How A Ride-Hailing Driver Comes To Dominate The World? [EN]: Chapter 316

Riding the wave of promotion from Weibo and Douyin [Chinese social media platforms], the viewership in Fang Yingqi’s live stream is climbing.

Despite boasting over 5 million followers, her typical real-time online audience rarely exceeds 10,000.

However, today, her live stream has blown past 100,000 concurrent viewers, and the numbers keep soaring.

Fang Yingqi: “Wow, so many new faces today! Everyone, a free follow and like would be amazing. No need for gifts, though. I’m a real-life ‘rich second generation’ [term for someone born into wealth]. Let me give you a tour of my super RV!”

With that, Fang Yingqi guided her audience through the RV.

“This is the guest room, where the driver sleeps. And this is the master bedroom, where *I* sleep. There’s a lock on this door, so it’s super safe. Check out my bed—it can easily sleep four to six people. Spacious enough, right?”

The luxurious interior wowed the netizens, but the real kicker came when Fang Yingqi revealed the helicopter parked on the roof.

Live stream comments:

“Holy crap, how big *is* this thing? It can park a helicopter?!”

“Rich woman, please notice me! I’m strong and a great bed warmer.”

“Qiqi: Thanks for the little gifts, my loyal fans!”

“Just checked—this RV costs $2.5 million USD. Seriously, it’s like driving a house on wheels.”

“Even if you told me not to spend money, I’d still want to send gifts. The thought of supporting a rich woman makes my instant noodles taste better.”

…

Fang Yingqi pointed the camera out the window, saying, “We just hit the highway. We’re heading from Hangzhou to Wucheng [city in Hubei province] and should arrive around 5 PM. Tomorrow, we’re planning a day in Wucheng to see the Yellow Crane Tower, Qingchuan Pavilion, and Ancient Qin Terrace. These three are known as the top scenic spots in Wucheng. Go about your day, everyone, and come back at 7 PM. I’ll take you to enjoy the Yellow Crane Tower’s night view. Tomorrow morning, we’ll visit Qingchuan Pavilion and Ancient Qin Terrace.”

Comments:

“Okay, followed! I’ll be there for the Yellow Crane Tower tonight.”

“See ya later, old lady!”

“Hello, old woman, goodbye, old woman.”

…

Fang Yingqi: “Hey! Hey! Don’t call me old! I’m only 27. Isn’t that the prime of life? I’ve shed my childishness and gained some mature charm. How am I old?”

Comments:

“Auntie, we’re from the 2000s!”

“Auntie, I was born in 2005.”

“My sister is 25, and her kid is three. You’re telling me you’re not old?”

…

Fang Yingqi was speechless and retreated to the passenger seat in a huff.

The worst thing you can say to a girl is that she’s old. Twenty-seven isn’t old, but when your live stream is full of people born in the 2000s, it hits different. She *was* a bit older, relatively speaking.

After sulking for a bit, Fang Yingqi aimed the camera at Yang Chen’s neck and below, asking, “Driver, tell me, is 27 considered old?”

Yang Chen: “Age is relative. Compared to 37, you’re definitely not old. But compared to 17, you’re getting there. It’s a generational gap.”

Fang Yingqi: “So, you think I’m old?”

Yang Chen: “Not old, just right.”

Fang Yingqi: “Hmph! That’s more like it.”

Comments:

“The driver is so screwed. It’s not easy making money.”

“Seriously, he has to drive and lie to make the boss happy.”

“New here. What’s the relationship between the driver and the streamer?”

“This driver is amazing. He’s a ride-hailing driver with a helicopter pilot’s license. The ‘old woman’ is paying him 2,000 yuan a day to be her driver.”

“Damn, are ride-hailing drivers that competitive now? Do they need a pilot’s license?”

“See? Education *is* useful. Whatever you learn, if you master it, you can make money. All those people saying school is useless should shut up.”

“A ride-hailing driver is working so hard to survive. I’m just wasting my life, enjoying the 996 grind [9 AM to 9 PM, 6 days a week]. I deserve to die!”

…

Fang Yingqi chatted with her fans for a while, then suddenly felt sleepy.

She’d been too active the night before. Yang Chen had dozed off, but she’d kept going. No surprise she was tired now.

Fang Yingqi grabbed her phone and headed to the master bedroom to sleep.

Soon after, Brother Ma’s [Jack Ma, founder of Alibaba] call came in.

Yang Chen answered and put it on speaker.

Brother Ma: “Mr. Yang, you’re moving fast!”

Yang Chen: “Efficiency is key. Since I decided to invest in Alibaba, I need to act quickly. The more people who know, the higher the price.”

Brother Ma: “Haha… Mr. Yang is right. You’ve become the second-largest shareholder, with 15% of the voting rights. I’ll need your support. I’ll try to get you more equity in Ant Group [formerly known as Ant Financial and Mayi Finance], at least 3%, maybe 4% if things go well. What do you think?”

