160: Unpredictable

Seeing the restaurant's name, Xu Ning looked at Tanya in confusion, but immediately realized that since they had agreed to meet here, Mr. Makarov must already be inside.

Pushing the door open, the restaurant was quiet, with only one customer sitting at a table, awkwardly using chopsticks to pick up food.

From the back, that person was indeed Mr. Makarov.

"Mr. Makarov, that's not how you use chopsticks."

Hearing the voice, Mr. Makarov looked very surprised, evidently not expecting Xu Ning to actually come.

"You, you really came?"

"Of course, why would I break my promise?" Xu Ning replied with a smile.

Xu Ning's gaze inadvertently fell on the plate in front of Mr. Makarov, where he saw a dish of smashed cucumbers and a steaming bowl of Chongqing noodles.

"Want some?" Mr. Makarov smiled gently like a spring breeze.

"Whenever I'm exhausted, I always love to come here.

Although the chili is so spicy it makes my tongue jump, it can really lift my mood."

Xu Ning rubbed his stomach, seemingly responding to that long-lost taste of home: "Then I shall respectfully obey."

Since setting foot on this foreign land, he had not tasted authentic chinese cuisine for a long time, especially the mouth-watering flavors of Sichuan dishes.

"Boss, I'll have a bowl of pea and minced meat noodles, and some pickled radish and fold ear root," he said loudly.

The owner was clearly a compatriot from the East, and upon hearing this, immediately gave a thumbs-up in praise: "Young man, you have good taste.

We don't easily sell this fold ear root to outsiders, foreigners can't appreciate our good stuff.

Today I'll make an exception for you, it's on me."

Even in this era of globalization, many chinese are scattered across various corners of the world, creating unique chinese communities in foreign lands.

Whether they migrated here in the early days due to historical reasons or joined later, they are like tenacious seeds of life, deeply rooted in this new land.

Xu Ning smiled and thanked the Boss: "How could they understand how to enjoy such delicious food?"

"Exactly," the Boss echoed in agreement.

Then, Xu Ning asked with interest: "Boss, how long have you been here?"

The hand wiping the table paused for a moment, and the Boss recalled: "Oh, it's been almost twenty years now.

I came here with my second uncle back then, originally thinking it would just be a short stay... but once I stayed, I didn't want to leave anymore."

"It's not easy to go back now."

"Do you miss home?"

"Of course I do, but the income here is quite good.

Haha, life's pressures, nothing I can do about it."

Mr. Makarov, who had been observing for a long time, became very interested in their conversation and couldn't help but interject: "What were you two just talking about?"

Xu Ning chuckled lightly and replied casually: "We were talking about food.

The Boss praised me for knowing how to eat."

Before long, the steaming hot noodles and cold dishes were served.

Xu Ning pointed at the fold ear root on the plate and introduced: "Mr. Makarov, in my hometown Yizhou, this ingredient is quite famous.

Would you like to try it?"

"Oh? I haven't actually tried it before," Mr. Makarov's eyes sparkled with curiosity, and he carefully picked up a few pieces and put them in his mouth.

Immediately after, his facial expression became complex, "This... the taste is indeed... unique..."

Seeing this, Xu Ning also couldn't help but laugh, and he also tasted a bite of the fold ear root, his face beaming with a satisfied smile, "For people who like it, this is the ultimate delicacy; for those who are not used to it, it may take some time to adapt."

Mr. Makarov coughed a few times, his face showing a look of both confusion and respect, and praised in slightly stiff chinese: "Great Xia, cuisine, truly vast and profound."

Upon hearing this, Xu Ning could only respond with a wry smile, thinking to himself that he should tell him that the term "vast territory and abundant resources" was more appropriate, but on second thought, he decided against it.

After a few polite exchanges, they finished the meal.

After eating, the two prepared to leave Hulifuka.

Perhaps attracted by the unique charm of Xu Ning's jeep, Mr. Makarov suggested several times during the journey that Xu Ning drive this magical vehicle again.

After some consideration, Xu Ning agreed to Mr. Makarov's request.

After all, if he wanted to achieve the grand blueprint in his heart, appropriate investment was indispensable.

He decided to use this car as a bargaining chip, first whetting the other party's appetite.

When Ling Xi stopped in front of the hotel, Xu Ning specifically gave up the driver's seat for Mr. Makarov to experience.

Seeing the opportunity to personally drive such an extraordinary vehicle, Mr. Makarov immediately became energetic.

He quickly sat in the car and started the engine smoothly, clearly cherishing this opportunity greatly.

During the drive, Xu Ning began to introduce the various functions equipped on the car in detail: from armor capable of withstanding rocket attacks to powerful weapon systems, including heavy machine guns, flamethrowers, and small grenade launchers.

As one astonishing feature after another was revealed, the surprise on Mr. Makarov's face became increasingly evident, and he even directly expressed his intention to purchase it, regardless of the high price.

Xu Ning was a little surprised by this reaction.

Who would have thought that this shipyard Boss would have such a strong interest in cars?

Perhaps this was related to the unsatisfactory quality of volga sedans during the Soviet Union era.

He remembered one time when a high-ranking official visited the United States and made a fool of himself because he was infatuated with the President's car.

Nikolaev was not too far from Hulifuka, but it still took over three hours to drive.

At half past two in the morning, they finally reached their destination.

Mr. Makarov skillfully parked the car and turned to Xu Ning, saying: "We'll rest here tonight and go to the shipyard tomorrow."

Xu Ning nodded in agreement, rubbing his face vigorously to try and shake off his tiredness.

Mr. Makarov smiled and comforted him, saying: "The first time I stayed up all night driving, I was as exhausted as you are.

It's all because Skorlov is always elusive; I can only find him in his office at six in the morning.

Therefore, I have to set off late at night, stay here overnight, and then get up early to meet him.

One time I even overslept, and as a result, even his secretary didn't know where he had gone."

Speaking of this, Mr. Makarov couldn't help but shake his head, a helpless smile appearing on his face.

Xu Ning nodded gently, realizing the situation.

Now he finally understood why Mr. Makarov insisted on setting off after nightfall.

This old gentleman's behavior was indeed unusual and unpredictable.

Stepping into the hotel, when he stretched out and lay on the soft bed, his brain, which should have fallen asleep, was unusually clear.

This visit to Nikolaev was too hasty, so much so that he didn't even have time to gather his Hunter Vulture Squad.

However, the opportunity for a nuclear-powered aircraft carrier could not be missed; this was a gamble he had to go all out for.

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