The Game of Life

Jiang Feng and Zhang Guanghang finished washing the fruits and then stood at the entrance of the ward chatting, looking like a pair of door gods.

“How long has Old Sir Xia been hospitalized?” Jiang Feng asked.

“It’s been 4 days, his condition suddenly worsened a few days ago and the doctors have issued a critical condition notice. Now, he can only hang on in the hospital, taking each day as it comes,” Zhang Guanghang said with a melancholic face, “I’ve already arranged everything with the funeral parlor, and even picked out a cemetery plot. Yesterday, he was so mad he said there’s no need for any funeral ceremony, just burn him and bury the ashes.”

Jiang Feng didn’t know how to comfort Zhang Guanghang. Although birth, old age, sickness, and death are natural, who doesn’t wish to defy nature and have their loved ones live safe and sound, to a ripe old age?

“Let’s not talk about this. I’ve been at the hospital recently and haven’t paid much attention to Taifeng Building. Is the refurbishment done?” Zhang Guanghang asked.

“The completion is expected the day after tomorrow, and the recruitment of regular staff is also done. My eldest male cousin and the second have both passed the initial rounds; we just need to do one more screening to finalize the selections,” Jiang Feng said, “As for other matters, I’m not very familiar nor knowledgeable about them; my parents are the ones handling it. If all goes well, we should definitely be able to open by mid-July.”

“I’ve got a few reporters to write some articles, and they’ll be published in the coming days. Do you have Mr. Xu Cheng’s contact details? If we can invite him to attend the opening ceremony of Taifeng Building, the initial business operations will go very smoothly,” Zhang Guanghang said.

“I have his WeChat,” Jiang Feng said, “I’ll send him a message later tonight to ask about his willingness; he’s probably not in Beiping at the moment.”

“There’s still time, and I can help you guys brainstorm the guest list for the opening when it comes,” Zhang Guanghang offered with considerable expertise.

“Alright, tomorrow my mom and a few of my aunts will be interviewing service staff, and my dad along with a few of my uncles will be interviewing kitchen staff. If you’re free, you could join us,” Jiang Feng said, “Also—”

“Little brother!” As soon as the elevator door opened, Jiang Shoucheng appeared in front of Jiang Feng with a flash.

“He’s my second cousin, Jiang Shoucheng, and this is Zhang Guanghang, one of the future chefs at our place.” The shocking manner of Jiang Shoucheng’s earlier appearance at the elevator had made Jiang Feng even forget to introduce him to Zhang Guanghang.

“Hello, hello!” Jiang Shoucheng greeted warmly, discreetly sizing up Zhang Guanghang.

Wow, a foreigner! About as tall as himself, with half his bulk.

“Dr. Jiang, are you off work?” a passing nurse said, “Mr. Zhang, you’re here to visit Old Sir Xia again, you’re so devoted!”

“Yes, I’m off work,” Jiang Shoucheng said.

Zhang Guanghang also nodded with a smile.

Jiang Feng hadn’t expected his second male cousin to be so popular at the hospital, even ranking ahead of Zhang Guanghang when it came to the nurses’ greetings!

“Second brother, you’re quite popular at the hospital!” Jiang Feng remarked.

“It’s okay; I’m the one they call for when the inpatient department can’t handle troublemakers,” Jiang Shoucheng said casually, implying such matters were trivial.

Jiang Feng: ???

“By the way, why are you guys standing outside? Come in!” Jiang Shoucheng said.

“Grandpa and Granduncle Weiming are reminiscing with Old Sir Xia; we wouldn’t want to disturb them,” Jiang Feng said. “Speaking of which, second brother, you’re off work, so come have dinner with us in a bit!”

Jiang Shoucheng had been waiting for just that invitation and instantly brightened up: “Why stand around at the door like fools? Go sit over there; I’ve got something to talk to you about anyway!”

Jiang Shoucheng led the two to some nearby chairs. Four chairs in a row were just right; half for Jiang Feng, one for Zhang Guanghang, and two and a half for Jiang Shoucheng, half of which was Jiang Feng’s.

Jiang Shoucheng took out a notebook from his pants pocket, and upon opening the first page, one could clearly see his powerful, bold handwriting, characteristic of a top scorer in national exams.

“I heard from De that Taifeng Building wants to invite people from the news media for the opening to help with publicity, so I’ve been keeping an eye on patients from that field lately, getting their contact details,” Jiang Shoucheng showed Jiang Feng the notebook. “Take a look at this Reporter Qian; he’s from the Daily News. He was hospitalized last week due to a car accident and a broken leg. I’m in charge of his care, and we can ask him to write a piece for us.”

“Then there’s this Reporter Zhu, from Beiping Evening News, he’s a bit pricey; hospitalized for a perforated stomach.”

“This Editor Xiao is the editor of a culinary travel magazine. His mother was hospitalized for a stroke half a month ago.”

