189: Chapter 189 Zhou Qian is utterly disappointed in Wang Hao; Zhao Lintai looks forward to meeting Si Yao (Part 1)

"My name is... uh, that, Rebirth: I Drive a Taxi in Magic City." The driver reported his ID with some embarrassment.

"Pfft—" Hearing this name, Wang Tengfei, sitting in the passenger seat, couldn't help but laugh out loud.

The driver glanced at Wang Tengfei and gave him an awkward smile. Wang Tengfei laughed and joked, "Driver, your name is so talented! I think just because of this name, you'll become an internet celebrity sooner or later." As he spoke, he took out his phone, opened the Douyin App, and started typing the driver's ID into the search bar. While searching, he continued with a smile, "I'll follow you too, just to keep an eye on you. Who knows, maybe one day you really will become an internet celebrity, and then I can say I witnessed the history of an internet celebrity's rise."

The driver was amused by Wang Tengfei's words and laughed heartily, saying in a great mood, "Hahaha, I'll take your kind words! This ride, I must give you for free." As he said this, he reached out and flipped up the meter.

Qin Yi, sitting in the back, watched this scene and shook his head with a smile. At the same time, his hands didn't stop. He opened the search bar, typed in the ID 'Rebirth: I Drive a Taxi in Magic City', clicked into his profile, and then tapped the follow button. After doing this, he looked up and said to the driver, "Alright, driver, I've followed you."

"Alright, thank you, thank you." Just like that, the three of them chatted and laughed all the way as they drove toward Wanhao Car Dealership on Jiangzhong Road.

...

Meanwhile, Zhou Qian drove his vehicle to the Hongtai Dijing Villa District. When his gaze swept over the gate, his brows furrowed slightly. He saw several media reporters gathered there, holding their cameras and microphones, arguing intensely with the security guard on duty at the entrance.

A flash of displeasure crossed Zhou Qian's face, and a surge of inexplicable indignation welled up in his heart. These reporters were always everywhere, pervasive, insisting on digging up everyone's privacy before they would stop. He took a deep breath to calm his emotions, but his foot involuntarily pressed down on the accelerator twice.

Soon, the car stopped steadily in front of the carved iron gate of Villa 101. Zhou Qian pushed open the car door, and a wave of stifling heat rushed toward him. He couldn't help but furrow his brows, raising his hand to loosen his collar to breathe a little more easily. Afterward, he stood in front of the main gate and pressed the doorbell.

Before long, the main gate opened slowly with a slight mechanical sound, and the villa door also swung open, revealing the maid's face, which wore a look of some worry. She walked quickly toward Zhou Qian, greeting him, "Lawyer Zhou, you've finally arrived."

Zhou Qian nodded slightly, his gaze sweeping over the maid's face, then he looked into the villa and asked in a deep voice, "Where is Xiao Hao? Where is he?"

"The young master is in the master's study on the second floor," the maid answered cautiously. "The young master has been up there for a while. I called him to eat, but he didn't respond. Lawyer Zhou, please help persuade the young master. Since the master has passed away, the young master needs to take even better care of his health. Especially since he just finished surgery, how can he not eat?"

Hearing this, Zhou Qian frowned slightly and said in a deep voice, "Alright, I'll go up and take a look." As he spoke, he strode hurriedly toward the second floor, his leather shoes making a "thump, thump, thump" sound on the wooden stairs.

Walking to the study door, Zhou Qian raised his hand and knocked, but there was silence inside, with no response. His heart tightened, and he reached out to turn the doorknob and pushed the door open to enter.

At this moment, inside the study, Wang Hao was sitting blankly in the high-backed chair behind the desk, his eyes empty and unfocused, as if he were lost in some deep memory. Zhou Qian's arrival did not attract his attention.

Zhou Qian gave a light cough, breaking the silence in the study. Wang Hao's body trembled slightly, and he slowly raised his head to look at Zhou Qian. A forced smile appeared on his face, and he said in a hoarse voice, "Uncle Zhou, you... you're here."

