How A Ride-Hailing Driver Comes To Dominate The World? [EN]: Chapter 661

Xue Jiayi found himself in an embarrassing predicament. His plan to impress his sister and perhaps even initiate a romantic encounter had backfired spectacularly. Despite leveraging his top-tier connections, he couldn’t sway Yang Chen.

He’d already boasted to his sister, who was eagerly anticipating the evening. He couldn’t bear to see this golden opportunity slip through his fingers.

Xue Jiayi paused, considering his options, and decided to call Yang Chen directly.

He quickly located Yang Chen’s number and dialed.

The call connected.

Xue Jiayi greeted Yang Chen, introducing himself formally.

Yang Chen chuckled. “It seems the owner of that entertainment studio is well-connected. First, they enlisted Big Ma and Little Ma [common nicknames, implying influential figures], and now you. Since Big Ma and Little Ma didn’t even get a word in, I suggest you don’t bother, President Xue. Once I blacklist someone, there’s no appeal. Save yourself the embarrassment, President Xue.”

Xue Jiayi pressed on, “President Yang, you’re a man of great stature. Why concern yourself with such insignificant matters? I’m in a bind here. A friend asked for a favor, and I had to make this call. I hope you’ll consider it and grant me some face [show respect/do a favor]. I’ll certainly return the favor in the future. What do you say?”

Yang Chen sighed dramatically. “You people never listen. I warned you not to bring it up to avoid embarrassment, yet you persisted. I’m telling you definitively, it’s impossible. Are you feeling foolish now?”

Xue Jiayi was indeed embarrassed, but having started, he felt compelled to continue, regardless of the awkwardness. He needed a resolution.

“Embarrassed or not,” Xue Jiayi said, forcing a smile, “I still hope President Yang can grant me some face. I will remember this and definitely repay you in the future.”

Yang Chen retorted, “Sorry, President Xue, you have no face to ask for here. Besides, you want me to give you face, but you didn’t give me any. I explicitly told you not to say it, yet you insisted. You disrespected me first, and now you expect a favor? That’s not how things work. I’m going to go sunbathe now.”

Yang Chen hung up, and Xue Jiayi slammed his phone onto the table in frustration.

“Damn it! What’s with the arrogance? Does he think he’s untouchable? Damn!” Xue Jiayi cursed under his breath, seething with anger.

However, his outburst was merely a release of pent-up frustration. There was little he could actually do to Yang Chen.

As a prominent real estate tycoon, Xue Jiayi’s network extended beyond Big Ma and Little Ma. He also had connections within state-owned enterprises and government departments.

Huan Yu Group was collaborating with Baoli Real Estate on a high-profile development project. Xue Jiayi enjoyed a close relationship with Wang Zhouqing, the chairman of Baoli Real Estate, and Xu Jun, the chairman of Baoli Group, even sharing sauna sessions with them.

If the influence of Big Ma and Little Ma proved insufficient, surely the chairman of a state-owned enterprise would carry some weight?

Without hesitation, Xue Jiayi dialed Wang Zhouqing’s number.

Wang Zhouqing answered, “President Xue, what can I do for you?”

Xue Jiayi replied, “I’m calling to ask Chairman Wang for a favor. I hope you’ll consider it.”

Wang Zhouqing chuckled. “President Xue, you’re too polite. Just tell me what you need. I’ll help if I can.”

Xue Jiayi explained, “It’s about Tianfeng Entertainment Studio…”

“A friend of mine runs it. They inadvertently photographed President Yang of the Star Group with a female celebrity. Unaware of President Yang’s identity, they were about to publish the photos, which angered him, resulting in their blacklisting. This friend has asked me to intercede on their behalf. I don’t have much contact with President Yang, but I recalled that Baoli has had dealings with him in the past. I was hoping Chairman Wang could help plead their case. I would be eternally grateful.”

Wang Zhouqing, like Big Ma and Little Ma, felt obligated to at least make an attempt to contact Yang Chen, regardless of the outcome, to appease Xue Jiayi.

Therefore, Wang Zhouqing readily agreed and immediately called Yang Chen.

Yang Chen was perplexed. What was the real story behind Tianfeng Entertainment Studio? They seemed to be pulling out all the stops, enlisting influential figures to plead for them.

Yang Chen firmly rejected Wang Zhouqing’s request and cautioned him against getting involved to avoid potential friction between the Star Group and Baoli Group.

Hearing Yang Chen use the word “conflict,” Wang Zhouqing understood there was no room for negotiation. He quickly assured Yang Chen, “Haha… I understand. I was just calling out of courtesy. Now that President Yang has clarified the situation, I understand.”

