How A Ride-Hailing Driver Comes To Dominate The World? [EN]: Chapter 400

The Luxury of Dragon Country_What’s Wrong with a Ride-Hailing Driver Having Some Money?

To realize his dream as soon as possible, Yang Chen had to work hard.

While Maya was still asleep, he had already gotten up and started driving.

“The sun shines in the sky, the flowers smile at me, the birds chirp early, why are you carrying a dynamite pack…”

Yang Chen hummed a little tune as he walked towards the parking lot.

From a distance, Yang Chen saw people arguing.

When he got closer, he realized that two residents were arguing over a parking space.

Simply put, one resident (a woman) had parked her car in the space. When the other resident (a man) returned and found the space occupied, he blocked her car by parking horizontally.

The woman had called him to move the car, and that’s when they started arguing.

The woman was quite beautiful and had the refined air of a lady from a historical drama.

Her clothes were also in a classical style, which looked quite tasteful.

The man was chubby, with a big gold chain and tattoos, looking like a stereotypical gangster.

Yang Chen looked at the parking space number and suddenly understood.

Wait, isn’t this the parking space for the 1801 apartment?

The east-facing units on floors 10-20 all belong to Yang Chen, and they all come with parking spaces.

This was Yang Chen’s parking space, and they were arguing over it?

Man: “I park in this space every day, but you’ve been taking it these past few days. I’m going to block you here today and see how you get out.”

Woman: “If this is your parking space, I’ve already apologized. There’s no need to be so aggressive, right? If this isn’t your parking space, then it’s first come, first served. Why are you blocking me?”

Man: “I’m going to block you, what are you going to do about it?”

The woman was so angry that her face turned red.

Yang Chen stepped forward and said, “Excuse me, can I say something?”

The woman saw that Yang Chen was quite handsome and immediately put away her angry expression, becoming gentle and elegant, which seemed to be her natural demeanor. Maybe this was her usual self.

The man was a little difficult to talk to and said fiercely, “What do you want to say? Are you her boyfriend?”

Yang Chen: “I don’t know her.”

Man: “Then what are you saying? Mind your own business! Don’t think you can stand up for her just because she’s pretty.”

Yang Chen: “I’m not meddling. I just want to tell you that this parking space is mine. I don’t usually use it, so whoever takes it first can use it. I don’t have any objections. But there’s no need for you two to argue over *my* parking space, right? And your car is parked horizontally here; my car won’t be able to pass later.”

The woman quickly smiled and nodded at Yang Chen, saying, “I’m so sorry. I saw that this parking space was often empty, so I thought no one was using it.”

Yang Chen: “It’s okay, 1801 is rented to someone else, and the tenant doesn’t have a car. It’s just sitting idle, so it’s okay for you to use it.”

The woman nodded happily and then said to the chubby guy, “Did you hear that? The owner of the parking space said it’s okay for me to use it. Why are you blocking me?”

Man: “He said it’s okay for you to use it, which means I can use it too. Wait, bro, from what you’re saying, you have more than one apartment in this complex.”

Yang Chen: “That’s right! The east-facing units on floors 10-20 are all mine. Hurry up and move the car; the morning rush hour is almost over. You’re delaying me from doing business and making money.”

Morning rush hour?

The man tentatively asked, “What do you do, bro?”

Yang Chen: “Ride-hailing driver. Look, it’s already past eight o’clock; don’t waste my time. Hurry up and drive away.”

The woman and the chubby guy were stunned. A ride-hailing driver could afford to buy the east-facing units on floors 10-20 in this complex?

After speaking, Yang Chen opened the Bugatti Veyron parked in the diagonally opposite parking space and took out the watch he had forgotten inside last night.

The chubby guy’s eyes widened in shock, and he immediately got into his car and drove away.

When Yang Chen said he was a ride-hailing driver, the chubby guy was a little skeptical about whether he could afford the east-facing units on floors 10-20.

Seeing Yang Chen get into the Bugatti Veyron and take out a Czech Leopard watch, the chubby guy had no doubts.

Yang Chen locked the car, put on the watch, and got into his Jianghuai car.

The woman was also shocked by Yang Chen’s actions.

“This guy must be the young master of a wealthy family experiencing life,” the woman thought to herself.

Yang Chen drove out and picked up an order from the same complex.

More than an hour later, Yang Chen dropped the passenger off at the destination: the farmers market.

Yang Chen felt a little tired, so he got out of the car to stroll around the farmers market.

Although he wasn’t buying anything, it was nice to experience the atmosphere of the marketplace.

“Wild soft-shelled turtles are on sale!”

“Free-range native eggs are on sale!”

“Pure wild blackfish, only a few left!”

…

There were not only regular stalls but also some farmers who came to set up temporary stalls.

