Rebirth in Hong Kong: From Dessert Shop to Industrial Empire.

Chapter 244 Donation of 6K (Seeking monthly tickets, recommendations, and subscriptions!)

The success of the "Leap Forward Plan" had a tremendous impact that far exceeded Chen Bingwen's initial expectations.

NBC's live television signal not only covered the entire United States, but its recorded highlights and press releases were also quickly transmitted to parts of Europe, Australia, and even Asia through news agencies such as the Associated Press and United Press International.

The first-ever unpowered hang glider crossing of the Grand Canyon in Colorado, a visually stunning and legendary feat, has become a global news topic.

With Rick Stevens's breathtaking leap and the shot of him holding up "Pulse Thunder" after a successful landing, the "Pulse" and "Pulse Thunder" brand logos were etched into the minds of countless viewers around the world with unprecedented intensity.

This is no longer a regional product promotion, but a true global brand exposure.

In his office at the Weiye Building, Chen Bingwen looked at the situation report sent back from North America by Milis. He was very clear that the "Pulse" series, especially "Pulse Thunder", had broken through the scope of the North American market with this gamble and truly had the prototype of an international brand.

The effect is immediate.

In addition to the North American domestic sales channels being completely ignited, international hotel chains and duty-free shop operators at several major airports, who had previously adopted a wait-and-see attitude, also proactively sent letters of intent for cooperation.

What they valued was the "high-end," "adventure," and "ultimate energy" brand image that "Pulse Thunder" established through this marketing event, which coincided with the high-value-added product positioning pursued by hotel and airport channels.

"Mr. Chen, Purchasing Director of Hilton International Hotels Group, called, hoping to introduce 'Pulse Thunder' to the minibars and executive lounges of its global flagship stores, recommending it as a premium functional beverage to business and leisure travelers."

When Li Ming reported to Chen Bingwen over the overseas phone, his voice was filled with barely suppressed excitement.

"Agree to their terms. The price is negotiable; the key is to get into their global procurement system."

This is an excellent opportunity to establish a high-end brand image.

Chen Bingwen instructed, "In addition, let Michaels personally negotiate the airport duty-free shop channel."

Duty-free shops are a showcase for brands' international expansion; they offer high profits and significant influence, so securing them is essential.

"clear!"

After hanging up the phone, Chen Bingwen pondered in his mind that the brand premium and channel expansion brought about by this incident were far more valuable than the GG investment of the "Leap Forward Plan" itself.

That was the right move.

But he also knew that the buzz generated by this sensation was temporary.

To convert short-term attention into lasting brand loyalty and market share, continuous investment and operation are required.

"Sponsoring extreme sports is still a niche sport," Chen Bingwen pondered. "The influence is focused enough, but the audience is limited."

To truly resonate with consumers, a brand must participate in broader, more universal sporting events.

He plans to leverage the immense influence and brand power of the "Leap Forward" program to extend his marketing reach into the more mainstream sports arena, including Formula 1 racing and the upcoming Summer Olympics in Moscow next year.

Although F1 racing was far less commercialized in the late 1970s than it is today, its status as a top-level motorsport event was already established, attracting a large number of viewers around the world who pursue speed and passion. The target audience of "Pulse" energy drink has a high degree of overlap with its target customers.

Moreover, F1 teams compete globally year-round, and sponsoring a team means that your brand logo will appear in front of cameras at major races around the world, resulting in extremely high exposure.

As for the 1980 Moscow Olympics, although the Cold War background may have led to a boycott by many Western countries, led by the United States, which would have greatly reduced its commercial value, the Olympics itself, as the largest sporting event in human history, still has enormous symbolic significance and potential influence.

Becoming an Olympic sponsor, even a regional or category-specific one, would be a qualitative leap in enhancing a brand's authority and credibility.

However, at this time, Li Weiming, the public relations manager, and Milis, who was in charge of international affairs, were still in North America dealing with the follow-up matters and channel negotiations of the "Leap Forward Plan".

The corresponding sponsorship assessment and negotiation work for F1 and the Olympics can be officially launched after they return to Hong Kong Island.

Evening, Villa No. 75, Deep Water Bay.

