How A Ride-Hailing Driver Comes To Dominate The World? [EN]: Chapter 142

After breakfast, Yang Chen and Yu Shishi left home in separate cars.

Yang Chen headed to Longlian Supermarket Group to inspect operations, while Yu Shishi went to the bank to inquire about the potential mortgage value of the Haishang Financial Building.

Soon, Yang Chen arrived at Longlian Supermarket Group and met with the chairman, Pu Chunhua.

Pu Chunhua is the eldest son of Pu Zhengguo, the founder of Longlian Supermarket, and currently holds a 4% stake in the company.

Longlian Supermarket Co., Ltd. was established in May 1991. It was the first supermarket enterprise in Haicheng to feature chain sales and has a strong reputation throughout the country.

In 2002, it was renamed Longlian Supermarket Group and was listed on the A-share main board [the main board is the primary stock exchange for larger companies] in June 2003. In 2013, Lianbai Group acquired 51% of its shares.

Currently, the group has more than 1,500 chain stores nationwide, with a presence in almost every city.

The company’s total share capital is 1.5 billion shares, but the stock price is a mere one yuan per share.

The reason for this is poor performance. The company alternates between making a profit one year and incurring losses the next. Last year’s loss was a staggering 3 billion yuan, wiping out all profits accumulated since its listing.

This is also why Lianbai Group is looking to sell its shares. They are unwilling to continue being burdened by Longlian Supermarket’s poor financial results.

However, Yang Chen is unconcerned. The company’s losses do not affect his ability to generate wealth.

For example, Hengda Group incurred losses of two trillion yuan, but that didn’t prevent Boss Xu and others from consistently appearing on the rich list.

If Yang Chen can turn the company around, with such a low stock price, increasing it tenfold in the future wouldn’t be difficult.

If it has any advantages, it’s the company’s thirty-year history and strong commercial reputation.

If he can make it work, he will. If he can’t, he’ll sell the stock and move on. Cashing out a listed company is remarkably easy.

Pu Chunhua briefed Yang Chen on the company’s current situation and then inquired, “Is Mr. Yang planning to serve as chairman himself, or will he appoint someone to manage the company on his behalf?”

Yang Chen replied with a smile, “Let Mr. Pu continue in his role for the time being. As long as Mr. Pu performs well, he can continue to do so.”

Pu Chunhua quickly responded, “Thank you for your trust, Mr. Yang. I will do my best.”

“Oh, right, let me show you something.” Yang Chen said, taking out his phone and playing the video for Pu Chunhua.

Pu Chunhua immediately recognized the woman in the video and exclaimed, “That’s our CFO, Li Xiaoying. How dare she speak to Mr. Yang like that? She’s being incredibly presumptuous.”

“This kind of person has a very negative impact on our company’s image. Fortunately, she encountered me. If she had met another driver, this would definitely become a public relations disaster. Fire her immediately, no discussion! Give her the compensation she’s entitled to, and ensure she leaves without causing trouble,” Yang Chen stated firmly.

Pu Chunhua nodded and immediately called the head of the human resources department to terminate Li Xiaoying’s employment following standard procedures.

Soon, Li Xiaoying received the news that she had been fired.

As the CFO, Li Xiaoying was understandably upset about being suddenly dismissed and immediately went to the chairman’s office.

“Please come in!” Pu Chunhua called out.

Li Xiaoying and the head of the human resources department entered the office together.

“Chairman Pu, why have I been suddenly fired for no apparent reason? I am the CFO; shouldn’t I receive an explanation?” Li Xiaoying demanded angrily.

At that moment, Yang Chen turned around.

“It’s you! You… how could you be here?” Li Xiaoying exclaimed in shock.

