Just as Xushu stood there in utter shock, gazing around this mysterious space, an ethereal voice suddenly resonated in his mind. It seemed to travel from the distant ancient past, laden with the vicissitudes and weight of time, as it slowly introduced this wondrous realm to him.
As it turned out, this was a self-contained micro-world. Its history of existence was so ancient that it defied tracing, as if it had been quietly standing since the very birth of the universe. It should have been boundless and infinitely vast. However, due to the extremely limited energy it had absorbed over a long period, it currently presented itself in this modest state. Still, as long as it could absorb sufficient energy, the boundaries of this micro-world would expand wildly like spring blossoms, growing ever more expansive.
Xushu raised his eyes and looked out. The land beneath his feet, seemingly ordinary, actually harbored boundless vitality. Here, one could not only farm but also raise livestock. Even more miraculously, the flow of time here was entirely different from the outside world, running ten times faster. In other words, crops that took a full month to mature outside would bear abundant fruit in just three days within this micro-world.
Xushu sighed inwardly in wonder. If this were properly utilized, the crop yield would be astonishing!
Shifting his gaze to the clear spring, Xushu learned that this was indeed a spirit spring. A first-time drink could cleanse the marrow and renew the bones, resembling a baptism of life that granted the drinker a comprehensive and massive physical enhancement. Not only that, the spirit spring possessed the miraculous efficacy of curing illnesses and averting disasters. Long-term consumption could even prolong one's life, making it a rare divine treasure in this world.
Looking at the fishpond, it too possessed extraordinary qualities. There was no need to distinguish between fresh water and salt water; any aquatic products could be raised here.
Most miraculous of all, Xushu discovered with joy that in this Spirit Spring Space, many chores did not require him to labor in person. He simply needed to deposit seeds, livestock offspring, or fish fry into the space. Relying on his thoughts, he could effortlessly complete a series of operations such as planting, harvesting, and processing. Everything was under the control of his mind.
Furthermore, this Spirit Spring Space possessed one crucial function—it functioned like an eternal freshness-preservation vault. It could store all kinds of items while preserving their freshness and quality indefinitely, keeping everything in its pristine, original state.
Only then did Xushu realize that entering this space was not merely a projection of his consciousness; his entire physical body was placed within it. This meant that at this moment, Xushu's figure was entirely absent from the outside world.
After understanding all the miraculous traits of this space, Xushu's heart remained unsettled for a long time. On one hand, he marveled at the boundless nature of the world—truly, anything could happen, and such an unimaginable space genuinely existed. On the other hand, he secretly rejoiced at his own good fortune. After all, he had transmigrated here with his soul intact, and having experienced such a bizarre event, he did not harbor excessive doubts about the existence of this mysterious space.
Xushu calculated in his heart that he had just taken on the role of a procurement officer at the Rolling Mill. As long as he made proper use of this Spirit Spring Space, he would have no need to worry about his work in the future. Not only that, but he could also leverage the power of this space to relieve his family members far away in Xu Village, improving their lives as well.
At this thought, a trace of determination and anticipation flashed in Xushu's eyes.
Following that, filled with a passion for exploration, Xushu wandered back and forth within the Spirit Spring Space for a few turns. He attempted to approach the area shrouded in dense fog, but whenever he drew near, an invisible resistance blocked him, making it utterly impossible to pass.
This made Xushu instantly realize that his upcoming tasks were not only to figure out every possible way to acquire seeds, fish fry, and livestock offspring, but also to diligently search for a method to enlarge the area of this space. It was just that the earlier introduction had not mentioned what was required to expand the space's area, which meant he would have to figure it out and experiment on his own.
However, who was Xushu? He was none other than Liu Bei's first truly meaningful strategist, having left a heavy and colorful stroke in the long river of history. In the battle to defeat Cao Ren's vanguard, he devised strategies from behind the scenes, winning the first brilliant victory for Liu Bei's army. In the breaking of the Eight-Gate Golden Lock Formation and the capture of Fancheng, he relied on his exceptional wisdom to help Liu Bei successfully capture Fancheng, vastly expanding their sphere of influence. These illustrious military achievements were enough to demonstrate his intelligence and resourcefulness.
Xushu calmed his mind and thought deeply. Since he had touched that jade token with his injured hand to acquire this Spirit Spring Space, and since this Spirit Spring Space could use jade as its own carrier, then judging by all indications, jade was, with a high probability, the source of the energetic material required by this space.
