Rebirth in Hong Kong: From Dessert Shop to Industrial Empire

Chapter 17 Undercurrent
"Thirty-one thousand two hundred and sixty-eight yuan and five cents!"

After the count was completed, Chen Bingwen read out the final total amount displayed on the calculator.

The air in the office seemed to freeze for a second.

The tense hearts of Chen Guofu and Wang Qiaozhen were finally relieved.

Ever since Chen Bingwen won the bid for four stalls at the Victoria Park Lunar New Year Fair with HK$55,000, the elderly couple have been on tenterhooks, fearing that this huge sum of money would be wasted.

Hearing that they earned over 30,000 yuan on the first day, the couple unconsciously breathed a long sigh of relief.

Gao Zhenhai stood to the side, his eyes wide open, almost dropping the ledger in his hand: "Brother Wen, this...this is worth five years of my work at the hardware factory!"

Chen Bingwen patted Gao Zhenhai on the shoulder and said with a smile, "Ah Hai, this is only the first day, there's still a long way to go."

Then he turned to Chen Guofu and Wang Qiaozhen: "Dad, Mom, tomorrow you should go to the bank and open a joint account to deposit the rent money. We'll give it to the landlord when he comes over."

Since there were outsiders present, Chen Bingwen couldn't go into too much detail about certain things.

So, before Chen Guofu and Wang Qiaozhen could say anything, Chen Bingwen directly announced to Zhong Qiang: "Everyone has worked very hard these past few days. From today until the end of the Victoria Park Lunar New Year Fair, everyone will receive an extra thirty dollars per day as a bonus."

You, Ahai, and Aunt Zhang will each receive an extra 100 yuan bonus per day.

"Thank you boss, thank you boss!"

Zhong Qiang thanked him repeatedly, finding it hard to believe.

The extra bonus of 100 yuan a day adds up to 700 yuan over seven days, which is more than his monthly salary at the preserved duck factory.

Standing in the corner, Aunt Zhang's eyes welled up with tears when she heard Chen Bingwen's words. The New Year was just around the corner, and with this money, she could finally have a good New Year.
Whether in his past life or now, Chen Bingwen has always believed that for a company to develop, its employees must at least be able to earn money and have a sense of belonging.

If you treat everyone the same as others, why should people be willing to follow you wholeheartedly?

Chen Bingwen invested so much manpower and resources not just for the seven days of the Victoria Park Lunar New Year Fair.

Having gained valuable experience through the Victoria Park Lunar New Year Fair, these employees are the seeds for future expansion of Chan Kee Dessert.

"Ah Hai, go to the Labor Department tomorrow and recruit another twenty workers."

Gao Zhenhai was taken aback: "So many?"

"not much."

Chen Bingwen explained: "After a day of work, on the surface, the staff have become more and more proficient after the adjustment period, but we still have to work for seven consecutive days, especially on the last day when we have to work until 6 a.m. on the first day of the lunar new year."

If any of these people can't hold on, we need a backup force to step in.

Gao Zhenhai suddenly realized and immediately agreed, "I'll go to the Labour Department first thing tomorrow morning, and come to Victoria Park as soon as I find someone."

Except for the night shift workers, everyone else went home to rest, but Chen Bingwen remained in the food factory office.

He also needs to review the first day of the Victoria Park Lunar New Year Fair and identify any shortcomings.

The next morning, just as dawn was breaking, Chen Bingwen arrived at Victoria Park in a truck that delivered sweet soup.

After the first day of adjustment, the employees cooperated more smoothly with each other. Although there were more customers than on the first day, the sales site was well-organized.

Chen Bingwen inspected the four stalls and saw long queues in front of each one, and the corners of his mouth unconsciously turned up.

Around noon, Chen Bingwen was helping out at stall number four when he suddenly heard a commotion.

A man in a floral shirt clutched his stomach and collapsed to the ground: "Ouch! There's something wrong with these fish balls!"

The crowd immediately became commotion.

"Oh dear, there's something wrong with these fish balls!"

