How A Ride-Hailing Driver Comes To Dominate The World? [EN]: Chapter 642

Marks Challenges Yang Chen

Tao Ruolin called Marks, and the call was quickly connected.

Tao Ruolin: “Mr. Marks, our Deputy General Manager, Mr. Cao Gang, has been sent to the detention center and is very likely to be sentenced. I discussed it with the other party, but not only did he not reconcile, but he also used the social platforms he controls to create public opinion that is very detrimental to our brand. I really don’t know what to do now, so I can only call you for help.”

Marks: “What illegal or criminal things did Mr. Cao do to be sentenced?”

Tao Ruolin: “He went to inspect a supplier. On the way back, he had a conflict with a driver. The two of them were driving aggressively and blocking each other on the highway. The other party set him up, and he crashed into him when he changed lanes. It was just ordinary road rage. The traffic police would deal with it by splitting the responsibility fifty-fifty. But the other party happened to be Yang Chen of the Starlight Group. He used his connections to make sure Cao Gang goes to jail, and he deliberately creates public opinion to damage our brand image.”

Marks: “Yang Chen of the Starlight Group? The Yang Chen of the Starlight Group who is fighting fiercely with Wall Street?”

Tao Ruolin: “Yes, it’s him! He can disregard Wall Street, but he can’t disregard us, Tesla. We are a real economy technology company with the world’s best-selling new energy vehicle brand, and you have the world’s only Starlink [a satellite internet constellation]. He must respect you.”

Marks: “Give me his number, and I’ll call him and chat.”

Tao Ruolin: “Okay, I’ll send it to you right away.”

Yang Chen was having a great time eating when a call came in from a US number. Although it was an unfamiliar number, Yang Chen vaguely felt that it should be a call from Tesla, so he simply hung up, turned off his phone, and continued eating.

Marks looked at the disconnected notification and felt a little uncomfortable. However, it was late at night in Dragon Country [a common fictional name for China], and he thought Yang Chen might be resting and it was inconvenient to answer the phone, so he planned to try again when it was working hours in Dragon Country.

Early in the morning, major financial and legal bloggers updated their freshly released videos evaluating Tesla owners’ dangerous driving on the highway.

The video of “Lawyer Wang Wei,” a Douyin [Chinese version of TikTok] legal blogger with more than 4 million followers, took the lead and received more than 5,000 comments.

“Wow, I watched the video of the Tesla owner blocking the online car-hailing driver 4 times on the highway. The police have filed a criminal case for ‘endangering public safety by dangerous means.’ However, the prosecutor’s office may change the charge in the future. Because from the video, it also meets the constituent elements of dangerous driving. So, if this Tesla owner needs a defense lawyer, you can find me. I can try to defend you on the charge of dangerous driving, with a maximum of six months of detention and a fine. However, the crime of endangering public safety by dangerous means starts at three years and tops out at ten years. So, what is the difference between dangerous driving and endangering public safety? The biggest difference is whether it is possible to endanger the property and life safety of unspecified people. From the video, it is just a ‘contest’ between two cars and does not cause harm to other vehicles. However, the video is only a short segment, and perhaps the complete video can clearly express that the Tesla owner may cause a wide range of damage. You still can’t drive aggressively. If you’re not careful, your whole life will be ruined.”

From this lawyer’s analysis, Cao Gang’s behavior can be defined as “dangerous driving” or “endangering public safety by dangerous means.” As for how to sentence him, it depends on how the prosecutor’s office sees it.

However, no matter which possibility, it is a fatal blow to Cao Gang. As long as it is a criminal penalty, even if he only goes in for one day, this record will follow him for the rest of his life and affect three generations [a Chinese saying about the impact of one’s actions on their descendants].

Of course, Tesla doesn’t really care about what happens to him personally, because no one will support someone who drives drunk and blocks cars on the highway.

What Tesla is concerned about now is the damage this incident will bring to the brand.

Early in the morning, Lin Yiren called Yang Chen.

