Chapter 18 — After Taking Mother Away, We Changed Our Lives

“General Manager Lam.”

“I choose to cooperate with you.”

“But I have one condition.”

“The company's product research and production department…”

“It must be my sole responsibility.”

“All formulation and quality control…”

“It must be decided by my mother personally.”

“This is our limit.”

“It is also the soul of ‘Mother's Chili Sauce'.”

Very soon after that… I received a reply. Only two words.

"Agree."

The next day... I took my mother and aunt Tran to the new factory in the food industrial park for the first time. When standing in the middle of that spacious, bright and completely new space... Looking at the shiny stainless steel equipment... Smelling the clean smell of a modern production line... The three of us were so moved that we were speechless. My mother caressed the giant mixing pot... Like touching a priceless treasure.

“Are we really going to make chili sauce here?”

Aunt Tran also stood next to her, looking east and west. The excitement was completely unhidden. I walked to the front of the huge glass window. It's a vast sky. From today... We officially say goodbye to the period of struggling to survive in a small workshop in the village in the city. A completely new era… Belonging to “Mother's Chili Sauce”… Has begun. Our new factory... Under the extremely fierce working speed of Thanh Son Capital... It only took exactly one month to officially go into operation. I gave the company a very simple name.

“Mother Love Food Company.”

The trademark was also re-registered. The three words “Mother's Chili Sauce” are next to a cartoon hand-drawn by myself and my mother. A mother leans on her daughter. Lam Phong's team redesigned the entire packaging for us. No more simple glass jars. Which turns into a gift box filled with a warm feeling. On every bottle of chili sauce... there is a sentence printed.

“Taste a bite, the taste of mother.”

Our first batch of products... Through Thanh Son Capital's distribution system... Directly on shelves at the most high-end supermarkets in Dung Thanh. Three times higher than other similar products in the same segment on the market. Even within Lam Phong's team... There are people who are worried. Feeling our steps are too big. But I am extremely confident. Because before the opening day... We organized a live promotional activity. Right at the largest commercial center square in Dung Thanh. We don't invite stars. Also don't do flashy advertising. Simply set up a large pot right at the scene. My mother wore a clean chef's uniform... She personally cooked chili sauce for passersby to taste. That familiar scent... But it carries a rich, irresistible scent of soy sauce. Very quickly, layers upon layers of people gathered around. We prepare more than ten thousand free samples. Every person who tastes it... is completely conquered by that flavor. We do not sell directly on site. Just letting everyone know… Go to your nearest supermarket. The day after the event ended… The supermarket's purchasing manager called. There was absolutely no hiding the excitement and shock in his voice.

“General Manager Ly!”

“Your chili sauce is sold out!”

“1,000 bottles just hit the shelves…”

“Sold out in less than a day!”

“Right now there are still many people lined up in front of the supermarket waiting to buy!”

“When can I supplement? row?"

“We will take as much as we want!”

The trumpet of victory... From that moment it officially sounded.

“Mother's Chili Sauce”…

After just one night, it became Dung Thanh's hottest product. It's no longer just a jar of chili sauce. Which becomes an icon. Symbol of motherly love. Symbol of tenacity. Symbol of the paradoxical legend of people at the bottom. Our story is continuously reported by the media. My mother and I became regular guests of television stations. At first my mother was very unfamiliar with it. Facing the lens, my arms and legs don't know where to place them. But gradually... She also found her own feeling. She does not speak of lofty morals. Use only the simplest language... Tell about how to choose ingredients. Tells about controlling fire and time. Talk about your wish... So that every child in exile who is struggling to make a living... can taste a sip of the flavor of home. That sincerity and simplicity... Has touched the hearts of countless people. She is even more famous than me. Company employees all affectionately call her "Mother Vuong". She became the true soul of the company. Also a product research director that no one can replace. We left the small yard next to the street the day before... Moved into a luxury apartment overlooking the river. 180 square meters. Four bedrooms, two living rooms. There is also a super large balcony. The first time I entered the house... My mother was so excited that she walked around several times. She likes the balcony the most. I let someone build a small garden for her. She grows chili peppers. Growing onions. Grow all kinds of spices. Only when you grow the ingredients yourself... The pot of soy sauce you make will truly have emotions.