Chapter 17: The Item for You

The sweet words left Zhou Ming and Lin Muqing momentarily stunned. They weren't surprised by the other's standard Mandarin but were taken aback by the appearance of such a beautiful girl.

The girl, around twenty years old, had a tall and slender figure. She was dressed in a well-fitted business suit that perfectly highlighted her curves, especially her long and elegant legs, which would undoubtedly excite leg enthusiasts. Her fair skin and golden hair, styled in an elegant updo, framed her delicate, doll-like face. Her light green eyes were currently fixed on Zhou Ming and Lin Muqing with a gentle smile.

Zhou Ming had seen foreign beauties before. A year ago, when he visited Yanjing, he had encountered a mysterious foreign girl at a school. That girl was also very beautiful, but she had an aura of sanctity that seemed to say "keep away," whereas this girl gave off a different, indescribable feeling.

Men naturally appreciate beautiful women, but Zhou Ming didn't dare do so at this moment because he could feel Lin Muqing's gaze fixed on him.

So Zhou Ming merely glanced briefly and then composed himself. He addressed Karelina, "Hello, Miss Karelina, I am Zhou Ming. May I ask what brings you here?"

Karelina was not surprised by Zhou Ming's response. In fact, since she started speaking, her gaze had been fixed on Zhou Ming. She smiled and nodded, "Well, Mr. Zhou Ming, I am your contact person. Mr. Mehta sent me to meet with you today."

Zhou Ming and Lin Muqing had anticipated this, but hearing Karelina confirm it was still surprising. They had speculated that the contact person might be a trained agent or an expert in financial warfare, not someone as beautiful as Karelina. It made them wonder if this was part of a beauty trap. However, given the situation, it didn't seem necessary to use such tactics.

When the bank manager had led Karelina in, Zhou Ming and Lin Muqing hadn't realized she was the contact person because her appearance was quite like that of a bank employee.

As Zhou Ming was thinking this, Karelina spoke again, "Since I've introduced myself, aren't you going to offer me a seat, Mr. Zhou Ming?"

"Sorry for my rudeness. Please, have a seat, Miss Karelina," Zhou Ming said, making a gesture for her to sit and asking the bank staff to bring her a coffee.

Once she was seated, Zhou Ming asked, "Please forgive me, Miss Karelina. I didn't expect the person coming to contact me would be someone as beautiful as you. I remember when I called earlier, a man answered. I thought he would be the one to contact me. I'm not sure if you are a financial expert or something else?"

"No, Mr. Zhou Ming, you must be mistaken," Karelina shook her head. "I am neither a financial expert nor a trained agent. I'm here simply as your guide. Being a native of Northern Russia and having lived in the capital, Krisco, for over ten years, I am well-acquainted with the country's politics, economy, and culture. So you have no need to worry."

If Zhou Ming and Lin Muqing were surprised to hear that Karelina was the contact person, they were utterly confused by her next words.

The reason was simple: the so-called Dota Plan was aimed at the Soviet Union, intending to topple it and seize its national wealth through financial means—another form of aggression, potentially more destructive than the war over forty years ago.

Now the question was, why was Karelina chosen as their contact person if she clearly knew the Dota Plan was meant to invade her homeland? Did she lack a sense of national honor or was she eager to act as a guide?

Zhou Ming and Lin Muqing exchanged looks, seeing surprise and confusion in each other's eyes.

They certainly wouldn't blindly trust Karelina based on her single statement. However, for some identities that could be easily verified, there was no need for deception.

Zhou Ming pondered for a moment and finally asked, "Miss Karelina, may I ask what you know about your role as my contact? Are you aware of what the Dota Plan is?"

Karelina nodded and answered, "Of course I know. It is meant to destroy my homeland."

This answer further puzzled Zhou Ming and Lin Muqing. However, Karelina's next words clarified things for them.

