Rebirth in Hong Kong: From Dessert Shop to Industrial Empire

Chapter 179 The Secret Recipe (Seeking monthly votes, recommendations, and subscriptions!)
When Jackie Chan heard Chen Bingwen's story idea for "The Young Master Takes the Field," the gloom on his face vanished, replaced by a look of eager anticipation.

"Mr. Chen! This story is great!"
It has kung fu, comedy, and brotherhood; the audience is sure to love it!
I already have several hilarious fight ideas popping into my head!

Jackie Chan rubbed his hands excitedly, eager to start preparations immediately. "I'll go back and think about the character and how to design the action sequences to be even more outstanding!"

Chen Bingwen smiled as he looked at Jackie Chan, who was instantly revitalized and full of fighting spirit, and encouraged him, "Good! That's the kind of energy we're looking for!"

Ah Long, I believe in your abilities.

Go ahead and do it; if you need any support, just ask the company.

"Weilong Pictures' first project must be a hit!"

"Don't worry, Mr. Chen! I will definitely not let you down!" Jackie Chan nodded heavily, brimming with confidence.

He then discussed with Chen Bingwen a few more words about the film's style and preliminary ideas for potential action choreographers and supporting actors before bidding farewell and leaving with great enthusiasm.

Not long after Jackie Chan left, there was a knock on his office door.

Ling Peiyi walked in with a big smile on her face.

"Mr. Chen, Wang Jianquan and his sister Wang Jianyi have replied."

She said with a smile, "They have agreed in principle to transfer the secret formula and trademark rights of Wanglaoji to us."

Chen Bingwen nodded and asked with a smile, "Which option will they choose? A buyout or a joint venture?"

“Buy it out,” Ling Peiyi confirmed. “However, compared to our initial offer of HK$100 million, they hope to raise the price further.”

She paused briefly before continuing, "They are hoping for HK$120 million."

Chen Bingwen made the decision almost without hesitation: "1.2 million it is."

This price is acceptable.

"Director Ling, please get on it immediately. Confirm the specific signing date with them as soon as possible, finalize the contract details, and avoid any unforeseen complications."

The future value of the Wanglaoji brand far exceeds tens of millions or even hundreds of millions of dollars. Paying an extra HK$20 to secure ownership as soon as possible and completely avoid future trademark disputes and potential competition is an extremely worthwhile investment no matter how you look at it.

He didn't want to get bogged down in such trivial matters, lest it create unnecessary complications.

"Understood! I'll contact them right away and try to arrange the signing tomorrow."

Ling Peiyi immediately turned around and carried out the order.

The next afternoon, Chen Bingwen and Ling Peiyi arrived at the Wanglaoji herbal tea shop on Yabadian Street on time again.

Wang Jianquan and his sister Wang Jianyi were clearly prepared in advance; tea had even been brewed on the table.

The two sides exchanged a few pleasantries, and the atmosphere was more harmonious than last time, with less probing.

Ling Peiyi took out the prepared formal contract text.

The siblings, Wang Jianquan and Wang Jianyi, carefully reviewed the documents, paying particular attention to the amount and payment method.

After confirming that everything was correct, Wang Jianquan took a deep breath and was the first to sign his name on the transfer agreement.

Wang Jianyi hesitated for a moment, her gaze lingering on the gleaming ancestral copper kettle in the shop for a while, before finally pursing her lips, picking up the pen, and solemnly signing her name.

Chen Bingwen then signed his name as well.

After the two parties exchanged contracts, Wang Jianyi handed Chen Bingwen a slightly worn wooden box.

Upon opening the box, inside was a carefully preserved, slightly yellowed piece of paper with the secret recipe for Wanglaoji herbal tea written in calligraphy, along with some ancestral instructions and precautions.

Next to it are the registration documents and other ownership certificates of the Wanglaoji trademark in Hong Kong Island.

Chen Bingwen took the wooden box, his fingers brushing over the secret recipe that recorded the century-old flavor, feeling a mix of emotions.

This brand, which originated during the reign of Emperor Daoguang of the Qing Dynasty, has gone through many twists and turns and has finally come into his hands.

He knew that what this piece of paper represented was not just a recipe, but a huge, untapped market and the future of a national beverage brand.

"Mr. Wang, Ms. Wang, thank you for your trust."

Chen Bingwen closed the wooden box and said sincerely, "Please rest assured, Chen Ji will make good use of this secret recipe to carry forward the Wanglaoji brand and will never let down its century-old reputation."

Wang Jianquan seemed relieved, a smile of relief spreading across his face.

Wang Jianyi's expression was somewhat complicated, showing both relief and a hint of reluctance, but she still nodded: "I hope so."

Mr. Chen, I'm counting on you from now on.

After the transaction was completed, the two parties exchanged a few more polite words.

Chen Bingwen and Ling Peiyi then got up to say goodbye.

Chen Bingwen was in a good mood after leaving the herbal tea shop.

Acquiring Wanglaoji is a crucial step in his strategy to expand into the mainland China and global Chinese markets.

As he walked toward the car parked by the roadside, he instructed Ling Peiyi: "Director Ling, there are two things to follow up on immediately: First, based on these documents, complete all the legal procedures for the change of ownership of the Wanglaoji trademark as soon as possible to ensure that the ownership is clear and correct."

