The Game of Life

Aside from 37 letters, Professor Li also entrusted Jiang Feng with several academic journals, advising him to take a good look during the New Year.

As Professor Li put it, although Jiang Feng would definitely not pursue an academic path in the future, he was still a student who needed to write his thesis, so he must read the necessary journals. Professor Li hoped Jiang Feng could produce an excellent thesis, even if it was a bit of a bluff, to put a perfect end to his college career.

Using these journals as a starting point, Professor Li and Jiang Feng sat opposite each other, each with a chair, and discussed the general direction of the thesis. Professor Li hoped Jiang Feng would start writing during the New Year so that if Jiang Feng became too busy with business to care for his thesis after the holiday, Professor Li could still help polish, fill in, and revise it.

The topic naturally shifted to the senior who had just visited Professor Li.

“Grandfather, was the senior who just visited you a local from Beiping? He still found time to see you so close to the New Year.” Jiang Feng asked.

“He’s from Chang’an, teaching here in Beiping. He’s heading back to his hometown to celebrate the New Year tomorrow, so he took the time to see me today,” Professor Li said, then suddenly remembered something, “By the way, Feng, is Taifeng Building resuming business for the Lantern Festival?”

Jiang Feng shook his head: “They probably won’t be open. My grandma’s idea is to start business after the Lantern Festival, so it’s best to get back to Beiping that day. It’s unlikely to be operational then.”

“Well then, Grandfather, how about our two families get together for a reunion meal on the Lantern Festival?” Jiang Feng suggested.

Professor Li let out a laugh: “That would be nice, your Mr. Chen… Grandma Chen has been complaining these past few years that I didn’t make enough friends. Every holiday our house feels so empty. It would certainly be great if we could spend this Lantern Festival together.”

As he was speaking, Professor Li abruptly paused, hesitant: “The only issue is, your senior Xie, who visited me earlier, has a project to attend to and needs to rush back here on the sixth day of the New Year. It would be bleak for him to be alone in Beiping over the holidays, so I just told him to bring his students and spend the Lantern Festival with me. So I was wondering if Taifeng Building would be open on Lantern Festival, because if it is, I could take them there for a reunion meal.”

“Oh, I see.” Jiang Feng looked troubled, thinking that the Lantern Festival would be a joyous family feast if it were just with Professor Li’s family. But if it included Professor Li’s students and the students of his students, it would turn into a rather awkward gathering for both parties.

“It’s fine, Feng, I appreciate your thought. It’s just not convenient this year, but next year, let’s spend the Lantern Festival together,” Professor Li said with a smile.

“Okay, Grandfather, next year we’ll celebrate the Lantern Festival together.” Jiang Feng nodded, “Tomorrow is the last day the shop is open before the New Year meeting the day after. My mom said to keep the meeting simple, just a get-together for a meal and a raffle. If you and Grandma Chen are free, you could come over after 4 p.m.”

“Sure, Grandma Chen loves a lively atmosphere, we’ll definitely be there,” Professor Li said as he walked Jiang Feng out.

Chen Suhua was still sitting on the couch watching TV, just as she was when Jiang Feng arrived, except Da Hua had changed positions and run over to the sunspot, seemingly eager to experience what it’s like to be a roasted pig.

Seeing Jiang Feng emerge, Chen Suhua quickly stood up: “Feng, you’re out. Come sit and have a chat with your auntie.”

“Grandma Chen, it’s almost time for business, so I have to go. I’ll come over and chat when I have more time,” Jiang Feng said with a smile, holding the books and letters, and swiftly made his escape.

Chen Suhua was momentarily stunned, then turned to look at Professor Li: “Li, why has Feng stopped calling me ‘auntie’ and started calling me ‘grandma’?”

Professor Li couldn’t help but chuckle: “What’s the matter? In terms of seniority, you are of his grandmother’s generation. Isn’t calling you ‘grandma’ more intimate than ‘auntie’?”

Chen Suhua touched her face, clearly uncomfortable: “It’s more intimate, sure, but Feng has always called me ‘auntie,’ and your students only ever call me ‘mentor’s wife.’ To suddenly be called ‘grandma’ by someone makes me feel like I’ve aged a lot all at once.”

Grandma Chen’s instances of being called “grandma” by others were extremely limited in her life.

Professor Li just smiled and said nothing.

Jiang Feng, with so many books and letters in hand, naturally couldn’t return to Taifeng Building first, so he took a taxi home and used a thick kraft paper bag to pack the 37 letters. He then packed the kraft paper bag and the academic journals into the suitcase that he had prepared for his father to bring back to Alan City, as he wouldn’t be returning to Alan City in the near future. Therefore, he had two suitcases ready, one for Jiang Jiankang to take back and the other for himself to carry around when he needed to travel. ℞ἁɴОʙÊ𐌔

After packing his things, Jiang Feng walked leisurely to the Taifeng Building. When he arrived, it was just the start of business hours, and he saw Wang Hao still lurking in a corner playing with his phone.

That familiar figure, the sneaky expression, seeking joy amidst tension and excitement, was just like every student playing with their phone during class.

Jiang Feng quietly approached Wang Hao and placed his right hand on his shoulder, lowering his voice, “Playing on your phone?”

Wang Hao jumped in fright, almost throwing his phone away. When he turned and saw that it was Jiang Feng, he let out a sigh of relief, “Feng, you scared me to death.”

“I just spoke to you, how did that scare you? You’re the one with a guilty conscience, playing on your phone secretly. Why act so sneakily about it?” Jiang Feng said.

“Isn’t this a lingering habit from playing with the phone in high school? Now, even when I’m lying on my bed at home playing with my phone, the moment my dad pushes the door open, my first reaction is to hide the phone,” Wang Hao said, appearing quite unabashed about his bad habits from high school.

“So did you also sneak around playing on your phone when you were working at the advertising company?” Jiang Feng asked curiously.

“Who has the time to play with their phone at the company? We’re so busy we wish there were 48 hours in a day. Writing thousands of words of copy is even more difficult than the 800-word essays in high school,” said Wang Hao. “My private room booking is for 6 p.m. tonight; it’s still more than half an hour away. I’ll play for another 20 minutes before going up.”

Jiang Feng had no objections to Wang Hao’s blatant slacking off, since he wasn’t being paid for his time.

“By the way, Hao, there’s a lottery draw at the annual meeting the day after tomorrow. Do you want to join in too?” Jiang Feng asked.

“Is it cash?” Wang Hao’s round face clearly spelled out a need for money.

“Yes.”

“A lot?”

Jiang Feng thought for a moment, “Not much.”

“Then forget it. If I only win some special prize like a box of tissues, it won’t even cover the wages deducted for taking leave. I’ll see when I can get off work the day after tomorrow. If I finish early, I’ll send you a message, Feng. If the annual meeting isn’t over by then, I’ll come over,” Wang Hao said.

“Alright,” Jiang Feng nodded and went to the changing room to change his clothes, leaving Wang Hao alone to continue playing with his phone secretly in the corner.

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