Although Zelyushenko had been marked as a "capitalist's lackey" on the list Sophia provided, Li Ye felt that he was the person who best fit the type of man under the banner of "Red Soviet Russia" among everyone Li Ye had met since arriving in Soviet Russia.
Stubborn, obstinate, arrogant—and even after gaining power, still willing to call the majority of ordinary workers brothers.
So when Li Ye saw him "selling" his former worker brothers to jobs beyond the border for prices ranging from 200 to 500 US dollars, he immediately developed a keen interest in the man.
After all, Li Ye had studied economics, and once his trip to Soviet Russia was over, he would still have to write a paper on Soviet Russia's dramatic economic transformation.
Wouldn't a minor figure like Zelyushenko, whose changes before and after had been so immense, make an excellent subject of study?
So, just as Zelyushenko took the money and prepared to leave, Li Ye suddenly stopped him.
"Comrade Zelyushenko, interested in having a drink together?"
Zelyushenko, who had been somewhat anxious to leave, immediately broke into a smile.
In Soviet Russia, no man would refuse an invitation to "have a drink." If he refused, then invite him to "have two drinks."
The two did not go anywhere else. They simply found a room in Jin Peng's building, had Xiao Qi serve as interpreter, and with wine and dishes before them, they clinked glasses and drank to their hearts' content.
After two cups of liquor, Zelyushenko's face reddened. Then he looked at Li Ye and asked, "When you saw me just now, did you find it strange?"
Li Ye smiled. He rather admired Zelyushenko.
But then again, since Zelyushenko had managed to become the Labor Union leader of a major enterprise, his eyes