Chapter 3508: The Study of Cats and Dogs (67)

When Merkel returned, he brought with him a chill like that from the far north. That morning, Cat Getan had just cooled down. When Schiller went to the airport to pick him up, he had to put on winter clothes.

Although Cat Getan's summers are very hot, its winters are even colder. The La Niña effect is fully manifested here. The temperature was nearly 20 degrees the day before, yet by the next morning, it was only in the single digits.

Getting out of the car, Schiller tied a scarf for Aisha. But the little girl clearly didn't like this thing wrapped around her neck and kept pulling at it with her hands, but unfortunately, she hadn't mastered the correct method. She didn't manage to take the scarf off all the way to the airport lobby.

Merkel walked out quickly. Seeing Schiller, he revealed a smile, walked up, and hugged him.

"Good morning, Professor. Long time no see."

"Long time no see." Schiller patted his arm and said, "How is things over in Moscow?"

Merkel sighed and said, "At this congress, it has been decided to shrink the territorial scope once again. It's just that I don't know which unlucky fellow will be kicked out this time."

Schiller shook his head with a smile.

It is quite magical that, unlike the trend of the general world, the situation regarding the Soviet Union in this universe is completely reversed.

Normally, the Soviet Union of this era would have long since disintegrated. But even if it hadn't disintegrated due to accidental events, it would still be in constant turmoil now. The various small countries in the union are all clamoring for independence.

But in the universe where Schiller is, perhaps due to the impact of two economic crises in a short period, everyone could only choose to huddle together for warmth; there was no other way. Surrounding the behemoth, they could at least drink some soup of real industry; if they became independent, they would truly have nothing.

And what is different is that the Soviet Union's decision-making is more cautious, choosing the route of discarding the chariot to save the commander. Through several congresses, they kicked out some small countries within the union that had been restless before.

It is said that those involved are confused while the bystanders are clear. When you are a member of the Soviet Union, you only feel that this is not good and that is not good. But when you are kicked out, you will realize how miserable it is to be a little one crouching around such a behemoth.

In all aspects, the scope of the Soviet Union has shrunk severely, basically becoming just a large-sized Russia. Because of the large-scale cessation of aid and assistance, its influence on the international stage is also not as good as before; it can be said to be weak to the extreme.

Fortunately, however, the United States was stabbed in the kidney by this Great Depression and could not gnaw on the giant bear's corpse as in the historical timeline, so the wound was slow to heal. The degree of injury for both was about the same, and neither had the strength to toss the other around anymore. The Cold War, which had lasted for half a century, ended in a miserable mutual destruction.

The Soviet Union did not fall, and Europe did not eat much meat either. However, for the sake of national survival, they did not de-industrialize as in the normal world line. Currently, they are just barely maintaining.

Both big guys were not lightly injured, which naturally benefited other countries. The countries in East Asia still ushered in their own period of economic take-off. Now, they are actually in the best situation.

"Moscow is quite cautious. They also understand that they cannot cut off any more rotten flesh. So I am afraid that in the next few decades, their sphere of influence and foreign policy will not have any major changes," Merkel said.

Immediately after, he asked, "How is Mexico?"

Schiller shook his head again and said, "After Oliver left, the revolutionary army was almost completely routed. Many base areas returned to the hands of the government army. However, there is still a small core force firmly controlling the surroundings of Guadalajara. The two sides have begun to stalemate."

"However, besides the revolutionary army brought out by Oliver, some other resistance organizations have emerged one after another. The most famous is a people's army near the border in northern Mexico. I heard that the leader of this army is very young and seems to be an admirer of Oliver as well."

"The small movements of the Central Intelligence Agency have never stopped. However, they are also trapped by the complex political situation in Mexico. They had a clash with the KGB before and didn't manage to take any advantage, and now they have entered a dormant period again."

"As for the United States Congress, they are still of no use and cannot formulate any effective policies targeting the Mexican situation. They can only argue in meetings day after day, trying to push the responsibility onto the other side."

Merkel smiled and said, "Actually, Moscow is about the same. They are always having meetings and always arguing. Especially regarding the current economic situation. Now there is a voice that wants to learn from the neighbor to the south."

"It really is the turning of the wheel of fortune," Schiller sighed, but didn't say much more. The situation in the Far East is too complex to be summarized in a word or two. Without being in the vortex, it is hard to empathize.

"How is Cat Getan?" Merkel asked again.

"Same as usual. You returned at an unfortunate time; it just cooled down last night." The two walked out of the airport lobby. After getting into the car, Schiller turned on the heater and said, "Perhaps it is time to call the dark clouds back to keep warm."

Merkel laughed, then looked at his phone, flipping through text messages while saying, "I heard that the manor has been sold?"

Schiller nodded, turned the steering wheel, and said, "Sold to Ms. Quinzel. It has now become a playground for the children. The bad news is that the new house has no garden and no longer needs a butler. The good news is that I bought a shop again."