Lin Yiren: “Honey, are you free today? I’m off today. Let’s go out and play together.”

Yang Chen: “Okay! I’ll come find you later.”

Lin Yiren: “Hehe… okay, then I’ll wait for you.”

Yang Chen stretched, got out of bed, and went downstairs for breakfast.

Just as he sat down to eat, Marks called.

Marks first greeted Yang Chen, and then asked him to take down all the videos.

Yang Chen said with a smile: “Mr. Marks, is your brain a little unclear from staying up all night? Do you think I need to listen to your orders?”

Marks: “Mr. Yang, don’t misunderstand. I’m not ordering you. I’m discussing with you, hoping you can give me a break. I don’t object to you pursuing Cao Gang’s legal responsibility, but you can’t post that kind of video because it’s too damaging to our brand.”

Yang Chen: “This is my right. I didn’t cut it short, or splice and edit it. The video shows the real content.”

Marks: “Mr. Yang, we are all decent people, and I don’t want to appear rude. However, you have indeed brought me a lot of negative impact, and it is impossible for me not to be angry.”

Yang Chen: “So?”

Marks: “I think the world needs to progress, and it still depends on technological progress. So-called financial investment is just a string of cold numbers, and it can’t bring any help to the development and progress of human society. Why don’t we compare who can use technology to solve the problems faced by ordinary people.”

Compare technology?

Yang Chen doesn’t need to be afraid. Starlight Technology is not vegetarian [not weak or easily defeated]. Even if it is a research project that Starlight Technology doesn’t have, he can just spend money to buy it. With Yang Chen’s financial resources, is he afraid of not being able to compare with him?

Yang Chen: “Okay! Mr. Marks, in which field do you want to compete?”

Marks: “I know Dragon Country very well. I know that the gender antagonism in Dragon Country is very serious now, and ordinary people are under a lot of pressure and cannot afford the high bride price and marriage costs. Now many Dragon Country men are unwilling to marry, or even to fall in love, and they are unwilling to be nice to women anymore. You call it no longer being a simp [a man who is overly eager to please women]. Am I right?”

Yang Chen: “Well, Mr. Marks really knows our country’s social situation very well. So, what are you going to compare?”

Marks: “We will compare who can help those men who are unwilling to marry solve their real needs. We will simultaneously create a humanoid female robot. Whoever’s product sells well wins. The loser has to post an article on a public social platform to bow down to the winner! Do you dare?”

???

Does this guy know that Yang Chen is preparing to build a humanoid robot?

Yang Chen is already preparing to do this project, so why not compare with him and give himself a little pressure? Otherwise, it’s meaningless to be alone and undefeated all the time.

Yang Chen: “Okay! I accept your challenge and bet!”

Marks: “Then it’s a deal. Let’s start our competition right now. The deadline is 24:00 on December 31st of this year to see whose simulation robot sells more.”

The fact that he dares to say this can only mean that he is already making humanoid robots, and it is likely that he has already entered the final testing stage and can be launched on the market for customers to buy at any time.

This kid is a bit bad, but Yang Chen is not afraid. A challenging competition is more fulfilling to win.

Yang Chen: “No problem, it’s a deal.”

Yang Chen hung up the phone with a smile, and Yu Shishi immediately asked, “What’s the matter? You look very happy.”

Yang Chen told Yu Shishi about the competition between him and Marks.

Yu Shishi said with a smile: “He already has a mature product that is about to be launched, right? Otherwise, how dare he be so confident in comparing sales data between the end of the year?”

Yang Chen: “I guess so too. However, we are not afraid. I just invested in iFlytek Technology and acquired an embryonic gene company. At least in terms of language and the gestation of life, there is no big problem. Now the biggest problem is to create a robot body that is indistinguishable from humans. As long as this is solved, our humanoid robot can be put into the production process. Unfortunately, the current robot technology produces robots that obviously have mechanical stuttering and cannot move smoothly like humans.”

Yu Shishi: “Then let’s form a research team in this area now and spend money like crazy to let them openly test various materials and technologies.”

