Upon hearing this, Hu Yuanping smiled and stood up.
Ning Xin quickly followed suit and took the lead to show the way.
Hu Yuanping initially thought the young girl would lead him to some room, but to his surprise, she took him to the small open space where he usually liked to spend his time.
He thought for a moment and agreed that this spot was indeed a good choice.
Although it was in the courtyard, it was diagonally opposite the grape trellis where the tea was set up. From here, they could see each other clearly but couldn’t hear the specifics of each other’s conversations.
This time, he did not sit down on the bamboo chair as usual. Instead, he stood next to Ning Xin and asked with a smile, “Xiao Ning, what treasure do you want to show me, Uncle? Is it convenient to take it out?”
But Ning Xin did not smile.
She glanced at the family courtyard, then looked solemnly at Hu Yuanping and said earnestly, “Uncle Hu, I want to dedicate our family’s soon-to-open medicinal kitchen to the state.
Once my medicinal kitchen opens, I will set aside two rooms in our house. Anyone who has made outstanding contributions to the country can make an appointment in advance and stay at my home for free for a period of time.
The specific arrangements can be discussed slowly. Right now, I just want to ask you, can you help me convey this idea to the relevant authorities?”
For a moment, Hu Yuanping’s expression froze.
Even though he had mentally prepared himself before coming out that this girl wouldn’t present any so-called treasure, hearing her say something so far-fetched still made him feel a hint of impatience.
If it weren’t for the fact that he had truly enjoyed his time at the Ning household these past few days and genuinely felt the improvements in his and his wife’s health, Hu Yuanping felt that he might not have been able to listen any further.
Ning Xin clearly sensed Hu Yuanping’s thoughts and quickly explained, “Uncle, I know you don’t believe what I’m saying, but I’m not joking.”
With that, she pointed to the flower bed in front of them and asked softly, “Uncle Hu, take a closer look. Don’t you think the flowers and plants in our yard look different from those in other people’s homes?”
Hu Yuanping suppressed his discontent, looked in the direction she was pointing, and casually replied, “What’s so different? They’re all just ordinary flowers and plants. But your family’s flowers do grow quite fast…”
He paused mid-sentence.
But before he could fully realize it, upon reflection, Hu Yuanping did notice something unusual about the Ning family’s flowers and plants compared to others’.
He remembered that on the day he first arrived, a simple flower trellis had just been set up with bamboo poles in this flower bed. A few vines were wrapped around the bottom of the trellis, still sparse and small.
How many days had it been since then?
The vines had already nearly reached the top of the trellis! Moreover, they were lush with leaves, weaving a green curtain right in front of them.
This was definitely not the normal growth rate for ordinary plants.
Suppressing his surprise, Hu Yuanping’s gaze then fell on the blooming jasmine flowers.
Every day, one of the herbal teas served by the Ning family was jasmine mint tea. He had personally seen the Nings picking the flowers and leaves right from this very flower bed.
He hadn’t paid attention before, but now that he looked closely, Hu Yuanping realized there were only five small pots of jasmine!
Yet each of these five pots was bursting with blossoms, and beyond that, they were covered in countless dense buds.
And this was despite having flowers and leaves picked from them every single day!
The more he thought about it, the more serious Hu Yuanping’s expression became. By now, he no longer felt that Ning Xin was talking nonsense.
After a moment of reflection, he asked, “Xiao Ning, do you have some kind of agricultural technology you want to contribute to the state?”
Hearing him ask this, Ning Xin, who had been somewhat anxious, finally felt relieved.
The idea of handing over the medicinal kitchen to the state had indeed just occurred to her.
But the thought of opening a medicinal kitchen, using it to treat and heal people, and especially to help restore the health of the older generation who had contributed to and bled for the country, this had been Ning Xin’s long-standing dream.
After all, she was a young woman who had received years of patriotic education.
Now that she had met Uncle Hu and Aunt Zhuang and had confirmed their integrity and capability, Ning Xin didn’t want to let this opportunity slip away.
