Aleksey Lopatin finishes his studies at the University of Economics and Finance, but he isn’t planning to return to his home Novorossiysk. He dreams of becoming an oligarch and buying himself an island in the Caribbean Sea; to do that, he needs only one small thing—marry Sonya Schneider, the daughter of the owner of the largest private bank in St. Petersburg.
“— Sonya, — Lopatin held Sonya by the elbow, — if you don’t give in, can I help?”
“— I know all about it, you ‘sovok’—your help. Only the Moon is more expensive!” Sonya snorted.
She hinted that Lopatin sometimes worked part-time as a tutor among fellow students and junior-course students.
“— How could you, Sonya?! A hundred percent discount—just for you!”
“— Why’s that?” Sonya narrowed her eyes suspiciously.
“— Hussars don’t take money from women,” Lopatin announced, pleased with himself.
“— That’s right, hussars!” Sonya laughed. “But you, Lopatin—you’re a real ‘sovok.’”