Scientific research has never been guaranteed to produce results just by spending money. Otherwise, Dragon Country would definitely become a technologically powerful country.

However, even if it cannot guarantee results, the investment must be made. Yang Chen has never been stingy in scientific research.

Yang Chen: “The research team must be set up, but scientific research is not guaranteed to produce results just by spending money. Let’s not talk about this, let’s eat quickly.”

The two happily finished breakfast, and Yang Chen drove out. Soon he arrived at Lin Yiren’s house.

“Honey, you’re finally here. I miss you so much,” Lin Yiren said, hugging Yang Chen.

Yang Chen kissed her and said, “Didn’t you say you wanted to go out and play? Why are you still wearing pajamas?”

Lin Yiren: “Same old routine, cultivate feelings in the morning, and go out to play in the afternoon and evening. Hehe…”

Yang Chen: “Won’t your parents suddenly come over?”

Lin Yiren: “No, they went to my aunt’s house and will be back in the evening.”

Yang Chen nodded with a smile, picked up Lin Yiren and went to the bedroom.

The two didn’t come out until after twelve o’clock. Lin Yiren’s complexion was much better. The effect was really immediate.

After the two finished lunch and walked out of the restaurant, Yang Chen asked, “Tell me, where do you want to go?”

Lin Yiren: “Yesterday, my colleague and her boyfriend went to the beach to take pictures of the sunset. She also specially sent them to me to show off. But I found that they took really good pictures. I also want to take pictures of the sea view under the sunset, and you and me under the sunset.”

Yang Chen: “OK! I’ll fulfill your request. Let’s go to the place where they took pictures and take the exact same photos. When we get back, you can show off in front of her too. We’re not short of anything.”

Lin Yiren happily took off, tiptoed and kissed Yang Chen, and said, “Honey, you are so nice. Let’s go, let’s go, let’s leave immediately!”

The two immediately got in the car and went straight to the beach.

Two hours later, they arrived at their destination.

Although today is a working day, there are quite a few tourists on the beach.

However, Yang Chen and Lin Yiren still found an excellent spot to take pictures of the sunset. They don’t plan to leave this spot and will stay here until the sun sets.

Time flies when you are with someone you love. Before they knew it, it was sunset.

Yang Chen took out his phone to take pictures of Lin Yiren with her back to the sunset, but he had only taken a few pictures when the surroundings became commotion, and people constantly passing by interfered with Yang Chen’s photography.

“Chen Yifeng! It’s really Chen Yifeng!”

“Wow, so handsome! Mom, I’m successful. I saw Chen Yifeng!”

“The one next to him seems to be Song Yiming. Are they really dating!”

“Oh my god, this melon [gossip] is real. I thought they were hyping it up for their new show.”

“It wasn’t a waste to come today. I personally confirmed a big gossip.”

…

Chen Yifeng and Song Yiming smiled and waved to everyone. Their agents and assistants were responsible for protecting them from being physically harassed by excited fans.

Lin Yiren waved to signal Yang Chen to come over, and then whispered, “Honey, they are newly popular stars, and they are secretly dating now. I just finished filming a show starring them. They are not easy to get along with. They always have a stinky face and don’t respect the extras and staff at all.”

Yang Chen: “Is that so? I think that girl is not as pretty as you. Is she the heroine?”

Lin Yiren: “Yes, she is the heroine. Filming doesn’t depend on who is pretty, but on who is famous. As long as they are famous, even if their acting skills are terrible, someone will invite them at a high price, and the audience will buy it. If they are not famous, it is useless to be pretty or have good acting skills. The audience won’t watch.”

That’s the truth. Otherwise, there wouldn’t be so many young idols now. They have no acting skills, no ability, and can get tens of millions or even hundreds of millions of dollars in pay just for showing their faces.

In this ecological environment, the quality of film and television dramas is getting worse and worse. Anyway, Yang Chen hasn’t watched TV dramas for many years. If it weren’t for accompanying his girlfriend, he wouldn’t be willing to go to the movies.

