Chapter 4 - 4 The Empire of Innovation

Words : 644 Updated : Sep 10th, 2025

Chapter 4: Chapter 4 The Empire of Innovation With a swift motion, Brian grabbed a handful of golden fried potatoes. "Hmm!" he hummed in surprise. "Ahh..." murmured his companion, Austin, his face awash with curiosity. Brian, a sergeant of resolute demeanor, and his friend Austin had ventured to a bustling eatery that had recently become the talk of the town. "It looks like a simple sandwich, but the taste—it's completely different!" Brian exclaimed, his gaze darting to Austin, whose face mirrored his astonishment. "These potatoes... why are they so good? I always thought potatoes were meant for soups. Are these sliced thin and fried in oil?" Austin mused, examining the crisp morsels with fascination. The two men sat on chairs outside the modest establishment, savoring their meals with deliberation. Occasionally, they sipped from vibrant fruit juices to refresh their palates before returning to their feast. "How is it that something so simple tastes this extraordinary? There doesn't seem to be anything particularly expensive or rare in it," Brian observed. "And you're saying this was all created by that boy?" Austin asked, incredulous. "You mean Eugene?" "No, it's Fang Ming. 'Fang' is his family name. Apparently, he's the one behind all of this." Brian's expression was a portrait of awe and disbelief. The thought that a mere teenager had conceived such an enterprise was as astonishing as the flavors on his plate. "The truly remarkable thing isn't just the taste of the food," Brian said, gesturing toward the line of people stretching before the eatery. "Look closely at that queue." Austin squinted, observing the orderly line of patrons waiting to place their orders. "What's so special about it? People are just waiting for their food." "No, not that. Watch how quickly they're served. How long did it take for us to get our food after ordering?" "Does it have to be beef?" Jonathan ventured cautiously one evening. "Couldn't we use pork or even dog meat? It'd cut costs significantly." "We can't afford to get complacent," Fang Ming replied firmly. "Competitors could emerge at any moment." "But if we think about the cost..." Jonathan persisted. Fang Ming shook his head. "Absolutely not. Sacrificing quality for cost is the surest way to lose everything. Never forget—the products we sell define the customers we attract. We must always offer the best." Jonathan sighed but nodded. He respected Fang Ming's unwavering principles, even if he disagreed at times. Fang Ming understood that in the 19th century, beef was a rare delicacy. To offer it as an affordable, accessible product was to create something irresistible to the people of Hong Kong. A Day's End... Later that evening, Fang Ming returned home after visiting both the eatery and the laundry workshop. Though his empire consisted of only two ventures, managing them consumed his days entirely. "Yuna! I'm home!" he called out. The door burst open as his younger sister greeted him with an exuberant cheer. Behind her, silhouetted against the lamplight, sat their father at the dining table. "Father, you're back!" Fang Ming exclaimed, his voice tinged with both surprise and delight. His father, back after three weeks, appeared slightly inebriated. A faint scent of rice wine lingered in the air. "Ah, my son!" his father said, his words warm and slurred. "Three weeks away, and you've grown taller! Soon, you'll be ready for marriage!" Fang Ming laughed softly, knowing his father's words were less about reality and more about paternal pride. "Even I'm an adult now, Father. I can't stay a boy forever," Fang Ming replied, bowing respectfully before sitting down to join his family. As the night deepened, Fang Ming's thoughts turned back to his growing empire. Success was only the beginning. A greater destiny awaited.

Chapter 4 - 4 The Empire of Innovation

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