- Joined
- Aug 20, 2022
- Messages
- 19,112
- Points
- 113
早报Kopitiam
Ssodoprnte9057011m8846ftl09456hc515am6407m686a8hi460c0c51626 ·https://www.facebook.com/#
肉骨茶摊在疫情冲击下连亏三年，欠下逾10万元债务，为还债摊主日做18个小时，几乎全年无休，最终因操劳过度不幸去世，留下遗孀独自坚守两人一手打拼的档口生意。
See translation
zaobao.com.sg
为还债日做18小时 肉骨茶摊主过劳猝逝
Under the impact of the epidemic, the Bak Kut Teh stall suffered losses for three consecutive years and owed more than 100,000 yuan in debt. In order to pay off the debt, the stall owner worked 18 hours a day, almost all year round. He eventually died of overwork, leaving his widow alone to stick to the stall business that the two of them had worked hard for.
"Sin Min Road Bak Kut Teh" located at Block 36, Kau Lok Food Centre, Sin Min Road was started by Hong Rongsheng (65 years old) and Cai Juhua (66 years old) in the 1990s.
When she was young, Cai Juhua was a capable assistant at the famous "Yongcheng Bak Kut Teh" on Xinmin Road for more than 20 years. The boss was her brother-in-law. Later, she asked her husband to come to "Yongcheng" to help for several years, and then the couple started their own business.
Cai Juhua said in an interview with a reporter from the Shin Min Daily News recently that her husband passed away in the early morning of January 10 this year, leaving her to run the stall alone.
She said that her husband had been suffering from a cold for three weeks before his death, but he continued to work as usual until four days before his death when he could no longer hold on and had to rest.
"I was worried about his health at the time, but he said, 'Don't worry, I can live a few more years.'
However, he suddenly said he had difficulty breathing at around 11pm on the 9th. He was rushed to the hospital and died at around 5am."
She said that she stayed with her husband in the hospital that night, encouraging him to stay strong and live on. She also told him that if she lost him, it would be difficult for her to continue running the business.
"We have been like one pair of hands for many years. Now that he is gone, there is one less hand.
Although my husband could not speak at that time, he held my hand tightly. He did not leave with peace of mind until I promised to do my best to keep the stall."
Due to the epidemic, the company suffered losses for three consecutive years and owed a debt of 100,000 yuan
She revealed that the past few years have not been easy, especially during the epidemic, when they suffered losses for three consecutive years due to lack of business, causing them to spend all their savings and even owe more than 100,000 yuan in bank debts.
She revealed that their monthly rent was more than 9,000 yuan at the time, and one employee's salary was 4,000 yuan, but during the epidemic, sometimes they only made about 100 yuan in business a day, and their expenses were not enough to make ends meet.
"My husband worked very hard to pay off the debt. Before the pandemic, he would take a day or two off every month. After the pandemic, we only had four days off during the New Year. My husband went out at 5 a.m. every day and came home at 11 p.m."
She said that her husband did not have the three highs when he was alive, and before he died, the doctor also said that he died of overwork and loss of body resistance.
She said she knew her husband was concerned about the stall, so she only took a two-week break after the funeral before reopening it.
For the full report, please refer to the June 7, 2025 edition of the Lianhe Zaobao.
