Deng Huzang | Live in Dali and die in Dali

sting left

Unexpected but not sad

The unexpected thing was that I had just gone to his brother's restaurant, Yue Xiang Yuan, for dinner two days ago and talked to his brother about his recent situation.

The next day, an old friend came back to Dali from Lanzhou, and we made an appointment to visit him and buy some coffee beans the next day. But Sting passed away that night.

Not sad is not because I am not upset. Jiahao said that he did not suffer when he passed away. He was very peaceful. The last moment of his life was with the things he loved most. Compared with the various pains and tortures in the ICU of the hospital, this may be the best parting of life and death in China today.

I first met Sting in Dali 13 years ago. I felt that he was so cool, and was enveloped by his warm aura. Then I was conquered by the various delicacies he cooked. At that time, Renmin Road was not so prosperous. At the intersection of Renmin Road and Yeyu Road, there was a store called COFFEE Store. Yes, you read it right, it is a straightforward COFFEE Store.

Anyone who has been to this store should have an impression of it. At that time, Sting was extremely handsome, always wearing a floral shirt and flip-flops. He worked slowly, selecting coffee beans and cooking a salmon dinner for 30 people by himself.

At that time, he had just arrived in Dali and had the problems of a city dweller. Maybe in his eyes, this person had some problems, always asking questions, a little bit floating, not down-to-earth.

Until one day, he said, "Master Deng, please help me buy some metal cans on Taobao. I want to start a coffee delivery business." I also volunteered to help design the packaging. Sting just smiled and said, "No need to design or print. I can do it myself."

Friends who have bought Wuliangshan coffee should have an impression that no matter it is packaged in a ziplock bag or an iron barrel, Sting will personally pack it, carefully stamp it with a hand-carved seal, and weave colorful ropes.

Later, he went to Bird Bar Coffee Shop, Green Peach, Peace Hotel, and Xiulou Salmon. He always did what he liked calmly. He spoke slowly and seemed to be nonchalant, but he always showed concern like a father. For a while, I was alone in Dali and followed Jiahao in calling him Dadou. Sting didn't care much and just smiled and made a cup of coffee as usual.

The first word he uses when meeting people is the pronunciation of "ong", with a long nasal sound. For a long time, friends have always started their greetings this way. He doesn't like crowds, but every time there is a party, he is always busy in the kitchen. Whether it is a small gathering of a few people or a New Year's party of dozens of people, he is always preparing slowly, cutting and sorting a whole salmon, like a magic trick. Thick-cut sashimi/various hand rolls/tempura/fried fish bones, and a bowl of steaming natto soup.

When he is not busy, Sting likes to ride a motorcycle to go around Dali, Nanjian, Wuliangshan, Shuanglang, and sometimes deliver coffee beans. I went out with him a few times, and I remember that he always rode a 50-liter Jialing motorcycle in the front. His riding posture was very interesting, and with his speed, he was basically flying close to the ground.

These days, I chose a painted jar and contacted Jiahao, saying that he wanted to visit his father for the last time and give him this painted jar as a container for his ashes, which can be considered as a thought.

People often ask me why I want to live in Dali. I basically answer that I not only want to live in Dali, but also want to die in Dali.

I wrote this text while on the high-speed train from Kunming to Dali. It has been a long time since I wrote such a long text. My thirteen years of life in Dali are like the scenery outside the window, constantly emerging and disappearing.

The next day after returning to Dali, I happened to catch up with the Dongyue Temple Huazihui, and wrote a few forms to send my father back to his hometown.

Laodou Mountain is high and the water is long. We will meet again someday.

Let us live and die in Dali🤟