The Game of Life

Chapter 706: Chapter 705 Going to Beiping

“Over forty years ago, there was a child whose parents had both died. His relatives were unwilling to take care of him, so he depended on the kindness of various families—eating a meal at one house today, a bite at another house tomorrow. Eventually, to survive, the child followed others from the countryside to the city, where he became a thief, using his deft hands. Often dressed in smart clothes, he would slip into restaurants and department stores, stealing money and valuables. Because he was young, he wasn’t suspected and managed to get away with it time after time.”

“That was, until one time, he was caught stealing at the most famous restaurant in the area. According to the customs of the time, it wasn’t a big deal to beat a thief to death when caught, but the owner of the restaurant was a kind-hearted man. Seeing that the thief was just a kid, he let him go and had him work in the restaurant to pay for the damaged goods.”

“And so, the child stayed and worked in the restaurant. The tasks in the kitchen were miscellaneous and arduous. At first, he just helped wash dishes and vegetables, and during busier times, he peeled potatoes. Later on, when others noticed he was pretty good at peeling, they thought his knifework wasn’t bad, so they let him help chop some simple vegetables. Initially, the child was just working off his debt in the restaurant, but as time went on, he stayed on. He was even fortunate enough to be taken as the restaurant owner’s closed-door disciple and was eventually added to the family registry.”

By now, the three people present had realized that Sun Maochai was indeed talking about himself.

Sun Maochai continued his story.

“The child had an exceptional talent for cooking, and in just a decade or so, he surpassed all his fellow disciples. He had a good reputation; at first, some people were wary of him because he had been a thief, but he respected everyone, was modest, non-confrontational, and never showed off. He would even let himself be taken advantage of in small matters. Gradually, everyone in the restaurant, including his fellow disciples, forgot about his past. He became a well-praised good kid, a good disciple.”

“Later on, when the restaurant owner passed away, the child became wrapped up in the restaurant’s power struggle for reasons you all are aware of. The night before the final contest, he didn’t sleep at all, not due to the torment of the competition, but because he abruptly realized that he was just one step away from becoming the successor of the restaurant, within easy reach.”

“And he wanted the restaurant.”

All three were shocked and wide-eyed, but Sun Maochai continued as if he were talking about someone else’s story.

“He was both proud and insecure. He took pride in his talent and culinary skills, but felt inferior about his background and his past as a thief. From a young age, he had been adept at reading people, and for many years, he had been subtly ingratiating himself with everyone in the restaurant. So when he saw the restaurant right before him, within grasp, he was tempted.”

“In fact, before the competition, many had secretly approached him, asking him to throw the contest, to lose on purpose. Even his proudest senior brother would bow down in the face of the family restaurant, and after the act, everyone would pretend nothing had happened and things would go back to normal, onto the right track.”

“How good it would have been if he had done just that,” Sun Maochai said with a bitter smile. “But he didn’t. He had always been envious of his junior brother, the one who wouldn’t let him off in a verbal squabble, who had taught him cooking and guided his knifework. Maybe it was because their master had been too good to him, treating him like his own son, taking him as his adopted son, adding him to the family registry, which led to thoughts he should not have had.”

“He won the contest. He thought he would be ecstatic to achieve his wish, but he wasn’t. The moment the competition ended and he saw his proud brother looking defeated, he regretted it. He wanted the restaurant, but not an empty shell of a restaurant without its people. What was done was done, and there would be consequences for regret. As you all probably know what happened next, he left the restaurant for Hong Kong City. The restaurant declined due to the infighting, and it would have gone under if not for his junior brother creating a dish that saved its reputation and revived it. If not for that, the title of the number one restaurant in FJ might have become history.”

“Do you know what the most ironic part of this whole farce is? The instigator bore the brunt of the blame, the ultimate winner bore the loser’s title and was pointed out and ridiculed, and the one who brought about this outcome due to his own selfishness was praised by everyone. Before his master died, he had instructed him to run the restaurant well with his brother and not to tarnish its reputation. But what did he do? He repaid kindness with ingratitude, personally pushing the restaurant that had raised him for many years to the brink, yet he was commended for many years. Tell me, isn’t that absurd, isn’t that laughable?”

“Now, my story is finished.”

The well-known tale was recounted firsthand with a completely different version. Sun Jikai didn’t know what to say at the moment; Sun Changping and Qiu Fu exhibited roughly the same reaction, only that Sun Changping’s response was a bit slower. All four maintained their silence simultaneously.

