Renowned writer and gourmet Mr. Cai Lan passed away peacefully at Hong Kong’s Hong Kong Sanatorium & Hospital on June 25th, accompanied by his family and friends, at the age of 83. "According to Mr. Cai's wishes, to avoid disturbing friends and relatives, no ceremonies will be held, and the body has already been cremated," stated a post on Cai Lan’s Weibo.
According to a Red Star News report, Mr. Cai Lan’s assistant, Mr. Yang, told the reporter on the 27th that Mr. Cai's recent hospital admission was for a routine check-up. The doctors found some test results outside of normal ranges and advised him to stay for observation. After being admitted, and especially over the most recent week or two, Mr. Cai slept more and ate and drank less, and then passed away very peacefully.
“Looking back, he probably had his own arrangement. Readers and fans should not worry or have any regrets; Mr. Cai passed very peacefully and without pain.”
Mr. Yang also told the Red Star News reporter that Mr. Cai Lan’s life since turning 80 has been just as happy and carefree as before, with not much difference compared to his pre-80s life.
Had to Choose Between Smoking or Drinking—Cai Chose Smoking
“At 80, he was still making videos, going out every day for food and shopping, playing games and watching movies at home. The doctor said he could only choose one between smoking and drinking; Mr. Cai said he couldn’t drink much every day, but could smoke all day, so he chose smoking,” Mr. Yang said.
Mr. Yang believes it’s hard to sum up what kind of person Mr. Cai was in a few words, and if the public wants to know him, they can look at his books over the years. “From my personal perspective, what young people should learn most from Mr. Cai is: keeping promises and being punctual.”
According to previous reports, after his wife passed away in 2023, Cai Lan—who had no children and no plans to enter a nursing home—chose instead to live in a full seaview hotel suite in Hong Kong and hired many people to take care of him. In an interview with Yang Lan at the age of 82, Cai Lan said that he chose not to have children when he was young, and never regretted it even when he grew old. Cai said he didn't like children because he couldn’t look after them, and that he felt he hadn’t grown up himself.