How A Ride-Hailing Driver Comes To Dominate The World? [EN]: Chapter 544

Yang Chen sent Wang Nianlong home, where Wang Yunhai was already waiting.

“Dr. Wang, hello. I’m Yang Chen, the one who just acquired your Changsheng Company. I happened to run into your daughter on the road and overheard her complaining, so I wanted to stop by. I’d like to take her to Guizhou to experience the local culture. Maybe it’ll broaden her perspective,” Yang Chen said directly.

Wang Nianlong didn’t know much about Guizhou, but Wang Yunhai knew it had many impoverished areas with left-behind children, especially in the mountains.

Yang Chen was clearly taking Wang Nianlong there to show her how those children lived, hoping she’d appreciate her own advantages.

The system had already influenced Wang Yunhai’s team, ensuring their absolute loyalty to Yang Chen.

Therefore, Wang Yunhai would naturally agree to whatever Yang Chen proposed.

“Okay, thank you, Mr. Yang. Nianlong, go pack your clothes. While you’re there, listen to Mr. Yang and don’t be difficult. Safety first, and don’t wander off on your own,” Wang Yunhai instructed.

Wang Nianlong was dumbfounded. She hadn’t expected her dad to agree so readily.

“Wang Yunhai, are you serious? You’ve just met this guy, and you’re already comfortable letting him take your daughter away? Aren’t you afraid he’ll sell me to some remote village or even to Myanmar?” Wang Nianlong challenged.

Wang Yunhai rolled his eyes. “Don’t talk nonsense. Mr. Yang isn’t like that. I only have one request: listen to Mr. Yang. If you want to shop or have fun, just use the card. Dad won’t limit you, okay?”

Wang Nianlong: “I really don’t understand why you trust a stranger so much. Even if he bought your company, that doesn’t automatically make him a good person. Your daughter just turned 18, and you’re already okay with him taking me away? You say you care about me? Your true colors are showing.”

Wang Yunhai unconditionally trusted Yang Chen, but he didn’t know how to explain the reason for his trust to his daughter.

Wang Yunhai: “Just tell me if you want to go or not. If you don’t want to, Dad won’t force you. If you do go, just follow Mr. Yang’s instructions, and I won’t restrict you otherwise. If anything happens, I’ll hold Mr. Yang responsible. Mr. Yang, is that acceptable?”

Yang Chen: “Absolutely! If anything happens to Miss Wang, I’ll take full responsibility.”

Wang Yunhai: “Nianlong, what do you say?”

Wang Nianlong: “Whatever, no one cares about me at home anyway, so why not go? I’ll go pack my clothes.”

While Wang Nianlong was packing, Yang Chen chatted with Wang Yunhai privately.

In short, there were two main points.

First, the Changsheng Research Lab needed to relocate to Haicheng and merge with the Star Technology Group. Wang Yunhai would then lead the life science team.

Second, Yang Chen had a complete set of new processes to replace all of Merck’s products, which needed to be released under the Changsheng Research Lab’s name.

Frankly, Yang Chen only dared to reveal these secrets because the system had influenced all members of the Changsheng team. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have been so forthcoming.

Wang Yunhai, completely loyal to Yang Chen, nodded without hesitation. “No problem! I’ll notify the team tomorrow to prepare for the move to Star Technology Group. Please have someone from Star Technology meet us, Mr. Yang.”

Yang Chen: “I’ll call Star Technology when I get back to the hotel. You can proceed without worry. You can entrust Miss Wang to me. I’ll ensure her safety and try to help her with her issues so you can focus on your work.”

Wang Yunhai: “Ah… Thank you, Mr. Yang. I hope you can truly help her, and that my own concerns can be resolved as well, so I can concentrate on research in the future. I’ve heard of the Star Technology Group. Many academicians are eager to join. I’ll lead the team to conduct valuable research and not waste a single penny of Mr. Yang’s research funds.”

Yang Chen: “Haha… Don’t put too much pressure on yourselves. I’m very understanding. Research is expensive, but results aren’t guaranteed. If I didn’t understand that, I wouldn’t have founded the Star Technology Group. Dr. Wang, just do your best and don’t be too hard on yourselves.”

