How A Ride-Hailing Driver Comes To Dominate The World? [EN]: Chapter 576

Yang Chen naturally wasn’t very interested in half of the Ning family’s assets. His own wealth was already enough for him to live through several lifetimes, and even then, he might not be able to spend it all.

However, helping a few people become the richest in the city would also be an accomplishment.

Yang Chen: “The real estate industry doesn’t have much potential for major growth anymore. Your family can keep this business, but it can’t be the main focus. You have to develop new ventures.”

Ning Shaoqing: “Alas… I understand that, but I don’t know what kind of business I can add right now. I’ve thought about getting into the social media influencer scene, doing live streaming and selling products. What do you think?”

Yang Chen: “If it were five years ago, that would definitely be a wise choice. But now, it’s too late. The cost of acquiring traffic [online user attention] is too high now. There’s very little organic traffic [unpaid website visits] left. You have to snatch traffic from other competitors, which is too difficult. However, it doesn’t hurt to try. Even if it doesn’t bring you big changes, you can still make some money. I can help you get in touch with Douyin [TikTok’s Chinese version], Kuaishou [another popular video-sharing platform in China], Red Book [a social commerce platform], Weibo [a Chinese microblogging website], and other platforms, and give you some traffic in the early stages to help you get started more easily. You can also do film and television investment. The film and television industry will get better and better. Nowadays, audiences are no longer only interested in Hollywood blockbusters; they also pay more attention to good domestic films. So, if you have a good eye and can invest in a few hits, you can get started quickly. If I didn’t already have more than a hundred factories under my name, I could have given you a piece of the action.”

Ning Shaoqing: “I won’t compete with you for what you already have, Brother Chen. Then let’s try film and television investment and the social media influencer industry first. With your connections to the major platforms, I believe it shouldn’t be difficult. Come on, let’s drink.”

Yang Chen wasn’t planning to drive tonight anyway, so he figured he could have a few drinks.

The two of them ate and chatted, and before they knew it, it was past ten o’clock.

After leaving the restaurant, Ning Shaoqing took Yang Chen to a nightclub.

Young people, after all, need to have a nightlife.

As luck would have it, the two of them ran into Kang Min and her group, as well as Zhao Guang, the son of Deputy Mayor Zhao Zun, as soon as they entered the nightclub.

Zhao Guang had been enjoying himself these past few days. Kang Min and her group had been trying to curry favor with him, hoping that Zhao Zun would take action against Yang Chen, and had spent almost all of their pocket money on him, hoping that he would ask his father to deal with Yang Chen after he had enjoyed himself enough.

Kang Min: “Why is it you again? You’re really a persistent ghost! Young Master Zhao, when can you help us teach him a lesson? It’s so upsetting to see him always appearing in front of us.”

Li Chao: “Yeah, bro, when are you going to ask your uncle to take action?”

Ning Shaoqing asked with a puzzled look, “Brother Chen, what’s going on here?”

Yang Chen: “A bunch of kids think that just because I’m from out of town and they’re locals, they can mess with me. I don’t even bother with them; it’s a waste of my time.”

Ning Shaoqing turned to look at Zhao Guang and said, “Young Master Zhao, what’s the meaning of this?”

Zhao Guang: “This has nothing to do with you; don’t interfere.”

Ning Shaoqing: “Are you talking nonsense? This is my Brother Chen; how does it not concern me? If you dare to touch Brother Chen, I guarantee you won’t be able to go out in public in the future. Zhao Guang, you better not cause unnecessary trouble for your dad. Not to mention Brother Chen, I’m not even afraid of him; how dare you come here to show off? One word from Brother Chen and he’ll be transferred away tomorrow. Do you believe it?”

Zhao Guang: “Damn! Who are you trying to scare?”

Ning Shaoqing stepped forward and slapped Zhao Guang, saying, “I’m slapping you right now; go back and tell your dad, and see what he can do to me. A bunch of ignorant trash, get lost! Brother Chen, you should be tougher on these small characters; let them know your true strength, otherwise they’ll be like flies buzzing around you, not biting, but annoying.”