The elderly couple, Chen Guofu and Wang Qiaozhen, who had just returned to Hong Kong Island from the mainland, had lost the excitement they had when they first visited their hometown. They were rather quiet during dinner, with something on their minds in their eyes.

Chen Bingwen noticed his parents' unusual behavior and asked, "Dad, Mom, were you unhappy when you went back this time?"

You two seem to have something on your minds.

Wang Qiaozhen sighed and put down her chopsticks: "I'm happy, but seeing that your maternal grandparents are still healthy and your uncles and aunts are all well makes me feel much more at ease."

that is----"

Chen Guofu chimed in, "It's just that the leaders from my hometown are so enthusiastic."

People come to visit almost every day—office directors from the town, the county, and even the city.

"They mainly want you to go back and invest."

Wang Qiaozhen's tone was somewhat embarrassed, "They said the policies are better now, and they welcome Hong Kong businessmen to return to their hometowns to set up factories, offering many preferential policies."

Their words implied that they were hoping you could lead the way back to build a large factory and boost the local economy.

Chen Guofu sighed: "How would your mother and I know about these things?"

All we can say is that you're in charge of the business, and we don't get involved.

But they just wouldn't believe it, thinking we were making excuses.

On the last day before I left, Director Zhang from the county came to see me off. He spoke very earnestly, saying that things were not easy for my hometown now, and he hoped that large enterprises could settle there to drive development.

That made us feel really uneasy.

Chen Bingwen listened quietly, understanding his parents' conflicted feelings.

On the one hand, she was proud that her son was valued, but on the other hand, she couldn't really promise anything, and thus suffered from the pressure of social obligations.

"Dad, Mom, please don't take it to heart."

Chen Bingwen served his parents some food and said with a smile, "This is a common situation. The leaders are just doing it for the sake of local development; their job is to attract investment."

You handled it very well; just pass it on to me.

"But Ah Wen," Wang Qiaozhen said with some concern, "won't this put you in a difficult position?"

We don't want to cause you any trouble.

But that's our hometown after all, and our relatives and neighbors are all there. It seems a bit unreasonable not to show any appreciation, and we're afraid the villagers will gossip behind our backs and say we've forgotten our ancestors.

What Wang Qiaozhen said was exactly what Chen Bingwen was thinking.

Whether it's my father's hometown of Chaozhou or my mother's hometown of Shunde, they are both places where I am rooted. This sense of hometown affection and personal debt cannot be measured entirely by commercial logic.

He understands the expectations of his hometown leaders, but he is also aware of the reality.

The mainland has just opened up, and policies are fluctuating greatly, while regulations are being gradually improved.

His existing factory in Dongguan can already meet the current needs of the "processing trade" business, and its location in the Pearl River Delta makes transportation and logistics more convenient.

From a business perspective, investing in a large-scale manufacturing plant in one's hometown is not the best option.

Infrastructure, industrial support, and management scope are all problems.

If they want to expand their production capacity in mainland China, they are more likely to choose regions closer to future central markets or resource-producing areas, such as Beijing-Tianjin and the Central Plains.

But what my parents said also makes sense. Completely ignoring it would be unreasonable and would put my parents in an awkward position in front of the villagers.

He put down his chopsticks and looked at his parents with a gentle expression: "Dad, Mom, please don't think this is causing me any trouble."

0

He paused, organized his thoughts, and continued, "Actually, I had considered this matter before."

Investing in one's hometown is not something that can't be considered, but doing business can't be based solely on personal relationships; one must also consider the actual situation and feasibility.

We can't just agree on a whim. That could lead to a poorly executed project, wasted funds, and ultimately disappoint our fellow villagers back home—that would truly be a case of good intentions gone wrong.

Chen Guofu and Wang Qiaozhen both nodded after hearing this, and their expressions relaxed a little.

Their son was right. What they feared most was that their son would do something unprofitable because of face-saving and personal relationships.

He thought for a while and had a preliminary idea in mind: "Dad, Mom, how about this?"

Large-scale investment in building factories is indeed not appropriate at present, for many reasons, mainly policy and business considerations.

But perhaps we can give back to our hometown in a different way, a more reliable way that benefits the community and leaves a better reputation.