Wang Yunhai: “Haha… No wonder everyone wants to join the Star Technology Group. Mr. Yang is the best boss in the world. I understand. You don’t need to worry about the research. You can absolutely trust me.”

Yang Chen nodded with a smile. Just then, Wang Nianlong returned with her bag.

“Okay, let’s go. We’re leaving tonight,” Wang Nianlong announced.

Wang Yunhai: “Don’t talk nonsense. Why leave so late? We’ll leave tomorrow morning.”

Wang Nianlong: “I’m going on a long trip, so of course I have to say goodbye to my friends. You promised that as long as I listen to him, you wouldn’t restrict me. See? I haven’t even left, and you’re already breaking your promise.”

Yang Chen: “Dr. Wang, leave it to me. I guarantee her safety.”

Wang Yunhai: “Okay, then I’ll leave it to you, Mr. Yang.”

Yang Chen nodded and left with Wang Nianlong.

He needed Wang Yunhai to lead the team in scientific research. If he was constantly worried about his daughter, he couldn’t focus.

He had to resolve Wang Nianlong’s issues and help her reconcile with her father.

The two got into the car.

Yang Chen: “Where are you going to say goodbye to your friends?”

Wang Nianlong: “Zero O’Clock Bar.”

Yang Chen: “You’ve been hanging out in nightclubs since you turned eighteen?”

Wang Nianlong: “Uncle, you’re so behind the times! Many teenagers go to nightclubs these days. What era are you living in? You need to update your thinking.”

Yang Chen: “Even if the world ends, minors shouldn’t be in nightclubs. If nothing happens, you’re lucky. If something does, it can leave lasting trauma. It’s not worth the risk, not even once.”

Wang Nianlong: “Tch, there aren’t that many bad people. You watch too many movies.”

Yang Chen: “If I wasn’t worried about your dad being distracted, I wouldn’t bother with you. You’re the type who doesn’t appreciate kindness. You think the people who care about you are bad, but you hang around questionable people and think you’re safe. You need to learn the hard way before you understand.”

Wang Nianlong: “Wow, uncle, are you serious? You’re even more long-winded than my dad? Are you really up for this? If not, I’ll go by myself.”

Yang Chen: “I really want to smack you. Buckle your seatbelt!”

Wang Nianlong rolled her eyes and reluctantly fastened her seatbelt.

Yang Chen searched for Zero O’Clock Bar on the navigation and drove there.

The friends of a “spiritual girl” [a trendy, often rebellious young woman] are naturally all “spiritual guys” and “spiritual girls.” If these people had been born a decade earlier and caught the emo [emotional hardcore] trend, they would have been the coolest kids.

But now, they’re just categorized as “spiritual guys” and “spiritual girls.”

“Nianlong, who’s this big brother?”

“He’s quite handsome. Is he your boyfriend?”

“Wow, Zhao Qiang, you have no chance.”

…

Zhao Qiang, whom they mentioned, was also a “spiritual guy,” but he wore a wig, unlike the others who had dyed hair.

He was pursuing Wang Nianlong, which was why he was willing to hang out with this group. He wasn’t naturally like them.

However, Wang Nianlong had a strange temper and was wary of Zhao Qiang’s obvious interest. She rarely gave him any attention, sometimes even ignoring him when he spoke.

People have a desire to conquer.

The more Wang Nianlong acted this way, the more Zhao Qiang wanted to win her over.

Wang Nianlong explained with a smile, “Don’t talk nonsense. We just met. Besides, this is an uncle, not a big brother. He’s thirty years old, a whole cycle [12 years] older than us.”

Her friend Huang Lele said with a smile, “Really? You can’t tell. He looks like he’s in his early twenties. Uncle, what do you do? How did you meet Nianlong?”

Yang Chen: “I’m an investor. I bought Miss Wang’s father’s company.”

Wang Nianlong: “He’s a funny guy. He has money to buy my dad’s company, but he still drives for a ride-hailing app. I happened to get his car, and that’s how we met. Isn’t it hilarious?”

Zhao Qiang: “Uncle, you drive for a ride-hailing app? Nianlong, are you sure you’re not mistaken? How could a ride-hailing driver have the money to buy your family’s company?”

Wang Nianlong: “My dad acknowledged it, so how could it be wrong? I don’t know either. Anyway, he’s a ride-hailing driver. I met him because I got his car.”