However, Xushu was currently penniless; neither he nor his home actually possessed any jade. Yet Xushu firmly believed that with his ability, these were merely temporary difficulties and by no means insurmountable obstacles.
After straightening out the threads of these matters, Xushu concentrated his mind and slowly exited this miraculous Spirit Spring Space.
Ever since he stepped into this space, Xushu's heart had been hanging, unable to let go of his anxiety for the outside world. After all, while inside the space, he could not perceive anything happening outside at all, and naturally worried that some accident might occur during this time. Fortunately, when he finally stepped out of the space, everything outside still maintained the exact appearance from when he left. This allowed him to let out a slight breath of relief, and he accordingly continued tidying up the house.
For over an hour, Xushu was so busy his feet barely touched the ground. Beads of dense sweat covered his forehead, sliding down his cheeks and dampening his collar, but he remained completely oblivious to it.
Finally, the house took on a completely new look, with every corner wiped spotless. All the newly purchased furniture was steadily placed in position, and the entire house instantly gained the feel of a home.
As for the original old furniture, the wood had long since rotted away, and with a light snap, some of it broke directly. Xushu helplessly shook his head and dismantled all of it, figuring it could at least come in handy for boiling water and cooking.
Right at this moment, the afterglow of the setting sun filtered through the mottled leaves, spilling into every corner of the courtyard. The people who had been working outside were also returning to the courtyard one after another.
As long as Yan Bugui had no classes, he would find a way to sneak away early. This was no secret, so today he was once again the first person to arrive home in the courtyard. The moment he stepped through the front door, before he even had time to catch his breath, Third Aunt hurried out to greet him. Her face was full of eagerness and indignation, and she couldn't wait to spill everything about Xushu in one breath.
"Dear, that empty back-house in the Back Courtyard was assigned by the Rolling Mill today! That person has already moved in, and you have no idea—that kid is simply so clueless about manners! I saw him buy new furniture, so I thought about helping him clean up a bit and taking those old furniture pieces off his hands. He actually flatly refused me, not giving us an ounce of face! Dear, you must think of a way to put this kid in his place and let him understand the rules of our courtyard!"
As Third Aunt spoke, she waved her hands, the expression on her face growing increasingly agitated.
Upon hearing this, Yan Bugui's hitherto calm face instantly flashed a trace of shock and resentment. His family of six was squeezed into a little house of just over thirty square meters, where moving around was a struggle on ordinary days, let alone having any private space. He had long set his heart on that back-house, dreaming of getting his hands on it.
Yet helplessly, that house was Rolling Mill property, and he didn't work at the Rolling Mill; instead, he taught at the subordinate Red Star Primary School. Coupled with the fact that, aside from scheming for petty advantages, his interpersonal skills left much to be desired, naturally, no matter how much he daydreamed, in the end, it all came to naught.
Fortunately, Yan Bugui had some self-awareness; he understood in his heart that the probability of that house falling into his hands was extremely slim. After all, Mrs. Jia's family was also eyeing it eagerly, and the Jia Family had the towering mountain of Yi Zhonghai backing them. Compared to himself, their odds of winning the house were simply much greater.
Even so, upon hearing that the house he had yearned for was assigned to someone else, Yan Bugui still felt as though he had been fiercely stabbed in the heart, suffering unbearable pain. Furthermore, this newcomer was young yet so ignorant of worldly etiquette that he wouldn't even let their family take a small advantage. This was simply challenging his bottom line—how could he swallow this anger?
"Alright, I get it. Once Old Yi and the others come back, I'll go find him. We need to teach this ungrateful brat a lesson so he knows that once he enters our courtyard, he has to follow our rules!" Yan Bugui said through clenched teeth, a hint of coldness flashing in his eyes.
Hearing this, Third Aunt nodded with satisfaction, the anger on her face easing slightly. "Right, well said! I'm going to make dinner then." With that, she turned and walked toward the kitchen, muttering softly as she went.
Not long after, Shazhu, Yi Zhonghai, and Jia Dongxu returned to the courtyard together. The moment their figures stepped into the Middle Courtyard, an abrupt figure rushed over like a whirlwind.
From afar, Mrs. Jia's obese figure looked precisely like a fast-rolling landmine, giving Shazhu, who was walking at the very front, a solid fright. Shazhu instinctively took a step back, his face filled with shock, and hurriedly blurted out, "Ayo, Aunt Jia, what play are you putting on, running around so frantically?"
