Reply from Ah Hock (Final series)

I never expect people will response to my story. I would like to thank all those who made an effort to read my story and those who commented on it. After reading the comments, I felt I should reply them.

To Mr Tan:

It's really a great honor to have you to write to someone like me. Thank you for providing your precious advice and I will certainly bear that in mind. You mention you are the CEO of Starling Company. I believe we have met before. 18 years ago, I was the Managing DIrector of the company and there was a fresh graduate who just came to the company. Bespectacled and soft-spoken young man who is hardworking but never know how to play the games. I said to myself that this young man is just another guy who only excel in study, in the comfort of the protected world; never knew what the real world is. Hence, I started to scold him for no reason, be the meanest superior that I can, trying to make him "wake up" and see the reality of this world. Never did I expected, 18 years later, this young man has achieve greater things that I have. This world is so small and often filled with irony. Yes, I'm Mr Goh See Hock a.k.a Ah Hock, the guy who once make your days like hell in the office.

How's everything in the company? I heard that under your leadership, the company has done very well and have even listed. Good. Maybe I was living in my dream. Wanting to become a Wanton Mee man, is just a dream, an escapism from the reality. Maybe. Maybe not. I believe that Wanton Mee man has its joy and hardship. Rewards and risks. The rewards and risks might not be comparable to yours but there still is. Most importantly, I found something in it - joy of being an average joe. I have won several outstanding awards during my tenure in the company and is often the role model of the organization. However, with great power and respect come great responsibility. Failure is a taboo and giving less than 100% is a disgrace to me. But I'm not superman. I can't do everything and be the best 24/7. Hence I sacrifice a lot of things and fail to see a lot of things through a broader perspective. Now, I'm just a Wanton Mee man, although standard of living is worse than previously but II'm able to see things through a broader perspective and have a lot of other things instead. People from different woks of life came to my stall and some of them have became my regular customers and friends. Sometimes, after I closed for the day, we will drink and talk in the coffee-shop. Listen to their stories made me feel, that life is actually much more to profits, objectives and goals. Listen to their love stories, works, families and many other trivial matters made me see life in a whole new perspective. I believe this is something I would not have gain if I'm still in the office. Secondly, although its important for the stall to earn profits, but sometimes the joy came from seeing my customers rubbing their tummy after they are full or shouting across that the noodles is nice. Although simple but it never fails to bring a smile on my face. Sometimes the greatest joy in life come from the smallest gesture. Lastly, I have more time to myself, my families and friends. No longer do I need to worktime, be away for overseas trip for many days, I have time to do things I like.

So Mr Tan, if you still believe I'm living in my little dreamland. Please let me continue to do so cause I very happy living inside it. Thanks