Yang Chen: “I’m not interested in dealing with these small characters. I’ll leave them to you; take care of them.”

Ning Shaoqing: “Okay! Hey, you, come here.”

A waiter ran over quickly and said, “Young Master Ning, what can I do for you?”

Ning Shaoqing: “Go tell Li Yang that I’m very upset today and want to see him beat someone up, just beat these guys.”

The waiter: “Okay, okay, I’ll report to Brother Yang right away.”

The waiter hurried off to find Li Yang.

Zhao Guang: “Ning Shaoqing, do you really think my dad wouldn’t dare to touch you?”

Ning Shaoqing: “Go tell him; didn’t I tell you to go back and tell him?”

As he spoke, Li Yang ran over with a group of people.

“Young Master Ning, what brings you here today?” Li Yang said with a smile.

Ning Shaoqing: “I’m in a bad mood today and want to see you beat someone up. Just these guys, start.”

Li Yang looked at Zhao Guang and the others and said with an embarrassed expression, “The others are okay, but Zhao Guang is not easy to touch, right? Young Master Ning, you’re making things difficult for me.”

Ning Shaoqing: “Difficult?”

Ning Shaoqing walked to a guy with yellow hair next to him, grabbed his collar, and took out a bag of ice [crystal meth] from his pocket and threw it on the table.

Li Yang’s face changed drastically, and he glared fiercely at the yellow-haired guy.

“Is it still difficult now?” Ning Shaoqing asked.

Li Yang smiled helplessly, waved his hand, and signaled his men to start.

Zhao Guang: “Hey, what are you doing? My dad…”

Li Yang: “Cover their mouths.”

The men immediately covered the mouths of the group, pinned them to the ground, and beat them up.

Ning Shaoqing felt it was enough, waved his hand, and signaled Li Yang to stop.

Li Yang quickly shouted, “Stop!”

Ning Shaoqing: “Send them to the hospital.”

Li Yang nodded and said, “Young Master Ning, enjoy yourself. Send them to the hospital. You, come in with me!”

The men quickly sent Zhao Guang and his group to the hospital, and the yellow-haired guy followed Li Yang away, trembling.

Yang Chen: “How did you know that the yellow-haired guy had something on him?”

Ning Shaoqing: “I often come here to play; I know very well who’s doing these things. And the faces and states of people who play with those things are obviously different from normal people; I can tell at a glance. See that one? Shaking his head? He must have just gotten high. Damn, this bar will be shut down sooner or later.”

Yang Chen: “Then why do you still come here to play?”

Ning Shaoqing: “This is the most fun place to play. It’s almost time. After twelve o’clock, this place will be a different scene. You definitely haven’t seen it before, Brother Chen; I guarantee you’ll have your eyes opened.”

Yang Chen smiled and said, “Really? Then I’ll look forward to it.”

Soon, it was past 12 o’clock.

A group of scantily clad, well-built, beautiful girls came on stage, and the music turned into a dynamic and energetic type. With the music, the girls began to sway their bodies, and from time to time they would take off a piece of clothing and throw it to the enthusiastic customers under the stage. The male customers who grabbed the clothes excitedly howled to the sky.

It has to be said that this bar is good at playing on the edge.

Everyone who comes to play in this kind of nightclub knows exactly what they’re here for, which is to seek romance and excitement. No matter how many excuses they make to justify themselves, they can’t hide this fact.

Yang Chen: “It seems that I am indeed ignorant. I didn’t expect that there are such exciting nightclubs in our country.”

Ning Shaoqing: “This is nothing. There are even more exciting ones than this. Especially those clubs and KTVs [karaoke bars], they are even more crazy. But they are all trashy goods. You’d better not go, Brother Chen, so as not to tarnish your reputation.”

Yang Chen: “Haha…”

It was too noisy here. It was okay to “see the world” for a while, but Yang Chen couldn’t stand being in this environment for a long time.

The two of them left after having a couple of drinks.

“Brother Chen, what are your plans for tomorrow? If you don’t have any plans, I’ll make some arrangements for you,” Ning Shaoqing said with a smile.

