For the country, Xu Shengnan's space is useless; she is not trustworthy, and there's no way to use her space for anything. Her spiritual spring water is somewhat useful, but only a little; after all, there's only one or two bowls a day, which is a drop in the ocean for the entire country and has no real effect.
In the end, it was her description of the future that was most useful.
Things they couldn't even imagine became commonplace in Xu Shengnan's descriptions. Sometimes, by presenting certain functions and effects, scientists could work backward from the results to deduce the manufacturing process. Although Xu Shengnan didn't know any of the most confidential or important matters, her descriptions of the future were still very helpful.
Xu Shengnan also mentioned some important names, all of whom were well-known figures among the people, such as those who could improve rice cultivation, those who could promote economic logistics, and real estate tycoons. After she mentioned them, the country found these people, identified their talents, and provided them with key support and convenience so that they could make contributions more quickly.
There's also the national situation. Because Xu Shengnan talked about many of the evaluations of this era by later generations, including the college entrance examination and the economy, and many other historical topics that everyone in later generations can talk about, the current core leadership of the country, based on the analysis, has shifted towards one of the two existing ideologies.
The most significant impact was the early announcement of the resumption of the college entrance examination that year, along with the early decision to implement the household responsibility system and open up the economy. Xu Zifan's county was fortunate enough to be selected as an experimental site, and the environment changed dramatically.
Song Xin immediately gave the land he was allocated to his parents, and then ran to the county town to find Xu Zifan, saying that he wanted to open a restaurant.
Xu Zifan was somewhat surprised, because in his memory, Song Xin worked in real estate and was doing quite well. However, after asking Song Xin in detail, he found that Song Xin was indeed very insightful and also loved food, so he took out some money to sponsor him, which was a good start for him.
Song Xin rented a storefront and opened a restaurant selling stir-fries, starting a lively small business.
When the news reached the village, the Xu family was devastated. Xu Aiguo even went to Xu Zifan to try and reason with him, but Xu Zifan wouldn't even open the door for him. In the end, Xu Aiguo was beaten up and verbally abused by Song Xin, who arrived at the scene and drove him away.
The villagers were all laughing at the Xu family, but at the same time, they admired Xu Zifan. He was truly capable; not only did he live well himself, but he could also take care of the younger generation. Although Song Xin had been very unlucky because of Xu Shengnan's entanglement, he had also unexpectedly caught Xu Zifan's eye. Now, everyone who mentioned him said he was blessed.
Others weren't as lucky as him, but they had land in their own hands, and everyone was full of energy. The country also allowed free trade, so many clever and daring people started looking for ways to make money. Good students also started studying hard to get into university. Everyone was full of energy, and every household was smiling. The whole country was prosperous.
However, none of this brought Xu Shengnan any benefit. She was still locked in the glass house as a guinea pig. As expected, she would continue to live, but without freedom, dignity, or anything else, living like a walking corpse.
Two years later, the county town where the experiment was conducted had become very prosperous and was rated as a county-level city, thus being upgraded to a higher level.
In the past two years, Song Xin opened two more shops, one selling hot pot and the other selling barbecue. Both businesses were extremely successful, earning even more than the first one, making him a well-known wealthy man in the area!
Many people praise him for his vision and courage. Even though he experienced a low point due to being forced into marriage, he was still able to get back up and reach the top. He has unknowingly become a role model for many people.
But the person he respected most was Xu Zifan. It just so happened that it was Xu Zifan's 60th birthday, so he held a grand banquet at his own shop to celebrate. Many prominent people from the city came, as well as many villagers from the fourth team, but he didn't invite any members of the Xu family.
At the banquet, Song Xin respectfully served tea to Xu Zifan and sincerely said, "If it weren't for Grandpa Xu, I wouldn't be where I am today. Grandpa Xu has taught me so much. He not only helped me with business strategies, but also taught me how to be a person and how to do things. I am most grateful to Grandpa Xu for getting to where I am today."
Grandpa Xu, I've long considered you my mentor and wanted to be filial to you for the rest of my life. But today I have another wish: I want to recognize you as my godfather, so we can have a proper title and become the closest of relatives. Grandpa Xu, what do you think?
Many people who didn't know Xu Zifan were surprised, wondering why a boss with such a promising future like Song Xin would show such respect to an old man. Those like Li Zhenhong and Wang Baoguo, who had witnessed Xu Zifan's abilities, remained silent with a smile. They didn't think Xu Zifan was unworthy of the respect; on the contrary, they felt that Song Xin had gotten a great deal.
