How A Ride-Hailing Driver Comes To Dominate The World? [EN]: Chapter 166

The Invitation from a Junior Leads to a Shakedown by a Scam Group – What’s Wrong with a Ride-Hailing Driver Having Some Money?

Overnight, the video of Yang Chen and Chen Tian splurging over a million at Louis Weis to win over the same girl went viral on Douyin [a popular Chinese video-sharing social media platform].

As people paid attention to the video, the Louis Weis brand also caught fire.

Although Louis Weis is a luxury brand, it still lags behind LV, Chanel, and other established brands.

That’s why the Beizha Nevernight City store didn’t see the expected foot traffic during its opening.

But now it’s different. Influenced by the video, many onlookers want to visit the store.

Whether they buy or not, a packed store is what every business wants to see.

Many businesses even hire people to queue up and create a false impression of popularity.

For example, a popular milk tea shop, “Tea Mou Yue Mou,” recently had hundreds of people lining up in the middle of the night, pushing the price of a cup of milk tea to 200 yuan [approximately $30 USD]. Anyone with sense knows there’s something fishy going on.

But businesses are willing to spend money on this because it can attract real customers.

Similarly, with the Louis Weis store packed, many people can’t help but come in to see what the fuss is about, which makes other customers think the brand is genuinely good, and they want to check it out too.

As long as they can convert a few real customers, the store’s sales target can be achieved.

Yang Chen had just dropped off a customer and was pulling over to drink water when Wang Jiayi called.

Wang Jiayi: “Hehe… your idea yesterday really worked. The store is packed today, and sales have increased significantly. You’re awesome!”

Yang Chen: “Of course it works. I watch so many cases on Douyin every day. I’ve learned a thing or two.”

Wang Jiayi: “You’ve helped me a lot. How do you want me to repay you?”

Yang Chen: “Talk to me again in a week. I need to calm down during this time.”

Wang Jiayi: “Jerk! I’m not talking to you anymore. I’m busy.”

Yang Chen has done right by Wang Jiayi, arranging a store manager position for her and helping her through a difficult start. Her dream of staying in this bustling city of Haicheng should be realized.

Around noon, Yang Chen went to Lin Yiren’s place.

This was their first official date, and Lin Yiren took it very seriously.

She went to the market early in the morning to buy fresh ingredients and had been busy until now, preparing lunch.

Eight dishes, a hot and sour soup, a sweet soup, and a fruit platter – a reasonable and nutritious combination.

Lin Yiren said happily, “You know what? I’ve been dreaming of this day for a long time. I think it’s a very happy thing to cook for someone you like.”

Yang Chen smiled and replied, “I must say, your cooking is pretty good, better than many restaurant chefs. If I marry you, I’ll definitely get fat.”

Lin Yiren: “Hehe… definitely, I’ll make sure you’re well-fed and chubby.”

Lin Yiren really made Yang Chen feel at home. Perhaps he could seriously consider developing a relationship with her.

After lunch, Yang Chen helped clean up the kitchen and then took Lin Yiren to China Eastern Airlines.

…

Haicheng University of Finance and Economics, meeting room.

President Ge Sulan was holding a meeting with the heads of various departments, the main purpose of which was to have them widely distribute “hero posts” [formal invitations], contacting graduates from the University of Finance and Economics to invite them back to participate in the university’s 60th-anniversary celebration. At the same time, they hoped to use this event to persuade them to donate money to expand the teaching building.

Currently, the country’s education funds are more inclined towards science and engineering universities. Universities of finance and economics like theirs receive very little funding.

However, after this year’s expansion, the teaching buildings on the new campus are clearly insufficient. Many important courses have to be scheduled in the evening to have classrooms available.

To facilitate teaching and learning for teachers and students, the school plans to expand a teaching building, with an estimated total investment of about 10 million yuan [approximately $1.5 million USD].

Currently, the school can only come up with 2 million yuan. They still need to find a way to get 8 million yuan from other sources.

Therefore, President Ge Sulan set her sights on the 60th-anniversary celebration, hoping that some outstanding alumni who return to participate in the celebration will donate generously to raise 8 million yuan for the expansion of the teaching building.

After understanding the president’s intentions, the heads of various departments quickly returned to hold meetings with their teachers, requiring them to send out “hero posts” to the students they had taught as soon as possible.

Yang Chen had just dropped off a passenger and was about to find a place to rest when class monitor Xu Xiaowan sent a message in the group.

