Renowned writer, filmmaker, and food critic Cai Lan, one of the “Four Talented Men of Hong Kong,” passed away at the age of 83 in Hong Kong on June 25th. With no children from his deceased wife two years ago, curiosity arises regarding the distribution of his estate. On the 29th, his assistant Yang Ao responded to the public with four simple words on Weibo.
Cai Lan was active in the cultural sphere from a young age, delving into writing, filmmaking, and culinary critique. Apart from his cultural endeavors, Cai Lan also made a mark in the business world. The “Cai Lan Dim Sum” brand founded in collaboration with Kam Tong Ming Group currently boasts over 100 stores nationwide. As a tribute to him, the official website of the brand recently switched to a black and white color scheme.
Accompanied by his wife Fang Qiongwen for many years, Cai Lan had no children. After his wife’s passing in 2023, he chose to reside in a hotel suite, employing a professional team at a monthly cost of 500,000 Hong Kong dollars to take care of his daily needs rather than opting for a nursing home.
Following Cai Lan’s death, media reports indicated that earlier this year he had completed the inheritance of the company shares owned by his late wife and revealed that his wealth was so vast that it was “beyond needs.” However, details of his estate planning have not been disclosed thus far, sparking curiosity among the public who have been reaching out to his assistant Yang Ao for information.
On the 29th, Yang Ao responded to the public on Weibo, stating that Cai Lan described himself as a curious person, enjoying the exploration of new things, being willing to try unfamiliar foods, and promptly purchasing and researching newly emerging technological products. Yang Ao emphasized that this curiosity was limited to knowledge that benefitted himself and not prying into others’ privacy, such as health conditions or property ownership. He believed that those excessively seeking others’ privacy were engaging in mere gossip, a term in Cantonese referred to as “busybodies.”
In the face of public curiosity, Yang Ao firmly replied, “Over the years, Mr. Cai has taught me not to engage with busybodies. So, if anyone asks about this matter again in the future, I will simply say, ‘It’s none of your business!'”
On June 27th, Cai Lan’s social media posted, “Our beloved Mr. Cai Lan passed away peacefully on June 25, 2025 (the first day of June) in the company of family and friends at Ruttonjee Hospital in Hong Kong. In accordance with his wishes and to avoid troubling relatives and friends, no ceremonies will be held, and his body has been cremated. We express our gratitude to everyone for their care towards Mr. Cai Lan.” Following Cai Lan’s passing, his assistant Yang Ao also shared details of Cai Lan’s final moments on Weibo.