Chapter 41: Operations Director

Ling Peiyi picked up her coffee cup and took a light sip, not responding immediately.

She studied the young man sitting across from her.

Based on the information she had gathered, in just over two months, Chen Bingwen had transformed from a traditional sweet soup stall to setting up mobile stations in the factory district, participating in the Victoria Park Lunar New Year Fair, opening standard stores in commercial districts, and acquiring Thailand's Golden Elephant...

These achievements fully demonstrated that the young man before her possessed top-tier courage, vision, and execution capabilities.

The perspective and ambition shown by this young man far exceeded his age.

More importantly, he was sufficiently clear-headed to recognize his own shortcomings and was willing to delegate authority.

"Mr. Chen," Ling Peiyi put down her cup and said bluntly, "your ambition is grand, and Chen's potential is immense.

"Yet, no matter how magnificent the blueprint, it must be built brick by brick.

"The responsibility of an operations director is to ensure that Chen's ship does not fall apart or go off course while sailing at high speed.

"This means I will need absolute authority to establish rules, optimize processes, and even... restructure the team.

"The resistance will be fierce, especially from the old guard who followed you from the very beginning."

She looked directly into Chen Bingwen's eyes: "Can you withstand the pressure and support me all the way?

"Even if it means that these founding veterans may temporarily be unable to handle higher positions, and will need to learn or even step aside?"

This question went straight to the core.

At the same time, Ling Peiyi wanted to gauge Chen Bingwen's determination through his answer to this question.

Chen Bingwen did not hesitate at all: "I can! Ms. Ling, if you suspect someone, do not employ them; if you employ them, do not suspect them.

"I invited you here to elevate Chen's to a new level.

"During this process, anyone and anything that hinders the company's development must be adjusted.

"Ah Hai, Brother Qiang, and the others have made contributions and endured hardships, but for the company to grow, individuals must also grow.

"Those who cannot keep up the pace will be arranged for training and transferred, but I will never let sentimentality hinder the company's progress.

"On this point, I can give you my firm promise!"

His decisiveness earned a measure of respect from Ling Peiyi.

The business world is like a battlefield, and the worst taboos are indecisiveness and nepotism.

Ling Peiyi was silent for a moment before speaking: "Delegating authority? Many bosses just talk about it.

"When my implementation of standards infringes upon the interests of the old guard, vetoes projects that harm the brand, and requires massive funding for process transformation, can you guarantee you won't interfere?"

"If you suspect someone, do not employ them; if you employ them, do not suspect them." Chen Bingwen reiterated, his tone resolute. "As long as the direction serves the long-term development of Chen's and builds brand barriers, I will never interfere.

"I will step in to communicate with and appease the company's veterans, and as long as the capital investment is reasonable and sufficient, I will support it.

"What I want are partners who fight shoulder to shoulder and define the future."

"Partners..." Ling Peiyi was moved.

Maxim's stage was large, but its constraints were numerous. Chen's might be small, but it was dynamic, and Chen Bingwen truly seemed willing to give her space.

"Very well. Since Mr. Chen is so straightforward, I won't beat around the bush either.

"I am willing to take on the position of Operations Director at Chen's Food.

"My terms are an annual salary of 80,000 Hong Kong dollars, with profit-sharing rights at the end of the year based on the company's performance, representing no less than 1% in watered shares.

"At the same time, I require the authority to build a core management team of no fewer than five people, and personnel appointments and removals must be submitted for your approval after my evaluation."

An annual salary of 80,000!

In the Hong Kong of 1978, this was absolute top-tier executive remuneration, far exceeding that of ordinary workers by dozens or even a hundred times.

A 1% profit-sharing right was of immense value as well.

In Chen Bingwen's vision, Chen's Food would not remain at its current scale; its future scale would be several times or even dozens of times larger, making the returns from a 1% profit-sharing stake extremely substantial.

Yet, Chen Bingwen did not hesitate at all.

If Ling Peiyi achieved excellent performance at Chen's Food, it would prove she was worth the price.

Otherwise, these were merely profit-sharing rights; while she held the office, she held the rights, and resignation would automatically cancel them.

More importantly, regarding corporate executives, the Hong Kong industry had not yet adopted the concept of stock option rewards at this time.

The only things that could be offered to executives were salary and profit-sharing.

However, Chen Bingwen did not want to make it too easy either.

