The Game of Life

I find that when I’m dizzy, my thoughts flow more freely.

It’s like opening the doors to a new world.

.

Jiang Chengde and Mr. Lu spent the whole morning in Taifeng Building taking inventory of the furniture, from large tables, chairs, and ancient shelves to small tea cups, dishes, and wine pots. Mr. Lu wished he could pack everything up and take it all to Beiping; he couldn’t bear to part with this item or that, as if leaving anything behind would cause him unbearable heartache.

“We have to take this set of cups with us, I remember 20 years ago, it was this model. This is an antique, we have to take it.”

“We must take this vase.”

“This jar…”

“This ancient shelf…”

“Right, the cellar, we haven’t inventoried the things in the cellar yet!”

Mr. Lu led Jiang Chengde from the main hall to the back kitchen, and then to the cellar, meticulously inventorying every item in Taifeng Building. Jiang Feng could see that Mr. Lu and Jiang Chengde had a rather good relationship, which didn’t seem like that of an employer and employee, or even a debtor and creditor, but more like old friends of many years.

Although Mr. Lu was old enough to be Jiang Chengde’s father, he was talkative and always wore a smile, whereas Jiang Chengde was serious, always coming across as cold. Standing together, one might feel that Jiang Chengde was the more reliable one.

By the time they finished inventorying, it was already noon. Mr. Lu was holding a thick stack of inventory lists, discussing with Jiang Chengde what should be shipped in the first batch and what in the second.

“I’ve already arranged everything on the Beiping side. The first batch being shipped will contain the most valuable items, and they will leave with the merchant caravan either tomorrow or the day after. We have to get these items ready tonight…” Mr. Lu stopped mid-sentence as he remembered an important item he had forgotten. “We also need to take down the signboard and send it over. Bohe, do you think we should take it down tonight or tomorrow morning?”

“Let’s take it down tonight, I’ll go pick up my dad from the hospital this afternoon,” Jiang Chengde replied.

Mr. Lu nodded, “If his condition is good, then take him home to live. It’s not good for him to stay in the hospital all the time. I have another residence in the west of the city; you can move your father there once he’s discharged. Qin Wan is about to give birth, so it would be inconvenient for her to take care of someone. I’ll send a couple of maids over, and next month, we can take your father with us to Beiping.”

On the subject of his father’s future arrangements, Jiang Chengde fell silent. He bowed to Mr. Lu and said, “Mr. Lu, you are too kind; Bohe is unworthy.”

Mr. Lu patted Jiang Chengde’s shoulder with enthusiasm: “There’s nothing to feel unworthy about. Our two families have been friends for generations, and I’ve watched you grow up. When I bought Taifeng Building and that old house of your family’s, I told you I was only looking after these things for you temporarily. There’s no question of worthiness between us.”

“If you have any financial trouble, just let me know. Though the business hasn’t been very good recently, I still have some extra funds at hand. You also don’t need to worry about the hospital. Those morphine powders are shipped from London and are the same as the anti-smoking drugs in Magic City; they’re very pure and effective. Once we get to Beiping, I’ll help you get in touch with the hospitals there, to make sure you get the best medicine,” Mr. Lu said cheerfully, his innate smiling face matching the generosity of his words, making him seem like the kindest and most righteous person in the world.

Despite his seriousness and composure, Jiang Chengde was only a young man of about 20. Touched by Mr. Lu’s kindness and indebted to him for many favors, he was filled with gratitude.

“Thank you, Mr. Lu, for these past few years you’ve troubled yourself with many matters on my behalf, and I dare not impose on you any further. Your great kindness, Bohe will surely repay with all his strength.”

“Bohe, what are you talking about? Why bring up repaying and owing favors between us? I was good friends with your father, and now that he has ended up in such a state, it is only right for me to look after you as my junior…” Mr. Lu wanted to say more, but his shop assistant ran into the store to call for him.

“Manager Lu, the caravan’s Mr. Huang has arrived, wanting to discuss matters of cargo transport with you.” Seeing Jiang Chengde also present, the assistant loudly announced from the doorway without entering.

“I have matters to attend to, so I’ll be going back, Bohe. Do you need someone to escort you to the hospital?” Mr. Lu asked.

“No need, I can walk there on my own,” Jiang Chengde replied.

“Alright then, I won’t send you off. Collect your father from the hospital and bring him over, tonight we’re taking down the sign.” Mr. Lu nodded and headed towards the door, with Jiang Chengde following close behind.

The two men parted ways at the entrance, one heading east, the other west. Jiang Chengde had only eaten two steamed buns and a bowl of thin porridge in the morning and, after inventorying goods with Mr. Lu all morning, was quite hungry. Conveniently, there was a stall selling baked pastries ten or so steps ahead of Taifeng Building, so he went there to buy a couple of plain pastries to fill his stomach.

Jiang Feng paused at the entrance of Taifeng Building, looked up at the signboard for a while, and was about to step towards Jiang Chengde when he overheard Mr. Lu’s shop assistant speaking to Mr. Lu.

“Manager, are we really moving Taifeng Building to Beiping?” This assistant must have been a confidant of Mr. Lu’s, daring to say and ask anything.

When alone with his assistant, Mr. Lu wasn’t as smiley as he had been when facing Jiang Chengde. He glanced at the assistant indifferently, as if annoyed by his verbosity, and his expression seemed somewhat cold.

“Otherwise?”

“Master Jiang’s culinary skills are unparalleled here Outside the Pass, and even in Beiping City, they are not inferior. With so many restaurants in Beiping City, aren’t you afraid that someone might poach him?” The assistant naturally sided with the manager.

“Poach him?” Mr. Lu looked up at the signboard and laughed, a laugh that somehow seemed chillingly sinister, “With this signboard in my hands, who could poach him?”

Jiang Feng stood frozen, incredulous, turning his head to look at Mr. Lu, still bearing that smiling face, but now with a hint of a different meaning.

“The daily profits of restaurants in Beiping City can reach more than a dozen silver dollars, incomparable to places here Outside the Pass. To leave such overwhelming wealth behind and stay in this place, I think the Jiang Family’s lineage must have gone mad.”

“I have to agree, Master Jiang’s father really squandered the family fortune. There are many in Outside the Pass who have depleted their wealth due to opium, but to lose it all in just a few years like he did is truly unprecedented. It’s only because of your kindness that you bought the restaurant, residence, and fields at market price, and even allocated a utility room for them to live in, otherwise Master Jiang and his family would have been homeless long ago.” The assistant concurred.

“With Bohe’s fine skills, it would be a shame for him to end up homeless. Some things that shouldn’t be said, you better not mention them. Bohe has always been indifferent to what others say, but that doesn’t mean everyone else doesn’t care, especially Master Chen. If he heard what you just said, wouldn’t that cause friction between you two?”

Jiang Feng wanted to hear more about what Mr. Lu had to say, but Jiang Chengde had already bought his pastries and was stepping forward. Once again, Jiang Feng felt an invisible wall hit him, and despite his reluctance, he had to follow Jiang Chengde, unable to help looking back as he walked.

Mr. Lu kept a casual, half-smiling expression, mouthing something in a low voice, sending a chill down Jiang Feng’s spine.