The Game of Life

Jiang Chengde only called for a rickshaw for Jiang Hengzhong and, not wanting to accompany him, paid in advance and let the rickshaw driver take Jiang Hengzhong away while he slowly walked back.

Jiang Hengzhong was as thin as a rail, indistinguishable from a paper cutout, lighter than most women. The rickshaw driver, who was accustomed to manual labor and strong-bodied, wore a short-sleeved shirt and was sweating under the sun. He pulled the rickshaw at a brisk pace, and in a few steps, he was out of sight.

Jiang Chengde did not immediately start walking towards Taifeng Building; instead, he stood still and quietly watched the rickshaw until it disappeared, his tightly clenched fists gradually relaxed, releasing into a long sigh.

Jiang Feng stood beside him, watching him. Jiang Chengde, who was of the same age as Jiang Feng, already had a wife, children, and a young sister to support; he even carried debts unimaginable to the average person, and possessed a steadiness uncommon in young men, having lost the impetuosity typical of youth.

Jiang Chengde walked slowly back the way he came and by the time he took him to the entrance of Taifeng Building, it had begun to get dark. It was late in the summer, so the nights drew in late. Jiang Feng guessed it must be after 7 p.m. by now. Although it was still bright, the light was clearly not as strong as before, and along the way, there were some customers sitting in small eateries having dinner.

Several carriages were parked outside Taifeng Building, and there were quite a few people standing around. The doors were wide open, and the waiter from noon was at the door, pointing and saying something loudly to others.

Jiang Hengzhong was not there.

When the waiter saw Jiang Chengde coming, he hurried over and said, “Master Jiang has arrived. Our east host is upstairs talking to your father. Do you need me to go upstairs and inform our east host? You need to be careful with that bottle. Don’t you know how old it is? If you break it, you better be careful, you might be working for nothing this year!”

The waiter indeed had learned a thing or two about changing faces quickly from Mr. Lu.

“Thank you,” said Jiang Chengde, as he stepped aside to stand by the door, so as not to block the way of the people moving things.

Seeing that they were moving fragile items like porcelain vases, Jiang Chengde casually asked, “Wasn’t it said that the porcelain vases were to be moved in the third batch? Why are you starting to pack up now?”

The waiter immediately revealed a smug look and boasted to Jiang Chengde, “How else would everyone say that our shopkeeper is so capable! Mr. Lu managed to get half a railway freight car this afternoon. Using the train to transport goods is much faster than the caravan. Hence, the shopkeeper said, transport the valuable items first, including the signboard, which is also to be moved in the first batch. Wait a moment, I will go up and call our shopkeeper for you, it’s about time to take down that signboard.”

With that, the waiter ran upstairs while Jiang Chengde stayed below. Jiang Feng quickly followed and went directly through the wall into the room just as the waiter stopped outside to knock on the door.

Mr. Lu and Jiang Hengzhong were inside talking, with two cups of tea on the table. Only half was left in the cup in front of Jiang Hengzhong, while the one in front of Mr. Lu was untouched.

“The shopkeeper, Master Jiang is here,” the waiter shouted from outside.

“I know,” replied Mr. Lu. “I’m still dealing with some things here, you go down and let Bohe have a seat first and serve him some good tea.”

“Sure thing!” The waiter left.

“Since Bohe has arrived, I’ll get straight to the point,” Mr. Lu looked at Jiang Hengzhong with a faint smile, “I’m a businessman, and I pursue profitable endeavors. I don’t kick a man when he’s down; at most, I’d give a nudge with the current, but I’m not a philanthropist—I’ve never been one to harbor idlers or the incapable.”

Jiang Hengzhong was highly clear-headed at the moment. Knowing Mr. Lu for many years, he was aware that he was someone not inclined to act without profit, and he knew Mr. Lu wanted to get something from him. However, he also didn’t understand what he possessed that could still be of interest to others.

Debt? The debts he owed were all to Mr. Lu.

Seeing the look on Jiang Hengzhong’s face, Mr. Lu knew he had understood and picked up his tea cup, only to find that the tea had cooled and set it back down.

“I wonder if Bohe has told you about my plans to move Taifeng Building to Beiping.”

“He has.”

“Beiping is not Outside the Pass. Your Jiang Family ancestors were Imperial Chefs, originating from Beiping. Here, in our area Outside the Pass, their skills are ranked among the best. But in Beiping City, officials are everywhere; it’s not uncommon to have ancestors who were Imperial Chefs, and even less so to have masters who were. Bohe has good skills, but he’s not learned the most formidable ones. If I’m not mistaken, you know how to cook the dish that the marshal personally praised back in the day, right?” Mr. Lu looked at Jiang Hengzhong.