"Hmm." Zhou Qian acknowledged, his gaze sweeping around the study before finally landing on the photo frame on the desk. He picked up the frame, looking at the photo of Wang Hao and his father together, and a wave of emotion welled up in his heart. Although the frame was clean, he still raised his hand to gently wipe it, then placed it back where it was.

"The Joint Investigation Team has already entered the company and begun their investigation," Zhou Qian withdrew his gaze and said while looking at Wang Hao. "Additionally, I just received news that Secretary Wu has also died. The police's preliminary judgment is that it was suicide by wrist-slashing."

"What? Secretary Wu committed suicide?" Hearing this, Wang Hao stood up abruptly, staring at Zhou Qian with wide eyes, his face full of astonishment and shock.

Zhou Qian nodded and said in a deep voice, "Yes, that's what the police said. However, the specific circumstances will need to wait for the autopsy results to be determined."

"That's impossible! This is definitely a conspiracy!" Wang Hao shouted emotionally, his body trembling slightly with anger.

Zhou Qian sighed, slowly walked to Wang Hao's side, patted his shoulder, and said, "Xiao Hao, calm down first. The situation is not clear right now, you cannot lose your composure."

Wang Hao seemed not to hear Zhou Qian's words; he plopped back into the chair, muttering to himself, "Conspiracy... this must be a conspiracy..."

"Sigh," Zhou Qian sighed helplessly. Looking at Wang Hao's devastated state, a feeling of pity welled up in his heart. After a moment of silence, he continued, "Xiao Hao, I know you are very sad right now, but you must pull yourself together. Your dad and Secretary Wu are both gone, and the Joint Investigation Team's work probably won't make much progress. I estimate this matter will soon have a conclusion."

"A conclusion? What does that have to do with me?" Wang Hao raised his head to look at Zhou Qian, a flash of despair in his eyes. "I have already given up on inheriting my dad's shares. Furthermore, the 10% of shares I held have also been entrusted to Boss Zhao..." By the end, Wang Hao's voice had become somewhat shaky. "Uncle Zhou, I'm sorry, I've disappointed you..."

Zhou Qian looked at Wang Hao in this state and couldn't help but sigh. He had long expected this result, but seeing Wang Hao's hopeless, listless appearance with his own eyes, he still felt a pang of heartache. After a moment of silence, he slowly began, "Xiao Hao, you don't need to say sorry to me. The company was your dad's; even if you say sorry, it should be to your dad."

"Yes, I am sorry to my dad, but Uncle Zhou, I really had no choice." Wang Hao's hands hung limply at his sides, his eyes flickering with confusion and helplessness. "I wanted to inherit my dad's shares, continue his business, and keep the company running. But I couldn't hold onto it... Boss Zhao clearly said that the company's listing is out of the question in the short term; it's simply impossible. Moreover, those two huge bank loans are due at the end of the month. If I inherited the shares, all these debts would fall on me, and I would be unable to repay them. When the capital chain breaks, I'm afraid I won't even be able to keep the assets I have now. Uncle Zhou, my dad is gone, but I still have to keep living..."

Wang Hao's voice grew lower and lower, finally almost turning into a mumble. Zhou Qian looked at Wang Hao's decadent appearance, feeling a complex mix of emotions. His brows were tightly locked; he roughly knew the situation of the company, and what Wang Hao said was indeed the truth. After pondering for a moment, he continued, "Since you have already signed the agreement, it's too late to say anything now. You let him hold your shares on your behalf; what promise did he give you?"

Wang Hao looked up at Zhou Qian, a flash of complex emotion in his eyes. "He promised to give me dividends according to the share ratio, and he will also give me an extra sum of money every month. The amount is not small, and I don't need to participate in any of the company's affairs."

"Where is the contract? Let me see it." Zhou Qian's tone revealed a hint of urgency.

