Chapter 97

The Bear Kingdom is Now Mine Chapter 97

097 Take Whatever You Want / Two Months Later, the Trans-Siberian Railway Groundbreaking Ceremony

In the heart of London, at The Ulsley Restaurant.

Nikolai and Denis were with Alona, who had left work earlier than usual.

The customers at the restaurant were showing deep interest in the table where Nikolai and his companions were seated.

First, it was due to the outstanding appearances of the two.

Second, it was because of the bodyguards surrounding them.

Not only inside the restaurant, but also outside, the presence of bodyguards made people wonder if they were foreign celebrities.

"Can I ask you a few personal questions?"

At Denis's question, Alona nodded.

"What do your parents do?"

"Bro, why ask that?"

"No, it's fine. My father runs a grain company in Ukraine, and my mother is a housewife."

In fact, Nikolai also wanted to ask various questions, but he held back, thinking it would be impolite on their first meeting. Thanks to Denis, he learned a lot.

Denis asked a few more questions for his younger brother.

A 23-year-old from Ukraine.

Graduated from a prestigious British university in two years.

Joined ARM through a recommendation from a university professor.

"Is there a reason you chose to major in computer engineering?"

"In the past, grains were important, but I believe semiconductors will dominate the future."

Semiconductors will dominate the future.

What a remarkable insight.

To have such insight at just 23 years old.

"Given your impressive credentials, which would have allowed you to join companies like Apple or Microsoft, why did you choose ARM?"

"I wanted to do research related to design after graduation. It just so happened that ARM, recommended by my professor, had such a department, so I chose it."

Her eyes sparkled like diamonds under the restaurant lights.

Since the topic of semiconductors came up, Nikolai asked this time.

"You mentioned that semiconductors will dominate the future. What makes you so confident about that?"

She looked at Nikolai intently for a moment, then formed a small dimple.

"It's similar to the reason why a huge amount of money was invested to lay fiber optic cables across Russia."

"…!"

Nikolai almost spat out the wine he was drinking.

"You seem to know a lot about me?"

"I know a lot about you, sir. I knew before, but I learned even more after hearing that you would be visiting our company."

Though her words were bold, Nikolai felt more affection for her, who looked like a child in her innocence.

"Can I ask you a few questions now?"

She seemed to have answered so far because she wanted to ask questions herself.

Denis smiled, finding it amusing.

"Go ahead."

"Why are you bringing North Koreans to plant trees in the Gobi Desert to make it habitable?"

"…."

It was a direct question.

"Because it's a crucial part of the future I envision."

"…."

She was silent for a moment, thinking about the meaning, then asked again.

"You've only invested in IT companies. Is this also a crucial part of your vision of the future?"

"Something like that."

Nikolai found the conversation with her interesting.

Not only because he had never had such a personal conversation with a young woman before, but also because he felt a strong connection with her.

The two continued to talk a lot.

However, more of the conversation was personal rather than business-related.

"Thank you for the wonderful time. I'll see you at the office tomorrow."

"Yes, it was really a great time for me too."

After seeing her home, Nikolai headed to Denis's house.

* * *

Woof!

As he entered the mansion, a Maltese dog barked at Nikolai.

"Quiet, Coco."

"Coco, it's okay. He's my brother."

"Hello, young master."

"Are you well, sister-in-law? It's the first time I've seen you since the wedding. I should have visited more often, I'm sorry."

"Oh, don't say that."

Denis's wife's belly was quite swollen.

As his brother looked at her belly in amazement, Denis said proudly,

"That's where my genes are growing."

"How many months now?"

"Seven months. It won't be long before it's born."

"I want to see my niece or nephew soon. How's married life?"

Nikolai took off his jacket and sat on the living room sofa.

"Of course it's good. So far, at least."

"So far, what do you mean?"

"When I asked older people, they all said the same thing. The first three years are like honey, but after that, who knows. So, so far, it's good."

"Are you talking about me?"

His wife, who only spoke Russian, asked in English as she placed a drink on the table. Denis smiled and replied,

"Yes. I said the honeymoon is great."

She narrowed her eyes at Denis for a moment, then turned to Nikolai.

"I talked to your mother yesterday. She said you went on a blind date. How was it?"

She didn't know much Russian, so they spoke in English.

"It was okay."

"Your mother was worried. You're the only one left. Since you can meet any woman you want, wouldn't it be better to get married before you turn 30?"

"Yes... I guess."

She looked like a typical French beauty, but her speaking style reminded Nikolai of the French actress 'Ida Doisy' he saw on TV when he was young.

As she blinked, Denis shrugged and said,

"I was fooled. She wasn't like this when we were dating. I thought she was shy because she didn't talk much, but now she talks more than me."

Denis glanced at what his wife was doing and lowered his voice.

"She's a bit clingy. I understand it's because I'm so great, but, brother, if you're thinking about an international marriage, think carefully. I'm speaking from the heart as your older brother."

Nikolai found it amusing that his brother, who had a wife from the 'Gabrielle Coco Chanel' family, was giving such advice.

"Are you talking about me again?"

She would keep asking if they only spoke in Russian.

"I said the honeymoon is great. I also told her to get married as soon as possible."

