How A Ride-Hailing Driver Comes To Dominate The World? [EN]: Chapter 504

No Skills, Just Throwing Money Around—What’s Wrong With a Ride-Hailing Driver Having Some Money?

Wang Qianni rushed out, loudly stopping the argument. “What are you doing? Ying-jie [term of endearment for the bride] is anxiously waiting in the room. Why are you still arguing? Jun-ge [term of endearment for Huang Jun], Ying-jie said it’s just for fun, don’t ruin her wedding.”

Huang Jun, furious, glared at Yang Chen. “Am I ruining the wedding? They’re not taking our family seriously. *They’re* the ones who want to ruin the wedding.”

Wang Qianni’s temper was as straightforward as ever. “Why are you yelling at Chen-ge [term of endearment for Yang Chen]? As the best man, has he done anything wrong? When *doesn’t* the best man try to spill some wine when picking up the bride? Did Chen-ge handle it poorly? If you can’t handle it, don’t play. So many relatives and friends are here, making us a laughingstock.”

Huang Jun grew even angrier. “What’s with your attitude? Is anyone allowed to bully our family now?”

Wang Zijun interjected, “Jun-ge, you’re going too far. My sister is just stating a fact. Anyone in this situation would try to spill the wine. You can’t just hand out red envelopes [traditional monetary gift] and ask people to drink for him, and the groom can’t drink all that wine. You can’t just ignore the tradition, so spilling it is the best solution. Besides, why didn’t you say anything beforehand? If you’d communicated, you could have prepared red envelopes and asked relatives and friends to drink for him. Wedding games are about fun and good luck, not embarrassing the groom and making him lose face in public.”

Huang Jun retorted, “Chen Lijun, your friends are really something, so eloquent. Are you lecturing me like a child?”

Chen Lijun tried to mediate. “Brother-in-law, they’re right. Enough is enough, don’t delay the auspicious time.”

Huang Jun spread his arms. “If you don’t give me a satisfactory explanation today, you’re not taking my sister.”

Chen Lijun, a reckless rich kid in his day, someone who dared to mess with anyone when his temper flared, restrained himself in front of Yang Chen.

“Jun-ge, you have no right to say that. Xiaoying [term of endearment for Huang Ying] is an adult. Even if you’re just her brother, even if you were her father, you can’t ruin her wedding. Enough is enough, don’t make both families lose face and become a laughingstock,” Chen Lijun said, unhappy.

At that moment, Huang Jun’s parents, Huang Guang and Yue Xiu, hurried out.

After understanding the situation, they blamed Chen Lijun for handling it improperly and not respecting the Huang family enough.

Although Chen Lijun loved Huang Ying, he was still a rich kid with a strange and volatile temper.

He was already unhappy about Huang Jun adding the wedding prank *huanjie* [segment/part] temporarily, and now he was being scolded by the Huang family in public, so he was angry.

But thinking that Huang Ying was waiting, he suppressed his anger.

“Uncle, Auntie, Jun-ge, it’s all my fault, okay? I didn’t think it through, I should have brought more red envelopes. Today, both sides’ guests are gathered here, don’t delay the auspicious time. Let’s talk about it later, okay?” Chen Lijun said, swallowing his anger.

Although Huang Guang and Yue Xiu grumbled, they didn’t want to ruin their daughter’s wedding.

Huang Guang said, “Alright, hurry inside, Xiaoying is still waiting.”

But Huang Jun didn’t move, looking like he really wanted to ruin his sister’s wedding.

Just then, Zhang Yulong, chairman of Baoli Technology Group, and his daughter Zhang Chengcheng arrived.

The families didn’t have much interaction, but the Huang family wanted to please the new chairman of Baoli Technology, hoping their Ferrari dealership could continue to get cheaper goods.

As the new chairman, Zhang Yulong wanted a good relationship with the best Ferrari dealer, so he brought his daughter to Huang Ying and Chen Lijun’s wedding.

Zhang Chengcheng saw Yang Chen in the crowd, and her face darkened. She pointed at him. “Dad, it’s him!”

Zhang Yulong squinted at Yang Chen, his eyes filled with disapproval and disdain.

Huang Guang quickly greeted him.

“Chairman Zhang, hello, thank you for attending my daughter’s wedding. This must be your daughter, she has the air of a distinguished lady.”