Wang Hao shook his head, "He hasn't given me the contract yet, saying he will give it to me after the equity transfer procedures are completed at the end of the month."

"What does that have to do with the equity transfer?" Zhou Qian frowned, clearly displeased. "No, I must contact Wang Ming immediately." As he spoke, he took out his phone, preparing to dial.

However, Wang Hao stepped forward in a flash, tightly gripping Zhou Qian's wrist, and begged, "Uncle Zhou, forget it, I beg you not to look for him anymore. He has evidence of my participation in underground casinos and illegal money lending. If he is pushed too far, I will really go to jail." Saying this, a flash of fear appeared in Wang Hao's eyes.

"You!" Zhou Qian glared at Wang Hao, his chest heaving violently; he was clearly furious to the extreme. He took a deep breath, suppressing the anger in his heart, and after a moment of silence, continued, "Fine, I won't concern myself with your affairs. But you must remember, don't cause any more trouble in the future. Your dad is gone; no one will clean up your mess for you anymore. Additionally, Su Mo hasn't agreed to a settlement yet; you must resolve this matter yourself. It's best to personally go apologize and soften your stance toward her. You are currently only on bail pending trial, which doesn't mean the matter is over."

Hearing Su Mo's name, a flash of malice crossed Wang Hao's eyes. "Damn it, that bitch! If she dares to push me, I'll post all of her videos and photos online!" He said through gritted teeth.

"Enough!" Zhou Qian slammed the table and shouted sternly, "Stop acting on impulse! The police have already obtained all the things you filmed. If you still have any backups, it's best to destroy them immediately. If they are spread online, the police will come looking for you first! Also, regarding Qin Yi, you had better go and seek his forgiveness."

"Impossible!" Wang Hao's emotions suddenly became agitated. "That bastard Qin Yi, if it weren't for him, I wouldn't have ended up in this pathetic state! I wish I could tear him into ten thousand pieces! You want me to beg for his forgiveness? You might as well just send me to prison!"

"Sigh..." Zhou Qian shook his head helplessly, his disappointment in Wang Hao evident. After a moment of silence, he continued, "I've said what I needed to say; how you act depends on your own choice. By the way, your dad's body is still in the police morgue waiting for you to handle it. If you have nothing else, come with me to handle the paperwork. Your dad cared about his reputation during his lifetime; let him leave with dignity."

Wang Hao was stunned upon hearing this; the anger and madness in his eyes gradually faded, replaced by a deep sorrow. "Hmm... thank you, Uncle Zhou, I will go," he said in a low voice. "My dad once told me that if one day he was no longer here, he hoped to be buried with my mom. As his son, no matter what, I must fulfill this wish of his." As he spoke, the corners of his eyes couldn't help but moisten.

"Alright," Zhou Qian gently patted Wang Hao's shoulder to show comfort. "Then I will go contact the funeral home and the cemetery. You prepare yourself, and we will set off for the police station right now."

...

At this moment, Ye Ziming was sitting in the driver's seat of the rolls-royce cullinan, driving excitedly toward the Flying Dragon Supercar Club in the suburbs of Magic City. Zhao Lintai, sitting in the passenger seat, watched his appearance and couldn't help but curiously raise an eyebrow: "Young Master Ye, what's making you so happy today? Tell me, so I can be happy too?"

Ye Ziming laughed upon hearing this and touched his cheek, "Hehe, Brother Zhao saw right through me. Today, I met a stock market god!"

"Oh? You mean, that God Ba appeared at the Hilton Hotel?" Zhao Lintai immediately became interested.

"Tch, what's God Ba?" Ye Ziming pouted disdainfully, "The stock market god I met is the truly impressive one; he's more than a level above God Ba."

Hearing this, Zhao Lintai couldn't help but curiously press, "How impressive can he be? Tell me!"

