Chapter 228 Money is Not a Problem
"Alright then, big brother, you call the shots. I trust you wouldn’t cheat me."
"Brother, listen to you, making it sound like big brother is some sort of river pirate. Big brother used to be a soldier, and soldiers never lie, so just relax, little bro."
Look at this goof talking. A soldier? Since when are all soldiers cut from the same cloth? Aren’t there bad eggs among them, like military thugs? And besides, who knows if this guy is actually legit? Empty words prove nothing. I could say I’m a soldier too. Would you believe me?
Yet, Lin Zifeng couldn’t help but snicker to himself.
"Well, okay, since big brother says so, what more can I say? Just run the meter, big brother, and when it’s time, whatever the meter shows, that’s what I’ll pay you. I definitely won’t let you lose out."
"Alrighty, don’t worry, brother, big brother is a soldier."
Seems guy really uses his soldier status as a shield. He can’t stop boasting about being a soldier. What, do soldiers have unlimited credibility now? Like a credit card you can just swipe anytime?
The middle-aged driver drove the Hyundai straight towards the downtown area, and man, this guy’s driving skills were not to be underestimated. Throughout the ride, he chatted with Lin Zifeng, boasting and bragging, without even needing to hold the steering wheel. Lin Zifeng didn’t bother to respond, but the driver’s cheekiness was something else. Seeing Lin Zifeng occasionally glancing at the speedometer and fare meter, he deliberately tried to divert Lin’s attention to fool around himself.
Those who’ve ridden in illegal taxis know that drivers love to idle away the time chattily. This method is used to make you lose track of time. Of course, it’s not entirely effective.
"I say, big brother, your meter seems a bit off. How come it’s jumping up so quickly?" Lin Zifeng finally voiced his concern.
"Don’t worry, brother, your big bro isn’t going to scam you. We’re on the highway now, you know what a highway is, right? It’s the kind where you just drive straight, and even if the car speeds up to 150 or 160, you wouldn’t feel the speed."
"Oh, so that’s how it is."
"Don’t worry, brother, big brother here used to be a soldier." This guy just couldn’t stop mentioning he was a soldier.
"Alright, I believe you, big brother," Lin Zifeng said earnestly.
But about half an hour later, the middle-aged driver suddenly stopped, turned his head toward Lin Zifeng, and gave a helpless, bitter smile, "Brother, not to be talkative, but we’ve been driving for quite some time now. There’s still a long way to go to Tianyu, and it’s a kind of fate that I met you today. Big bro doesn’t want to overcharge you since I know earning money is hard, but you can’t expect me to foot the bill, right? You see..."
That’s when Lin Zifeng realized that this guy was setting a trap, seeing right through his little scheme.
"Don’t worry, big brother, I absolutely won’t let you lose out today. Just tell me honestly, how much further is it to Tianyu? That way I’ll have a clear idea."
"Hehe, brother, I really can’t tell you exactly how far it is, after all, Tianyu Group is a long way from Zhonghai City’s airport. I’ve been using navigation all the way, so I really don’t know the exact distance." This guy seemed to be quite troubled on the surface.
Lin Zifeng didn’t expose him outright, but with a grand gesture, he declared, "Don’t worry, big brother, money is no problem. As long as we reach the destination, someone will pay you!"
Money is no problem, but the problem is having no money.
The middle-aged driver was somewhat excited, noticing an Earl wristwatch on one of Lin Zifeng’s wrists and a black bracelet on the other. He didn’t look like someone short of cash.
What a bird! Lin Zifeng mused to himself.
"Since that’s the case, brother, rest assured, today even if it costs me, I’m determined to get you there. If I don’t make a profit today, at least I’ll have made your acquaintance," said the middle-aged driver as he floored the accelerator and sped away.
After about an hour, the illegal taxi driver finally arrived at Tianyu Group’s East Gate after a series of turns.
Looking at the majestic Tianyu Group that towered towards the sky, the middle-aged driver couldn’t help but marvel, "Damn, this is one of the tallest landmarks in Zhonghai City!"
If I could work here, even just as a humble driver, I’d be willing to live a few years less.
The driver’s eyes gleamed with intense longing as he watched several young, slender senior executives from Tianyu Group nearby.
He felt an overwhelming urge to rush up and fiercely ravage one of the women.
Getting into Tianyu Group was indeed the ultimate dream of every ambitious male beast in the whole of Zhonghai City. Even a random security guard inside probably had to be certified.
"Brother, do you work here?"
The middle-aged driver stared dreamily at Tianyu Group, fantasizing wildly. He had heard that Nangong Bing, the top director of Tianyu and the coldest beauty in Zhonghai City’s business world, was not only gorgeously intelligent but also stunningly beautiful. To catch a glimpse of her was worth fantasizing about indeed.
Dreams are full, but reality is harsh, and that’s all he could do was just think about it.
"My relative works here," Lin Zifeng answered honestly, though it wasn’t entirely false since Nangong Bing was essentially his future wife. Calling her a relative was more or less the same, and over time, he might drop the ’relative’ part altogether.
"Relative? What kind of relative? Look, young man, don’t try to fool me. Don’t start talking about some cousin’s aunt’s sister-in-law type of thing," the middle-aged driver was still excitedly looking at Lin Zifeng, thinking that if he solidified his relationship with this guy, he’d at least know someone in Tianyu Group. In the future, meeting over meals or drinks, wouldn’t that mean making more contacts, and possibly even meeting beautiful women?
"Can I not mention this?"
Lin Zifeng’s response abruptly killed the driver’s further thoughts. The smiling face of the driver, previously full of joy, suddenly stiffened.
Great, he had indulged in pointless chatter. He had met a guy with a questionable IQ.
"Brother, we’ve arrived."
Seeing the drastic change in the driver’s expression, Lin Zifeng wasn’t upset. He calmly opened the car door, grabbed his luggage, and under the driver’s gaze, walked towards Tianyu Group as if nothing was wrong.
"Hey, hey, hey! Wait, brother, don’t rush off!"
The middle-aged driver hurried out of the car to block Lin Zifeng’s path.
"What is it? Is there something else?"
Is there something else? This guy really could play dumb. He hadn’t paid the fare yet.
"Look, brother, don’t joke with me. I’ve driven you all the way to Tianyu Group, and you haven’t paid the fare yet."
The middle-aged driver looked at Lin Zifeng with a forced smile.
"Fare?" Lin Zifeng seemed puzzled, then continued, "What fare?"