Zhao Qiang: “Uncle, what do you really do? Are you impersonating someone?”

Yang Chen: “It’s not that dramatic. Changsheng Company was indeed acquired by me, and I do drive for a ride-hailing app. There’s no conflict.”

Zhao Qiang: “But how could a ride-hailing driver have the money to acquire Changsheng?”

Yang Chen: “I’d rather not say. I have my privacy. Miss Wang, hurry up and chat with your friends. Let’s go when you’re done.”

Wang Nianlong nodded and quickly told her friends about her trip to Guizhou with Yang Chen.

Her friends were shocked. Traveling with him after just meeting him?

Everyone knew what it meant for a single man and a single woman to travel together.

Zhao Qiang asked anxiously, “Nianlong, isn’t it too hasty to go on a trip with him like this? I’ve been pursuing you for so long and treating you so well, but you’re so cold to me. You just met him, and he’s probably a liar. Isn’t it too reckless to go on a trip with him?”

Wang Nianlong immediately retorted, “Who do you think you are? What I do is none of your business. Just because you’re pursuing me doesn’t mean I have to reciprocate. I hate being controlled. Everyone knows that, but you keep pushing. I can travel with whoever I want. If I want to be someone’s mistress, I will. What’s it to you?”

Zhao Qiang was speechless and could only watch Wang Nianlong leave with Yang Chen.

After leaving the bar, Wang Nianlong started crying.

“I’m so unlucky. Why doesn’t anyone like me?” Wang Nianlong sobbed.

Yang Chen: “You’re just too rebellious. You deliberately do things your parents disapprove of. You think that’s freedom, but it’s just childishness. You’re trying to get their attention, hoping they’ll care more. But have you ever considered what your dad really wants?”

Wang Nianlong: “He just wants me to study hard and get into a good university. He wants me to live the life he wants for me. He doesn’t care about what I want at all.”

Yang Chen: “That’s because you haven’t shown him what you want. You’re just rebelling blindly. If you have a real dream, show it to him. If you can convince him that you can achieve it, he’ll support you. Parents are all the same. They seem strict, but they want you to be happy. They seem to want you to live the life they envision, but they want you to avoid mistakes. They seem to want something in return, but they just hope you understand their efforts and dreams and be proactive, without expecting anything back.”

Wang Nianlong hid her face in Yang Chen’s clothes, sobbing silently.

After a few minutes, Wang Nianlong’s face emerged.

Her smoky makeup had turned into a smeared mess.

“Take me to a hair salon,” Wang Nianlong said.

Yang Chen nodded and searched for nearby salons, driving to each one.

It was almost midnight, and several shops were closed. Finally, they found one that was still open.

“Dye my hair black and give me a bob cut,” Wang Nianlong said.

Hair dyeing was a lucrative service, worth working overtime for.

The hairdresser quickly got to work, spending nearly two hours transforming Wang Nianlong into a wholesome student.

She looked much prettier. The baby fat on her face highlighted her youthfulness.

Wang Nianlong paid and pulled Yang Chen out, saying, “Take me back to the bar. I need to give them a piece of my mind, or all the money I spent before will have been wasted.”

Yang Chen nodded and took Wang Nianlong back to the bar.

Zhao Qiang and his friends were still partying, looking drunk and dazed.

Wang Nianlong stepped forward and unleashed a torrent of insults, scolding them mercilessly.

Afterward, she grabbed Yang Chen and left.

Zhao Qiang and the others were stunned.

“Was that Wang Nianlong just now?”

“I think so!”

“Why did she suddenly change her style?”

“Isn’t it obvious? She must have been hurt by us and wants to cut ties.”

“I suddenly feel despicable. I was her best friend, and she spent so much money on me, but now I’m betraying her.”

“But she has a bad temper. If she didn’t spend money on us, why should we put up with it? You don’t owe her anything. We were just tolerating her.”

“That’s true.”

“Haha…”

Yang Chen took Wang Nianlong to the Four Seasons Hotel and said, “Take out your ID. I’ll book a room for you.”

Wang Nianlong: “It’s past two o’clock, and we’re going to Guizhou tomorrow. Why waste the money? I can just stay in your room.”

Yang Chen: “That won’t work. A guy needs to protect himself. It’s too dangerous for a single man and a single woman to be in the same room. I won’t do anything.”

