My Realistic Simulation Game

Chapter 53 A Huge Unexpected Turn of Events, Quite Frank

This price is higher than the official exchange rate, and with the 20% commission, they're really greedy!
But after hearing this, Qin Yuan showed no sign of pain or hesitation on his face. Instead, he decisively said:

"Okay! We'll go with the exchange rate and terms you mentioned."

A genuine look of surprise flashed across Ivanovic's eyes.

He had originally thought that the shrewd Chinese businessman would haggle or at least show some reluctance.

Such a quick agreement made him think more highly of Qin Yuan's courage and judgment.

"Oh? Mr. Qin, won't you reconsider? This price... isn't cheap." He asked tentatively.

“Mr. Ivanovich,” Qin Yuan smiled slightly, his tone frank and pragmatic, “In Moscow today, finding a safe, reliable, and powerful channel to exchange rubles for hard currency is valuable in itself.”

“In those underground black markets, the cut is far more than 50%, and you could lose both your money and goods at any time, or even your life.”

"The channels and guarantees you provide are worth the price. 20% is very fair."

These words not only flattered the other person but also highlighted the reality and demonstrated the speaker's clear understanding.

Ivanovich's smile became much more genuine, even carrying a hint of appreciation: "Good! Mr. Qin is indeed a wise man! It's a pleasure to cooperate with someone as intelligent as you. So, how much do you need to exchange?"

"Seven hundred thousand rubles," Qin Yuan announced. "Convert it all into US dollars."

"Seven hundred thousand?!" Ivanovic was genuinely moved this time.

How long has this young Chinese man been in Moscow? He's already amassed such a huge amount of rubles in cash!
This is something that ordinary traders could not do.

Natasha's earlier vague mention of "doing a very big business" seems to be no exaggeration.

“No problem!” He suppressed his inner turmoil and immediately displayed the efficiency of a banker. “Give me two days to prepare. The amount of cash in US dollars is quite large, so it needs to be processed in batches. Come and collect it at the same time in two days. I will have the corresponding amount of US dollar cash ready.”

This was a risk-free business for him, since he made his fortune through the banking system.

Qin Yuan's money was also obtained cleanly, so Ivanovic had no qualms about it.

"Thank you very much!" Qin Yuan stood up and bowed slightly again.

“No need to be so polite.” Ivanovic also stood up, walked around the desk, and went to Qin Yuan. He patted Qin Yuan on the shoulder and spoke with the warmth of an elder, “Qin, you are just like me. Decisive, pragmatic, and able to see the situation clearly.”

"To be honest, if Natasha's boyfriend were you, I wouldn't have any objections."

He said half-jokingly that he was clearly not particularly satisfied with his daughter's boyfriend, Wang Haiyang, who was still "working" as a Chinese student studying abroad.

Upon hearing this, Qin Yuan smiled calmly, but a sharp glint flashed in his eyes: "Mr. Ivanovich, there is an old Chinese saying, 'Thirty years east of the river, thirty years west of the river.'"

"Wang Haiyang is just an ordinary international student in my team right now, but who can say for sure what the future holds?"

"Perhaps, in the future, the entire trade and circulation of the Far East will depend on his whims."

Ivanovic was taken aback for a moment, then burst into a hearty laugh: "Hahaha! Good! What a wonderful 'thirty years east of the river, thirty years west of the river'!"
"It's a good thing that young people have ambition! Qin, I've decided to be your friend!"

"If you have similar needs in the future, or need other assistance, feel free to come to me!"

He clearly didn't take Qin Yuan's "prediction" about Wang Haiyang seriously, but only saw it as the high spirits and mutual support among young people.

But Qin Yuan's protection and expectations of "his own people" made him feel comfortable.

"Definitely!" Qin Yuan replied with a smile.

After exchanging a few more pleasantries, Qin Yuan politely took his leave.

Natasha escorted him to the door.

"Did the talks go smoothly?" Natasha asked softly.

“It went very smoothly. Thank you again, Natasha,” Qin Yuan said sincerely.

"I'm glad I could help you." Natasha smiled slightly, watching Qin Yuan's figure disappear at the top of the stairs.

Stepping out of this apartment building, a symbol of privilege, the chilly Moscow winter wind hits you.

Qin Yuan tightened the collar of his coat, but his heart remained calm.

700,000 rubles are about to become hard US dollars!

This is a huge security guarantee!

In the Soviet Union at that time, the Cypriot dollar was far more useful than the Cypriot ruble in establishing connections.

