Chapter 627 - 12: Farewell, Ivan
The early spring temperature in Moscow remains around 22°.
Tree branches have just sprouted new buds, but flowers have yet to bloom.
The ice on the lake in Sokolniki Park has only thawed recently, and people are already taking boats to play on the lake. On the shore, people often walk their dogs, enjoying the warm sunshine after the long winter.
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The Russia-Ukraine conflict has yet to end, and Pushkin International Airport, located in the northern enclave of Moscow, remains under lockdown, with armed soldiers visible everywhere.
To increase the efficiency of his actions, Chen Zhou specially brushed up on Russian for three months.
He originally had some foundation, and thanks to his physical fitness, his memory greatly improved. Using three months, he managed to learn Russian roughly, and communicating with others was no longer a problem.
After disembarking the plane, Chen Zhou headed straight to his booked hotel. Then, like a normal tourist, he wandered around the popular sights such as Red Square, Saint Basil’s Cathedral, and the Kremlin.
After spending three full days in downtown Moscow, he went to a shop to purchase an electric bike, and slowly explored towards the suburbs.
Russia is vast and sparsely populated; once out of the urban area, the countryside is mostly green spaces and open parks.
The residential areas here are mostly open, without walls or fences. Cycling past shopping malls, the back is already primitive forest.
Near the forest park, you can often see people hanging feeding bottles for birds or squirrels, and even meticulously crafted wooden huts for small animals to reside.
In addition, there are plenty of small pavilions for people to rest, but the wild roads are very narrow and are not maintained throughout the year, so much so that Chen Zhou had to cycle through wild grass after making a loop.
Even though Moscow is Russia’s largest city, due to Russia’s small population, Moscow is overly large.
As Chen Zhou approached "Ivan’s treasure site" step by step based on the map, far from the city edge, he gradually saw almost no one.
Large groves of linden trees grow alongside the road due to Moscow’s high latitude, close to the Arctic Circle. Even in the afternoon, the sky remains very bright.
Being in a foreign land, in the wild forest, Chen Zhou quite felt like he was returning to an isolated island, finding it much more comfortable compared to life in the modern metropolis.
Thinking carefully, maybe it’s because he bears so many secrets, afraid of leaking them in front of others, hence he loves such a deserted area.
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As the electric bike crossed the tarmac road, the nearer it got to Ivan’s treasure site, the more desolate the surroundings appeared.
Finally, at the edge of a woodland, Chen Zhou applied the brakes, stopping forward movement—
Dark green pine forests seemed to form a wall, isolating the treasure site from the outside world. Only a few paths, covered by wild grass, cut through the dense forest, allowing further exploration inward.
However, in this desolate area, a broad concrete road was built. Looking from the start of the concrete road to the end, a vast complex of buildings is faintly visible.
From afar, Chen Zhou could hear the roars of wild beasts from within the complex, the bloody smell unique to fresh meat, and the stench of animal droppings.
Despite the map not marking it, Chen Zhou knew this was Ivan’s private zoo.
Going further, it will enter the surveillance zone, and his secret intention to come to Russia will thus be exposed.
From the Ivan Clan’s historical past, it can be seen that throughout Russia, they are a giant lurking "underwater." Once their sensitive nerves are touched, trouble is inevitable.
Although Chen Zhou’s physical fitness is far superior to ordinary people, this is the 21st century, and even a strong-bodied human can’t withstand a few bullets, let alone a giant elephant.
Especially being in a foreign country, he must be even more cautious and careful.
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Pretending to pause briefly beside the zoo, drinking a bottle of water, eating two pieces of waffle purchased at a local shop, Chen Zhou then cycled a bit further, only returning to the city at seven in the evening.
A round trip took the entire day. When Chen Zhou returned to his hotel in the Western District of Moscow, not far from the embassy, even in the high-latitude area, the sky was already covered with countless stars.
Parking the electric bike in the hotel’s charging spot, Chen Zhou walked into the hotel lobby on the first floor, intending to go to the dining area for a dinner, but unexpectedly spotted a familiar figure—
It was Ivan, the elderly man from Russia suspected to have lived for nearly a century, sitting at the street-facing side, watching him from afar.
His white hair and black suit were particularly striking among the vividly colored decors.
Moreover, on the table beside him, despite only having himself, there lay two glasses of wine.
Seeing Chen Zhou looking his way, Ivan’s thin lips slightly lift, moving his dense mustache.
Standing up, Ivan politely extended his hand, seeming to invite Chen Zhou for dinner.
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With pupils slightly shrinking, Chen Zhou hesitated for no more than a second, unsure if it was coincidence or if his track had long been exposed.
He was certain Ivan did not know his true purpose—
After all, the documents within the safe were viewed in another world; ever since the challenge ended, he never showed them to anybody else.
Under such circumstances, Ivan could at most suspect Chen Zhou had another agenda for coming to Moscow, but definitely wouldn’t connect it to his hidden past with the 10003 Unit.
Besides, it might well be another "coincidence."
Moscow is Ivan’s territory; as long as he’s willing, capturing a friend’s trail isn’t difficult, and orchestrating an "encounter" is even simpler.
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While walking towards Ivan, Chen Zhou already came up with many thoughts.
Having confirmed Ivan couldn’t possibly know the secrets he held, Chen Zhou decided to remain passive, concocting some excuses to get past the moment and make other plans once back home.