How A Ride-Hailing Driver Comes To Dominate The World? [EN]: Chapter 184

Yang Chen smiled politely and said, “Hello, Elder Lin. What can I do for you?”

Lin Zhengtian replied with a smile, “After seeing the painting Shuying and Anxiang brought back, I was impressed. I believe there are fewer than five painters alive who could achieve that level of skill. It’s rare to see someone so young, Mr. Yang, with such talent. I was truly shocked and filled with admiration. I sent someone to find you, but the platform [referring to the ride-hailing app] wouldn’t reveal your information. I’m very happy to finally meet you today. If you don’t mind, Mr. Yang, would you like to join me at my table?”

The other guests were shocked. Lin Zhengtian, a man of his stature, inviting a ride-hailing driver to his table? It was baffling.

Who was Lin Zhengtian?

The head of the Lin family in Hai City, a family in the antique business since the late Qing Dynasty [1644 to 1912], which produced several famous calligraphers and painters.

Lin Zhengtian himself was a master of calligraphy and painting, highly respected in the art world.

However, with increasingly strict laws, the antique business had become difficult, and the Lin family had gradually declined.

Still, a skinny camel is bigger than a horse [meaning even in decline, they still hold significant power]. After all, they were a large family with over a century of history, and their rich heritage would ensure their continued prominence for at least two or three generations.

There was an unspoken rule in Hai City’s antique and calligraphy circles: you could ignore the Lin family, but if you wanted to sell valuable items, you needed Lin Zhengtian’s seal of approval. Otherwise, it would be considered illegitimate, and you wouldn’t get a high price.

Lin Zhengtian knew this was his only advantage, and he used it to deal with influential figures in various fields.

Xue Yinong wanted to sell Yang Chen’s four paintings. Using this auction to promote them was just the first step. The next was to get Lin Zhengtian’s endorsement, which would truly make the paintings valuable.

As mentioned, this industry was controlled by experts.

If an expert declared something fake, even if genuine, it became worthless.

Conversely, if an expert declared something genuine, even if fake, it gained value.

Unless you didn’t want to sell, you needed their approval.

There was an appraisal program where experts declared a genuine product fake, and the item, worth hundreds of millions, was smashed on the spot.

Later, someone brought a genuine heirloom for appraisal, and the expert said it was fake unless they approved it.

These messy, unspoken rules were why people in the antique and calligraphy worlds respected Lin Zhengtian.

Many wanted to curry favor with him or marry into the Lin family, but none had succeeded.

So, Lin Zhengtian’s invitation to Yang Chen was shocking and puzzling.

However, Yang Chen smiled and replied, “Thank you for the invitation, Elder Lin, but I’ll pass. I want to chat with my girlfriend. It’s not convenient with too many people. Please forgive me. We can chat alone another time.”

Lin Zhengtian’s expression twitched. He wondered if he’d misheard.

Anyone else would have been thrilled and accepted immediately.

Yang Chen refused!

Perhaps, as a ride-hailing driver, he didn’t know Lin Zhengtian’s status?

That must be it!

Lin Zhengtian thought.

He was a big shot. Being rejected after extending an invitation was embarrassing, and he wouldn’t ask again.

Lin Zhengtian nodded awkwardly and said, “Okay! We won’t bother you, Mr. Yang. We can chat alone another time. Enjoy yourself.”

Yang Chen: “You’re too polite, Elder Lin. Please go ahead.”

Lin Zhengtian nodded and left.

Despite his appearance, Lin Zhengtian was annoyed.

“Alas… talented people are so arrogant. But young people should be polite. Being so ignorant of the world is always a disadvantage!” he thought.

The other guests whispered.

“Who is this guy? So arrogant, rejecting Elder Lin’s invitation.”

“Didn’t you hear? He’s a ride-hailing driver. What do you expect?”

“Right, he probably doesn’t know Elder Lin’s status. Pity the Lin family sisters; they must be blind to add him as a friend.”

“I don’t think they’re blind. He’s handsome; I’d add him too.”

