How A Ride-Hailing Driver Comes To Dominate The World? [EN]: Chapter 36

Because it was the lunch rush, Yang Chen was delayed and didn’t arrive at Baoqing Restaurant until 11:30 AM.

Wang Lixin kept sending messages and calling, but Yang Chen ignored them.

Therefore, Wang Lixin concluded that Yang Chen wouldn’t come.

This Hongmen Banquet [a banquet or meeting that is actually a trap] was set up for Yang Chen, and it would be meaningless without him.

Zhang Jiankun revealed his intentions to Wang Lixin, saying he wouldn’t pay for the meal and everyone should split the bill.

Wang Lixin was dumbfounded. Asking everyone to split the bill at this point would ruin her reputation among these classmates.

As they argued, the classmates in the private room came out to see what was happening.

After understanding Zhang Jiankun’s intention, the classmates were indeed furious.

Some people were clearly there to freeload, and they certainly didn’t want to split the bill now.

“Wang Lixin, what you two are doing is not cool. We may not be rich, but we can still afford a meal. It’s not like we have to have you treat us. But you lured us here under the guise of treating us, and now you’re saying we have to split the bill. Do you think that’s fair?”

“No one forced you to treat us, but since you offered, you should follow through. What do you take us for, fools?”

“We even helped you condemn Yang Chen, and this is how you treat us?”

……

Wang Lixin cried and complained to Zhang Jiankun, “Are you happy now? Did you have to make everyone turn against me?”

Zhang Jiankun immediately retorted, “They are your classmates, not mine. Why should I treat them?”

Wang Lixin countered, “Then why did you use my phone to send messages saying you would treat us? Aren’t you ruining me?”

Zhang Jiankun was speechless.

At this moment, Wu Tao, who had always had feelings for Wang Lixin, saw an opportunity.

Last time Wang Lixin was stranded on the cross-river bridge, he wanted to drive to pick her up.

Zhang Jiankun was there at the time, so he was too embarrassed to go.

Now that Zhang Jiankun and Wang Lixin were having a conflict, he felt his chance had come.

Of course, he didn’t intend to pay for the meal himself, but rather to persuade everyone to split the bill, which would also help Wang Lixin solve her immediate problem.

“Alright, alright,” Wu Tao said. “You’re right, you’re not our classmate, so you don’t have to participate in our class reunion. It’s not like we can’t afford this meal. Since we’re already here, let’s just split the bill. We can’t just return the dishes to the restaurant and leave, right? That would be too embarrassing for us. What do you all say?”

The situation had developed to this point, and it seemed like this was the only option.

Wu Tao continued, “Zhang Jiankun, you’re not considering Wang Lixin’s feelings at all. I don’t think you love her at all. If you loved her, how could you let her lose face in front of so many old classmates?”

Zhang Jiankun chuckled, took out a stack of money from his bag, and said, “It’s not that I don’t have money to treat you, but you’re not my classmates, so I have no reason to treat you. Got it?”

Wang Lixin wiped her tears and said, “Zhang Jiankun, let’s break up. I don’t want to see you anymore. Get out now!”

Zhang Jiankun chuckled and said, “Break up then, don’t regret it!”

Seeing that his plan had worked, Wu Tao quickly said with a smile, “Okay, okay, everyone, don’t let him ruin your mood.

Let’s go back to the private room and start eating.”

After speaking, Wu Tao pushed Wang Lixin into the private room, and the others sighed helplessly and followed.

Zhang Jiankun breathed a sigh of relief and turned to enter the private room next door.

There were 10 people in this private room, all of whom Zhang Jiankun had hired to help him deal with Yang Chen.

Now that Yang Chen wasn’t coming, this money was wasted.

Wu Tao’s family was doing well, mainly because his uncle owned a company, and he was now a business manager in his uncle’s company, giving him a higher starting point than others.

He usually brought clients to Baoqing Restaurant.

Now that Zhang Jiankun had been kicked out, he was the most knowledgeable person at this dinner.

“Although we’re splitting the bill, I can guarantee that everyone won’t regret it. This Baoqing Restaurant is a local brand in Haicheng and is about to go public. You can eat dishes from all eight major cuisines here, as well as Western cuisine. The location of the main store is particularly good, only about half a mile from the Pearl Tower, and not far south is the Bund [a waterfront area in Shanghai]. When customers come, I basically bring them here to eat, and not a single customer has said it’s not good,” Wu Tao said eloquently.

