How A Ride-Hailing Driver Comes To Dominate The World? [EN]: Chapter 675

The Equivalent of Giving Yang Chen 10 Billion USD for Free? What’s Wrong with a Ride-Hailing Driver Having Some Money?

“Wow, how much money can you make from playing a soccer game?” Yang Chen thought, not even caring about such a small profit.

*But*, he mused, *if those guys could get a team led by a star like Neymar to play an exhibition match, that would be fantastic.*

Besides giving those local players some much-needed training, it would be a real treat for the fans.

So, Yang Chen smiled and nodded. “I think this can be arranged. When I return to China, I’ll have someone organize it and contact you once it’s settled.”

Al-Sahar nodded enthusiastically. “Okay, it’s a deal then! Let’s exchange contact information.”

After swapping numbers, Yang Chen and Al-Sahar settled back into their seats.

The game was about to begin, and Cristiano Ronaldo and Neymar Jr. headed down to the field to prepare.

Ronaldo: “Neymar, do you know anything about that guy from China? Did your boss tell you anything?”

Neymar: “Nope! My boss just said a very important guest was coming and asked me to say hello, which would be good for both of us. Your boss is the Crown Prince; wouldn’t he know?”

Ronaldo: “He definitely knows, but he didn’t tell me either. Someone just notified me and asked me to greet him.”

Neymar: “Anyway, whoever he is, he’s clearly someone important. My boss also wants him to help set up an exhibition match with the Chinese team. Man, playing soccer with the Chinese team… I feel like we could beat them with one foot tied behind our backs.”

Ronaldo: “Haha… wouldn’t that be great? It’ll boost your confidence.”

Neymar: “Damn! If I have to rely on the Chinese team to feel confident, I might as well retire right now. I’d rather not embarrass myself on the field.”

“Haha…” Ronaldo laughed.

The two stars jogged onto the field to prepare for tonight’s Riyadh derby [a local rivalry soccer match].

In the VIP viewing area,

Salman said with a smile, “The game is about to start. Anyone want to guess the score?”

Al-Sahar: “No need to guess, right? I’m obviously supporting my team to win, and you’re supporting yours. It’s pretty obvious.”

Salman: “We can still bet! The game hasn’t started yet, so anything can happen. How about a 100 million USD wager? Are you in?”

*These tycoons are really rich*, Yang Chen thought. *A casual bet is a ‘small goal’ [a Chinese internet slang term for a small, achievable target, here referring to 100 million yuan], and the unit is USD!*

Al-Sahar: “Sure! If the Crown Prince wants to play, I’m happy to join in. What about His Majesty the King and Mr. Yang, what do you say?”

Yang Chen didn’t know much about soccer. He used to watch games in school, but after graduating, he got too busy and rarely watched a full game anymore.

However, he still recognized some of the famous players.

Yang Chen: “His Majesty the King supports the Crown Prince’s team, right? I’ll support Mr. Al-Sahar’s team. That seems more appropriate for my position.”

Havide: “Haha… okay! Then I’ll support Salman’s Victory team, and Mr. Yang will support Mr. Al-Sahar’s Crescent team.”

Salman: “Are we all betting 100 million USD?”

Havide glanced at Yang Chen. 100 million USD wasn’t a small amount. As the King, he wouldn’t miss 100 million USD, but he wasn’t sure if Yang Chen was willing to bet that much, so he waited for Yang Chen to respond first.

Yang Chen had so much money he didn’t know what to do with it, so betting 100 million USD was no problem.

So, Yang Chen said with a smile, “Sure! Let’s bet 100 million USD.”

Salman laughed. “Then it’s settled. Someone, pour the wine. I had auction-level Romanée-Conti [a very expensive and prestigious Burgundy wine] at His Majesty the King’s place before, and today I’ll use the same quality wine to entertain everyone.”

The waiter brought out two bottles of Romanée-Conti, opened them, and poured for the VIPs.

Sipping fine wine while watching the game was the perfect way for the big shots to enjoy the evening.

Because the VIPs were watching, and it was a matter of pride for their respective bosses, Ronaldo and Neymar played with extra intensity, giving it their all to win.

However, Neymar’s team was clearly stronger, and soon one of his teammates scored, putting the Crescent team ahead 1-0 against the Victory team.

Al-Sahar held out his palm for a high-five with Yang Chen, who smiled and reciprocated.

“Mr. Yang, you have excellent judgment, betting on my team to win. You’ll earn 100 million USD at the end of the game,” Al-Sahar said confidently.

Yang Chen laughed. “That’s because Mr. Al-Sahar chose great players; after all, they’re the ones playing the game. However, it’s only just begun, and the Victory team has plenty of time to catch up. It’s too early to celebrate; the outcome is still uncertain.”

