Chapter 4: The Preliminary Test

In the early hours of the next day, just past four o’clock, the lights of Chen’s Sweet Soup Shop flickered on.

The family of three began preparing the midday sweet soups destined for the factory.

They simmered red bean paste, made salty dumplings, and cleaned the insulated containers and utensils.

While rinsing the red beans, Chen Bingwen said, “Dad, let’s tweak the red bean paste recipe for the factory delivery—add 5% more sugar and a pinch of salt.

This way, it will quickly replenish energy and give the sweet soup a more layered, richer flavor.”

Chen Guofu was momentarily taken aback. He opened his mouth as if to say something but ultimately remained silent and nodded in agreement.

Making sweet soup was like cooking; every step and every ingredient had fixed requirements.

The family’s red bean paste recipe had been handed down since Chen Bingwen’s grandfather’s generation. Now, with his son suddenly wanting to alter the formula, Chen Guofu felt a pang of unease.

Yet recalling the impact Chen Bingwen had made the previous afternoon—with his clear thinking and methodical approach—Chen Guofu decided to let him try.

He quietly approached the stove and adjusted the sugar and salt according to Chen Bingwen’s proportions.

Seeing his father’s hesitation, Chen Bingwen explained, “Dad, the factory workers have long hours; the extra sugar will quickly restore their energy.

Salt, being the essence of flavor, will enhance the sweetness and add depth to the red bean paste.”

With that, he scooped a spoonful of the seasoned red bean paste and offered it to his father. “Dad, give it a taste.”

Chen Guofu took the spoon, blew on the heat, and cautiously sipped.

The smooth bean paste spread across his tongue—first a pure sweetness, then a subtle hint of savory saltiness.

His eyes widened.

The slight adjustment had unleashed a brand-new taste.

“Excellent!” Chen Guofu exclaimed with a trembling voice. “This flavor… it reminds me of when I was a child, going to the Sheep City Restaurant with your grandfather, and the master chef’s red bean soup…”

Wang Qiaozhen, who had been quietly observing the father and son, also took a spoonful and tasted it.

Her eyes lit up. “This flavor… sweet but not cloying, perfectly balanced savory notes, and the aroma of the beans is richer than before!”

She looked at Chen Bingwen with delight. “Awen, how did you come up with this?”

Chen Bingwen couldn’t very well tell her that this was a conclusion repeatedly verified by future experts in business and gastronomy.

He chuckled, “I read an article in a magazine once that said the secret to deliciousness is hiding salt within sweetness.

So, I thought I’d give it a try.”

Though his explanation was hardly rigorous, both parents were completely won over by the improved red bean paste and didn’t question it further.

The improved red bean paste bolstered Chen Guofu and Wang Qiaozhen’s confidence in selling sweet soups to the factory workers.

At eleven in the morning, Chen Bingwen and his father secured two insulated containers filled with steaming tangerine peel red bean paste and fragrant sesame paste on either side of their bicycle.

In the bamboo basket on the bike’s rack, they neatly stacked a whole box of golden, crispy, tender salted dumplings.

“Dad, let’s go!” Chen Bingwen steadied the handlebars and, calling his father who carried the utensils, the two pushed their simple “food cart” forward, heading toward Changsha Bay Industrial Zone under Wang Qiaozhen’s expectant gaze.

The day before, Chen Bingwen had toured nearly all the industrial buildings in Changsha Bay.

He had a rough idea of the main factory types, work schedules, and even the primary entrances and exits used by workers.

Today’s destination was Huafeng Garment Factory, which occupied an entire industrial building deep within the zone.

Shortly after eleven-thirty, Chen Bingwen and his father arrived at the back street of Huafeng’s first factory.

This was a side entrance connecting the workers’ dormitory and the factory cafeteria.

They parked the bicycle firmly and quickly unloaded the insulated containers and bamboo basket.

Chen Bingwen unfolded a notice board he had prepared in advance and hung it on the bike.

The board read:

Chen’s Sweet Soup Special Supply.

Tangerine Peel Red Bean Paste: $1;

Rich Sesame Paste: $1.50;

Salted Dumplings: $1;

Value Set: Tangerine Peel Red Bean Paste + Salted Dumplings = $1.80.

(Limited quantity, first come first served)

Chen Bingwen efficiently arranged the containers and utensils, then turned to his father. “Dad, when the workers come out, you handle serving the sweet soup. I’ll collect the money and attend to the customers.”

Chen Guofu nervously rubbed his hands, glancing repeatedly at the tightly closed iron gate of the factory. “Awen, do you think anyone will really buy from us?”

Before Chen Bingwen could answer, a shrill electric bell rang inside the factory.

“Ding-ling-ling…”

The lunch break bell sounded.

Immediately, the iron gate at the factory’s ground floor was pushed open with a loud clang, and workers in uniforms poured out like a tide.

Most wore exhausted expressions and hurried toward the cafeteria.

At that moment, Chen Bingwen took a deep breath and shouted loudly, “Chen’s Sweet Soup—Grand Opening Special! The first fifty portions of red bean paste are free!”

His clear voice cut through the noisy crowd. “Tangerine peel red bean paste! Rich sesame paste! Served with freshly fried salted dumplings—value set for just eighteen cents!”

As he spoke, he snapped open the lid of the insulated container, releasing a rich, sweet aroma wafting in the breeze.

A few female workers at the front suddenly stopped in their tracks, their noses twitching involuntarily.

“Wow! The smell of this red bean paste…” A short-haired woman’s eyes brightened as she hurried forward. “Boss, is it really free?”

Chen Bingwen smiled warmly at her. “Pretty lady, the first fifty portions are on the house—consider it making friends!”

Though a handsome young man’s gaze made her a bit shy, the irresistible aroma won her over. Blushing, she shyly said, “Then I’ll have a portion of the red bean paste.”

“No problem, pretty lady!” Chen Bingwen readily agreed and handed the bowl of red bean paste, scooped by Chen Guofu, to her.

She took a cautious sip.

The smooth red bean paste melted on her tongue, the unique mellow bitterness of tangerine peel blending perfectly with the honeyed sweetness, causing her eyes to widen in amazement. “Wow! This flavor… it’s incredible!”

Excitedly, she turned and waved to her companions. “Afang! Come quickly! This red bean paste is amazingly delicious! The first fifty servings are free!”

The word “free” rippled through the crowd like a stone thrown into still water, instantly drawing the attention of many workers heading to the cafeteria.

Regardless of the taste, the mere fact it was free was enough to attract a crowd.

Before the short-haired woman finished speaking, a long line had already formed at the stall.

“I want a free one!”

“Give me a bowl too!”

“Don’t push! Don’t push!”

Chen Bingwen loudly called out to maintain order, “Please line up properly, one at a time!

The first fifty are free; after that, the value set costs eighteen cents each!”

His shout summoned even more workers streaming out of the building.

He glanced at his father and signaled, “Dad, open the sesame paste container too.”