How A Ride-Hailing Driver Comes To Dominate The World? [EN]: Chapter 660

Zhao Tian finally understood why he was completely banned online in such a short time: Yang Chen, the boss of Starlight Corporation, was the one who moved against him.

However, he still couldn’t accept his fate and wanted to struggle a bit more.

“President Wang, you have to help me this time! I didn’t know Liu Tianxian was dating President Yang, or I wouldn’t have dared to secretly film and expose them. Please beg President Yang on my behalf. I’ll delete all the photos and videos. I beg him to show mercy and let me off this time. I will forever remember your great kindness, President Wang,” Zhao Tian sincerely pleaded.

Wang Fei replied helplessly, “Brother, it’s not that I don’t want to help you, but I can’t. Looking at the whole country—oh, no, now we can look at the whole world—can you see anyone who dares to go against Mr. Yang’s wishes? Even those guys on Wall Street have been dealt with. How dare I go against his wishes? Brother, you can only accept your fate. Gotta hang up now.”

Zhao Tian kept saying “Hello, hello” several times, but Wang Fei still resolutely hung up the phone.

Zhao Tian sighed and quickly called his big boss, Zhang Yuwei.

Zhang Yuwei is a veteran star in the entertainment industry. Back then, she was so popular that she could cause a sensation wherever she went. Some extreme fans even attempted suicide for her.

However, this still couldn’t be considered her greatest achievement. Her crowning moment came when the news of her first divorce was exposed. Several male actors who had worked with her coincidentally broke up or divorced, and they even fought in a bar to compete for the chance to drive her home.

At that time, Zhang Yuwei suddenly had an idea. Since she was so popular, why bother getting married again?

She didn’t even look for a boyfriend. As long as she didn’t belong to someone, she would belong to everyone. Men from all industries and levels would fall at her feet.

Once a woman figures things out, her life becomes smooth. From then on, Zhang Yuwei drifted among various men and quickly became a leading figure in the Beijing circle [a social and business network centered in Beijing]. She could not only dominate the entertainment industry but also had strong connections in the political and business circles.

However, this still wasn’t her greatest achievement.

Everyone who develops well will not be satisfied with just being limited to the domestic market and will turn their attention to the international market. Of course, Zhang Yuwei was no exception. She not only acquired teams and wineries in Europe but also bought farms in the United States. She even funded a presidential candidate’s campaign, but the candidate she funded ultimately failed.

Because Zhang Yuwei was so powerful, Tianfeng Entertainment Studio was fearless under her protection. They could film any star they wanted and “extort” any star they wanted, and those stars could only obediently spend money to avoid disaster.

Sometimes, they would encounter stars who were unwilling to compromise. The fate of those stars would be very miserable. At best, they would be severely injured and fall from grace. At worst, they would be directly banned.

In fact, Tianfeng Entertainment Studio originally had nothing to do with Zhang Yuwei. Zhao Tian climbed up to her for self-protection, promising that the company would listen to her orders in the future and give her 60% of the profits. That’s why she was willing to protect Zhao Tian and Tianfeng Entertainment Studio.

Zhang Yuwei instructed Zhao Tian not to look for her unless he had a problem he couldn’t solve.

Now that Zhao Tian’s personal social connections couldn’t save him, he had no choice but to call Zhang Yuwei for help.

Zhang Yuwei: “What’s the matter?”

Zhao Tian: “Sister Wei, something happened. We filmed Liu Tianxian and her boyfriend on Jinbai Street. I previewed it according to normal procedure, but our accounts were banned across the entire network. Later, I inquired with Weibo [a Chinese microblogging website], and found out that Liu Tianxian’s boyfriend is actually Yang Chen, the boss of the Starlight Corporation. It was President Yang who personally ordered the ban on all our accounts. Weibo didn’t dare to disobey his wishes, and no matter how I pleaded, it was useless. So… I’m sorry, Sister Wei, I didn’t want to trouble you, but I really have no choice now and can only ask you to come forward. Sister Wei must save us no matter what. The mid-year bonus is coming soon, and we’ll give you an extra 10%. Okay?”

Zhang Yuwei immediately frowned. This was indeed a very tricky matter.

President Yang of the Starlight Corporation is currently riding high. Anyone who dares to oppose him is just asking for trouble.

However, Tianfeng Entertainment Studio can stably “profit” over 100 million yuan a year by secretly filming celebrities. It would be a pity if it really fell like this.

Zhang Yuwei replied, “I understand. I’ll try my best to resolve it. But… alas… he is, after all, President Yang of the Starlight Corporation. I’m not confident that I can handle him. Wait for news, and don’t take any action during this period. Everyone should honestly take a vacation.”

Zhao Tian: “Okay! Thank you for your help, Sister Wei. I will always remember your kindness. I’ll hang up then, bye.”

Zhang Yuwei hummed and then hung up the phone.

Zhang Yuwei opened her address book and searched one by one to see who she should ask for help. With her identity as a social butterfly in the entertainment industry, it was impossible for her to reach Yang Chen directly. She could only find a big shot in her circle of friends who was close to Yang Chen to come forward.

