My 1995 Small Farm.

"From what you're saying, you really want to open a shop in Hong Kong Island?"

"This isn't like you at all..."

Liang Yuemin's surprise was undisguised.

After spending so much time together, how could he not know Chen Ling's temperament?

It's certain that he's capable, but it's also certain that he doesn't like to get involved in mundane affairs or spend time on things he's not interested in.

Given his personality, there is absolutely no way he would open a shop on Hong Kong Island.

Chen Ling flipped the sizzling grouper fillet in his hand, letting the heat, a mixture of the unique oily aroma of the fish and the faint scents of pepper and lemon, wash over him.

He smiled at Liang Yuemin's surprised question, picked up the perfectly grilled fish fillet and placed it on a plate, then added a few more pieces.

“Brother Yuemin, you’re right. I can’t do that kind of hard work of running a shop by myself.”

Chen Ling shook his head, his tone relaxed, "It's Sun Yanhong, that capable female boss in our city. Didn't she go to Beijing for an inspection before? She's very ambitious and thinks there are good opportunities here in Hong Kong, so she wants to come and try her luck."

He paused, dipped his brush in his secret sauce, and gently brushed it onto the squid tentacles and fish skewers.

The sauce released an even richer, more complex aroma the moment it was heated, making Rui Rui and Wang Zhenzhen, who were waiting to be fed, swallow hard.

"I initially thought it would be troublesome, so I didn't think much of it."

"But while I was grilling these seafood, especially seeing all the people drawn in by the aroma, I had a new idea."

"Now that I think about it carefully, it's actually beneficial to us too..."

As Chen Ling grilled skewers, he turned to Liang Yuemin and smiled, "Our 'Fugui Manor' instant noodles feature braised beef noodles. Rooted in the mainland, the flavor is rich and robust."

"But the new products we launch in the future will eventually be sold overseas, what do you think about that..."

Upon hearing this, Liang Yuemin's eyes lit up instantly.

He desperately wanted to launch a counterattack in overseas markets.

Ultimately, Liang Yuemin is still someone who cares about the domestic beverage market.

That young, angry man who wanted to drive out Coca-Cola and Pepsi, which dominated the domestic market, with a domestically produced cola.

Now, my braised beef noodle soup business is picking up.

But instant noodles are only used for 'conquering the world'.

That's not his ultimate dream.

and so……

Now that Chen Ling has said this, it has a tremendous impact on him.

"Alright, alright, Fugui, you tell me how to do it, I'll find the people."

"However, the flavors here tend to be light and sweet, with a particular emphasis on the original taste of the ingredients. If Sun Yanhong comes to open a shop, she will probably still need to use what you have researched."

Leung Yuet-man has visited Hong Kong Island many times and is very knowledgeable about the local food culture.

"Hmm, no rush."

Chen Ling nodded. "Right now, I'm thinking of setting up a foothold on Hong Kong Island first. It's a bit chaotic here right now, so we'll operate on a small scale and gradually expand."

He pointed to the seafood on the grill: "For example, we mainly focus on hot pot and barbecue, which are our strengths. They also have a strong social aspect and are easy to attract customers."

"But the ingredients, broth, and dipping sauces can be more localized. For example, we can launch seafood hot pot and hot pot with a lighter broth to highlight the high-quality beef, mutton, and mountain delicacies that are imported from the mainland."

"The same goes for barbecue. In addition to beef and lamb skewers, we can add high-end seafood barbecue like today's, using our unique marinating methods and sauces to create differentiation."

He paused, then continued, "Especially this seafood barbecue, it just gave me an idea."

“Hong Kong Island is surrounded by the sea and has abundant seafood resources, but in terms of cooking methods, dai pai dongs (open-air food stalls) tend to emphasize the wok hei (wok aroma), while restaurants emphasize refinement. Perhaps we can take a ‘simple ingredients, exquisite cooking’ approach.”

"It's about using the best seafood, combined with spices and cooking methods that they've never seen before, like the mountain pepper we just mentioned. It has a very unique flavor."

"To create a high-end, distinctive, and socially engaging seafood barbecue brand, serving as a premium experience store or brand image store for 'Fu Gui Shan Zhuang' in Hong Kong Island and even overseas."

As Chen Ling skillfully flipped the skewers, he talked animatedly:

"This restaurant doesn't pursue a high table turnover rate, but it should be exquisite and stylish, so that when people think of high-quality Chinese hot pot and barbecue, they will think of our 'Fugui Mountain Villa'."

"It's more like a window, a platform for showcasing Hong Kong Island and future overseas guests, allowing them to understand, accept, and appreciate our mainland's food culture through this window."

"This will lay the foundation for our reputation and distribution channels for our instant noodles, as well as those beverages that you've been thinking about that we might launch in the future."

"This is called 'feinting to the east while attacking in the west,' or 'high-end driving force.'"

