Reborn in Russia as a Big Shot

59. Seeking refuge with Potanin?

On New Year's Day 2007, Natasha and her baby were safe and sound. She gave birth to a big, healthy baby boy weighing 7.6 pounds. Overall, he looked quite Asian, except for his blue eyes.

Natasha was forced by Sister Han to stay in bed for a week after giving birth, until January 7th, Orthodox Christmas, when Natasha rebelled.

Originally, the plan was to return to China closer to the Spring Festival. However, since Natasha was no longer in postpartum confinement, she decided to go back earlier. But Aunt Dalia made a last-minute decision not to go with her, as she had to return to Russia.

-

Take a walk downstairs.

"What's all the mystery about?" Li Xiang teased Dalia, seeing her hesitate. "You still don't consider me one of your own."

"Natasha's brother Peter is coming out, but he has to pay a fine of 50 million rubles."

"How many years does he have left?" Li Xiang asked.

"It's not a matter of whether it's worth it or not." Dalia gestured for Li Xiang to come closer and whispered in his ear, "Peter was able to reach a settlement with the Russian Ministry of Justice this time because Potanin helped him behind the scenes."

Which Potanin?

Li Xiang certainly knew who Potanin was—this evergreen political figure in Russia, who remained standing until the time he transmigrated.

He just felt it was a bit unreal; how could Black Cloud Village be recruited into the regular army by imperial pardon?

"Who else could it be?" Dalia sighed. "Potanin has already shown goodwill, and they don't appreciate it? I'm afraid my brother and the others' good days in prison are over."

"I appreciate it. It would cost fifty million rubles just to redeem Peter. Who knows how much it would cost to redeem everyone in prison?"

"We'll have to empty our pockets."

Li Xiang was taken aback for a moment and asked, "Then what do you mean by telling me this? Are you asking me to contribute some money too?"

Dalia gave an awkward smile and said, "If our family gets on Potanin's good side, wouldn't that benefit you too? You should contribute something, both morally and logically."

Li Xiang made his position clear: "Don't count me in. I'm doing just fine with Gusinsky. I don't need Potanin's protection."

Dalia said, "If I told Natasha to take out her savings to save her brother, she would definitely agree."

Li Xiang stated his position: "That's her business, I don't care."

Dalia smiled wryly, "Elena told me that as long as you pay the money, you'll immediately sever ties with us, but I don't quite believe it."

Li Xiang was silent for a few seconds, then said with a serious expression, "Aunt Dalia, once you're on Potanin's ship, there's no turning back."

Dalia: "Elena's idea is also to hedge her bets, so that if Potanin turns against her one day, or if he is purged, she will still have a way out."

Li Xiang slowly said, "Loyalty that is not absolute is absolutely disloyal. Either don't get on the ship, or once you're on board, you can't have any disloyal intentions, or you'll only die a more miserable death."

Dalia took a deep breath and said, "You still have to pay. This is what your father-in-law, Andrei, is demanding. Even if you only pay one ruble, it's still a payment."

"This money isn't just yours to pay, it's mine, it's Natasha's, it's Roman and Vladimir's, and no one in the family can escape it."

Li Ruilong's Russian name is Vladimir Ivanov, which means "ruler of the world" in Russian.

After a moment of silence, Li Xiang conceded, "Fine, I'll listen to you. I'll offer one ruble."

Dalia smiled wryly and said, "I was just saying. How much you come up with is your own business and has nothing to do with me. Don't try to pin it on me."

"Whether it's fair or not, I'll only pay one ruble." Li Xiang went straight upstairs.

Born of dependence on power, they will eventually perish with the change of power. From the era of Yeltsin to the era of Ptolemy, Potanin truly lived a second life.

But what about the next power reshuffle?

Will the Potanin family be able to survive to a third generation?

Clinging to Potanin's coattails might be a good thing for the Ivanov family, but it's not what Li Xiang wants.

If a time traveler can't even control their own destiny and has to depend on others and be an appendage of power, then that's a complete failure.

Natasha was overjoyed to learn that her brother would be released from prison soon. She had an apartment in Russia that she hadn't sold yet, so she handed it over to Dalia.

Li Xiang nominally gave him only one ruble.

But Natasha found a $100,000 cash check in the red envelope her son received, and it was obvious who had put the check there.

After Dalia left, the Li family packed their bags and went back to Qingdao Island for the Lunar New Year.

-

Qingdao Island.

"Nephew, I heard from your dad that you're doing quite well in Russia. Can you give me a hand? I don't ask for much, just a managerial position would be fine."

"Don't you know what kind of person your uncle is? He just takes the money and doesn't do any work. He'll never cause you any trouble. Your grandpa doesn't like me. He curses at me as soon as he sees me. I really can't stay at home anymore."

Old Li is the eldest son in his family.

Besides the uncle in front of him, Li Xiang also has an aunt.

"Well, you've been here for over thirty years. Before, my grandfather supported you, and now my father supports you. I've even started earning money, and you're still staying at home."

"How dare you talk to your uncle like that?" Li Hongbin chuckled as he filled his nephew's glass. "I'm already in my late thirties and still single. Everyone says there are more women than men in Russia. Maybe if I go there for a few years, I can find someone. Even a divorced woman would be fine."

Li Xiang took a sip of his drink and asked, "Can my grandfather live without you?"

Li Hongbin said with a shameless grin, "I've been taking care of him for so many years, it's time for me to live for myself."

"My dad always says I'm shameless, now I know who I learned it from," Li Xiang said, tapping the table. "You think you can get me to go abroad with just a plate of fried peanuts and a cucumber salad?"

"I have another bottle of peach preserves here, I'll open it for you." Li Hongbin got up to open the can.

Li Xiang stopped him, saying, "Don't open it, I'll take it with me. I'm giving it to my wife."

"Forget about Russia. The security there is bad, and you don't speak the language. If something really happens, how am I supposed to explain it to my grandfather?"

"Is the United States interested?"

Li Hongbin grinned, "If you can really get me there, that would be great. Not only do you not have to pay for meals there, they give out free meals, which is perfect for me."

"Seriously," Li Xiang cleared his throat. "Natasha just completed her investment immigration to Turkey and bought a century-old bathhouse there, intending to invest in opening a branch in the United States."

"Really?" Li Hongbin was a little skeptical.

"You know how to use the internet, right? When you have time, go online and search for Turkish baths. They can trace their history back to Roman times."

"Natasha has no interest in doing business. Once the bathhouses in the US open, I'll issue you a work visa and bring you over. You'll be in charge of managing them from then on, and the profits will be split 50/50 between you and Natasha."

"What if we lose money?" Li Hongbin asked.

"Then get lost. You go to bathhouses every day. Don't you know how bathhouses operate? You can't find people to do foot massages and body scrubbing in the US. Back in China, you know so many people like Xiaohong and Xiaoli. Just send job offers to anyone who wants to immigrate."

"After the New Year, Natasha is going to Turkey. You should come with her and experience it for yourself. There's nothing new about Turkish baths; it's just a massage and a scrub. It's not as good as the ones here."

Li Xiang instructed, "This is your own decision to go abroad. You should talk to my grandfather yourself. Don't try to pin it on me; my little shoulders can't handle it."

Li Xiang knew that his uncle was a good-for-nothing, lazy and gluttonous, but he and his father agreed on one thing: what was the purpose of making money?

Isn't it all for the sake of making life better for my family?

If someone asks for something, as long as it's not excessive, we should try our best to help.