The Golden Beginning
The shutters were half-open at the new shop lot in the bustling heart of SS2, Petaling Jaya. Inside, the air smelled of fresh paint and sawdust. Wei Meng wiped sweat from his forehead, looking at the clock. It was 10:00 AM. The grand opening was in two hours.
He had spent his life savings on this modern kopitiam. Every tile, every cup, every menu item was chosen by him. But now, as the moment approached, the excitement was being replaced by a cold, sinking feeling of doubt. What if nobody comes? What if the food isn’t good enough? What if this was a mistake?
His phone buzzed. It was his best friend from university, Hafiz, texting from his office in KL. “Good luck today, brother! Sorry I can’t be there until evening.”
Wei Meng sighed. He knew his friends supported him, but standing alone in the empty shop, the silence felt heavy. He adjusted a chair, then moved it back. He was spiraling.
Suddenly, a honk from a motorcycle cut through the noise of the traffic outside. A courier from White On White walked in, carefully holding a large, round box.
“Delivery for Mr. Wei Meng?”
Wei Meng accepted it, puzzled. He placed the arrangement on the main counter—the heart of the shop.
It wasn’t a typical tall flower stand. It was intimate, detailed, and striking. Nestled in a bed of deep red roses (symbolizing luck and passion), soft pink carnations, and elegant white orchids, sat a smiling, golden figure: The God of Wealth (Caishen).
The golden deity was beaming with joy, surrounded by gold-painted leaves and fans that caught the light coming through the window.
A card was tucked into the side. “To my brother Wei Meng. Every empire starts with a single step. Here’s a little ‘Ong’ to watch over the counter until I get there. You’ve got this. – Hafiz”
Wei Meng looked at the smiling golden figure. The vibrant red of the roses seemed to breathe life into the grey tones of the renovation. The arrangement commanded attention. It didn’t just look like a decoration; it looked like a blessing.
The tension in Wei Meng’s shoulders dropped. He wasn’t just starting a business with money and recipes; he was starting it with the belief of the people who mattered. The “God of Wealth” wasn’t just about money; it was about the richness of support.
As he finished setting up, he placed the arrangement front and center next to the cashier. It was the first thing customers would see—a symbol of welcome, prosperity, and friendship.
By 12:00 PM, the first customers walked in. They smiled at the golden figure among the flowers. “Nice opening, boss!” an uncle said, giving a thumbs up.
Wei Meng smiled back, the doubt gone. With same day delivery, Hafiz had managed to send his support exactly when it was needed most. The shutters went all the way up. The golden beginning had arrived.
