224: Chapter 225 The Daily Life of a Salted Fish Boss: Jealousy and Fighting Are Too Much of a Headache!

The morning sea breeze carried a salty warmth, brushing against Zhang Fan's cheek.

He lay on a lounge chair on his private island, the sound of waves hitting the reefs in his ears, and the faint fragrance of coconut trees lingering at the tip of his nose—this was the "paradise on earth" he had spent half a year building. On the island, there were only him, Zhou Yurou, Song Zhiwei, Liu Ruyan, and Lin Wanyi, along with a few staff members responsible for logistics.

"Zhang Fan! Get up and have breakfast!" Song Zhiwei's voice came from the wooden house by the sea, filled with crisp laughter.

She was wearing a goose-yellow beach dress, holding a plate of freshly baked coconut bread, and the hem of her dress was lifted by the sea breeze, looking exceptionally lively.

Zhang Fan stretched and got up slowly.

On the terrace in front of the wooden house, a sumptuous breakfast had already been set out: the seafood porridge made by Liu Ruyan was steaming, the fruit platter cut by Zhou Yurou was bright and colorful, and Lin Wanyi took out the Australian lobster that had just been air-shipped from the insulated box, smiling like a cat asking for credit: "I specifically asked my assistant to pick this at the seafood market in the middle of the night to ensure it's fresh!"

"Wanyi is still the most thoughtful, knowing I love eating lobster." Zhang Fan picked up a lobster and was about to peel it when his phone suddenly started ringing with constant "ding-dongs."

He opened the WeChat group named "Slacker Boss's Harem Alliance" and was instantly submerged by the flood of messages:

【Song Zhiwei】: @Zhang Fan Tomorrow morning at five o'clock to watch the sunrise, I have already booked the viewing platform on the east side, the view there is the best!

【Liu Ruyan】: Why should we listen to you just because you booked it? @Song Zhiwei The reef beach on the west side has more atmosphere for watching the sunrise. I have already asked the chef to prepare hot milk and sandwiches; it's more comfortable to eat while watching.

【Lin Wanyi】: Stop arguing, all of you! @Zhang Fan I asked the old captain on the island last night, the coconut grove path on the south side allows you to see dolphins leaping out of the sea when watching the sunrise. I even prepared a camera; we can take beautiful silhouettes!

【Zhou Yurou】: @Everyone The sunrise time is 5:17. The east viewing platform has the highest altitude and no obstructions; the west reef beach has morning mist, which makes photos look hazy; the south coconut grove has obstructions but you can hear the birds singing. I have already organized the meteorological data for the three locations and sent it to the group.

Zhang Fan looked at the "smoke of gunpowder" in the group and helplessly rubbed his forehead.

Since coming to the island for vacation, this group of strong women who were usually decisive at work had entered "competing for favor" mode—the day before yesterday, they argued for half a day about who would accompany him fishing; yesterday, they secretly competed over whose bed was more comfortable; and today, it was their turn to watch the sunrise.

"Still looking at the group messages?" Zhou Yurou handed over a glass of orange juice, followed his gaze to the phone screen, and a faint smile tugged at the corners of her mouth, "Actually, they are just bored. They are usually so busy at the company that their feet don't touch the ground, and now that they have suddenly relaxed, they don't know what to do."

Zhang Fan took the orange juice and was about to speak when Lin Wanyi suddenly leaned over and shook his arm: "Zhang Fan, accompany me to the south coconut grove tomorrow. I've already made an appointment with the old captain; he said if we're lucky, we might even see pink dolphins!"

She blinked her large, watery eyes, her tone carrying a hint of coquetry.

"No way!" Song Zhiwei immediately put down the bread in her hand, "The east viewing platform has the best view. I've checked, tomorrow will be sunny, and we can watch the sun rise completely from the sea level. Posting photos on WeChat Moments will definitely be stunning."

Liu Ruyan walked over with the seafood porridge and tapped the table lightly: "Stop making a fuss, breakfast is going to get cold."

She looked at Zhang Fan, her eyes filled with smiles, "Actually, it's simple. Tomorrow, we can go in three batches. Zhang Fan can accompany one after another, wouldn't that work?"

"I don't have that much energy." Zhang Fan was between laughter and tears, "How about this, tomorrow we all go to the east viewing platform together, bring a grill and ingredients, and eat a barbecue breakfast after watching the sunrise. Everyone can be together, it'll be lively."

This proposal was instantly approved by everyone.

Lin Wanyi immediately picked up her phone and sent a message to the group: "@Everyone Zhang Fan said it! Tomorrow we go to the east viewing platform together, have a barbecue after watching the sunrise, and I'm responsible for bringing the camera to take pictures!"

Song Zhiwei replied, not to be outdone: "I'm responsible for bringing the barbecue ingredients and seasonings to ensure everyone eats the most authentic American-style barbecue!"

Liu Ruyan followed closely and sent a message: "I'm responsible for preparing drinks and tableware, and I'll have the chef roast a whole lamb to make it lively."