"In what way?" Chen Guofu asked.

"Education," Chen Bingwen said solemnly, "Investing in factories is risky, but investing in education is a real merit that benefits future generations, and no one can find fault with it."

We can donate and build a number of primary and junior high school teaching buildings in our hometown, either in your name or in the name of Sugar Heart Capital.

The goal is to ensure that each town in the county has at least one decent new school building.

At the same time, an education fund will be established specifically to subsidize lunches for impoverished students and provide stipends for outstanding teachers and private school teachers.

He paused, then continued to explain: "Doing this will greatly improve the educational conditions in our hometown and leave us with a good reputation."

It can also help leaders and the county solve practical difficulties.

Moreover, this is paving the way for the future.

"By helping to cultivate talent now, these children may grow up to be useful to us, and they will develop feelings for the Chen family and Sugar Heart Capital."

The idea of ​​donating to education did not come from nowhere.

Just now, as he listened to his parents recount the earnest expectations of the leaders of their hometown, a vivid and successful example from his past life suddenly jumped into his mind.

Starting in the mid-1980s, Run Run Shaw made substantial and continuous donations to education in mainland China through the Shaw Foundation, building thousands of teaching buildings, libraries, and science museums.

This move not only benefited countless students, but also elevated the reputation of the individual and the Shaw family to an unprecedented level, becoming a cultural symbol and a benchmark for philanthropy. It won widespread praise from all sectors of society and high recognition from the government, and its intangible value far exceeded the monetary value itself.

"If Run Run Shaw could do it, why can't I?" Chen Bingwen thought to himself. "Moreover, I can do it even earlier than him!" In this era, there were no Hong Kong businessmen who donated to education on a large scale and in a systematic way.

If Chen Bingwen takes the lead in donating and building teaching buildings on a large scale in mainland China, especially in his hometown, and forms a "series", the resulting sensation and brand reputation will be an extremely successful strategic investment.

This is not just about doing charity; it's about planning ahead and seizing a huge high ground in reputation.

If names like "Bingwen Building" and "Bingwen Teaching Building" can become symbols of knowledge and hope in the future, like "Yifu Building," their profound impact will far exceed the profits generated by a factory.

This can greatly solidify his positive image in mainland China, pave the way for deeper business cooperation in the future, and even serve as a kind of "protective charm" to some extent.

"Education?" Wang Qiaozhen was taken aback for a moment, then her eyes lit up. "That's great! That's great! Building schools is a great deed that brings good fortune! Your grandfather always said that no matter how poor we are, we can't be poor in education."

The village primary school is still in an old building from decades ago; it leaks when it rains—it would be wonderful if the children could study in bright, new classrooms!

As a mother, she instinctively felt that this made her feel more gratified and proud than building the factory.

Chen Guofu nodded emphatically: "That's a good idea!"

Donating money to build schools and help children receive an education—no one can say no!

This is a genuine way to give back to the community, which is less troublesome than setting up a factory directly, and its significance is far-reaching.

Ah Wen, that's a great idea!

Seeing that his parents had resolved their concerns, Chen Bingwen smiled and said, "I will draft a detailed donation plan as soon as possible tomorrow."

"At that time, you two may need to step in and finalize this matter with the local government."

Chen Bingwen made the arrangements.

"No problem! We're willing to do it!"

Chen Guofu readily agreed.

The following day, at the top-floor office of the Weiye Building.

As soon as Chen Bingwen arrived at the company, he arranged for Ali to invite Vincent Fang over.

"Director Fang, there's something I need you to arrange."

My parents recently went back to the mainland to visit relatives, and the leaders there hoped we could go back and invest.

However, the conditions are not yet ripe for large-scale factory construction in mainland China.

Therefore, I am considering donating a number of primary and secondary school buildings to my hometown of Chaozhou and Shunde in the name of my parents or in the name of Sugar Heart Capital. At the same time, I am also considering establishing an education fund to subsidize lunches for impoverished students and stipends for teachers.

Chen Bingwen briefly recounted the matters he had discussed with his parents the previous night.

"I understand, Mr. Chen. Donating to education in your hometown is a good thing; it brings both fame and fortune, and it also puts the old gentleman and lady at ease."