At this time, Chen Yifeng’s agent came over and said coldly, “Miss Lin, please move aside. Our Yifeng wants to take a sunset photo. He will give it back to you after he finishes taking it. Okay? Come, come, lights, photography, get ready.”

That’s right, that’s her style. Chen Yifeng and Song Yiming were so domineering on the set, not respecting others at all.

The smile on Lin Yiren’s face disappeared, but she didn’t want to make enemies with two popular stars, so she let them go first.

“Honey, let’s let them take pictures first,” Lin Yiren said unhappily.

Just kidding, two nobodies want to act tough in front of Yang Chen?

Not to mention them, even if their boss came, they would have to hand Yang Chen a cigarette and call him President Yang. They still want to show off their privileges in front of Yang Chen?

Yang Chen said with a smile: “The sunset will be down soon. We came so early and waited until now. How can we just let them have it? By the time they finish taking pictures, the sunset will be down. What are we going to take pictures of?”

Lin Yiren felt that this was also true. They came specifically to take pictures of the sunset at the beach. The sunset is only a few minutes long. If they let them take pictures, what will they take pictures of?

Lin Yiren: “Sister Chen, please wait a moment. My boyfriend and I will let you take pictures after we finish.”

This Sister Chen is named Chen Manli. She is Chen Yifeng’s agent and also a cousin of his family.

Chen Manli immediately said: “That’s definitely not okay. The sunset is only a few minutes long. By the time you finish taking pictures, we won’t be able to take pictures. Yifeng’s time is very precious. He has to rush to a notice [a scheduled appearance or event] right away. You have nothing to do anyway. You can just come again tomorrow.”

Lin Yiren: “I’m only off today, and I have to fly to the US tomorrow. And my boyfriend’s time is even more precious. He finally took the time to come and play with me today. I can’t let his time be wasted. Sister Chen, I’m sorry, please wait a while. We’ll be done soon.”

Yang Chen took out his phone to continue taking pictures, but Chen Manli blocked the camera and said, “Miss Lin, why are you so difficult to talk to? I said that Yifeng’s time is very precious, and he has to rush to a notice right away. He has to go to Yida Cinema tonight to attend a promotional event, and then he has to rush to Hengdian [a large film studio complex] overnight to film Director Zhang Damou’s show. Just do me a favor and let us have it. If you delay any longer, we won’t be able to take pictures. Why bother?”

Yang Chen disdained to argue with this so-called popular star, but this agent really deserved a beating.

“Ms. Chen, please respect yourself, okay? In a public place, whoever arrives first uses it. We arrived at three o’clock and waited until now. You want to cut in line just by showing your face. Aren’t you taking yourself too seriously?” Yang Chen said very impolitely.

Chen Manli: “Why are you talking like that? Why are you so unreasonable?”

At this time, Chen Yifeng and Song Yiming’s fans also chimed in.

“How can your time be as precious as our Yifeng brother’s time? It’s not your place. Of course, whoever is in a hurry uses it first. Isn’t this basic politeness?”

“You are too ignorant. It is an honor for you to give the spot to our Yifeng brother, okay? You really don’t know what’s good for you. If it were us, we would be happy to give it to him if Yifeng brother needed it.”

“Don’t waste time. Yifeng brother has to attend a promotional event. This movie is invested by Yida. Oh, by the way, the movie Yifeng brother is filming is also invested by Yida and several other big companies. Can you afford the consequences of delaying his report time? Delaying it for one day will cost the crew millions.”

…

Lin Yiren immediately argued: “Whoever arrives first uses it in a public place. This is the basic rule. We came at three o’clock and waited until now. It is impossible for us to move away just because she wants us to. I know that Chen Yifeng and Song Yiming are very popular now.

They are very busy and their time is very tight, but that has nothing to do with us. If they are really afraid of being late, they shouldn’t have come. They wouldn’t be late if they went to the work place earlier.”

At this time, Chen Yifeng and Song Yiming walked over.

