not a person? Because I work for the KGB, I can't take my daughter to the zoo? According to you, should I have let Sherman shoot me in Berlin?"

Yaroslav's words made Valya and Yelena's faces change, "Yuri, Valya didn't mean it that way!" Yelena gently persuaded, "Ordinary people don't often see you, do they?"

"Not only will I be the head of the KGB, but I'll also make sure ordinary people see me every day!" Yaroslav muttered to himself, then put the matter aside. Venting his anger on women was a shameful act, and as a man who cared about his reputation, Yaroslav couldn't equate himself with such men. The group walked to the tiger enclosure, where a fake mountain had been built, and they could see the tigers dozing. Some people were gathered around the half-height wall.

"Caspian tiger!" A child's voice rang out, and Yaroslav reflexively looked around. Valya pulled him and pointed to the tiger enclosure below, suppressing a laugh, "They're not calling you, they're calling the one below..."

[If computer users have time, please vote for the Three Rivers Award. Thank you all...]

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