Other classmates were ordinary employees and generally didn’t have access to such restaurants.

But after listening to Wu Tao’s introduction, the classmates became even more restrained.

The better he described it, the more expensive the meal would be.

These were all young people who had just graduated for a year, and most of them had to rely on their families to survive in a city like Haicheng.

If this meal was too expensive, even splitting the bill would be unaffordable for them.

“It sounds good, but I’m afraid that after eating this meal, I’ll have to eat dirt for the rest of the month.”

“I checked last night, and the average consumption here is 500 yuan [approximately $70 USD] per person.”

“Damn, that’s so expensive. I’m not afraid of you laughing at me, I just changed jobs, and I haven’t passed the probation period yet. I’m completely relying on my family to survive now. If I take out 500 yuan all at once, I’ll really have to eat dirt later.”

“Wang Lixin, have you ordered the dishes? How much will it cost approximately?”

……

Wang Lixin panicked and quickly replied, “About 8,000 yuan [approximately $1,100 USD].”

With a total of 14 people, wouldn’t 8,000 yuan mean that each person would have to pay nearly 600 yuan [approximately $85 USD]?

“Damn, then I won’t just have to eat dirt, I won’t even be able to pay my phone bill.”

“Who’s richer, lend me some money. I’ll pay you back when I get paid next month.”

“Wang Lixin, lend me some money. You’re the one who caused this, so it’s only right for you to help.”

“Yes, yes, yes, we won’t let you treat us, you have to lend us money to split the bill.”

……

Ever since Yang Chen scolded her in front of the whole class, Wang Lixin had resigned herself to living off men.

After graduation, she changed three jobs, all of which she was fired from before the probation period was over.

She was completely supported by Zhang Jiankun, so how could she have money to lend them?

“I… I don’t have any money either. I don’t have a job now, and after eating this meal, I won’t have anything to eat,” Wang Lixin said softly.

This wasn’t a class reunion at all, it was clearly a competition of who was worse off.

Wu Tao felt that the opportunity had matured, and quickly said with a smile, “Damn, are you serious? Is a mere 600 yuan making things so difficult for you? If you really can’t afford it, I’ll lend it to you. Just remember to pay me back when you get paid next month.”

“Brother Tao, you’re the best!”

“Brother Tao was our leader in school, and we still have to rely on you after leaving school.”

“Wang Lixin, don’t you think a man like Brother Tao is more reliable than that Zhang Jiankun?”

“That’s right, that’s right, you just broke up, and Brother Tao had feelings for you back then, you know that, why don’t you try being together now?”

“Yes, yes, yes! That’s a good idea, that’s a good idea. We can’t just come here for a meal, if you two get together, it’ll be worth our splitting the bill.”

……

Wu Tao was overjoyed, thinking that these old classmates were quite perceptive.

Wang Lixin was also overjoyed. She had just lost Zhang Jiankun as a meal ticket, and Wu Tao was offering himself up as a meal ticket, a seamless transition.

However, as a girl, she had to be reserved when it came to relationships, she had to play hard to get, right?

“Oh, don’t talk nonsense. Wu Tao is so outstanding, he must have a girlfriend. What if someone finds out, wouldn’t that be a misunderstanding?” Wang Lixin said in a very green tea-like manner [acting innocent to manipulate others].

Wu Tao quickly said with a smile, “Yes, yes, yes, everyone, don’t joke around. Although I don’t have a girlfriend, Xiaoxin just ended a relationship, how can she immediately start another one? Stop it, let’s order the food and eat quickly.”

“Yo, Xiaoxin, that’s a sweet way to call her.”

“Damn, you two are a perfect match, don’t resist, it’s decided so happily.”

“If you two aren’t together, it’ll be against the natural order!”

……

The classmates were still supportive, making Wu Tao extremely happy.

Wu Tao’s mind went blank, and he said, “In that case, everyone is so happy today, why bother splitting the bill? I’ll treat everyone to this meal for Xiaoxin. It’s just over 8,000 yuan, I can afford it.”

“Brother Tao, you’re awesome!”

“Brother Tao, you’re my own brother!”

“Wang Lixin, don’t hesitate and miss out on such a responsible man.”