With Ling Peiyi drawing an annual salary of 80,000, the compensation for Gao Zhenhai, Zhong Qiang, as well as the factory's quality control staff, team leaders, and other levels of management also needed to be appropriately increased.

Otherwise, Ling Peiyi's arrival at Chen's would invisibly alienate the veteran employees.

Therefore, the necessary pressure had to be applied.

"Agreed!" Chen Bingwen nodded in consent. "An annual salary of 80,000, with 1% profit-sharing rights at the end of the year based on performance milestones, vested over four years at 0.25% per year.

"The authority to build the core team is yours; personnel appointments and dismissals will be submitted to me for approval after your evaluation. But there is one condition,"

He paused, looking directly into Ling Peiyi's eyes: "Director Ling, I am well aware that Hong Kong's society of human relationships and favors is deeply intertwined, but Chen's ship is still small and cannot withstand any erosion.

"Eradicating any form of nepotism is my only untouchable red line.

"The people you bring must put ability first; the people you employ must possess both integrity and talent.

"If anyone is found practicing favoritism or occupying a post without performing duties, no matter who is involved, I will show no leniency, including you."

This warning was naked and direct. Ling Peiyi felt the pressure, but even more so, she felt trusted and respected by his forthrightness.

Meeting Chen Bingwen's gaze without the slightest evasion, she replied: "Rest assured, Mr. Chen.

"When I build a team, I recognize only competence, not connections.

"Efficiency, professionalism, and results are my ironclad rules for employment.

"Nepotism? That would be an insult to my professional ethics."

Chen Bingwen smiled with satisfaction and extended his hand: "Welcome to Chen's, Director Ling."

When Chen Bingwen left the coffee shop, the afterglow of the setting sun was dyeing Victoria Harbor in shades of gold and crimson.

Reaching a preliminary agreement with Ling Peiyi lifted a heavy stone from his heart.

This experienced operations director was precisely the critical puzzle piece Chen's needed to transition from a grassroots outfit to a regular army.

Ling Peiyi requested to assume office in three days, intending to use that time to thoroughly understand Chen's Food's current operational status so she could carry out her work in a targeted manner according to Chen Bingwen's requirements.

Chen Bingwen knew very well that the three-day observation period proposed by Ling Peiyi was by no means an excuse, but rather the due prudence of a professional manager.

She needed to see the inner workings of Chen's with her own eyes rather than making judgments based solely on data and blueprints.

Upon returning to the Kwun Tong factory, Gao Zhenhai was already waiting in the office with a trace of excitement on his face.

"Brother Wen! You're back!" Gao Zhenhai hurried forward. "How did the talk with Director Ling go?"

"Basically settled. An annual salary of 80,000 plus profit-sharing, starting in three days," Chen Bingwen said concisely. "She requested these three days to conduct a field inspection of all our operations."

Gao Zhenhai was stunned for a moment, then nodded: "As it should be, as it should be. Brother Wen, the matter you entrusted me with has yielded some clues!"

"Oh? *Drunken Master*?" Chen Bingwen's eyes lit up as he strode into the office.

"Yes!" Gao Zhenhai closed the door, lowered his voice, and spoke rapidly. "I asked around through several friends who work as extras.

"Ng See-yuen is indeed preparing a new film, and the title is *Drunken Master*!

"The lead actor is still Jackie Chan! I heard the script is practically polished and they're just waiting for the funds to fall into place and the filming dates to be locked down!"

Chen Bingwen's heartbeat accelerated slightly: "What is the shooting budget like? Has the filming date been set?"

"I heard the budget is squeezed very tight, around five hundred thousand," Gao Zhenhai said with a look of 'just as expected.' "Ng See-yuen has been looking everywhere for investment lately, but it doesn't seem to be going smoothly.

"Big companies think the theme is cliché, while small investors are afraid of the risk, feeling that comedic martial arts movies have no future.

"The filming date isn't finalized yet, but rumors say Ng See-yuen is in a rush to release it during the summer blockbuster season, so shooting must start by early next month at the latest!"

Early next month! Chen Bingwen calculated rapidly in his mind.

The time window was even tighter than he had anticipated!

The film shooting cycle was short, and once filming began, the scenes, props, and script details would essentially be set in stone. Trying to insert product placement afterward would dramatically increase the difficulty and severely diminish the effectiveness.

He had to step in before filming started, or even during the preparation stage!