Yang Chen had never been to such a place before, so he found it quite novel.

After strolling around for a while, Yang Chen saw the woman who had argued with the chubby guy over the parking space earlier.

The woman also saw Yang Chen, smiled slightly, and asked softly, “Big brother, weren’t you going to drive? Why are you here?”

Yang Chen: “I dropped off a passenger and just came in to see what’s going on.”

Woman: “Oh. What’s your name? Can I rent your parking space? A parking space costs 500,000 [currency not specified, but likely yuan], I really can’t afford it. I don’t want to use someone else’s parking space for free, but I’m too poor to do anything about it.”

Damn, a parking space costs 500,000; that’s really a rip-off.

Yang Chen’s parking space was given to him when the system rewarded him, so he didn’t know how much a parking space cost.

If Yang Chen were an ordinary person, he wouldn’t be willing to spend 500,000 to buy a parking space.

“Sure, the tenant of 1801 doesn’t have a car, so I’ll rent it to you for now. If the tenant needs a parking space one day, the lease must be terminated immediately,” Yang Chen replied.

Woman: “Okay, okay. How much rent do you want?”

Yang Chen: “I don’t know how much to charge. 500 a month?”

Woman: “Okay! Thank you, big brother. Let’s add each other as friends, and I’ll transfer the money to you now.”

Yang Chen took out his phone and added the woman as a WeChat friend.

The two exchanged names and added notes to each other.

Her name was Zhuo Wenjun, which was very much in line with her temperament as a refined lady.

Yang Chen: “Your name is amazing, the heroine of ‘Phoenix Seeks Phoenix’ [a famous love story and musical piece].”

Zhuo Wenjun: “Hehe… It was given to me by my grandfather. When I was born, he was reading Sima Xiangru’s ‘Phoenix Seeks Phoenix’ [Sima Xiangru was a famous Han Dynasty poet] in his hometown, so he gave me the name Zhuo Wenjun. My dad doesn’t like this name, saying that Zhuo Wenjun was widowed at the age of 17, which is not very auspicious. Later, my grandfather passed away not long after, and my dad probably kept this name to commemorate him.”

In this case, Zhuo Wenjun was indeed born into a scholarly family, which is why she has this temperament.

Yang Chen: “It sounds good and suits your temperament very well. Then you can buy your things; I won’t bother you.”

Zhuo Wenjun nodded and was about to speak when the owner of the stall next door pushed over a large package of things.

“Little girl, the tung seeds you wanted are here,” the owner shouted.

What are tung seeds?

Yang Chen didn’t want to leave again and stayed next to watch.

“A total of 200 pounds; I’ll give you a cheaper price: 3.8 yuan per pound. 760 yuan,” the owner said.

Zhuo Wenjun transferred the money to the owner and said, “Uncle, can you help me deliver it to the parking lot?”

The owner looked at Yang Chen and said, “Little girl, your boyfriend is with you; let him do some work. I’m busy right now; I don’t have anyone to help you deliver it. You can use this cart; let your boyfriend push it over, and then send the cart back to me later. Handsome, okay?”

Zhuo Wenjun’s face turned red, and she said, “Boss, don’t play matchmaker randomly. He’s not my boyfriend, just a resident of the same complex.”

The owner smiled awkwardly and said, “I’m sorry; I thought you two were chatting so well, I thought he was your boyfriend. Then what should I do? I really don’t have anyone who can help you here. Otherwise, you can wait a while; I’ll prepare the goods for the customers, and then I’ll deliver them to you. Okay?”

Yang Chen scratched his head and said, “I’ll help you push it over, and you can bring the cart back yourself later. Okay?”

Zhuo Wenjun nodded quickly and said, “Okay, okay. Brother Chen, thank you.”

Yang Chen smiled and shook his head, saying, “You’re welcome. I’m going to the parking lot anyway; it’s on the way.”

Yang Chen and Zhuo Wenjun pushed the cart towards the parking lot together.

Yang Chen asked curiously, “Miss Zhuo, what are you buying so many tung seeds for?”

Zhuo Wenjun: “To make tung soot ink.”

Yang Chen smiled in surprise.

People in the calligraphy, painting, and other arts all know about Huizhou ink [a high-quality ink traditionally produced in Huizhou], among which tung soot ink is the most advanced.

If compared to gold, an ounce of tung soot ink is more expensive than an ounce of gold.

Tung soot ink has the characteristics of being as black as lacquer when applied to paper, having a dark and moist color, lasting for a long time without fading, not sticking to paper and brushes, having a rich fragrance, and being smooth and delicate. It has the reputation of being light to pick up, clear to grind, fragrant to smell, as hard as jade, silent to grind, as black as lacquer, and lasting for ten thousand years.