Mrs. Jia glanced sideways at Shazhu, curled her lips in disdain, and then impatiently replied, "Mind your own business, I've got no time to chat idly with you."
The moment her voice fell, she darted toward Yi Zhonghai like a gust of wind, stretched out her plump hand, grabbed Yi Zhonghai's arm, and hauled him forcefully toward her own house.
This sudden scene left Shazhu and Jia Dongxu dumbfounded. Shazhu's mouth hung slightly open, his eyes filled with puzzlement as his brain kept trying to figure out what trick Mrs. Jia was pulling this time. Jia Dongxu wore a blank expression, scratching his head, utterly failing to understand the reason for his mother's abnormal behavior.
Just at this moment, First Aunt was walking out of the house, originally intending to check if Yi Zhonghai was back. But when she saw her husband being dragged around by Mrs. Jia, her expression instantly darkened, her once gentle face looking as though it had been covered by a layer of frost. Yet she quickly calmed down, thinking of the relationship between their family and the Jia Family, and ultimately forced down the dissatisfaction and confusion in her heart. She merely turned around coldly and walked back into the house with heavy steps.
As for Yi Zhonghai, his mind was entirely blank. If it were Mrs. Jia from her younger days pulling and tugging at him so intimately, he might have secretly rejoiced. But looking at Mrs. Jia before him now, she bore no resemblance to her past self; she was a living, breathing "landmine." And looking at that chubby hand tightly gripping his arm, its fingernails caked with black grime, Yi Zhonghai felt a strong wave of nausea rising in his stomach. If not for the fear that pulling and tugging with Mrs. Jia in the courtyard would ruin his reputation in everyone's eyes, he would have long since shaken Mrs. Jia's hand off without hesitation.
The group made their way all the way to the West Side Room.
As soon as they entered the room, Yi Zhonghai angrily shook off Mrs. Jia's hand, clear displeasure on his face, and said in a rather unkind tone, "Alright, Old Sister-in-law, if you have something to say, just spit it out. What on earth is going on? And you need to pay attention to appearances from now on."
Mrs. Jia naturally noticed the impatience on Yi Zhonghai's face. But she felt confident; believing she held leverage over Yi Zhonghai in her hands, she didn't care about his attitude at all.
"Old Yi, it's like this. A young man came to the courtyard today, saying the Rolling Mill assigned that room in the Back Courtyard to him, and he's already moved in. We've been eagerly longing for that room for ages, and you even promised us patting your chest that you'd handle it. Now that the house has been assigned to someone else, what do you plan to do about it?"
Upon hearing this news, Yi Zhonghai was genuinely startled. He knew in his heart that he had indeed pulled many strings, wanting to get his hands on that room. Yet before good news had even arrived on this end, someone else had snatched it away first.
"I really didn't expect things to turn out like this. I've spoken to the deputy section chief of the Housing Administration Section several times. Still, are you sure the Rolling Mill actually assigned the house to that person?"
Hearing this, Mrs. Jia raised her voice and said, "Could that possibly be fake? Third Aunt already checked their documents, and there was even someone from the Rolling Mill who came along at the time. It seemed his name was Chen Jun—do you know this guy?"
Yi Zhonghai frantically searched his mind for the name "Chen Jun," but try as he might, he had zero impression of it. After all, as a Rank-Eight Worker at the Rolling Mill, he was deeply respected in the factory. Even the factory leaders had to respectfully address him as "Master Yi" upon seeing him. On ordinary days, why would he ever bother paying attention to insignificant minor characters, let alone the fact that this Chen Jun didn't even work in the workshop?
At this moment, Shazhu suddenly spoke up. "I know this Chen Jun; he's a deputy team leader in the Procurement Section."
Hearing this, Yi Zhonghai's expression turned stern as he muttered, "In that case, it seems this matter is true."
Mrs. Jia immediately pressed on, "Old Yi, then tell me what we should do now. You gave us your solemn promise back then that you'd help us secure that house."
Yi Zhonghai was also in a bit of a dilemma at this moment, filled with deep regret. Relying on his identity as a Rank-Eight Worker and First Uncle of the courtyard, he had initially felt that securing a back-house would be a piece of cake. Never did he expect that the Housing Administration Section wouldn't give his face any weight at all.