Rebirth in Hong Kong: From Dessert Shop to Industrial Empire

Chapter 19 Perfect Ending (Please add to your favorites, vote for monthly tickets, recommend this book, and keep reading!)

The employees of Chen's Dessert Stall were informed by Gao Zhenhai that gangsters might come to cause trouble.

At first, I was a little scared, after all, gangs have a great deterrent effect on ordinary people these days.

But when they heard that there was a reward of 500 yuan for injuring someone and 200 yuan for driving someone away, and that the boss would cover all medical expenses if they were injured, their mentality changed.

At that time, although the average wage on Hong Kong Island was as high as HK$1,200, that was driven up by the 2% of high-net-worth individuals.

Ordinary workers can't possibly get the average salary.

Under normal circumstances, the monthly salary of a low-level factory worker is only around 800 yuan.

The employees at Chan Kee Dessert Stall are currently only on a temporary employment basis, although Chan Bing Man will make arrangements for their work after the Victoria Park Lunar New Year Fair.

But these people don't know that right now.

Therefore, when they heard Chen Bingwen's offer of a hefty reward, the stall workers' eyes all changed.

A tall, thin guy quietly gripped the steel pipe hidden under his apron and whispered to his companion, "Boss, we get two hundred dollars for each one we take down. That's enough for my rent for a month!"

Another slightly chubby guy grinned: "If I can take down two of them, I can go home for the New Year!"

Gao Zhenhai noticed the change in his men's morale and took the opportunity to encourage them, saying, "Don't be afraid, everyone! Brother Wen said he'll take responsibility if anything goes wrong!"

"With so many of us, are we afraid of a few thugs?"

The staff at Chen's Dessert Stall were getting restless, while the henchmen of Rotten Tooth Koi were already preparing to cause trouble for Chen's Dessert Stall.

Just then, Chen Bingwen saw Fu Bo's son, Ah Sheng, approaching Lan Ya Ju and his group from the side with eight or nine people.

As they approached, Ah Sheng grinned at Chen Bingwen from afar, then grabbed Lan Yaju's shoulder and pulled him aside to talk in hushed tones.

Chen Bingwen saw from afar that Rotten Tooth Koi's expression changed repeatedly, first with anger, then with surprise, and finally with a hint of fear.

As Ah Sheng spoke, he would occasionally point in the direction of Chen Ji's stall, and Rotten Tooth Koi's gaze would sweep over as well, his eyes filled with complex emotions.

"Brother Wen, Brother Sheng is here!" Gao Zhenhai whispered excitedly. "Looks like he's here to help us."

Chen Bingwen nodded, feeling somewhat relieved.

It seems that Ah Sheng still has considerable prestige; even Rotten Tooth Koi has to give him some face.

A moment later, Ah Sheng walked over alone, a smile on his face. He glanced at the long queue in front of Chen's stall and said, "Ah Wen, business is doing well!"

Chen Bingwen quickly went to greet him: "Brother Sheng, thank you for stepping in."

Ah Sheng waved his hand: "We're neighbors, it's only right."

He lowered his voice, "I've already reached an agreement with Rotten Tooth Koi. Causeway Bay is, after all, his territory. How about you give him a small token of appreciation? For the seven days of the Victoria Park Lunar New Year Fair, you'll give him an extra HK$2,000 for tea expenses. What do you say?"

"No problem, Brother Sheng, you're in charge!"

Chen Bingwen, however, was all smiles and readily agreed.

He turned around, took out two thousand yuan from the cashier, and handed it to Ah Sheng with both hands: "Brother Sheng, please give this to Brother Ju."

Ah Sheng took the money and patted Chen Bingwen on the shoulder with satisfaction: "Ah Wen, you're a smart man."

He paused for a moment, then continued, "However, after the Lunar New Year Fair, if you still want to do business in the Causeway Bay area, you still need to pay your respects to the patrons."

Chen Bingwen nodded repeatedly: "I understand, thank you for your guidance, Brother Sheng."