After searching for a while, Zhang Yuwei finally found a suitable candidate: Xue Jiayi, the chairman of Huanyu Group.

Zhang Yuwei dialed Xue Jiayi’s number and said in a coquettish voice, “President Xue, good morning. Are you up yet? The sun is going to burn your butt.”

When it comes to flirting with men, Zhang Yuwei is definitely an expert. Which man can resist a beautiful woman talking like this?

Xue Jiayi replied with a smile, “Oh dear, it really is burning. My butt is sunburned. I need someone to help me apply some medicine.”

Zhang Yuwei giggled and said, “Applying medicine is a physical job, let me do it. I’m from the countryside, so I’m stronger.”

Xue Jiayi was immediately flustered and quickly asked, “Tell me, what’s the matter?”

Zhang Yuwei: “Oh dear, President Xue is so considerate, always prioritizing solving people’s problems. To thank President Xue, I plan to find an opportunity to invite you to sing and drink.”

Xue Jiayi: “Okay! I’ll go to Beijing to find you tomorrow. Don’t deny it then.”

Zhang Yuwei: “Haha… President Xue, don’t worry. I, Zhang Yuwei, haven’t just started out today. I still understand the basic rules of keeping promises. When President Xue comes tomorrow, I will definitely treat you well. And then, I have a favor to ask President Xue to help with.”

Xue Jiayi: “Haha… easy to say, what is it?”

Zhang Yuwei then told Xue Jiayi about Tianfeng Entertainment Studio secretly filming Liu Tianxian and asked him to help plead with Yang Chen.

Xue Jiayi was immediately stunned. It was not easy to offend President Yang of the Starlight Corporation.

However, Xue Jiayi didn’t want to give up this opportunity to get Zhang Yuwei into bed, so he said, “Oh dear, sister, this favor is not easy to help with. If I don’t handle it well, I might get burned myself. It’s not that I’m unwilling to help you, brother, but the risk is too great.”

Zhang Yuwei: “Oh dear, President Xue, I know this matter is difficult to handle, but that’s precisely why I’m asking President Xue for help. With your status in the country, you can definitely persuade Yang Chen to give us a break. I’ve bought the red wine. President Xue, come to my house for a drink tomorrow night. If you drink too much, don’t leave. I have many rooms in my house. President Xue can stay overnight. I’m afraid of living alone, so it would give me a sense of security if President Xue could stay overnight. I can also have a good night’s sleep. President Xue, can you?”

Zhang Yuwei had already made her words so clear that Xue Jiayi naturally understood.

“Oh dear, for the sake of my sister’s sincerity, I’ll give it a try. However, he is, after all, Yang Chen. I can’t guarantee that it will work. You have to be prepared for the worst,” Xue Jiayi said with a smile.

Zhang Yuwei: “Understood, sister understands this principle. As long as President Xue does his best, sister doesn’t require success.”

Xue Jiayi: “Okay! Then it’s settled. I’ll contact Yang Chen now.”

Xue Jiayi didn’t have any contact with Yang Chen. The two had never even met, but they had common friends, namely Da Ma Ge and Xiao Ma Ge [nicknames for Jack Ma and Pony Ma, founders of Alibaba and Tencent, respectively].

At this time, Yang Chen was sunbathing in the presidential suite of the Royal Palace Hotel, drinking coffee, and enjoying Maya’s massage service.

After working hard for several years, how wonderful it would be to enjoy this every day in the future.

The peace was soon broken when Da Ma Ge called Yang Chen.

Yang Chen: “President Ma, are you looking for me for a massage or tea?”

Da Ma Ge: “Haha… children make choices, adults want everything! Where is President Yang?”

Yang Chen: “Jinbai Royal Palace Hotel, bathing in the sun, drinking coffee, with beautiful women accompanying me, in a great mood. President Ma, don’t say anything that will upset me. You can tell me if you have good news.”

Da Ma Ge was dumbfounded. Yang Chen is indeed Yang Chen, subtly making it difficult for him.

Yang Chen asked with a smile, “It seems like it’s not good news. President Ma is not saying anything. Since it’s not good news, then don’t say it.”

Da Ma Ge: “Haha… do I have to have something to say when I call President Yang? Can’t I just want to hear your voice?”

Yang Chen: “Haha… of course you can. Come over and play when you have time. This Royal Palace Hotel has just been built and is positioned as an eight-star hotel. It’s worth experiencing.”

Da Ma Ge: “Haha… I’m not as free as President Yang. The group’s performance is not good, and I’m nervous every day now. If this continues, I’ll have to sell my shares and leave.”

Alibaba’s recent performance has indeed been poor, mainly because the economic situation is not good, the unemployment rate has increased sharply, and the number of business closures is also relatively high. Everyone is not making money, consumption levels are declining, and online shopping will naturally decrease.

In the past few years, during the Double 11 shopping festival [an annual online shopping event in China on November 11th],
Alibaba’s total platform sales could reach 200 billion or even 300 billion yuan. However, the sales volume of the most recent Double Eleven shopping festival did not even reach the 100 billion level.

