That year the flowers bloomed 1981

Chapter 1316 is all about friends praising each other.

The hotel that Bian Jingjing arranged was also near the Chinese Embassy in Russia, which pleased everyone in the delegation.

After all, being in a foreign country, knowing that there is a place nearby that can support you will definitely make you feel more at ease.

As a result, Mr. and Mrs. Sun Xianjin received praise from Deputy Director Liang, who was leading the team.

"Wow, Sun, your wife is quite capable! This hotel is really nice, and I saw the five-star red flag of the embassy on my way here; it's only a few hundred meters away."

Bian Jingjing smiled generously and said, "I only helped a little; most of the work was done by my more capable colleagues. Turn left at the hotel exit, walk about 200 meters, then turn right again, and that's our embassy."

In addition, I arranged several vehicles for everyone to use, and some of the drivers were from mainland China. I couldn't help with the translation, documentation, and other issues; those were all resolved by Director Wang and his team.”

"."

It has to be said that Bian Jingjing really made Sun Xianjin look good this time.

Although the ministry sent a section chief surnamed Wang to "pave the way," it still relied heavily on Bian Jingjing's cooperation.
However, when Deputy Director Liang praised her, Bian Jingjing didn't shy away from saying, "It's all what I should do."
She only lightly mentioned the small contribution she should make as Sun Xianjin's wife, attributing all the rest of the work to Director Wang, who had paved the way.

It has to be said how lucky it is for an ambitious and motivated employee to have a supportive wife like Bian Jingjing.
It's rare to find a team that doesn't hold others back, doesn't offend anyone, and still makes everyone feel the "benefits."

And look at those fallen heroes and great men, how many of them fell from the pinnacle of power to hell because of their wives' shortsightedness and folly?

. . . . . . . .

In 1991, Suzhou was still basking in the glow of being ranked among the world's top two. At least the hotel where Li Ye stayed was well-equipped, luxuriously decorated, and had 24-hour hot water.

As soon as Li Ye put down his luggage, Liang Si's assistant told him and Lao Shao to quickly take a shower and change clothes.

"Team Leader Shao, Deputy Team Leader Li, Comrade Sun Xianjin has just contacted two of his classmates. They say they have some time tonight, so Director Liang would like you to go and visit them together."

"Okay okay."

Li Ye and Lao Shao quickly tidied themselves up, changed into new clothes, and went to meet up with Sun Xianjin.

When Li Ye arrived at Sun Xianjin's room, he found that Deputy Commander Liang was also there.

The other party gave some instructions on discipline, and then sent a translator to accompany Li Ye, Lao Shao, and others.

This is a unique feature of China: Sun Xianjin is fluent in Russian, and Lao Shao also knows some Russian, but they still have a translator with them.
Since neither Sun Xianjin nor Lao Shao are professional translators, there must be someone to vouch for them on issues that require accountability. This also aligns with the Chinese tradition of "mutual supervision."

After the four of them went outside, they found that two cars were already waiting for them. Li Ye glanced at the driver's seat and smiled.

Jiang Shiqi, Qu Qingyou, and his two bodyguards were all present.

Bian Jingjing said that she had prepared reliable drivers and guides for the inspection team, so these two people must be reliable.

Li Ye and Lao Shao got into Jiang Shiqi's car, and then asked him, "Lao Jiang, when did you arrive? Are you familiar with the roads around here?"

Jiang Shiqi smiled and said, "I just arrived the day before yesterday. I lived in Moscow for over a year before, so I know the roads very well." Li Ye said seriously, "You still need to familiarize yourself with the area. What if there are road construction sites? What if the route has been changed in the last few years?"

Jiang Shiqi said embarrassedly, "Yes, yes, I'll take a look around the area these next couple of days."

Hearing their conversation, Lao Shao asked in surprise, "Xiao Li, you two know each other?"

Li Ye spoke frankly: "Our unit has a limited number of drivers for the inspection team, but since we're in this chaotic place, we need someone we can trust, so we thought of a way to work around it."

Old Shao wholeheartedly agreed, saying, "Yes, yes, the driver is very important, especially in this situation."

In 1991, during the Great Mao era, the importance of drivers and translators was self-evident. If a translator was unreliable, you would experience what it meant to be completely irrelevant, like someone who sold you out and then still had to count the money for you.

If the driver is dishonest, they might take you into a back alley after just one turn.

It's good if a few tall, black-stockinged women are standing in the alley; what if there were a dozen or so burly men? It's not impossible that they'd be completely stuffed in his pants pockets.
The two cars drove through half the city and arrived at a quiet luxury villa more than half an hour later.

Looking at the villa, which covered several thousand square meters but was clearly sparsely populated, Old Shao couldn't help but say, "Sun Xianjin said this classmate's father was barely considered a political figure in Soviet Russia, but now, it's quite astonishing."

Li Ye chuckled and said, "Who knows? I used to think Sun Xianjin was just bragging."

Sun Xianjin was a "star" in the inspection team because he had studied there for several years and claimed that many of his classmates came from prominent political families in Jiangsu Province, which is why he was highly regarded by the ministry leaders.
However, there are also skeptics. After all, the opportunities for advancement are highly competitive, and Sun Xianjin is unlikely to be "modest and conservative" at this time. He might very well boast a bit.

But looking at the current situation, at least Lao Shao believes that what Sun Xianjin said is true.

Everyone knows that before the collapse of the Soviet Union, corruption among the powerful and wealthy was extremely serious. Deputy Director Liang even warned Lao Shao and others to be vigilant.
On the other hand, just like you need to buy a luxury car to do business, how can we know if you're truly powerful and wealthy if you don't appear corrupt on the outside? Since everyone's here to buy at rock-bottom prices, you can't get anything done without finding powerful and wealthy people to help!
Li Ye and his group's car slowly approached the main house, and then they saw a young man and woman already waiting on the steps at the entrance of the main house.
After Sun Xianjin got out of the car, the other party hugged him warmly, and at least on the surface, they seemed to have a very good personal relationship.

Seeing the tall woman warmly embracing Sun Xianjin, Li Ye wondered if this woman was Sun Xianjin's "Natasha".

But the next moment, Sun Xianjin began to introduce: "Seryozha, these are my colleagues Shao Jinhui, Chen Shuhua, and Sofia. This is Li Ye, the kung fu master I told you about."

The woman named Sophia had already glanced at Li Ye a few times, and after hearing Sun Xianjin's introduction, her eyes lit up even more.

She extended her hand to shake Li Ye's, smiling as she said, "Sun used to talk about you a lot, saying you were brave, tenacious, intelligent, and handsome. I thought he was just bragging at the time."

Li Ye was unusually embarrassed.

Although I am quite strong in combat and have decent looks, I always feel a little ashamed when it comes to intelligence and wisdom.

So Li Ye could only humbly change the subject: "It's just friendly flattery, please don't take it too seriously. I hope our visit today hasn't disturbed your and your family's peace and quiet."

Sofia paused for a moment, then smiled and said, "Of course not. This is Seryozha's own house. His father doesn't live here. I'm a guest just like you."

Li Ye and Lao Shao were both amazed.

Su'e isn't privately owned yet! A young man in his thirties can enjoy living conditions several times more luxurious than those of Teacher Ke and Wen Qingsheng.
[Sigh, Su E's breakdown is entirely justified.]

(End of this chapter)