After seeing Ah Sheng off, Gao Zhenhai leaned over and asked, "Brother Wen, are we just going to let them off so easily?"

Chen Bingwen shook his head, a glint of light flashing in his eyes, and said in a voice only the two of them could hear, "Ah Hai, this is just a temporary measure. Once we have a firm foothold, we won't have to depend on anyone anymore."

My money isn't so easy to take!

After saying that, he turned to the stall workers and said loudly, "Thanks to everyone's concerted efforts today, each of you will receive an extra fifty yuan bonus!" The workers cheered immediately, and the tall, thin man excitedly shouted, "Brother Wen, remember to call us next time something like this happens!"

In the following days, business at the Victoria Park Lunar New Year Fair became more and more booming.

Rotten Tooth's men stopped causing trouble, but Zhang Shichang's brother-in-law, A-Guang, would occasionally come by, but Gao Zhenhai kept a close eye on him.

On the first day of the Lunar New Year, when the Lantern Festival market officially closed, Chen Ji Dessert's four stalls achieved a staggering total turnover of 587,600 yuan over seven business days.

On the second day of the Lunar New Year, Chenji Food Factory was decorated with lanterns and colorful decorations, and the atmosphere was festive.

Chen Bingwen specially set up ten tables at the restaurant next door to entertain all the employees who participated in the Lunar New Year's Eve business.

"Brothers and sisters!" Chen Bingwen stood on the stage, raising his glass, "Thank you all for your hard work these past seven days! Let's celebrate properly today!"

A burst of enthusiastic applause and cheers erupted from the audience.

The workers, dressed in brand-new work clothes, beamed with joy.

Even Zhong Qiang, who is usually serious, couldn't stop smiling at this moment.

"First of all, I have some good news to announce!" Chen Bingwen cleared his throat. "First, all employees involved in the Lunar New Year's Eve work will receive an extra half-month's salary as a bonus!"

Another cheer erupted from the audience. The tall, thin guy stood up excitedly: "Long live Brother Wen!"

"Secondly," Chen Bingwen continued, "starting today, all temporary workers will be converted to permanent employees, with a monthly salary of one thousand yuan and two meals provided!"

This decision stunned everyone present.

It's important to know that in 1978, the average worker in Hong Kong only earned around HK$800 a month.

The terms offered by Chen Bingwen were simply fantastic news.

"Third," Chen Bingwen said with a smile, looking at Gao Zhenhai, "Gao Zhenhai will be promoted to factory director starting today, with a monthly salary of 1,500 yuan!"

Zhong Qiang has been promoted to technical foreman, with a monthly salary of 1,500 yuan!

Gao Zhenhai was so excited that his face turned red, and he stood up and bowed to everyone.

Zhong Qiang also looked incredulous and thanked Chen Bingwen repeatedly.

Chen Bingwen hadn't told him anything beforehand, and he only found out he had been promoted when Chen Bingwen announced it in public.

"Finally," Chen Bingwen pulled a stack of red envelopes from his pocket, "this is a New Year's gift I prepared for everyone, one for each person, to bring good luck!"

He personally stepped down from the stage and handed out red envelopes to each employee.

The workers received the generous red envelopes, their faces beaming with joy.

The slightly chubby guy secretly squeezed the red envelope, and his eyes widened immediately: "Wow, one hundred dollars!"

It's important to know that back then, the average boss would only give employees a red envelope containing five or ten yuan.

Chen Bingwen's generosity moved everyone present.

"Boss Wen, we're sticking with you from now on!" the tall, thin waiter assured him, patting his chest.

After several rounds of drinks and several dishes, the atmosphere became increasingly lively.

"Brother Wen, if we keep all these employees, we won't need so many people at all!"

Gao Zhenhai, who had just become the factory director, asked Chen Bingwen quietly with some worry.

Chen Bingwen smiled confidently and patted Gao Zhenhai on the shoulder, "Ah Hai, after the Spring Festival, we're going to start expanding!"

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(End of this chapter)