In a word, this thing is a luxury item with a strong cultural heritage of Dragon Country [a euphemism for China].

Except for some particularly wealthy and refined people, ordinary people simply cannot afford this kind of ink.

Yang Chen had thought about buying some tung soot ink when he was painting before, and now the opportunity has come.

Yang Chen: “Miss Zhuo, how do you sell this tung soot ink?”

Zhuo Wenjun: “I’m only responsible for making it; the price is negotiated by my dad with the customers. Different methods, different colors, different customers—the prices are different. As far as I know, the price of a pound of poor quality is estimated to be around 200,000 [currency not specified, but likely yuan]. If the quality is very good, it will be more expensive.”

It really is an ounce of gold for an ounce of ink.

However, this kind of high-end product is worth this price.

Yang Chen nodded and said, “Then can I buy some from you? I personally like to paint some Chinese-style landscape paintings and have always wanted to try what effect tung soot ink would have.”

Zhuo Wenjun’s eyes lit up and said, “Brother Chen can also paint landscape paintings! Hehe… I also especially like calligraphy and Chinese painting. Then I’ll contact you after I finish this order, and I’ll definitely make the best quality tung soot ink for you.”

Yang Chen: “What products does your family make?”

According to Zhuo Wenjun’s introduction, her family has been making Longquan 印泥 [Longquan seal paste, used for traditional Chinese seals], tung soot ink, and other luxury goods of Dragon Country for generations.

Because these things are relatively expensive, they only do business within a small circle.

Customers come to the door to place an order and give a deposit, and then she will buy materials and make them by hand.

Because everything is made by hand and requires a lot of materials, it often takes ten days or even dozens of days to complete an order.

However, because things are relatively expensive, each order can earn a large portion after deducting the cost of materials, which is still very cost-effective.

Yang Chen: “Amazing. Who in your family can make these things?”

Zhuo Wenjun: “My grandma and I. Actually, my dad can also do it, but he has to maintain customers every day, and he hasn’t done it for a long time, so he’s not very skilled. To ensure product quality, my grandma doesn’t let him do it, and he and my mom are responsible for maintaining customers, and my grandma and I are responsible for making it.”

In this case, it is a small family workshop-style production model.

While speaking, the two came to Zhuo Wenjun’s car.

Yang Chen did a good deed to the end and helped her move the tung seeds into the car.

Zhuo Wenjun quickly took out a wet wipe and handed it to Yang Chen to wipe his hands, thanking him, “Brother Chen, thank you. Wait for my news; I’ll contact you as soon as I finish this order.”

Yang Chen: “Okay! Then you can send the cart back yourself; I’ll go first.”

Zhuo Wenjun: “Okay. Goodbye, Brother Chen.”

Yang Chen smiled and nodded, walking towards his car.

Zhuo Wenjun stayed where she was and watched Yang Chen drive away before returning the cart.

…

Yang Chen continued to take orders, sending a customer to Chengfu Daguan.

It was now 10:30 in the morning, time to have a cup of coffee and take a break.

Yang Chen came to the coffee shop, ordered a cup of coffee, and sat by the window, enjoying it.

After a while, Yang Chen’s phone rang.

The call was from Gong Xiang.

After Yang Chen came to Beijing, he also became the president of the BEEP driver union.

When he was the president in Haicheng, he helped many drivers solve big problems.

However, he usually doesn’t have time to manage the union, so he lets Zhang Hu and others help manage it. He only needs to help when others need it.

The BEEP union in Beijing also operates in this way. Yang Chen is the nominal president, but Gong Xiang is actually responsible for daily management.

Gong Xiang called at this time, probably because he encountered some trouble.

Yang Chen answered the phone and asked, “Hey, Xiangzi, what’s up?”

Gong Xiang: “Brother Chen, it’s urgent! But before I tell you, I have to ask you to forgive me.”

Yang Chen: “Damn! What bad thing did you do?”

Gong Xiang: “Brother Chen, you also know that I don’t look very good, and I’m 30 years old and still don’t have a girlfriend. Some time ago, I registered an account on a dating app and used your photo as my profile picture. I chatted with a netizen on it; she’s a streamer with 500,000 fans. I gave her a lot of gifts and confirmed a cyber relationship with her. She said she must meet me today; can you…”

Yang Chen: “Damn! You’re an animal! Why are you using my photo?”

Gong Xiang: “Aren’t you handsome? If I used my own photo, the girls wouldn’t even chat with me. When I use your photo, they take the initiative to chat with me.”

Damn, is it my fault that I’m handsome?

Yang Chen: “So? What do you mean? You want me to go meet her in your place?”

Gong Xiang: “Yes! Brother Chen, please. Just meet her in my place and stabilize her.”

