Rebirth in Hong Kong: From Dessert Shop to Industrial Empire

Chapter 49 No Regrets After a Move (Third Update, Please Subscribe!)
"Ring ring ring..."

In the morning, the phone rang in the office of the Kwun Tong Food Factory.

It broke the tranquility of the office.

Chen Bingwen put down the operational optimization plan submitted by Ling Peiyi and picked up the phone. Wu Siyuan's voice came through the receiver.

"Hello, Mr. Wu?"

"Mr. Chen, good morning!" Wu Siyuan's voice was tinged with urgency. "The draft contract has been prepared, and my lawyer just delivered it to Fang Wenshan, the accountant at Dexin Accounting Firm, which you have designated."

When would be a convenient time for you to take a look? We'll try to finalize it as soon as possible; the production team is waiting to start filming.

“Very efficient, Mr. Wu.” Chen Bingwen’s lips curled up slightly. “I will go to Dexin Law Firm in person this afternoon.”

If there are no problems, the signing of the contract and the transfer of funds can be carried out simultaneously.

Like Ng See-yuen, Chan Ping-man also wanted the "Drunken Master" movie to be released as soon as possible.

This is not only about the advertising effect of the 200,000 investment, but also about the invaluable Japanese and Southeast Asian copyrights he holds in the future.

The bottled sugar water project is in its final stages, and if it can ride the wave of the popularity of the movie "Drunken Master," the boost to the Chenji brand will be exponential.

"Great! Mr. Chen is so agreeable!" Wu Siyuan exclaimed happily. "Shall we meet at Dexin this afternoon?"

"See you this afternoon." Chen Bingwen put down the phone and turned his gaze back to Ling Peiyi's draft.

This draft is well-organized and directly addresses Chenji's current management pain points: from standardized processes for raw material warehousing, daily reports and cash inventory systems for mobile sales points, to service standards and display standards for standard stores, and even proposes a preliminary KPI assessment framework.

The reforms are quite extensive and will inevitably affect the interests and habits of some long-term employees.

As I was pondering this, Gao Zhenhai walked in from outside.

"Ah Hai, you've come at the right time." Chen Bingwen pushed Ling Peiyi's draft over. "Take a look at Director Ling's proposal. I'd like to hear your opinion."

Gao Zhenhai picked up the draft and carefully reviewed it, his brows furrowing and relaxing at times: "Brother Wen, the plan is very professional, every point hits the nail on the head."

There are some areas where implementation might be difficult for the staff to grasp immediately, especially the older employees.

For example, the sampling and recording of raw material receipts used to be based on experience, but now so many forms need to be filled out.”

“I know there will be resistance,” Chen Bingwen interrupted him, his tone firm but with a hint of understanding, “but if Chen’s company wants to move forward, this step must be taken.”

Ah Hai, you are the factory manager, your attitude is crucial.

I need your full support for Director Ling, to lead by example in implementing the new regulations, and to reassure the staff below.

He paused, then looked at Gao Zhenhai earnestly: "For those who can't keep up with the new regulations, it's not a matter of ability; it might be that they need time to get used to things or learn new things."

Let's look internally to see if there are any more suitable positions for them? For example, equally important positions like factory security or logistics and cleaning, with relatively stable work pace and clearer requirements.

Regarding compensation, as long as they are willing to work, we will try our best to keep it unchanged to ensure that their lives are not affected.

The important thing is that we cannot let personal feelings for long-term employees affect the operation of the factory and the implementation of the new system.

Communicate with them properly and make them understand that the company needs new rules for development, but they will never forget their contributions.

If they truly cannot adapt, or are unwilling to adjust, then we will proceed according to the rules. Remember, reassurance should be sincere, but principles must not be abandoned.

Gao Zhenhai looked into Chen Bingwen's eyes, took a deep breath, and nodded emphatically: "Understood! Don't worry, Brother Wen, I will definitely cooperate with Director Ling to manage the factory well!"

"Okay." Chen Bingwen patted him on the shoulder. "I'm going to Dexin this afternoon to sign a film contract. Please take good care of things at the factory and with Director Ling."

Is there any progress on the inquiry for bottling line equipment?

"Several quotes have been received. The cheapest quote for the Italian Sacmi hot filling line is HK$38. With the addition of the matching vacuum degassing tank, cooling tank and locally assembled filling station, the total budget is close to HK$50."

"Germany's are more expensive. Professor Zhou suggested we focus on Sacmi, as it offers relatively better value for money," Gao Zhenhai reported.

“50.” Chen Bingwen pondered for a moment. “The price is negotiable, but quality and delivery time are the key.”