Xu Xiaowan @All Members: Teacher Huang called me just now, saying that the school’s anniversary celebration will be held the day after tomorrow. He hopes that students who have time can come back to participate. In addition, the school now needs to expand the teaching building and is short of money. If it’s convenient for everyone, he hopes that you can donate generously on the day of the celebration to help our alma mater.

It’s not too much for Haicheng University of Finance and Economics to ask for help from its graduates, but it’s too much that they directly stated their purpose. Who would dare to participate?

Should they donate or not if they go?

It wouldn’t look good if they didn’t donate, especially since the class teacher had notified them in advance. Some people even think that this so-called anniversary celebration is just a guise, and the real purpose is to raise money.

If they donate, how much should they donate?

Donating too much would put pressure on their lives.

Donating too little would be embarrassing.

For example, people in Haicheng who have a mortgage, their monthly salary after deducting the mortgage and other expenses is barely enough to cover basic living expenses. How can they donate?

After graduation, most students basically cut off contact with their former school. Very few people are willing to donate.

Chen Yu: “I don’t have time! I’m going on a business trip to Beijing tomorrow. I don’t know when I’ll be back.”

Liu Li: “Me too, I have to go to Focheng. There’s a problem with the supplier. I have to go and see. I don’t know how many days it will take, so I can’t participate either.”

Liang Zhentao: “My grandma is getting married the day after tomorrow. I have to go back to participate.”

Wu Yi: “Damn, Tao, can your excuse be any more fake? Your grandma is getting married, does your grandpa know?”

Liang Zhentao: “Damn it, it’s true. My grandpa and grandma didn’t have a wedding back then. While they’re still healthy, we’re making it up for them.”

…

They’re practically saying their own mother is about to give birth. It’s really too insincere.

However,

Everyone is an adult, and they all know what’s going on. It’s best if no one exposes anyone.

Xu Xiaowan @All Members: “If everyone doesn’t have time, then I’ll tell Teacher Huang.”

Afterward, Xu Xiaowan sent a private message to Yang Chen.

The best-off in the class is Yang Chen. He shouldn’t be short of money.

Xu Xiaowan: Yang Chen, will you participate?

Yang Chen: No, I don’t have time.

Indeed, Yang Chen is not short of money.

But he has to be willing to donate himself. This direct way of asking for money is unacceptable.

Xu Xiaowan: Okay then. I’ll tell Teacher Huang that everyone is busy and can’t spare time to participate in the anniversary celebration.

Yang Chen: Okay.

Xu Xiaowan replied to class teacher Huang, saying that everyone was very busy and couldn’t spare time to participate in the anniversary celebration.

Teacher Huang was furious. Isn’t there anyone in the class who is doing well?

Not only was no one from Yang Chen’s class going, but most of the other alumni were also unwilling to go.

Because there is no standard for donations. Donating too little would be embarrassing, and donating too much would put pressure on themselves.

Most importantly, how many people’s ideological awareness is so high that they can take the money they worked so hard to earn and donate it for nothing?

Even if they donate to disaster areas, the money can be used to offset taxes.

What’s the use of donating to the school?

They get nothing!

Seeing that the recruitment situation was not ideal, President Ge Sulan came up with another idea.

Whoever donates to this teaching building can have the building named after them.

For example, many schools have Yifu Buildings. As long as someone donates to this building, they can name the building after themselves, like Mr. Yifu, for future students to admire.

Ge Sulan’s clever move did have an effect. After all, who doesn’t want to leave a good name in this world?

Especially those who are not short of money, what they pursue in their hearts is a good reputation.

If they can name the building after themselves, they might actually donate the money.

After the University of Finance and Economics re-released the “hero post,” the number of alumni accepting the invitation increased significantly.

Zhang Runfa, the head of the Finance Department, came to the president’s office and reported: “President Ge, we have a graduate from the Finance Department named Chen Liang, who is now the vice president of Shengjin Investment Bank’s Haicheng branch in Wall Street, with an annual salary of 3 million yuan [approximately $450,000 USD]. I have contacted him to participate in the anniversary celebration, and he has agreed to come. He also said that he can donate at least 300,000 yuan [approximately $45,000 USD] to the school to build the teaching building, depending on the situation.”

Chen Liang is the guy who shouted in his heart, “Why did you give birth to Yu when you already have Liang?” the one who was crushed by Yang Chen five times.

From his pretentious personality, you can guess what he meant by saying this.

“Donate at least 300,000 yuan depending on the situation” means that he wants to be given enough face so he can show off in front of the alumni. It depends on whether the school knows what’s up.

After returning from Jinshan Resort last time, Chen Liang was supposed to be removed from his position as vice president.

