Chapter 19: Fulfillment (Please support with bookmarks, votes, and continued reading)

The employees at Chen’s Dessert Stall received notification from Gao Zhenhai that some gang members might come to cause trouble. At first, they were a bit fearful; after all, these days, gangs held significant intimidation over ordinary people.

However, when they heard that a reward of five hundred Hong Kong dollars would be given for injuring one, two hundred for driving one away, and that any medical expenses would be fully covered by the boss, their mindset began to shift.

At this time, although the average wage on Hong Kong Island was as high as 1,200 Hong Kong dollars, this was skewed by the top 2% of high-net-worth individuals. Ordinary workers could hardly reach that average. Typically, factory workers at the lower rung earned around 800 Hong Kong dollars per month.

The employees at Chen’s Dessert Stall were currently hired on a temporary basis, and though Chen Bingwen planned to make formal arrangements for them after the Victoria Park Lunar New Year Fair ended, they were unaware of this for now. Therefore, when they heard about the generous rewards offered by Chen Bingwen, their eyes brightened.

A tall, thin employee quietly clenched a steel pipe hidden beneath his apron and whispered to his companion, “Boss, two hundred bucks for driving one off—that’s enough for my rent this month!”

Another slightly plump employee grinned broadly, “If I can take down two, I can go home for the New Year!”

Gao Zhenhai noticed the shift in morale and took the opportunity to encourage them: “Don’t be afraid! Brother Wen said he’ll take responsibility if anything happens! We have so many of us; why fear a few punks?”

While the employees at Chen’s Dessert Stall were growing restless, a group of gangsters under Rotten Tooth Ju was preparing to stir up trouble. At that moment, Chen Bingwen saw Ah Sheng from Uncle Fu’s family, accompanied by eight or nine people, approaching the gang from the side.

As they drew near, Ah Sheng smiled broadly at Chen Bingwen from afar, then threw an arm around Rotten Tooth Ju’s shoulder, pulling him aside for a quiet conversation.

Chen Bingwen watched from a distance as Rotten Tooth Ju’s expression shifted repeatedly—from anger to surprise, and finally to a hint of caution.

As Ah Sheng spoke, he occasionally pointed toward Chen’s Dessert Stall. Rotten Tooth Ju’s gaze followed, his eyes full of complexity.

“Brother Wen, Brother Sheng is here!” Gao Zhenhai whispered excitedly. “Looks like he’s here to help us.”

Chen Bingwen nodded slightly, feeling somewhat reassured. It seemed Ah Sheng commanded considerable respect—even Rotten Tooth Ju had to show him some deference.

Before long, Ah Sheng came over alone, smiling as he glanced at the long line in front of Chen’s stall. “Ah Wen, business is going well!”

Chen Bingwen hurried to greet him. “Brother Sheng, thank you for coming out.”

Ah Sheng waved his hand dismissively. “We’re neighbors; it’s only right.”

Lowering his voice, he said, “I’ve already talked things over with Rotten Tooth Ju. Causeway Bay is his turf, after all. How about this: during the seven days of the Victoria Park fair, you pay him two thousand dollars as a ‘tea fee’?”

“No problem, Brother Sheng—your word is final!” Chen Bingwen’s face lit up with a broad smile as he agreed promptly.

He turned and took two thousand dollars from the cash register, handing it to Ah Sheng with both hands. “Brother Sheng, please deliver this to Brother Ju.”

Ah Sheng took the money, patting Chen Bingwen’s shoulder with satisfaction. “Ah Wen, you’re a smart man.”

He paused, then added, “However, after the fair ends, if you want to continue doing business around Causeway Bay, you’ll still have to pay your respects to the right people.”

Chen Bingwen nodded repeatedly. “I understand. Thank you for your guidance, Brother Sheng.”

After seeing Ah Sheng off, Gao Zhenhai leaned in and asked, “Brother Wen, you’re giving them off so cheaply?”

Chen Bingwen shook his head, a gleam in his eyes. In a voice only the two of them could hear, he said, “Ah Hai, this is just a temporary measure. Once we’re firmly established, we won’t have to look at anyone’s face anymore. My money isn’t so easy to take!”

Turning to the employees, he raised his voice, “Thanks to everyone’s teamwork today, I’m adding a fifty-dollar bonus for each of you!”

The workers erupted in cheers. The tall, thin one shouted excitedly, “Brother Wen, next time there’s trouble, remember to call us!”

In the following days, business at the Victoria Park Lunar New Year Fair grew more and more prosperous. Rotten Tooth Ju’s gang never came back to cause trouble, while Zhang Shichang’s brother-in-law, Ah Guang, occasionally wandered by, but Gao Zhenhai kept a close watch on him.

On the first day of the lunar new year, when the fair officially closed, Chen’s Dessert Stall’s four stalls had achieved an astonishing total turnover of 587,600 Hong Kong dollars over seven working days.

On the second day of the lunar new year, the Chen Food Factory was festively decorated, filled with joyous atmosphere.

Chen Bingwen specially arranged ten tables at a nearby restaurant to host a banquet for all the employees who had participated in the fair.

“Brothers and sisters!” Chen Bingwen stood on the stage, raising his glass. “Thank you all for your hard work these seven days! Today, let’s celebrate properly!”

The audience responded with enthusiastic applause and cheers. The workers, dressed in brand-new uniforms, beamed with joy. Even Zhong Qiang, usually stern and unsmiling, was grinning broadly.

“First,” Chen Bingwen cleared his throat, “I have some good news! All employees who worked during the fair will receive an extra half-month’s salary as a bonus!”

Cheers broke out again. The tall, thin employee stood up excitedly. “Long live Brother Wen!”

“Second,” Chen Bingwen continued, “from today onward, all temporary workers will be converted to full-time employees, with a monthly salary of 1,000 dollars, including two meals a day!”

This announcement stunned everyone present. In 1978 on Hong Kong Island, ordinary workers earned only about 800 dollars a month. Chen Bingwen’s offer was extraordinary news.

“Third,” he smiled at Gao Zhenhai, “Gao Zhenhai is promoted to factory manager starting today, with a monthly salary of 1,500 dollars! Zhong Qiang is promoted to technical team leader, also with a salary of 1,500 dollars!”

Gao Zhenhai blushed with excitement and stood to bow to the crowd. Zhong Qiang wore a look of disbelief, repeatedly thanking Chen Bingwen. Until the public announcement, Chen Bingwen had not hinted at these promotions.

“Finally,” Chen Bingwen pulled out a stack of red envelopes from his pocket, “these are my New Year’s gifts to everyone—one envelope each for good luck!”

He personally descended from the stage, handing each employee an envelope. The workers received the thick packets, their faces lighting up with smiles.

The plump employee secretly squeezed his envelope, eyes widening in amazement. “Wow, one hundred dollars!”

At that time, ordinary employers typically gave employees red envelopes worth only five or ten dollars. Chen Bingwen’s generosity deeply moved everyone.

“Boss Wen, from now on, we’re sticking with you!” the tall, thin employee proclaimed, pounding his chest.

After several rounds of wine and dishes, the atmosphere grew even livelier.

“Brother Wen, if we keep all these employees, we really won’t need so many!” the newly appointed factory manager Gao Zhenhai quietly asked Chen Bingwen, a bit worried.

Chen Bingwen smiled confidently, patting Gao Zhenhai on the shoulder. “Ah Hai, after the Spring Festival, we’re going to start expanding!”