She wanted to use them as a bridge to connect with the relevant authorities.
However, even though she had made up her mind to dedicate the medicinal kitchen to the state, she still needed to think carefully about how to do it and in what manner.
Ning Xin had been pondering this throughout the meal just now.
What approach would allow her to achieve her goal without harming her family’s interests or putting herself and her family in danger?
After much thought, Ning Xin came up with the solution before her.
She decided not to reveal that she possessed a mystical spring.
Only by keeping that secret could she ensure a fallback option in any situation.
But how could she showcase the strength of her yet-to-open medicinal kitchen without revealing the existence of the spiritual spring?
After much deliberation, the only way was to fabricate a story.
So, Ning Xin led Hu Yuanping over to the flower bed.
She chose this spot because she had been secretly watering the soil with diluted spiritual spring water over the past few days.
To be honest, when Ning Xin first started adding drops of the spiritual spring to the herbal tea, she hadn’t intended to sell it. It was only after Aunt Wang’s persuasion that she decided to turn it into a business.
Since she was going to do it, she wanted a strong start. So, in the following days, she diluted the spiritual spring and mixed it into the herbal tea.
One day passed, then two. At first, she didn’t think much of it. But as time went on, Ning Xin suddenly realized she had overlooked a major issue.
That issue was: most of the people buying herbal tea from her home were neighbors and locals, with very few occasional customers like Zhuang Wenxia.
Ning Xin’s spiritual spring was not some miraculous potion that could bring the dead back to life or heal the terminally ill in an instant.
Its primary function was to enhance the efficacy of medicinal ingredients and improve taste, it was an auxiliary, supportive substance.
Moreover, its effects were directly proportional to the dosage consumed.
In her previous life, Ning Xin had used the spiritual spring to save people, but each time she did so at the most critical moment, discreetly dripping it into the medicine before administering it to the patient, relying on it to buy them more time.
She had never tried giving the spiritual spring to healthy people on a long-term basis.
Although the amount she added to the herbal tea was very, very small, still, the neighbors were drinking it almost every day, and each time they had at least a large bowl!
When she realized the implications, a chill ran down Ning Xin’s spine.
If anyone experienced any sort of medical miracle from drinking it, she felt she might not be able to handle the consequences.
So, she stopped adding the spiritual spring to the herbal tea.
But she still wanted to maintain the tea’s taste and enhance its efficacy.
After much thought, Ning Xin came up with a solution: watering the plants with diluted spiritual spring water.
Through days of experimentation, she had gradually figured out the right proportions.
If she wanted to significantly boost the medicinal effects, she would add an extra jasmine flower or a few mint leaves directly into a single cup of tea.
As for the herbal tea sold in the insulated dispensers, she only needed to add a very small amount of flowers and leaves to preserve the taste and ensure that customers continued to feel the soothing effects after drinking it.
Since Uncle Hu had already noticed the uniqueness of the flower bed and was clearly starting to take her proposal seriously, Ning Xin’s confidence grew, and she decided to continue weaving her story.
“No, I don’t have any agricultural technology to contribute to the state. The only thing I can offer is the medicinal kitchen,” Ning Xin answered decisively.
After saying this, she looked at Hu Yuanping with an expectant expression and asked, “Uncle Hu, if I told you that our family’s courtyard is a feng shui treasure site, would you believe me?”
Hu Yuanping looked at her without speaking, but his eyes told her that he did not believe her.
Ning Xin pouted slightly but didn’t show any disappointment.
Instead, she continued as if telling a story: “Uncle, Aunt Zhuang might have mentioned to you how I studied medicine, right? The person who said my home is a feng shui treasure site was my master. She said that the location of our house is excellent, and the soil naturally contains a vital energy, or ‘living breath.’ Staying in this house not only helps plants and flowers grow well but also benefits people’s health. Unfortunately, we got this house back too late. If we had gotten it back earlier, maybe my master…”
At this point, Ning Xin’s voice choked, and her eyes gradually reddened.