Yang Chen pressed, “I’m curious, who exactly is the person behind Tianfeng Entertainment Studio? First, Big Ma and Little Ma called, then the CEO of Huanyu, and now you. Will your group’s chairman, Xu, be calling next? This studio owner seems to have some powerful connections!”

Wang Zhouqing admitted, “To be honest, President Yang, I don’t know who the owner is. I only know it’s a friend of Xue Jiayi’s. He called me to ask for help.”

Yang Chen responded, “Oh, I see. Okay, I understand. If he tries to get your group’s chairman to call me, refuse him directly.”

Wang Zhouqing confirmed, “Okay, I know what to do. Then, President Yang, enjoy your vacation. Goodbye.”

Intrigued by the identity of the person behind Tianfeng Entertainment Studio, Yang Chen immediately sent a message to Qiu Yuhong.

“Chairman Qiu, investigate the owner of Tianfeng Entertainment Studio.”

Qiu Yuhong responded promptly.

“I’m aware of the situation. The studio owner is Zhao Tian, but to protect himself, he has aligned himself with Zhang Yuwei, a socialite in the capital, giving her 60-70% of the profits annually. The real power behind the scenes that Mr. Yang is looking for is likely Zhang Yuwei. I’ll send you her information. Please wait.”

Shortly after, Qiu Yuhong sent Zhang Yuwei’s profile to Yang Chen.

After reviewing the information, Yang Chen smiled to himself. “From a small-time actress to a capitalist… this woman is quite resourceful. I’m curious to see what other connections she can leverage.”

Meanwhile, Wang Zhouqing called Xue Jiayi.

Wang Zhouqing said, “President Xue, I apologize, but I’m truly unable to help. President Yang has made it clear that he will not let Tianfeng Entertainment Studio off the hook. No amount of pleading will work.”

Xue Jiayi grumbled, “Isn’t this kid too arrogant? Doesn’t he realize that having more friends opens doors, while making enemies builds walls?”

Wang Zhouqing countered, “In the entire Dragon Country, who dares to build a wall in front of him?”

Xue Jiayi felt helpless. Wang Zhouqing’s point was valid.

Still, Xue Jiayi refused to believe that Yang Chen was completely impervious to influence.

“Then, Chairman Wang, could you contact Chairman Xu of your group and ask him to put in a good word with Yang Chen?” Xue Jiayi asked, unwilling to give up.

Wang Zhouqing inwardly admired Yang Chen’s foresight. Xue Jiayi was indeed attempting to enlist Chairman Xu Jun of Baoli Group.

Wang Zhouqing quickly responded, “President Xue, I advise you to abandon that idea. To be honest, President Yang explicitly told me that you would likely ask our group’s chairman to intervene. He instructed me to refuse your request directly to avoid any conflict between the Star Group and Baoli Group. He couldn’t have been clearer. If I were to call Xu again, I’d be in serious trouble. As a friend, I hope you won’t put me in that position, okay?”

Xue Jiayi hesitated, then sighed and conceded, “Okay! But I still want to thank Chairman Wang for his efforts. Let’s have tea sometime. I won’t bother you any longer. Goodbye.”

It was a dead end. Even Baoli Group couldn’t help. There was no point in pursuing other connections.

Xue Jiayi was furious. He had hoped to win favor with Yang Chen and perhaps even have a fling with Zhang Yuwei, but now his aspirations seemed unattainable.

After some deliberation, Xue Jiayi sent a message to Zhang Yuwei.

“Honey, I have some urgent business to attend to, so I can’t make it to the capital tomorrow. I’ll come when I have time.”

Having sent the message, Xue Jiayi switched off his phone.

Upon reading the message, Zhang Yuwei tried to call Xue Jiayi, only to be informed by customer service that the phone was switched off.

Zhang Yuwei, having clawed her way to her current position, was not naive. She immediately understood that Xue Jiayi had failed to sway Yang Chen and was deliberately avoiding her.

Another person might have been enraged, even berating Xue Jiayi for his incompetence and boasting.

But Zhang Yuwei wouldn’t do that. It was the key to her success. Regardless of the outcome, she never criticized those who had tried to help her. She might need their assistance in the future, and they would likely try harder to help, motivated by their previous failure.

Complaining would not only fail to change the situation but would also alienate a valuable contact, a significant loss.

Zhang Yuwei quickly sent a message to Xue Jiayi.

“It’s alright, it’s the thought that counts. I’m already very happy and grateful that President Xue tried his best. Work is important. Come over when you have time. I’ll definitely treat you well to thank you for your help this time.”

Regardless of Xue Jiayi’s thoughts or feelings, the message would undoubtedly make him feel better.