Fang Wenshan immediately understood the intention, "I will immediately arrange for reliable people to conduct on-site investigations of the local education situation in Chaozhou and Shunde."

Ensure that donations are used where they are most needed, generating the greatest effect and impact.

"Yes, it needs to be fast, but also meticulous," Chen Bingwen instructed. "The budget can be more generous, and if we're going to build it, we should build it well, and the supporting facilities should keep up."

"Keep a close eye on this matter yourself, and give me the report directly."

"Okay, Mr. Chen."

Fang Wenshan accepted the order and quickly left the office.

After finishing the matter of donating money to build the school, Chen Bingwen began to handle the company's routine documents.

The documents and reports that he needed to review were already laid out on the table.

One of them is a progress report on the entry of Chen Ji series products into the Macao market.

With He Xian's help, the initial contact went very smoothly.

The Lisboa Hotel in Macau and several other major casinos under the He Xian Group have agreed to introduce the Pulse series of products for sale in their guest room minibars, bars and staff lounges.

This is tantamount to directly opening the door to Macau's most high-end consumer venues.

The report concludes by mentioning that He Xian invited Chen Bingwen to visit Macau at his convenience to formally sign the cooperation agreement and tour the Lisboa Hotel.

Chen Bingwen checked his schedule. Although he was busy recently, it was feasible to take a day or two to go to Macau.

It is essential to solidify the relationship with Ho Yin and to conduct on-site investigations of the Macau market.

So he asked Ali to reply to He Xian's secretary and arrange to go to Macau next week.

A few days later, at the Lisboa Hotel in Macau.

Guided by He Xian's secretary, Chen Bingwen arrived at He Xian's private meeting room.

He Xian personally greeted him at the door, beaming, "Mr. Chen, welcome, welcome! You must be tired from your journey!"

"Mr. He, you're too kind. Macau is so close; it's no trouble at all," Chen Bingwen replied with a smile.

He Xian's private reception room is luxuriously decorated yet stylish.

After exchanging a few pleasantries, the two got down to business.

The details of the cooperation agreement had already been finalized by the legal teams of both parties. Today's signing is more symbolic, marking the beginning of formal cooperation.

Although the signing ceremony was simple, several major local media outlets in Macau were notified to be present and take photos.

After exchanging signed documents, He Xian and Chen Bingwen shook hands and posed for a photo.

After the ceremony, He Xian hosted a luncheon for Chen Bingwen.

During the meeting, He Xian chatted and laughed, talking about the changes in Macau, interesting stories about the gaming industry, and his views on the future connection between Hong Kong, Macau and the mainland, demonstrating his keen insight and extensive network of contacts.

"Mr. Chen is young and promising, with a keen eye for talent. If you need any help in Macau in the future, just let me know." He Xian raised his glass in a gesture of respect.

"Thank you for your support, Mr. He. The Macau market is unique, and I will need to learn from you more in the future," Chen Bingwen replied humbly, knowing in his heart that establishing a solid cooperative relationship with He Xian would greatly benefit Sugar Heart Capital's future development in Macau and even Portuguese-speaking countries.

After the luncheon, He Xian said to He Siqiong, who was standing beside him, "Siqiong, I have a meeting to attend this afternoon."

"You can show Mr. Chen around Macau for me and let him see what Macau has to offer."

He Siqiong nodded gracefully, "Okay, Daddy."

She was wearing a well-fitting dress today, exuding elegance and youthful energy.

He Xian then smiled at Chen Bingwen and said, "Mr. Chen, let Siqiong be your tour guide. You young people have a lot in common."

Chen Bingwen readily agreed, "Then I'll have to trouble Miss He."

After He Xian left, He Siqiong smiled slightly at Chen Bingwen: "Mr. Chen, where would you like to go?"

Although Macau is small, its blend of Chinese and Western cultures gives it some unique attractions.

Chen Bingwen thought for a moment and said, "I am more interested in the local life and history of Macau. Why don't we just take a walk, look at the old streets and alleys, and try some local snacks?"

There's no need to go to overly crowded tourist spots.

A hint of appreciation flashed in He Siqiong's eyes; she also disliked that formulaic tour guide style.

