Chapter 39: Favors and Lovers

Zhang Jinrong sat on the ferry, taking out his small hip flask to sip wine against the breeze, looking somewhat reluctant.

For a southern lad, taking a ferry all the way to Wan Chai just for a bowl of dumplings was truly an exaggeration. However, since Inspector Pi was a senior probationary inspector, Ah Rong, Old Ma, Ah Cong, and Da Zai had no choice but to accompany him.

Out on the sea, Pi Zhibang was in high spirits, saying, "In Hong Kong, you see wonton stalls everywhere, but finding one that sells dumplings is so hard."

"Let me tell you, the boss, 'Madam Tsang,' is from Zhucheng in Shandong. She worked in a hospital, met a doctor who came to help China, and had two daughters."

"Later on, that doctor returned to Thailand and took another wife. Madam Tsang didn't know, and she brought her daughters to Hong Kong, intending to make her way to Thailand to find her husband."

"By then, an acquaintance contacted the husband, and the husband actually asked her to be a concubine. Madam Tsang had a spine, so she stayed in Hong Kong. Her nurse's certificate was useless, so she started a street stall selling dumplings."

Gossip is always appealing, and telling the story instantly piqued everyone's interest. A person with a spine, regardless of gender, commands respect.

The group walked out of the ferry pier and arrived at the dumpling stall. There, they saw a woman wearing an apron with a round face and big eyes, shouting in broken Cantonese to invite customers.

Five or six police officers in uniform stood around the stall holding bowls. Recognizing Pi Zhibang immediately, they called out, "Inspector Pi, Inspector Pi."

Madam Tsang opened the lid of the soup pot, steam billowing, and smiled warmly as she asked, "Inspector Pi, the usual?"

"I'll have the pickled cabbage and pork flavor, and five bowls of corn and pork for my mates." Pi Zhibang seemed very familiar with Madam Tsang and proactively helped grab the bowls.

Madam Tsang exchanged pleasantries with him: "I specially saved a bowl of pickled cabbage for you."

Hong Kong locals didn't have a high acceptance rate for pickled cabbage and pork dumplings; only the officers from the Shandong faction would buy them. Pi Zhibang chuckled honestly, "Many thanks."

Zhang Jinrong squatted nearby, muttering under his breath, "Is there something fishy going on between them?"

Lin Tiansheng smiled, making no guesses. It wasn't easy for a woman to raise two daughters and make a living in Hong Kong. As a gathering place with tens of thousands of people entering and leaving every day, the pier had long been occupied by the triads.

Without the police officers of the Shandong faction stepping in, trying to make an honest living in peace would be a pipe dream. The world was inherently unfair, and making any assumptions about hardworking people was rather hurtful.

Not long after, Madam Tsang brought over several bowls of dumplings, introducing them, "Officers, the dumplings have all been improved. The wrappers are thin and the fillings are generous. Have a try."

Lin Tiansheng bit into one, juice spilling in his mouth, the meat filling overflowing, and the broth still carried the heat of the wok. You could tell the wrappers were handmade and the meat was fresh.

"Delicious."

"Well... not bad at all." Zhang Jinrong, Gao Zicong, and Ma Delong were pleasantly surprised, finding it exceeded their expectations.

Snack stalls that manage to make a name for themselves on the streets might not necessarily be the most gourmet, but they are definitely value for money and leave a lasting impression on diners.

"Freshly made things really taste better than frozen goods," Lin Tiansheng thought to himself.

The moment he stepped onto the pier, he was certain that these Wan Chai dumplings were the predecessor of the future brand "Wan Chai Ferry."

Holding his bowl, Pi Zhibang smiled and said, "Madam Tsang, haven't you always been very grateful to the police officer who opened up Boundary Street? Officer Lin and Old Ma here are the ones."

Madam Tsang was momentarily stunned, then said with pleasant surprise, "Officer Lin, thank you so much! If it weren't for you, my youngest daughter would have been blocked outside the street, unable to get her identity papers and unable to go to school."

Lin Tiansheng was slightly taken aback and brushed it off, saying, "Don't mention it, Madam Tsang. I just couldn't bear to watch."

Pi Zhibang added, "Madam Tsang's youngest daughter wasn't of school age yet and was fostered at a fellow townsman's place in the countryside. Without you that night, she would have been deported."