Pu Chunhua immediately explained, “This is our group’s new major shareholder, Mr. Yang Chen. I have seen the video of your behavior in his car last night. Mr. Yang and I both believe that your conduct has severely damaged the image of our Longlian Group. Fortunately, it was Mr. Yang who gave you a ride last night. If it had been another driver who uploaded the video to the Internet, the impact on Longlian Group would have been devastating, don’t you realize that? Not long ago, an employee of an aerospace research company caused a significant online uproar by threatening a driver, which created considerable problems for the company. We don’t want to experience something similar. I have decided to fire you, and I have Mr. Yang’s approval. You must quickly hand over your work,
complete the resignation procedures, and we will provide you with the severance compensation you are due. However, if you refuse to cooperate, we will pursue your responsibility for damaging the company’s image, and you will receive no severance compensation and may even be held liable.”

Li Xiaoying was so shocked that she was speechless.

Yesterday, she threatened to complain about Yang Chen and prevent him from continuing to work as a driver.

Today, Yang Chen acquired the group’s shares and fired her directly.

Are men’s revenge instincts really this strong these days?

To get even, he actually spent over a billion yuan to buy the group’s shares just to fire her!

“Aren’t you a ride-hailing driver? How could you have the money to acquire Longlian Group’s shares? Did you spend more than one billion to fire me out of spite?” Li Xiaoying asked, bewildered.

“There are some things you don’t need to know, and I don’t want to discuss them with you. Just follow the company’s decision,” Yang Chen said coldly.

Li Xiaoying still held onto some hope and pleaded, “Can’t you just let this go?”

Yang Chen shook his head.

“Hehe… okay, I understand. The group has been losing money consistently. Now it’s controlled by a ride-hailing driver, and it’s likely to be delisted soon. It’s better to leave now, so I won’t risk not getting paid!” Li Xiaoying mocked deliberately.

Pu Chunhua pointed at her and shouted, “Get out of here immediately!”

The head of the human resources department quickly escorted Li Xiaoying out of the office.

Pu Chunhua quickly apologized to Yang Chen. Yang Chen waved his hand and said, “It has nothing to do with you. However, even the CFO is mocking our group for being delisted; doesn’t Mr. Pu feel ashamed? Your father founded Longlian Supermarket; are you going to let it fail under your leadership, unable to even pass it on to the third generation?”

“Alas… Mr. Yang is right; I am deeply ashamed. However, after we lost the right to make decisions, many of our proposals were rejected by Lianbai Group. I am powerless,” Pu Chunhua said helplessly.

Yang Chen nodded and asked, “Then tell me about the proposals you have.”

Pu Chunhua quickly explained his ideas.

Currently, there are numerous chain supermarkets in China, and many brands are more well-known and have more stores than Longlian.

If Longlian Supermarket relies solely on domestic business, it may never be able to recover.

Therefore, Pu Chunhua developed a “domestic + overseas + supply chain” strategy.

Longlian Group would acquire a foreign chain store with a significant presence and a supplier with import/export and distribution capabilities. This would minimize the cost of imported goods, giving them the ability to compete with other supermarkets.

Now, national in-
come has increased significantly, and many people are eager to try foreign goods.

However, foreign goods are generally perceived as expensive.

In reality, foreign goods are often very affordable in their countries of origin. When considering income and purchasing power, foreign goods are often cheaper than domestic goods.

Therefore, if the price of imported goods can be reduced, Longlian Supermarket can use this business to achieve a comeback and drive the development of its domestic goods business as well.

That’s the general idea: to rely on imported goods to find a new path to recovery.

Yang Chen nodded with a smile and said, “Mr. Pu’s idea is excellent; I think we can try it. Do you have any acquisition targets?”

Pu Chunhua nodded and said, “I have screened many companies and selected two: Hi-Go No. 1 Store Group and Binhai Import and Export Trading Company. Both of these companies have a considerable scale. Hi-Go No. 1 Store Group is valued at 1.5 billion yuan, and Binhai Import and Export Trading Company is valued at 1 billion yuan. We can issue additional shares to finance the acquisition of these two companies.”

“That’s a good idea, so why didn’t Lianbai Group agree?” Yang Chen asked.