Wang Nianlong looked at Yang Chen in surprise. “Uncle, are you serious? Shouldn’t I be worried about safety? Why are you being so self-assured?”

Yang Chen: “I’m a gentleman. I won’t have any thoughts about you. But you’re a ‘spiritual girl,’ so who knows what you might be thinking. It’s safer to sleep separately. I can’t risk my innocence.”

Wang Nianlong was speechless. If she were older, she might have choked.

“Uncle, if you put it that way, I have to stay in your room. It’s like you think I’m desperate enough to have designs on an old man like you. Let’s go!” Wang Nianlong pulled Yang Chen toward the elevator.

Soon, they arrived at Yang Chen’s room.

As soon as they entered, Yang Chen started taking off his clothes.

Wang Nianlong backed away warily. “What are you doing?”

Yang Chen: “Which ‘spiritual girl’ was crying earlier and said she’d wash my clothes?”

Yang Chen threw his coat and sweater to Wang Nianlong.

Wang Nianlong reluctantly pouted and glared at Yang Chen before going to the bathroom to wash the clothes.

Yang Chen ignored her and went to sleep.

By the time Wang Nianlong dried the clothes and came out, Yang Chen was already asleep.

Wang Nianlong hung the clothes on the drying rack and looked for a place to sleep.

She chose to spend the night in the hanging chair.

The two took a twelve o’clock flight and arrived in Guizhou at three in the afternoon.

They rented a car and drove to a small village in a poor county.

It was late when they arrived, so they spent the night in the car.

The next morning, they entered the village.

It was Saturday, so the children weren’t in school.

Seeing strangers, the villagers quickly took their children inside.

The village chief, aware of the outsiders, observed each household and approached with the village officials.

“What are you doing here?” the village chief asked.

Yang Chen: “Hello, uncle, what’s your name?”

Village Chief: “I’m the village chief, Cheng Daniu.”

Yang Chen: “Hello, Village Chief Cheng. We’re tourists. Let’s talk over there.”

Yang Chen and the village chief walked aside, while Wang Nianlong observed the village.

Yang Chen explained their purpose. The village chief said, “I see. You can see the situation. It’s mostly left-behind elderly and children. The young people have gone to work elsewhere. We’re doing okay; at least we have a road. The surrounding villages are isolated by mountains. How can they prosper?”

Yang Chen: “I understand your difficulties.”

Village Chief: “We have mineral resources, so there’s potential for development. But mining is difficult, and transportation is inconvenient. Several mining companies investigated, but they were unwilling to invest. The government is looking for companies, but there’s no news. The initial investment is too large. They need to build roads and tunnels. That scared them away. No one wants to help.”

Yang Chen: “What minerals do you have?”

Village Chief: “Mainly lead, zinc, vanadium, and some gold and copper.”

Yang Chen nodded, took out his phone, searched for a satellite map of Guizhou, and examined the area.

Then, he said, “I’ll recommend a mining company. Just wait for the news.”

Village Chief: “Really? That would be great! Which company?”

Yang Chen: “Star Mining, the one that acquired Zijin Mining and others to form Star Mining. It’s a big company.”

Village Chief: “Zijin Mining? They came before, but they left.”

Yang Chen: “It’s different this time. I’m the boss. If I tell them to develop here, they have to develop it. It’s just building roads, opening mountains, and constructing tunnels. I’ll personally donate to you all.”

Mining companies are unwilling to mine here simply because they dislike the large initial investment, which extends the cost recovery period.

Companies nowadays aim to make quick money. Asking them to wait eight to ten years to recoup their investment is something only state-owned enterprises would consider.

However, state-owned enterprises are inefficient and follow government plans. This area isn’t within their scope, so they likely won’t be interested.

Yang Chen doesn’t care how long it takes to recover costs, as long as he can secure the mining rights for the entire area.

The village chief was overjoyed and quickly asked, “May I ask for the boss’s esteemed name?”

Yang Chen: “I’m Yang Chen. I’ll call to check the situation and immediately confirm whether development is possible.”

Village Chief: “Okay, okay. Mr. Yang, please make the call. Oh, Zhang Accountant, quickly inform everyone to contribute some dishes. We’ll prepare a lavish lunch to treat Mr. Yang and his friends.”

