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Facing relentless demands and tight deadlines, workers in China’s beverage industry endure harsh conditions, leading to burnout, clashes with customers, and sparking widespread online debate. By Ding R ui and Yin Ziyuan Sweat drips down Ke Hui’s face as the relentless beep of new orders fills the cramped coffee chain shop. It’s only 8:30 a.m., but orders are piling up fast. He has just two minutes to prepare each drink, and cameras track his every move. Any delay could result in a reprimand — or worse, a cut in pay. For thousands of workers in China’s booming, billion-dollar beverage industry, where speed is everything and mistakes come at a cost, this is the daily grind. “I feel like we are all on a tightrope right now,” Ke, a 25-year-old vice manager of a Luckin Coffee store, tells Sixth Tone. “We want to serve all customers well, but the workload on each of us is just too overwhelming.” China’s ready-to-drink beverage market has experienced rapid growth, with
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