I'm a Master in India

1.2 million rupees seems like a lot, but at the current official exchange rate, it's less than $40,000.

Tsk, now that I think about it, it doesn't seem like much money.

However, seeing stacks of 500 rupee notes piled high on the table is still visually impactful.

In this round of exchange rate feast, Ron's total investment was 500,000 rupees.

This includes his savings, the company's gross profit, and the private money Anand gritted his teeth to take out.

As mentioned before, they have been doing currency exchange for a while.

Long before the rupee's depreciation, this process continued until the end of last month.

It was because they benefited from this interest rate arbitrage that they were able to exchange 500,000 rupees for $26,000.

Then, on the black market, they sold it to Hader Khan for 1.5 times the official price.

Throughout the transaction, Ron earned two spreads: one from the rupee's depreciation and the other from the black market premium.

By reaping two waves of dividends, his principal more than doubled.

What is exorbitant profit? It's even written in the Indian Penal Code.

Ahem, that's an exaggeration; his little business is, at most, considered gray.

Moreover, this is India, and those who know, know; everyone in this country is an outlaw.

Ron is just doing as the Romans do; his little achievement is not worth mentioning.

Out of the 1.2 million rupees, after deducting Anand's 60,000 and setting aside 40,000 as the company's operating funds,

Ron plans to keep two sets of books for the remaining 1.1 million. One set will be the official books, reflecting the company's operating income.

The other set will be the unofficial books, the 'black money' Hader Khan mentioned, which is not subject to taxation.

The source of income for a Mumbai tourism information company is very vague and impossible to define, making it easy to manipulate the books.

India's regulatory oversight in this area is virtually non-existent; otherwise, the scale of black money would not be more than half of the legal economy.

Ron, besides sighing at the absurdity, can only accept it with a smile.

After dividing the money in hand and depositing some into the bank, Ron now begins to consider another matter.

"Anand, where in Mumbai do you think is the most suitable place to rent an office?"

"Ron, are you talking about those beautiful houses with air conditioning?" Anand's eyes lit up.

"That's right. We're doing legitimate business, so of course, we need to find a more impressive place to work."

"Yes, beautiful houses! Go to South Mumbai, it's the wealthiest place in all of India!"

The impatient Anand seemed even more eager than Ron. They had just left the bank, and he couldn't wait to get into the car.

"Wait a minute, Anand. This is your money. Are you going to deposit it in the bank?" Ron handed him the 60,000 rupees, wrapped in paper beforehand.

"This is my money, 60,000?!" Anand exclaimed excitedly.

"Yes, we've made a fortune."

"Ron, Ron Baba! We're rich!" Anand stuffed the money into his arms and hugged it tightly.

"What did you call me?!"

"Ron Baba, adding 'Baba' after the name shows respect. I like you, Ron!"

"No, shut up!" Ron felt a chill.

His mind was now filled with Anand's round, fleshy face, mixed with the cute appearance of little Niya.

Yue~, Ron shivered subconsciously.

"What, don't you like it?" Anand stared at his face, scrutinizing him.

"Just call me Ron."

"But Baba..."

"God, keep your voice down. If you really consider me a friend, just call me Ron!"

"Okay, Ron Ba..." Anand shut his mouth and then peeked at him.

"Alright, aren't you going to take me to see the beautiful house with air conditioning?" Ron waved his hand.

"Okay! Come with me!" Anand cheered and led the way.

Mumbai's development progresses from south to north, visibly traceable. Starting from the Gateway of India in the southernmost part, the surrounding area is full of modern high-rise buildings or magnificent Gothic architecture.

The Taj Mahal Palace Hotel, the Reserve Bank of India, the Bombay Stock Exchange, and the Victoria Terminus form Mumbai's landmark building complex, which is the CBD of the entire region.

This area also concentrates universities, theaters, hospitals, courts, luxury residential facilities, and other high-end amenities; it is the essence of Mumbai.

Moving a little north from here, the central area is the residential community for ordinary office workers, where Ron's current apartment is located.

Going north past the central area, the first thing you encounter is the famous Dharavi, Asia's largest slum.

If you look down from the air at night, the bright light band gradually dims from south to north. When you reach the northernmost end of Mumbai, it is no different from the countryside.

Anand has been in Mumbai for many years, and he knows every street and alley here.

"If we're talking about the most suitable location for our office, then it's definitely the Fort area," Anand said proudly, pointing to the street ahead.

"This looks good. The streets are bustling, and the architectural style is very European. I guess there should be many colonial-era offices preserved inside."

"Not only that, but Victoria Terminus is also in the Fort area, as are the Gateway of India, the Taj Mahal Hotel, and even the docks."

Following the direction of Anand's finger, Ron saw high-rise buildings, parks, and squares, as well as Gothic old houses, convenience stores lined up along the street, and roadside stalls.

The Fort area was where the British first gathered when they occupied Mumbai. They built a wall to surround themselves.

Even now, many 18th and 19th-century houses are still preserved in the Fort area. At first glance, Ron thought he had arrived in a European-style street.

"How is the rent here?"

"Not expensive. There are cheap ones. I guarantee I'll find the most suitable price."

"Okay, find a larger place. We need to hire more people."

"Okay! I have acquaintances. I know who to look for!" Anand shouted and hurried across the road.

Ron wanted to stop him, as there were still some details he hadn't finished discussing. However, thinking about the money he had recently made, he decided to relax for a while.

He planned to go to Victoria Terminus to take a look, as Anand's cousin Vinod was now taking care of things there.

After walking for fifteen minutes, he saw the iconic spire of Victoria Terminus.

If he could find a suitable office in the Fort area, that would be great too.

As Ron thought this, he unknowingly reached the entrance of the train station. There, he saw a familiar figure, Vijay.

He was one of Anand's friends and was now also working with Ron in the tourism business. At this moment, he was standing anxiously at the intersection, looking around.

"Vijay, who are you waiting for here? Did a guest get lost?"

"Mr. Sur!" Vijay turned his head and saw him, immediately rushing over in a panic. "Quick, there's trouble!"

"What?"

"Someone is here to cause trouble. They look very fierce!"

"Who? You need to tell me what's going on. Why are they here to cause trouble?"

"Several people. Vinod said they used to be local gangsters who also did business with foreigners."

Ron had some understanding in his heart. He guessed they were rival businesses coming to make trouble.

Indeed, their business had been so prosperous recently. Wealth stirs people's hearts; how could there not be jealous people?