“Is it just for this dish?”

Mr. Lu suddenly laughed, “Jingxuan, you really have damaged your brain smoking opium in the smoking dens all these years. Don’t you realize times have changed? In Beiping City, a renowned restaurant can earn tens of silver dollars a day. Do you remember how much silver you sold Taifeng Building for to me last year? We’ve known each other for so many years, and there is a certain sentiment between us. I know if I asked you to teach your Jiang Family’s unique skills to someone else you would be reluctant; even last year Mr. Qian offered a high price, and you did not sell the recipe book of Jiang Family Dishes. All I’m asking is for you to teach it to your son, and that’s not much to ask, is it?”

“As Bohe’s elder, it’s only natural for me to look out for him. Jingxuan, as his father, you wouldn’t want him to end up like you, becoming someone without even the value to be used, someone left to just wait for death.”

“You’ve been accustomed to reckless and foolish behavior for years, and it’s always Bohe who has had to follow you and clean up your messes. After all, you’re his biological father, and you ought to leave him something to protect his safety, shouldn’t you?”

Mr. Lu’s words, neither too light nor too heavy, pierced through Jiang Hengzhong like an arrow, stripping away the false layers of protection he had used to console himself over the years, revealing the bloody truth.

“If I may say so, you really are fortunate to have such a filial son who’s willing to support you even after all the absurd messes you’ve created, always cleaning up your messes. I’ve said my piece, Bohe is still waiting downstairs. It’s about time to take down the signboard; let’s go downstairs and have a look together,” Mr. Lu said as he stood up and pushed open the door.

“Are there ingredients?” asked Jiang Hengzhong.

“Yes, everything you need is all prepared in the kitchen,” Mr. Lu replied with a friendly smile. “See, isn’t this what a compassionate father is like?”

Mr. Lu went downstairs first without waiting for Jiang Hengzhong. Jiang Chengde was sitting by the entrance of the great hall. When Mr. Lu saw him, he quickly approached with a smile.

“Bohe, sorry to keep you waiting. I haven’t seen your father for some time; it’s natural to have a longer chat when old friends meet,” Mr. Lu said. “I see his spirits have lifted quite a bit compared to how he was a few days ago; it seems giving up smoking has had its effects.”

Jiang Chengde could only nod in agreement.

“Just now, Jingxuan was telling me that he feels much better recently and wants to teach you some dishes that you’ve yet to learn. Bohe, a prodigal who returns is more precious than gold. After all, he is your father. He may have been muddled in the past few years, but his heart has always been with you, so try not to start a conflict with him,” Mr. Lu said earnestly.

Jiang Chengde looked upstairs where Jiang Hengzhong was slowly descending, appearing somewhat downcast and lost.

Now that everyone was present, it was time to take down the signboard.

There wasn’t any formal ceremony, just setting up a ladder for someone to climb and remove the signboard that had hung on this building for decades, to be taken away and sent to a new location.

All were silent.

Something inside Jiang Hengzhong’s heart shattered.

He couldn’t remember when exactly he became addicted to opium; after all, everyone else was doing it, so it didn’t seem like a big deal.

Over the years, he had felt remorse, but it was just that—remorse. Once the cravings hit, he’d forget it all.

Forgetting his father’s death, his wife’s passing, his son’s hatred.

But now, as he watched the signboard being taken down before his eyes, he truly felt regret.

Taifeng Building was once the glory of the Jiang Family.

Now that glory no longer belonged to the Jiang Family.

He, an unworthy son, had destroyed this glory with his own hands.

His culinary skills were taught by his father, and Jiang Chengde’s skills were taught by him. But he was not a good father and didn’t even deserve to be one; he only cared about his own pleasure and never took care of his family’s well-being.

Thus, his family members had all died, leaving behind only his son, grandson, and young daughter.

Jiang Hengzhong cried.

Without warning, he suddenly knelt on the ground, sobbing uncontrollably, tears falling like rain, his appearance wretched and pitiful, looking from a distance like a madman.

Suddenly, Jiang Hengzhong stood up, stopped crying, and grasped Jiang Chengde’s hand, saying, “Bohe, I’m going to cook a dish for you.”

Such a reaction truly seemed no different from that of a madman.

Jiang Chengde looked at him with no expression, as if looking at a stranger.

Jiang Hengzhong, gripping Jiang Chengde’s hand with fingers so white and tense it was terrifying, led him inside Taifeng Building.

“It’s true what they say outside, Master Jiang’s father really is a madman,” someone whispered softly.