I Tame Beasts by Feeding

As he spoke, Chen Changsheng let out a breath, slowly pulling a cigarette from his pocket. He offered it to Yu Changsheng, but after a moment’s thought, took it back.

"On second thought, never mind. You shouldn’t smoke. It’s bad for you."

Yu Changsheng fell silent. He forced a smile at the words and hesitated for a long while before finally speaking.

"Uncle Chen, do you think... in this world... there are..."

"Are what?" Chen Changsheng glanced at Yu Changsheng, putting the cigarette to his own lips.

"Are... are immortals real?"

Yu Changsheng hesitated for a moment before finally letting the words out.

"Immortals?"

Chen Changsheng paused, giving Yu Changsheng a strange look. His tone was amused. "Why the sudden question?"

"Just a passing thought, that’s all."

Yu Changsheng shook his head and spoke softly.

"I see," Chen Changsheng mused. "Well, if you ask me, I’d say they exist. But..."

He paused, then said with an amused chuckle:

"But all that is a world away from us mortals."

As he said this, his gaze darkened. He shook his head, his voice lowering as he added with a wry smile:

"Me? I’m just trying to make it to sunrise, pay my kid’s tuition, and keep on living a decent life."

Chen Changsheng’s words were calm, as if he saw all this as a matter of course.

Yu Changsheng, after a moment of surprise, also fell silent.

’Are we... all just mortals?...’

Yu Changsheng murmured softly to himself after a long silence.

In his mind, the fragments of memory were fading fast, blurring like a dream until only shadows remained.

’But if it was all a dream, wasn’t it a little too real?’

"Alright, don’t overthink it. Let’s hurry and finish this project. Come over to my place tonight. My wife’s made a whole bunch of good food and is waiting for us."

Chen Changsheng seemed to notice Yu Changsheng’s low spirits, so he laughed heartily and patted him on the hand.

Yu Changsheng shook his head and looked at Chen Changsheng. After a long moment, he finally let out a breath, a faint smile gracing his lips as he nodded gently.

"Alright. Sounds like I’m in for a treat."

「That evening」

By the time they had completely finished up their work and arrived at Chen Changsheng’s home, it was nearly nine o’clock.

Chen Changsheng’s wife was a woman from south of the Yangtze with a serene look about her, possessing the gentle and virtuous nature characteristic of the region. Hearing their knock, she opened the door and greeted them.

"Hello, Sister-in-law Yang."

Yu Changsheng offered the greeting, standing beside Chen Changsheng with a sheepish smile.

"Changsheng, working overtime so late again?" Sister-in-law Yang said warmly, a gentle smile on her face. She wasn’t surprised to see him; Chen Changsheng had clearly given her a heads-up.

"It can’t be helped. Work always piles up toward the end of the year. Sorry to be bothering you again."

Yu Changsheng shook his head, rubbing the bridge of his nose with an awkward chuckle.

"Don’t say that, we’re happy to have you over more often. Go wash your hands and get ready to eat. I’ll go heat up the food; it’s gotten cold."

Sister-in-law Yang smiled, made the polite offer, and then turned to clear the table before taking the dishes to the kitchen to reheat them.

"And bring a couple bottles of liquor while you’re at it!"

Chen Changsheng took off his coat and handed Yu Changsheng a pair of slippers, calling over his shoulder to his wife.

"Got it."

Sister-in-law Yang’s voice drifted back from the kitchen. In no time, the food was ready.

At the dinner table, Sister-in-law Yang ate a little with them before excusing herself to go be with their child, leaving Yu Changsheng and Chen Changsheng to drink together.

After a few rounds and another finished bottle of baijiu, Yu Changsheng felt his stomach churning and decided to call it a night.

Chen Changsheng didn’t press him. He glanced at the time—ten o’clock, sharp.

"Fair enough. We both have to work tomorrow, so it’s not good to overdo it."

Chen Changsheng hadn’t quite had his fill of drinking, but he still said this, a hint of regret in his voice.

"Uncle Chen, you can really hold your liquor. I’m no match for you at all," Yu Changsheng said with a wry smile, waving his hand dismissively. He put down his glass and picked up a peanut.