Al-Sahar understood Yang Chen’s meaning and quickly smiled and nodded. “Mr. Yang is right; I’m being a bit hasty. Let’s keep watching the game. Until the very end, no one knows who will win.”

The King of the UAE and the future King of Saudi Arabia had both chosen the Victory team, and Salman was also the owner of the Victory team, so Yang Chen had to give them some face.

Yang Chen wasn’t afraid of offending Havide and Salman, but Al-Sahar was in a different position. Offending Salman could cause him real trouble.

However, tonight was destined to belong to the Crescent team, and they soon scored another goal, leading 2-0.

Al-Sahar laughed, but when he turned and saw Salman’s serious expression, he immediately suppressed his smile.

Salman had wanted to show off in front of Yang Chen and Havide, but he was only embarrassing himself. He kept praying that Ronaldo would step up and turn things around.

Salman’s prayers were partially answered.

Ronaldo got a chance to score, but the referee raised the flag, indicating he was offside.

Ronaldo held his head in his hands, looking helplessly at the referee.

Salman instantly deflated, jumping up and shouting at the field, “Damn it! Do you even know the rules? I’ll deal with you after the game!”

The referee wasn’t stupid. The Victory team was the Crown Prince’s team. If Ronaldo hadn’t been genuinely offside, he wouldn’t have dared to make that call.

The Crescent team’s offensive continued, and they scored another goal five minutes before the end of the game, leading the Victory team 3-0. At this point, the Crescent team’s victory was all but assured.

Salman didn’t want to watch anymore. If he wasn’t worried about appearing rude in front of Yang Chen and Havide, he would have left to wait for the referee.

The game ended soon after, and Havide said with a smile, “Although the score difference is significant, the game was exciting, and it’s clear that both sides are strong. I concede my 200 million USD loss.”

Salman: “Why 200 million USD? Didn’t we agree on a 100 million USD bet?”

Havide: “Yes! You lost 100 million USD to Mr. Yang and 100 million USD to Mr. Al-Sahar, doesn’t that add up to 200 million USD?”

Salman looked shocked. He had assumed he would lose a total of 100 million USD, which Yang Chen and Al-Sahar would split.

But Havide’s words clearly meant he lost 100 million USD to each of them, a significant difference.

However, the wealthy have their pride, and as the Crown Prince, especially on his own turf, he couldn’t afford to embarrass himself in front of his guests.

Salman immediately smiled and nodded. “Yes, that’s how it should be calculated. A bet is a bet; I’ll give you each 100 million USD tomorrow.”

Havide: “I’ll pay tomorrow too.”

Yang Chen: “Haha… then this trip wasn’t for nothing. I had fun and made money.”

Salman: “Haha… then Mr. Yang should come more often in the future. Let’s go, let’s have supper.”

Yang Chen and the others nodded and followed Salman to supper.

Soccer stars like Neymar and Ronaldo, of course, had to join them, as the VIPs had come to watch their game.

During supper, Al-Sahar brought up the idea of the Crescent team playing an exhibition match with the Chinese team, and Salman was immediately intrigued. He asked Yang Chen to arrange an exhibition match for the Victory team as well.

Arranging one game was the same as arranging two. More games with high-level teams would also help the Chinese team improve, so Yang Chen agreed.

Competing on the same field as stars like Neymar and Ronaldo would be the greatest honor of those players’ careers. They would never have the chance to compete at that level otherwise.

Salman and Al-Sahar asked Ronaldo, Neymar, and the other stars to toast Yang Chen and Havide and say a few kind words.

Stars of this caliber were usually sought after at various events, and even club owners, wealthy businessmen, and celebrities didn’t usually need to be so humble.

But now, they had to honestly line up and toast Yang Chen and Havide in turn, offering compliments along the way.

Even if they were being forced into it, they had to complete the task with utmost professionalism.

After supper, Salman sent Yang Chen and Havide back to the hotel with a full security detail. To ensure their safety, Salman left all his guards behind and added another layer of protection around the hotel.

With Havide’s bodyguards, the Star Defense [a fictional security company] Saudi Kingdom branch, the bodyguards provided by the Saudi Kingdom, and the newly added guards, there were now four layers of defense around the hotel.

Under such strict protection, only a missile attack could possibly harm Yang Chen and Havide.

Tired from the day, Yang Chen and Maya quickly washed up and went to sleep.

The next morning, Salman sent someone to pick up Yang Chen for a shareholders’ meeting at the Saudi Kingdom Ame Group. Salman planned to announce the transfer of some equity to Yang Chen at the meeting and allow Yang Chen to participate in the discussions.