At Yang Chen and Brother Ma’s level, everything was carefully negotiated. Mutual benefit was the most stable way to cooperate.

A conflict between them would be huge, disrupting financial, network, and economic order.

It wouldn’t just be them negotiating; government officials would get involved, which wouldn’t be good for either of them.

Brother Ma wanted Yang Chen’s 15% voting rights, and Yang Chen wanted to invest in Ant Group. They just needed to meet each other’s needs.

Yang Chen: “Okay! As long as it doesn’t seriously damage my interests, I’ll support your strategies.”

Brother Ma: “Haha… It’s settled, then. Any other requests?”

Yang Chen: “Yes. Notify all Alibaba platforms to reject any uploads of my photos or videos. Also, block any news about me.”

Brother Ma: “Haha… Understood! I’ll notify everyone to block Mr. Yang’s name and image on all Alibaba platforms.”

Yang Chen: “Okay. Thanks. I’m driving, so I’ll hang up.”

Brother Ma: “Okay. Goodbye, Mr. Yang. Let’s chat soon.”

Weibo, Douyin, Tencent [Penguin], Alibaba—Yang Chen asked them all to block his name and image, ensuring he wouldn’t become famous.

At 5 PM, Yang Chen met the Dongfang Youxuan [New Oriental Education & Technology Group] team near the Yellow Crane Tower.

Lao Yu [Yu Minhong, founder of New Oriental] had rented a venue for tonight’s sales, and the staff was busy with final preparations.

Brand owners had prepared samples and were waiting for their products to be featured.

Yang Chen, having driven for over eight hours, ate and went to sleep.

He woke up after 8 PM.

Fang Yingqi was showing her fans the light show at the Yellow Crane Tower.

Yang Chen arrived at Dongfang Youxuan. Dong Xiaohui and others were discussing the history of the Yellow Crane Tower.

Lao Yu saw Yang Chen and greeted him.

“Mr. Yang, you’re awake,” Lao Yu said, smiling.

Yang Chen nodded and said, “It’s not every day I’m here. Don’t you want to see the night view?”

Lao Yu: “I was just about to. Shall we go together?”

Yang Chen nodded.

The Yellow Crane Tower is closed at night, but the park is open, allowing visitors to enjoy the Yangtze River and the light show.

Many poets have been inspired here, creating timeless lines.

Li Bai: “In the Yellow Crane Tower, the jade flute is played, and the plum blossoms fall in the fifth month of Jiangcheng.”

Meng Haoran: “In the past, I climbed the Yellow Crane Tower on the river, and I loved Parrot Island in the river from afar.”

…

In school, Yang Chen hadn’t understood the poets’ emotions. Now, he finally understood their feelings. Unfortunately, he lacked their talent and could only think, “Damn, this is amazing!”

Before he knew it, it was 9 PM, and the park was closing.

Tourists reluctantly left.

However, Dongfang Youxuan’s live stream continued.

Tonight’s results were even better, breaking the previous night’s sales record.

The live stream would last until 11:30 PM, and the final sales figures were yet to be determined.

The next morning, Yang Chen took Fang Yingqi to Qingchuan Pavilion. In the afternoon, they visited the Ancient Qin Terrace before heading to Shudu [Chengdu].

The drive from Wucheng to Shudu takes 15-17 hours. They left at 5 PM and arrived at 8 AM. Yang Chen slept in the car, while Fang Yingqi went to Taikoo Li [upscale shopping district] to explore.

Yang Chen slept until 3 PM, ate, changed, and drove out in his Bugatti.

Refueled and energized, Yang Chen decided to take a ride-hailing order for fun.

He followed the navigation to the pickup point and called the passenger.

Yang Chen: “Hello, hello. Your ride-hailing car is here. Where are you?”

The passenger, a girl with a Sichuan accent, said, “Huh? I’m at the pickup point. Which car are you in? Is it that car lying on the ground?”

Yang Chen chuckled. Were all Sichuan girls this funny?

Yang Chen: “Yes! The one lying on the ground. Come on over.”

A beautiful young woman in a blue sweater got into the car.

She looked around and asked, smiling, “Is this a Porsche or a Ferrari?”

Yang Chen: “Neither. It’s a Bugatti Veyron. Please fasten your seatbelt.”

The girl nodded. “Bugatti Veyron? How much does one cost?”

Yang Chen: “Less than five thousand.”

The girl: “Huh? Are you kidding? You can buy this car for less than five thousand? It looks pretty luxurious. How could it be so cheap?”

Yang Chen: “It’s not ‘kuai’ [dollars] after five thousand; it’s ‘wan’ [ten thousand].”

The girl was shocked, then covered her mouth and laughed awkwardly.

