Rebirth in Hong Kong: From Dessert Shop to Industrial Empire

Chapter 40 Breaking Through the Waves and Returning Home, Embarking on a New Journey (Please add to your favorites, vote for monthly tickets, recommend this book, and follow along)
Chen Bingwen's calm voice echoed in the conference room, stirring the emotions of everyone present.

“The consolidation of Golden Elephant is only the first step.” Chen Bingwen changed the subject, his gaze sweeping over each key member present. “Our real battlefield is on Hong Kong Island, in the bowl of sweet soup and the bottle of future beverage in the hands of consumers.”

Next, Chenji Foods faces several tough battles, each one crucial.

He looked at Gao Zhenhai: "Ah Hai, production is the foundation, we must not slack off."

"Understood, Brother Wen!" Gao Zhenhai stood up straight. "I will personally oversee the quality control and efficiency of the two factories in Cheung Sha Wan and Kwun Tong to ensure the supply and quality of all products, especially coconut milk sago and mango pomelo sago."

"As soon as the raw materials arrive at the port, we will immediately resume full supply and make up for the previously limited quota!"

“Very good.” Chen Bingwen nodded, then looked at Zhong Qiang, “Brother Qiang, you and Professor Zhou’s team will continue to work on the bottling project.”

Bottled sugar water is crucial to Chen Ji's future development and must be implemented as soon as possible.

Chen Bingwen previously went to Thailand to resolve the coconut milk raw material issue, and now that he's back, the research and development progress of the bottling project must be accelerated.

He planned to spend as much time as possible at the research and development center during this period, giving Professor Zhou more "tips".

Zhong Qiang nodded emphatically: "Don't worry, boss."

Chen Bingwen's gaze finally landed on Liang Qiming, the accountant from Dexin: "Mr. Liang, I'd like to trouble you to assist Ahai and Brother Qiang with the finances. Also, please keep a close eye on Jinxiang's monthly financial statements and keep me informed in a timely manner."

“It is my duty, Mr. Chen,” Liang Qiming replied calmly.

"Finally," Chen Bingwen looked around at everyone, "the market is constantly changing, and opportunities are fleeting."

The stability of the Golden Elephant has bought us a valuable respite and resources, but the real challenges and opportunities are right in front of us!

Ladies and gentlemen, keep your spirits up! Every battle from now on is crucial to whether Chen Ji can truly take off!
A chorus of agreement erupted in the conference room.

After everyone had left, Chen Bingwen specifically asked Ah Sheng to stay.

"Brother Sheng, sit down." He gestured for Ah Sheng to sit down and personally poured two cups of tea.

"Chen Ji's delivery work is getting heavier and heavier. Thank you for your hard work, brothers."

However," he changed the subject, his expression turning serious, "Summer is just around the corner, and using the old thermal blankets to cope will not only be inefficient, but the quality of our sweet soups, especially the chilled coconut sago and mango pomelo sago we are preparing to launch, will be impossible to guarantee."

If customers drink lukewarm or even spoiled sugar water, the brand is ruined.

Shunda Logistics' previous two delivery trucks were both converted from second-hand small trucks, with a layer of insulation cotton nailed to the inner walls of the cargo compartments to be used as refrigerated trucks.

This method is more effective in winter and autumn.

However, in summer, under the scorching sun, the temperature inside the carriage can soar to 40 or 50 degrees Celsius, greatly reducing the effectiveness of the insulation cotton. The ice melts extremely quickly, and the quality of the sugar water cannot be guaranteed at all.

Ah Sheng wholeheartedly agreed, "Ah Wen, I understand."

If the carriages are insulated, it's fine for delivery to Yau Ma Tei and Tsim Sha Tsui, but if they're sent to Hong Kong Island, it won't work in the long run.

Especially the chilled sweet soups, which were lukewarm when they reached the customers, greatly diminished the taste.

"Therefore, cold chain logistics is a must!" Chen Bingwen tapped his fingers on the table. "This is not a small-scale upgrade, but a complete overhaul."

We need to build a fleet of refrigerated trucks equipped with refrigeration units.

"Refrigerated truck?" Ah Sheng's eyes lit up, then he frowned. "Those things aren't cheap!"

