Chapter 40: Breaking the Waves to Return Home, Setting Sail Anew Once More

Chen Bingwen's steady voice echoed throughout the meeting room, filling everyone who listened with surging emotions.

"The stabilization of Golden Elephant is merely the first step." Chen Bingwen changed the subject, his gaze sweeping over each core member present, "Our true battlefield lies in Hong Kong, inside the bowl of sweet soup or the future bottle of beverage held in the hands of consumers.

Next, Chen's Foods must fight several hard battles, and every single one is crucial."

He looked at Gao Zhenhai: "Ah Hai, production is the foundation. It must not be relaxed under any circumstances."

"Understood, Brother Wen!" Gao Zhenhai straightened his back, "I will personally keep a strict eye on quality control and efficiency at both the Cheung Sha Wan and Kwun Tong factories, ensuring the supply and quality of all products, especially coconut milk sago and mango pomelo sago.

The moment the raw materials arrive at the port, we will immediately resume full-scale supply and make up for all the previously rationed quotas!"

"Very good." Chen Bingwen nodded, then turned to look at Zhong Qiang: "Brother Qiang, for the bottled beverage project, you will continue to make breakthroughs in cooperation with Professor Zhou's team.

Bottled sweet soup concerns the future development of Chen's, so it must be implemented as soon as possible."

Previously, Chen Bingwen had gone to Thailand to resolve the coconut cream raw material issue. Now that he was back, the research and development progress of the bottled project had to be accelerated.

He intended to bury himself in the R&D center whenever he had free time during this period to give Professor Zhou a few more "hints."

Zhong Qiang nodded heavily: "Don't worry, Boss."

Chen Bingwen's gaze finally landed on Liang Qiming, the accountant from Tak Shun: "Mr. Liang, regarding the financial aspect, I must trouble you to assist Ah Hai and Brother Qiang. At the same time, please closely monitor Golden Elephant's monthly financial statements and synchronize them with me in a timely manner."

"It is my duty, Mr. Chen," Liang Qiming replied steadily.

"Finally," Chen Bingwen looked around at everyone, "the market changes in a flash, and opportunities vanish in the blink of an eye.

The stabilization of Golden Elephant has bought us precious breathing room and resources, but the true challenges and opportunities are right before us!

Everyone, perk up your spirits. Every upcoming battle concerns whether Chen's can truly take off!"

A chorus of affirmative responses resounded in the meeting room.

After everyone dispersed, Chen Bingwen specifically kept Ah Sheng behind.

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

"Chen's delivery work is becoming increasingly heavy. It's been hard on you and the brothers.

However," he changed the tone, his expression solemn, "summer is almost here. Continuing to make do with the previous thermal insulation quilts is not only inefficient, but the quality of the sweet soup—especially the iced coconut milk sago and mango pomelo sago we are preparing to launch—simply cannot be guaranteed.

If customers drink lukewarm or even spoiled sweet soup, our brand will be ruined."

The two delivery trucks previously used by Shunda Logistics were entirely converted from second-hand light vans, with thermal insulation cotton nailed to the inner walls of the compartments to serve as refrigerated trucks.

This method worked better in winter and autumn.

However, in summer under the blazing sun, the temperature inside the compartment could soar to forty or fifty degrees Celsius. The effect of the thermal insulation cotton was greatly reduced, the ice melted extremely fast, and the quality of the sweet soup could not be guaranteed at all.

Ah Sheng nodded deeply in agreement: "Ah Wen, I understand.

Using thermal insulation cotton for the compartments is fine when delivering to Yau Ma Tei or Tsim Sha Tsui, but if we deliver across to Hong Kong Island, it simply won't work over a long period.

Especially for iced sweet soup, it would already be lukewarm by the time it reaches the customer, and the taste would be much worse."

"Therefore, we must adopt a cold chain!" Chen Bingwen tapped his fingers on the tabletop, "Not a small-scale tinker, but a complete upgrade.

We need to build a refrigerated fleet equipped with real refrigeration units."

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

A brand-new Isuzu refrigerated truck costs over one hundred thousand Hong Kong dollars! Besides, maintenance and fuel consumption are huge expenses."

"If we can't afford brand-new ones, we'll buy second-hand ones!" Chen Bingwen clearly had his calculations made long ago.

After all, Shunda Logistics was a company jointly established by him and Ah Sheng, and although Ah Sheng was involved in the triads, he didn't actually have much cash on hand.

If he were the one paying to acquire assets every single time, Ah Sheng's shares would be diluted before long.

Doing so would deviate from his original intention.

Therefore, buying second-hand refrigerated trucks both accommodated Ah Sheng's financial capacity and satisfied the cold chain logistics demands of Chen's.

"We'll buy second-hand truck chassis phased out by Hong Kong docks and freight companies, find reliable master craftsmen to modify them, and install second-hand yet performance-stable refrigeration units and insulated compartments.

The veteran craftsmen specializing in modifications in Apliu Street and Sham Shui Po are no less skilled than the original factory.

