The Game of Life

The next morning, Jiang Feng took the flight to Beiping with Professor Li.

Jiang Feng was almost completely ignorant about the property transfer procedures, and he didn’t quite understand the information he had looked up on the internet the night before. Professor Li, however, thoughtfully also hired a lawyer for him. After getting off the plane, he led Jiang Feng around to various places to sign the necessary documents.

After the lawyer reviewed the documents agreement and found no issues, which was almost no different from giving it away for half price, Jiang Feng signed the agreement in the presence of both parties’ lawyers and the notary office after being busy for two whole days.

Holding the IOU worth three hundred million in his hand, Jiang Feng had a flood of emotions.

The contract did not specify a repayment time, nor did it include any specific repayment requirements; not a word was mentioned about interest.

Moreover, over the past few days, Jiang Feng also realized that Professor Li might truly not want him to repay the money because he genuinely didn’t care about the amount, but the money that ought to be repaid must be repaid not to mention that Professor Li had undervalued it by so much.

UAL University had many rumors about Professor Li, claiming he was the descendant of a distinguished Beiping family, the sole scion of a family for several generations, owning several properties in the capital city, and even a courtyard house.

All of this was true.

Li Mmgyi’s grandfather was an imperial scholar, and his great-grandfather had even held the official title of a third-ranked court official. His father had studied the eight-legged essay and had passed the imperial examinations to become a juren, but after the abolition of the imperial examination system, he received Western-style education, went abroad, returned to open a factory’ and engaged in philanthropy. He was also a renowned figure in his day. Even Li Mingyi himself, after studying at a domestic university, had gone abroad to take refuge during the Sino-Japanese War and had the opportunity to study abroad, while Jiang Huiqin had earned a Bachelor’s degree in finance overseas. After the reform and opening up, the government returned the Li Family’s property. Of course, the factories could not be returned, but the real estate was all returned. Antique items in the houses were long gone, but even with compensation, it was a vast amount of money for an ordinary family. Professor Li told Jiang Feng that their family originally owned six courtyard houses but were compensated with more than a dozen apartments after the demolition, all of which were rented out.

Wasn’t his family’s relationship to this distinguished family a bit too ostentatious?

Professor Li led Jiang Feng to Taifeng Building.

The area where Taifeng Building was situated had been completely transformed into a business district, surrounded by large shopping malls, with the antique-style restaurant Taifeng Building standing out as the only one of its kind. Over the years, property developers had seen potential in this land, but because the Li Family was not short on money, they originally intended to keep Taifeng Building as a memory for Li Mingyi. Now, transferring it to Jiang Feng, they both felt it was a return to its rightful owner and put to good use. When Jiang Feng saw Taifeng Building for the first time, he felt it was somewhat out of place compared to the surrounding architecture.

It wasn’t because one was modern and the other was antique-style- Taifeng Building simply looked too old. Jiang Feng even saw two young girls who clearly came from out of town taking photos of Taifeng Building from a distance, posing as if they were photographing a scenic building. Professor Li’s family settled in Alan City, and although they hired someone to manage the building regularly, they didn’t come to Beiping often, so the manager wasn’t very dedicated. The building had suffered from years of weathering, and if it wasn’t renovated, it definitely wouldn’t be suitable to open for business as it was.

"Professor, if we were to renovate and refurbish Taifeng Building…” Jiang Feng asked.                            6

"I know a construction team, but if we do that, it’ll cost at least a few million ” Professor Li said.

Jiang Feng couldn’t even come up with a few hundred, let alone millions – the Jiang Family was now in debt by three hundred million!

Before leaving, Sir Jiang made it very clear to Jiang Feng: since Li Mingyi had insisted on transferring Taifeng Building to Jiang Feng, he ought to take responsibility. Although the older generation could help with Taifeng Building’s affairs, they absolutely could not contribute money.

In other words, the cost of the renovations had to be earned by Jiang Feng himself.

Moreover, Jiang Feng felt that relying on Jiang Jiankang and Mrs. Wang Xiulian for millions was hardly realistic.

Professor Li originally intended to cover the renovation costs as well since he privately felt his father’s wish was to see Taifeng Building open its doors and continue operating. However, Sir Jiang Weiguo was very adamant, as accepting Taifeng Building meant that the Jiang Family already owed the Li Family a great favor. Borrowing more money would make it difficult for him to face the Li Family in the future.

Professor Li was also curious as to how Jiang Feng would manage to reopen Taifeng Building.

Professor Li led Jiang Feng inside.

Taifeng Building was larger than she had imagined.

Three stories, with private rooms and compartments fully equipped, in such a bustling district with such heavy foot traffic, there would undoubtedly be ample clientele as soon as it reopened.

Three hundred million.

Professor Li really went to great lengths to concoct reasons to discount the building’s price to three hundred million.

Not staying long, the two had to catch their flight. Professor Li had taken so many days off, and the backlog of classes was piling up like a mountain.

Back in Alan City, Jiang Feng handed over the property title documents of Taifeng Building to Jiang Weiguo, who treasured them greatly and, for the first time, opened a safety deposit box at the bank.

Now, whether it was the Good Taste Culinary Competition, the million needed for renovations, or the daunting three hundred million debt hanging over his head, it all reminded Jiang Feng that it was time to hone his culinary skills. Without honing his culinary skills, he wouldn’t even be able to pay off the debt. Without honing his culinary skills, even if Taifeng Building reopened, it would become a joke.

That evening, back in the dormitory, Jiang Feng clicked on his attribute panel and selected ‘Yes’ under the option

“A Memory of Jiang Weiguo” in his inventory.

The next second, he heard the sound of running water.

And…

Why is it so wobbly!

Before Jiang Feng could get a good look at his surroundings, he fell on his bottom..