Chapter 144: The Coffee Shop Owner's Distress

"Isn't this the same old man from last time?" Chen Jianhai felt a sudden sense of familiarity when he saw the old man in the vest.

"I see you come here quite often!"

"It's been less than half a month, and here you are again."

The old man in the vest crossed his legs, fanned himself with a palm fan in his right hand, and took a sip from a large glass with his left.

Chen Jianhai glanced at the tea leaves in the glass.

Whoa!

That's a lot of tea leaves!

"Old man, with such strong tea, can you sleep at night?"

"Sleep? Ha!" The old man rolled his eyes.

"A few nights ago, I slept so deeply I didn't even notice any movements on the island."

"I'm drinking strong tea on purpose to stay awake."

The old man said helplessly.

Movements on the island? To stay awake?

Chen Jianhai's ears perked up instantly.

Could it be that the islanders have come up with a new way to oppose my hotel construction?

These past few days, Lao Yan, my informant, has been reporting the island's activities to me daily.

Although the islanders' methods of resistance are numerous,

At least they are reasonable and can be overcome with effort.

But now that the system's cleaning work and the pier construction are complete, what else could be happening on the island?

This doesn't make sense!

Just as Chen Jianhai was about to subtly probe for more information, the old man spoke:

"I see this is your second time here."

"Have you tried all the diving and sea fishing activities on the island?"

Chen Jianhai nodded, "Indeed, I've tried them all."

The old man continued, "Those things are fun to try once, just for the novelty."

"Tomorrow afternoon is our island's Love the Island Day, when all the islanders come out to clean the beach and pick up trash."

"After the cleanup, there will be fireworks to celebrate. It's quite a sight."

"If you're interested, you can join us."

Chen Jianhai immediately responded, "Sure!"

He was worried about not having a suitable reason to join the Love the Island Day activities, and now he was being invited. This was perfect.

"What time does it start?" Chen Jianhai asked.

"2 PM, right here at the pier," the old man replied.

"Got it, see you in the afternoon!"

After bidding farewell to the old man, Chen Jianhai followed his memory of the route and headed towards the north shore of the island.

But before he could reach his destination,

A tall blue fence, like a small mountain, separated the north shore from the rest of the island.

Chen Jianhai felt a twinge of annoyance as he looked at the fence.

No wonder the islanders allowed the construction team to work so easily.

With such a high and long fence, there's no way through except around it!

Chen Jianhai climbed a nearby hill, hoping to find a path.

But all the routes and views were completely blocked.

He couldn't see a thing, let alone get through.

Helplessly, Chen Jianhai could only follow the fence, slowly searching for an exit.

After nearly twenty minutes,

Chen Jianhai finally saw a small door ahead.

He hurried over and stepped through the door,

feeling like someone emerging from a long period of darkness into the sunlight.

Seeing the scene before him, Chen Jianhai was stunned as if looking at a painting.

The previously desolate, cement-covered area was now completely clean.

The clear blue sea gently lapped at the beach, rolling the fine sand in layers.

White seabirds circled in the sky, singing joyfully.

The open and serene view gave a sense of peace and warmth.

"No wonder the association reserved this place for building a hotel."

"Building a hotel here is like a gift from heaven!"

Chen Jianhai muttered in awe.

Since there were no further hotel construction projects here,

the system restored this place to its most original, pure state.

The entire scenery was spotless, without any human traces,

except for a white pier nestled quietly in the island's embrace.

The sea gently lapped at the pier, forming waves that rolled back.

The white foam sparkled in the sunlight, leaping joyfully back into the bright blue sky,

then transforming into white clouds lazily hanging over the island.

If there were a beach umbrella, a lounge chair, a soda, and two bikini-clad women,

Chen Jianhai could lie on this beach forever!

"Such a beautiful view shouldn't be hidden behind fences!"

"System!"

Chen Jianhai summoned the system in his mind, "Can these fences be replaced?"

"Ding!"

"They can be replaced."

"System prompt: The fences are essential for cleaning the site and are provided free for the host's use during the cleaning process."

"Once removed, reinstalling them for future hotel construction will cost 200 points."

"Please confirm if you want to replace the fences."

The system's voice echoed in Chen Jianhai's mind.