The value of Vladimir Ivanovich's connection extends far beyond this currency exchange. It could even be a crucial foothold for him in Moscow, and indeed within the entire Soviet financial system!

As for the remaining rubles?
Qin Yuan glanced back at the building, which appeared even more solemn in the twilight, and a confident smile appeared on his lips.

He never intended to replace them all!
The Cheka market and campus channels are still generating huge amounts of ruble cash!
He wants to wait until this batch of goods is completely sold out, so he can have at least one million rubles in hand!

Then, carrying this "worthless paper" that still had strong purchasing power within the Soviet Union, they headed straight for Khabarovsk!

Spending one million rubles to buy the food factory that Liu Changhe had his eye on is more than enough!
At that moment, Natasha turned around and went back home.

The warm indoor air, carrying the sweet scent of firewood from the fireplace, made her breathe a sigh of relief.

She turned around, preparing to go back to her room, but noticed that the study door was ajar, with warm yellow light shining from inside.

She hesitated for a moment, then walked over quietly.

Through the crack in the door, she saw her father, Vladimir Ivanovich, standing by the desk, holding the heavy wooden box that Qin Yuan had brought.

The box had been opened and was casually placed on the table.

And in the father's hand, he was holding a... glass bottle?

Natasha frowned slightly.

She remembered the gifts Qin Yuan brought: one was a beautifully packaged bottle of red wine, and the other was this simple, even somewhat bulky, wooden box.

She understood that red wine was a respectable social gift.

But what's inside this wooden box...?
The father, Ivanovich, held the glass bottle, his brow furrowed, his face bearing an expression that was a mixture of doubt and... disbelief.

The label on the bottle is clearly visible under the light – “Груздь” (kvas).

"Kvas?" Ivanovich murmured to himself, his tone filled with surprise. "Qin Yuan... gave me this?"

His expression was very complicated.

He had drunk this stuff when he was young at his maternal grandmother's house in the countryside.

A cheap, slightly sour beverage made by simply fermenting black breadcrumbs and sugar water, it was a substitute for ordinary people during times of scarcity.

But nowadays in Moscow, aside from the occasional glimpse in remote rural markets or some nostalgic-themed bars, who still drinks this stuff?
This is almost synonymous with "country goods" and "outdated goods".

Why would a young Chinese businessman who can accumulate 700,000 rubles in cash in a short period of time, with extraordinary vision and courage, give him such a thing as a gift?
This is simply... illogical!
Even a little... rude?
A fleeting sense of displeasure and doubt crossed Ivanovic's mind.

Was Qin Yuan just fooling him? Or was there some other meaning behind it?
But reason told him that Qin Yuan was not the kind of person who would do meaningless things.

Ivanovic was deeply impressed by his decisiveness, pragmatism, and clear-headed assessment of the situation.

There must be a reason for sending such a bottle.

Filled with intense curiosity and a hint of offended wariness, Ivanovich unscrewed the bottle cap.

It didn't have the sour smell that you'd expect from a low-quality fermented beverage.

A unique aroma, carrying the scent of roasted malt, mixed with a faint hop fragrance and a very subtle yet exceptionally refreshing sweet beer aroma, wafted out.

This taste...it's somewhat familiar, yet completely different.

Ivanovic's doubts deepened.

He hesitated for a moment, then brought the bottle to his lips, tilted his head back, and took a big gulp.

The icy liquid instantly rushed into my throat!
"Well--!"

A short, surprised groan escaped Ivanovich's throat!
His eyes widened suddenly! His pupils contracted sharply under the light!

acid!
It's not inferior acetic acid, but a refreshing, slightly acidic flavor with a natural fruity fermentation note!

sweet!
It's not the cloying sweetness of industrial saccharin, but a perfectly balanced, refreshing sweetness that brings out the caramelized aroma of malt!
What shocked him most was the extremely subtle, refreshing aroma of alcohol, which was almost imperceptible yet existed like the finishing touch!

It's like an extremely fine silver needle, gently pricking your taste buds, bringing an indescribable sense of refreshment and satisfaction!
It instantly dispelled the stuffiness of a winter's indoors!

The caramelized aroma of malt, the deep flavor unique to dark bread, the complex layers of flavor brought about by fermentation...

They blended together perfectly.

The cool sensation as it glides down the esophagus brings a strange, invigorating feeling!

This...this really is kvass?!
(End of this chapter)