The Game of Life

Before the evening business began, Jiang Feng organized his thoughts and sent a WeChat message to Sun Jikai to inquire about Elder Sun Guanyun’s health. He expressed his concern as a junior in the family just right.

Jiang Feng was not good at online socializing. People who could chat merrily in real life became like strangers with nothing more between them than an exchange of ‘likes’ online. Even with Wu Minqi, when they weren’t meeting in person, they seldom chatted on WeChat, let alone with male friends like Wang Hao.

In person, they were as close as father and son, but online, the conversation dwindled to a mere “oh.”

After sending the message, Jiang Feng put his phone in the locker of the changing room, ready to focus on work. However, Sun Jikai, who was far away in FZ and had just received the message, felt a mix of emotions.

He was currently waiting for results in the hospital.

Elder Sun Guanyun had suddenly had difficulty breathing while instructing him in the kitchen this morning and was rushed to the hospital.

Although the assistant had announced to the public that Elder Sun Guanyun was hospitalized due to overexertion in the past few days, compounded by catching a cold while sleeping at night, Sun Jikai knew such an excuse couldn’t fool his astute second uncle. Ever since he was taken in by his grandfather, while he practiced his culinary skills and took over the restaurant business on the side, his second uncle had become restless and started to move surreptitiously. Even Sun Zhengqing, who was inherently honest and kind, noticed something off about his own father recently, let alone others.

With Elder Sun Guanyun taking the stance that he would hand over the family business to Sun Jikai, it was clear to everyone that Sun Guanyun was paving the way for Sun Jikai to take over Jubao House. Sun Jikai’s second uncle was no longer concealing his ambitions, and had openly begun to form alliances, buying off shareholders and kitchen staff of Jubao House.

Sun Jikai didn’t understand—his second uncle had barely learned any culinary skills. What would he do with Jubao House, turn it into a hotel?

He was truly envious of Jiang Feng, who had so many uncles and male cousins, yet not a single problem among them. Taifeng Building, a vast and valuable property, was run by Jiang Feng’s uncles and cousins who appeared to have no intentions other than to eat and drink. His male cousins were even closer than his own brothers, seemingly content as long as Jiang Feng continued to practice his culinary skills and feed them well.

Unlike him, with only one uncle, it seemed like a plot of nine dragons battling for succession had unfolded.

“Mr. Sun.” Elder Sun Guanyun’s attending physician came out of the ward, and Sun Jikai quickly put away his phone and went to greet him.

“Doctor Hu, how is my grandfather doing now?” Sun Jikai asked anxiously.

“His condition has stabilized and he can be discharged after two days of in-hospital observation. But given Elder Sun’s current physical condition, especially his lungs, he absolutely cannot return to the kitchen where the fumes are heavy. He needs good rest now or his condition will only worsen,” warned Doctor Hu. “A nurse will come later to administer medication to Elder Sun. It’s best not to disturb him now. You can visit him later.”

“Okay,” nodded Sun Jikai.

“The attending doctor will inform you of the other precautions later. You’ve been accompanying Elder Sun for his examinations these days, so you are well aware of his condition. There’s not much time left. You should also persuade Elder Sun not to worry too much in his final days, to take good care of himself and try to spend another New Year with your family,” sighed Doctor Hu, as he looked at the test reports in his hand. “I’ll be leaving now. Contact me if you need anything.”

“I understand, thank you Doctor Hu.” Even though he was well aware that his grandfather didn’t have long to live, hearing the news from the doctor himself made Sun Jikai’s mood inevitably heavy.

His emotions were a complex blend of bitter, sweet, sour, spicy, and salty flavors with bitterness prevailing.

Sun Jikai just stood at the door of the hospital ward, leaning against the wall with his head bowed in a daze, not even bothering to sit on the chair next to him. When a nurse moved a chair over for him, he just shook his head and continued to stand, feeling that staying on his feet helped him stay alert.

After a while, Assistant Wang, who had gone out to make a phone call, came back, and that’s when Sun Jikai finally lifted his head.

“Assistant Wang, when will my parents come?” Sun Jikai asked.

Before Assistant Wang could respond, Sun Changping (Sun Jikai’s father) and Sun Jikai’s mother arrived in a rush, their presence announced by the sound of their footsteps and the shrill cries of his mother:

“Jikai, what happened, how did your grandfather suddenly end up in the hospital?” Sun Jikai’s mother appeared hurriedly, her delicate makeup and somewhat disheveled hair creating a stark contrast, just the image of a daughter-in-law concerned for her father-in-law.

“Mom, this is the hospital ward door. Please lower your voice, Grandfather is resting inside,” Sun Jikai said, feeling utterly drained.

Right now, he didn’t want to go home. He didn’t want to see his mother, didn’t want to listen to her nagging about his uncles and cousins’ petty matters, and most certainly did not want to stuff his incompetent cousin into Jubao House as a manager who would only cause trouble.