“Damn! What’s the use of being handsome? He’s just a driver. You won’t even afford an LV bag [Louis Vuitton, a luxury brand] if you marry him. Is being handsome useful?”

“I don’t care about forever, just once. Sleeping with him is enough. I’ll be with a man anyway, why not a handsome, strong one?”

“Damn…”

…

The auction began.

The theme was “Inheriting Culture, Carrying on the Past and Opening up the Future.”

The auction items were mainly calligraphy and paintings.

Soon, Yang Chen’s four paintings were on stage.

“Wow, the four paintings! I came for them.”

“Who is Mr. Jinghu? He paints so well.”

“Mr. Jinghu appeared suddenly. A great painter’s pseudonym.”

“I think so too. Four high-quality paintings appearing suddenly must be a great painter using a pseudonym.”

“The style is similar to Lay Qingfeng’s [a Buddhist term for a layperson], but it can’t be him. He doesn’t need a pseudonym, and wouldn’t dare to use one.”

…

Auctioneer: “Many experts know about the four eye-catching paintings at the City Museum’s art exhibition last week, depicting scenes from four ancient poems with the themes of spring, summer, autumn, and winter. Those are the paintings behind me. They are top-notch. Mr. Jinghu is mysterious, releasing only these four paintings, with no personal information. But the more mysterious the painter, the higher the value. The starting price for each is 1 million. Let’s start with spring. Starting price: 1 million, increments of 100,000. Bidding starts now!”

The shills [people paid to bid up prices] hired by Liu Xiuling started bidding.

“1.2 million!”

“1.5 million!”

“3 million! Don’t compete!”

“Wow…”

“3.2 million!”

…

After fierce bidding, the price reached 8.8 million.

Everyone became cautious.

Auctioneer: “8.8 million! Any higher bids?”

Lay Qingfeng shouted, “9.8 million!”

“Wow…” Everyone exclaimed.

Auctioneer: “Elder Zhao bids 9.8 million! He’s optimistic about this painting!”

Zhao Jingzhong smiled and cupped his fists to the guests, “Thank you!”

Auctioneer: “9.8 million once! Any higher? 9.8 million twice! Anyone else? 9.8 million three…”

“10 million!” Lin Zhengtian shouted.

“Wow…”

Auctioneer: “Elder Lin bids 10 million! He’s an authority. His bid shows the painting’s true value is far more than 10 million. Any higher? 10 million once! 10 million twice! Anyone else? 10 million three times! Sold! Congratulations to Elder Lin!”

“Pa pa pa…” [sound of applause]

Warm applause congratulated Lin Zhengtian for winning the bid at 10 million.

Yu Shishi excitedly pulled Yang Chen’s hand and whispered, “10 million.”

Yang Chen smiled, “Not necessarily real. What if it’s a shill?”

Yu Shishi: “Ah? Could Miss Xue hire him?”

Yang Chen: “With enough money, anyone can be a shill.”

Summer was auctioned, Lay Qingfeng Zhao Jingzhong bid 12 million. Liu Chuanxiong of the Liu family took autumn for 11 million, and Liu Xiuling took winter for 13 million.

Yang Chen didn’t know how Xue Yinong did it, but the flawed “Lonely Angler on a Snowy River” sold for the highest price, which bothered him.

The other three paintings were perfect, but not as valuable as the flawed “Winter,” which was a pity.

He wished he could redraw “Lonely Angler on a Snowy River.”

But Yang Chen didn’t know that spring, summer, and autumn were genuinely auctioned, and the highest-priced “Winter” was just Liu Xiuling’s bottom line.

Just after nine, the auction ended.

Next was free time.

The upper class preferred socializing, discussing recent events, and seeking cooperation opportunities.

Strangers exchanged contact information.

Yang Chen and Yu Shishi only ate, drank, and chatted, not seeking connections.

After a while, Lay Qingfeng Zhao Jingzhong approached.

“Hehe… Little brother, you’re here too,” Zhao Jingzhong said with a smile.

Yang Chen nodded, got up, and replied, “Hello, Elder Zhao. You’re generous today.”