Zhang Accountant nodded and hurried off to communicate with the villagers.

Upon hearing that the owner of a mining company was here to inspect, the villagers quickly went home to fetch dishes.

One family contributed some greens, another some meat, and soon the ingredients for a lavish lunch were gathered.

Zhang Accountant, along with a few elderly villagers who stayed behind, began preparing lunch.

Meanwhile, Yang Chen dialed the phone number of Wang Hui, the CEO of Star Mining.

Wang Hui: “Hello, Mr. Yang.”

Yang Chen: “Hello, Mr. Wang. Please check if Zijin Mining has previously inspected Sanhui County in Guizhou Province. I need to know their detailed inspection report.”

Wang Hui: “Okay, I’ll immediately call Zijin Mining to retrieve the inspection report. Please wait a moment.”

Several minutes later, Wang Hui sent Yang Chen the inspection report that Zijin Mining had compiled for Sanhui County.

Just as Chief Cheng had said, the content of lead, zinc, vanadium, gold, silver, copper, aluminum, and other minerals here is very rich. According to the normal mining speed, it is estimated that it can be mined for 20-30 years.

However, the biggest problem is that the transportation is very inconvenient. To transport the mining machinery, it is necessary to build wide and sturdy roads, and several mountains need to be tunneled.

Zijin Mining is just a mining company. They are certainly unwilling to invest so much money in road construction and mountain opening in the early stage, and the local government does not have enough funds to build roads and open mountains, so they can only give up Sanhui County.

After reading the inspection report, Yang Chen called Wang Hui again.

“Mr. Wang, convey my order to Zijin Mining, telling them to immediately contact the Sanhui County government, saying that we intend to develop the mineral resources in this area. You can negotiate normally, don’t lower the price too much, and don’t give too much either. As for the road problem, I will solve it. I will personally donate money to build roads and open mountains here, on the condition that all the mineral resources in Sanhui County must be handed over to the mining company under Star Mining for development. If other mining companies are already developing, immediately terminate the cooperation and transfer it to us. Talk to them like this first, and report to me when you have results.”

Wang Hui: “Okay, I’ll do it right away.”

Hanging up the phone, Yang Chen said to Chief Cheng, “Chief Cheng, I have decided to let a subsidiary of Star Mining participate in the development of the mineral resources here. I will personally donate money to build roads and open mountains, so you won’t be troubled by transportation problems in the future. However, I have a condition, that is, all the mineral resources in Sanhui County must be handed over to a company under Star Mining for mining. I have asked someone to contact the Sanhui County government for negotiations. You can wait for the news.”

Chief Cheng quickly bowed to Yang Chen and thanked him, “Thank you, Mr. Yang, thank you, Mr. Yang.”

Yang Chen: “You’re welcome. I’m also doing it to make money. I’m donating so much money to build roads, not only to help you but also to ensure that my mining company can continue to mine here for the next 20-30 years. You don’t need to thank me; thank nature for leaving you with the last hope.”

Chief Cheng: “Haha… We still have to thank you. So many companies came to inspect but were unwilling to mine, only you, Mr. Yang, are willing. Let’s go, let’s go to the village office and sit down. Stay for lunch, Zhang Accountant and the others have already prepared lunch.”

Yang Chen: “Okay! Then I won’t be polite.”

Yang Chen followed Chief Cheng and others to the village office.

Wang Nianlong played with the children in the village.

“Have your parents all gone to the city?” Wang Nianlong asked.

“Yes! We only see them during the New Year [Chinese New Year]. We don’t see them at other times.”

“My family has installed surveillance cameras. When I miss them, I shout ‘Mom and Dad’ at the cameras.”

“Grandma said they have to go out to work and earn money, otherwise, I won’t have money to eat and go to school.”

…

Wang Nianlong: “Then do you hate them? They didn’t accompany you as you grew up.”

“I don’t hate them! Grandpa and Grandma said that if Mom and Dad didn’t go out to earn money, we would have problems even eating.”

“Sometimes I get a little angry, but when I see Xiaolong’s family, I don’t get angry anymore. Xiaolong’s parents have health problems and can’t go out to work, so their family is doing very poorly. Xiaolong can’t even afford toys and comes to my house to play with my toys every day. So, I think it’s right for Mom and Dad to go out to work, otherwise, I wouldn’t have any toys either.”