The man in the floral shirt was curled up on the ground, his face ashen, with large beads of sweat rolling down his forehead.

His female companion beside him supported him in a panic, her voice trembling: "Ah Guang, what's wrong? Don't scare me!"

The crowd in front of stall number four instantly stirred, and the people in line scattered like a hornet's nest that had been poked, clearing a space.

People started whispering: "Is Chen's stuff unclean?"

"I told you earlier that you can't trust these kinds of street vendors."

"Hurry up, hurry up, stop eating!"

"."

Under the public eye, even the smallest things will be scrutinized.

Upon hearing someone shouting, Chen Bingwen rushed to the man's side: "Sir, are you feeling unwell? Do you need me to call an ambulance?"

"You...your fish balls."

The man clutched his abdomen in pain, his words barely coherent, "My stomach feels like it's being stabbed."

Chen Bingwen's gaze swept over the overturned paper bowl at the man's feet.

Two fish balls rolled onto the road, covered in dust, with curry sauce spilled all over the ground.

However, Chen Bingwen noticed that when the man in the floral shirt was shouting, his face did not change at all, and his expression of pain seemed more like acting than a reaction that should be expected from someone whose stomach was being stabbed.

Regardless of whether the man in the floral shirt was genuinely in pain or faking it, Chen Bingwen could not allow the situation to escalate while the facts remained unclear.

He pulled a neatly folded piece of paper from his pocket. "Dear neighbors, this is the inspection report issued by the Department of Health. Our fish balls fully meet food standards."

As he spoke, he handed the test report to the onlookers so they could take a look.

Taking this opportunity, Chen Bingwen squatted down in front of the man in the floral shirt and asked in a gentle voice, "Sir, are you sure you're feeling unwell because you ate our fish balls?"

Then, in a voice only he and the man in the floral shirt could hear, he said, "Sir, the stalls at the Victoria Park Lunar New Year Fair have been inspected by the Department of Health. If any problems arise, we will certainly not shirk our responsibility."

However, if it's deliberate sabotage, it's tantamount to directly opposing the Hong Kong government, and the Department of Health, Police Department, and Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) are not easily fooled.

Although Chen Bingwen's voice was soft, every word was like a knife.

The man in the floral shirt looked visibly flustered, and fine beads of sweat appeared on his forehead.

The man stammered, his eyes darting around.

Moreover, she was just crying out in pain, but now she has unconsciously stopped.

Chen Bingwen suddenly raised his voice: "Sir, were you drunk last night? Eating curry after a hangover can easily cause stomach pain."

As he spoke, he brought over a bowl of warm red bean soup with tangerine peel from the stall. "Warm your stomach first. This is our Chen family's ancestral recipe, perfect for sobering up."

The man was stunned, clearly not expecting Chen Bingwen to give him a way out.

Just then, someone in the crowd suddenly shouted, "Isn't that Ah Guang, the brother-in-law of the owner of Fu Lin Men?"

Having been recognized, the man in the floral shirt stopped lying on the ground and slowly stood up.

Chen Bingwen's heart skipped a beat when he heard the name Fulimen, but he still calmly handed over the bowl of red bean soup, his voice gentle yet loud enough for everyone around to hear: "Sir, it's cold and slippery, please have some hot sugar water to warm yourself up."

The man stammered, "No, no need. Maybe the seafood I ate last night wasn't fresh."

"Should I call a car for you to go to the hospital?"

As soon as Chen Bingwen finished speaking, two uniformed policemen suddenly squeezed through the crowd.

Upon seeing this, Ah Guang's expression changed drastically, and he turned to run away.

“Sir, please wait!” One of the policemen grabbed Ah Kwong’s shoulder. “I am Inspector Wong from Wan Chai Police Station. Someone has reported a food poisoning incident here.”

Chen Bingwen noticed that A Guang's hands were trembling slightly and his face was deathly pale.

"Officer, this...this is a misunderstanding."

Ah-Guang stammered, his eyes constantly glancing out of the crowd.

