Early the next morning, everyone drove to the location of Baleleka's father.
Several people paid attention to the rear many times along the way, but did not find any signs of tracking. This made several people feel even worse. It is impossible not to follow, but they did not find any clues, which means that the other party is strong enough.
Strong, so strong that they can't even detect satellites, drones, or other technologies. This is not a good sign.
As the car drove along the road, Baleleka's father did not live in a big city like Moscow. On the contrary, he lived in southern Russia, in a member state called the Republic of North Ossetia. According to Bayev, he
That's the king there.
After driving for a while, everyone began to move towards the airport. The Republic of North Ossetia was not accessible by car. They drove just to see if they could fish them out, but to actually go there, they still had to take a plane.
Owen was still a little uneasy about flying Aeroflot again. In fact, Aeroflot left a deep impression on him last time.
But he thought too much. Baleleka's father was very happy when he found out that his daughter was coming to see him (that's what Bayev said), and sent his own private plane overnight.
Although the pilot of the private jet is still Russian, the safety level should be much higher than that of Aeroflot.
The voyage was very fast, and Irving almost arrived after only one sleep.
After getting off the plane, a huge motorcade was waiting for them. Several people got into the huge bulletproof car in the middle. The motorcade started and headed towards the Balaleca family's estate.
"Miss Baleleka, welcome you back, the boss will be very happy..."
The driver in the driving seat obviously knew Baleleka, and everyone greeted Baleleka as soon as they got in the car.
"Long time no see, Nikolai..."
The driver named Nikolai did not continue to strike up a conversation, but just drove quietly. Owen noticed that Baleleka's brows furrowed into a frown.
The car kept driving, and it didn't look very prosperous along the way. This was a third-tier city in Russia. It couldn't be said to be dilapidated, but it wasn't much better. Owen didn't understand why Baleleka's father lived in such a place. With his financial resources,
It is absolutely possible to settle in Moscow.
Soon they saw a spacious and magnificent manor in an obvious Baroque style, and they thought a tall old man was standing at the door waiting.
Owen knew that it must be Balalaika's father, the Russian oligarch named Ulyanov.
"Oh, my little Balasha, you are finally willing to forgive me..."
As soon as Baleleka got out of the car, the old man came up to him with a smile.
Balasha is the pet name of Bale Leka, which is similar to the nicknames of Chinese children. Generally, fathers do not directly call their children by their names, but use nicknames.
Baleleka's expression was not very good, but she still let him hug her.
"Just come back. You don't know how much I've missed you these past few years."
The old man kissed Baleleka on the face, his face full of doting. Regardless of whether he was an oligarch or not, he was definitely a father who missed his daughter very much.
"Jesibaev..."
The old man hugged Bayev again, and then looked at Owen and Monica behind him.
"Oh, two distinguished guests, welcome to your arrival. This is the first time Balasha brings friends home, welcome to you..."
The old man saluted the two of them enthusiastically, and Owen and Monica hurriedly returned the salute. Baleleka's father did not look like a powerful oligarch at all, but more like an ordinary old Russian man who was hospitable.
"Let's go in."
The old man waved and took the lead in leading everyone inside. He wanted to hold his daughter's hand, but Balalaika didn't cooperate, so he had to give up.
After walking two steps, the voices of their parents were heard, and the three Bayev children ran out of the house and threw themselves into their mother's arms.
Seeing his child, Baleleka's dark face finally showed a smile. The old man behind this scene was even happier. His power has reached its peak, and he can't spend all his money in several lifetimes. What he desires most now is
Family affection, but his beloved little daughter has always regarded him as a devil. Today, he has the opportunity to repair it, and of course he must seize it.
Baleleka's father arranged a sumptuous banquet. Of course, this time it was just a family banquet, and there were no other people waiting. It was just their family plus Owen and Monica.
There is nothing special about the meal, but it is rich because the ingredients are all precious. French black truffles, Russia’s most famous black caviar, top-quality beef and mutton flown from other countries, and the vodka you drink is also
The top-notch kind, the kind you can't see on the market at all.
Owen was shocked by the degree of Hao. You know, black truffles and black caviar are usually sold by the gram, but here they are openly eaten.
The three children are not interested in these things. What they like to eat is a snack from Asia, melon seeds.
This stuff is all over the streets in China, but not everyone here can afford it. Oleg and Katya have had blisters at the mouth from eating melon seeds in the past few days, and Balelyka had to ban them from eating them anymore.
Such snacks.
Then after eating, Owen saw a scene that only existed in legends.
Baleleka's father's pet is a bear, to be precise, a bear that has not yet grown up. Irving asked the old man specifically, and the old man said that many people in Russia keep bears, which is not a strange thing.
But most of them raise bear cubs that they hunted during hunting and raised them when they were young. Bears raised in this way are actually domesticated bears, just like dogs, and will not harm their owners.
For example, right now, Katya, Oleg and Sonia are playing with the little bears. We are all like partners, and the little bears will not hurt the children.
Baleleka took the children to play, and when he found a free moment, the old man wanted to chat with everyone. As for the bug, of course it was left outside.
"Bayev has basically told me about the matter. You were eavesdropped, maybe because of your previous sensitive identity, or maybe because of me. Baleleka is my daughter. She suddenly returned to the country, and there must be various forces involved.
I'm trying to get her idea, and you, a foreigner, are the best way to break through."
Irving has also thought about this issue. He used to be a senior member of the CTU. Even if he is not now, if he comes to Russia rashly, the Russian intelligence agencies will definitely pay attention. It is indeed possible.
That's why he has not acted rashly. If he is being investigated because of this, then the opponent is most likely the famous Russian Federal Security Service (FSB). Facing such an opponent, it is best for him to pretend not to know.
"But don't worry too much. You are absolutely safe here. I will arrange for professionals to handle the follow-up matters. You can just play here for a while with peace of mind. Just treat it as a vacation."
"Thank you so much."
Irving expressed his thanks, but the old man waved his hand, "They are not necessarily targeting you, it is more likely because of me, so you don't have to be polite. Russia's attitude towards oligarchs has not been very friendly recently. The current president is a strong figure. The FSB has always existed, but the two sides have not yet broken up."
"Actually, I have not wanted to be an oligarch for a long time. This position seems to have unlimited glory, but secretly it is full of swords and swords. I am old and no longer have the ambition I had when I was young. Balaleka's older brothers are all older because of my competitive character. I lost my life so easily, that’s why Baleleka hates me so much. Now I just want to be a rich man and grow up with Katya and the others. I even thought about disbanding the Moscow Hotel, but no one can give it to me. A strong guarantee..."
Baleleka's father now looks like a nagging old man, and Owen doesn't look like an oligarch at all in him. He feels a bit like a hero in his twilight years.
Owen didn't know whether he was expressing these words sincerely or if he was speaking to someone. Perhaps, there were people from the FSB listening in this room.