How A Ride-Hailing Driver Comes To Dominate The World? [EN]: Chapter 378

Yang Chen went to a nearby Starbucks, ordered a coffee, and sat by the glass wall, basking in the sun, sipping his drink, and watching the world go by.

A few young people passed by outside, seemingly preparing for an interview.

After a short while, they entered Starbucks.

The girl holding the microphone quickly scanned the room, her eyes eventually landing on Yang Chen, who was gazing at the scenery outside.

‘What a handsome man, just my type,’ she thought.

She subtly winked at her colleagues, and they all approached Yang Chen.

“Hello, handsome. We’re from Spicy Street Interview Studio. My name is Chen Yu, and these are my colleagues. Would you mind answering a few questions for a quick interview?” the girl asked.

Yang Chen nodded. “Normal questions are fine.”

Chen Yu laughed. “Don’t worry, we’re making a video to upload to platforms like Douyin [TikTok in China], so it will definitely be suitable for public viewing. What’s your name?”

Yang Chen: “My surname is Yang.”

Chen Yu: “Okay, Brother Yang. What do you do for a living? It’s a weekday, yet you’re sitting here so leisurely, drinking coffee and enjoying the scenery. Your job must pay very well.”

Yang Chen: “I’m an urban population transfer engineer. The income isn’t high, but it’s enough for a Starbucks.”

Chen Yu: “Wow, an engineer! In my mind, engineers are all technical people with high incomes. You’re too modest, Brother.”

Yang Chen: “Of course, there has to be skill, and the skill has to be very good. Because the road conditions are very complex every day, and Beijing is quite congested, it really tests personal skills.”

Hearing Yang Chen say this, Chen Yu asked even more curiously, “Can you tell me more about the details of your work?”

Yang Chen: “There’s nothing to say, really.”

Chen Yu immediately nodded, acting like she understood, and said, “I understand, I understand. Technical jobs require confidentiality. I get it.”

Yang Chen couldn’t help but laugh and said, “What do you understand? I’m a ride-hailing driver [like Uber or Lyft]. You didn’t even understand what an urban population transfer engineer is. And you say you understand?”

Chen Yu was instantly stunned, then covered her mouth and laughed.

The colleagues in charge of photography and lighting also chuckled.

After composing herself, Chen Yu continued to ask, “Brother, I don’t mean anything by this, but I’m just curious, aren’t you worried at all? Are you married? Or do you have a girlfriend?”

Yang Chen: “I have a girlfriend. What’s the rush?”

Chen Yu: “Your girlfriend doesn’t ask you for a car, a house, a bride price [dowry paid by the groom’s family], or savings?”

Yang Chen: “No. Girls who ask me for those things won’t become my girlfriend.”

Everyone laughed again, wondering if he was some kind of rich second generation [spoiled child of wealthy parents]. How could a ride-hailing driver be so cocky?

But thinking about it, it made sense. He’s so handsome, what else would a girl want besides a house and a car? They’d be laughing in their dreams every day just being able to sleep with such a handsome and strong man.

Some of the bourgeois [middle-class] people drinking coffee nearby looked over. It was their first time seeing such a confident ride-hailing driver.

Chen Yu: “Brother, you’re really confident. Then how do you think two people should maintain a good relationship?”

Yang Chen: “The man must learn to be funny, and the woman must learn to be mischievous. Life needs fun. As long as they make each other happy, the relationship will definitely be good.”

Chen Yu: “Oh, you mean the boy should be humorous and the girl should be playful, right?”

Yang Chen shook his head and said, “No extended meaning, just the literal meaning.”

Chen Yu was dumbfounded, not understanding what Yang Chen meant.

At this moment, someone understood Yang Chen’s meaning and instantly spat out a mouthful of coffee.

Chen Yu looked at the coffee-spraying customer with a puzzled expression, even more confused.

Then, a colleague, an older sister, whispered something in her ear, and her face instantly turned red. She looked at Yang Chen with a huffy expression.

The surrounding customers gradually understood Yang Chen’s meaning and couldn’t help but laugh.

“This handsome guy is so knowledgeable.”

“This guy is okay, he says everything.”

“I think he’s right. My boyfriend and I maintain a good relationship based on that.”

Chen Yu’s face started to burn, and she was too embarrassed to continue the interview.

After calming down, Chen Yu adjusted her emotions and continued to ask, “You’re still very young, why don’t you work hard? Shouldn’t young people be working hard?”

Yang Chen: “Then I’ll ask you, what’s the purpose of working hard?”

Chen Yu: “Of course, it’s to make money so you can enjoy life in the future.”

Yang Chen: “Then what do you think I’m doing right now?”

With that, Yang Chen picked up his coffee, took a sip, and looked at the people coming and going outside the glass wall.

The people next to him were amused. This ride-hailing driver was really something.

To work hard your whole life and then enjoy life, that’s too old-fashioned. How can you enjoy it then?

