Rebirth in Hong Kong: From Dessert Shop to Industrial Empire

Chapter 5: The Beginning (Please add to your favorites, vote with monthly tickets, and recommend!)
Chen Guofu quickly opened another insulated container, and the rich aroma of sesame seeds instantly filled the air.

The aroma of red bean paste and sesame paste mingled together, making the queue even more excited.

The short-haired female worker stood to the side, holding a bowl and eating with relish, looking like a walking billboard.

With each bite, she let out a satisfied sigh: "This red bean paste is absolutely amazing! The tangerine peel flavor is just right, sweet but not cloying, and it's even more fragrant than my mother's!"

Her words instantly ignited the workers' enthusiasm.

The queue grew longer and longer, with many people craning their necks to look, afraid of missing out on this rare delicacy.

"Is it really that delicious?" a middle-aged male worker asked, half-believing.

"Why would I lie to you?" The short-haired female worker scooped up a spoonful of red bean paste and put it in her mouth, savoring it with relish.

"Only ten free samples left! First come, first served!"

Seeing the opportunity, Chen Bingwen shouted loudly, his clear voice echoing through the crowd.

As soon as he finished speaking, the group immediately stirred.

The workers jostled and pushed forward, afraid of missing this last chance.

"I'll have one!"

"Save me a copy!"

"Don't crowd, don't crowd!"

In the blink of an eye, the last ten free servings of red bean paste were snapped up.

The workers who managed to snag some free red bean paste enjoyed it with happy expressions, while those who didn't were filled with disappointment.

"This red bean paste is of good quality and tastes good. It's really worth the price!"

"After taking a sip of hot red bean paste, I felt all the fatigue from the morning disappear."

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The workers who managed to snag the free sweet soup sipped their red bean paste and raved about it.

"Boss, your red bean paste is really delicious! I've eaten so many sweet soups, but this is the first time I've had such good red bean paste!"

An elderly worker, who looked like a gourmand, gave a thumbs-up while eating, saying, "The tangerine peel is of high quality, the red beans are cooked until smooth and creamy, and the sweetness is just right, with a subtle hint of saltiness."

"I would also like to have free dessert."

A middle-aged worker nearby, who hadn't managed to snag any free red bean paste, sneered sourly.

"Old Zhao, a bowl of sweet soup only costs one yuan. You'll know if it's bad once you try it. You can't be too stingy!"

The worker, who looked like a gourmand, retorted without any politeness, and even smacked his lips deliberately, making an exaggerated sound of admiration.

This remark drew laughter from the surrounding workers.

The worker named Lao Zhao blushed and retorted, "I'll try it! Boss, give me a bowl of red bean soup!"

Chen Bingwen quickly ladled out a bowl and handed it over: "Uncle Zhao, please try it. If you don't like it, you don't have to pay."

Old Zhao took the bowl, first cautiously taking a sip, then his eyes lit up, and he drank several large mouthfuls in quick succession: "Huh? This tastes!"

He looked up at Chen Bingwen in surprise, then turned to the gluttonous-looking worker. "They really are different!"

"See? I didn't lie to you, did I?" the gourmand said proudly. "This red bean paste is really unique, and the taste is authentic!"

Old Zhao scratched his head sheepishly: "It really is delicious. Boss, another bowl, please! I want to pack it up and take it home for my wife to try!"

Upon hearing this, the surrounding workers immediately objected and began to speak up.

"Old Zhao, that's not very fair of you! You were making sarcastic remarks just now, and now you want to pack it up and take it home?"

A young worker joked with a smile.

“That’s right, that’s right,” another female worker chimed in. “We’re all waiting!”

Old Zhao blushed deeply after being spoken to, and walked away dejectedly to the side.

"Give me a bowl of sesame paste!"

Two servings of red bean paste!

"Three set meals!"

Chen Guofu was so busy that he was practically spitting sparks from the wooden spoon he was swinging around.

He deftly ladled out the sugar water, and the wrinkles on his face smoothed out.

The troubles brought about by the sluggish business over the past six months completely vanished at this moment.

