Chapter 7: Breaking Through the Bottleneck (Please Support with Bookmarks, Monthly Votes, and Recommendations)

Returning to the dessert shop, Chen Bingwen and his father counted the day’s earnings. Four thermal containers of sweet soup and two boxes of salty dumplings brought in nearly eight hundred dollars, with a net profit of over four hundred.

The sum made Chen Guofu’s hands tremble slightly.

Chen Bingwen, however, remained calm. “Dad, we’re only supplying one point at Huafeng Garment Factory now. If we could cover dozens of industrial buildings in the Cheung Sha Wan Industrial Area, our income could multiply several times over.”

Wang Qiaozhen, carrying a pot of hot tea, approached and, hearing Chen Bingwen’s words, frowned worryingly. “The three of us get up at four every morning and can barely make five or six containers of sweet soup. Any more than that, and we simply can’t keep up.”

Sweet soup was handmade after all, and every step was essential; skipping any would ruin the flavor. For example, red bean paste required simmering for a full two hours to achieve the right smoothness and sweetness.

The family of three rose at four in the morning and worked non-stop until ten to produce just six containers. Expanding sales meant production capacity had become the primary bottleneck.

“Mom, Dad and I have talked it over. Let’s hire two assistants and buy some equipment. That will immediately boost production,” Chen Bingwen explained, taking the tea from his mother.

Currently, six containers take the whole family six hours each day. But with two helpers and purchasing a mixer and two large pots, output could double to twelve containers while shortening the time to five hours.

“Helpers?” Wang Qiaozhen glanced at Chen Guofu, who nodded in agreement.

“Chen is right,” Chen Guofu rubbed his hands excitedly. “Hiring two or three helpers and getting some equipment will pay for itself in less than half a month with current profits. Today alone, over a hundred workers wanted to buy sweet soup but couldn’t—what a pity.”

Hearing this, Wang Qiaozhen felt a sting of lost opportunity and quickly agreed, “Let’s do as you say.”

Adding labor and buying equipment seemed costly at first glance. However, wages in Sham Shui Po were about sixteen hundred dollars per month for two helpers, paid monthly. Chen Bingwen planned to check Duck Street next door, a hub for electronics and second-hand appliances, including kitchenware.

Aside from about one thousand dollars needed immediately for second-hand equipment, other expenses could be deferred, so financial pressure remained manageable.

After lunch, Chen Bingwen headed straight to Duck Street. The narrow street bustled with shops selling second-hand electronics and appliances. At the end of the street, he found a shop specializing in used kitchen equipment.

Inside, the shop displayed all kinds of second-hand kitchen devices. Chen Bingwen’s interest settled on a mixer that looked about eighty percent new.

“Young man, this Siemens mixer was just replaced last month from the Peninsula Hotel kitchen. The motor’s as good as new—steady speed and quiet,” said the gray-haired shop owner in his sixties, noticing Chen’s interest.

Chen Bingwen examined the machine’s casing and power cord carefully, then tested the speed settings. “Sir, how long has this been used? Is there a warranty?”

“Less than three years. The Peninsula Hotel keeps their equipment in far better shape than most tea restaurants,” the owner assured, patting his chest. “I’ll give you a three-month warranty—come to me anytime if there’s an issue!”

Chen Bingwen nodded, then pointed to two fifty-liter stainless steel cooking pots in the corner. “How much for these two? If I buy them together, can you give me a package deal?”

The owner chuckled, pleased to meet a savvy customer. “Young man, you know business! The mixer’s six hundred, two pots eight hundred. That’s fourteen hundred total, and I’ll throw in a spare mixing paddle and two pot lids. How’s that?”

Chen Bingwen calculated in his mind. It wasn’t a bad price, but with his family’s tight budget, every dollar counted. He bargained, “Sir, I’m from Chen’s Sweet Soup Shop next door and will definitely be a regular customer. How about twelve hundred altogether?”

Upon hearing the name, the owner nodded knowingly. “I know your place—I’ve even been for your sweet soup.”

Chen Bingwen smiled. “If you like, I’ll give you a ten-percent discount whenever you come.”

“Alright! For your straightforwardness, twelve hundred it is!” the owner laughed heartily and struck the deal.

After arranging the delivery time, Chen glanced at his watch. It was just past two in the afternoon. He decided to visit the Sham Shui Po labor office.

Just as he finished filling out the recruitment form, a girl’s voice called out, “Brother Wen!”

Turning around, he was surprised to see Gao Meiling, sister of his friend Gao Zhenhai.

The young woman wore a plaid shirt and a neat ponytail, waving excitedly.

“Ah Mei? What are you doing here?” Chen Bingwen asked, surprised to see her at the labor office.

“I stopped schooling after graduating from Form Three last year,” she explained with a smile. “I helped my mother with handicrafts at home for a while, but I recently heard that garment factories were hiring, so I came to check it out.”

Chen knew her well—at seventeen, diligent and meticulous, a rare good helper.

He smiled and asked, “Ah Mei, would you like to help out at our sweet soup shop? Eight hundred dollars a month, with two meals included.”

This was a very good offer in Sham Shui Po. Although garment factories paid a similar wage, they didn’t provide meals, making the sweet soup shop the better deal. Plus, factory work was hot and often involved late overtime.

Meiling’s eyes lit up, nodding eagerly. “Brother Wen, I’d love to! I often help my mom make sweet soup—red bean paste and sesame paste too.”

“Great! It’s settled then. Come to the shop at six tomorrow morning. We’ll start with a three-day trial, and if all goes well, you’re officially on board.”

“Thank you, Brother Wen!” Meiling beamed. “I’ll work hard!”

Leaving the labor office, Chen Bingwen visited Auntie Zhang at the end of the street. Auntie Zhang was renowned for her dim sum skills but, due to age, had struggled to find suitable work.

When considering helpers, Chen immediately thought of her to specialize in making salty dumplings and other snacks.

Upon hearing Chen wanted to hire someone for dim sum, Auntie Zhang agreed without hesitation.

“Ah Wen, my dim sum skills were honed in tea houses—you won’t be disappointed,” she promised.

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