Yang Chen: “Tomorrow I’m going to experience the life of a president. Oh, by the way, how much do you know about that Baole Culture Media Company?”

Ning Shaoqing: “You also know about Baole? The reason why I want to do the social media influencer business is because I’m jealous of Baole. Three years ago, Baole was just an unknown advertising company. Since it started the social media influencer business, it has developed rapidly. Recently, it has also started investing in film and television dramas, and it’s developing very well.”

Yang Chen: “Oh, so that’s how it is. Tomorrow I’m going to be the president of Baole for a day, and I’ll help you understand how they do it.”

Ning Shaoqing: “Okay, okay. Hmm? How did you become the president of Baole?”

Yang Chen: “It’s a long story; I’ll tell you when I have time. It’s getting late; go back to sleep. Help me call a driver.”

Ning Shaoqing: “Okay.”

Ning Shaoqing called two drivers, one for Yang Chen and one for himself.

After saying goodbye, Yang Chen got into the car and returned to the hotel.

Yan Ruyu had left a note for Yang Chen on the coffee table.

“Brother Chen, I have an emergency at home and have to go back first. I’ll ask you out to play again when I have the chance.”

Yang Chen smiled, lay on the bed, and fell asleep.

On the other side, Zhao Guang was complaining to his father about his experience.

Zhao Zun was furious and immediately called Ning Shaoqing.

Zhao Zun: “Hey, Ning Shaoqing, what do you mean? Why did you beat my son like this?”

Ning Shaoqing: “I’m saving you. Ask your son what he did; why would I beat him?”

Zhao Zun: “Saving us? You beat my son and say you’re saving us? What did my son do?”

Ning Shaoqing: “He and those bums were actually going to provoke Yang Chen, the boss of Star Stream Corporation. I’m friends with Brother Chen, and they were rude to him in front of me, so how could I not take action? Your son is really brave; he even dared to have ideas about Yang Chen of Star Stream Corporation. Does he think you are more important than a research result of Star Stream Technology? Quantum chips? Or rain bombs with a range of 20,000 kilometers [12,427 miles]? Or stealth materials that can ignore all air defense systems? At least with this beating, Brother Chen won’t lower himself to deal with him anymore, right?”

Zhao Zun thought about it and it seemed to be the case, and said, “I’ll settle this with you later; I’ll ask clearly first.”

After speaking, Zhao Zun hung up the phone.

Ning Shaoqing smiled, not caring at all.

Zhao Zun questioned: “You wanted to mess with Star Stream Corporation’s Yang Chen?”

Zhao Guang looked surprised and said, “No… no!”

Zhao Zun: “The one next to Ning Shaoqing is Yang Chen of Star Stream Corporation! Is there something wrong with your brain? How dare you have ideas about him?”

Zhao Guang: “Ah! Boss Yang? That’s impossible! Li Chao and the others said that he was just a ride-hailing driver, who just happened to know Gao Ang, the vice president of the Jinling branch of Star Stream Defense. I thought it wouldn’t be difficult for you to deal with the Jinling branch of Star Stream Defense with your status, so I agreed to help them.”

Zhao Zun: “You mean you didn’t even investigate the other party’s identity before you dared to agree to others; how dare you? If Ning Shaoqing didn’t beat you up, and it was Yang Chen who took action himself, what do you think your end would be?”

Zhao Guang: “…”

Zhao Guang’s mother quickly said: “Okay, okay, stop talking. Xiao Guang, don’t associate with those people in the future. It has nothing to do with you; if we are implicated by them, we will suffer a lot! Lao Zhao, you should find a chance to say hello to Star Stream Defense and say a few nice words, hoping that this matter will pass. Since Ning Shaoqing is Yang Chen’s man, then forget it. This time, just take it as a lesson, and be more careful in the future; don’t associate too much with those friends. If you provoke any big shots again, do you think we can afford the consequences? It’s obviously something that has nothing to do with us, and we get into trouble; how wronged we are. Xiao Guang, do you understand?”