Ye Ziming smiled proudly: "Let's put it this way, this morning I only had over five million in my account. After listening to his advice, I dumped all the Shengneng Group stocks I had been fully invested in. Guess what happened? Right after I dumped them, that stock started to plummet, and I earned over three million just like that!"

"Holy shit!" Zhao Lintai also couldn't help but exclaim, "That impressive? Does this stock market god have some inside information?"

"Hehe, I thought so too at first," Ye Ziming smiled mysteriously, "But his subsequent operations were truly Heaven-Defying. I asked him to recommend a few stocks to me; guess what he said?"

Zhao Lintai asked impatiently: "What did he say?"

"He actually said he specializes in short-term operations, fast in and fast out." A flash of admiration crossed Ye Ziming's eyes, "Then he listed over a dozen stocks for me and even wrote down the buy and sell prices. In just one hour, my capital of over eight million doubled to twenty million!"

"Holy crap!" Zhao Lintai exclaimed again, looking at Ye Ziming with envy, "What is this stock market god's background? Young Master Ye, money should be made together; introduce me to him too."

Ye Ziming smiled proudly: "Hehe, Brother Zhao is interested too? No problem, he happens to be a member of our Flying Dragon Supercar Club. I'll introduce you to him later. By the way, he also told me this morning that he's preparing to open a company. I originally wanted to split the profits 60/40 with him, but he didn't want my money and finally agreed to let me buy into his company. Twenty million for 10% of the shares."

"Twenty million for only 10% of the shares?" Zhao Lintai raised an eyebrow slightly, looking at Ye Ziming with a half-smile, "Brother, no wonder he doesn't care about splitting 60/40 with you. It turns out he was eyeing your capital."

Ye Ziming hurriedly waved his hands upon hearing this, defending earnestly: "Hey, Brother Zhao, you can't say that. Young Master Qin is really not that kind of person. Brother Kun told me that Young Master Qin has immense financial resources; just last week at Brother Kun's Wanhao Car Dealership, he spent 3.7 billion on cars with a wave of his hand. Think about it, how could he possibly have his eyes on my small amount of money?"

"Who? Young Master Qin?" Zhao Lintai was stunned, a puzzled expression appearing on his face.

"Right, the stock market god's name is Qin Yi," Ye Ziming explained. "I heard from Brother Kun that he is from Jingnan. What? Brother Zhao, do you know him too?"

"So it's him..." Zhao Lintai felt a stir in his heart. Could it be that this Qin Yi's sudden, unpredicted wealth was because of stock trading? Thinking this, he shook his head calmly on the surface, "Uh, I don't know him. However, I have heard that a tycoon recently appeared in Magic City who spent 3.7 billion on cars. I'm just a bit curious, where did he get all that money?"

Ye Ziming shrugged, indicating he didn't know either: "I don't know about that. But then again, since he's so good at stock trading, it's only natural that he makes money fast. I heard from his friends that Young Master Qin was very outstanding when he was in school and won scholarships every year; it seems he really is a capable person."

Zhao Lintai nodded after hearing this, a look of approval appearing on his face: "Not bad. It seems your Flying Dragon Supercar Club really is full of hidden talents: a second-generation from an energy company, the second Young Miss of the Southwest Si Family, and you, the second young master of the Ye Family of the Capital, and now a stock market god who spent 3.7 billion on cars..."

Ye Ziming smiled proudly: "That's for sure. How about it? Brother Zhao, why don't you consider joining us?"

Zhao Lintai laughed upon hearing this and waved his hand: "Haha, me? Forget it. I don't have that much interest in sports cars, and besides, even if I wanted to join, I doubt you would agree."

"How could that be?" Ye Ziming hurriedly said, "Brother Zhao, you are a famous figure in our Capital circle; how could we not agree..."

"Hahaha, we'll talk about it later." Zhao Lintai interrupted Ye Ziming, a flash of anticipation in his eyes, "By the way, Si Yao will be going to the club today, right?"