Zhang Yulong smiled. “President Huang, you’re too polite. I didn’t expect you to know Yang Chen.”

Huang Guang looked confused. “Yang Chen? Which one?”

Zhang Chengcheng pointed at Yang Chen. “It’s him. You don’t know him?”

Huang Guang said, “I don’t know him. He’s the best man my son-in-law found, I really don’t know him.”

Zhang Yulong said, “That’s not important. He’s against our Baoli Group and bullied my daughter. The headquarters has decided to teach him a lesson. I was happy to attend your daughter’s wedding, but now I may have to leave. If the headquarters knows I’m eating at the same table as him, I’ll be punished. It doesn’t matter if *I’m* punished, but it might affect your Harmony Auto Ferrari dealership qualification or the price of goods, which wouldn’t be good.”

A blatant threat.

Huang Guang grabbed Zhang Yulong. “Chairman Zhang, don’t be angry, I’ll talk to my son-in-law.”

Huang Guang ran to communicate with Chen Lijun.

Zhang Yulong and his daughter smiled triumphantly.

Huang Guang said, “Xiaojun [term of endearment for Chen Lijun], you heard it. If we don’t drive him away, our dealership qualification may be canceled.”

Chen Lijun replied, “Uncle, don’t be scared by his words. You signed a contract, how can he change the cooperative relationship at will?”

Huang Jun chimed in, “What about after the contract expires? Can we renew it? You’re only thinking about the present, not our future, right?”

Chen Lijun retorted, “Get the situation straight, Chen-ge is the boss of Xingchen Investment and Xingchen Technology. If he gets angry, he can destroy you.”

Huang Guang and Huang Jun were speechless. They didn’t expect this young man to be the famous Yang Chen, the boss of Xingchen Investment and Xingchen Technology.

Huang Jun smiled awkwardly. “President Yang, I’m sorry, I was a little anxious, I didn’t think before I spoke, please forgive me.”

Huang Guang added, “Yes, yes, yes, he’s just like this, President Yang, don’t be like him. President Yang is friends with Xiaojun, then we are our own people. I hope President Yang can understand us, it’s uncomfortable to be stuck like this.”

Baoli Technology Group had flaunted its Ferrari dealership status in front of Yang Chen. If this isn’t stripped away, this will continue.

Yang Chen called Jin Ming, CEO of Xingchen Investment. “Jin Ming, contact Exor Group, the major shareholder of Ferrari, and acquire the 25% stake they hold in Ferrari. We can accept a premium of up to one time. They’ve always wanted to sell the equity of [Shang Xia] [Chinese luxury brand], let’s eat it together. They plan to enter the Dragon Country’s [China’s] new energy industry and have been discussing cooperation with Bi Yadi [Chinese automobile manufacturer] and other companies. I can help them connect. As long as they sell all 25% of Ferrari’s equity to us, I guarantee to solve these problems.”

Exor spent 100 million euros to acquire 83% of [Shang Xia]’s equity, and hasn’t recovered its capital. It has been looking for opportunities to sell it, but no one is willing to take over.

The new energy industry’s market is in Dragon Country. Other countries either don’t have the strength to play, or can’t because of interest issues. Exor Group has been looking for opportunities to enter the Dragon Country’s new energy industry.

But the profits of the new energy industry aren’t enough for the local capital of Dragon Country, so how can they allow a foreign capital to share a piece of the pie?

Exor’s plan to enter the Dragon Country’s new energy industry hasn’t been smooth.

Yang Chen used these two problems and high premiums as bait, and Exor Group will likely sell that 25% stake.

Jin Ming said, “Okay, I will contact Exor President Elkann immediately.”

The scene quieted, and everyone stared at Yang Chen.

They’d heard of Xingchen Investment’s achievements, so they didn’t doubt its strength, let alone Yang Chen’s way of doing things.

But they couldn’t believe what they’d heard. To prevent Baoli Technology Group from holding Harmony Auto’s neck, he was going to acquire the equity held by Ferrari’s major shareholder?

Hundreds of billions of US dollars are nothing in his eyes?

Yang Chen didn’t want to prevent Baoli Technology from holding Harmony Auto’s neck, but to remove some of Baoli Technology’s feathers, so they wouldn’t flaunt their agency rights.