The sharp drop in sales also means that the platform’s advertising, commission, logistics, and other revenues will be greatly reduced.

Recently, Alibaba’s business focus has shifted back to the Taobao business [a Chinese online shopping website] where it started, hoping to regain the lost market with low prices.

However, platforms like Pinduoduo [a Chinese e-commerce platform], which are born to be famous for being cheap, are even cheaper than Taobao. It is too difficult to win back lost customers from these platforms.

Therefore, Da Ma Ge has been very troubled recently, and he has thought of various ways but has not been able to solve the problem.

Yang Chen reminded with a smile, “I think you should indeed reduce your holdings and leave the market. The group has passed its peak period and is going downhill from now on. The only difference is whether the downhill speed is fast or slow.”

Da Ma Ge: “President Yang also thinks I should reduce my holdings and leave the market?”

Yang Chen: “Anyway, if I were you, I would reduce my holdings and leave the market. If money didn’t mean anything to me, I would have sold your company’s stock long ago.”

Da Ma Ge: “I understand. Thank you for the reminder, President Yang. It seems I should indeed leave. There is no banquet in the world that doesn’t end. I should quit decisively when it’s time to quit. Thank you for the reminder, President Yang. I know what to do. I’ll hang up then, let’s have tea together when we have time.”

Da Ma Ge is still very good at handling people and did not mention Xue Jiayi’s request after all.

If it were other aspects, Yang Chen’s advice might not be heeded, but Yang Chen’s advice on investment must be heeded. No one in the world can compare with Yang Chen in investment.

Therefore, Da Ma Ge immediately asked the board secretary to prepare an announcement that he would reduce his holdings of 10 million shares of founder stock.

The board secretary was stunned when he heard this. Da Ma Ge had never reduced his holdings of Alibaba’s stock. Even when the company’s stock price was at its peak, he had never thought of reducing his holdings. Why is he reducing his holdings at this time when the company’s stock price has fallen like shit?

The board secretary asked suspiciously, “Why did President Ma suddenly make this decision? Did something happen?”

Da Ma Ge replied with a smile, “Nothing happened, just a friend advised me to reduce my holdings. It’s good to listen to advice, especially when he is the number one in the investment world. I must listen to his advice. Just do as I say and issue an announcement saying that my family trust will reduce its holdings of 10 million shares of founder stock.”

The board secretary nodded and quickly did as he was told.

The impact of major shareholders reducing their holdings on the stock price will be particularly large. If it were in the A-share market [the stock exchanges in mainland China], the stock price would definitely fall to the limit, and probably more than once.

For celebrity entrepreneurs like President Ma, who is also the founder, the impact of his reducing his holdings will be even greater. Alibaba’s stock will definitely be sold off, and there will definitely be a big drop before President Ma officially reduces his holdings.

However, President Ma’s founder stock is almost zero cost. No matter what price he reduces his holdings at, it is a net profit, so he doesn’t care about the impact of this announcement on the stock price.

Da Ma Ge sent a message to Xue Jiayi.

“Brother, I’m sorry, I’m powerless. You should ask someone else to try.”

Xue Jiayi immediately called and asked, “President Ma, what’s the situation? Doesn’t he even give you face?”

Da Ma Ge: “Haha… I guess so. You should ask someone else to try. I can’t help you with this. I have something to do, I won’t talk to you anymore, let’s meet for tea when we have time.”

Xue Jiayi didn’t expect Da Ma Ge to hang up the phone so decisively and didn’t react for a while.

On the other side, Xiao Ma Ge was talking to Yang Chen.

Xiao Ma Ge: “I do have something to say when I call President Yang today.”

Yang Chen: “Haha… it’s been so long since we chatted, you must be bringing me good news? I’m in a very good mood now. The thing President Ma wants to tell me should make my mood even better. If it’s something that spoils my mood, then don’t say it. Let me have a happy day, okay?”

Xiao Ma Ge was stunned like Da Ma Ge. It was really awkward to say or not to say the words that came to his mouth.

Yang Chen: “Why is Xiao Ma Ge the same as Da Ma Ge? As soon as I say good things, you tell me, if it’s not good things, don’t tell me. He also stopped talking like you.”

Xiao Ma Ge: “Ah? Did Jack also call you?”

Yang Chen: “Yes, he did. But he didn’t say anything, just said he wanted to hear my voice. I believe him, the old man is very bad.”

Xiao Ma Ge: “Haha… I think what Jack said might be the truth, because I called President Yang to hear your voice, not because I really have something to say.”

Yang Chen: “Haha… Ma Ge, you know how to chat.”

Xiao Ma Ge: “Haha… I have already heard President Yang’s voice, and I feel much happier. Okay, let’s stop here, let’s chat when we meet another day.”

Xiao Ma Ge hung up the phone and quickly sent a message to Xue Jiayi.

“President Xue, I’m sorry, I really can’t help you with this. Please ask someone else for help.”

Xue Jiayi was stunned when he saw the message. Da Ma Ge can’t do it, Xiao Ma Ge can’t do it either. Is Yang Chen so arrogant that he doesn’t give face to these two top bosses?