Chapter 348: Chapter 348: Favoritism…
The old man in the tank top commanded absolute authority and respect on the island.
Han Ke's first act of rebellion against an elder was thoroughly suppressed under the old man's fury. He stood up, feeling utterly frustrated, and closed the door from the outside.
"Next…"
Han Ke, dejected, signaled to the next person and walked away with his hands in his pockets, feeling lonely and desolate on the soft, white sand. The sunlight cast a small, dark shadow on the ground beneath him.
"Favoritism," Han Ke muttered softly as he walked.
Despite his hard work delivering packages for everyone, no one praised him. But when an outsider delivered packages for just two days, even using an electric scooter, they were showered with praise and rewards.
"Favoritism…!" Han Ke was filled with grievance. Unsure if he felt sorry for himself or completely disheartened, he held back his tears, refusing to cry in public as a matter of pride.
Running through the center of the island, Han Ke headed frantically toward the island's coffee shop.
...
At that moment, in the island's coffee shop, Director Feng Di was skillfully preparing coffee for the island's new electric delivery worker, unaware that his good friend had been left in tears on Xiaoma Island and was now rushing toward him.
First, he filled the cup with ice, then added half a cup of milk. Finally, he poured the espresso on top! The brown liquid slowly mixed with the milky white, creating a cold effect as it met the ice.
"Here! Try this diarrhea-inducing special!" Feng Di proudly placed the coffee on the table by the window.
"Old Feng, your skills are really getting better!"
"I don't know what's been going on with me these past few days, I just can't seem to go to the bathroom," Xiao Lang said, looking in the mirror at a red pimple on his chin.
"They say dietary therapy is better than medicine, so I thought I'd come here for a diet therapy."
"I hope that after drinking this, I can go to the bathroom."
Xiao Lang happily took a big gulp of the diarrhea-inducing coffee, then sprawled out on the sofa, arms and legs wide, enjoying the air conditioning.
Every day after delivering packages, Xiao Lang would come to the island's coffee shop to rest, enjoy the air conditioning, and then continue his deliveries.
Feng Di, speechless, asked, "Lang, aren't you afraid you might soil your pants while delivering?"
Xiao Lang, fearless, replied, "This island has such beautiful scenery, even if I do, it's like natural fertilization, contributing to the lush growth of the island's plants!"
Feng Di looked at Xiao Lang in admiration.
"Honestly, Lang, when it comes to bragging, I've never seen anyone more outrageous than you."
"Ah… it's nothing, it's nothing!" Xiao Lang waved his hand nonchalantly.
Feng Di, noticing Xiao Lang's noticeably darker skin, expressed concern: "Lang, you deliver packages every day. Are we still going to do the barbecue business at night?"
Xiao Lang firmly replied, "Of course we will!"
"The beer festival was exhausting for Chuanchuan, Chicken Wings, and Kidney. I thought they could use a break."
"Once they've rested enough, we'll reopen."
"With your word, I'm relieved. I was worried you'd quit the barbecue business for delivery." With Xiao Lang's assurance, Feng Di finally felt a bit at ease.
Xiao Lang, serious, said, "Delivery is a side job; our main business is still the restaurant."
As he spoke, the electronic doorbell suddenly rang, signaling a new customer. Xiao Lang, facing away from the door, didn't see who it was.
But Feng Di's face changed instantly upon seeing the newcomer. Xiao Lang didn't notice Feng Di's sudden shift in expression, as he blissfully enjoyed the air conditioning and gazed at the delivery orders in his hand.
"But I must say, I really admire that former delivery guy, Han Ke!"
"He worked tirelessly under the scorching sun and rain, delivering packages, earning so little."
"Without a strong sense of responsibility, he couldn't have kept going."
"It's not to criticize, but you guys were really unfair."
"Such a dedicated, hardworking man didn't get any reward, yet you gave the most popular island resident award to Hai Ge."
"Who wouldn't feel heartbroken?"
Some things seem simple, but if you don't experience them firsthand, you won't understand the difficulty.
Some challenges, if you don't personally face them, you won't appreciate their greatness.
Though we're all in business for profit, there's no high or low in our work.
While Chen Jianhai is my best friend and has brought significant economic benefits and development opportunities to the island, Han Ke's earnings, to me, hold much more value than mine and Chen Jianhai's combined.
"Enough, Lang, stop talking."
Feng Di, turning his head, seemed to be avoiding someone, speaking without moving his lips.
Puzzled, Xiao Lang asked, "Why shouldn't I?"
"Honestly, besides Da Bo and Hai Ge, I've never admired anyone like this."
"Are you close with Han Ke? If you are, invite him out for a drink tonight, let's get to know each other."
As Xiao Lang spoke, he took another big gulp of the diarrhea-inducing coffee.
"Since he's not delivering packages now, he might as well join me in the barbecue business."
"Let's see if he agrees."
...
"I agree!"
As soon as Xiao Lang finished speaking, a hoarse and choked voice called out from behind him.
Startled, Xiao Lang turned to see Han Ke standing at the coffee shop entrance, his eyes red, his chest heaving, his face wet with either sweat or tears, shouting at him.
Xiao Lang's eyelid twitched.
Damn!!
You really shouldn't talk about people behind their backs, whoever you mention will show up!
"Crap… these are all my brothers, what am I supposed to do now?" Feng Di was also bewildered.
Both deliverymen on the island were his good friends. Now that they had both run into each other at his coffee shop, he didn't know whom to support.
Han Ke sat down at their table, and under the shocked gazes of Xiao Lang and Feng Di, he slowly but firmly said, "I'll work with you."
Xiao Lang, in disbelief, looked at Feng Di, swallowed, and tentatively asked, "You want to do barbecue with me?"
Han Ke, gritting his teeth, replied, "No matter what you do, I'll work with you!"
He had worked hard delivering packages for the island, taken for granted by everyone.
When he expressed his dissatisfaction, he was seen as causing trouble.
He had had enough of this lack of recognition and unacknowledged effort!
Since they didn't appreciate him, he'd work with someone who did!
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