Karelina said, "Mr. Zhou Ming, don't jump to conclusions. I understand and support the Dota Plan because it aims to overthrow my homeland. But I am not without a sense of national and ethnic honor. On the contrary, it is precisely because I have such honor that I support this plan. The current state does not represent the people but rather the detestable bureaucrats. Such a state must collapse!"

Karelina's tone was firm, and despite her restraint, Zhou Ming and Lin Muqing could detect a hint of resolve and hatred in her voice.

Clearly, if Karelina wasn't just putting on an act, she was someone who had suffered under Soviet oppression and harbored deep resentment towards the Soviet regime and its ruling class. This led her to actively participate in the Dota Plan, aiming to topple the current regime and seek justice for herself and the oppressed populace.

"I see," Zhou Ming nodded, "However, I hope you understand that I won't sympathize with you because of what you said. I am not here to help build an ideal country for your nation. I am just a capitalist here to make money and even plunder your country's wealth."

Zhou Ming emphasized the last part, his eyes fixed intently on Karelina.

Indeed, Karelina's first reaction to Zhou Ming's statement was anger, but it soon turned to deep sadness. She replied, "Let it be plundered. Whether by you or by those high-ranking bureaucrats and powerful families, it will never end up in the hands of ordinary people. It's the same no matter who takes it, don't you think?"

"Miss Karelina, you have quite the perspective," Zhou Ming said with a smile.

"Whether I have perspective or not, I can't change anything," Karelina sighed and then changed the subject, "But Mr. Zhou Ming, you don't plan to keep questioning my views during our meeting, do you?"

"Alright, I misspoke earlier," Zhou Ming admitted openly. "So back to the main topic, I don't understand why you, or rather, your side, specifically asked me to come here."

"Mr. Mehta instructed me to deliver some items to you. I've already had the bank staff retrieve them from the safe," Karelina said.

As expected.

Zhou Ming and Lin Muqing had anticipated this, so Karelina's answer didn't surprise them. What intrigued Zhou Ming was the identity of Mr. Mehta.

"Who is Mr. Mehta?" Zhou Ming asked.

Karelina replied, "Mr. Mehta is the host of this Dota Plan. Although he is also President Logan's most trusted financial warfare expert, employed by the White House and a senior official of the intelligence agency, his special status means he has been researching financial warfare possibilities for over a decade. Therefore, Western media have never reported on him, so it's not surprising that you haven't heard of him."

"I see," Zhou Ming said. Actually, Zhou Ming was not unfamiliar with Mr. Mehta's name. In his previous life, he had specifically looked up information about Mr. Mehta and knew that after the Dota Plan, he was persecuted by the US government, imprisoned, and even faced attempts on his life. However, due to his refusal to reveal the whereabouts of the funds and protection from some Western conglomerates, he managed to survive.

Zhou Ming was aware of these events. What surprised him was that Mr. Mehta actually existed in this world. Later, the Dota Plan was proven to be false, and Mr. Mehta was considered a non-existent figure. Zhou Ming's current experience confirmed the truth of these events.

While Zhou Ming and Karelina were talking, the bank manager entered with a female staff member carrying a brown paper bag.

"Ms. Karelina, here are all the items from your safe," the bank manager said.

Karelina took the paper bag, thanked the bank manager, and after he and the staff left the VIP room, she handed the bag to Zhou Ming. "These are the items Mr. Mehta wanted to give you. Inside, there is a phone for contacting this plan and some materials related to the plan. Since you've inherited Mr. Tao Guoling's position, there is also some funds Mr. Mehta entrusted to keep. It's all here."

Zhou Ming opened the bag to check. It was not due to mistrust of Karelina or the bank, but just to be cautious.

After Zhou Ming finished checking, Karelina handed him a note. "This is my contact information. My task is complete now. If you're ready, you can call me to go to the Soviet Union anytime. For now, I'll take my leave."

Karelina stood up, bowed to Zhou Ming, and left the VIP room.