A brand new Isuzu refrigerated truck costs over ten thousand Hong Kong dollars! And maintenance and fuel costs are also significant expenses.

“If we can’t afford a brand new one, we’ll buy a second-hand one!” Chen Bingwen had clearly planned ahead.

Shunda Logistics was, after all, a company he and Ah Sheng co-founded. Although Ah Sheng was involved in triads, he didn't actually have much money of his own.

If he spends money to purchase assets every time, Ah Sheng's shares will be diluted in no time.

Doing so would deviate from his original intention.

Therefore, buying a used refrigerated truck takes into account both Ah Sheng's financial strength and can meet Chen Ji's cold chain logistics needs.

"Second-hand truck chassis discarded by Hong Kong Island ferry terminals and freight companies are modified by reliable mechanics, with second-hand but stable refrigeration units and insulated compartments added."

The skilled mechanics in Apliu Street and Sham Shui Po who specialize in car modification are just as good as the original factory workers.

Based on this calculation, the cost of a modified used refrigerated truck should be kept below 50,000 yuan.

The money can be paid upfront using the logistics company's profits.

“Fifty thousand.” Ah Sheng quickly calculated Shunda Logistics’ current profit and the service fee paid by Chen Ji. “No problem. The logistics company’s profits during this period can be used to convert two refrigerated trucks.”

He paused for a moment, then said, "Awen, that's a good idea."

Buying a used chassis for modification is both economical and practical! I know Uncle Jian from Apliu Street well; his car modification skills are top-notch. In the past, all the cars in our gang were modified by him—they were fast and stable!
Regarding refrigeration units, I heard there's a shop in Sham Shui Po that specializes in used cold storage equipment. They can get used Mitsubishi from Japan or Carrier from the US; the performance is good, and the prices are reasonable.

Chen Bingwen nodded, Ah Sheng's connections in the underworld came in handy at this time: "Alright! Brother Sheng, I'll leave this matter entirely to you."

Money is not a problem. The logistics company's profit is not enough, so Chen Ji can pay in advance as a loan to the logistics company, which will be deducted from the service fee later.

The goal is to have the first refrigerated truck on the road within a month.

At least three buses will be put into operation ahead of the summer peak season, covering the core area of ​​Kowloon!

"Leave it to me!" Ah Sheng patted his chest and readily agreed.

After seeing Ah Sang off, Chan Ping Man called Ko Chun Hoi to go back to Chan Kee Dessert Shop in Sham Shui Po together.

Yesterday, after returning from Thailand, I went straight to the Kwun Tong factory, and in the evening, I treated the R&D staff and management to a meal, which lasted until late at night.

Afraid of waking Chen Guofu and Wang Qiaozhen if he went home, Chen Bingwen slept at the factory.

Now that I've finished dealing with things at work, it's time to go back and see my parents.

Kwai Lin Street in Sham Shui Po remains bustling.

"Mom!" Chen Bingwen strode into the store and put his travel bag on the ground.

"Awen!" Wang Qiaozhen was wiping the counter when she suddenly looked up and saw her son return. She quickly dropped the rag and rushed over. "You've lost weight! Is the Thai sun strong? Have you eaten?"

Hearing the sound, Chen Guofu poked his head out from the kitchen, still holding a long ladle for boiling sugar water. A smile spread across his deeply wrinkled face: "It's good that you're back! Your mother has been talking about you every day!"

Chen Bingwen smiled and placed the bag on the only empty booth: "Dad, Mom, I brought you some things."

He first took out a dark brown, exquisite long box and handed it to Chen Guofu.

Chen Guofu opened the box with a puzzled look. Inside lay a shiny, oily crocodile leather wallet with thick leather and clear texture.

His rough fingers carefully touched the smooth surface, his voice trembling slightly: "How much does this cost?"
"I'm just an old man running a dessert shop, using such good stuff."

"I earn money to spend on my family."

Without a word, Chen Bingwen stuffed the wallet into his father's apron pocket, saying, "It's durable for storing change and documents."

He then took out an exquisite rattan gift box and handed it to his mother, saying, "Mom, try this."