"That's right. I also want to get married soon. If you have someone in mind, I can introduce you."

"No, thank you."

"What a shame."

He had just developed a liking for a woman and couldn't ask for another introduction now.

"But, young master, I use Amazon when I'm bored."

"Oh, you're an Amazon customer too?"

Amazon had entered the UK market, and after selling all 30% of his shares, he had bought them back, increasing his stake to 39%.

"Not often, just occasionally. I thought it would be nice if the payment process was a bit easier. Can you tell Mr. Jeff Bezos?"

"Haha, you're the only one who would tell the Amazon CEO that directly. It's hilarious. Is it because you're from the Chanel family? Hehe."

"What's so funny? It's a customer's suggestion to improve service quality."

"You're right, sister-in-law. I'll call and see if there's a way."

Nikolai laughed inside but held it back.

"By the way, I told the city store. If you need anything, feel free to take it. You can take anything from the store."

"Are you telling someone who can buy hundreds of luxury brands to take whatever they want? Pay for it."

"If you think about money, you can't accept gifts. At the very least, you should give a top-of-the-line yacht. I just want to give a small gift."

"Thank you, sister-in-law. I'll stop by when I have time."

The brothers had a good time, which they hadn't had in a long time.

Actually, Nikolai was both grateful and guilty towards Denis.

He was very grateful that Denis had taken care of everything that happened abroad during the early days of the business.

However, he felt guilty for not being able to come to Russia more often because of that.

On the other hand, he also thought it was a good decision to send him abroad.

Because he married such a good woman.

"I bought a lot of the hero character rights we talked about before."

"What did you buy?"

"The hero rights from Marvel were scattered, so it was a bit of a hassle…."

The film rights for Marvel Comics were divided among 20th Century Fox, Universal Studios, Sony Pictures (Columbia Pictures), New Line Cinema, and Lionsgate, starting in 1965.

Nikolai had bought these scattered rights for Blackhole Entertainment.

"I gathered most of them. A few are left, but we're negotiating the price, so it should be done by the end of the year. Because of this, Hollywood is starting to pay attention to Blackhole Entertainment."

"Good job, brother."

"Why do you keep getting attention no matter what you do? And on a global scale. Oh, by the way, director James Cameron sent a script."

"Director of Alien 2?"

James Cameron was someone Nikolai knew well, though not personally, he knew the movies he had made.

"Yes. I read a bit, and it's about blue aliens on an alien planet…."

Nikolai tilted his head as Denis explained.

'This movie production started 9 years ago? Hmm. It must be because he's looking for investors with the script.'

"What do you think? Just from the explanation, you can't get a feel for it, right?"

"No, I can. Invest. As much as possible."

"You don't have to decide right away."

"I love sci-fi movies. Don't you remember the first time we saw Star Wars when we were young?"

"Haha, we were both shocked and stunned."

"Give him the investment he wants."

"This smells like a big hit again. When you say it so briefly, it usually is."

"I just want to see a space movie."

"You're the type who just makes the movies you want to see. You're amazing. Haha."

This was the moment 'Avatar,' the highest-grossing movie of all time, met Nikolai.

"Also, keep buying shares in other film companies."

"I've been looking into it since you told me to buy Disney shares."

"Blackhole Entertainment needs to do its part too."

"That's true."

"Whenever you make a movie, regardless of the genre, make sure to include Russia in the background."

"It's fine, but wouldn't it be a bit much to always include Russia?"

"…If so, include Korea sometimes too."

"Why include Korea?"

"It's the owner's decision."

"You have no argument."

After finishing the conversation, Nikolai went back to ARM the next day and signed the contract confidently.

"The research facility should be moved to Russia."

"Is there a special reason?"

"It's our policy that all headquarters and research facilities of Blackhole subsidiaries should be in Russia."

"Ah, I see. I'll do that."

This policy was established to prevent the leakage of core technologies in all businesses.

Additionally, he planned to create a specialized city for research and gather infrastructure by placing all research facilities in Russia.

"I'll make sure you have ample research funds. Also, the welfare level of employees will be raised to Blackhole standards."

"Thank you."

After the final greeting with the ARM CEO, Nikolai went into London with Alona.

"Are you really going to take it?"

At Denis's question, Nikolai nodded to the side.

"Oh, a gift for Alona?"

As they entered the Chanel store, the manager, who already knew Denis, greeted them respectfully.

"Hello, it's been a while."

"Did my wife call you?"

"Yes, I received the call."

Seeing Alona tilt her head, Nikolai said calmly,

"Thanks to Alona, I finished my work smoothly. So, I thought I'd give her a gift."

"You don't have to. I just did my job as an employee."

"No, I wouldn't feel good if I didn't. Please choose whatever you like. The number doesn't matter."

"…!"

As a journalist, she never dreamed of such an opportunity, but if it ever came, she would have wanted to try it.

Alona kept refusing, but with repeated persuasion from Nikolai and Denis, she chose several items.

Then Nikolai shook his head.

"More. Choose about 20 more."

"Really?"

She kept refusing, but she started shopping with the envious looks of the store staff.

* * *

Two months later, Nikolai attended the groundbreaking ceremony for the Trans-Siberian Railway, watched by major broadcasters from around the world.