However, Liang Xiuyun didn’t want to offend Yang Chen, so she didn’t touch him.

Yang Chen had said that as long as Chen Liang and his group still called him Brother Chen, he would always be their minister and would take care of them like he did in school.

As an experienced person, Liang Xiuyun naturally knew how to behave.

Ge Sulan said happily, “300,000 yuan? Although it’s a bit small, it’s better than nothing. A vice president of an investment bank, we’ve finally found a student who is doing well.”

Zhang Runfa: “But Chen Liang also told me something. Yang Chen, who majored in marketing in the same year as him, is doing even better. He has many assets under his name, and his net worth is roughly estimated to be at least 1 billion yuan [approximately $150 million USD]. Even the president of Shengjin Investment Bank is very polite to him, even taking the initiative to give him a phone to curry favor.”

Ge Sulan was so shocked that she stood up and said, “1 billion yuan? My goodness, our University of Finance and Economics has finally produced a rich man! Quick, call his class teacher for me!”

Zhang Runfa nodded and called Huang Yuxuan.

Soon, Huang Yuxuan came to the president’s office.

After listening to the president and Zhang Runfa, Huang Yuxuan exclaimed, “Ah? A net worth of 1 billion yuan? Are you sure there’s no mistake?”

Zhang Runfa said very definitely, “There is absolutely no mistake! My student Chen Liang is the vice president of Shengjin Investment Bank. He personally told me that Yang Chen, who majored in marketing in the same year as him, has at least 1 billion yuan in wealth.”

Huang Yuxuan thought carefully. There was indeed a guy named Yang Chen in the class he taught back then.

But he was an orphan at the time. How did he suddenly become so successful?

Never mind, let’s contact him and ask first.

Yang Chen was driving when Huang Yuxuan’s call came in.

Huang Yuxuan got the number from Xu Xiaowan. He and Yang Chen had never exchanged contact information.

Yang Chen answered with his Bluetooth headset: “Hello, who is this?”

Huang Yuxuan: “Haha… Yang Chen, this is your university class teacher Huang Yuxuan. The 60th-anniversary celebration will be held the day after tomorrow. You must come to participate if you have time.”

Yang Chen: “Hello, Teacher Huang. I may not have time the day after tomorrow. I’ll see how it goes.”

Huang Yuxuan: “What do you do now?”

Yang Chen: “I’m a ride-hailing driver for the Bilibili platform [a Chinese video-sharing website].”

Huang Yuxuan: “…”

Damn it, Zhang Runfa, giving me false information.

Huang Yuxuan: “Oh, so you must be driving now, right?”

Yang Chen: “Yes, I’m driving.”

Huang Yuxuan: “You can’t make calls while driving. Be careful. Then I won’t talk to you anymore. Focus on driving.”

Yang Chen: “Okay…”

Before Yang Chen could finish speaking, Huang Yuxuan hung up the phone.

Damn it, isn’t this inexplicable?

So impolite.

University of Finance and Economics, president’s office.

Huang Yuxuan glared at Zhang Runfa.

Zhang Runfa: “What’s the meaning of this? Why are you looking at me like that?”

Huang Yuxuan: “Why did you lie to me that Yang Chen has a net worth of 1 billion yuan? He’s just a ride-hailing driver now! You’re really something. I know you’re proud of training a student who is a vice president of an investment bank, but you don’t have to mock me like this, do you? Who are you disgusting?”

Ge Sulan: “What’s going on? Teacher Zhang, what’s the matter?”

Zhang Runfa: “Chen Liang did say that Yang Chen has at least 1 billion yuan in wealth. He’s a vice president of an investment bank, and it’s such a serious matter. He wouldn’t lie to me about this, would he? Teacher Huang, did you ask clearly?”

Huang Yuxuan: “I asked clearly! I asked him what he does now, and he said he’s a ride-hailing driver for Bilibili.”

Zhang Runfa: “Ah? Chen Liang lied to me?”

Huang Yuxuan: “I think he not only lied to you about this, but the 300,000 yuan he mentioned might also be a lie.”

The office instantly fell silent.

A penny can stump a hero, let alone so much money. These people working in education are also helpless.

Zhang Runfa quickly called Chen Liang again to confirm. Chen Liang’s answer was still the same: he would donate at least 300,000 yuan depending on the situation. In addition, Yang Chen is indeed wealthy, and 1 billion yuan is an understatement. Driving a ride-hailing car is just a job for him to pass the time.

Zhang Runfa glared at Huang Yuxuan and said, “Chen Liang said that Yang Chen is indeed driving a ride-hailing car, but that’s just a job for him to pass the time. He has many investments. Do you understand investments? He doesn’t need to manage them personally. He just waits to get paid.”