……

Wang Lixin deliberately glanced at Wu Tao, and deliberately let him see it. That glance almost made Wu Tao swoon.

Just then, the door of the private room was pushed open, and Yang Chen walked in.

“Sorry everyone, there was a traffic jam on the way, I’m late,” Yang Chen said with a smile.

Wu Tao immediately said, “Yang Chen, damn, you finally came. We thought you wouldn’t even come to the class reunion to earn a few bucks driving for a ride-hailing service.”

Chen Yuwan: “Do you know that Wang Lixin broke up with her boyfriend because you were late?”

Li Liu: “That’s right, you should have told us if you were stuck in traffic. We all thought you weren’t coming.”

Yang Chen said with a smile, “Sorry everyone, there was a traffic jam on the way, and my phone died, so I couldn’t tell you.”

The girls saw that Yang Chen was still as handsome as he was in school, but with a bit more of a mature man’s charm, and they all had ulterior motives.

Whether they could get married or not was another matter, but being in a relationship with such a handsome and charming man would be the most unforgettable memory of a lifetime.

Xia Yu Rou quickly said, “Alright, alright, Yang Chen has already apologized many times since he came in, that’s enough. Yang Chen, come over here, sit here.”

After speaking, Xia Yu Rou asked Li Liu to move.

At this time, Xu Xiaowan quickly said, “Come sit here, there’s a seat here.”

In fact, there was no empty seat next to Xu Xiaowan.

Chen Liyun was on her left, and Wang Lixin was on her right.

But she got up and pulled a chair over, forcibly inserting a seat between her and Wang Lixin.

Good heavens, everyone was stunned by her actions.

But soon everyone understood what she meant, she was clearly trying to pursue Yang Chen.

Yang Chen could only stay here for about half an hour, and he had to meet with Xue Yinong later.

It didn’t matter where he sat, the most important thing was to start eating as soon as possible.

Yang Chen walked over and said with a smile, “Class monitor, thank you.”

Xu Xiaowan smiled slightly and said, “You’re welcome. Sit down quickly, I’m hungry, let’s start eating quickly.”

The class monitor had spoken, and everyone else didn’t say anything.

But Wang Lixin was unhappy and questioned, “How could you bear to leave me on the bridge last time?”

“Is today a class reunion or are we settling old scores?” Yang Chen retorted unceremoniously.

“Don’t you owe me an explanation?” Wang Lixin asked unreasonably.

“What explanation do I owe you? Everyone has heard the recording, do you need me to give you any explanation?” Yang Chen replied with a straight face.

Wang Lixin still wanted to speak, but Wu Tao preemptively said, “Yang Chen, don’t be angry, the girl is just venting her grievances. You said you were late, shouldn’t you make it up to us?”

“Hmm? How do I make it up to you?” Yang Chen asked.

Wu Tao quickly replied, “I’ve already taken care of this meal, you don’t have to pay. But you have to express your apology to everyone and open a few bottles of wine for everyone. We’re going to sing later, so we won’t drink baijiu [a Chinese liquor], let’s just open two bottles of red wine. Both the boys and girls can drink a little, which can both liven up the atmosphere and not get us drunk. What do you all say?”

Those few guys who were purely there to freeload immediately responded.

“Yes, yes, yes, Brother Tao is right. Yang Chen, you have to show your sincerity in apologizing.”

“We’re all classmates, even if we don’t say it, you should still show some appreciation. Right?”

“I heard that you can earn more than a thousand yuan a day driving for a ride-hailing service, you can afford to open two bottles of red wine. Right?”

……

Xia Yu Rou quickly said, “If you want to drink, buy it yourself, what’s this all about.”

Xu Xiaowan was not to be outdone and quickly said, “We don’t drink, buy it yourself if you want to drink.”

The boys were all convinced, how come they both rushed to defend him as soon as they mentioned Yang Chen?

Could it be that they both have a crush on him?

Yang Chen was now a shareholder of Baoqing Restaurant, and it wasn’t a big deal to buy two bottles of wine, just consider it taking care of the restaurant’s business.

Just as he was about to speak, two waiters pushed the door open and came in.

They were holding two bottles of red wine, actually the Rolls Royce of red wine, a bottle of Romanée-Conti [a very expensive and prestigious wine] worth more than a million yuan [approximately $140,000 USD].