“We’re all used to it. I miss Mom and Dad every day, but I don’t hate them.”

…

After listening to so many children, Wang Nianlong realized that she was being too sentimental.

In comparison, she is much happier than these children. At least her father comes home every day. These children only see their parents once a year, yet they are still more grateful and cheerful than she is.

At this moment, Wang Nianlong suddenly understood the reason why Yang Chen brought her here to travel.

“Heh…” Wang Nianlong couldn’t help but laugh. There was a hint of tenderness in her eyes, no longer the expression of someone who felt the whole world owed her money.

At this time, Wang Hui, the CEO of Star Mining, had already contacted the Sanhui County government and, according to Yang Chen’s requirements, proposed the condition that as long as they guaranteed to hand over all the county’s mineral resources to Star Mining for development, Yang Chen would personally donate the construction costs for the entire county’s transportation arteries.

As long as the county’s transportation arteries can be opened up, Sanhui County will definitely be able to shake off the label of a poverty-stricken county with its rich mineral resources and beautiful natural scenery.

Although this condition is a bit difficult, the Sanhui County government is still willing to try.

Therefore, County Chief Zhao Kangmin personally called the heads of several mining companies that were currently developing in the county and invited them to have lunch together to discuss relevant matters.

Unsurprisingly, this matter could not be discussed.

Zhao Kangmin had no choice but to bring the heads of the five companies to Xiaocheng Village to talk to Yang Chen in person.

At this time, Yang Chen and Wang Nianlong were chatting with the villagers.

A convoy of more than a dozen cars drove over in a mighty manner.

As soon as Zhao Kangmin got out of the car, the village chief recognized him.

“Oh dear, County Chief Zhao is here. Quickly come with me to greet him,” the village chief said excitedly.

Everyone quickly got up to greet him at the entrance of the village, but Yang Chen and Wang Nianlong didn’t move.

Wang Nianlong: “Uncle, thank you. You put a lot of thought into this.”

Yang Chen: “Huh? What do you mean?”

Wang Nianlong: “You brought me here just to let me see how miserable the children here are and how happy I am, right? I… I did realize something, and I don’t hate my dad as much anymore. Thank you.”

Yang Chen: “You’re overthinking it. I just simply brought you here for a vacation to relax, and to help with poverty alleviation and make some investments.”

Wang Nianlong: “Tch, you still won’t admit it.”

Zhao Kangmin quickly walked over and said, “This must be Mr. Yang Chen, the controlling shareholder of Star Mining, right? Hello, I am Zhao Kangmin, the County Chief of Sanhui County. It is an honor to meet Mr. Yang, and I am very grateful that Mr. Yang is willing to invest in our county.”

Yang Chen stood up and shook hands with Zhao Kangmin, saying, “Hello, County Chief Zhao. My people have told you about the situation, right?”

Zhao Kangmin: “Yes, yes. It’s just that Mr. Yang’s request is a bit harsh. I have brought the heads of the five companies that are currently mining in the county. Let’s sit down and have a good chat. What do you think?”

Yang Chen nodded and was about to say “okay” when Liu Hui, the Deputy General Manager of Guizhou Mingyang Mining, immediately said, “There is no room for discussion on this matter. We will never terminate the contract.”

Yang Chen: “How should I address you, sir? Which company are you from, and what is your position?”

Liu Hui: “I am Liu Hui, the Deputy General Manager of Guizhou Mingyang Mining Group. My father is the Chairman, Liu Jie.”

Yang Chen: “Oh, hello, Deputy General Manager Liu. Are you willing to bear the cost of transportation renovation in Sanhui County?”

Liu Hui: “Are you kidding me? That would cost tens of billions, or even hundreds of billions! Am I stupid? Why would I bear that cost?”

Yang Chen: “I am willing, but the condition is that the mining rights of Sanhui County must be handed over to me. Understand?”

Liu Hui: “Impossible! I don’t care what you build. Anyway, the contract hasn’t expired, and we will never terminate the mining.”

Yang Chen: “That’s not my problem. If Sanhui County can meet my requirements, I will donate and invest. If they can’t meet my conditions, then I won’t donate or invest.”

Zhao Kangmin became anxious, and so did the villagers.