Zhao Guang was not convinced and said: “Forget about Yang Chen of Star Stream Corporation, but what is Ning Shaoqing? How dare he hit me? And he hit me in front of so many people; how can I go out to see people in the future! I don’t care; Ning Shaoqing must let me beat him up, or kneel down and kowtow to me to apologize. Otherwise, I won’t live anymore; I’m going to jump off the building now!”

Saying that, Zhao Guang rushed towards the balcony, yelling.

The family quickly rushed up to pull him back, crying and comforting him not to be impulsive.

The grandfather couldn’t bear to see his grandson being bullied and having to endure it, and said: “Zhao Zun, do you have any ambition? Your son was beaten, and you still want him to endure it? Are you doing your job as a father?”

Zhao Zun: “Ning Shaoqing is easy to deal with, the key is that Ning Shaoqing is Yang Chen’s man. Can you consider the problem more comprehensively, consider the consequences clearly, don’t just yell and blame me when you get hotheaded! I don’t want to stand up for my son? But this time they provoked Yang Chen. Does anyone in our family is more important than quantum chips? Or more important than rain bombs with a range of 20,000 kilometers and stealth materials that can avoid all global air defense systems? Or can any of you research something more advanced than quantum entanglement?”

Everyone quieted down, and then began to persuade Zhao Guang to calm down and learn from his mistakes.

Zhao Guang had never suffered any losses since he was a child, and this time he was publicly taught a lesson, which was a great blow to his self-esteem.

Anyway, no matter what the family said, he just demanded that Ning Shaoqing must come over and kneel down to apologize to him, or be beaten by him; there was no other solution.

If his request could not be met, he would find a chance to commit suicide at any time.

The family had no choice; they couldn’t really let him commit suicide.

The grandparents and mother quickly persuaded the father to ask Ning Shaoqing out to talk, no matter what, to apologize to Zhao Guang.

Zhao Zun couldn’t resist his family, so he called Ning Shaoqing.

After understanding Zhao Zun’s meaning, Ning Shaoqing refused very clearly: “Impossible, do whatever you want. I’m a little dizzy from drinking; I’m going to sleep. Goodbye.”

Zhao Zun threw the phone aside in embarrassment and anger, and said: “That dog Ning Shaoqing doesn’t agree to apologize to Xiao Guang.”

Zhao Guang: “He’s obviously not giving you face; aren’t you going to do something about him?”

Zhao Zun gritted his teeth and said: “Okay, I know. It’s getting late; go to sleep.”

Under the persuasion of his grandparents and mother, Zhao Guang reluctantly returned to his room to sleep.

…

At 7:50 in the morning, Yang Chen arrived at the gate of Baole Culture Technology.

As soon as Yang Chen stopped the car, Yang Shuo got into the passenger seat.

“Here, here are the keys to my Maybach. From now until 24:00, we will exchange identities,” Yang Shuo said with a smile.

Yang Chen: “Aren’t you afraid that I’ll cause you any trouble?”

Yang Shuo: “Don’t be afraid! I’ve told my secretary; she will tell you clearly what you can do and what you can’t do. I’m going to experience the freedom of being a ride-hailing driver for a day. You’re going to experience my busy life for a day. We’ll meet in the evening and talk about our experiences.”

Yang Chen: “Okay! Bye.”

Yang Chen got out of the car with the Maybach keys, and Yang Shuo moved to the driver’s seat and drove away.

Yang Chen got into the Maybach and found a beauty in professional attire sitting in the back.

“Hello, President Yang, I’m your secretary; you can call me Xiao Qing,” the beauty said.

Yang Chen: “Oh, hello. Is your boss usually very busy?”

Secretary: “Yes. He’s very busy every day; he doesn’t even have enough time to sleep.”

Yang Chen nodded, drove into the company, and under the leadership of Xiao Qing, no one dared to stop Yang Chen, and the two entered the president’s office together.

Yang Chen: “What should I do now?”

Secretary: “You have to prepare for the routine meeting now.”

Yang Chen nodded and said, “Okay, let’s go.”

Yang Chen followed the secretary to the conference room, where the heads of various departments were already waiting.