Although the master she spoke of in this world was fabricated, every time she brought it up, her mind would drift to the kindness her master had shown her in her previous life.
She couldn’t help but feel a pang of sadness.
Seeing Ning Xin’s genuine sorrow, Hu Yuanping found her story more convincing.
After a moment’s thought, he said, “Xiao Ning, I might be a bit blunt, but many things can’t rely on personal claims. They need to be backed by science.”
Ning Xin quickly nodded. “Uncle Hu, I understand. My master didn’t just make wild claims either. The two of us tested it.”
As she spoke, she wiped the tears from her eyes and pointed to the soil in the flower bed.
“Uncle, when you return to the capital this time, take some of this soil with you. Or if there’s a place in Xinnan where tests can be done, you can send some soil there for analysis. I can’t say exactly what’s in our soil, but my master and I experimented and found that things grown in our soil are indeed more vibrant.
The herbal tea we serve is brewed with flowers and herbs grown right here. You and Auntie have both drunk it, don’t you think it tastes different from what others make? Also, the meals we’ve prepared, have you noticed any improvement in your health? Of course, we do have our own medicinal recipes, I admit that. But the water and soil here also play a role.
If you’re willing, you can take some of our flowers and herbs along with the soil for testing and see if they differ from those grown elsewhere?”
Hearing her speak with such certainty, Hu Yuanping thought back to how he had felt after drinking those herbal teas and felt a stir of curiosity.
“If that’s the case, Xiao Ning, should I collect some samples now and send them to the capital?”
Ning Xin waved her hand. “Uncle Hu, it’s better if you take them yourself when you return. Sending them by mail would take too long. These soil and plant samples lose their vitality within seven days of leaving our home. I’m not making this up, my master and I tested it.
Otherwise, why would I be willing to dedicate the medicinal kitchen to the state and offer free stays to those who’ve made outstanding contributions to the country? If it were just about the soil or the plants, I could simply hand those over or let you take them to the state, couldn’t I?”
Hearing this, Hu Yuanping’s trust in her grew even more.
He couldn’t help but start thinking further along the lines of Ning Xin’s vision.
This child kept saying she wanted to help restore the health of those who had made outstanding contributions to the country. In Hu Yuanping’s eyes, this was largely the sincere admiration of a young person for her elders.
She hadn’t yet realized that if what she said was true, if things grown in this soil indeed had remarkable health benefits, then she herself would be making an enormous contribution to the nation!
Countless images flashed through Hu Yuanping’s mind: senior officials, experts, comrades-in-arms, fellow soldiers who were still suffering from various illnesses. Thinking of the hope that might lie ahead, his fingers trembled with excitement and involuntarily clenched into fists.
He struggled to suppress his intense emotions and looked at Ning Xin. “Xiao Ning, I can help you with this request. After I return, I will immediately report to the relevant authorities and convey your request to them. However, Uncle would like to ask you privately, what are your intentions in doing this? Or rather, what kind of help are you hoping to receive?”
With that, Hu Yuanping gave her a warm smile.
He looked at Ning Xin and made a solemn promise: “Xiao Ning, you can tell me anything directly. As long as what you say is true, and your family’s medicinal kitchen can indeed treat illnesses and save lives, feel free to make any request. As long as it’s reasonable, Uncle will do his best to help you achieve it.”
Ning Xin waved her hands. “I don’t have any requests. Handing over the medicinal kitchen to the state is my wish. Just seeing that wish come true would make me very happy. Why would I need to make any further demands?”
She then looked at Hu Yuanping with sincere eyes. “Besides, Uncle Hu, although I don’t know who the other uncle at the table was, I understood what you and Auntie were saying. You’ve already arranged for our future protection. How could we be so discontent? Uncle Hu, thank you and Auntie. I’ll remember your kindness.”
Ning Xin’s words left Hu Yuanping momentarily not sure how to respond.
