I AM

Chapter 4

There was a new black Mercedes waiting outside, and the driver bowed as he approached. Was this President Zhao Xin Chi's new car?

"Good morning, CEO Shen. My name is Zhao Yunlan, and I will be your driver from today."

"M-my driver?" Shen Wei was surprised.

"Yes, Sir," Zhao Yunlan replied, as he opened the door and bowed, signaling to Shen Wei that he should get in. After closing the door, he went around to the driver's side and got in, then started the engine.

"Um, where is President Zhao Xin Chi?" Shen Wei asked, puzzled.

"He has just left his home and is headed to work," Zhao Yunlan glanced at his phone. "He will arrive before you."

"Oh," Shen Wei answered, his eyebrows knitted.

"Is there something wrong, Sir?" Zhao Yunlan looked briefly at Shen Wei's face through the rearview mirror.

"No, I just thought I would be riding with him, like I did yesterday," he replied.

"If I may be candid, Sir, you were not the CEO when you left the house yesterday. From today, you will ride to work in your own car," Zhao Yunlan said in a quiet voice. "Perhaps Sir is not comfortable with me? I can ask to have another driver assigned to you."

"No, it's not that at all," Shen Wei hurried to reassure him. "This is all so new to me, and I guess I saw how everyone catered to my father, but now that it's happening to me, it feels so surreal. I'm sorry, Zhao Yunlan."

"You do not need to apologize, Sir," Zhao Yunlan smoothly replied. "I am always available whenever you need to go somewhere. All you have to do is call. I will do my best to get you to your destinations safely and in a timely manner," he said as he skillfully maneuvered through the traffic.

"You look very familiar. Have we met before?" Shen Wei leaned forward to get a better look at his driver's face.

"It may be possible. There is a drivers' pool, and we are assigned to different executives. Sometimes we are reassigned when we have displeased the person we are driving for. Sometimes were are just rotated so that we get to know everyone and their routines. It's helpful when we have to cover for one another. I drove the late CEO a few times. He was a very kind person."

Zhao Yunlan was very easy to talk to, and he felt safe in this car.

"This car still has that 'new car' smell," Shen Wei sniffed the air.

"It is brand new. Your late father bought it for you before he passed. With the exception of myself, you are the first person to ride it." Again Zhao Yunlan glanced at the rear view mirror. "Is it too small? Would you prefer a full limousine like your father's?"

"No, that monster was too big. It felt like a moving office," Shen Wei quickly reassured Zhao Yunlan.

"It did serve as a 'moving office' at times. Your father sometimes had quick meetings as we drove. You may need to do that sometimes, too." Zhao Yunlan hesitated. "If you do not mind using your father's limousine, it is being upkept by our mechanics and is available.

"That's good to know. If/When I ever do get that busy, I will let you know," Shen Wei replied, relieved that his father's things had not been disposed of yet.

They rode in silence for a few minutes. Shen Wei was impressed at how smooth the ride was, despite all the cars around them.

"It must be hard to drive in heavy traffic. Maybe we should have left earlier. I don't mind getting an early start, and the quicker you drop me off, the more time you have for yourself," Shen Wei suggested.