Zhang Yuwei sighed and said to herself, “As expected of President Yang, the man who makes Wall Street tremble. He’s truly a formidable opponent. Xue Jiayi and his circle can’t handle him, so I shouldn’t rely solely on domestic connections.”

Zhang Yuwei resolved to seek assistance from her foreign contacts, making one last attempt. If she could salvage the studio, she would, but if not, she would have to abandon Tianfeng Entertainment Studio.

Jia Xuanwu, the president of Hyundai Heavy Industries Group, arrived in Jinbai with his team and met his son, Jia Chengjun, at the Burj Al Arab Hotel.

As soon as Jia Chengjun saw his father, he looked dejected and complained, “Dad, you’re finally here. I’ve been suffering terribly. I feel like I’ve lost all my dignity.”

Jia Xuanwu was alarmed. He patted his son’s back reassuringly and comforted him, “Chengjun, don’t talk like that. Dad will avenge you. Tomorrow, we’ll meet with Ms. Maya, the chairman of Jinbai Oil and Gas Company, and discuss the LNG ship deal. I’m confident they won’t sacrifice the world’s most advanced LNG ships for the sake of a Yang Chen.”

Jia Chengjun nodded, “Yes, I believe you can handle him, Dad.”

Cui Nanzhu chimed in, “Uncle, the main culprit in this whole mess is a Dragon Country female celebrity. Don’t forget to deal with her and make her pay!”

Jia Xuanwu frowned. “A female celebrity? What’s going on?”

Cui Nanzhu twisted the story to deceive Jia Xuanwu. “That female celebrity was our classmate when we were studying in the United States. She used to bully us. She arrogantly declared that she was from Dragon Country and that we Koreans should listen to her. After all these years, we ran into her again. I thought that with Brother Chengjun here, I could finally get revenge for myself and for Korea. So, I asked her to apologize, or I would bully her like she bullied us back then. But her male companion turned out to be a very powerful person. He hit us in front of everyone in the restaurant. Uncle, you must teach her a lesson and avenge us, and also stand up for our Korea.”

Jia Xuanwu snorted coldly and declared, “Outrageous! Don’t worry, even if I can’t deal with Yang Chen, I won’t let that little star get away with this!”

Cui Nanzhu sensed that her plan was working and couldn’t suppress a smug smile.

Royal Palace Hotel.

Yang Chen was reading emails when Maya embraced him from behind and said, “The president of Korean Hyundai Heavy Industries is here with his team. He’s scheduled to meet with me tomorrow to discuss the LNG ship deal. I suspect he might try to pressure us on this cooperation and force us to abandon you.”

Yang Chen replied, “If he dares to do that, I’ll be happy. Our Dragon Country’s shipyards are also capable of manufacturing large LNG ships, with better quality and lower prices. If he cancels the cooperation, I’ll introduce Dragon Country’s shipbuilding companies to you.”

Maya responded, “Yes, I know what to do. It’s getting late, let’s go to bed.”

Yang Chen said, “You go ahead, I need to finish reading these emails. I have to read them before I can sleep.”

Maya said, “Then I’ll go to bed and wait for you. Come over as soon as you’re done.”

Yang Chen replied, “Yes, I will.”

The emails were primarily from Li Daming, the chairman of Xingchen Technology Group. Recently, scientific experts from around the world had been lining up to verify the authenticity of the room-temperature superconducting materials in the laboratory. Li Daming had to organize the daily experimental results and send them to Yang Chen.

Today, ten groups of tests were conducted, and all of them successfully confirmed that the room-temperature superconducting materials produced by Xingchen Technology were indeed genuine.

In addition, Jin Ming, the CEO of Xingchen Investment, also sent an email to Yang Chen.

Yang Chen had instructed Jin Ming to secretly invest in room-temperature superconducting concept stocks in advance. These stocks had been soaring lately. Xingchen Investment didn’t need to spend a penny to artificially inflate the stock price; they were simply waiting for retail investors and other institutions to drive it to the limit.

Jin Ming sent an email to Yang Chen to share the daily progress and the joy of making money.

Yang Chen replied to the email, turned off the computer, went to bed, and embraced Maya as they fell asleep.

Early the next morning, Yang Chen and Maya woke up.

Since Jia Xuanwu was coming with such aggressive intentions, Yang Chen felt compelled to confront him personally, aiming to disrupt the cooperation between the two companies. Then, Yang Chen could connect Dragon Country’s shipyards with Jinbai Oil and Gas Company.

The current international shipbuilding market is dominated by Dragon Country and Korea, with other countries holding very small shares.

If Yang Chen could help Dragon Country’s shipyards secure orders from Hyundai Heavy Industries, Dragon Country’s shipbuilding industry would become even more competitive on the global stage.