However, if Xu Zifan were to become the godfather, it would be wonderful to have such a good grandson to take care of him in the future. They were happy to see this happen and even joined in the commotion, urging Xu Zifan to agree.
Xu Zifan liked Song Xin quite a bit. After thinking for a moment, he took the tea and said with a smile, "Okay, I'm happy to have such a good grandson like you."
Song Xin laughed excitedly and shouted, "Grandpa!"
"Hey." Xu Zifan reached out to help him up and said with a smile, "Work hard in the future, you have a long road ahead of you."
"Yes, I will definitely listen to Grandpa."
After finishing his speech, Song Xin happily walked onto the stage and announced that he would open a restaurant in the provincial capital. "Thanks to everyone's support over the past two years, I have achieved some success. My three restaurants are doing well. I hope to have the opportunity to bring this delicious taste to a wider world and let more people taste my dishes."
But I was born and raised here, and I will never forget myself no matter where I go.
"This is my root. When I become successful in the future, I will definitely come back to give back to my hometown. Everyone, please keep an eye on me!"
Those present were all business partners and relatives and friends, and naturally they were all happy for him, applauding and offering their blessings, instantly creating a lively atmosphere. Led by Song Xin, everyone took turns toasting Xu Zifan. While they drank alcohol, Xu Zifan only took a sip of tea as a token gesture, demonstrating everyone's respect for their elder.
Xu Zifan severed ties with his descendants, but his 60th birthday celebration was still grand and he even gained a dutiful grandson. This kind of old age life can only be described as happy!
After the birthday banquet, Song Xin busied himself with preparations for the restaurant in the provincial capital, making arrangements at various levels. Once everything was ready, he planned to pick up Xu Zifan and the Song family on the opening day. Song Xin's elder brother, by a twist of fate, had taken over Song Xin's construction business and was now doing quite well. After the restaurant opened, the couple went back to work.
Although Song Xin's parents stayed a few more days, it was only to spend time with their youngest son. They weren't used to big cities and preferred staying in their rural hometown. They also had to help their eldest son take care of his child, so they couldn't stay long. In the end, Xu Zifan was the only relative left by Song Xin's side, and he moved to the provincial capital to stay with him.
Song Xin is a very smart apprentice. He rarely hesitates or doesn't know what to do. Occasionally, when he encounters a problem, he asks Xu Zifan for advice and has a chat with him, and then he understands everything. His restaurant is thriving in the provincial capital, and he has even hired a well-known chef from the city.
After the chef started working there, Xu Zifan went to apprentice under him. He paid him a large sum of money and promised not to teach the chef anything, so the chef agreed to teach him his cooking skills.
Originally, Song Xin was worried that Xu Zifan, being sixty years old, would not be used to being away from his hometown. But who knew that he would thrive in his new environment and even learn new dishes, his skills surpassing those of Song Xin, who was a proper businessman.
Song Xin then realized the extent of Xu Zifan's love for food, and became even more serious about it, trying every possible way to find good chefs to bring back to Xu Zifan and increase the restaurant's value.
Song Xin's restaurant grew larger and larger, and he earned more and more. If he had stayed in the provincial capital, he might have maintained his title as the richest man in the province for decades. However, because of Xu Zifan's hobbies, his ideals also changed. After establishing himself in the provincial capital for a few years, he once again ventured out to Beijing.
Developing in Yanjing was more difficult, but through repeated trials, Song Xin had become more mature and steady, and was fully capable of handling everything independently and arranging the business properly before bringing Xu Zifan to Beijing.
Xu Zifan, the old man, was taken care of by his eldest grandson all the way to the capital. The capital was a legendary place in their hometown. When the news spread back to their hometown, the names of the father and son became legends. People would mention them from time to time. The Xu family was even more embarrassed. They tried every means to leave the countryside and move to the city, but because they had no money, no roots, and a bad mentality, they never did very well.
They often thought of Xu Zifan, and even felt that the days before the family split up were the best days of their lives. They would occasionally have the thought of going to Xu Zifan's place for refuge. Could a father really not care about his children? But they were too far from Yanjing, and the gap between them and Yanjing was too great. They didn't dare to go, and even if they did, they wouldn't be able to find him. They could only hear news about their old father from other people.
Song Xin owned a five-star restaurant in the provincial capital, and after moving to Yanjing, he opened a private restaurant in addition to the five-star restaurant. This private restaurant became Xu Zifan's most frequented place because the chef's cooking was so delicious that it made people want to swallow their tongues. Song Xin had spent a lot of money to invite the chef three times to his home, and the chef taught Xu Zifan because they got along well, so he didn't charge tuition.