It was not easy to find a boss willing to invest, and they couldn’t let these companies ruin it.

“Please, bosses, have some mercy. You only mine in places with convenient transportation, and you are unwilling to develop here. We don’t even have a decent road now. Several villages and towns next to us are surrounded by mountains and are even worse off than us. Now that we finally have a boss willing to solve our problems, please meet his requirements.”

“Yes! Why don’t you develop our area too? You can’t just focus on mining in convenient places to make money and ignore us in inconvenient places. Have pity on us left-behind elderly and children.”

…

At this time, Chen Ming, the head of China Longye Group, said, “Mr. Yang, isn’t your behavior a bit too domineering? We admire your willingness to donate to build roads, but you can’t rob our mineral resources. I haven’t reported to headquarters yet. If I report to headquarters, with the status of our China Longye, Mr. Yang’s company may encounter unforeseen troubles.”

China Longye is a legitimate state-owned enterprise, and its strength and status are definitely the top in China’s mining industry.

However, this didn’t scare Yang Chen.

Yang Chen: “How does your company compare to Baoli Group? I’m not even afraid of Baoli Group, why would I be afraid of your China Longye? I warn you all to behave yourselves. I am now using normal business negotiation methods to solve this matter, and you better also use business negotiation methods to solve it. If you try to threaten me, then I will act like a hooligan!”

Chen Ming’s eyes lit up, and he quickly asked, “Mr. Yang, are you… are you Mr. Yang Chen, the boss of the Star Group?”

Yang Chen: “What? Didn’t County Chief Zhao tell you that Star Mining is going to contract all the mineral resources in Sanhui County?”

Chen Ming: “He did, but I didn’t know that Star Mining also belongs to the Star Group. Mr. Yang, I apologize for my ignorance. Please forgive me. I will immediately report to headquarters and come up with a plan to terminate the contract for County Chief Zhao.”

Liu Hui, the Deputy General Manager of Mingyang Real Estate, asked in a panic, “You… you are Yang Chen, the boss of the Star Group? Star Investment, Star Technology, Star Defense, that Star Group?”

Yang Chen: “Yes, it’s me.”

Liu Hui instantly didn’t dare to speak.

The representatives of the other companies quickly greeted Yang Chen and said hello, saying that they would go back and report to their bosses and come up with a plan to terminate the contract as soon as possible.

Liu Hui also didn’t dare to be stubborn and quickly said, “Mr. Yang, I’m sorry. I’ll go back and report to my dad as well, and come up with a plan to terminate the mining as soon as possible, and won’t delay your poverty alleviation plan.”

Yang Chen: “That’s good. You can go and talk to the municipal government and let them exchange other mineral resources in other counties and districts for you. There are many solutions, so discuss it properly and don’t always think about threatening me. If I want to act like a hooligan, who can out-hooligan me?”

Liu Hui and the others nodded awkwardly and quickly apologized to Yang Chen again.

Afterward, they quickly went back to report to their headquarters.

Zhao Kangmin wanted to stay and entertain Yang Chen, but Yang Chen refused.

The main purpose of this trip was to have fun, and it was inconvenient for Zhao Kangmin to be around.

Zhao Kangmin didn’t dare to force Yang Chen and quickly took his subordinates back to the county government.

Chief Cheng sent Zhao Kangmin away and quickly ran back to Yang Chen and said, “Mr. Yang, are you the boss of Star Technology Group? The boss of the company that donated quantum chips to the country?”

Yang Chen: “Haha… it’s me.”

Chief Cheng: “Oh dear, I knew it. Mr. Yang can even donate quantum chips, so donating a few roads is nothing. Thank you, Mr. Yang, our village is saved, and our county is saved.”

The villagers were very simple and wanted to kneel down to thank Yang Chen.

Yang Chen hurriedly helped up the elderly people around him and said, “Everyone, don’t do this. I’m not just doing it for you, but also for myself. I’ve seen the climate and environment here, and it’s very suitable for growing herbs. If I solve the transportation problem here, it will be convenient to transport the herbs in the future. Children, please bear with it a little longer. It won’t be long before your parents can work and earn money at home while still being able to accompany you as you grow up. When that time comes, I hope everyone will remember my kindness and help me grow herbs well. Don’t bully me just because I’m a foreigner and sabotage things.”