Zhao Jingzhong: “Haha… Rare to find a painting I like, so I had to take it. Now you know the true value, right? You said there’d be a next time for ‘Lonely Angler on a Snowy River,’ but it was auctioned for the highest price.”

Yang Chen: “Yes, yes, yes, I know the value now. I didn’t understand before, but I will in the future.”

Zhao Jingzhong laughed proudly.

Then, Lin Zhengtian came again.

“Mr. Yang, I’ve contacted Elder Zhao and the others. I’m holding an appreciation event for Mr. Jinghu’s paintings at my home in three days. The four paintings will be together. If you have time, Mr. Yang, I hope you can participate,” Lin Zhengtian invited.

Appreciation event?

He had to participate. Yang Chen wanted to hear industry experts’ opinions.

“You’re too polite, Elder Lin. Thank you, I’ll be there,” Yang Chen replied with a smile.

Lin Zhengtian: “Haha… good! Tuesday morning at nine, see you then!”

Yang Chen nodded.

The Lin family twins came again.

Lin Shuying: “Can I add you as a friend now?”

Lin Anxiang: “Don’t say you’ll add me after three days when you come to our house.”

Since he’d agreed to go to the Lin family, there was no need to wait.

Yang Chen added the Lin sisters as friends.

Lin Shuying and Lin Anxiang smiled happily.

“This is the first time adding a friend has been so difficult!” Lin Shuying sighed.

Lin Anxiang: “Right? Fortunately, I finally added you. Are you free tomorrow morning? I invite you to our poetry club. Your poem was good, and you’re qualified to participate.”

Yang Chen shook his head, “I have to drive and there are activities at night.”

Lin Anxiang: “Okay! I’ll change the activity to the evening, you must come!”

Ah?

Girl, can’t you take a hint?

If looks could kill, Yang Chen would be dead from the glares of the young masters nearby.

To avoid trouble, Yang Chen wanted to distance himself from the Lin sisters.

“No, I drive during the day and sleep early at night. Ah… I’m sleepy now. If I hadn’t come to this auction, I’d be asleep. It’s late, we have to go. Goodbye!” Yang Chen said, and left with Yu Shishi.

“What an arrogant guy, annoying ghost! Are all talented people so arrogant?” Lin Shuying said.

Lin Anxiang pouted, “He has personality, I like it. I want to see how long he can last!”

The young masters were collapsing.

The Lin family sisters liked simps [men who are overly eager to please women]?

They’d been rejected, but still chased after him.

Why did they care about a ride-hailing driver?

If they could impress the Lin sisters with a painting, they could be liked like Yang Chen.

For girls from wealthy families, only the boys themselves could impress them. Money was irrelevant.

They weren’t good-looking or talented, but blamed the Lin sisters for liking a ride-hailing driver.

Hehe…

Yang Chen and Yu Shishi reached the parking lot. As they got in the car, Zhang Quan approached with some young masters.

Zhang Quan waved for Yang Chen to get out.

Yu Shishi grabbed Yang Chen’s hand, “Don’t go. If they do anything, we’ll call the police.”

Yang Chen smiled, “It’s okay, they’re just kids, I can handle it. Stay put.”

Yang Chen got out and asked, “Teacher Zhang, what can I do for you?”

Zhang Quan: “Let me introduce you. Liu Changqing, son of the City Museum curator, Chen Yulong, son of the Calligraphy and Painting Association chairman, Zhao Rulong, grandson of the great painter Lay Qingfeng, and Liu Zhenping, son of the Liu family head Liu Chuanxiong.”

Yang Chen nodded, “Hello, young masters. So what?”

Liu Changqing: “Stick to your current attitude and don’t associate with the Lin sisters.”

Chen Yulong: “We’re from famous families and don’t want to embarrass a ride-hailing driver. The Lin family is also famous, and you can’t reach them. For your own good, avoid contact with the Miss Lins.”

Zhao Rulong: “We’re not bullying you, just teaching you about ‘a proper match’.”