He already knew this young girl was intelligent, but he didn’t expect her to be so perceptive. His fondness for her grew even more.
“The uncle inside is surnamed Shi, Shi Zhengyi. Just call him Uncle Shi directly. He’s the Party Secretary of your Xinnan City. We probably can’t keep this from him. Xiao Xin, would you mind repeating what you just said to him?”
“I don’t mind. But…”
Ning Xin looked up and gave Hu Yuanping a somewhat embarrassed expression.
“Uncle Hu, you know our family’s situation. My father just passed away, and it’s just my grandmother, my brother, and me at home. We don’t know many people in Xinnan, and we have no real foundation here.
About this house’s good feng shui… Uncle, could we try not to tell too many people?
The main thing is, I’m afraid someone with ill intentions might set their sights on it, and we wouldn’t be able to keep the house. After all, this home is the only inheritance my father left us. I don’t want it to be taken away by anyone.”
Hearing this, a cold look flashed in Hu Yuanping’s eyes.
He reached out and patted Ning Xin on the shoulder. “You’re just a child, don’t worry too much. The adults are here! Foundations or no foundations, this is a new society. We have the state and the government. Let’s see who dares to act recklessly!”
“Don’t worry, Uncle promises you that no one will be able to set their sights on your house. Besides, Uncle Shi is right here in Xinnan! Come, come with me to see him. If anyone dares to bully you, let him stand up for you!”
With these words from Hu Yuanping, the heavy stone that had been pressing on Ning Xin’s heart suddenly vanished. She felt an immense sense of relief.
Although she had tried not to dwell on it, after Leng Hui’s visit that morning, it was impossible for Ning Xin not to feel some pressure.
Earlier, she had even found herself with an inexplicable feeling, as if Leng Hui had come to size up the house for confiscation.
That feeling had ruined her entire morning.
Hu Yuanping’s promise instantly turned her gloomy mood bright.
Meanwhile, Leng Hui had just arrived at the bus stop.
Her mind was racing, meticulously reviewing every single event since her rebirth, afraid of missing even one detail.
She wanted to figure out where things had gone wrong, why was she unable to understand the direction of events?
She was so deep in thought that she stood motionless under the scorching sun without even realizing it, until someone tugged at her arm from behind.
“Oh my, Comrade Leng, why are you standing right under the sun? You’ll get heatstroke!” a woman’s concerned voice rang in her ear.
Only then did Leng Hui snap out of it.
She focused her gaze and felt an almost imperceptible twitch between her brows. Her body instinctively wanted to step back.
Fortunately, she managed to control herself.
The woman before her was Li Cuihua, the wife of a repairman at the textile factory. They had crossed paths at the factory before but had never really spoken.
However, in her previous life, this family had brought Leng Hui no small amount of trouble.
She loathed this woman from the bottom of her heart.
But none of that had happened yet.
Leng Hui had no choice but to force a faint, distant smile. “Thank you, Sister Li. I was just thinking about something and didn’t notice.”
With that, she took a couple of steps toward the shade under the bus stop sign.
“Oh my, such dedication. Comrade Leng, you’re still thinking about work even after hours. That’s really something!”
The woman gave her a thumbs-up. “Truly worthy of our admiration.”
Being awkwardly praised so effusively in public by someone much older than her made Leng Hui somewhat uncomfortable.
She had no choice but to soften her tone and ask, “Sister Li, is there something you wanted to talk to me about?”
Hearing this, Li Cuihua immediately broke into a wide grin.
She moved a step closer to Leng Hui and asked with a slightly fawning tone, “Comrade Leng, you’re an advanced worker and you’re close with the factory leadership. So, have you heard any news about when our textile factory will be allocating housing again?”
Leng Hui felt a momentary daze upon hearing these words.
After all, she had been away for thirty years. So many things had happened in that time that she had long forgotten about the textile factory ever allocating housing.
But even if she had forgotten, she knew for a fact that the factory’s housing allocation would have nothing to do with them!
