Chapter 18: Bringing Grandpa into the Space

Actually, with the capabilities of Mr. and Mrs. Bai, the factory’s staff downsizing shouldn’t have affected them at all.

But the couple had voluntarily requested to be laid off for some reason, which caught everyone completely off guard.

Even the factory leaders had tried multiple times to persuade them to stay afterward, but their minds were already made up.

Bai’s mother said, “Dad, we figured that since Zhijian and I aren’t that old yet, and we don’t have any real burdens at home, even without our factory jobs, we can still manage some small business to get by. The kids are grown now, so this is a good time for us to go out and explore. What do you think?”

Her father nodded repeatedly. “You did the right thing. You’re children raised by our Bai family after all. As long as you’ve got your hands and feet, you can always make a living. Sujuan is right—while you’re young, go out and broaden your horizons. If you stay in the factory your whole life, clinging to that tiny piece of land, you’ll lose sight of the world. Zhijian, you… you’ve done well.”

The old man patted his son’s shoulder firmly, and Bai’s father’s eyes turned red. After living all these years, praise from his father was still rare and deeply moving.

Bai Yalan looked at her grandfather, then at her father, and couldn’t help but smile.

Grandpa was truly strict with Dad but was so much gentler and more loving toward her—this must be what people call “skipping a generation with affection.”

Then the old man huffed and glared, “You two really… what a thing to hide! If it weren’t for Xiao Lan, how long were you planning to keep it from me?”

Bai’s father blushed, and Bai’s mother chuckled, “Dad, we just didn’t want you to worry.”

The old man glared again. “Ha! So hiding the truth from me is supposed to make me feel less worried? More like it drives me crazy!”

Bai Yalan burst into laughter. “Grandpa, let’s not talk about this anymore. Let’s eat—everything’s getting cold!”

“Yes, Dad, here—try my cooking. This is your favorite: braised fish,” Bai’s mother said as she quickly placed some food into his bowl.

In such high spirits today, the old man even brought out his treasured liquor. Hearing that his son and daughter-in-law had made such a bold decision made him even happier. He was so moved, he actually poured a glass for his son.

“Come on, it’s been a while since we father and son drank together. Let’s have a toast!”

“Dad, are you sure you can drink?” Bai’s father asked worriedly.

The old man cheerfully slapped his son’s shoulder. “Just one glass, it’s fine—cheers!”

His son may not have achieved much in life, but at least he was a kind and upright man. A true man. And looking at his granddaughter—he couldn’t be more pleased. His son may have been mediocre, but he gave him such an outstanding granddaughter. Her character and ambitions—just like him when he was young!

But just after downing the drink, perhaps because he drank too fast, the old man choked and coughed repeatedly. Bai’s mother quickly patted his back to soothe him. “Dad, are you okay? Xiao Lan, quick—get Grandpa a glass of water.”

“Yes!” Bai Yalan responded quickly and efficiently, fetching a glass of cool boiled water in no time.

The old man drank it all in one go, then leaned back in his chair with a sigh and a smile. “Ah… getting old really means you can’t handle it anymore. No use fighting it.” He looked at the empty glass and smiled helplessly. “From now on, I’ll listen to you all and skip the liquor. I’ll just drink more water. It’s better for my health—might even live a few years longer.”

Bai’s father and Bai’s mother smiled, though their hearts were bittersweet. “Dad, what are you talking about? You’re still strong and healthy.”

“That’s right, Grandpa. You’ll definitely live to be a hundred.” Bai Yalan suddenly thought of something and touched the bracelet on her wrist, whispering mysteriously, “Grandpa, I have a surprise for you!”

Bai’s father and Bai’s mother immediately understood what she meant just by seeing her gesture. Bai’s mother asked, a bit uneasy, “Xiao Lan, are you planning to show it to Grandpa now? Don’t scare him.”

“It’s fine, Mom. Don’t underestimate Grandpa—he’s a military doctor! And not just any doctor, but a top-tier one. He’s got the guts for this!” Bai Yalan said proudly.