“Haha… Mr. Yang, don’t worry. If you want to grow herbs here, we will voluntarily be security guards and absolutely guarantee the safety of your herbs.”

“If anyone dares to damage Mr. Yang’s herbs, we will be the first to disagree.”

“If I can be hired to grow herbs for Mr. Yang, I will take care of the herbs as if they were my own children.”

…

Yang Chen nodded with a smile and said, “That’s good. I’ll go back and arrange the road construction and herb planting. As long as you see a Star something company, please remember to take care of them, that’s my company.”

Village Chief: “Haha… definitely, definitely. Mr. Yang, don’t worry, we will definitely work hard and protect the investment of Star Group in this area.”

Yang Chen: “Okay! It’s getting late, we have to go. Goodbye, everyone. I wish you all a better life and that your families can work and live together.”

The village chief led the villagers to see Yang Chen and Wang Nianlong off to the car, and they walked with the car for three miles to see them off.

Everyone’s faces were filled with happy smiles, and they were full of beautiful expectations for the future.

Wang Nianlong: “You really came to talk about investment. Mining and planting herbs, I thought you brought me here specifically to experience the lives of the children and enlighten me. It seems I was just being sentimental.”

Yang Chen: “Haha… to be honest, I did bring you here to experience the living conditions of the children here, to let you know that you are already happier than most people. However, investment can also be done along the way. You also saw that the transportation here is indeed inconvenient, and it will cost a lot of money for me to donate money to build roads. If I don’t make more investments here, wouldn’t it be a waste of so much money for road construction?”

Wang Nianlong: “You are Yang Chen, the boss of the Star Group?”

Yang Chen: “Yes.”

Wang Nianlong: “Then why are you driving a ride-hailing car?”

Yang Chen: “To pass the time. You see, even if I acquire Changsheng, I will still let your dad manage it, I won’t manage it myself. All the other companies I acquire or invest in follow this model, with professional managers helping me manage them. So what do I do with so much time? I don’t want to work for others, so isn’t driving a ride-hailing car a good choice? It’s free and easy, and it can also pass the boring time.”

Wang Nianlong: “That makes sense. So where are we going now?”

Yang Chen: “Since we’ve come to Guizhou Province, we definitely have to see the Village Super League and the Village BA [Village Basketball Association, a popular amateur basketball league]. We’re going to Taipan Village, Taijiang County now.”

As soon as he finished speaking, Qiao Renxi called Yang Chen.

Qiao Renxi: “Wuwu… Brother Chen, my dad is gone. Wuwu…”

Yang Chen: “Really? I’ve already said it so clearly, and your family still couldn’t prevent the person who poisoned your dad from poisoning him?”

Qiao Renxi: “We’ve already called the police. My sister-in-law has been taken away by the police, and the forensic doctor has also intervened, waiting for the forensic report.”

Yang Chen: “Alas… your dad was destined to be like this. Even after the showdown, he was still poisoned. I’m impressed by your family. Where is your sister-in-law from?”

Qiao Renxi: “She’s from Taipan Village, Taijiang County, Guizhou Province, the village that’s especially popular for hosting the Village BA.”

Yang Chen: “…”

Damn it, what a coincidence.

Yang Chen: “I’m going to see the Village BA anyway, so I’ll inquire about Yu Xiaoman’s family situation. Since things have come to this, please accept my condolences.”

Qiao Renxi: “Then I’ll leave it to you, Brother Chen. You must help me find out the truth. Thank you.”

Yang Chen: “Okay, I’ll do my best.”

Hanging up the phone, Yang Chen sighed helplessly.

Even after the showdown in front of the Qiao family, Qiao Fengnian was still poisoned. I really don’t know how he managed that.

Actually, Qiao Fengnian underestimated the ruthlessness of the murderer. He thought that by saying in front of the whole family that he would not pursue the murderer’s responsibility, the murderer would stop poisoning him.

It was a very prudent and clever strategy to seriously investigate who the real murderer was after he recovered.

But the murderer didn’t give him a chance to recover and was determined to kill him.

In fact, the most correct approach would have been to immediately go to a closed environment, where he lived alone, without giving anyone the opportunity to contact him, and wait until he recovered before returning.

Unfortunately, he had no ifs.