Chen Lijun stammered, “Chen-ge, I…I don’t know what to say.”

Yang Chen said, “I can’t stand companies flaunting the identity of an agent, people who don’t know think Ferrari is their brand.”

Everyone looked at Zhang Yulong, Yang Chen’s words were meant for him.

Zhang Yulong felt sweat on his palms and back. To hide his panic, he smiled. “What are you pretending for? Is Ferrari the kind of company that you can buy equity in at will?”

Yang Chen patted Chen Lijun on the shoulder. “Go in and pick up the bride.”

Chen Lijun nodded and hurried in with flowers.

No one dared to stop him, and the Huang family’s relatives and friends gave way.

Yang Chen didn’t follow. If it wasn’t for Chen Lijun’s emotions, Yang Chen would have left.

After taking down 25% of Ferrari’s shares, Yang Chen will not only cancel Baoli Technology Group’s agency qualification, but also increase the price of Harmony Auto’s goods, punishing Huang Jun’s arrogant words.

Ten minutes later, Jin Ming called Yang Chen.

Jin Ming said, “President Yang, the acquisition is complete. It was done with the company’s deposits in several banks in Switzerland. Elkann proposed that he hopes we can follow them to vote. I didn’t agree, and I didn’t refuse. What do you say to reply?”

Yang Chen replied, “You can follow them to vote, but Fiat Auto must immediately take back Baoli Technology Group’s Ferrari agency rights, and take back Maserati’s agency rights as well. In the future, all dealers will directly get cars from the Dragon Country headquarters, cutting out the agent link.”

Jin Ming said, “Okay! I’ll call him.”

Zhang Yulong was stunned. Is Yang Chen’s investment so simple and rude?

There is no technical content at all, it’s just throwing money?

Zhang Yulong, afraid, called Xu Jun, the chairman of the group, and reported Yang Chen’s operations.

Xu Jun was taken aback. “You didn’t hear me wrong, did you? He wants to acquire 25% of Ferrari’s equity?”

Zhang Yulong said, “I didn’t hear it wrong, many people were listening. It has always been rumored that Xingchen Investment is powerful, I thought they had some investment skills, good guy, there is no skill at all, it is just hard money. What should we do now? If he succeeds, the first thing he will do is take back our qualification as the sole agent of Ferrari, and we will lose a very important source of profit. And he can use this 25% stake to make a fuss and lure Fiat Group to take back our Maserati agency rights. Once he succeeds, we will lose the agency qualifications of the Ferrari and Maserati brands at once, this impact will be too great.”

Fiat Auto is the parent company of Ferrari and Maserati. If Yang Chen acquires 25% of Ferrari’s equity, Fiat will try to win him over to get his 25% voting rights to continue to control Ferrari. At this time, he can propose to take back Baoli Technology Group’s Maserati agency rights, and Fiat will agree.

Agents can be replaced, but Yang Chen is the only shareholder holding 25% of the shares, and fools know how to choose.

After listening to Zhang Yulong’s report, Xu Jun felt a sense of crisis.

Baoli Group has gone through more than 30 years of ups and downs and has encountered many opponents.

Xu Jun has encountered many problems in the 15 years since he took charge of Baoli Group, and this is the first time he has felt a sense of crisis.

Xu Jun ordered, “Call Elkann, the president of Exor Group, and persuade him not to sell the equity to Yang Chen.”

Zhang Yulong said, “Okay! I’ll contact Elkann right away.”

Hanging up, Zhang Yulong hurried back to his car and called Elkann.

Soon, the call was connected.

After a few words of greeting, Zhang Yulong requested that Elkann not sell the equity to Xingchen Investment.

Elkann replied, “Ferrari’s market value is 50 billion US dollars, but they are giving us a premium acquisition based on an valuation of 80 billion US dollars, why don’t I sell it? After selling this 25% stake, we are still Ferrari’s largest shareholder, and as long as we win the voting rights of this 25% stake, we are still the controlling shareholder. In addition, we can also sell the 83% stake in the [Shang Xia] brand, which has been half-dead, to Xingchen Investment, and at the same time discuss cooperation with companies such as Bi Yadi and Ningde Times [Chinese battery manufacturer] through them. Mr. Zhang, I can’t find a reason to refuse Xingchen Investment’s acquisition. Or you can give me a reason to refuse, enough to make us ignore so many benefits?”