Pu Chunhua sighed and said, “They have lost faith in Longlian Group and don’t want to invest any more effort. They simply want to sell it, but I don’t have enough money to buy back the shares they hold, so I can only watch the opportunity slip away time and time again.”

Yang Chen nodded and said, “I support you; proceed according to this plan. You can contact those two companies immediately.”

Pu Chunhua nodded and said, “Understood. Thank you, Mr. Yang, for your support. Whether this method can save the company or not, I will do my best, leave no regrets, and not disappoint Mr. Yang.”

Yang Chen continued to act as a hands-off owner, leaving the execution to Pu Chunhua.

…

At noon, Li Lianxiong called Yang Chen.

“At 7 o’clock this evening, go to the No. 1 banquet hall of the Peninsula Hotel to attend a party. I will arrange a blind date for you, and you should make a good impression.”

“No problem!”

Hanging up the phone, Yang Chen immediately sent a message to Zhou Bin.

“I’m going to the No. 1 banquet hall of the Peninsula Hotel tonight to attend a party, and I will bring a girl to pretend to be on a blind date. I will fulfill my promise, and the rest is up to you.”

“No problem!”

…

Yang Chen suddenly felt like he was an intermediary, stirring things up and profiting from both sides.

After a while, Yu Shishi sent a message to Yang Chen.

“Sir, I consulted with the four major banks, and they can offer a maximum of 2.5 billion yuan and a minimum of 2 billion yuan. The estimated value of Haishang Financial Building is 3 to 3.5 billion yuan, essentially 70% of its value. If you decide to proceed with the mortgage, it will take about a month and a half from signing the contract to receiving the loan. The interest rate is % within one year, % within one to five years, and % over five years. The four banks are offering the same terms.”

“Okay, I got it!”

…

At 7 o’clock in the evening, Yang Chen arrived at the No. 1 banquet hall of the Peninsula Hotel on time.

Li Lianxiong sent a photo of the blind date.

Yang Chen was looking around when the girl approached him.

“Hello, I was sent by Chairman Li. My name is Zhang Jing. Come with me.”

Yang Chen nodded and followed Zhang Jing to an empty table, where they sat down.

After a while, Li Lianxiong arrived with Li Yanyun and others, and they happened to be seated at the next table.

Li Yanyun recognized Yang Chen immediately and quickly came over to greet him.

“Yang Chen, you’re here too!” Li Yanyun said with a smile.

Yang Chen quickly stood up, pretending to be alarmed, and said to Zhang Jing, “One of my passengers, she keeps bothering me; it’s so annoying.”

Zhang Jing stood up and said with a smile, “Hello, I am Yang Chen’s fiancée. If you need a car, you are welcome to contact him. However, if you have other intentions, I hope you will stop immediately and not interfere with our relationship.”

The smile on Li Yanyun’s face vanished, and she forced a smile, saying, “Understood, understood! Then… you continue; I won’t bother you.”

After speaking, Li Yanyun quickly returned to her father’s side, picked up a glass of wine, and drank it.

Li Lianxiong didn’t stop her and allowed her to drink.

Zhou Bin, who was nearby, was pleased and thought to himself, “This kid is still considerate; he keeps his word.”

Yang Chen sent messages to both Li Lianxiong and Zhou Bin.

“I have taken care of the matter, and the future is no longer my concern.”

Li Lianxiong: “Okay. You are sensible. You can leave now.”

Zhou Bin: “You kid are still considerate; that 300,000 yuan wasn’t wasted. I’m not unreasonable; you can leave now.”

Yang Chen and Zhang Jing got up and left.

Zhang Jing truly left, but Yang Chen didn’t. He turned around, returned to the banquet, and approached Pu Chunhua’s table.

Pu Chunhua whispered, “Mr. Yang, do you know Li Lianxiong’s daughter, the chairman of Hi-Go No. 1 Store?”

Yang Chen nodded and said, “I know her. She has been in my car.”