Merkel was a bit surprised this time. He said, "You want to open a shop? Professor? Are you serious?"

"What is that tone of yours?"

"I have absolutely no intention of offending. But if you intend to do business, fishing for three days and drying nets for two won't work. But I don't think you can stay in the shop all the time either."

"So the manager's position is prepared for you."

Only then did Merkel realize that the car was driving toward the city center, and it was getting more and more central.

"God, Professor. You intend to open a shop here? Does this mean I will be stuck for an hour every morning on my way to work?"

"Of course not, you can take the Inner World. The key to the shop's operation also lies in the Inner World. I will explain it to you in detail when we arrive."

The car turned and twisted, driving to the city center. It was too early now, so it wasn't particularly congested; it only took ten minutes to reach the shop entrance.

"Wow, this glass is too beautiful," Merkel exclaimed. "It looks like it was ripped off from Westminster Abbey."

"Good metaphor." Schiller couldn't help but praise.

The two walked into the shop together. Merkel looked around and said, "The decoration standard is so high; what did they originally intend to use this for? A museum?"

"About that. An old magazine publisher intended to use this as a sample gallery. Unfortunately, the Great Depression crushed them."

"Truly a good house." Merkel turned around, reached out to shake the shelf hanging on the pillar, and touched the pattern on the wallpaper.

"From now on, it will be your good shop," Schiller said. "I don't have time to come over all day. You have to look after this place."

"Looking after it is no problem, but I have never done business either," Merkel shrugged and said. "Fortunately, you bought this place, otherwise the turnover might not even cover the rent."

"Although there is no rent, there is still property tax. The annual property tax is not a small amount of money. And I won't pay extra for your insurance; it all depends on you earning it yourself."

"The task is arduous," Merkel sighed with feigned sorrow.

"But there is also an advantage," Schiller leaned on the counter and said. "In the future, when you want to meet your little friends, you won't have to sneak out anymore."

"You mean the KGB?" Merkel raised an eyebrow and said, "I have already left the KGB. My organizational relationship was transferred out long ago. It was supposed to be transferred to a factory in Moscow to be a security guard. I thought it was boring, so I came back."

"Why quit?"

Merkel sighed and said, "The economic situation is not good. The KGB is also laying off people. I am British to begin with, so I wasn't that trusted. My superior talked to me, and I voluntarily quit."

"Don't you want to go back to the UK?"

"That place is even worse." Merkel couldn't help but frown and say, "Although my family background is quite good, my parents are the typical control-freak type. If I go back, I might become the disgrace of the entire family in their eyes. So, forget it."

"Alright, then work hard, Shop Manager." Schiller patted him on the shoulder and said.

"What is this shop going to operate?" Merkel's tiny bit of depression disappeared quickly. He became firm again, then excitedly counted on his fingers and said, "If it were up to me, I would open a bonsai shop. This decoration style is very suitable for raising many green plants..."

"You can give up that idea," Schiller refused decisively. "Except for that little devil in the back garden, you can't raise anything. He has complained to me more than once that the fertilizer you added to him almost burned him to death."

"Oh, right, and Six-Angle, where did he go?"

"He is the security guard for the Young Avengers base. Don't think about bringing him here; he won't go with you either."

Merkel revealed a disappointed expression. Schiller looked down at his phone and said, "Pamela should be coming soon. When she arrives, we will go to the Inner World market together to take a look."

As soon as the words fell, a noise came from upstairs. Schiller looked up and saw Pamela stumbling out of the office door upstairs.

"God, why are there so many chairs? I almost tripped," Pamela said.

"It hasn't been renovated yet," Schiller looked up at the stairs and said. "I contacted Wei Lun. Those office supplies upstairs were all given to him. But he has to help me move the newly bought furniture."

"Truly a cost-effective deal," Pamela said. "Those tables and chairs upstairs are very new. It's a pity my laboratory doesn't need them, otherwise I would want to move them away too."

"Wei Lun also needs to renovate his new office. The Killer Croc Moving Company's business is getting better and better; he moved his headquarters to Black Island. Maybe it won't be long before he is the King of Mercenaries in Cat Getan."

Pamela laughed and said, "It's hard to imagine him leading a bunch of killers to do moving. But times are hard, what else can be done?"

As they were talking, a van stopped at the entrance. Killer Croc walked down from it, and in the passenger seat was actually an acquaintance, Deathstroke.

"God, he really brought a killer," Merkel couldn't help but exclaim. He was very familiar with Deathstroke; that yellow and black figure who rushed into the Kremlin back then shocked the world.

Schiller also couldn't hold it together: "The world's number one killer, also bowing for five pecks of rice, starting to do moving?"

Deathstroke walked up and shook hands with Schiller, saying, "Good morning, Professor. Someone spent money to kill you again. How much is this information worth?"

Very good, Schiller thought, this world is even crazier than he imagined. Deathstroke has started to reveal employer information to make money.

(End of chapter) ===== CHAPTER 3509 =====