Wang Qiaozhen opened the box; inside were several handmade essential oil soaps and a few small glass bottles, each labeled with a jasmine flower pattern. "Smells so good!"

She picked up a cream-colored bar of soap, brought it close to her nose, and inhaled its delicate jasmine scent. "Is this for my face?" she asked somewhat hesitantly.

"It can be used for washing your face and body, and the natural floral fragrance won't harm your skin."

Chen Bingwen watched as his mother lovingly stroked the bottle, a smile in her eyes. "Put a few drops of essential oil on your pillow before bed; it can calm your mind."

He reached into his bag again and took out a beige cotton paper package: "These are two bolts of top-quality Thai silk." Untying a corner, the apricot-colored silk shone with a warm luster. "They're perfect for making a short-sleeved shirt or wide-leg pants in the summer; they're cool and stylish."

Wang Qiaozhen rubbed the apron with her hands before taking it. When her fingertips touched the smooth silk, her throat tightened: "What a waste! How can an old woman like me wear this?"

"Why can't you wear it?" Chen Bingwen said firmly. "You've worked hard all your life, it's only right that you wear nice clothes."

"Make me a new dress, and all the neighbors will be envious!"

Chen Guofu leaned over and exclaimed repeatedly, "This fabric is so beautiful! Quickly find Master Zhang at the end of the alley to make a new dress!"

"Ah Hai, this is for you." Chen Bingwen took out a practical leather tool bag and handed it to Gao Zhenhai.

"Thank you, Brother Wen!" Gao Zhenhai accepted it, delighted with it.

"And this too," Chen Bingwen said, taking out a small, exquisite box and handing it to Gao Meiling, who was standing quietly to the side. "Amei has helped the family a lot these past few days. This is for you; it's a small token of my appreciation."

Gao Meiling exclaimed in surprise, "Ah!" as she took the box, her fingers trembling slightly.

Upon opening the box, a delicate silver bracelet lay on a dark blue velvet cloth.

A small oval sapphire is set in the center of the delicate chain.

"Brother Wen, this is too precious! I can't." Gao Meiling's face instantly turned red, like a ripe apple.

"Wear it!" Chen Bingwen's tone was gentle but firm. "Thank you for your hard work in helping my parents manage the shop."

The little girl should have some pretty jewelry. Want to try it on?

Encouragingly, Gao Meiling blushed and clumsily unbuttoned her clasp.

The cool silver chain brushed against the girl's slender wrist, the tiny sapphire swaying gently, instantly brightening her simple plaid shirt and making her appear more radiant.

She raised her wrist and looked at it again and again, unable to suppress a smile, and said shyly in a low voice, "Thank you, Brother Wen. It's so beautiful."

"That's more like it!" Chen Guofu looked at the gifts his son brought, and then at the happy expressions of his wife and Gao Meiling, who was like his own daughter. His wrinkles at the corners of his eyes widened with a smile.

He waved his hand and said, "Amei, go to the back and bring out that bucket of chilled tangerine peel and mung bean soup!"

Ah Wen, try this. Your mom made it according to your new recipe, with a little sea salt added. It tastes just right!

The family chatted happily over sweet soup. Chen Bingwen briefly recounted the thrills and gains of his trip to Thailand, which made Chen Guofu and Wang Qiaozhen feel nervous at times and proud at others.

After a brief reunion at home, Chen Bingwen immediately took Gao Zhenhai to the law firm.

Before going to Thailand, he commissioned a lawyer to conduct a thorough background check on Ling Peiyi.

At that moment, he was flipping through the investigation report.

“Mr. Chen,” Attorney Zhang, who was in charge of the case, pushed up his glasses and introduced, “Ms. Ling Peiyi’s background is very clear.”

She graduated from the Department of Sociology at Hong Kong Island University and served as the Operations Director of Maxim's Cakes for three years. The reason for her departure was indeed a disagreement with senior management regarding the quality control of raw materials.

During her tenure, Maxim's Cakes expanded from 18 stores to 32, and its standardization and quality control reputation were second to none in the industry.

After leaving her job, she declined offers from several chain restaurants and is currently unemployed. She has a simple social network and no criminal record.

