Chapter 8 — After Taking Mother Away, We Changed Our Lives

Registering a trademark is more complicated than I thought. I found an agency, submitted my application, and paid nearly 2,000 yuan in registration fees. Looking at the receipt in my hand, I had all kinds of mixed emotions. It's Aunt Tran's monthly salary. This is the semi-monthly profit of our small factory. But I know, this money must be spent. It's part of our insurance for the future.

“Mom, wait until the trademark is registered…”

“Our ‘That Ly Huong’ will become a truly decent brand.”

"If anyone dares to imitate me in the future, if you take this, you can sue them."

I carefully put the receipt away like I would a precious treasure map. Mom looked at my excited appearance and laughed too.

“Okay, okay.”

“Mom, I heard everything.”

After Aunt Tran joined, I was finally completely freed from petty manual work. I'm starting to feel like a real "boss"... Thinking about further things. Our customer base cannot just hang around in the villages in the city forever. Dung Thanh is so big... There is a huge market out there waiting for us to explore. I started targeting large fresh food supermarket chains in the inner city. If we can bring our chili sauce into those supermarkets... Sales will definitely skyrocket in quality. Of course I know this is very difficult. The supplier recruitment threshold of some large supermarkets is extremely high. They have had a stable source of goods for a long time, and basically don't pay attention to a small, unknown factory like us. But I'm not afraid. The road is created by people themselves. I spent a whole week doing a market survey report. Analyze the pros and cons of major chili sauce brands on the market. Along with the unique advantages of "Mother and Son That Ly Huong". I also prepared the sample carefully and wrote an emotional brand story. Then start trying to contact the purchasing department head of the supermarkets. Calling over and over again. Then, time after time, I was politely refused by the receptionist. But I don't give up. I am like a weed growing between the rocks... Desperately searching for a small bit of light. Just when I had almost exhausted all options… The turning point finally appeared. The owner of Long Giang pork trotters restaurant - the first person to cooperate with us - introduced me to someone.

“Nguyet Nguyet, this is the purchasing director of Bach Vi Giai food company, last name is Vuong.”

"Mr. Vuong used to eat pork trotters rice at my restaurant. He really liked your chili sauce, so he especially wanted to meet you."

My heart was shocked. Bach Vi Giai! It is a quite famous food company in Dung Thanh, owning several domestic spice brands. Although it cannot be compared to national brands... But their sales network covers Dung Thanh. I quickly walked forward, a little nervously reaching out my hand.

“Hello Mr. Vuong, I am Ly Nguyet.”

Mr. Vuong is a middle-aged man in his forties, wearing gold-rimmed glasses and looking very elegant. After shaking my hand, his eyes slowly scanned around our simple little workshop. In that look there is an evaluation and scrutiny that is difficult to detect.

“Young Mr. Ly is truly talented.”

He said smiling.

“I tried your chili sauce.”

“The taste is truly special.”

“It has the flavor of home, very rich.”

In my heart I was so happy, I thought he was coming to discuss cooperation.

“You are too complimentary.”

“We only do small business, we win with real ingredients.”

He nodded, then suddenly changed his tone.

“I came here today with sincere intentions.”

“Our company highly appreciates your skills.”

“We also attach great importance to the market potential of this product.”

“We want to buy your brand and formula.”

My heart immediately sank.

“We are willing to pay 200,000 yuan to buy the brand ‘That Ly Huong’ and your exclusive formula.”

“In the future, you and your mother can come to our company as technical consultants.”

“Every month we will pay an additional 8,000 yuan in salary.”

He leaned back in his chair, his tone was gentle as if he was talking about something extremely normal.

“How are you, Mr. Ly?”

“200,000 yuan plus a stable, high-paying job…”

“You and your mother will no longer have to live as hard as you do now.”

“You can even make a deposit to buy a small apartment in Dung Thanh.”

“Completely escape the village in this town.”

Those words… Like a sugar-coated bullet. Accurately shot straight into the softest place in my heart.