After the changes are finalized, immediately register the Wanglaoji trademark globally. Second, have the R&D center immediately begin studying the formula, starting feasibility tests for standardization and industrial production, while ensuring that the core flavor and efficacy remain unchanged.

Before he could finish speaking, three figures suddenly rushed out from the alley next to him and blocked the car.

The boy in the lead was the older one whom Chen Bingwen had asked Zhao Gang to rescue a few days ago and who had given him 300 yuan for medical expenses.

At that moment, he rushed up to Chen Bingwen and, without saying a word, knelt down with a thud!

"My benefactor! Thank you so much for saving my life that day! Thank you so much!"

The boy's voice choked with emotion, and he was about to kowtow.

The two younger brothers who were following behind him, both with injuries on their faces, hurriedly knelt down after their older brother when they saw him kneel down, looking terrified.

This sudden turn of events stunned both Chen Bingwen and Ling Peiyi.

Chen Bingwen found it particularly amusing and exasperating, as this display of power was far too much.

He wasn't used to being thanked on his knees like that.

"Zhao Gang!" Chen Bingwen quickly gestured to Zhao Gang beside him.

Zhao Gang immediately stepped forward, grabbed the young man who was about to kowtow, and pulled him up forcefully: "Stand up and speak. A man's knees are worth gold; don't kneel casually."

Seeing this, the two younger brothers also stood up somewhat at a loss, timidly gathering around their older brother.

Chen Bingwen looked at the three boys, whose clothes were worn and whose faces were pale, but whose eyes showed a stubbornness, and asked in a gentle tone, "What are you doing? It was just a small favor that day. I gave you money so you could go see a doctor. There's no need for you to come here to thank me."

The young man who was in the lead, though pulled up by Zhao Gang, was still excited and shook his head vigorously: "It was just a small favor for our benefactor, but it is an immense kindness to us three brothers!"

If it weren't for our benefactor sending people to rescue us that day and giving us money, we probably wouldn't have made it through.

My younger brother and his family have fevers, but we don't have money to see a doctor.

As he spoke, his eyes reddened, and he turned to look at his two younger brothers.

Through the boy's somewhat disorganized but urgent narration, Chen Bingwen roughly understood the situation.

These three young brothers are overseas Chinese who fled from Vietnam. The eldest is named Wu Yuanhao, who is sixteen years old this year. His two younger brothers are Wu Yuanjie, who is fourteen years old, and Wu Yuanyong, who is thirteen years old.

They live in a Vietnamese refugee camp in North Point.

That day, when Brother Wu Yuanyong was looking for temporary work at the dock, he glanced at the girlfriends of a few local gangsters a few times, which led to his undeserved trouble. He was chased and beaten for half a street. Fortunately, Chen Bingwen came to his rescue and even gave them money to treat their injuries.

“Our benefactor, we have nothing to repay you with,” Wu Yuanyong wiped his face and looked at Chen Bingwen earnestly, “but we are strong and capable of working!”
If your company has any rough or heavy work to do, please feel free to give us the order!

"We three brothers will definitely do a great job for you, no wages needed, just meals provided!"

After listening, Chen Bingwen understood.

It turns out that it wasn't just gratitude; the deeper purpose was to seek an opportunity to make a living.

He looked at the three teenagers struggling to survive in adversity, who knew how to be grateful and whose eyes held a fierce determination and a will to live. Although he felt sympathy for them, he did not immediately agree.

His company is not a charity; it has strict standards and procedures for hiring.

A single encounter and a sense of gratitude were not enough for him to easily send someone in, even if it was just to do menial work.

He smiled and said calmly, "I appreciate your kindness."

I helped you that day by chance, and I never expected you to repay me.

"Take good care of your injuries, follow the rules in the refugee camp, find a decent job, and live a good life. That's the best way to repay him."

After saying that, he gestured to Zhao Gang and prepared to get into the car and leave.

Seeing that Chen Bingwen was about to leave, Wu Yuanyong became anxious and took a step forward, wanting to say something, but was stopped by a look from Zhao Gang.

Zhao Gang stood in the middle and said in a deep voice, "The boss has other matters to attend to."

The boss understands your good intentions; please go back now.

Wu Yuanyong watched Chen Bingwen get into the car, his lips moved, but in the end he didn't press the matter further. He simply took his two younger brothers and bowed deeply in the direction the car had left.

In the car, Ling Peiyi glanced back at the three brothers who were still standing there bowing, and said softly to Chen Bingwen, "Mr. Chen, these three children seem to know how to be grateful, but their backgrounds are a bit pitiful."

Chen Bingwen hummed in agreement, his gaze fixed ahead, lost in thought.

He was certainly not heartless, but the three boys, especially the eldest brother Wu Yuanyong, had a complex light in their eyes that mixed humility, pleading, and a certain unwillingness and wildness, which made him feel that it was not just simple gratitude.

Help is fine, but bringing them into the company requires observation and consideration.

"Zhao Gang, have your men keep an eye on the situation at the North Point refugee camp, especially on these three brothers."

Chen Bingwen gave an instruction and then temporarily put the matter aside.

"Next, we need to expedite the research and development of Wanglaoji products and the registration of its trademarks."

"Understood, Mr. Chen," Ling Peiyi nodded in response and withdrew her gaze.

(End of this chapter)