Zhou Yurou replied last: "I'm responsible for planning the route and schedule to ensure everyone is safe and on time."

Watching the group chat instantly turn from "jealous bickering" to "division of labor," Zhang Fan smiled helplessly.

He put down his phone, picked up the lobster to peel it, and was about to bring it to his mouth when he suddenly remembered something. He divided the lobster meat into four portions and placed them into the plates of Zhou Yurou, Song Zhiwei, Liu Ruyan, and Lin Wanyi respectively: "Don't just focus on chatting, hurry up and eat breakfast, otherwise it'll get hot once the sun hits you."

The morning time was exceptionally leisurely.

Zhang Fan took his fishing gear to the seaside to fish, and Liu Ruyan accompanied him, helping him organize the fishing line; Zhou Yurou read a book in the open space in front of the wooden house, occasionally looking up at their figures; Song Zhiwei and Lin Wanyi took their cameras and walked around the island taking photos, sometimes photographing the blooming bougainvillea, sometimes photographing crabs crawling on the reefs, their laughter spreading throughout the island.

The family lunch led to a new "small conflict."

Song Zhiwei's Coca-Cola chicken wings and Lin Wanyi's braised pork ribs, both wanted Zhang Fan to taste theirs first.

The two held chopsticks, reaching out from the left and right to Zhang Fan's mouth, their eyes carrying the threat of "I'll be mad at you if you dare not eat mine."

"It wouldn't be appropriate for me to taste anyone's first." Zhang Fan had a flash of inspiration, picked up two spoons, scooped a spoonful of Coca-Cola chicken wings and braised pork ribs respectively, and handed them to the mouths of Zhou Yurou and Liu Ruyan, "You two taste it first and help me judge whose cooking is better."

Zhou Yurou tasted it and said objectively: "Zhiwei's Coca-Cola chicken wings have just the right amount of sweetness, crispy on the outside and tender on the inside; Wanyi's braised pork ribs are rich in sauce and the meat is tender and soft. Both are delicious."

Liu Ruyan also nodded: "They are indeed both good, neck and neck. Zhang Fan, you should just taste them both yourself."

Zhang Fan only then tasted them respectively and gave a thumbs up: "Both are delicious! Zhiwei's Coca-Cola chicken wings have the taste of childhood, and Wanyi's braised pork ribs are even better than those in five-star hotels."

As he spoke, he picked up a piece for each of them and put it in their bowls, "You two eat more too, don't just watch me."

In the afternoon, Zhang Fan lay on the beach chair sunbathing, and his phone started vibrating again.

He picked it up and saw that the group was lively again:

【Song Zhiwei】: @Zhang Fan For the bonfire party tonight, I want to dance the first dance with you!

【Lin Wanyi】: No way! I want to sing the first song with Zhang Fan. I've already thought about what to sing, "Little Lucky"!

【Liu Ruyan】: Stop fighting, all of you. At the bonfire party tonight, Zhang Fan will have a drink with me first. I specifically brought an '82 Lafite.

【Zhou Yurou】: @Everyone I have already taken safety measures for the bonfire party, fire extinguishers have been placed around, everyone should pay attention to safety while having fun. Also, I checked the weather forecast, there will be a meteor shower tonight, we can watch it together.

The messages in the group kept scrolling. Zhang Fan looked at the phone screen, sighed helplessly, but the corners of his mouth couldn't help but turn up.

He replied: "For the bonfire party tonight, we will sing a song together first, then dance a group dance, and finally watch the meteor shower together. No one will be left out. By the way, I bought a lot of Kongming lanterns, everyone can write their wishes on them, and we can release them together."

After the message was sent, the group went quiet for a few seconds, followed by a series of "Yay," "That's great," and "Zhang Fan is the best."

As the sun set, the golden sunlight dyed the sea a warm red.

Zhang Fan lay on the beach chair, watching the four people playing in the distance, his ears filled with their laughter and the sound of the waves.

He picked up his phone, looked at the chat history in the group, sighed softly, and smiled to himself: "I really... don't want to be a scumbag!"

As soon as he finished speaking, Lin Wanyi suddenly ran over and threw herself beside him: "Zhang Fan, what are you saying? Get up quickly, we need to go prepare the things for the bonfire party, otherwise it will be too late when it gets dark!"

Zhang Fan smiled and stood up, letting Lin Wanyi pull him forward.

In front of the wooden house in the distance, Zhou Yurou, Song Zhiwei, and Liu Ruyan had already started setting up the bonfire rack and the Kongming lanterns. The warm yellow light shone from the windows of the wooden house, reflecting their figures, looking exceptionally warm.

Zhang Fan knew that this kind of "sweet trouble" would continue, but he didn't resent it.

These quarrels and bickering were all proof of caring for each other, and also the meaning of his giving up the title of "King of the World" and choosing to be a "Slacker Boss"—compared to cold trophies and stock prices, the smiles of the people around him were the most precious wealth.