Huang Yuxuan: “Ah? Then… then what should we do? I hung up the phone before he finished speaking. It doesn’t seem appropriate to call back now.”

Zhang Runfa: “Who told you to be so impulsive? I’m really fed up with you!”

President Ge Sulan said with a smile, “It doesn’t matter. I have a solution. Let the Academic Affairs Office immediately print invitation letters and then find someone from the Student Union to send them to Yang Chen. This will not only show respect for him but also avoid Teacher Huang’s embarrassment in contacting him again.”

Huang Yuxuan nodded with a smile, agreeing with this method.

The Academic Affairs Office immediately rushed to produce invitation letters.

Electronic versions were sent to alumni who lived far away, and students from the Student Union were sent to personally deliver them to those in Haicheng.

College students are the cheapest labor force in the world. As the saying goes, you can’t find a migrant worker or a screw-tightening worker for a monthly salary of 3,000 yuan [approximately $450 USD], but there are definitely a lot of college students rushing to do it. In many cases, you can even use college students for free under the guise of internships, and they still have to thank you for giving them the opportunity to intern.

Therefore, after receiving the task, many members of the Student Union thought they had gotten an opportunity to train and scrambled to send out the hero posts.

The student responsible for sending the invitation letter to Yang Chen was Zhao Ying, a freshman from the External Relations Department.

This was also related to the fact that Yang Chen was the Minister of the External Relations Department back then and left many legends in the department. Zhao Ying especially wanted to see what this legendary senior, who was so outstanding, was like.

Zhang Yang, the chairman of the Student Union, also came from the External Relations Department, so he naturally took care of the department.

He gave Yang Chen’s contact information to Zhao Ying, instructing her to be polite and so on, fearing that she would offend Yang Chen because she didn’t understand social etiquette.

Zhao Ying left the school gate and called Yang Chen.

Yang Chen: “Hello, who is this?”

Zhao Ying: “Hello, Senior. My name is Zhao Ying, and I’m a freshman in the External Relations Department of the University of Finance and Economics. The school has assigned me a task to send you the anniversary celebration invitation letter. May I ask where you are now? I’ll come find you now.”

Yang Chen: “Ah? You’re doing this too? You don’t need to send it to me, do you?”

Zhao Ying: “Senior, please, this is my task. If I don’t complete it, it will be difficult to explain to the Student Union and the school.”

Yang Chen had also gone to college and knew the mood and feelings of freshmen at this time.

“I’m going to take a passenger to the South Gate of Binhai Garden. Let’s meet there,” Yang Chen replied.

Zhao Ying: “Okay, okay. Senior, see you later.”

Zhao Ying was quite excited to see the senior she had longed to meet.

She called a Bilibili ride-hailing car and rushed to Binhai Garden.

Yang Chen arrived at the entrance of Binhai Garden first and waited by the roadside.

After more than ten minutes, a white JAC M3 stopped at the entrance. An old lady got out of the car, and the car drove forward a distance and stopped.

The old lady put on her glasses and took out a guide stick.

Yang Chen was about to get out of the car to do a good deed and help her cross the road.

At this time, a Peugeot stopped in front, and the old lady immediately quickened her pace and walked over.

Just then, the car door opened, and the old lady bumped into it, then fell into the roadside green belt bushes.

“Ouch, my back,” the old lady shouted.

The Peugeot driver quickly got out to check the situation, followed by a 20-year-old, looking panicked.

At this time, the people in the M3 in front came down and ran over quickly.

“Mom, what’s wrong?”

“Mom, how are you? Are you hurt?”

“What’s wrong with you? Can’t you see such a big living person? How did you knock someone down?”

…

Well, they’ve run into a shakedown gang [a group that fakes accidents to extort money].

However, that girl also lacks life experience. She must make sure there is no one before getting out of the car and opening the door.

If she had more life experience, she wouldn’t be scammed.

The girl said very scared: “I really didn’t mean to, I am a student of the University of Finance and Economics, I don’t have so much money to compensate you.”

A student of the University of Finance and Economics?

Could it be the junior Zhao Ying who came to send the invitation letter?

Yang Chen quickly called Zhao Ying, and the phone of the girl who had been forced to cry rang.

She quickly answered the phone and said crying: “Hello, Senior, where are you? Something happened to me, please come and save me. Woo woo…”

Isn’t this a coincidence?

My brother’s dashcam recorded the whole process!

Alas…

I have to be forced to be a good Samaritan again.