Calculated this way, the cost of a modified second-hand refrigerated truck can be controlled within fifty thousand, which should be no problem.

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

"Fifty thousand..." Ah Sheng quickly calculated the current profits of Shunda Logistics and the service fees paid by Chen's in his mind, "That shouldn't be a big problem. The profits of the logistics company during this period can cover the modification of two refrigerated trucks."

He paused, "Ah Wen, your idea is great.

Buying second-hand chassis for modification is both cost-effective and practical! I'm familiar with Uncle Kin in Apliu Street; his vehicle modification skills are unquestionable. All the triad's cars used to be modified by him—fast and steady!

As for the refrigeration units, I heard there is a shop in Sham Shui Po specializing in second-hand cold storage equipment that can source second-hand Japanese Mitsubishi or American Carrier units with good performance and fair prices."

Chen Bingwen nodded. Ah Sheng's underworld connections came in handy at a time like this: "Good! Brother Sheng, I'll leave this matter entirely in your charge.

Money is not an issue. If the logistics company's profits are insufficient, Chen's can advance the funds first, treating it as a loan to the logistics company, which will be deducted from future service fees.

Strive to have the first refrigerated truck on the road within a month.

Before the summer peak, at least three trucks must be put into operation to cover the core areas of Kowloon!"

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

After sending Ah Sheng off, Chen Bingwen called Gao Zhenhai along to return to the Chen's Sweet Soup Shop in Sham Shui Po.

He had headed straight to the Kwun Tong factory the moment he returned from Thailand yesterday, and then entertained the R&D personnel and management team late into the night, finishing only in the deep hours.

Fearing he would wake Chen Guoful and Wang Qiaozhen if he went home, Chen Bingwen had slept at the factory.

Now that company matters were handled, it was time to go back and check on his parents.

Kowloon's Kln Street in Sham Shui Po remained bustling as ever.

"Mom!" Chen Bingwen strode through the shop door and dropped his travel bag onto the floor.

"Ah Wen!" Wang Qiaozhen was wiping the counter when she suddenly raised her head. Seeing that her son had returned, she hastily dropped the dishcloth and hurried over, "You've lost weight! Is the sun in Thailand vicious? Have you eaten?"

Hearing the commotion, Chen Guoful poked his head out from the back kitchen, still holding the long ladle used for boiling sweet soup. His deeply wrinkled face bloomed into a smile: "It's good that you're back! Your mom has been chattering about you every day!"

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

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

Chen Guoful opened it with puzzlement, and resting inside the box was an oily, glossy crocodile leather wallet with thick leather and clear textures.

His rough fingers cautiously stroked the smooth surface, his voice trembling slightly: "This... how much must this cost?

An old man like me running a sweet soup shop, using such a fine thing..."

"I earned the money to spend on the family."

Chen Bingwen unceremoniously stuffed the wallet into his father's apron pocket, "For loose change and documents, it's durable."

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

Wang Qiaozhen opened the box, revealing a few bars of handmade essential oil soap and several small glass bottles with jasmine patterns printed on the labels. "It smells so good!"

She picked up an off-white bar of soap, brought it close to her nose, and smelled it. The refined jasmine fragrance was refreshing to the heart and spirit. "Is this for wiping the face?" She felt somewhat ill at ease.

"It can be used for washing your face and bathing. The natural floral scent won't harm the skin."

Chen Bingwen watched his mother affectionately stroke the bottle, a smile in the depths of his eyes, "Drip the essential oil on your pillow before sleeping to soothe the mind."

He reached into the bag once again and retrieved an off-white tissue-wrapped parcel: "These are two bolts of top-grade Thai silk."

Unraveling a corner, the apricot-colored silk flowed with a warm luster, "Use them to make a short-sleeve shirt or wide-leg trousers for the summer—cool and dignified."

Wang Qiaozhen rubbed her hands against her apron before taking it. When her fingertips touched the smoothness of the silk, her throat choked up: "It's too extravagant! An old woman like me, how could I wear such things..."

"Why couldn't you wear them?" Chen Bingwen's tone was firm, "You've worked hard for half a lifetime. It's only right and proper for you to wear nicer things.

If you make a new outfit, the neighbors will definitely envy you!"

Chen Guoful crowded over and repeatedly praised: "This fabric is truly beautiful! Go find Master Zhang at the end of the alley to make a new outfit right away!"

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

"Thank you, Brother Wen!" Gao Zhenhai took it, unable to put it down out of fondness.

"And this," Chen Bingwen finally took out an exquisite small box and handed it to Gao Meiling, who was standing quietly to the side. "Ah Meiling has helped the family a lot during this period. Take this, consider it a little token of my appreciation."

Gao Meiling uttered an astonished "Ah," took the box, and her fingers trembled slightly.

Opening the box, a delicate silver bracelet lay upon deep blue velvet.

In the center of the slender chain, a small, oval-shaped sapphire was embedded.

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

"Wear it!" Chen Bingwen's tone was gentle yet irrefutable, "It's been hard work helping my dad and mom manage the shop.

A young girl should have some pretty jewelry. Want to try it?"