Just as the father and son were busy with their work, a sharp shout suddenly came from afar: "Who gave you permission to sell things here!"

The crowd immediately fell silent and automatically parted to make way for them.

A man in a security guard uniform strode over with a gloomy expression.

Chen Guofu's face was a little pale. He looked at Chen Bingwen with a helpless expression as he held the wooden spoon that was about to scoop out the sugar water.

After all, Chen Bingwen told him yesterday that he had already informed the factory.

Chen Bingwen remained calm and said to his father, "It's alright, I'll handle it."

Then, he walked towards the security guard, taking out a pack of Nanyang Double Happiness cigarettes that he had prepared beforehand from his pocket as he walked. "Brother, you've worked hard. Have a cigarette first."

Chen Bingwen offered the cigarettes with a smile, while subtly slipping an unopened pack of cigarettes into the security guard's hand.

The local official is more powerful than the distant one; the less important a person is, the more they will use that power to its fullest extent.

In Chen Bingwen's view, although the security guards did not hold high positions, they wielded considerable power at the factory gate.

A pack of Nanyang Red Double Happiness cigarettes costs only three yuan, but it can ensure a stable business for a day.

The security guard paused for a moment, then subconsciously took the cigarette, his expression softening slightly: "What's going on here?"

"Brother, we are from Chen's Sweet Soup Shop." Chen Bingwen lowered his voice, neither humble nor arrogant, and said sincerely, "Our workers work hard every day, and if they want to drink a bowl of sweet soup, they have to travel a long way. We specially deliver it here to make it convenient for everyone."

The security guard squeezed the cigarette in his hand, glanced at the queue of people, and his tone softened noticeably: "Well, that can't disrupt the order of the factory area."

Chen Bingwen quickly replied with a smile, "It won't affect anything. We'll leave as soon as the factory's work bell rings."

The security guard glanced at the long line of workers and finally nodded: "Alright, but you have to be careful not to block the road."

"Definitely, definitely!" Chen Bingwen replied repeatedly.

Chen Guofu finally breathed a sigh of relief as he watched the security guard leave with his hands behind his back.

Chen Bingwen watched the security guard walk away, then turned back to his stall and found that the workers in line were all looking at him with admiration.

"Boss, you're really something!" a young worker exclaimed, giving a thumbs-up. "Even the factory's security captain gives you face!"

Chen Bingwen smiled and waved his hand, "Everyone, please continue, the sweet soup is still hot!"

Chen Guofu wiped the sweat from his brow and asked in a low voice, "Awen, is a pack of cigarettes too little?"

“Dad,” Chen Bingwen said deftly as he ladled out the sugar water, “it’s one pack a day. From now on, you’ll definitely have to give it to me every day. A pack of cigarettes for a day of stable business, it’s worth it.”

A pack of Nanyang Red Double Happiness cigarettes costs three Hong Kong dollars, but the turnover in such a short time exceeds two hundred dollars. No matter how you look at it, it's a good deal.

While making plans in his mind, Chen Bingwen's hands never stopped moving as he handed out bowls of steaming hot sweet soup to the workers.

Without security guards interfering, the two buckets of sweet soup and a box of salted dumplings were sold out in no time.

Chen Guofu looked at the empty thermos, touched his bulging fanny pack, and his face broke into a wide smile.

"Ah Wen, this...this business is amazing!"

"Dad, this is just the beginning."

Chen Bingwen wiped his sweat, glanced at the still-enjoying crowd, and said, "Let's prepare more sweet soup tomorrow."

The two buckets of sweet soup we brought today were all sold out, except for the fifty bowls that were given away for free tasting.

Including the income from saltwater dumplings, the turnover reached HK$350 in half an hour.

After deducting costs, the net profit was nearly two hundred yuan, equivalent to three days' income in the shop.

Moreover, today's main purpose was to explore the market, so I didn't dare bring too much sweet soup.

Now that we've confirmed the workers' strong demand for sugary drinks, we can go all out and get things done tomorrow.

(End of this chapter)