Kovalevitch grew anxious at once.
He knew full well that if he could establish a long-term, stable partnership with Lin Chenran, his life would take a major turn.
Wealth would accumulate like a snowball, and he could spend that money with a clear conscience, without worrying about certain domestic departments coming after him.
At the thought, Kovalevitch's breathing quickened, and greed gleamed in his eyes.
He cautiously asked, "Lin, my good friend, just how much merchandise do you have?"
Lin Chenran smiled faintly and answered with complete confidence, "As long as you need it, no matter the quantity, I can meet your demands."
Kovalevitch gasped sharply. His expression instantly turned grave, and disbelief filled his face.
He had thought Lin Chenran was merely an insignificant nobody. He had never expected him to say something like that.
Kovalevitch furrowed his brow and stared at Lin Chenran as he confirmed again, "Is what you said true? You have as much as anyone wants?"
The corners of Lin Chenran's lips lifted into a confident smile. He nodded without hesitation.
Seeing Lin Chenran's resolute gaze, Kovalevitch's trust in him instantly rose several levels.
Without sufficient connections and strength, there was no way he could have obtained such important trade documents between the two countries.
"And since this is our first time coming to Mao Xiong, we only brought ten thousand pairs of trousers, fifteen thousand long coats, twenty-five thousand scarves, and a large batch of canned fruits."
"We're just testing the waters and trying our luck!!!"
Lin Chenran spoke calmly, as though this shipment was only a tiny, insignificant fraction in his eyes.
Kovalevitch's eyes widened, his face filled with disbelief, as if he had just witnessed the most shocking thing in the world.
His gaze remained locked on Lin Chenran, as though he wanted to find the answer through his eyes.
The figure was far greater than he had imagined, completely beyond his expectations.
Kovalevitch's hands trembled slightly with excitement, and an indescribable thrill surged through him.
"This..."
Kovalevitch opened his mouth, trying to say something, only to find that his throat seemed blocked by something. He could only make incoherent sounds.
His mind was in utter chaos, filled with anticipation and joy for the future.
As expected of someone with complete trade approval documents!
The moment he made a move, it was truly extraordinary!
Just as Kovalevitch was immersed in his joy, his face suddenly darkened, as though a bucket of ice-cold water had been poured over him from head to toe.
He frowned, and his previously relaxed features instantly twisted together.
He realized a grave problem—he did not have enough liquid capital on hand to take all of Lin Chenran's light industrial goods.
Kovalevitch fell into deep conflict, his emotions rising and falling like a roller coaster.
He was unwilling to give up such a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
Kovalevitch forced himself to say, "Lin, my friend, how about this? I'll pay thirty percent of the goods first. Once I sell this batch of merchandise, I'll settle the remaining balance."
His voice grew softer and softer until it was nearly a mosquito's hum.
Clearly, even Kovalevitch himself had little confidence in this proposal.
"Kovalevitch, although we are friends, it isn't that I don't trust you. It's just that this batch of goods is quite large."
"Besides, I'm unfamiliar with Mao Xiong."
Though Lin Chenran phrased it tactfully, Kovalevitch could tell that he had rejected the proposal.
Indeed, never mind a friend he had just met—even the closest of brothers might swallow up this shipment.
When the time came, all sorts of tricks could be used: switching the goods, concealing the truth, vanishing without a trace.
Naturally, Lin Chenran would not agree to Kovalevitch's arrangement.
Hearing this, Kovalevitch wore an expression of immense pain.
"The cooked duck has flown away!!!"
"A huge pie has fallen from the sky, yet I can't even pick it up."
Kovalevitch: Ah! This feels worse than being killed.
Just as Kovalevitch was feeling utterly despondent, Lin Chenran's next words made his eyes light up, as though he had glimpsed a ray of hope.
"Kovalevitch, we may be friends, but even brothers must settle accounts clearly."
"If you can provide collateral as a guarantee, then I can consider accepting thirty percent of the payment first, with the rest to be settled after you resell this batch of goods."
A sly smile appeared on Lin Chenran's face.
That was right. He was leading Kovalevitch step by step into the carefully laid trap.
"Collateral?"
Kovalevitch hesitated, and a trace of vigilance rose in his heart.
Lin Chenran seemed to see through Kovalevitch's doubts. Smiling faintly, he said softly, "Kovalevitch, my good friend, don't be nervous."
"If there were really something wrong with me, your country's elite agents—the KGB—would probably have come knocking long ago."
After hearing this, Kovalevitch felt somewhat reassured.
Indeed, if Lin Chenran truly harbored ill intentions, KGB agents should have acted long ago.
Lin Chenran: The KGB? Most of them have already lost their original faith and are directly peddling supplies across Eastern Europe.
At that thought, Kovalevitch could not help becoming interested in Lin Chenran's proposal.
Seeing that Kovalevitch was tempted, Lin Chenran was delighted inside and knew there was a chance.
He decided to strike while the iron was hot and further introduced himself to Kovalevitch. "I am Lin Chenran, director of Yan Kingdom's 077 Machinery Military Factory."
"Our factory has now successfully transformed into a private enterprise, specializing in the production of various high-quality engineering vehicles."
"If you follow the international civilian engineering vehicle market, then I'm sure you have heard of our factory's star product—the Type 59 Civilian Engineering Vehicle!"
After hearing Lin Chenran's introduction, a trace of confusion flashed across Kovalevitch's face, as though he were trying hard to recall something.
Suddenly, his eyes lit up, and he said excitedly, "Oh, so it's you! I remember now. I think I heard about the Type 59 Civilian Engineering Vehicle before."
So that was it! No wonder he had become the head of a Third-tier Military Factory at such a young age. His connections and backing were actually so formidable!
Kovalevitch secretly sighed in admiration, while also feeling a burst of relief.
He knew that cooperating with someone with such powerful connections and backing would undoubtedly bring him enormous benefits.
Kovalevitch desperately wanted to carve out a path of profiteering with Lin Chenran.
Once this path succeeded, it would bring him endless wealth.
And that wealth would accumulate rapidly like a snowball, allowing him to live a prosperous life.
However, Kovalevitch knew clearly that no matter what, he could not cross that red line—he absolutely could not leak state secrets.
Only by holding that bottom line could he enjoy all of this with peace of mind.
Once he retired in the future, with the immense wealth he had accumulated, he believed he would certainly be able to live an exceedingly comfortable life back home.
At that thought, Kovalevitch's heart finally settled. He silently told himself, The timid starve, while the bold feast.
"Let's do it, brothers!!!"
If Lin Chenran knew what Kovalevitch was thinking, he would definitely sneer. Hold to your bottom line? Once money corrodes you, you won't be able to uphold the bottom line in your heart anymore.
Before you continue