“And this one, Zhu the pig farmer, he’s something else. Got hospitalized due to a fracture after being bumped by one of his own pigs; still on the 14th floor! The pork from his farm is really top-notch. His son slaughtered the pig that caused the accident and shared some of the meat with us medical staff recently, and the quality is genuinely good!” Jiang Shoucheng couldn’t forget the pork from Zhu the pig farmer’s farm.

Jiang Feng:…

Jiang Shoucheng seemed less like a hospital intern and more like someone involved in espionage and intelligence work.

“Second brother, do you usually have to cook for yourself while working?”

“Who has time to cook for themselves? We sent it to the cafeteria and had the master chef cook for us. Not to boast, but everything about our hospital is good, the benefits are decent, it’s just that the chef’s skills in the cafeteria really don’t cut it. They use too much sauce,” Jiang Shoucheng said with regret, “If only Grandpa could cook for us.”

“It’ll be better in the future, just half an hour away by subway and we can eat at the restaurant for all three meals,” Jiang Shoucheng said with a look of bliss. Jiang Feng: ???

“Aren’t you supposed to be at work, Second Brother?”

“No problem, just ducking out of work, it’s pretty normal,” Jiang Shoucheng waved his hand, “We take turns eating meals, I can bring food for them.”

The two brothers sat outside and started to banter, while Zhang Guanghang, who was caught up in his thoughts, did not join their discussion. After a while, as it was nearly 6 o’clock, Zhang Guanghang led the two inside.

Xia Mushi saw the two enter, followed by a muscular man; looking at the time, which was getting late, he started to hustle people along.

“Alright, I won’t die in the next moment, there’s plenty of time to catch up. Hasn’t Xiaohang booked a table at Tongde House? Who is the head chef at Tongde House now?” Xia Mushi asked.

“Wu Ke,” said Zhang Guanghang.

“He’s decent, his jarred pork is not bad,” said Xia Mushi.

Zhang Guanghang led the group to Tongde House.

Along the way, Jiang Shoucheng looked after the two older gentlemen with every possible care, warming their hearts with genuine kindness, moving and astonishing the passersby.

Such dutiful grandsons still exist in the world!

Zhang Guanghang had reserved a private room with two tables, and the dishes had already been ordered, including the roasted duck that Jiang Junlian had been longing for.

Because the two elderly gentlemen and Xia Mushi spent quite a long time reminiscing, they ended up being the last to arrive. Most of the dishes had already been served, with Jiang Junlian eyeing the jarred pork on the table with a glint in her eye, like a hungry wolf out of its cage.

Being identical twins, Jiang Junqing was far more restrained. She merely eyed the lion’s head meatballs with a glint in her eye.

Once everyone had arrived, they could start eating.

In an instant, the dining table turned into a battlefield, with flashes of knives and swords, and a frenzy of chopsticks clashing. Though Jiang Shoucheng had not had the chance to partake in such a familiar family battle in a long time, he had not lost his touch. He was fast, precise, and ruthless, grabbing food quickly and eating quickly, securing the top spot among the younger generation.

“Brother Zhang, when is the roast duck coming?” Jiang Junlian asked with feigned innocence and drama.

“Probable we have to wait a bit longer, the duck slicing master must still be slicing,” said Zhang Guanghang.

Jiang Shoucheng and Jiang Zaidi were busy eating; as one of Beiping’s old- established restaurants, Tongde House’s strengths were undeniable. Having not had the chance to eat the dishes made by the old master for a long time, and being perpetually caught up in work, overwork, then more overwork, their hair thinning from stress, eating such a feast today made them overwhelmingly happy.

By the time the roast duck was served, Jiang Feng had already eaten three pieces of jarred pork in a row.

No wonder Xia Mushi specifically mentioned that the jarred pork at Tongde House was well-made, indeed it was impeccable. The fire control and seasoning were faultless, with a richly aromatic sauce, fatty but not greasy, melting upon entry.

The big pieces of Wuhua meat, with a reddish-brown hue and a hint of charcoal fragrance, had a tender texture without falling apart. Jiang Feng normally wouldn’t eat a lot of Wuhua meat consecutively, but today was an exception.

While deftly grabbing dishes, Aunt lamented sadly, “Alas, another day of skyrocketing calories.”

Indeed, Aunt had been on a diet for a year now, and she had gained 10 pounds.

A song suddenly popped into Jiang Feng’s head.

“Take away all that you want, I’ll bear the calories. Leave our flesh untouched, no matter…”

Before the roast duck was served, the jarred pork was the queen of the table; after the roast duck arrived, it instantly became the concubine.

The Jiang family’s infatuation for the new love was instantaneous, as they all embraced the roast duck, indulged in the fragrant and crispy meat, and savored the harmony of the crispy skin, duck meat, green onions, cucumber, and sweet bean sauce.

After the meal, with everyone full and happy, they all departed in high spirits.

“I want to eat roast duck again tomorrow, the most authentic one!” Jiang Junlian yearned for roast duck with a loud cry.

“Eat what?” Aunt splashed a bucket of cold water on her, extinguishing the flames in her heart, “We’re all busy tomorrow, and you need to come over and help!”