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A Generous Man

Huang’s generosity and his home and his meals, nicknamed “Wangjing 607” and the “Huang Family Feast” by friends, are far more than the stuff of urban legend, in part because of his appreciative friends and because of people in the media who were as amazed to hear Huang’s story as I.

Huang opens his doors to and serves and dines with anyone who visits his home, regardless whether he knows them or whether the visitors are rich or poor. During the past seven years, he has served more than 20,000 people. In our materialistic, consumption-oriented world, his actions may seem unbelievable to those who spend most of their time thinking of how to accumulate more wealth to make their own lives better—living a so-called real life.

Huang, at first, was a little reluctant to be disturbed by someone in the media. But after some lengthy efforts and with some assistance, I found my way to his home. When the door opened, I was met by a slightly plump man of about 50, who welcomed me with a warm and peaceful smile. He shook my hands strongly, and I glimpsed softness in his eyes.

When I first entered Wangjing 607, dozens of slippers provided for the convenience of visitors caught my eyes. The four-layer-high shoe shelf could hardly contain them all. The dinner room was set with two big tables surrounded by chairs. There was a tall cupboard: its shelves contained what seemed like hundreds of glasses and bottles of wine. In a corner by the cupboard, boxes containing various wines were stacked in waiting.

It is in this otherwise ordinary home in Wangjing, Chaoyang District, that an unusual event takes place each day, as it has for the past seven years. At dinnertime, Huang's 300-square-metre room is stuffed with people from all walks of life; some nights there may be 6 or 7 guests, but sometimes they are more than 60. They arrive, take off their shoes, don slippers, read newspapers, watch TV, listen to music, or chat with others; they relax as if at home. When food is served everyone gathers at the table to enjoy a rich meal.

The rationale for Huang’s generosity was inspired 13 years ago following a traffic accident that involved four people, claiming three. Only Huang survived. It had a profound effect on his sense of values. Several years later, he entrusted his company to his assistants and began pursuing another way of life.

“Fame and wealth are as transient as a fleeting cloud; a human’s life may end at any moment. I have not insisted so much on material satisfaction since the accident,” Huang said, evincing a sense of serenity. “But the accident was not the ultimate reason; I value life and friendship mostly because of my character. I believe in this philosophy: a food menu should be broad, and a human’s character should be clement. Then we can find more happiness in his life.”

Friends were the first to experience Huang’s hospitality and dinners, but, gradually, some friends began bringing their own friends. Then visitors came, followed by more. “Of course I cannot become deeply acquainted with all the visitors, but they are here with my friends, and they will be my friends, too,” said Huang.

In the end, Huang’s circle of friends and acquaintances became so large that Huang and his friends opened the Tianxiayan Restaurant, which enabled them to entertain even more visitors. Some of his guests have organized the Huang’s Friends Association, which now has 10,000 members. Huang said all the new developments have followed a natural course, even though he once resisted creating the association, which he felt would bring some restrictions to its members.

The members in the group are mainly people who work in the cultural and arts fields, such as singers, musicians, poets, painters, editors, writers, and film directors. Maybe a member’s opinion can reveal why so many people like to come to Huang’s home and why more than a free dinner is involved.

“A Huang Family Feast is very like a bathhouse, where all the people take off their clothes and there are no social or occupational differences; everyone is equal. An ordinary person may engage in conversation with a multinational company boss. Freedom and relaxation are the most important attractions. This may be the most interesting cultural salon.”

Huang spends an estimated 20,000 yuan or more each month providing his dinners. When I asked whether it was a bit too much, he smiled with a satisfaction and said, “I do not care about how many visitors I’ve hosted or how much money I’ve spent on feasts. If I cared, I would not do it. The people and costs are approximate. My most important gain is the friendships I have experienced.”

Following our talk, food was set on tables, and 16 human beings who scarcely knew each other dined together. The dishes were really rich. Huang’s Huangshi beef (Huang family beef) was so delicate that it melted into pieces in my mouth immediately. The wine was soothing, the beef was hot, and the conversation was warm. The tables and the chairs remain the same from night to night, but those occupying them vary. Topics discussed range from culture and art to music, stocks or even the price of rice. The visitors may have been officials, professors, singers, film directors, poets or a student.

Throughout, Huang sat at the end of the table with a smile of satisfaction on his face.