We'll continue to follow up and try to bring the price down while ensuring the equipment is stable and reliable. This is our lifeline.

"Yes, Brother Wen!" That afternoon, at Dexin Accounting Firm.

Accompanied by Vincent Fang, Chen Bingwen carefully reviewed the draft investment contract for "Drunken Master" submitted by Siyuan Pictures.

The terms are largely in line with the previous agreement between the two parties: Chen Bingwen invests HK$200,000 to acquire approximately 28.6% equity in the "Drunken Master" project (based on a total investment of HK$700,000), relinquishes all box office revenue sharing in Hong Kong and Taiwan, and in exchange obtains exclusive, permanent, and full copyright of "Drunken Master" in Japan and Southeast Asia (a list of countries is clearly provided), covering all rights including theatrical screenings, television broadcasts, videotape distribution, and derivative product development.

Copyright ownership is clear and there is no ambiguity.

"Mr. Chen, the contract terms are rigorous and have basically locked in our core demands, especially the permanent full copyright in Japan and Southeast Asia, which is of great value."

Fang Wenshan said in a low voice, "It seems that Wu Siyuan really wants to get the money as soon as possible to start filming."

Chen Bingwen nodded and said to Wu Siyuan's lawyer, "The contract is fine, we can sign it."

The signing process went smoothly.

Wu Siyuan received the signed contract and the HK$200,000 promissory note issued by Dexin, beaming with joy: "Mr. Chen, it's a pleasure to cooperate! Don't worry, I'll personally oversee the screenwriter and director on the product placement part, and I'll make sure 'Chen's Dessert' is natural and outstanding!"

"Looking forward to Mr. Wu's masterful touch," Chen Bingwen replied with a smile. "Wishing 'Drunken Master' a box office success!"

After seeing Wu Siyuan off, Chen Bingwen's smile faded slightly, and he turned his gaze to Fang Wenshan.

Only the two of them remained in the office.

“Mr. Fang,” Chen Bingwen picked up the copy of the contract, which still smelled of ink, and gently tapped the words “Exclusive, permanent, and full copyright in Japan and Southeast Asia” with his fingers. “The most valuable thing in this contract is these words.”

Fang Wenshan nodded in deep agreement, but his gaze behind his glasses was even more intense than Chen Bingwen's.

He quickly calculated in his mind: in just two months, Chen Bingwen had handled the asset appraisal of the sugar water shop, the bridge loan of sugar water capital, the acquisition of Thai Golden Elephant, and now this 200,000 yuan film investment contract.

The commissions from just these few transactions are already equivalent to his total income over the past two or three years!
Not to mention that Chen Bingwen also has a bottled sugar water project underway and a franchise chain expansion plan.

This was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity in his career.

“Indeed. The Japanese market has enormous potential,” Fang Wenshan complimented. “Once we break into it, the profits will be immeasurable. Mr. Chen is very farsighted.”

Chen Bingwen smiled and said, "I wouldn't call it a long-term plan, but I just felt that we shouldn't waste it."

He then changed the subject, "However, right now this thing might be worthless in other people's eyes."

A film that's neither finished nor released has an uncertain future even in Hong Kong; who would believe it could be a box office hit in Japan?

Fang Wenshan immediately caught the unspoken implication: "You mean now isn't the best time?"

“Yes,” Chen Bingwen affirmed. “If we take the contract to Japanese publishers now, they will only think we are easy targets and will definitely try to drive the price down to the lowest possible level.”

We have to wait, wait for "Drunken Master" to be officially released in Hong Kong, wait for it to become a hit, and wait for everyone to see its value!
Only then will the copyrights we hold truly be treasures, not trash.

He paused, then instructed, "But while we wait, the preparations cannot stop."

Mr. Fang, I need you to get started immediately, either in the name of Dexin or through a reliable intermediary, to begin warming up the Japanese market.

"Preheating?" Fang Wenshan asked, puzzled.

“Yes, it’s a warm-up,” Chen Bingwen explained. “It’s not formal negotiations, but rather establishing contact first.”

“Remember,” Chen Bingwen tapped his fingertips on the table, “our goal is not to sell the copyrights now, but to cast a wide net in advance, letting Japanese distribution companies know that there’s something good here.”

"Once the movie becomes a hit, they'll naturally remember our previous interactions and come looking for us."

"Chen Sheng is brilliant!" Fang Wenshan exclaimed sincerely.

Chen Bingwen smiled and nodded, then said solemnly, "I'm counting on you!"

"Don't worry, Mr. Chen!" Fang Wenshan replied solemnly in return.

　I'll update this first and then revise it. Thank you for your support!

　　
　
(End of this chapter)