"Okay, then I'll take you to some places that locals frequent." The two didn't bring many entourages and were driven by He Siqiong's driver to a relatively quiet old town in the southwest of the Macau Peninsula.

There's none of the hustle and bustle near the Lisboa Hotel here. The streets are narrow, lined with old-style Western-style buildings full of Southern European charm and traditional Chinese arcade buildings, their mottled walls telling tales of history.

They got out of the car and strolled along the stone path.

He Siqiong was very familiar with this place and introduced the origins of the different buildings to Chen Bingwen in great detail, explaining which were the old residences of Portuguese nobles, which were the properties of wealthy Chinese merchants, and which alleys were home to well-known bakeries or coffee shops.

Chen Bingwen listened with great interest, occasionally asking questions.

He discovered that He Siqiong not only had a deep understanding of Macau's history and culture, but also had her own unique observations on the local economy and social situation, and her conversations revealed her good upbringing and sharp mind.

They went into a Portuguese egg tart shop that looked quite old and ordered their signature egg tarts and coffee.

The shop is not large, but it is clean and tidy, filled with a rich aroma of milk and coffee.

"The recipe for egg tarts at this shop has been passed down for generations. Many tourists don't know it, but locals recognize the taste," He Siqiong explained.

Chen Bingwen took a bite; the outer crust was crispy, and the filling was smooth and sweet with just the right amount of flavor—it was indeed delicious.

"Mmm, it's delicious. It tastes much better than those chain restaurants."

He Siqiong smiled and said, "It's the same in business. Sometimes, established brands rely not on marketing, but on reputation and perseverance."

Chen Bingwen nodded in agreement, saying, "Ms. He is right. The long-term foundation of a brand ultimately lies in its products and reputation."

The two enjoyed their meal while chatting.

The conversation naturally shifted from Macau's food culture to business, family management, and even future prospects.

He Siqiong is quick-witted and has insightful views.

Chen Bingwen found that talking to her was very easy; he didn't need to explain much, and she could usually understand his thoughts quickly.

"Judging from what Mr. Chen said, you seem to value the mainland market very much?" He Siqiong asked.

"Yes, the mainland market has huge potential. I believe that as the mainland economy gradually develops, it will become an important part of the world economy in the coming decades."

Chen Bingwen admitted frankly.

Upon hearing this, He Siqiong's eyes flashed with a thoughtful expression, and she nodded slightly: "This viewpoint is often mentioned in circles in Hong Kong and Macau now."

Everyone saw that the door was open over there; there were many opportunities.

However—the infrastructure is still very weak, and policies are still being explored; it seems that a lot of patience and a long-term vision are needed.

This was the prevailing view among the vast majority of Hong Kong and Macao businessmen, and even international observers, at the time.

Chen Bingwen looked at her and knew that her words represented the most mainstream viewpoint from the outside world.

He was silent for a moment, then let out a soft breath and smiled, "Miss He, you're right, it requires patience and a long-term perspective."

However, the desire of over a billion people to improve their lives, and the resulting creativity and productivity, are beyond the precise calculation of any economic model.

He Siqiong did not respond immediately.

The impact of Chen Bingwen's words on her was far more than just simple business insights; it was a shock to her in terms of perspective and vision.

This was the first time she had met someone her age who could judge that awakening land with such certainty and a grand perspective.

This further intensified her curiosity and desire to explore the young man in front of her.

"I've been reading some books about the mainland lately," said He Siqiong. "It feels like everything there is full of changes and possibilities. Sometimes I think that we young people who grew up in Hong Kong and Macau also need to learn more about the mainland."

"It's rare to find someone with such discerning taste, Miss He," Chen Bingwen praised.

He sensed that He Siqiong was not the kind of rich heiress who was content with pleasure, but rather a woman with ambition and thoughtfulness.

As the sun set, they strolled along the beach, the afterglow of the sunset shimmering on the sea.

"Thank you so much, Ms. He, for showing me a different side of Macau today," Chen Bingwen said sincerely.

"Mr. Chen, you're too kind. I'm very happy to have this opportunity to talk with you again in the future." He Siqiong smiled and said, "I hope we can have another chance to exchange ideas in the future."

""