As Liang Yuemin listened, his eyes grew brighter and brighter. He suddenly slapped his thigh and exclaimed, "Brilliant! Fugui! How is your brain working like this! How come I didn't think of that!"

"Indeed, directly promoting instant noodles or beverages would require investing too much in advertising here. But entering the market through a high-end dining experience store, enhancing the brand image, and then driving the sales of fast-moving consumer goods is the right approach!"

"Just like those luxury brands, they first establish their image by making clothing and leather goods, and then launch perfumes and cosmetics!"

He became more and more excited as he spoke, almost dancing with joy: "Yes! Let's do it! Leave the opening to me! I'll take care of everything—site selection, registration, staff recruitment and management!"

"You'll be responsible for providing the core formula and technical standards, and for guiding the overall direction!"

"If we brothers join forces, we're sure to make a name for ourselves in Hong Kong's catering industry!"

Chen Ling smiled and handed him a skewer of grilled squid tentacles, crispy on the outside and tender on the inside: "Okay, it's settled then."

"We'll discuss the specific details when we get back and meet with Sun Yanhong."

"Here, you will manage the operation in your name and with your resources. I will contribute shares and technology, and be a hands-off manager."

"No problem! Absolutely no problem!"

Liang Yuemin took the skewer, took a big bite, and ignored the fact that it was so hot he was gasping for air. He slurred, "You provide the ideas and the skills, and I'll provide the money, the effort, and the errands. We'll definitely make it!"

The two did not lower their voices, and Director Zhong, Zheng Shaoqiu, Jiao Huang, Zhang Lihua and others nearby could hear them clearly.

The group was initially surprised that Chen Ling had such a clear understanding of business operations and a long-term vision.

He was then even more shocked by Liang Yuemin, a rising star who was already a prominent figure in the capital.

They actually obeyed Chen Ling's every word and completely handed over the reins.

Director Zhong couldn't help but ask curiously, "Brother Yuemin, you... you trust A-Ling completely! Such a big matter, you made a decision just based on a few words from him?"

Liang Yuemin swallowed the squid in his mouth, laughed heartily, patted Chen Ling on the shoulder, and said with undisguised admiration and pride, "Director Zhong, you don't know this! The name 'Fugui Manor' was originally created by Fugui!"

"That bowl of braised beef noodles that even your Hong Kong Island's Tao Ge raved about—the core recipe, the process, and even the original special ingredients were all created by Fu Gui!" "Me? I'm just someone who charged ahead!"

He looked around and said seriously, "To be honest, for any new products our company plans to launch in the future, whether they are beverages or something else, we still have to rely on Fugui for the core technology!"

"He is the pillar of our company! If he says go east, I will never go west!"

"He said he wanted to open a shop, so I immediately looked for a storefront! You can't go wrong by listening to him!"

These words were spoken with great conviction. Zheng Shaoqiu, Jiao Huang, and the others exchanged glances, only then realizing that the energy and value of this young man from the mountain village far exceeded their imagination.

Zhang Lihua was secretly amazed, thinking to himself that it was no wonder that several senior figures from Hong Kong and Taiwan valued this Mr. Chen so highly; he was indeed no ordinary person.

Just then, the sound of children playing came from afar.

Several local children who had built sandcastles with Wang Zhenzhen and Rui Rui on the beach during the day, along with two blond-haired, blue-eyed foreign children, were drawn by the irresistible aroma in the air. With their parents' half-hearted encouragement, they timidly but eagerly approached.

Their eyes were fixed on the golden, sizzling food on the grill, their little noses constantly catching their breath.

"Daddy, it smells so good..." a little girl with pigtails whispered, tugging at her father's clothes.

"Mommy, can I have a skewer?" the foreign boy asked his mother in broken English.

When Wang Zhenzhen and Rui Rui saw their friends from earlier that day, they immediately greeted them warmly: "It's you! Come on over! My brother-in-law's grilled fish is delicious!"

Rui Rui held up the grilled fish skewer he had eaten half of and said proudly, "Look! A big fish! Daddy caught it! It smells delicious!"

Seeing this, Chen Ling smiled gently. He had always liked children, so he gestured to Wang Susu.

Wang Susu understood, picked up a clean plate, and took out a few skewers of grilled, not-too-hot squid tentacles and small fish.

He then took a few more pieces of cleaned, steamed grouper meat and handed them to Wang Zhenzhen and Rui Rui:

"Go and share with the other children. Be careful, it's hot. Eat slowly."

"Thank you, sister! Thank you, auntie!"

The children cheered immediately, thanked them politely, and then gathered around Wang Zhenzhen and Rui Rui to share this unexpected delicacy.

The atmosphere became even more harmonious as the adults looked at the children's innocent smiles.