Seeing the secretary bring in a strange man, and he was sitting in the president’s seat, everyone’s faces were filled with shock and doubt.

Secretary: “Hello everyone, President Yang is too tired, so he exchanged identities with this handsome ride-hailing driver for a day. President Yang has already gone to experience being a ride-hailing driver. From now until 24:00 in the evening, this Mr. Yang Chen will be the president of our Baole. Everyone is to proceed as usual. Please report your work to President Yang.”

Everyone was surprised.

“Wow, President Yang is really innocent, still playing such innocent games.”

“President Yang must have watched too many movies, doing some kind of identity swap, and then meeting Cinderella as a ride-hailing driver, and finally staging a moving love story.”

“Well, it has that flavor; the plot in the movie is arranged like this.”

…

After some discussion, everyone began to report their work to Yang Chen.

“President Yang, Christmas is coming soon; the cafeteria wants to add meals for everyone; do you think this menu is feasible?”

Yang Chen was stunned after hearing this; does this kind of thing need the boss to ask?

No wonder Yang Shuo felt tired; does this kind of trivial matter need to be reported to the boss at the routine meeting?

Yang Chen: “You can make your own decision on this kind of thing. Is there anything more important to report?”

“Some employees complained that there is not enough food in the cafeteria, and we want to increase the supply. Do you think it’s okay?”

Yang Chen: “…”

Wow, come on.

Is this the important thing?

Yang Chen: “Your department head can decide on this kind of small thing. If there is not enough food, do you think we should increase the supply? Why do you have to report this obvious small thing to the boss?”

“But President Yang usually asks us to report everything to him, no matter how big or small, so that he can accurately control the development of the company.”

Yang Chen: “Oh, no wonder he said he was tired; which serious boss would manage the company like this. If other departments are all this kind of small things, there is no need to report them; go back and work hard. Meeting adjourned!”

Yang Chen got up to leave, and the secretary quickly stopped him and said, “President Yang, this is your job; you have to listen to their work reports.”

Yang Chen: “Since I am the boss, I have the final say. If they have important things to report, I will listen carefully. However, I don’t think there will be any important things to report to me. So, there is no need to listen to them talk about these trivial things. Let’s go, back to the office. Make me a cup of coffee to refresh myself.”

The secretary nodded and accompanied Yang Chen back to the president’s office.

“What kind of coffee does President Yang drink?” the secretary asked.

Yang Chen: “Make me a latte. Do you have it?”

Secretary: “Yes. I’ll make it. Wait a moment.”

Soon, the secretary came with coffee.

Yang Chen thanked her, picked it up and took a sip.

“Xiao Qing, right?” Yang Chen asked.

The secretary nodded.

Yang Chen: “Introduce me to the company’s shareholders and the main business distribution.”

Secretary: “Our company has a total of 5 individual shareholders, and President Yang holds 40% of the shares, making him the largest shareholder. The other four individual shareholders are all President Yang’s family members. President Yang’s father holds 20%, his mother holds 10%, his younger brother holds 10%, and his grandparents each hold 5%, with the remaining 10% held by the employee union. Currently, the business is mainly divided into three parts: advertising, social media influencers, and film and television investment. President Yang has thought about expanding the star talent agency business, but there are too few resources in this area, and there is not enough funds, so he has not taken action yet.”

Yang Chen nodded, and it seemed that this company was really good to be able to achieve an annual turnover of 2 billion with these few businesses. Many listed companies do not have this ability.

Yang Chen: “Can I see your company’s financial reports for the past three years?”

The company’s financial report is not a secret, and this can be shown to Yang Chen.

The secretary brought the company’s financial reports for the past three years and handed them to Yang Chen.

“Okay, I’ll just look at it myself. You go and do your work; call you if you need anything,” Yang Chen said.

The secretary nodded and went back to her office.

Yang Chen leaned back in the boss’s chair, looking at the financial report, and discovered the secret.

The reason why Baole’s turnover can reach 2 billion is because Yang Shuo’s grandfather previously bought some land and buildings in the name of a Baole subsidiary, preparing to enter the real estate industry.