Liu Zhenping: “You’re friends with Xue Yinong, right? Useless. The Xue family won’t interfere in our art circle. Don’t make trouble for yourself. Understand?”

The business and art circles were separate. They could ignore each other.

Business tycoons could call artists societal dregs.

Art world figures could call business circles copper-smelling nouveau riche [new money].

Usually, they made money together and gave each other face.

But these young masters’ families were pivotal in Hai City’s art circle and didn’t fear the Xue family.

Conversely, the Xue family didn’t fear them. Store manager Zhou Haibo’s refusal to give Liu Yanzi and Zhang Quan face illustrated this.

Yang Chen nodded, “I understand. You can’t catch up with the Lin sisters, so you threaten the men who contact them. Right?”

The young masters nodded.

Yang Chen smiled, “I told Teacher Zhang, if you can’t catch girls, find the reason in yourselves. If it doesn’t work, use drugs. You don’t dare to go to jail for them, how dare you say you like them? Don’t blame them for having other men if you’re trash.”

Zhao Rulong: “Damn, you’re arrogant!”

Liu Zhenping: “Looking for a fight?”

Zhang Quan: “Why be arrogant? We’re doing this for your own good, informing you. Don’t be ungrateful, or you’ll be in trouble.”

The Lin sisters arrived to pick up their car and saw Zhang Quan threatening Yang Chen.

“What are you doing?” Lin Shuying shouted.

“Bullying the few?” Lin Anxiang shouted.

Seeing the Lin sisters, the young masters became gentle.

Lin Anxiang asked, “What are you doing? Bullying him in front of us?”

Lin Shuying: “Yang Chen, are you okay?”

Yang Chen: “It’s okay, we’re communicating. They said I’m rude to reject you. It makes sense. You’re girls who want to be friends, I shouldn’t be ignorant. Are you free tomorrow? I’ll take you out. Which Miss Lin mentioned a poetry activity?”

Lin Anxiang raised her hand, “Me. I’m Lin Anxiang, the younger sister.”

Yang Chen: “You look the same, I can’t tell. From tomorrow, the older sister’s hair is combed left, the younger sister’s right. Understand?”

Lin Shuying: “Okay!”

Lin Anxiang: “Okay! No problem!”

Yang Chen: “Okay! I’ll go back, you go too, drive safely. See you at Disneyland tomorrow at nine.”

Lin Anxiang: “Okay! The poetry activity is at 7 pm tomorrow, okay?”

Yang Chen: “Okay! See you tomorrow.”

Yang Chen got in the car and left.

The Lin sisters warned Zhang Quan not to harass Yang Chen.

They couldn’t do anything, just verbal warnings.

After the Lin sisters left, the young masters discussed.

Zhao Rulong: “Damn, he’s provoking us! We told him not to contact the Lin sisters, but he insisted.”

Liu Zhenping: “Taking our words lightly? Since he’s courting death, we’ll be rude.”

Liu Changqing: “It’s not easy. My dad’s the curator, trouble here implicates him. I’ll be a backer, helping you solve problems, but I can’t come forward. Zhang Quan, handle this.”

Chen Yulong: “Yes! Zhang Quan, handle it. Find someone to teach him a lesson, and we’ll use our connections to help. He’s just a driver, nothing will happen. Even the Xue family can’t do anything. My dad’s the Calligraphy and Painting Association chairman, so it’s not easy for me to do anything.”

Zhang Quan’s father, Zhang Tiancang, was the museum’s deputy curator, and Liu Changqing’s father was the curator, so Zhang Quan listened to Liu Changqing. He didn’t resist Liu Changqing’s requests.

However, Zhang Quan wasn’t reckless or stupid.

Liu Changqing and Chen Yulong couldn’t come forward because their fathers had official positions.

But Liu Zhenping’s father, Liu Chuanxiong, was president of an agarwood collection art company, with no official position.

Zhang Quan: “I can’t handle it alone, let Liu Zhenping help.”

Liu Changqing: “Okay. Liu Zhenping, we can compete, but not with a ride-hailing driver. Any problem?”