Zhang Yulong was stunned. If what Elkann said is true, anyone would accept Xingchen Investment’s acquisition offer.

Baoli Group or Baoli Technology Group also has the strength to acquire Ferrari’s equity and help them connect with these companies.

But they can’t acquire Ferrari’s equity, because there is no need for it.

Moreover, Baoli is a Y enterprise [likely a typo, meant to be ‘big’]. If it wants to make an acquisition, it needs to go through layers of approval and various demonstrations before it can pass the acquisition application. It is impossible to complete these processes without a year and a half.

Therefore, they cannot come up with real money to compete with Xingchen Investment, they can only rely on telling great truths.

But in the face of such a rich temptation, who is willing to listen to him telling great truths.

Elkann said, “If Mr. Zhang has nothing else to do, I’ll hang up. The stock market will open soon, and we have to operate to sell the equity to Xingchen Investment, we must prepare in advance.”

Zhang Yulong pleaded, “Mr. Elkann, for the sake of our long-term cooperation, please refuse to sell the equity to Xingchen Investment. Okay?”

Elkann said, “Sorry, no. Hang up.”

Hanging up, Elkann scolded Zhang Yulong.

Isn’t he a psychopath, he wants them to give up so many benefits with just one mouth, there is something wrong with his brain.

Not long after, Huang Jun came out with Huang Ying on his back.

The traditional custom is like this, brothers carry their sisters into the car.

The bride got into the car, and the wedding team rushed to the Atlantis Hotel.

Just as the wedding ceremony was going on, Jin Ming called Yang Chen.

Jin Ming said, “President Yang, the acquisition is complete. It was done with the company’s deposits in several banks in Switzerland. Elkann just proposed that he hopes we can follow them to vote in the future. I didn’t agree, and I didn’t refuse. What do you say to reply?”

Yang Chen said, “You can follow them to vote, but Fiat Auto must immediately take back Baoli Technology Group’s Ferrari agency rights, and take back Maserati’s agency rights as well. In the future, all dealers will directly get cars from the Dragon Country headquarters, cutting out the agent link.”

Jin Ming said, “Okay! I’ll call him.”

Soon, the wedding ceremony ended.

At the same time, Jin Ming called Yang Chen again.

Jin Ming said, “President Yang, it’s done, Elkann accepted all the conditions you proposed. He has already issued a notice of cancellation of cooperation to Baoli Technology Group through the headquarters. From now on, Baoli Technology Group is no longer the Dragon Country agent of Ferrari and Maserati.”

Yang Chen said, “Well, good job. You’re busy, I’m attending the wedding here.”

Jin Ming said, “Okay.”

At this time, Zhang Yulong, who was watching the ceremony, received a call from his secretary.

Secretary: “President Zhang, something bad happened. Fiat Auto has sent a notice of cancellation of agency rights. We are no longer the sole agent of Ferrari and Maserati in Dragon Country. They are going to cancel the agent channel, and dealers will get goods directly from the Dragon Country headquarters in the future. How could this be so sudden?”

Zhang Yulong turned to look at Yang Chen, who was looking at him, and even smiled at him deliberately.

Zhang Yulong, furious, came to Yang Chen, and shouted, “What do you want to do? Do you think that canceling our company’s Ferrari and Maserati agency rights will defeat us? I tell you, this is just a small part of our company’s business, and it will not affect the normal operation of the company at all. You have done things so absolutely today, don’t blame our Baoli Group for being rude to you!”

Zhang Yulong left angrily with his daughter.

Baoli Technology Group is no longer a Ferrari agent, and the Huang family doesn’t need to curry favor with him. He himself is embarrassed to continue to stay for the wedding banquet, and leaving immediately can avoid embarrassment.

Yang Chen smiled. “President Zhang, the wedding banquet is about to begin, the gift money has been given, don’t you want to finish eating before leaving?”

Zhang Yulong pretended not to hear and left without looking back.

When Huang Guang saw this, he understood that Yang Chen had acquired Ferrari’s equity, so he ran to greet Yang Chen.

“President Yang, congratulations. Everyone is our own people, please take care of us in the future. Come, sit at my table,” Huang Guang said humbly.