Just then, an aunt approached and saw the girl in blue buckling her seatbelt.

“Xiaoya, where are you going? Who’s this? Your boyfriend?” the aunt asked.

The girl in blue quickly grabbed Yang Chen’s arm and said, smiling, “Yes, my boyfriend. Aunt Wang, please keep it a secret from my parents. They don’t want me dating.”

The aunt: “Hahaha… Don’t worry, my lips are sealed. The young man is handsome—a perfect match!”

She snapped a photo.

The girl in blue quickly nudged Yang Chen to drive.

Yang Chen stepped on the gas, and the Bugatti sped away.

The aunt felt a strange itch all over.

“I won’t *say* anything, but typing it in the owners’ group isn’t breaking my promise, right?” she muttered.

She quickly sent the photo to the group.

“Look at Xiaoya’s boyfriend—handsome and drives a sports car! @Xiaoya’s father @Xiaoya’s mother, Xiaoya is dating, and you didn’t even know? No wonder she always turns down my introductions.”

The group exploded.

“Wow, Xiaoya’s boyfriend is so handsome! He looks like a celebrity.”

“That’s a Bugatti Veyron! Tens of millions! Is Xiaoya’s boyfriend that rich?”

“Xiaoya, I knew you’d be extraordinary, either successful yourself or find a successful man. See? I was right!”

…

Yang Chen drove the girl toward Taikoo Li.

The girl in blue: “I’m so sorry. That aunt is the biggest gossip in our community. She tries to set me up every day. I’m only 23—what’s the rush?”

Yang Chen: “Girl, if you do this, no one will introduce you to anyone in the future, and you’ll get anxious.”

The girl in blue: “Haha… Don’t worry. I’m only 23. I can take my time. Brother, do you have a girlfriend?”

Yang Chen: “My fishpond is full. What do you think?”

The girl in blue: “Wow, figures. Men who drive sports cars are all players, but girls love players. Isn’t that weird?”

“Haha… Men don’t act bad; women don’t love them,” Yang Chen said, smiling.

The girl in blue fell silent, lost in thought.

As they approached Taikoo Li, she suddenly said, “Since your fishpond is full, would you mind adding one more? Let’s be friends. Some old fish should be kicked out. Don’t you want to replace them with new fish?”

Yang Chen laughed, unsure how to respond.

“Girls these days are so playful.”

“Next time. I believe in fate. If we meet again, I’ll give you a spot. We’re here. Where do you want to get out?” Yang Chen said, smiling.

The girl in blue wasn’t angry. She smiled and nodded. “Okay! See you again. We *must* be friends. My name is Wen Ya. Remember me.

I’ll get out here. I’m meeting a friend.”

Yang Chen nodded, pulled over, and let her out. Then, he drove off to find parking.

Taikoo Li was full of young people and influencers.

Yang Chen’s car instantly became the center of attention, with passersby snapping photos.

“Wow, Bugatti Veyron! Four or five million!”

“Which young master is showing off again?”

“You’re either born with this kind of car, or you’ll never have it. Don’t even bother envying it.”

…

Since it was his first time, Yang Chen didn’t know where to park safely.

Just then, a flamboyant man approached with a group of girls.

The crowd got excited.

“Wang Nianming is here!”

“Yida’s Wang Nianming is here with his girls again!”

“This is why I come to Taikoo Li—to see how rich people live, even if it’s just to feast my eyes.”

…

Yang Chen lowered the convertible top, turned, and saw Wang Nianming with six girls.

*Was this guy’s kidney made of iron?*

Yang Chen honked twice to get Wang Nianming’s attention and waved.

Wang Nianming saw Yang Chen and ran over, smiling.

“Damn! Damn! This Bugatti is yours, Brother Chen! Why don’t you drive it out? You drive that little Jianghuai [cheap car] every day,” Wang Nianming said, opening the passenger door and hopping in.

Yang Chen: “You’re amazing, bringing so many girls. What do you eat to stay so energized?”

“Haha… Brother Chen, don’t tease. It’s not like I have to eat them all at once. One at a time,” Wang Nianming said, grinning.

Yang Chen: “Are you familiar with this place?”

Wang Nianming nodded. “I know it well! What are you looking for? I can find it.”

Yang Chen: “Help me find a safe place to park.”

Yang Chen unbuckled his seatbelt and got out.

Wang Nianming nodded excitedly. “Okay! Leave it to me! I’ll park it with my car! I’ll be right back!”

Yang Chen nodded.

Wang Nianming started the car and headed to the parking lot.

The crowd was stunned. *Who was this guy?*

Wang Nianming was acting like a valet!

Passersby took photos and posted videos on WeChat, Weibo, Douyin, Kuaishou, and other platforms.

“Upload failed!”

“Sorry, your video cannot be uploaded due to relevant laws and regulations!”

