Chapter 7: A Business Acumen

Gu Congshuang drove to the city center airport, parking a short distance away to avoid traffic checks. Although she could drive, she didn’t have a license, and getting caught would be troublesome. She brought Gu Congli along, not to teach him to drive, but for safety. His height could deter any potential troublemakers.

Their first fare was a woman in her thirties with a heavy suitcase.

“Excuse me, driver. To Tiannan Second Road? How much?”

“Yes. Eight yuan to start, and Tiannan Second Road is about three kilometers, roughly twenty-four yuan.”

Gu Congli was shocked. The fare was almost his father’s monthly salary for a three-kilometer trip.

Conclusion: Driving is incredibly lucrative!

Taxis were expensive back then, starting at fourteen yuan. Gu Congshuang lowered her price to attract more customers. People who could afford taxis were wealthy.

“Oh, a female driver. Okay, let’s go.”

The woman readily agreed.

Gu Congli put the suitcase in the trunk. The woman sat in the back. Gu Congshuang glanced in the rearview mirror.

The woman, though middle-aged, had a stylish, sophisticated look. Her figure was full, unusual in a time of scarcity. This suggested wealth. Someone who could afford a ride costing Gu Qinshan’s monthly salary wasn’t ordinary. Her destination was in the city’s most affluent area.

The woman remained silent, and Gu Congshuang didn’t pry.

Near the destination, the woman said, “You’re young, but you drive very smoothly, better than Old Yang.”

“Thank you. I’m just making a living.”

At the destination, the woman paid. Gu Congshuang noticed her wallet – a luxury brand, hinting at wealth.

“Twenty-five yuan, keep the change. Your driving was excellent. Are you interested in being my personal driver?”

“Three hundred yuan a month, how about that?”

Gu Congli’s eyes widened. He wanted to accept on Gu Congshuang’s behalf.

“What are the hours?”

“If you come, you can live with us. I often need urgent trips, day and night shifts, so it’s 24/7.”

Gu Congshuang hesitated. The hours were demanding, but she didn’t refuse outright.

“I have school. I’ll contact you later.”

“Okay. Just come here. Call me Sister Luo.”

“Thank you, Sister Luo.”

After Sister Luo left, Gu Congli complained, “Sister, why didn’t you accept?”

“I’m thinking of you! I’m marrying Ye Bei and moving to the island. I won’t have time to drive. You can be her driver!”

Gu Congshuang acted selflessly.

She planned to leave, and three hundred yuan a month was insignificant to her. In a few years, drivers wouldn’t be so valuable. She wanted to become wealthier than Sister Luo, not work for her.

Her words were to appease Gu Congli, who now looked up to her.

“I knew you’re the best, Sister!”

He’d forgotten how he’d treated her a few days ago. She hadn’t forgotten!

They picked up another customer on the way back to the airport. Because their prices were lower than taxis, they got several more fares. They earned one hundred and fifty-six yuan that day.

“Sister, I understand why you didn’t accept. We earned almost a month’s salary in a day! Driving is so lucrative!”

Gu Congli was ecstatic. Gu Congshuang, however, saw a police car in the rearview mirror.

She floored the gas pedal, reaching one hundred and fifty kilometers per hour. The police car gave chase.

Gu Congli panicked. “Sister, we’re going to jail! We’ll lose the money! Drive faster!”

“Sister, faster! They’re fifty meters behind!”

“Sister, ten meters!” Gu Congli was close to tears.

“Stop the car immediately!” a loudspeaker blared.

Gu Congshuang’s hands were sweaty. She gripped the wheel tightly, sweat beading on her forehead. She’d edited many racing shows, but this was different. Her adrenaline was surging.

Gu Congli kept urging her on.

Just as the police were about to catch up, a red truck appeared. Gu Congshuang almost hit it!

“Ah!” Gu Congli screamed. Gu Congshuang swerved, narrowly avoiding the truck and turning onto a side road.

The truck braked hard, blocking the police car. The police car couldn’t follow immediately.

Once the truck moved, Gu Congshuang was long gone.

“Ugh… ugh!”

Gu Congli ran to the bushes and vomited. The ride had been too thrilling.

“Sister, will we meet more police on the way back?”

“Be careful, and we’ll be fine.”

Luckily, she’d covered the license plate with tape. She removed the tape and continued driving.

Gu Congli was on edge, constantly looking around, fearing another encounter with the police.

It was seven in the evening, dark outside. The police were off duty. Gu Congli finally relaxed at home.

“Sister, we’re finally home. I’m starving! I vomited up the chicken soup. Making money is hard!”

High risk, high reward.

Gu Congshuang parked the car in Mr. Guo’s yard. She didn’t want to risk theft.

As they were going upstairs, they saw an elderly woman with white hair sitting under a streetlamp, muttering and rhythmically hitting the building’s white pillars.

The dim light cast shadows on her wrinkled face, making her look old and eerie.

The experience had been too intense for Gu Congli. He instinctively stepped back.

“Shuang’er! Is that my Shuang’er?”