Chapter 46: Setting Sail (Seeking Favorites, Monthly Votes, Recommendations, and Continued Readership)

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In the Kwun Tong Foods conference room, the atmosphere was unlike any other day.

Gao Zhenhai, Zhong Qiang, along with the core team leaders and quality control staff from the Cheung Sha Wan and Kwun Tong factories, all sat quietly on one side of the table.

They all knew that the operations director arriving today would completely alter the course of Chen Ji’s operations.

The air was thick with a blend of anticipation and unease.

With a creak, the conference room door opened.

Chen Bingwen entered first, dressed in a slim dark gray suit with a white shirt underneath, no tie, exuding a sense of calm yet sharp resolve.

Behind him walked a poised and capable woman.

All eyes immediately focused on her.

Ling Peiyi, about thirty-five or thirty-six years old, wore a tailored off-white suit skirt, her makeup refined and her gaze piercing.

Upon entering, she swiftly scanned the room—from the slightly aged walls to each employee’s expression.

Her eyes lingered briefly on Gao Zhenhai and Zhong Qiang before she gave a slight nod.

Her professional distance and commanding presence instantly quieted what had been a somewhat noisy room.

“Everyone,” Chen Bingwen took the head seat, “allow me to introduce Ms. Ling Peiyi. From today onward, she will serve as the Operations Director of Chen Ji Foods Limited.

Director Ling previously held the position of Pastry Operations Director at Maxim’s Group, bringing with her extensive experience in building and managing chain systems.

Her joining will bring a more standardized and efficient management structure to Chen Ji, propelling the company into a new phase of development.

Let us welcome her!”

Applause broke out—warm, hesitant, and some purely in response to Chen Bingwen’s directive.

Ling Peiyi nodded slightly, wearing a perfectly measured professional smile: “Thank you, Mr. Chen, thank you all.

It is an honor to join this vibrant team of Chen Ji.

In the future, I look forward to working shoulder to shoulder with everyone to drive the growth of Chen Ji Foods.

Please guide me.”

Chen Bingwen gestured for Ling Peiyi to take the seat to his right, then surveyed the room and spoke plainly:

“The meeting today centers on two main points.

First, to welcome Director Ling; second, to clarify our core development priorities for the next six months to a year.”

He paused, then continued, “First, regarding Director Ling’s responsibilities,”

Chen Bingwen looked toward Ling Peiyi, “She will take full charge of the company’s daily operational management.

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Simply put, she will ensure that every step of our dessert soup— from raw material procurement to delivery to customers—becomes more efficient, stable, and profitable!”

His gaze shifted to Gao Zhenhai, Zhong Qiang, and the others: “Hai, Qiang, you know the company inside out.

With Director Ling just on board, she will need your full cooperation and support.

Her demands are my demands.

I expect everyone to set aside old habits, learn humbly, and quickly adapt to the new management style.

As the company grows, individuals must grow as well.

Those who cannot keep pace will be offered learning opportunities, but no one will be allowed to become a stumbling block to our progress.”

His words were both an endorsement and a warning.

Gao Zhenhai and the others stiffened inwardly and quickly nodded in agreement: “Understood, Boss Wen!”

“Good.” Chen Bingwen nodded in approval and continued, “In the coming period, Chen Ji’s focus will revolve around three key priorities:

First, the full launch of the franchise system.”

He signaled Gao Zhenhai to hang the prepared map of Hong Kong Island on the wall, marked with red and blue pens indicating current mobile points, standard store locations, and some areas marked with question marks.

“Currently, we have thirty mobile points in the Kowloon industrial area, and five standard stores in Causeway Bay, Tsim Sha Tsui, Mong Kok, Yau Ma Tei, and Central.

But this is far from enough! The potential in the Hong Kong Island market is enormous; relying solely on our own operations, expansion is too slow.

We must plant the Chen Ji dessert soup banner in every core business district and community across Hong Kong Island and Kowloon before the major beverage companies enter!”

Chen Bingwen pointed to the map: “Director Ling, your top priority upon taking office is to complete the framework construction, standard drafting, and recruitment and launch of the first pilot franchise stores within three months!

Site selection should prioritize densely populated areas such as Wan Chai, North Point, Shau Kei Wan, Hung Hom, Whampoa, and Kwun Tong.

Hai, you must fully support Director Ling by providing all operational data and experience from existing stores.”

Ling Peiyi quickly took notes on her laptop, then confidently said, “Mr. Chen, regarding the franchise system, I plan to complete an in-depth analysis of current store operations within this week, and begin initial contact with potential franchisees next week.

I will draft detailed proposals on franchise fees, management fees, raw material supply pricing, and deposits as soon as possible after the meeting.

For the first pilot batch, I suggest limiting it to 5 to 8 stores to ensure we can provide sufficient support and refine the processes.”

Chen Bingwen nodded: “Excellent. After the meeting, you and Hai will lead the development of the detailed plan.

In principle, we must ensure franchisees can make money, and our brand value is enhanced.”

“Second, a full push on the bottled dessert soup project to seize the market opportunity.”

Chen Bingwen’s eyes turned to Zhong Qiang: “The sterile filling alternative is currently the best fit for our capital and technological conditions.

According to Professor Zhou’s team’s research progress, the process flow should be preliminarily finalized within the next two days.

I require you to complete all final process confirmations and stability testing within the coming month!

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Ensure that the first batch of flagship products—tangerine peel red bean soup, coconut milk sago, mango pomelo sago, and other dessert soups—are ready for stable mass production!

The positioning of the bottled products must be clear: convenient, hygienic, and consistent in quality.

Pricing should be slightly higher than freshly made dine-in versions to reflect convenience and packaging costs.”

Zhong Qiang responded solemnly, “Boss, rest assured. I guarantee the bottled dessert soups will roll off the production line!”

Chen Bingwen looked at Ling Peiyi: “Director Ling, after the bottled products launch, developing supermarket channels is critical.

Wellcome and ParknShop are rapidly expanding and represent battlegrounds we must enter.

I need you to take charge of this tough challenge and quickly establish cooperative relationships with these major chain supermarkets to get our bottled dessert soups on their shelves!

This will vastly extend our sales reach and brand exposure.

Let me know what support you need.”

Ling Peiyi was well prepared: “Mr. Chen, opening supermarket channels requires a professional marketing team.

I request the immediate establishment of a marketing department staffed with key personnel familiar with fast-moving consumer goods channels.

Before the bottled products launch, I plan to personally lead the team to at least establish preliminary contact with core buyers at Wellcome and ParknShop.

I will need your endorsement and support during critical negotiations.”

“No problem!” Chen Bingwen agreed readily. “You scout the marketing team members and submit them for my approval.

If you need me to step in, just say the word.”

“Third, continuous optimization of existing operations to solidify our foundation.”

Chen Bingwen lastly looked at Gao Zhenhai and Zhong Qiang: “Hai, Qiang, production at the Cheung Sha Wan and Kwun Tong factories is the lifeblood of Chen Ji.

We cannot afford any lapse in the quality or supply stability of our current dessert soups!

Especially mango pomelo sago and coconut milk sago—as summer approaches and market demand heats up, supply must be sufficient and quality consistent.

Director Ling has rich experience in system optimization. You must learn from her.”

Gao Zhenhai and Zhong Qiang responded in unison, “Understood!”

The meeting concluded, and everyone began to leave.

Chen Bingwen deliberately stayed back with Ling Peiyi.