Chen Bingwen stepped forward at the opportune moment and handed the health inspection report to Inspector Wang: "Inspector, this is a document issued by the Department of Health. All our ingredients meet the standards."

Inspector Wang carefully reviewed the report, his brow gradually relaxing.

A report from the Department of Health, at least from an official perspective, indicates that the food at the stalls is of good quality.

Inspector Wang handed the test report back to Chen Bingwen, then looked at Ah Guang: "Sir, since you claim food poisoning, why don't I take you to the hospital for a thorough examination? Mr. Chen can cover the medical expenses in advance." Ah Guang's Adam's apple bobbed, and beads of sweat glistened on his forehead in the sunlight: "No, no need, sir. Maybe the seafood I ate last night wasn't fresh."

"Is that so?" Inspector Wang smiled, then said seriously, "Then please come back with me to make a statement."

"This this."

Ah Guang stammered, unsure how to refuse.

After Inspector Wang took away Ah Guang, the man in the floral shirt, the crowd in front of stall number four gradually dispersed.

Chen Bingwen stood there, watching the departing figures of Inspector Wang and the others, his eyes gradually turning cold.

"Brother Wen, something's not right." Gao Zhenhai leaned closer and whispered, "That guy is clearly here to cause trouble."

Chen Bingwen nodded slightly, his gaze sweeping over the customers still queuing around him, a gentle smile on his face: "Don't worry, everyone, every bowl of Chen's sweet soup can withstand scrutiny. Thank you for your support!"

A cheer erupted from the crowd, as if nothing had happened.

Chen Bingwen knew in his heart that this matter would not end there.

He turned to Gao Zhenhai and said, "Ah Hai, go back to Sham Shui Po and find Uncle Fu at the newsstand on the street corner. Ask Uncle Fu to come to the factory after he closes up shop tonight and tell him I have something to ask of you."

Gao Zhenhai was taken aback: "Looking for Uncle Fu?"

"Hmm." Chen Bingwen's gaze deepened. "Uncle Fu's brother, Sheng, is involved in gangs and has excellent connections."

Office on the second floor of Fu Lin Men Tea Restaurant.

Zhang Shichang slammed the teacup to the ground, sending shards of porcelain flying everywhere.

"You're useless! You can't even do such a small thing!"

He pointed at Ah Guang, who was standing in front of him trembling, and cursed him.

Ah Guang lowered his head, his voice trembling: "Brother-in-law, that kid has the Department of Health's test report, and the police too."

"Shut up!"

Zhang Shichang slammed his hand on the table, his eyes narrowing into slits. "Since the underhanded methods don't work, let's try the open ones."

"Go and invite Brother Ju from Heshenghe."

Late at night, at Chan Kee Food Factory, 38 Cheung Sha Wan Road.

Uncle Fu walked into the office with a hunched back, followed by a lean young man in a leather jacket.

The young man had a buzz cut and sharp, piercing eyes.

"Ah Wen," before Chen Bingwen could speak, Uncle Fu sighed, "you young people can talk things over slowly, this old man is going back first."

Chen Bingwen quickly stood up to see him off, saying, "Uncle Fu, it's so late, thank you for your help."

Uncle Fu waved his hand and left the food factory with his hands behind his back.

After the office door closed, Ah Sheng casually sat down in the chair and pulled out a pack of Marlboros: "Ah Wen, what do you want?"

Chen Bingwen smiled and pushed a thick envelope over: "Brother Sheng, someone caused trouble in Victoria Park today. It might be Zhang Shichang from Fulinmen behind it."

I'd like to ask you for help inquiring about this.

Ah Sheng squeezed the thickness of the envelope, raised an eyebrow, and said, "We're all neighbors, no need to be so polite!"

As he spoke, he chuckled and put the envelope into his pocket. "I've heard of Zhang Shichang, the one you mentioned. He's on friendly terms with Lan Yaju of Wo Luen Shing."

Society?

Upon hearing that Zhang Shichang had connections with triads, Chen Bingwen immediately became wary.

"How did you get involved with him?" Ah Sheng exhaled a smoke ring and then asked.