Only 200 points?

Feeling flush with points, Chen Jianhai smirked.

With tens of thousands of points in hand,

and the hotel's daily positive feedback rating above 92%,

200 points are just three days' income for the hotel.

No big deal.

Feeling generous, Chen Jianhai declared, "Confirm replacement."

"Ding!"

"The system has received the host's request. The fences will be replaced in 2 hours."

Okay.

Chen Jianhai walked barefoot on the soft, fine sand, with the clear sea water gently rolling in.

"Such a beautiful place deserves a fittingly beautiful hotel!"

Chen Jianhai gazed at the sea,

his eyes growing resolute.

Initially, he came here to build a hotel to complete the system's task.

But now, he was genuinely captivated and attracted by the island's scenery,

and he strongly wished to build a hotel here for tourists to relax and vacation.

"It's all about the islanders' satisfaction!"

"If I can handle 200 employees, I believe I can win the islanders' hearts!"

In the afternoon,

Feng Di, the director of the island's coffee shop, sat at the shop's entrance, anxiously watching the store under construction across the street.

At his feet,

a white dog was licking ice, enjoying the sea breeze in the shade of an umbrella.

"Boss, a cup of coffee, please."

A young man wearing a Calabash Brothers T-shirt and sunglasses walked into the coffee shop.

"Which one?"

Feng Di stood up,

although the island saw many tourists daily,

each with their unique style,

but it was rare to see someone dressed so brightly in a Calabash Brothers T-shirt!

Even the well-traveled Director Feng couldn't help but take a few more glances.

"The classic caramel Americano."

"Alright." Feng Di began making the coffee.

The 'Calabash Brother' took a seat by the window and looked outside.

"Boss, a new store opening across the street?"

"Yes, a cold drink and milk tea shop."

Feng Di sighed bitterly,

"Business is getting harder."

"This small road will have two beverage shops competing."

After saying this, Feng Di placed a cup of coffee in front of the 'Calabash Brother' and said:

"Sir, enjoy your coffee."

"Thank you."

The 'Calabash Brother' took a sip of the coffee and calmly put the cup back on the tray, looking peacefully out the window.

Sure enough~

In this world, people have different talents.

Some people have systems and soar to great heights.

While others have to work hard all the way.

Some people can casually mix a cocktail from kitchen scraps.

While others, even with the most common coffee beans and caramel,

can perfectly extract the beans' and caramel's flaws,

creating a drink that's sour, bitter, and astringent.

Even after experiencing the homemade tomato Mary, Chen Jianhai had to admit:

This coffee tastes worse than urine!

...

"Boss, it seems your shop is pretty quiet during the day,"

"Is business better at night?"

Hearing the 'Calabash Brother's' question, Feng Di sighed depressively,

"You're mistaken."

"During the day, business is still okay, but at night when the bar across the street opens, it gets worse."

"And once the Snow King opens across the street, my shop will have even fewer customers."

So this is what you call good business during the day?!

Chen Jianhai looked at the empty surroundings,

besides him and the director, there was only the dog outside.

"Running a coffee shop isn't easy these days..."

"The houses on the island are limited, and my machines are all old models from years ago,"

"I heard new coffee shops now have better extraction technology for tastier coffee.

"I've always wanted to get one…"

Feng Di's eyes dimmed.

Chen Jianhai asked curiously, "If you know about such good things, why don't you get one?"

"Where's the money…"

Feng Di smiled bitterly, "My coffee shop's business isn't good, and it's hard to stay open daily."

"If it weren't for the cooperation with the travel agency, bringing a wave of tourists here every afternoon for coffee and desserts,"

"I'd barely be able to keep it running."

How tragic…

Hearing this, Chen Jianhai looked at Feng Di with sympathy,

No one understands better than him the struggle of keeping a business afloat.

Feng Di, perhaps under too much stress, found a rare chance to vent and said more.

"I heard the island will develop a resort hotel soon. Once the hotel opens, I might not even get the travel agency's business."

Internal and external problems!

For a moment, Chen Jianhai felt a bit sympathetic towards Feng Di.

He never expected his hotel to impact the island's coffee shop industry.

The market truly works in mysterious ways.

Hmm? Wait.

He's in a precarious situation now, and if I help