Maya dressed Yang Chen and sent him downstairs to the car, which took him to the Saudi Kingdom Ame Group.

As Crown Prince, Salman’s schedule was packed. He was meeting a delegation from another country early that morning and had to take them to their hotel before attending the shareholders’ meeting. He planned to arrive as soon as possible.

Soon, Yang Chen arrived at the Ame Group and was led to the conference room by Salman’s assistant.

Many shareholders were already in the room, chatting amongst themselves. But as soon as Yang Chen entered, they fell silent.

Ame Group CEO Uraka Muhammad saw Yang Chen and immediately stood up. “What are you doing here? This is our group’s shareholders’ meeting. You’re not a shareholder; what’s your business here?”

Salman’s assistant immediately said, “Mr. Yang was invited by His Highness the Crown Prince to attend the shareholders’ meeting. His Highness is currently entertaining a foreign delegation and will arrive shortly. He will explain everything then. Mr. Uraka, please move your seat.”

Uraka asked, puzzled, “What do you mean? This is my seat.”

The assistant quickly explained, “His Highness the Crown Prince has designated the seat next to him for Mr. Yang. So, Mr. Uraka will have to move to the side.”

Uraka looked shocked and confused. *What is His Highness the Crown Prince planning?*

*Letting a foreigner sit in the CEO’s seat? Why?*

Seeing that Uraka didn’t respond, Salman’s assistant emphasized, “Mr. Uraka, this is His Highness the Crown Prince’s order. If you have any questions, I can call His Highness now and let him explain it to you personally. Would you like me to do that?”

Other shareholders quickly chimed in, urging Uraka to give up his seat. The shareholders next to him even offered their seats.

Although Uraka was unhappy, he had to obey the Crown Prince’s orders. Moreover, Salman’s shareholding ratio was higher than Uraka’s, giving him more influence at the meeting.

Uraka reluctantly moved his belongings and sat in the seat next to him.

Salman’s assistant immediately smiled at Yang Chen. “Mr. Yang, please sit down. Would you like something to drink? I’ll have someone bring it over. His Highness the Crown Prince should be here soon.”

Yang Chen smiled and nodded. “Thank you. A latte, please.”

Assistant: “Okay, please wait a moment.”

The assistant quickly prepared the coffee and brought it over. “Mr. Yang, here’s your latte. Is there anything else you need?”

Yang Chen shook his head. “No, thank you.”

Watching Yang Chen happily sip his coffee, Uraka grew increasingly agitated.

*What the hell is His Highness the Crown Prince doing?* he thought. *Our group is holding a shareholders’ meeting, so why did he let a foreigner participate? And to make matters worse, this guy is sitting in my seat! It’s infuriating!*

Other shareholders arrived one after another. When they saw a foreigner who wasn’t a shareholder present, their faces were filled with confusion. After sitting down, they immediately began whispering to each other.

Just as Yang Chen finished his coffee, Salman rushed in.

“Everyone, I apologize for being late. Let’s begin immediately. Uraka, please preside over this shareholders’ meeting,” Salman said with a smile, then sat next to Yang Chen.

Yang Chen whispered, “His Highness the Crown Prince is very busy.”

Salman replied with a smile, “The US sent a delegation, and I had to personally welcome them. If it were a delegation from a smaller country, I wouldn’t have needed to go at all.”

Yang Chen smiled and nodded.

Salman realized his statement might have sounded insensitive and quickly added, “When the panda center [referring to a panda reserve] is built, our relationship with China will improve further, and in the future, when China sends a delegation, I will definitely welcome them personally.”

Yang Chen: “Haha… I’m sure His Highness the Crown Prince will get his wish.”

Uraka cleared his throat to remind everyone to be quiet, then started the shareholders’ meeting.

After Uraka’s opening remarks, Salman presented the first resolution of the meeting.

“I have an announcement. I intend to sell 0.42% of Ame Group’s shares to Mr. Yang Chen for 1 USD,” Salman said loudly.

The conference room fell silent.

*Sell 0.42% of the shares for 1 USD?*

*Doesn’t this mean the Crown Prince is giving Yang Chen 10 billion USD for free?*

The shareholders erupted in an uproar, demanding an explanation from Salman.

“Your Highness, what does this mean?”

“Yes! Isn’t this the same as giving him 10 billion USD for free?”

“The key is that this is equity, not just 10 billion USD!”

“We don’t understand Your Highness’s intention and hope you can explain it to us.”

CEO Uraka looked at Salman in shock, thinking, *No wonder he wanted to give my seat to Yang Chen. He wanted to give Yang Chen so much equity for free! What exactly is he planning? Doesn’t he know that even 0.01% of the equity is incredibly valuable?*”