"That’s just years of practice. What can you do?"

Chen Changsheng shrugged, feigning indifference.

"It’s getting late. If there’s nothing else, I should get going, Uncle Chen. Thanks so much for dinner tonight."

Yu Changsheng hesitated for a moment, looking at the empty glass in his hand before speaking softly.

"Why go back? Just stay here tonight. We can go to work together tomorrow. My place is closer anyway, it’ll save you from waking up early to squeeze onto the subway."

Chen Changsheng muttered, his brows furrowing slightly.

"It’s not like we don’t have a spare room. What’s the big deal?"

Yu Changsheng felt a bit embarrassed, but a warmth spread through his heart. He hesitated, but still shook his head.

"No, it’s okay. Maybe next time. There are a few things I need to take care of back at my place."

Chen Changsheng sighed in resignation. Seeing that Yu Changsheng was serious and not just being polite, he didn’t press the issue. He nodded and stood up.

"Alright then, I’ll walk you out."

After calling out a word to Sister-in-law Yang, Chen Changsheng threw on a jacket and accompanied Yu Changsheng downstairs.

"Alright, this is far enough, Uncle Chen. You’ve had a long day, you should go back and get some rest."

At the bottom of the stairwell, Yu Changsheng turned to Chen Changsheng, who had seen him all the way down, and spoke softly.

"It’s fine." Chen Changsheng let out a long breath, the strong scent of alcohol wafting from it, and broke into a grin.

"Come, walk with me by the river. We can walk off the booze. You don’t have anywhere else to be, do you?"

Yu Changsheng paused for a second, then slowly nodded in agreement.

"Okay..."

「By the river」

The night breeze drifted slowly, banishing the city’s daytime heat and bringing with it a slight chill. It brushed against their faces, seeming to clear their minds.

The city at night was a dazzling tapestry of neon lights and vibrant nightlife, with small groups of people scattered everywhere.

Chen Changsheng seemed in no hurry. The two of them walked slowly along the riverbank, making idle conversation.

"What’s wrong? Something on your mind? You’ve seemed distracted all day."

Chen Changsheng asked, glancing at Yu Changsheng, who seemed to have mostly sobered up.

"It’s nothing... It’s just that... right now, things feel a little unreal."

Yu Changsheng said after a moment of careful thought, his voice laced with uncertainty.

"Unreal?"

Chen Changsheng’s expression froze. He stopped walking and leaned against the riverside railing, his gaze complex as he stared at the opposite bank.

Across the wide expanse of the river, skyscrapers still pierced the sky on the opposite bank, their lights beginning to dwindle. Occasionally, a cruise ship, glittering with dazzling lights, would glide slowly across the water. From a distance, one could vaguely make out scenes of revelry on its decks.

"Me? I’m the exact opposite. I think this world is too damn real!"

Chen Changsheng’s brow furrowed and then relaxed. The corner of his mouth twitched, and he spat into the river before continuing, his voice filled with emotion.

"I don’t know what’s gotten into you today, Changsheng, or what you’ve been through. But if you want to talk about it, I’m here to listen."

"And if there’s something you want to do, you should do it while you’re still young. Don’t live with regrets. That’s the right way to live."

"After all, for mortals like us, our entire lives are just... study, grow up, get married, have kids, work, retire... You can see the end from the very beginning. That’s all this life is."

Chen Changsheng spoke faintly, his gaze distant and his tone tinged with a hint of resignation.

"I..."

Yu Changsheng started to speak, but the words caught in his throat. He swallowed hard. Seeing the lonely figure of Chen Changsheng, he felt a pang in his heart. After a moment’s thought, he finally asked:

"Uncle Chen... what about you? What is it you want to do?"

"Me?"

Chen Changsheng gave a faint smile at the question. His eyes narrowed slightly, and as he shook his head, his gaze seemed to sink.

"What else could I possibly do? Me? I’ve learned to find peace in accepting the things I cannot change."

With that, Chen Changsheng gave a self-deprecating laugh and turned to look at Yu Changsheng.

But Yu Changsheng’s body suddenly went rigid. He froze on the spot, staring blankly at Chen Changsheng.