She remembered that before long, due to technological reforms, the factory would hire a batch of educated college students who understood technology. The limited number of available houses would all be used as promised benefits for those people.
Not to mention someone like Li Cuihua’s husband, Wang Erjun, who was just a repairman who had barely been confirmed in his position, even her own mother, who had worked at the factory her whole life and ended up losing a hand, wouldn’t qualify for a house.
Leng Hui shook her head. “I don’t know. I haven’t heard any news.”
A flicker of disappointment passed through Li Cuihua’s eyes, and then she launched into a stream of complaints.
“Sigh, does the factory even want people to survive? They have houses but won’t allocate them, are they keeping them to breed? Take my family: five people crammed into twenty square meters. We’re practically stacked on top of each other…”
Her mouth kept rattling on, but Leng Hui’s mind had drifted to a certain incident from the past.
She remembered that just a few days after she had taken over the Ning family’s house back then, this woman had insisted on moving her whole family into the house, claiming that Ning’s father had previously agreed to lend them the room by the entrance, and she even found neighbors to testify on her behalf.
That had given Leng Hui quite a headache for a while.
Thinking of this, Leng Hui’s eyes darted about, and a hint of sympathy appeared on her face.
She sighed and echoed in an agreeing tone, “Yes, Sister Li, that’s exactly it. My family’s housing is insufficient too. My brother is almost thirty, and he still doesn’t have his own room. He can’t even get married.”
With that, she glanced meaningfully toward the alley. “I just walked through there and saw a family with a house that’s so neat and grand. I wonder how they got so lucky?”
Hearing this, Li Cuihua acted as if she had found a kindred spirit. She moved even closer to Leng Hui and also looked toward the depths of the alley.
She clicked her tongue, her eyes filled with undisguised greed.
“That’s our neighbor, the Ning family’s house. Lucky, right? There are only three people living in that house now, but there are over a dozen rooms! I don’t know what they need so many rooms for. Even if they rolled around in their sleep, they couldn’t use them all!”
Upon hearing this, Leng Hui also laughed.
Then, in a casual tone, she joined in the gossip: “This is an ancestral home that was just returned, right? If so, this family is really lucky. I know of another family in our area that, although the house was returned to them under the policy, the tenants living inside refused to move out. Even now, they’re still living there, and the family can’t do anything about it.
Sure, the house was given back to them, but does that mean other families should be left to live on the street? The neighbors won’t move, and the street office can’t do anything about it.
This is a new society now, we have to be civilized. You can’t just force people to move out, can you? Besides, there’s such a thing as common-law marriage. Who’s to say there won’t be common-law property one day? When that happens, it’ll be hard to say who the house really belongs to!”
The twisted reasoning Leng Hui was spouting was exactly the same nonsense Li Cuihua had spread behind people’s backs back then.
She didn’t know who had brainwashed her at the time, but that woman had clung to that idea like a madwoman and fought against Leng Hui, nearly causing her small eatery to fail before it could even open.
In the end, Leng Hui had been forced to borrow more money to give to Li Cuihua, paying money to avoid disaster.
Now, Leng Hui was giving all those words right back.
Sure enough, after hearing this, Li Cuihua’s spirits soared! Even the fawning expression on her face faded considerably.
Her eyes gleamed brightly, shining with cunning. Barely bothering to exchange a few perfunctory words with Leng Hui, she hurried off into the alley.
Meanwhile, Ning Xin had repeated her story about the house being a feng shui treasure site to Shi Zhengyi and the others.
While Shi Zhengyi still had his doubts, Zhuang Wenxia and Secretary Lin believed her almost immediately.
After all, they had already been staying here for nearly a week and had genuinely experienced something different.
No matter how skeptical Shi Zhengyi remained inside, he wasn’t about to show it, this courtyard was in Xinnan, after all!
What he displayed in that moment was even more enthusiasm than Hu Yuanping or Zhuang Wenxia.