Although Lin Yiren is just a small supporting role in the play, because she is so beautiful, everyone in the crew knows her. Even everyone often discusses that she is prettier than the heroine Song Yiming. Song Yiming has heard it many times. Women’s comparison and vanity have long made Song Yiming resent Lin Yiren.

However, there are too many people on the scene, and Song Yiming can’t show it too obviously. She can only secretly do bad things.

Song Yiming: “Isn’t this Miss Lin? What a coincidence! Is this your boyfriend? So handsome.”

Lin Yiren: “Hello, Miss Song. He is my boyfriend. I won’t talk to you anymore. We are going to take pictures of the sunset. The sun will be down soon and we won’t be able to take pictures. Chen Yifeng, please ask Sister Chen to move away and don’t block our camera.”

Yang Chen and Lin Yiren didn’t give the spot to Chen Yifeng and Song Yiming, and Chen Yifeng was also unhappy. He also wanted to do bad things secretly.

Chen Yifeng: “She is my sister, and I can’t order her to do things. However, I can persuade her. Sister, why don’t you come over and don’t delay their taking pictures. We won’t take pictures. We’ll come back when we have time.”

Chen Manli: “This is not their place. They can take pictures here. Why can’t I enjoy the sea view under the sunset here?”

Chen Yifeng: “Oh, sister, it’s not good for you to make people misunderstand that we are bullying others, right?”

Chen Manli: “I’m not bullying others. I’m just defending my legitimate rights. I have the right to stand in a public place, and others can’t interfere with me.”

Chen Yifeng: “Oh, you… Miss Lin, I’m sorry. My cousin has a strong personality and likes to be serious. How about this, I’ll spend money to buy this spot from you. Okay? Is ten thousand yuan enough?”

Before Lin Yiren could speak, Chen Yifeng and Song Yiming’s fans were furious.

“It’s too much. They forced Yifeng brother to spend money.”

“I think they probably really want money. Otherwise, I really can’t understand how they could refuse to give Yifeng brother the spot. We can’t wait to give Yifeng brother the spot. They refuse again and again. It can only be understood as wanting money.”

“If she dares to take this ten thousand yuan, I will definitely scold her to death! I will take pictures of them and post them online, so that all ‘honey’ [fans] will scold them together.”

…

Yang Chen turned to the brain-dead fans [fans who are blindly devoted to their idols] and said, “Can you shut up? Does it have anything to do with you? You keep babbling, as if you are great, right? I don’t care what level of stars you are. It doesn’t work here. Get out of the way and don’t cause trouble for yourself!”

I’m so angry. Trash stars attract trash fans, and trash fans support trash stars. This is vividly demonstrated in these people.

At this time, Song Yiming’s agent Kang Xiaohui said: “We will also pay ten thousand, giving you twenty thousand, and let us have this spot. Okay? We can’t delay any longer. The sunset is really disappearing. Chen Yifeng, look at what you have done. Why did you have to come here to take sunset photos for no reason? Now it’s so embarrassing. Not only are you embarrassed, but you are also making our Xiaoming embarrassed.”

Without exception, men in love cannot accept losing face in front of their girlfriends. Chen Yifeng quickly said, “Sister Kang, don’t worry, I’ll get them settled right away.”

Chen Yifeng immediately said to Lin Yiren: “Miss Lin, as long as you move away, I will give you 50,000 yuan and guarantee to bring you along in the next show, giving you a more important role. Maybe you will become popular overnight. How about it?”

Chen Yifeng and Song Yiming’s fans once again expressed their brain-dead remarks.

“Yifeng brother is really kind. Not only is he not angry, but he is also introducing her to work. In contrast, she is really too inferior.”

“You guys get out of the way quickly. It’s too much if you don’t get out of the way. We can’t stand it anymore.”

“That’s right, you have to know your place, know when to advance and retreat, and don’t be ignorant!”

…

Yang Chen: “Hiss… Do you have to be so cheap? Your cheap mouths will kill them, you know?”