The venue was cleared out, and Zhang Meng also put on protective gear. A male host came up to act as the referee.
The match officially began. Zhang Meng charged forward first—to hit someone, you first have to get close. Hands and feet must act in unison in order to be effective. His right hand went straight for Su He's face, while his left knee bent as he tried to kick him in the crotch.
Su He lowered his head, and with both hands pressed down on Zhang Meng's knees to dodge the blow. At the same time, he used his head to ram Zhang Meng's jaw.
Zhang Meng's pupils enlarged. He wanted to block with his hand, but it was too late!
With a loud "bang",
Zhang Meng fell back, holding his chin in pain.
"5 seconds!" a man behind the director yelled in surprise.
"What are you staring for, go check on him!" The director was a little annoyed. Did Zhang Meng not sleep well last night? Why was he performing so poorly today, getting injured repeatedly by a delivery guy? Watching the recorded video, he complained: "How can we upload this?"
"Director, I think this is pretty good actually. It makes sense for the martial arts coach to beat the delivery guy, viewers are bored of that trope. Think about it, a delivery boy KO's a martial arts coach in 5 seconds—isn't that an more exciting headline? It brings into question whether women's self-defense skills are all flash."
The director's eyes lit up. He looked approvingly at the man behind him, then walked onto the stage. After glancing at Zhang Meng who was tending to his wounds, he enthusiastically approached Su He and smiled: "Not bad, young man. Impressive skills. Stay afterward and we'll do another interview."
"No time, I have to get back." Su He had already received the system prompt and reward. He had no interest in lingering at the TV station. Taking off the protective gear, he bid Zhao Luoyao goodbye and left.
Zhao Luoyao chased after him, but Su He was already gone.
Two of Zhang Meng's teeth had been knocked out. An ambulance came to pick him up.
The director was furious, but Zhao Luoyao had already changed and gone home. Back home, Zhao Luoyao eagerly called Liu Wen, and they chatted for two hours.
...
Gangwan Youth Apartment, Room 406
There was a note on the door that read: "No freeloaders or Su He allowed." Su He laughed and opened the door, loudly saying: "Daddy's home, boys!"
Dong Yong was lying on Su He's bed, looking at him contemptuously: "That was fast."
"Screw you, what are you thinking?"
Ma Mingzhe and Pan Zhigang were still out delivering orders.
Dong Yong had just been discharged from the hospital and was confined to bed rest, so Su He climbed onto Dong Yong's bed.
"Su He, any tips for getting a rich woman to be your sugar mama?" Dong Yong asked while watching a livestream of pretty girls.
"One part looks, three parts guts, plus seven parts shamelessness. What, Brother Yong looking to hit the jackpot?" Su He poked his head out to look at Dong Yong.
Dong Yong sighed, "I'd rather cry in a BMW than laugh on an e-bike. Su He, I've figured it out. Delivering is trading your life for money. While we're still young and energetic, find a rich woman and live a stable life. No need to work hard, just wash clothes and cook, take some fitness classes, keep the woman happy. That's better than slaving at deliveries day in and out!"
Seeing Su He silent, Dong Yong continued, "That Officer Liu today was quite pretty. Wouldn't it be great if I could marry someone like her..."
"Hahaha..." Su He couldn't help but laugh. "Then you gotta pursue her! Be a police flower's lapdog—at least you'd be a police dog with an official position."
"Damn you, Su He, I'm ending this friendship..."
"Pay back what you owe!"
"Good night...Mahakalapa"
...
The next day when Su He woke up, the other three were still snoring away. Dong Yong still needed bed rest for a few days, and Ma Mingzhe and Pan Zhigang wouldn't get up before 10am.
The repaired e-bike was in the garage. Liu Wen had left the key with the security guard.
The security guard at Gangwan Youth Apartment was not an old man, but a middle-aged woman. Rumor was the apartment belonged to her son, so you'd often hear people say: "Aunt Wang, I don't wanna work hard anymore."
Aunt Wang was used to such jokes. She had evolved from yelling "Get lost" to now saying "Come in." Supposedly some people really did go in.
However, Ma Mingzhe told Su He that Aunt Wang was no tycoon's mom—it was all a scam.
"Aunt Wang, can you please get the key for me?" Su He went to the security booth. Aunt Wang was watching mini videos on her phone.
Aunt Wang looked up in surprise. "Well if it isn't the internet celebrity delivery boy, Su He. You're famous now...Hey, looking quite handsome today!"
Su He grabbed the keys and fled for his life. He really couldn't stand how Aunt Wang looked at him, like a hungry wolf eyeing a lamb.
It had been a few days since going to the delivery station. Su He squeezed into the morning meeting crowd to avoid being late.
"Su He's back!"
Everyone looked over despite his attempt at subtlety.
The station chief, Zeng Jun, was known as Military Zeng. He was formerly in the military and took over this delivery station after retiring. He treated people decently and everyone called him Brother Jun.
"Brother Jun!" Su He greeted Zeng Jun.
"You're just in time, come here." Zeng Jun ran inside and took out a red envelope. In front of everyone, he loudly said: "You guys are all my brothers. I know you've suffered a lot these past few days, especially Su He, you must be feeling awful inside. We're out here hustling to feed ourselves—gotta swallow tears and grievances. Those in our line of work get bossed around like grandsons every day. But since we chose this path, no matter how hard or tiring, grit your teeth and persevere. Some of you have sick mothers at home, some have two kids to feed. Sometimes I even want to curse those online attacking you guys—who are they to spew poison at someone they don't know!"
Zeng Jun patted his chest and continued: "You guys call me Brother Jun, but your brother couldn't do anything as you got scolded. The police exonerated Su He but can't wash away the stain in your hearts. In my eyes, you're the most innocent people. You deserve praise. Here, this is a reward for Su He."
Su He grabbed the red envelope and grinned, "Brother Jun, you're worthy of being a literary soldier. You speak better than TV hosts. Let me check if this is enough to treat everyone to a meal."
"Rascal, just keep the envelope for now and look later." Zeng Jun let go and scowled at Su He for ruining the mood he'd worked hard to set.
"Su He...buy us dinner!"
"A feast!"
Some coworkers started clamoring.
"What buy dinner? You guys need to be thriftier, always asking to borrow from me. It baffles me—there's four of you in that dorm, which month don't you come begging? Dong Yong didn't even have money for his hemorrhoid surgery!" Zeng Jun bellowed.
"Haha, better to be penniless but spend on beauties, those guys in that dorm are all gods!"
"Ma Mingzhe and Pan Zhigang lost it all gambling again last night..."
"Get out there and grab orders!" Seeing things getting rowdy again, Zeng Jun scolded them away.