Under Wang Qiaozhen's encouraging gaze, Gao Meiling blushed and clumsily unclasped the buckle.

The cool silver chain touched the young girl's slender wrist, and that tiny sapphire swayed gently, instantly lighting up her plain plaid shirt and making her whole person look significantly brighter.

She raised her wrist to look at it again and again, the corners of her mouth curling upward uncontrollably as she whispered shyly, "Thank you, Brother Wen... It's so pretty."

"That's more like it!" Chen Guoful looked at the gifts brought by his son, then at his wife and Gao Meiling, who looked just like their own daughter with joy, until the wrinkles at the corners of his eyes bloomed with smiles.

He waved his big hand: "Ah Meiling, go to the back and bring out that iced bucket of tangerine peel mung bean soup!

Ah Wen, taste it. Your mom boiled it according to your new recipe, adding a bit of sea salt. The flavor is spot-on!"

The family chatted and enjoyed sweet soup in harmonious joy. Chen Bingwen briefly recounted the thrills and harvests of his trip to Thailand, making Chen Guoful and Wang Qiaozhen alternate between nervous and proud.

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

Before leaving for Thailand, he had entrusted the lawyer to conduct a detailed background investigation on Ling Peiyi.

At this moment, he was flipping through that investigation report in his hands.

"Mr. Chen," the lawyer 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 the University of Hong Kong and served as the Operations Director of Maxim's Cakes for three years. Her reason for leaving was indeed a conflict with senior management over raw material quality control philosophies.

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

After resigning, she declined invitations from multiple chain catering businesses and is currently idle. Her social relations are simple, with no criminal record.

As for her personality, evaluations mostly describe her as rigorous, professional, and possessing a nearly paranoid pursuit of quality."

Chen Bingwen closed the report, a satisfied smile blooming at the corners of his mouth.

She was precisely the person he needed—professional, experienced, principled, and highly aligned with Chen's core values.

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

...

"Brother Wen, is this Ling Peiyi the operations director you've been eyeing?" As soon as they stepped out of the law firm, Gao Zhenhai couldn't help asking.

"That's right. Chen's started from a sweet soup shop, relying on neighborhood reputation and genuine ingredients, but to grow big and become a brand covering Hong Kong and Kowloon, relying on those alone is not enough.

We need a system, standards, and professional talents like Ling Peiyi who can turn experience into standards and standards into habits!"

Chen Bingwen walked ahead, "Let's go. I'm going to see Ling Peiyi, and you go investigate whether *Drunken Master* has been greenlit..."

That same evening, inside an elegant cafe in Hong Kong.

Ling Peiyi appeared on time.

She was around thirty-five or thirty-six years old, dressed in a well-tailored off-white suit skirt, with exquisite makeup and a capable demeanor.

"Ms. Ling, long admired. I am Chen Bingwen." Chen Bingwen stood up, proactively extending his hand with an attitude neither humble nor arrogant.

"Mr. Chen, nice to meet you." Ling Peiyi shook hands with him, applying moderate pressure while her gaze lingered for a moment on Chen Bingwen's young yet steady face, "Mr. Fang has mentioned you many times. Seeing you today, you truly are a young talent."

"Ms. Ling flatters me. Please sit." Chen Bingwen gestured.

Coffee was served, and after a few pleasantries.

Chen Bingwen briefly introduced the situation of Chen's Sweet Soup.

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

However, if I may be so bold, Chen's is currently at a very critical transition period.

From a sweet soup shop in Sham Shui Po to possessing a central factory, standard stores, mobile stalls, and even holding a controlling stake in a Thai raw material factory, the business chain is drawn very long, and the management radius has expanded drastically.

You are pushing forward too many projects simultaneously, carrying extremely high risks.

As for your core team... their capabilities are worthy of affirmation, but their experiential structure is single-layered, lacking the management genes of large-scale chain systems.

The future franchise system is even a management black hole; a single misstep could ruin the brand instantly."

Her words were sharp and hit the vital point.

Chen Bingwen showed not a trace of displeasure; instead, he nodded appreciatively: "Ms. Ling sees things thoroughly.

This is precisely why I urgently need an experienced operations director like you.

Chen's lacks neither drive nor innovation; what it lacks is systematic management and execution power to integrate, standardize, and efficiently run all of this."

He leaned forward slightly, fixing his gaze on Ling Peiyi: "You worry about the management radius and risks, which I understand.

But risk and opportunity coexist.

Chen's expansion is not blind; it is based on clear market demand.

We are not blowing bubbles; we are building a complete closed-loop ranging from raw materials to production to terminal sales!"

"As for the team, they are indeed young and lack experience, but they are loyal, willing to learn, and strong in execution, serving as the bedrock of Chen's.

I need a brain like yours to command these brothers and push their potential to the absolute limit!

I promise you that the position of Operations Director holds absolute management authority over the company's daily operations and reports directly to me!

Name your price for compensation and benefits!

I have only one request: assist me in transforming Chen's from a fast-moving speedboat into a giant vessel capable of weathering storms and sailing toward the open sea!"