“Oh, so that’s how it is. That is Zhou Hai, the owner of Binhai Import and Export Trading Company that I mentioned, and the one next to him is his son, Zhou Bin,” Pu Chunhua continued.

Damn, what a coincidence!

Hi-Go No. 1 Store is owned by Li Lianxiong’s family, and Binhai Import and Export Trading Company is owned by Zhou Bin’s family, and these two companies are the acquisition targets of Pu Chunhua’s transformation and comeback plan.

I didn’t want to show off, but it seems I have to, since Yang Chen has the final say in Longlian Supermarket Group now, and he will definitely need to approve the acquisition of these two companies.

At that moment, Zhou Bin left the scene.

Tonight’s banquet was hosted by Zhang Huiming, the young master of Lianbai Group, and Zhou Bin is Zhang Huiming’s associate.

Zhou Bin had already informed Zhang Huiming in advance that he would propose to Li Yanyun at his banquet tonight.

Li Lianxiong had also been informed, and regardless of whether Li Yanyun agreed or not, Li Lianxiong would certainly approve.

So, Zhou Bin is leaving to prepare now.

After a while, Li Yanyun, who had drunk too much, got up to go to the restroom and happened to pass by Yang Chen.

She sat down next to Yang Chen and asked, “Where’s your fiancée?”

“Gone!” Yang Chen replied.

“Gone? She’s gone; why are you still here?” Li Yanyun asked.

“Staying to join in the fun,” Yang Chen said nonsensically.

“How did you suddenly get a fiancée? I think you are very good, and I want to try to develop a relationship with you,” Li Yanyun asked.

“Miss Li has had too much to drink. We have only met a few times, and you want to develop a relationship with me?” Yang Chen replied.

Li Yanyun had drunk a little too much; her face was flushed,
looking at Yang Chen from bottom to top, her forehead almost touching Yang Chen’s nose, and said, “I said, you are good in everything except being poor. I want to have a love affair with you that doesn’t lead to marriage. Have you forgotten?”

Pu Chunhua next to him raised his eyebrows and thought, “He’s poor? He’s poor and can spend more than one billion to acquire Longlian Group; what is rich then? Silly girl, you’ve been deceived by his pretense of being poor?”

Yang Chen quickly replied, “I’m not interested in having a love affair with you. You should go back quickly; people will misunderstand us if they see you like this.”

Li Yanyun put her arms around Yang Chen’s shoulders, giggling and saying, “I’m not afraid as a girl; what are you afraid of as a big man?”

At that moment, Zhou Bin took the stage with a group of his friends.

The friends unfurled a banner with the words “Li Yanyun, marry me” written on it.

The guests were all ready to watch the spectacle.

Zhou Bin took the microphone and said loudly, “Everyone, I’m sorry to take up a little of your time. I have already spoken with Young Master Zhang, and I will take this opportunity to ask you all to witness. Li Yanyun, I love you; marry me!”

After speaking, Zhou Bin knelt down on one knee, took out the engagement ring, and waited for Li Yanyun to respond.

However, he then realized that Li Yanyun was not in her seat.

Li Lianxiong stood up with a smile and said loudly, “Thank you, Young Master Zhou, for your affection for my Yanyun. She went to the restroom; wait a moment; she will be back soon.”

Just then, someone shouted, “Miss Li is here.”

Everyone looked over, and the scene immediately became awkward.

Li Yanyun was lying in Yang Chen’s arms, saying something, and Yang Chen kept trying to push her away, but she insisted on staying in his arms.

What’s going on?

Zhou Bin is proposing to Li Yanyun, but Li Yanyun is lying in another man’s arms; does the plot have to be so dramatic?

The guests all smiled, eager to see what would happen next.

Zhou Bin is such a fool; he didn’t even understand what the girl was thinking and proposed marriage directly. He has lost face this time.

Pu Chunhua lowered his head in embarrassment and whispered, “Mr. Yang, everyone is watching you.”

Yang Chen glanced at Pu Chunhua helplessly and thought, “Hehe… thank you for reminding me; I can see that myself.”