Reborn in Russia as a Big Shot

26. A fleeting romance

Li Xiang freed his ears and rubbed them.

"If Kulistikov really wants to help us, he should talk to Marina privately about this kind of trivial matter and give us a final answer."

"If he tells us to talk to him ourselves now, it's either a bluff and he has no intention of helping at all, or it's on purpose, hoping we'll run into a wall and come back to beg him."

Dalia pulled out her phone with a grim face. "I'll ask Gusinski what he really means."

Li Xiang stopped him, saying, "Gusinski introduced us to artists, and we did gigs on his TV station. This was originally a mutual assistance between friends, an equal exchange."

"The nature of this matter changes when you make this phone call; it becomes you begging him."

"With Gusinski's direct involvement, I believe things will definitely go exceptionally smoothly, but he won't help for nothing. How do you plan to repay this favor?"

Dalia deflected the blame, saying, "Of course you owe me a favor."

"So I choose not to owe anyone a favor." Li Xiang chuckled, took out a document and handed it to Dalia, "Just pretend I was busy all night playing around, I've already signed all the contracts."

Dalia frantically rummaged through the brochure, looking directly at the numbers, and said with a look of disdain, "The endorsement fee is only 200,000. Even if you take 70% of it, it's only 140,000. It would be much better to find something more expensive."

Li Xiang took the contract back and said, "Your share of these 200,000 yuan is not included."

"You little brat, I knew it! You've been lying to me from the very beginning!" Dalia was about to pull Li Xiang's ear again.

"Can't you be a little more civilized? Natasha likes to use her hands, and you do the same." Li Xiang covered his ears with both hands like he was covering his ears. "Money laundering has costs. Add up taxes and labor costs, and it'll take at least 12% off."

"I'll transfer whatever amount you give me, covering all the losses. I'm basically working for you at my own expense, so you'd better treat me well from now on!"

"You've made a lot of money too. Just look at how much you made from that house of mine. You still have the nerve to try and calculate with me." Dalia was always thinking about how to get money overseas, so of course she knew about this.

Dalia's tone softened, and Li Xiang took the opportunity to back down.

"Aunt Dalia, I haven't forgotten what you did for me; I've always kept it in my heart."

"Let's continue with the GG business in Russia as normal for now. Once the product is rolled out, the next step is to expand into overseas markets. I'll find a celebrity abroad to help you get the money out of the country."

"This is much safer. Even if the investigation team has some suspicions, there's a border in between, so they can't reach out."

"I advocate maintaining good relations with Gusinski. The enemy of my enemy is my friend. We should stick together and help each other, but the premise is that we should cooperate for mutual benefit, not become his slaves."

"When do you plan to expand into overseas markets?" Dalia asked, her face clouded with worry.

Li Xiang replied, "If you're willing to help me, and we work together, we might be able to get started in a year or two. But if I rely entirely on myself..."

"My dad always tells me that you can't rush into doing business; it's better to be steady and methodical."

"You're making empty promises again. Can't you change this habit?" Dalia, the supervisor, had no way to deal with Li Xiang.

It's not that Li Xiang doesn't work, it's just that when it comes to fulfilling the expectations he sets, they always fall short.

"Just say it directly, Aunt Dalia, there's something I'd like to ask you for help with. Can I refuse?"

Li Xiang corrected him, "I don't need your help; you're only helping yourself."

Dalia was seething with hatred and instinctively wanted to hit him again, but she stopped herself in time and said sarcastically, "I won't hit you. Natasha told me that her husband is very precious and can't be touched, not even a hair on his head."

Li Xiang retorted, "But you just pulled my ear."

"I was teaching you a lesson on behalf of Natasha. Who told you to go out and fool around!"

-

Marina cleared two weeks of her schedule to film a GG for SnowFlying.

We shot indoors for five days, and spent the rest of the time shooting outdoors.

It's August now, and there isn't much snow in Russia, so the outdoor filming location was chosen to be Mount Elbrus.

Mount Elbrus, located in the Greater Caucasus Mountains in southwestern Russia, is 5642 meters high and is the highest peak in Europe. The ski resorts here are open all year round.

Dalia was sent back to St. Petersburg by Li Xiang to assist Sergei in recruiting employees.

To get SnowFlying down jackets on the shelves in shopping malls in major Russian cities before winter arrives, a large number of people are needed.

Li Xiang accompanied Marina to Mount Elbrus for filming. Time flew by, and the nine-day outdoor filming period was over in no time.

The film crew held a wrap party in Mineral Water City at the foot of Mount Elbrus.

"You've spent so many days with me, showing me so much care and concern, don't you want to say anything?"

Marina's eyes are very captivating.

Li Xiang raised his champagne glass and clinked it against Marina's. "Let me organize my thoughts."

Marina downed her champagne in one gulp, then whispered in Li Xiang's ear, "Don't waste your energy on me. There's no future for us. You can't give me what I want."

"My flight back to Moscow is tomorrow morning, so this is my last night. If you want to create some memories, come to my room, and I'll run a bath for you."

After Marina finished speaking, she blew a breath into Li Xiang's ear, then stood up and said to the others present in a voice loud enough for everyone to hear, "I'm going back to rest. You all enjoy your meal. Mr. Li is paying tonight, so don't skimp on his bill."

During the days of filming on location, Li Xiang and Marina were inseparable, and everyone on the crew noticed. Some even started betting on when Li Xiang would finally win her over.

Looks like someone's going to win money tonight!

-

Hotel suite.

The next morning at six o'clock, it was already light, and the sunlight slanted into the room.

"Go draw the curtains, they're too bright for my eyes." Marina nudged Li Xiang from under the covers, yawning as she said, "My flight is at 9:30, I need to get some sleep. All this tossing and turning all night is so annoying."

"You said you'd only give me this one chance, so I have to hurry." Li Xiang, with his bare bottom exposed, went to pull the curtains.

After being a monk for more than half a year, I finally had a good meal.

Marina opened her eyes and looked at Li Xiang. "Do you like me that much? Aren't you afraid of exhausting yourself?"

"Didn't you say yesterday that I couldn't give you what you wanted?" Li Xiang started getting dressed and promised, "I can open a film company and invest money to make movies for you."

"That kind of talk might fool a newbie, but it won't work on me," Marina said wearily, looking extremely sleepy. "Aren't you going to get some sleep?"

"I'm not sleepy, just a little hungry." Li Xiang had just put on his sweater and was about to take it off again. "Are you going to sleep or not? If not, I can stay with you a little longer."

"I'm going to sleep." Marina closed her eyes immediately, but a smile appeared on her lips.

None of Natasha's family members are presentable.

To break through social class and enter Russia's high society, one really needs an assistant like Marina who can navigate the world of fame and fortune with ease.

It's a pity that when fate runs its course, it can't be forced.