However, after the second wave of real estate frenzy in 2016, Wang, the old man of Yida Group, made a crazy sale, which dispelled Yang Shuo’s grandfather’s idea of entering the real estate industry.

In 2020-2021, when real estate reached its peak, Baole took the opportunity to sell the land and buildings it held, and received the sales proceeds in batches, and this part of the income was attributed to the company’s other income, which led to the company’s turnover reaching a peak of 2 billion last year.

If the income from the real estate industry is deducted, the actual total revenue of Baole’s three main businesses, advertising, social media influencers, and film and television investment, is 850 million, and the net profit is 280 million.

However, a main business revenue of 850 million and a net profit of 280 million is also a good result, which is much stronger than many listed film and television companies and cultural media companies.

Looking at those listed companies, they lose hundreds of millions or even billions at every turn, and their performance is far inferior to Baole.

Yang Chen put down the financial report, put on his headphones, listened to heavy metal music, looked at the scenery outside the window, his body swaying with the music, occasionally taking a sip of coffee, enjoying this leisure time.

After a while, a long-haired girl opened the door and walked in aggressively.

“Yang Shuo! How many times have I told you, I don’t like you; don’t waste your time on me; why can’t you understand? Why don’t you answer my calls? It made me waste time to come over and tell you one last time!”

Yang Chen heard someone speaking, quickly took off his headphones, turned the boss’s chair over, and the girl was so frightened that she shuddered.

“Wow, this man is so handsome! Who is he? Why is he sitting in Yang Shuo’s seat? Could it be that Yang Kang’s illegitimate son has returned to replace Yang Shuo and take over Baole?” the girl thought to herself.

Yang Chen: “Hello, who are you?”

The girl restrained herself a little, smiled lightly, and said: “Hello, my name is Li Yingying. I’m very happy to meet you. What’s your name?”

Yang Chen got up and shook hands with Li Yingying, and said: “I’m Yang Shuo, the president of Baole. Are you here to talk about business?”

Li Yingying frowned and asked with a puzzled look: “Who did you say you were?”

Yang Chen: “I’m Yang Shuo, the president of Baole; are you here to talk about business?”

Li Yingying: “I… want to talk! But it’s not convenient to talk here; let’s go out and find a quiet place to talk while drinking coffee.”

Yang Chen: “Okay! You go out and wait for me first; I’ll tell my secretary and then come to find you.”

Li Yingying: “Okay! I’ll wait for you in the parking lot.”

Yang Chen nodded.

A strange smile appeared on the corner of Li Yingying’s mouth, and she turned and left.

Yang Chen came to the secretary’s office, but Secretary Xiao Qing was not there.

Yang Chen left a note on Xiao Qing’s desk, and then went down to find Li Yingying.

Since I’m here to be the president, I won’t do it for nothing; I’ll talk about a business for them; it’s a courtesy; after all, Yang Shuo has already run two customers.

Yang Chen came to the parking lot, and Li Yingying honked the horn twice.

“I’ll drive my own car,” Yang Chen said.

Seeing that Yang Chen really drove Yang Shuo’s Maybach out, Li Yingying was even more confused.

“What’s going on? Why does he say he’s Yang Shuo, and he really drove Yang Shuo’s car out? Could it be that the man who went on a blind date with me before wasn’t Yang Shuo, but a substitute he found?” Li Yingying thought to herself.

Li Yingying followed the Maybach out, and soon the Maybach stopped in front of a coffee shop.

Yang Chen got out of the car and walked over and said, “Miss Li, let’s just stay here.”

Li Yingying: “Okay. Have we met somewhere before?”

Yang Chen: “Impossible. This is the first time I’ve met Miss Li.”

Li Yingying nodded, thinking: “Damn guy, finding a substitute to deal with my blind date; he didn’t even look at my photos; it’s really too much! The men in the entire Jinling City who have ideas about me, Li Yingying, can line up from here to Paris. You look down on me just because you’re handsome? If you look down on me, why did your grandfather bring us together for a blind date? Wait, I must teach you a lesson! Bastard!”