CHAPTER 54: CHAPTER 54: THE CURRENT SITUATION OF THE FEMALE MODELS

After chatting with Natasha for a while, Chen Yiyang finally understood.

This Natasha is a legitimate print model who has been working in the country for four or five years.

Previously, she was a clothing model in southern cities and occasionally worked part-time as a cosplayer.

In the past year or two, with the rapid deterioration of the economic situation in Belarus, Cossack, and Russia, more and more models have come to work in the country.

Natasha was caught up with no choice but to come to Jin City to freelance.

Although there are fewer job opportunities in Jin City compared to the south, the work isn’t as competitive, and without a team leader taking a cut, she’s earning decently.

"Boss, you seem like you haven’t been to a comic convention much." The little accountant explained to Chen Yiyang, "Natasha is now a must-invite guest at major conventions in Jin City."

"Speaking of which, you’re the one who introduced Natasha to Jin City, right? How did you two meet?" Chen Yiyang was a bit curious.

"Back when the engineering team was making money, the contractors often went south to dine and drink. When I followed them, a contractor took a liking to Natasha and asked me to deliver gifts to her in hopes of courting her."

"And what was the result?"

"The result was obviously nothing," Natasha shrugged, and then said, "I wouldn’t mind dating here, but our team leader manages us very strictly and doesn’t allow us to go out alone usually."

Then Natasha gave Chen Yiyang an overview of the situation for models in the country before the war between Cossack and Russia started.

In fact, back then, even if girls were willing to model, Europe was generally their first choice.

So to convince these Eastern European girls to come to the country as models, the team leader’s personal reputation had to be very good.

Moreover, due to the short career span of models, once the girls were brought over by the team leaders, the leaders would desperately secure jobs for them.

Meanwhile, they would strictly oversee these young girls to prevent them from dating or fooling around, which could affect their work performance.

As for asking the girls to do illegal part-time jobs, that was even more impossible. If such news got back, once the leaders sent the girls back home, they might get shot on the street.

After a few years, when these girls’ looks declined and they couldn’t work as models anymore, the leaders would quickly return them to their countries and hand them over to their parents.

You see, after working for a few years, your daughter has earned money, hasn’t picked up bad habits, and hasn’t fooled around with anyone else.

Now returning home safely, if I were to take other girls, could you vouch for my character?

Of course, this was the situation a few years ago.

In recent years, because of the war, the relevant industries have undoubtedly become quite chaotic, and Natasha is not clear about the specifics, as she has already gone independent.

Natasha’s Mandarin is quite proficient; it seems she’s put a significant effort into learning it. Some expressions that aren’t quite standard, Chen Yiyang couldn’t understand, but the little accountant understood instantly and could offer Mandarin translations for Chen Yiyang.

"How do you charge?" Chen Yiyang inquired.

"Two hundred yuan per hour." Natasha held up two fingers, "The time starts from when I got into your car."

This price is quite affordable compared to professional Russian translation; Natasha likely used her modeling rate as the basis for calculation.

Don’t think a model just goes and takes some photos; in fact, those few photos might require five or six hours or even longer.

At this price, Natasha could live quite comfortably working about ten days a month.

"Then let’s get to work now." Chen Yiyang took out his phone and called the Russian businessman.

Again came the familiar chatter.

"Tell him I’m a businessman selling audio equipment, and ask if he wants to buy a batch of KTV speakers recently?"

Upon hearing Chen Yiyang’s words, Natasha quickly translated them into Russian for the other party.

"He said yes, but they have to be big brands. He doesn’t want difficult-to-repair and irregularly manufactured lesser-known brands, and the price must be cheap."

"Ask him if he’s interested in second-hand ones. They’re guaranteed to be good, inspections are welcome."

"He asked how much?"

This.

Chen Yiyang was at a loss.

He had looked into it before; the batch of second-hand audio was worth eight hundred thousand, while brand new ones would cost three to four million.

What should a reasonable price for second-hand be again?

After pondering for a long while, Chen Yiyang said, "Quote two million, but we won’t handle shipping to Russia; he will pick up from the warehouse."

After Natasha quoted, Chen Yiyang clearly felt some surprise from the other end, followed by a rush of words.

"He says two million is fine for an immediate deal. Where is the warehouse located, he will drive to fetch it."

"Tell him I’ll contact him in the afternoon to inform him of the address."

After Natasha relayed the message, Chen Yiyang sent the little accountant a red envelope worth several hundred yuan.

"You two have your meal here first, I’ll go out for a bit. When I call, take a taxi to the place I mention."

"As long as this period counts as working hours, I’ve got no issues," Natasha agreed.

So, Chen Yiyang drove his Porsche out, contacting people while speeding towards Storage Street.

After waiting for half an hour, a chubby middle-aged man drove over—it was Boss Xu.

The two shook hands.

Boss Xu was accompanied by several young men, so seeing Chen Yiyang alone, he suspiciously asked.

"Are you reliable, young man? What business are you in? I heard you paid eighty thousand at once, so I came. But if it’s a scam, you won’t have any peace."

"I’m called Chen Yiyang, and I dabble in all sorts of businesses."

"You’re the one who gave Liu Zhaodi a set of antique mahjong?"

As soon as Chen Yiyang introduced himself, the other party immediately referred to Chen Yiyang’s deed.

The wealthy lady Liu really is a talkative one. Selling her something once and it feels like everyone knows.

But evidently, this reputation works in Chen Yiyang’s favor now.

Upon verifying Chen Yiyang’s identity, Boss Xu quickly became friendly.

"You’ve got guts, young man; just to get acquainted with Liu Zhaodi, you gave a set of antique mahjong away. I like young people like you. I’ve brought the contract. You can inspect the goods now; afterward, we can settle the transaction on the spot."

Liu Zhaodi said the antique mahjong was a gift from him?

Chen Yiyang quickly understood what was going on.

Wasn’t it given to her? She gifted a set of mahjong to the other party, and in return, got a house from them.

But when Liu Zhaodi spoke to outsiders, she only mentioned Chen Yiyang gifting her the mahjong.

This way of phrasing sidesteps trouble while subtly elevating Liu Zhaodi’s status.

Others gave a precious antique to get acquainted with her; so if someone else wants to know her or do business with her, they’ll have to weigh their options carefully.