It took a long time before Sun Jikai took the initiative to break the silence, “If that’s the case, then why would this person attend the funeral of his junior brother, voluntarily offer to help his junior brother’s grandson revive the restaurant, and even, after the grandson lost the restaurant, come early in the morning to tell him this story to motivate him?”

Sun Maochai looked at him: “Because he is atoning for his sins.”

“Back then, he left his hometown with a burden of unknown guilt and struggled on his own. With his exceptional culinary skills, he soon established himself in Hong Kong City. Gradually, his fame increased, and he even became known as a master. That period filled with guilt became proof of his good character. As the restaurant declined, his career flourished, and that sense of guilt lingered in his heart. Over the years, he has always wanted to atone for what he had done but never found the right opportunity.”

“Has he found it now?” asked Sun Jikai.

Sun Maochai shook his head: “No, but he knows very well that this is his last chance for atonement. He wants this chance, and that person’s grandson also needs this chance.”

Sun Jikai was silent.

Suddenly, Sun Changping, who had been quietly listening to the story, spoke up.

“So, what can this person do now?”

Sun Maochai smiled, “He can offer you two pieces of advice.”

“The first, become my disciple and follow me to Hong Kong City. I would entrust you with the connections I have made there over the years, teach you everything I know. Eventually, you’ll be able to establish yourself in Hong Kong City, and in time, you will surely become a master of Cantonese cuisine, no less accomplished than your grandfather.”

“And the second?” Sun Jikai pressed.

“Go to Beiping, to Taifeng Building.”

“Taifeng Building?!” Sun Jikai straightened up, his speech stuttering, “Why… why would I do that?”

“Because of Jiang.”

“You should be very clear that, under your uncle’s management, Jubao Building has retained only its name. Since you’d rather have Jubao Building keep just its name than see it completely destroyed, then I suggest you seriously consider this second piece of advice.”

“Although I am your great-grandfather’s last disciple, due to my young age, I didn’t have the chance to fully learn the essence of Buddhas Jumping Over the Wall. Nowadays, probably only Jiang has mastered the essence of the Sun Family’s Buddhas Jumping Over the Wall. It took Jiang nearly ten years to perfect this dish, a feat even your grandfather could not match. You must be aware that Jubao Building was founded by your great-grandfather’s father. With a modest sum of money and his culinary skills, he started from virtually nothing to create this restaurant. Because of Buddhas Jumping Over the Wall, Jubao Building went from an obscure little eatery to the most renowned number one restaurant in FJ.”

“If you want to become a famous chef, I can teach you, but if you wish to revitalize Jubao Building, only Jiang, no, I should say Jiang Feng’s grandfather, can help you. I understand Jiang; if you truly desire to learn, he will definitely teach you.”

“Revitalize?” Sun Jikai struggled to utter these two words.

“The restaurant business is the hardest to run in this world, yet also the easiest. Taifeng has been closed for nearly half a century, most of the old patrons are long gone, but Jiang and his family have made a name for themselves in less than a year’s time with their Jiang Family’s culinary skills. Even I, residing far away in Hong Kong City, have heard about Taifeng Building mentioned.”

“Even if Jubao Building is no longer yours, as long as you possess the skills of Jubao Building, one day if you were to reopen it, even by another name, in the eyes of your customers, it would be as if Jubao Building’s craft has returned. The brand lies with you; what is there to fear?”

“If your great-grandfather’s father could establish Jubao Building, why can’t you?”

Sun Jikai had already made up his mind; in fact, this choice had been in his heart from the beginning, but he hadn’t thought about it as deeply or thoroughly as Sun Maochai had.

“Dad.” Sun Jikai looked at Sun Changping, “Let’s go to Beiping.”

Sun Changping nodded, “Okay.”

“I’m coming too!” Qiu Fu said excitedly, as if he were the protagonist.

“How about we set a date? I’ll contact Jiang and we can go together,” suggested Sun Maochai.

Sun Jikai stared blankly, “You… You’re going too?”

Sun Maochai nodded.

“To tell you the truth, I’m a bit worried about Jiang’s level in teaching disciples. Since I’m now jobless, why not seek refuge with my teacher and see if he would take me in.”

“Indeed, Jiang’s temperament is not really suited for mentoring disciples.”