It would be a blessing to just go to the hospital less often.

This ride-hailing driver thought it through. He started enjoying life while he was young, cutting out decades of detours.

Chen Yu: “Brother, I get it.”

Yang Chen: “Young people shouldn’t work so hard. No matter how hard you work, you won’t get what you want. Just do the basic things you’re supposed to do and leave some time for yourself now.”

The surrounding bourgeois [middle-class] people were stunned. Yang Chen’s words hit them right in the heart.

Everyone has a big dream in their heart, but if you really have to work for it your whole life and still might not achieve it, is it really necessary to work so hard?

Chen Yu: “Brother, what you said is too harsh. After hearing you say that, I suddenly don’t want to do this anymore. I’ll just buy a car and drive for a ride-hailing service, take a few orders a day, and earn enough to live on.”

Yang Chen: “There’s no need for that. Not working hard doesn’t mean you should slack off. If you have a good job, of course, you should do it well. Just do your current job well.”

Chen Yu: “Brother, you’re right. Then let’s continue the interview.”

Yang Chen looked at his watch and said, “I’ll give you three more minutes. Ask away.”

At this moment, someone recognized the 15 million Czech Leopard watch on Yang Chen’s wrist.

“Wait, am I seeing things? That watch on his hand seems to be the treasure of the SKP Czech Leopard store. It was bought a while ago. Could he be the one who bought it?”

“Impossible, right? You must be mistaken.

He said himself that he’s a ride-hailing driver. How could he afford such an expensive watch?”

“You must be mistaken, or it’s a fake. If a ride-hailing driver could afford such an expensive watch, would he still need to drive for a ride-hailing service?”

Hearing the discussions around them, Chen Yu asked, “Brother, your watch is so beautiful. What brand is it?”

Yang Chen: “This one? It’s a Czech Leopard.”

The surroundings instantly fell silent.

Chen Yu: “Brother, you’re not kidding, are you? Although I can’t afford a watch of this brand, I know they’re very expensive. I just heard my friend say that this watch is the treasure of the SKP Czech Leopard store, worth 15 million. How could you earn so much money driving for a ride-hailing service?”

Yang Chen: “I work so hard, taking at least ten customers a day. Isn’t it normal to earn some money? Okay, I have to go to work now. Let’s talk another time.”

With that, Yang Chen got up to leave.

At this moment, Zhao Wenhui walked in. She saw Yang Chen, who was getting up to leave, at a glance.

“Brother Chen, you’re here too. What a coincidence,” Zhao Wenhui said happily, quickly jogging to Yang Chen’s side.

Zhao Wenhui was still wearing black stockings, instantly attracting the attention of everyone in the store. Men were moved, and women were jealous.

Yang Chen: “I dropped off a customer and came over to have a coffee to relax.”

Zhao Wenhui: “Brother Chen, are you free tomorrow? I’m going to a party tomorrow. Can you give me a ride? I can pay you 10,000 yuan for the day. Can you just drive for me for a day?”

Yang Chen: “That’s a lot of money. Add some other requirements, otherwise, I won’t feel comfortable taking the money.”

Zhao Wenhui: “Hehe… okay then. Just pretend to be a billionaire, my boyfriend. Remember, a hundred-billionaire is enough.”

This was quite difficult; after all, Yang Chen was already a trillionaire. Pretending to be a hundred-billionaire was quite a test of acting skills. He had forgotten what it was like when he had a hundred billion in assets.

“This task is very challenging for me. I’ll go back tonight and think about what it feels like to have a hundred billion before I say anything,” Yang Chen said.

Zhao Wenhui: “Hehe… okay then. I’ll wait for your call tonight. I won’t sleep if I don’t get it.”

Yang Chen nodded, waved goodbye to Zhao Wenhui, and left Starbucks under everyone’s gaze.

Chen Yu quickly stepped forward and said to Zhao Wenhui with a smile, “Hello, beautiful. Can I ask who that man was? I mean his real identity. I don’t think he’s just a ride-hailing driver.”

Zhao Wenhui: “Then you’re wrong. He really is a ride-hailing driver. But he’s not an ordinary ride-hailing driver, he’s a super-rich ride-hailing driver. When I said let him pretend to be a hundred-billionaire, you must have thought I was telling him to exaggerate his assets, right?”

Chen Yu nodded, smiled, and looked at the people around her, saying, “I think everyone must think so.”

Everyone nodded.

Zhao Wenhui: “See, you’re wrong again. I don’t know Brother Chen very well yet, but just from what I know, his assets must be at least in the hundreds of billions. So I’m letting him pretend to be a hundred-billionaire just so I don’t scare my classmates. What are you doing? Interviewing?”

Chen Yu: “Yes! We’re from Spicy Street Interview Studio. We’re planning to use Mr. Yang’s interview video for an episode.”