“Your grandfather is inside, go in and see him, what are you doing standing out here looking foolish!” Sun Jikai’s mother said, attempting to drag Sun Jikai into the ward.

“Grandfather is resting, the doctor said to visit him later,” Sun Jikai explained.

“So, how is your grandfather now? Why did he suddenly fall ill?” Sun Changping asked with concern. He was genuinely worried; after all, it was his own father lying in the hospital bed.

“Right, has something happened to your grandfather?” Sun Jikai’s mother asked urgently.

“Mr. Sun just caught a cold and had a slight fever. He got a bit agitated in the kitchen today. It’s nothing serious. The doctor said he could be discharged after two days of observation,” Assistant Wang explained.

“Yes, yes, he needs to be observed for two days,” Sun Changping nodded repeatedly.

Sun Jikai’s mother was about to speak when Sun Channing (Sun Jikai’s uncle) and his family arrived.

Dressed formally in a suit, Sun Channing appeared quite serious, anxiously leading the way, while Sun Jikai’s aunt in flat shoes held onto Sun Zhengqing, following behind them.

“Jikai, how is Granddad doing now? As soon as I got the call from Assistant Wang, I rushed over here. How did he suddenly end up in the hospital?” Sun Channing bombarded him with a series of questions as soon as he arrived.

Assistant Wang stepped forward and, acting as the spokesman, explained the situation to Sun Channing, informing him of what they needed to know.

“What’s this all about, little brother, dressing so formally? Were you planning to meet someone?” Sun Jikai’s mother shifted her gaze from Sun Channing’s shiny leather shoes.

“Some business partners,” Sun Channing said with a smile.

“Have you been involved in business recently, little brother?”

“Just some small ventures. I figured since Dad seems inclined to pass Jubao Building on to Jikai, I ought to carve out my own path. I can’t just sit around and eat through what’s left, can I?” Sun Channing responded.

Sun Jikai’s mother’s face stiffened momentarily, then she forced a smile, “What are you saying, little brother? Even if Dad wants to give Jubao Building to Jikai, you’re his uncle; Jikai surely wouldn’t treat you unfairly, right? Isn’t that so, Jikai?”

“As his uncle, I really shouldn’t take advantage of my nephew. I have to rely on myself and run a small business. Zhengqing’s health isn’t good, and as his father, I need to save up a bit more for him.”

Sun Jikai could only offer a strained smile. “Mom, Dad, Uncle, Aunt, and Zhengqing, I still have some things to take care of for Granddad. He’s not in any serious condition right now, so I’ll go finish those tasks. I’ll come back to see Granddad tonight. Mom, I won’t be coming home this evening; I’ll stay with Granddad at the hospital.”

“You child, the hospital has caregivers; there’s no need for you to stay. Ah, you are too filial; no wonder Granddad values you so much. Since it’s something Granddad asked you to do, go ahead and get it done quickly. Don’t upset him,” Sun Jikai’s mother said proudly.

Sun Jikai nodded to everyone and left.

Once out of the hospital, Sun Jikai stood at the entrance, took out his phone, and checked the message Jiang Feng had just sent him. After pondering for a moment, he replied.

Sun Jikai: Granddad just has a low fever caused by a cold, nothing serious. Thanks for your concern. [smile]

Setting down his phone, Sun Jikai felt a tinge of melancholy.

If only it were just a low fever from a cold, how wonderful that would be. He would prefer to be uninformed, to live in blissful ignorance like Sun Zhengqing.

…

Jiang Feng received Sun Jikai’s message after the evening’s business was over, while he was on the way home with Wu Minqi, having changed into casual clothes and retrieved his phone.

“Sir Sun’s not in serious trouble; Sun Jikai said it’s just a low fever from a cold,” Jiang Feng told Wu Minqi.

“For the elderly, a fever is already a serious illness. My granddad also had a low fever during the New Year a couple of years ago; he spent a week in the hospital receiving IV drips before he got better,” Wu Minqi shared.

“Yes, it’s tough for the elderly when they get sick. They suffer for a while with even just a headache or a fever. Health is more important than anything,” Jiang Feng agreed, nodding.

Like Sir and Granduncle Weiming, both of whom hadn’t been sick for decades—the kind of power that illness doesn’t touch.

“By the way, Qiqi, did you have enough to eat tonight?” Jiang Feng asked.

Understanding the subtle cue, Wu Minqi replied, “I only had a salad, and I’m still a bit hungry—just short of a serving of pulled noodles.”

“Then let’s walk faster. My second brother recommended not to eat after eleven at night, and I aim to have the noodles ready for you by ten,” Jiang Feng said, taking Wu Minqi’s hand.

“Mhm,” Wu Minqi responded with a smile.

Thinking about the weight she had measured that morning, Wu Minqi decided to eat less for lunch from now on.

Just like Ji Yue—having a salad without any dressing.

.

PS:

Wishing everyone a happy Qixi Festival! I don’t want any gifts, just your subscriptions and monthly votes ๑乛◡乛๑

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