Chen Yulong: “This is about our welfare, any problem?”

Liu Zhenping cursed Zhang Quan, but nodded.

“No problem! We can compete, whoever loses or wins. But a broken ride-hailing driver competing with us is not okay! Yang Chen is going to Disneyland tomorrow, let’s bring people there.”

The four agreed to find fault at Disneyland and teach Yang Chen a lesson.

The next day, at nine, Yang Chen and the Lin sisters met at Disneyland.

It was Saturday, with many tourists and parents lining up.

The three lined up.

While chatting, a group cut in front.

The Lin sisters never suffered losses. Seven or eight people cutting in front was unacceptable.

Lin Shuying: “Can’t you line up?”

Lin Anxiang: “Isn’t queuing basic? Why cut in line?”

These were the people Zhang Quan and Liu Zhenping found to provoke.

“You were chatting, not lining up, and blame us?”

“Who knows if you cut in line?”

“Stop talking, what can you do if we cut in line?”

“Right! He didn’t say anything, why are you talking so much?”

…

Yang Chen waved for staff and explained.

Those people waited for Yang Chen to speak.

“I warn you not to talk nonsense!”

“Looking for a fight? Who cut in line? What evidence?”

“Talk nonsense again, I’ll slap you, believe it?”

…

They poked Yang Chen’s chest. Provoked, Yang Chen pushed the person away.

A group rushed up.

Zhang Quan and Liu Zhenping were happy, finally seeing him beaten.

At worst, they’d be detained. With their strength, they’d get them out.

Even if Xue Yinong got Yang Chen out, he’d still be beaten.

But the situation was different. The eight weren’t Yang Chen’s opponents, and were quickly knocked down.

Zhang Quan: “Damn! No way!”

Liu Zhenping: “Damn, he’s trained!”

The Lin sisters were shocked by Yang Chen’s 1V8 victory.

He was both civil and military.

Lin Anxiang secretly promised her heart, this was her dream man.

“Civilian can lift a pen to secure the country, and military can immediately conquer the world. Who can win with strategy, ancient and modern heroes are only you.”

Wasn’t this describing Yang Chen?

They were twins, their tastes were similar.

Lin Anxiang secretly promised her heart, and Lin Shuying admired him.

But fighting here would lead to the police.

The police arrived and took them back.

After understanding the situation, the police asked how to resolve it, privately or legally.

They provoked, but Yang Chen wasn’t injured, they were.

The Lin sisters stated their identities, so the police suggested a private settlement.

They agreed, but Yang Chen shook his head, “I won’t settle! They came prepared to provoke me, to beat me. If I don’t find the mastermind, I’ll be plotted against. I’ll pursue this to the end!”

The police asked, “Were you instructed?”

Several dared not speak.

The police scolded, “Figure it out, we can detain you for causing trouble! We’re giving you a chance!”

They looked at each other, and told the truth.

“Zhang Quan asked us.”

“Liu Zhenping gave me two hundred yuan to beat him.”

…

Yang Chen’s eyes darkened. They wanted to play?

Okay!

Since they wanted to play, he’d play!

Lin Shuying called Zhang Quan.

Yang Chen stopped her, “No need, it’s meaningless. Police, I’ll reconcile.”

The police nodded and had them sign a mediation agreement.

The commotion ruined their mood.

Yang Chen took the sisters for a walk, had lunch, and separated.

Yang Chen didn’t participate in the poetry activity.

He was thinking about teaching Zhang Quan and those young masters a lesson.

…

At nine on Tuesday, Yang Chen arrived at the Lin family villa.

Lin Shuying and Lin Anxiang waited at the door.

Yang Chen said the older sister’s hair should be combed left, the younger sister’s right.

They did so, and Yang Chen knew who was who.

Lin Shuying: “Yang Chen, you’re here! Have you eaten? Want breakfast?”

Yang Chen: “Thank you, I have.”

Lin Anxiang: “My grandfather and the others are exchanging painting experiences, join in and express your opinions.”

The sisters pulled Yang Chen home, one on each side.