Zhao Wenhui smiled and said, “Then you’re wasting your time. You won’t be able to upload it successfully.”

Chen Yu: “Ah? Why?”

Zhao Wenhui: “When you upload it, the platform system will remind you. You should interview someone else and make another episode; otherwise, you’ll delay your work.”

Chen Yu didn’t believe Zhao Wenhui’s words and just smiled without saying anything.

Zhao Wenhui didn’t want to say more to her and turned to buy coffee.

“How is that possible? There are only a few billionaires, and I can name them all. There’s definitely no one that young.”

“Either he’s bragging, or she’s been deceived. Sure enough, pretty girls are brainless. She probably doesn’t even know what a trillion-level asset is, so how could she believe his nonsense?”

“It’s probably for their show’s effect. It’s definitely a script. Just treat it as a joke.”

Back at the office, Chen Yu and her colleagues quickly edited the interview video.

At six o’clock in the evening, Chen Yu and the others packed up their things to go home.

The colleague in charge of operations quickly uploaded the finished video to platforms such as Douyin, Kuaishou [another video platform], Red Book [social media platform], and Xiaoshijie [another social media platform].

But they uploaded it several times, and the system kept prompting that the video was illegal and rejected it again and again.

“Don’t leave yet, there’s a problem with this video. It keeps reminding us that the video is illegal and can’t be uploaded. What’s going on?” the operations colleague said.

Chen Yu and the others, who had just changed their clothes and were about to leave, were stunned and quickly ran over to see what was going on.

The operations colleague re-uploaded it to major platforms in front of them, and the platform system still reminded them that the video was illegal and could not be uploaded.

“Oh no! That beautiful woman was right. We can’t upload it successfully.”

“I remember now, that beautiful woman with the long black stockings did say that we wouldn’t be able to upload it successfully. She said we should interview someone else and make another episode; otherwise, we’d delay our work.”

“Yes, yes, that’s what she said. Wow, she really guessed it. How could she predict that this video would be illegal? But there’s nothing illegal about it.”

While everyone was discussing, they watched it again but still couldn’t find anything illegal.

At this moment, Chen Yu, who had been silent, said, “That beautiful woman might be telling the truth. That ride-hailing driver is a trillion-level billionaire. He notified the major platforms not to spread his photos and videos. If everyone knew he was a trillion-level billionaire, the passengers who ride in his car would be too excited, so how could he drive?”

The colleagues nodded, thinking that Chen Yu’s words made sense.

However, this was just a guess. They still had to call the platform customer service to ask why they couldn’t upload it.

The operations colleague called Douyin customer service, explained their situation clearly, and asked why they couldn’t upload the video.

The customer service replied very tactfully, “The system feedback I’m seeing is that the video is illegal. I suggest the user re-shoot with someone else. This means that the main person in the video cannot be spread. You need to choose someone else to re-shoot. I can only answer this much. I don’t know anything else. Do you understand?”

Everyone looked shocked. The customer service had hinted very clearly that the ride-hailing driver could not be spread. This verified what the beautiful woman with the black stockings had said, that he was a trillion-level billionaire, enough to order the major platforms to prohibit the spread of his videos and photos.

“So, we really interviewed a trillion-level billionaire today.”

“Oh my god, there’s even a trillionaire who’s not on the rich list?”

“A billionaire who can order the major platforms to do things is actually driving for a ride-hailing service. Can you believe that?”

“Damn it, I almost believed his words, ‘Don’t work so hard, just do the basic things.’ He doesn’t have to worry about life even if he doesn’t do anything. Why should I learn from him?”

Chen Yu let out a long sigh and said with a wry smile, “This episode can only be for us to watch. Post some old works from the archives. Let’s make a new video tomorrow.”

At this time, Yang Chen picked up a migrant worker who had bought two quilts and two boxes of instant noodles.

Yang Chen was a little puzzled by the destination the migrant worker had set, so he asked, “Brother, what specific location is this under the overpass?”

The migrant worker smiled honestly and said, “It’s just under the overpass. I’ll tell you how to get there when we arrive. My fellow villagers are waiting for me. Please drive faster. Thank you.”

Yang Chen: “Ah? Your fellow villagers are waiting for you? You don’t live under the overpass, do you?”

The migrant worker nodded with a simple smile and said, “Yes! We all live under the overpass. There’s no other way. We didn’t get paid for a year’s work last year. We came back this year, but we still didn’t get the money, and we were kicked out of the construction site again. We have nowhere to go, and we haven’t gotten our money, so we can only save money. We hope to get our wages back soon so we can go home or find work on other construction sites.”

Damn, the government has repeatedly ordered that wages cannot be in arrears; how can there still be people doing this?

Yang Chen: “Brother, which construction site did you work for that didn’t pay you?”

The migrant worker: “The Baorun project. They are local developers, local bullies; we really have no way to deal with them.”

Yang Chen frowned. It was actually Baorun Real Estate?