Xu Zifan made a new friend and learned a lot of good dishes. He became a regular at the private restaurant, almost like going to get off work.
Xu Shengnan's relatives had always been on the state's surveillance list. The state had known about Xu Zifan's affairs in Yanjing for a long time. So when Xu Shengnan was on the verge of a mental breakdown, the state found her closest relative, Xu Zifan, as soon as possible.
The visitor earnestly requested that Xu Zifan go to see Xu Shengnan and help calm her down.
Xu Zifan raised an eyebrow and smiled, "That's probably too difficult. If I go, she might break down even faster."
"Mr. Xu, Song Xin, whom you have trained, is a capable person, and you yourself are a person of great wisdom. I hope you can help me. This matter is of utmost importance."
Xu Zifan nodded, "I'm fine with it, but I really can't guarantee anything. You'll see when the time comes."
Xu Zifan agreed and was taken to the research institute where Xu Shengnan worked, where he met Xu Shengnan through the glass.
The Xu Shengnan of today is nothing like the radiant beauty she possessed after her rebirth. She is now emaciated, gaunt, and her hair is completely white, like a lifeless puppet, unresponsive to the outside world. Yet, when she sees Xu Zifan, a light suddenly rekindles in her eyes.
One researcher told Xu Zifan, "It seems like she can't hold on any longer."
Xu Zifan smiled. How could that be? People who couldn't hold on wouldn't react to him. Deep down, Xu Shengnan clearly still held onto a sliver of hope, however faint it might be.
He stepped forward and said to Xu Shengnan, "You've always wanted to find a long-term meal ticket, and now that you've found one, how does it feel?"
Xu Shengnan was speechless. Xu Zifan then said, "Do you believe in miracles? I think you do. So, would you give up hope? I don't think so." He said to the people in the research room, "Maybe she doesn't like the monotony of life? Or maybe she lacks understanding of the outside world? You have psychological experts in this area who know more than I do. Spending more time chatting with her every day might be helpful. I won't get involved. I'm just an old man who loves to cook."
Seeing Xu Zifan about to leave, Xu Shengnan hurriedly rushed to the glass, crying, "Grandpa...Grandpa..."
She hadn't spoken for a long time, and her voice was rough, hoarse, and extremely unpleasant. Xu Zifan shook his head.
"I'm not your grandfather anymore, I can't help you."
The government, realizing that her relatives were of no use to Xu Shengnan, sent Xu Zifan back home and left her alone. After analysis, psychological experts decided to expose Xu Shengnan to the outside world and to explain the positive impact her contributions had on society, in an attempt to motivate her.
What Xu Shengnan wanted to know most was how all the people she knew were doing. She asked Xu Zifan first. The psychologist told her that Xu Zifan had been learning cooking skills for the past few years and had become very good at it. He was living a leisurely and comfortable life.
She then asked Song Xin, and the psychologist told her that Song Xin owned a chain of restaurants, was the richest man in the provincial capital, and had come to Yanjing to develop his career, with a bright future ahead of him.
Xu Shengnan was extremely surprised and hurriedly asked the others. After learning that Brother Song had gone into real estate, she couldn't accept it at all. In her previous life, Brother Song's family just owned an orchard and ran a cannery. How did he become a real estate developer in this life? And Song Xin, he's doing even better than in his previous life, and even Xu Zifan is living a more comfortable life than in his previous life.
And what about her? Did her rebirth only bring them good luck? Was she worse off than in her previous life? She couldn't understand it, even after a psychologist analyzed the butterfly effect for her.
But her thoughts were still unimportant; she would continue to contribute the spiritual spring water condensed in the space, for no other purpose.
After that, her understanding of the future could no longer help the country. All she had left was the spiritual spring water, so the country no longer valued her as much. Instead, she dared not die and lived on with a sliver of hope, but she never saw any hope in her entire life.
Xu Zifan lived a very leisurely life. After learning almost all the culinary skills he could in Yanjing, Song Xin went to other places with distinctive cuisines to open restaurants and took Xu Zifan with him so that he could learn more authentic cuisine.
Later, Song Xin also invested in a food program, which involved traveling around the world to taste, learn about, and exchange culinary knowledge. He accompanied Xu Zifan on the trip, which also served as a kind of travel experience.
Xu Zifan's old age was not only colorful, but he also traveled around the world, and his name became known to more and more people. In the end, he became a typical example of learning until old age, setting an example in his old age and perfectly completing the original owner's mission.
Such a late life is probably the most enviable. He has shown everyone through his actions that age is never a problem if you want to live a wonderful life.