The parents who had come with their children were initially a little embarrassed, but when they smelled the incredibly tempting aroma and saw faces like Liang Yuemin and Zheng Shaoqiu that they had occasionally seen on television or in newspapers, they put aside their reserve and began to chat tentatively.

"Sir, your barbecue skills are absolutely amazing! We couldn't resist the aroma from right next to you!"

A father wearing glasses and looking like an intellectual smiled and said to Liang Yuemin.

Liang Yuemin was in a great mood and handed over his business card with a smile: "Not at all, it's mainly because our chef is amazing!"

He pointed at Chen Ling and said, "We are from 'Fu Gui Shan Zhuang' company. We are discussing opening a store on Hong Kong Island. If you want to enjoy authentic mainland-style barbecue and hot pot in the future, you are welcome to come and support us!"

"Fugui Mountain Villa? Is that the brand with the really delicious braised beef noodles?"

Another mother asked in surprise, "My husband brought back a few packs from the mainland last time, and the whole family loves them! You're opening a shop on Hong Kong Island? That's wonderful! We'll definitely support you!"

"Yes, yes, that's us!"

Taking the opportunity, Liang Yuemin promoted the product and handed out business cards to several interested parents.

Chen Ling, on the other hand, focused on his barbecue business, distributing batches of grilled food to everyone.

The aroma of grilled skewers, the tender and juicy grilled fish fillets, the original flavor of steamed sea fish, the milky white and sweet fish soup... each of them received extremely high praise.

Zhang Lihua ate with gusto, exclaiming repeatedly, "Ah Ling, with your cooking skills, I'll bring my friends to your shop every day from now on!"

Zheng Shaoqiu ate the grilled fish elegantly and nodded in praise: "The taste is first-class. The cooking time and seasoning are just right. It has the flavor of smoky food, but it does not hide the original flavor of the ingredients. Since the store opened, I have brought my family to eat here every day and we never get tired of it. However, I have a suggestion: it would be best to have bibimbap."

"Hahaha, that's a great suggestion..."

As night fell, someone brought out camping lights and hung them under the parasol. The dim light mingled with the neon lights of the distant city and the stars and moon in the sky.

The sea breeze was gentle, the waves were soothing, and everyone sat together, eating delicious food, drinking beer or beverages, and chatting in a warm and lively atmosphere.

Little Iron Egg also got some unseasoned grilled fish and fish soup with rice. He ate until his little belly was round and then lay down at Chen Ling's feet and dozed off contentedly.

Kang Kang and Lele were tired from playing and had already fallen asleep in their stroller, their little faces still bearing sweet smiles.

Rui Rui and Wang Zhenzhen chased and played on the beach with their newly met friends, their clear laughter carried on the wind.

The lively atmosphere lasted until after 9 p.m. before everyone reluctantly began to clean up the mess.

The dishes and cups were a mess, but everyone wore a satisfied smile.

As they parted, Leung Yuet-man gripped Chen Ling's hand tightly: "Fu-gui, today's barbecue party is the first shot we've fired in our Hong Kong Island business! I'll start thinking about opening the shop tomorrow!"

Director Zhong also said with a smile, "Ah Ling, when your shop opens, our crew will give you free publicity! We'll come here to film scenes then!"

Zhang Lihua extended a warm invitation: "Ah Ling, when you're free after filming in a few days, be sure to come to my house for a visit. I still have a few bottles of good wine waiting for you!"

After seeing their friends off, the beach gradually returned to tranquility.

Chen Ling and Wang Susu, carrying their sleeping child, along with Rui Rui and Wang Zhenzhen who were rubbing their eyes after playing wildly, and Xiao Tiedan who was obediently following at their feet, walked towards the parking lot under the moonlight.

On the way back, the children, who had played all day, all fell asleep, sprawled out in various places.

Looking at the neon lights flowing outside the window, Wang Susu said softly, "Ah Ling, today is really nice."

"Yes, it's pretty good."

As Chen Ling drove, a slight smile played on his lips. "I had a great time, and I also managed to set the tone for opening the shop."

"Once we get back, we'll have Sun Yanhong start making preparations."

"Do you think it can work?" Wang Susu asked.

"It's man-made."

Chen Ling spoke calmly and confidently, “With Brother Yue Min’s connections in Hong Kong Island and our core competitiveness, as long as we put our hearts into it, there shouldn’t be any major problems.”

"Even if we don't make a lot of money in the short term, establishing this high-end brand image will be very beneficial to our long-term development."

Wang Susu nodded; she always trusted her husband's judgment.

She turned to look at the children sleeping soundly in the back seat, a gentle smile on her face.

Then, he suddenly remembered Qin Qiumei's matter: "Oh right, A-Ling, I forgot to ask Yuemin and the others about Sister Qiumei's letter..."

Chen Ling held his wife's hand and comforted her, "Don't rush. That occasion wasn't appropriate. We'll ask around privately. We have companies and addresses; we can take our time." (End of Chapter)