Yang Chen said, “President Huang doesn’t need to be so polite, I’ll just sit at the guest table. And I’m going to increase the price of Harmony Auto’s goods by one point, so you really don’t need to thank me.”

Huang Guang’s expression froze, and he pleaded, “President Yang, please be merciful, there is not much profit to begin with, if you increase the price of goods by one point, we will have no profit margin.”

Yang Chen smiled.

Huang Guang slapped his son Huang Jun, and scolded, “Go and apologize to President Yang immediately, if you can’t get his forgiveness, I’ll break your legs!”

The Huang family relies on the Ferrari dealership business to survive, and increasing the price of goods by 1% is tantamount to killing them.

This explains why Huang Guang is so angry, and even slaps Huang Jun in public.

Chen Lijun and Huang Ying came over to see what was going on.

Huang Ying asked, “Dad, why are you hitting my brother?”

Huang Guang said, “He deserves to be hit, he is blind.”

Huang Ying asked, “Brother, what did you do?”

Huang Jun felt wronged. He just wanted to make his sister’s wedding more lively and create some difficulty for the groom, so that he wouldn’t think it would be easy to marry his sister and not cherish her.

How did he know that there was a Yang Chen in the best man?

Chen Lijun pulled Huang Jun to Yang Chen. “Chen-ge, today is my brother’s big day, I hope Chen-ge will forgive me. I’ll let my brother-in-law apologize to Chen-ge, I hope Chen-ge won’t be like him.”

Yang Chen said, “If it wasn’t for your sake, I would have left long ago. And it’s not just a matter of increasing the price of Harmony Auto’s goods, I will directly cancel the cooperation with them. You can attend your wedding, don’t ask about other things.”

Chen Lijun nodded.

Huang Jun bowed to Yang Chen. “Chen-ge, I’m sorry, I was blind and didn’t know Mount Tai [idiom for not recognizing someone important], I shouldn’t have been rude to you. I apologize, I hope you will forgive me.”

Yang Chen said, “I’m here to attend Chen Lijun’s wedding, let’s talk about other things later.”

As Huang Jun wanted to speak, Chen Lijun stopped him. “Today is the big day for Xiaoying and me, all other things are aside. It’s getting late, it’s time to start the banquet. Chen-ge must eat and drink well.”

Yang Chen nodded. “Don’t worry about me, take care of the other guests.”

Chen Lijun pulled Huang Guang and Huang Jun away. “It’s not convenient to talk about this now, after today, I’ll find a chance to invite him out to talk to you properly. He’s such a great person, Jun-ge gave him a look in public, how can a sentence of sorry be enough?”

Huang Guang said, “Alas… what you said makes sense. Lijun, you must help Dad. Our family business depends on you.”

Chen Lijun said, “Dad, don’t worry, I will do my best to help you reconcile.”

At this time, the woman’s relatives and friends began to discuss.

“As expected of the boss of Xingchen Investment, he does what he says, he acquired Ferrari’s equity and canceled Baoli Technology’s agency qualification.”

“Huang Jun gave him a look and yelled at him, it seems that Harmony Auto’s dealership qualification is also in danger.”

“It’s good to have money, if you don’t like someone, you can just throw money to solve it, even if you make him lose face in front of your relatives and friends, you can only accept it humbly, and you don’t dare to have any complaints, and no one dares to help you speak.”

“Although Xingchen Investment has been successful in venture capital recently, it seems unwise to be against Baoli Group, right? Let’s wait and see, Baoli Group will retaliate against him.”

…

On the other side, Zhang Yulong was calling Xu Jun, the chairman of the group, to report the latest situation.

When Xu Jun learned that Baoli Technology Group had been deprived of the agency rights of Ferrari and Maserati, he scolded, “Bastard, I will make him pay the price! How is the order with the US side going? As long as I get this order, I can ask the above to suppress Yang Chen’s arrogance.”

Zhang Yulong said, “The negotiation has entered the final stage and should be successfully won. The total amount of this order is 30 million US dollars, involving 20,000 machine Q [likely a code name for a product] and 70 million rounds of bullets.”

Xu Jun said, “Well. As long as I get this order, I guarantee that I can destroy Yang Chen’s arrogance.”