In terms of personality, they are often described as meticulous, professional, and possessing an almost obsessive pursuit of quality.

Chen Bingwen closed the report, a satisfied smile appearing on his lips.

This is exactly the kind of person he needs: professional, experienced, principled, and whose core values ​​align perfectly with Chen Ji's.

"Attorney Zhang, thank you for your hard work."

"Brother Wen, is this Ling Peiyi the operations director you've been looking for?" Gao Zhenhai couldn't help but ask as soon as they came out of the law firm.

"That's right. Chan Kee started as a dessert shop, relying on word-of-mouth from the locals and high-quality ingredients. But to grow into a brand that covers Hong Kong and Kowloon, those alone are not enough."

We need systems, we need standards, and we need professionals like Ling Peiyi who can turn experience into standards and standards into habits!

Chen Bingwen took the lead and said, "Come on, I'll go see Ling Peiyi, you go investigate whether 'Drunken Fist' has been approved."

That evening, in an elegant coffee shop on Hong Kong Island.

Ling Peiyi arrived on time.

She was about thirty-five or thirty-six years old, wearing a well-tailored beige suit skirt, with exquisite makeup and a capable demeanor.

“Ms. Ling, I’ve heard so much about you. I’m Chen Bingwen.” Chen Bingwen stood up, extended his hand, and spoke with a respectful yet assertive attitude.

“Mr. Chen, it’s a pleasure to meet you.” Ling Peiyi shook hands with him with just the right amount of force, her gaze lingering for a moment on Chen Bingwen’s young yet composed face. “Mr. Fang has mentioned you many times. Meeting you today, I can see that you are indeed young and promising.”

"Ms. Ling, you flatter me. Please have a seat," Chen Bingwen said, gesturing for a seat.

Coffee was served, and after a few pleasantries,

Chen Bingwen gave a brief introduction to Chen's Sweet Soup.

After listening, Ling Peiyi remained silent for a few seconds before getting straight to the point: "Mr. Chen, I am deeply impressed by the speed of Chen Kee's development and the case of the Victoria Park Lunar New Year Fair."

But if I may be so bold, Chen Kee is currently in a very critical period of transformation.

From a dessert shop in Sham Shui Po to owning a central factory, standard stores, mobile outlets, and even controlling a raw material factory in Thailand, the business chain has been stretched very long, and the management radius has expanded dramatically.

You are pursuing too many projects at the same time, which carries extremely high risks.

Your core team is certainly capable, but their experience is too narrow and they lack the management expertise required for large-scale chain systems.

The future franchise system will be a management black hole; a slight misstep could destroy the brand.

Her words were sharp and to the point.

Chen Bingwen did not shy away from the topic; on the contrary, he appreciated the sharpness of the observation.

What he needs are professionals who can see through problems and dare to speak their minds.

Chen Bingwen showed no displeasure whatsoever; instead, he nodded appreciatively: "Ms. Ling sees things clearly."

That's exactly why I desperately need an experienced operations director like you.

Chenji has no shortage of drive or innovation; what it lacks is the systematic management and execution capability to integrate, standardize, and efficiently operate all of this.

He leaned forward slightly and looked at Ling Peiyi: "I understand your concerns about the scope of management and risks."

However, risks and opportunities coexist.

Chen Ji's expansion was not blind, but based on a clear market demand.

We're not blowing bubbles; we're building a complete closed loop from raw materials to production to end-user sales!

"As for the team, they are indeed young and inexperienced, but they are loyal, willing to learn, and have strong execution capabilities, which are the cornerstone of Chenji."

I need a brain like yours to direct these brothers and sisters and bring their potential to its fullest!
I promise that the position of Operations Director grants me absolute management authority over the company's daily operations and direct responsibility to me!

Name your price!
I have only one request: help me transform Chen's Company from a small, fast-moving boat into a giant ship capable of weathering storms and sailing to the open ocean!

　This is a combined chapter, thank you everyone for your support!! A huge thank you to Little Tiger KK and Little Kai_eB for their generous and long-term donations!! Thank you to Big Onion Duck's Big Onion and Kim Tae-ryong's Guoda for their donations!!

　　
　
(End of this chapter)