Yang Chen: “But if I meet her and it works out, you’ll still be exposed in the future. If it doesn’t work out, wouldn’t it be a waste of time?”

Gong Xiang: “It’s okay; you just help me stabilize her. Even if I can’t get her, it’s okay to let me experience a cyber relationship. I’m 30 years old and haven’t been in love yet. Brother Chen, please, help me fulfill this dream.”

Damn, people’s joys and sorrows are really different.

Yang Chen is a little scared of doing homework [a euphemism for sex], but Gong Xiang is 30 years old and hasn’t been in love yet.

Yang Chen: “Just stabilize her?”

Gong Xiang: “Yes! Just stabilize her.”

Yang Chen: “What if it messes up?”

Gong Xiang: “It’s okay. If I meet her, it will definitely mess up. If you meet her, there’s still a chance to stabilize her. Brother Chen, thank you; help me this time.”

Yang Chen: “Okay! I’m at Starbucks in Chengfu Daguan now; you can call her over.”

Gong Xiang: “Okay. Thank you, Brother Chen.”

Hanging up the phone, Yang Chen ordered another cup of coffee.

About half an hour later, Gong Xiang also arrived.

He just winked at Yang Chen and sat at the next table.

Gong Xiang sent Yang Chen the female netizen’s photos and basic information so he could familiarize himself with her in advance.

Not long after, a girl holding a selfie stick and filming as she walked came to the door.

She was Gong Xiang’s female netizen, a small internet celebrity with just over 500,000 fans, Liu Wenhui, ID HuiziOVO.

Liu Wenhui: “Babies, I’m going to meet my blind date. Everyone, give me a like, send me a little heart, cheer me on, and wish me good luck.”

Barrage [on the live stream].

“Damn, the top fan is crying in the toilet.”

“Huizi, what do you mean? Are you serious?”

“If you really dare to go on a blind date, I won’t give you any more votes in the future.”

Liu Wenhui: “Oh, don’t misunderstand. Actually, he’s also my fan and has given me several carnivals [expensive virtual gifts]. I think he’s quite handsome, so I’m here to meet him. Everyone, please understand: streamers also have to make a living, and the top fan must be well maintained. In the future, if you become the top fan, I will also ask you to meet me. Okay, I won’t talk to you anymore; I’m going in to meet him. I’ll go live again later to report the situation to everyone. Love you, bye.”

After speaking, Liu Wenhui went offline and quickly took out a small mirror to fix her makeup and then entered Starbucks.

Yang Chen’s height, temperament, and appearance were all too outstanding, and Liu Wenhui recognized him at a glance.

Liu Wenhui came to Yang Chen’s side and was immediately fascinated by his handsomeness.

“Honey, I’m here,” Liu Wenhui said with a smile.

Yang Chen looked up, his expression a little dazed. After all, he was meeting her in place of Gong Xiang, so he couldn’t react immediately.

Gong Xiang next to him was anxious, thinking, “Brother, don’t be dazed. Pay attention to her!”

Yang Chen quickly reacted, stood up, and said with a smile, “Huizi, you look much better in person; I almost didn’t recognize you.”

Liu Wenhui covered her mouth and smiled, saying, “Really? You’re much more handsome than in the photos too.”

Yang Chen invited Liu Wenhui to sit down and ordered her a cup of coffee.

At first, the two chatted well, and the atmosphere was good.

However, Liu Wenhui’s request to meet Gong Xiang this time had her purpose, which was to test how much money Gong Xiang had.

If Gong Xiang was a rich man, she would take the opportunity to marry him and become a rich wife.

If Gong Xiang was not a rich man, she would keep him hanging on and continue to give her gifts.

So, Liu Wenhui began to test him.

Liu Wenhui: “What brands of clothes do you usually like? Domestic or foreign brands?”

Yang Chen: “I don’t have any particularly favorite brands. Whether it’s domestic or foreign brands, as long as the clothes suit my taste. What about you; what type of clothes do you like?”

Liu Wenhui’s heart skipped a beat, thinking, “Damn, he’s a poor guy. If he was a rich man, he would definitely pursue foreign luxury brands. Sigh… what a waste of time.”

Liu Wenhui replied with a smile, “I prefer brands such as LV and Chanel for clothing and bags, and I prefer Gucci for shoes. Girls, of course, have to be good to themselves. These international luxury brands can enhance my figure and temperament. Domestic brands’ products are relatively low-end, and the environmental protection level is very low, so it’s not safe to use. Not only clothing, but I also use top foreign brands for other things.”

Yang Chen: “Hehe… it’s good that you like them. However, when it comes to luxury goods, the things from our Dragon Country are definitely luxury goods. Those foreigners can’t be called luxury goods; they’re purely fooling people.”