"It should be called business competition."

Chen Bingwen recounted the bidding process for the Victoria Park Lunar New Year Fair to Ah Sheng.

“That must be it.” Ah Sheng’s eyes sharpened: “Rotten Tooth Koi has been very active in Wan Chai lately, specializing in collecting protection money.”

"You stole Zhang Shichang's thunder during the Victoria Park bidding; he certainly won't let that go easily."

Chen Bingwen tapped his fingers lightly on the table, his mind rapidly analyzing the situation.

He had long anticipated that someone would be eyeing the business of the Victoria Park Lunar New Year Fair, but he did not expect the other party to take action so quickly, and that there were triad forces behind them.

"Brother Sheng, what do you think we should do about this?" Chen Bingwen asked calmly.

Ah Sheng stubbed out his cigarette, grinned, and said, "Two choices. Either you pay protection money and I'll help you settle things with Rotten Tooth Koi; or..." He paused meaningfully, then didn't continue.

Aside from paying protection money, the second option is either to join a gang or to give up the dessert business altogether.

Chen Bingwen didn't want to choose either protection money or any other method.

In his previous life, when he worked in investment banking, he had also been involved in some gray-area businesses and was well aware of the dangers of getting involved with gangs.

Getting involved with triads is very detrimental to the future development of Chen's Dessert and to Chen Bingwen personally.

But the Victoria Park Lunar New Year Fair is only on its second day, and there are still five days to go. Not to mention any major food safety incidents, just having cockroaches and hair everywhere every day is disgusting and will definitely have a big impact on business.

This will inevitably affect the operation of future business plans.

With this in mind, Chen Bingwen's mind raced, trying to find a way to solve the problem.

After a few seconds, Chen Bingwen tapped his fingers lightly on the table and said with a smile, "Brother Sheng, I have a better suggestion."

Ah Sheng raised an eyebrow, a hint of interest in his expression: "Oh? Tell me about it."

"First, all my cash is tied up in goods right now, and even if I were to pay protection money, I would have to wait until the Victoria Park Lunar New Year Fair ends in seven days."

Secondly, if you can make the decision, Brother Sheng, I'll give you a surprise in seven days—a better idea than collecting protection money.

Ah Sheng narrowed his eyes and chuckled, "What idea is better than collecting protection money?"

"Brother Sheng, believe me, you definitely won't be disappointed in seven days!"

Chen Bingwen said solemnly.

Ah Sheng stubbed out his cigarette in the ashtray, stood up, and said, "Alright, we're all neighbors. Since you've said it, I believe you."

"I'll take care of Rotten Tooth for you."

After seeing Ah Sheng off, Chen Bingwen stood at the entrance of the food factory, gazing at the dark night sky, his expression shifting between light and shadow.

In this era, triads in Hong Kong Island are indeed everywhere; there's no way to escape them.

He had originally thought that the dessert business was a street business, and if he wanted to expand it, he would inevitably have to deal with these powerful forces.

But I didn't expect it to come so quickly.

"Brother Wen," Gao Zhenhai's voice came from behind, interrupting Chen Bingwen's thoughts.

Chen Bingwen turned around and saw Gao Zhenhai holding two cans of iced cola.

He took the Coke, pulled the tab, and took a big gulp before saying, "Ah Hai, tomorrow you should take a few more people to patrol the four stalls, especially when there are a lot of people."

Gao Zhenhai nodded. "Brother Wen, were those the people who came to cause trouble today?"

"Yes, I've already asked Brother Sheng for help!" Chen Bingwen didn't hide anything and told Gao Zhenhai directly.

Gao Zhenhai's face hardened. "Brother Wen, should we..."

When the two fought together, Gao Zhenhai was the one who provided the most physical strength. As long as Chen Bingwen gave the order, he would be the first to rush forward.

Chen Bingwen interrupted him, "We will continue to operate normally tomorrow, and the extra staff will be assigned to various stalls."

Remember, no matter what happens, notify me immediately.

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(End of this chapter)