Chapter 8: The Path of Expansion

Three days later, the kitchen at Chen’s Dessert Shop had been completely transformed.

The blender hummed steadily, and two fifty-liter stainless steel pots steamed vigorously. Mei-Ling Gao, holding a long-handled wooden spoon, stirred the sesame paste in the pot with careful attention.

“Brother Wen, do you think the consistency is right now?” Mei-Ling wiped the sweat from her forehead and turned to ask.

Chen Bingwen approached, scooped up a spoonful of the sesame paste, and observed how it clung to the spoon. “Simmer for another five minutes. Wait until the aroma is fully released.”

Meanwhile, Aunt Zhang was expertly frying salty water dumplings.

The dumplings came out golden and crisp, neatly arranged in a bamboo basket nearby, exuding an irresistible fragrance.

“Aunt Zhang’s skills are truly impeccable,” Chen Bingwen praised after tasting one fresh from the oil. “That crisp outside and tender inside—could eat them every day and never tire.”

With new equipment and extra help, Chen’s production capacity quickly rose to twelve buckets of dessert daily.

In the evening, after Mei and Aunt Zhang had gone home to rest, the Chen family of three gathered around the table for dinner, sharing stories from their day.

When the topic turned to dessert output, Chen Bingwen put down his chopsticks and spoke seriously. “Dad, I plan to start selling at two locations tomorrow.”

“Two locations?” Chen Guofu paused mid-bite, concern flickering across his face. “Can we handle that much?”

“The Huafeng Garment Factory spot is stable now. Six buckets a day basically meet the needs of the workers nearby. We just need to maintain that volume.

I want to add another sales point over in Lai Chi Kok. The industrial buildings there are mostly electronics and hardware factories, with at least two thousand workers.”

Qiao-Zhen Wang set down her chopsticks. “Won’t that mean more manpower? One person per spot won’t be enough, and we need someone here in the shop to serve customers. We’re already short-handed.”

“Don’t worry, Mom,” Chen Bingwen smiled knowingly. “I plan to bring Hai over to help. He works at the hardware factory with a low salary and often has night shifts. I want to hire him to manage sales in Lai Chi Kok, offering nine hundred a month.

Dad, you’ll take charge of Huafeng with Mei, while Hai and I handle Lai Chi Kok.

At home, Mom and Aunt Zhang will manage the dine-in service.”

“Ah Hai?” Chen Guofu frowned slightly. “Isn’t he doing well at the hardware factory?”

Chen Bingwen chuckled. “His monthly pay is just over eight hundred, and he frequently pulls night shifts. I’m offering nine hundred plus two meals a day. He agreed without hesitation.”

Qiao-Zhen Wang nodded. “That boy is earnest and hardworking. A few days ago, he helped move equipment and didn’t even drink a drop of water before leaving.”

After a pause, she added, “Six buckets at Huafeng, six more in Lai Chi Kok—that’s twelve… Ah Wen, do you think our little shop can handle it?”

“I’ve done the math. Twelve buckets is our maximum capacity. More than that would compromise quality, and we don’t have space in the shop.”

With two new large pots and a blender added, the kitchen was packed to the brim; even the storefront was partly taken up by backup ingredients.

To increase output further, they’d need to rent a larger shop or lease a food processing factory to move all production off-site.

Chen Bingwen leaned toward the latter idea.

But since Chen’s Dessert Shop had only just started turning a profit, current funds barely covered daily operations, not enough to fuel rapid expansion.

The next morning, just as dawn was breaking, Zhen-Hai Gao arrived at Chen’s Dessert Shop with his sister.

“Brother Wen! Mei and I are here to start work!” Gao said excitedly.

Chen Bingwen smiled and led them into the kitchen. “Perfect timing. Mei, go help Aunt Zhang prepare ingredients. Hai, you’ll learn to simmer the desserts with me.”

Mei obediently replied and quickly tied on her apron.

She efficiently washed red beans, glancing up occasionally at her brother teaching Hai the simmering technique, then quickly lowering her head again.

“Hai, red bean paste needs to be simmered slowly over low heat,” Chen Bingwen instructed, guiding his hands. “See, when small bubbles start appearing on the surface, reduce the heat.”

At eleven in the morning, two modified tricycles set off from Chen’s Dessert Shop.

Chen Guofu took Mei to the Huafeng Garment Factory, while Chen Bingwen and Zhen-Hai headed to the Lai Chi Kok Industrial Area.

“This cart is really heavy,” Zhen-Hai wiped sweat from his brow as he pushed the tricycle loaded with six insulated buckets.

Chen Bingwen wiped his own brow. “Once we make some money, we’ll buy a small truck. No more backbreaking work like this.”

Arriving at Lai Chi Kok Industrial Area, Chen Bingwen confidently found the security booth at Yongxing Electronics Factory.

“Hai, serve me a bowl of sesame paste,” Chen Bingwen whispered. “I’ll go introduce myself first.”

Zhen-Hai quickly ladled a steaming bowl and handed it to Chen Bingwen.

Inside the booth, a burly man in his forties sat cross-legged reading a newspaper.

Seeing a tall, handsome young man approaching with a bowl, he asked curiously, “Young man, what’s this about?”

Chen Bingwen smiled and set the bowl on the table, then took out a pack of Nanyang Red Double Happiness cigarettes and placed it beside the bowl.

“Uncle, I’m from Chen’s Dessert Shop on Guilin Street. This is our first day selling here, so I brought you a bowl of our sesame paste to try.”

As the saying goes, you don’t hit a smiling face. The security guard’s attitude softened seeing Chen’s warm smile, the dessert, and the cigarettes.

“Chen’s? The old shop from Sham Shui Po?”

“Yes, sir,” Chen Bingwen bowed slightly. “This is our specially made sesame paste with walnuts and almonds—very nourishing. Please try it!”

“I thought Chen’s flavors weren’t anything special before…” The guard said as he spooned some sesame paste into his mouth.

Before he could finish, his expression froze. He looked at the bowl, then back at Chen Bingwen in surprise.

“Did you change the recipe? This tastes completely different from what I had at your shop last year.”

“You have a good memory, Uncle,” Chen Bingwen complimented. “This is our improved recipe, adding walnuts for brain health and almonds to soothe the lungs. Perfect for replenishing energy after hard work.”

“Hmm, not bad at all!”

The guard savored it carefully, then shifted topics. “Aren’t you selling at Huafeng?”

“Thanks to the support of the workers,” Chen Bingwen replied smoothly, pushing the pack of cigarettes closer to the guard. “We’ll be here every noon from now on. I hope you can help us out.”

“That spot over there is yours!” The guard pointed to a corner on the east side, then slid the cigarettes toward Chen Bingwen. “But I don’t smoke!”

His gesture spoke volumes.

Chen Bingwen immediately understood and hurriedly said, “Don’t worry, I’ll reimburse you.”

He pulled out a hundred Hong Kong dollars from his pocket, placed it on the table, and covered it with a newspaper.

“Thanks for your hard work this month!”

The guard glanced at the money hidden beneath the paper and smiled in satisfaction.

“You’re a smart young man. Go on, get to work…”