“Sending failed!”

…

The posters were dumbfounded.

*How could the 5G network fail?*

*Relevant laws and regulations?*

*Was it illegal to upload a photo or video?*

They tried other photos and videos, which uploaded successfully.

The crowd looked at Yang Chen in disbelief.

“Hey, I posted on WeChat, and his photos can’t be posted.”

“I posted on Weibo, and it says it violates regulations. But I can upload my own photos.”

“My Douyin and Xiaohongshu [Little Red Book] (Tencent and Alibaba both have shares) can’t upload. I can upload my own videos.”

“Damn, who is this guy? Wang Nianming is his valet, and he can block his photos and videos on the entire internet. Is he from the capital?”

“But his license plate is Hai A—from Hai City. Are there any big shots in Hai City?”

“Hey, did you see those five strong men? They haven’t taken their eyes off him. They’re his bodyguards.”

…

Wang Nianming returned and handed Yang Chen the keys.

“Brother Chen, it’s parked. Where are you going now?” Wang Nianming asked, smiling.

Yang Chen: “Just wandering around, meeting a friend. You guys go play.”

Wang Nianming: “Okay! Let’s have dinner tonight! Afterward, I’ll take you to a bar.”

Yang Chen: “Maybe. I’m here to experience the Sichuan-Tibet route and have to leave tomorrow.”

Wang Nianming: “You’ve finally figured it out! You should have come out to enjoy life long ago. I’ll call you tonight. Come if you can. If not, no worries. Okay?”

Yang Chen nodded.

Wang Nianming said goodbye and left with his girls.

Yang Chen put on his hat and wandered around.

The onlookers started talking again.

“Wang Nianming is very polite to him.”

“More than polite—he’s scared. Is there any company better than Yida? Otherwise, why would Wang Nianming be so polite?”

“There are better companies, but Wang Nianming ignores those people.”

“Those companies aren’t good enough. If he were the son of the leaders of the four major financial groups—China Merchants Group, CITIC, China Resources, Poly—it would make sense.”

“Damn, I thought Wang Nianming was a top rich second generation, but there’s someone even richer.”

…

In a short time, Yang Chen had become the son of the leaders of the four major financial groups.

Since it was his first time, Yang Chen didn’t know the fun places, so he just walked around.

He saw a giant panda climbing the wall of the IFS International Finance Center.

*That’s cool!* Yang Chen walked over.

The panda’s butt was surrounded by people taking pictures.

Yang Chen found it interesting and took out his phone.

As he took pictures, a touch of blue appeared.

Wen Ya was smiling at him.

“Wow, brother, what a coincidence! We’re destined,” Wen Ya said.

Yang Chen looked around and asked, “Are you stalking me? I’m timid. Don’t scare me.”

Wen Ya: “How could I stalk you? I’m not that weird. Can we be friends now?”

Yang Chen nodded. As he was about to add her, a girl pulled her away, took out her phone, and said, “Brother, add me. She has a boyfriend—the deputy general manager of Tencent Technology Shudu Branch. He’s coming soon. It’d be bad if there’s a misunderstanding.”

Wen Ya: “Ma Xiaoqun, don’t make trouble. I’m not interested in Wang Wanjun.”

Ma Xiaoqun: “Sister, please! You’re not interested in that level of rich? I don’t even dream about it, and you’re not interested?”

Wen Ya: “Then you go after him. I’m not interested.”

Ma Xiaoqun: “Sister, don’t be confused. Looks are useless. Can looks buy you LV bags? Wang Wanjun can. Understand?”

Wen Ya: “Oh, you…”

Yang Chen said, smiling, “Your sister is good to you. Take her advice. Find a rich boyfriend. At least he can satisfy your material needs. I won’t add you. I’m going to play over there. Bye.”

Yang Chen hadn’t wanted to add Wen Ya, and Ma Xiaoqun had helped.

Wen Ya was angry but didn’t want to tell her that Yang Chen was also a super-rich second generation, knowing Ma Xiaoqun would pursue him.

Yang Chen took pictures of the panda and walked into the largest LV flagship store in China on the first floor of the IFS Guojin Center to browse and buy a bag for Fang Yingqi as a reward.

He saw Wen Ya in the rest area.

*How could he escape her?*

Wen Ya looked upset, but she smiled when she saw Yang Chen.

“Hehe… What a coincidence! We meet again!” Wen Ya said.

Yang Chen took out his phone and said, “There’s fate between us. Let’s be friends. If I don’t, I’m going against the heavens.”

Wen Ya was overjoyed and added Yang Chen.

Ma Xiaoqun and a man in his thirties approached with several bags.

“Xiaoya, President Wang said you can choose any bag. I can choose a wallet, thanks to you. Hmm? You again? Are you stalking us? That’s weird and illegal!” Ma Xiaoqun said.