Madam Tsang said, "Many friends running food carts and convenience store employees all owe you a favor. When you have free time, give us a chance to treat you to a meal."

"You've already treated us to this meal," Pi Zhibang chimed in, hinting that Madam Tsang hadn't collected any money.

"You're too kind. Next time I'll have Inspector Pi foot the bill," Lin Tiansheng replied with a smile, finding it hard to refuse. Ma Delong, Gao Zicong, and the other two stood nearby glowing with reflected glory, feeling the dumplings tasted even better.

Lin Tiansheng realized there was a force he had inadvertently overlooked—the citizens entering Hong Kong via Boundary Street.

This group numbered a good ten to twenty thousand people, hidden away in the hustle and bustle of the city. Though powerless and devoid of high status, they shared a natural bond of human sentiment, making it wise to stay on good terms with them.

Who knew? Among them might just be a few talented individuals.

Take Madam Tsang, for example. There was a movie called *Dumpling Queen* that depicted her entrepreneurial journey.

Although the plot was a bit cheesy, it gave a general overview of the origins of Wan Chai Ferry.

Starting from a pier stall and growing into a food corporation with annual revenues exceeding ten billion.

Though Wan Chai Ferry remained a regional workshop supplying frozen dumplings only locally in Hong Kong before American-based General Mills injected capital,

without over a decade of solid reputation, why would a large corporation come forward to cooperate and promote it, using supply chain and supermarket advantages to flood all of Asia with products?

Pardon me, but he had underestimated the intricacies of market management.

Lin Tiansheng couldn't help feeling somewhat moved. After finishing his dumplings, he borrowed a pen, wrote down his phone number, and handed it forward, saying, "Boss, these are truly delicious."

"If Officer Lin likes them, remember to come often. As long as it's Officer Lin, Officer Ma, or the others, it's on the house." Madam Tsang was warm and generous, possessing the straightforwardness typical of people from Shandong.

Lin Tiansheng smiled and said, "I said don't stand on ceremony. I work under Inspector Pi. If there are any minor matters that Inspector Pi finds inconvenient to handle, you can just call me."

Madam Tsang was both surprised and delighted. Wiping her hands, she picked up a pre-packed bag containing a full five boxes—each packed tightly with dozens of dumplings—and handed it over with both hands: "Please take these for the brothers to share, Officer Lin."

"I won't be overly polite then." Unable to refuse, Lin Tiansheng took the bag. "I'll come again when I have time, Madam Tsang."

"You're always welcome, Officer Lin." Madam Tsang walked out a couple of steps to the edge of the food cart, only stopping when Lin Tiansheng waved her back.

Once the intermediary company turned a profit, the money earned could genuinely be used to consider investing in and building a dumpling factory. Although compared to the real estate market, the food industry made money much slower, the property market was heavily influenced by macroeconomic trends, unlike the food industry, which could weather downturns smoothly.

Moreover, beyond being an honest business, it could provide employment, gain positive media coverage on television, and expand one's influence.

After taking the ferry back to Kowloon, Lin Tiansheng picked up the bag, distributed one box to each of the guys, and then walked back to Wing Cheong Building holding the plastic bag, cigarette dangling from his lips, swaying slightly. As he took out his keys to unlock the door, he noticed a pair of small women's cloth shoes in the shoe cabinet, clearly indicating someone was inside the apartment.

Though he had a guess in mind, he still unbuckled his holster, felt the grip of his gun, turned sideways, and slowly pushed the door open. There stood a girl wearing the uniform of Chue Kwang College, her hair tied up, boiling soup in front of the stove.

"Ah Fung?"

Lin Tiansheng looked puzzled and called out softly.

Li Shaifeng was startled, turned around, clutched her hand, and looked somewhat fearful. "Young Master Sheng, I'll leave right now."

Lin Tiansheng turned back to check the bedroom, returned to the living room, put away his gun, and held out his hand. "Give me back my keys first."

Regardless of Ah Fung's background, back when Lin Tiansheng guarded the reservoir and lived by the reservoir, he hadn't cared about this old apartment and had let her keep the keys.

However, Lin Tiansheng wasn't going to be careless anymore. He just hadn't caught her before, but now he naturally needed to patch up this security loophole.

Li Shaifeng looked utterly bewildered. "Huh?"

"Hurry up, don't drag your feet," Lin Tiansheng urged.