The old man, charmed by his granddaughter, laughed heartily again. “Oh? What surprise has my precious granddaughter prepared for Grandpa?”

Bai Yalan grinned mysteriously and stood behind him. “Grandpa, sit still. Mom, Dad—are you ready?”

Having entered the space many times already, Bai’s father and Bai’s mother were used to it and nodded with a smile. “We’re ready.”

The old man thought his granddaughter was just playing a game. He patted her hand resting on his shoulder. “Grandpa’s ready too!”

But before he could hear clearly what his granddaughter muttered, a flash of white light appeared, and then everything in front of him blurred.

The old man felt dizzy for a moment—thankfully, Bai Yalan was right there to steady him.

When he finally came back to his senses, even though he was someone who had seen all kinds of things in his life, he still couldn’t help but gape in shock.

“Th-this… where is this?”

Bai Yalan giggled behind her hand. Her grandpa’s reaction wasn’t much different from how her parents had reacted when they first came in.

“Grandpa, look,” Bai Yalan said, pointing to the elegant three-story villa inside the space. “This is my secret base. Aside from Mom and Dad, only you know about it!”

“This… this… what on earth is going on?” The old man was so stunned, he couldn’t even form a complete sentence.

Bai’s father and Bai’s mother stepped forward, one on each side to support him. “Dad, we’ll take you for a tour and explain everything. Xiao Lan, lead the way.”

“Yes, sir!” Bai Yalan said playfully, giving a military salute. “Welcome, Commander, to inspect the site!”

The old man toured the villa, then the fields and vegetable patches, even a small farm with chickens, ducks, cows, and sheep. Everything he saw was so shocking that the word “astonishing” couldn’t even describe it.

Like Bai’s father and Bai’s mother, he thought he must be dreaming.

It wasn’t until Bai Yalan brought out a humanoid robot from the space, which tidied up a four-bedroom house in mere moments, that the old man finally accepted that this was all real—he wasn’t dreaming.

Bai Yalan poured them all some spiritual spring water from the space. After drinking it, the change in her grandfather’s complexion and energy was visibly noticeable.

“Wow, Xiao Lan, this water is really sweet!” the old man said in his booming voice, astonished. “Grandpa feels like his whole body loosened up after just one sip. So refreshing, so comfortable!”

“Of course, Grandpa! This isn’t just any water,” Bai Yalan said, then explained everything she had discovered about the spiritual spring. She encouraged him to drink more—it could prolong life.

In her past life, the memory that Grandpa had less than a year to live weighed heavily on her heart.

No matter what the ultimate outcome would be, she was determined to try everything she could to help prolong his life.

The old man listened to his granddaughter, beaming with joy.

Always a skeptic, he suddenly asked, “Could my little Xiao Lan be a fairy reincarnated? Otherwise, how could she have such miraculous luck?”

Coming from such a stern man, it was the first time he’d ever said something so whimsical. Bai’s father and Bai’s mother couldn’t help but laugh.

Bai Yalan teased, “If I’m a fairy, then you must be a divine medicine immortal from the heavens! I was probably your little assistant girl, watching over your cauldron and fanning the flames.”

The whole family burst into laughter.

Inside the space, Grandpa carefully examined the medicinal herb garden that Bai Yalan had planned and planted.

The two of them enthusiastically exchanged thoughts and experiences:

—Which herbs liked shade
—Which liked sunlight
—Which couldn’t be overwatered
—Which must grow in the driest areas or they’d lose their medicinal properties

With shared interests, the two chatted excitedly and stayed inside the space for a long time.

Seeing how well her granddaughter managed the herb garden, the old man felt incredibly gratified. His granddaughter had grown up and was truly impressive—to have encountered such a fate!

A man who had seen many storms in life, he quickly made up his mind: as long as something brought benefit and no harm, it should be allowed to flourish naturally. Just like this bracelet and the space within it—everything depended on whose hands it was in and how it was used.

The old man solemnly reminded his granddaughter, “Xiao Lan, this space is no ordinary thing. You must never reveal it carelessly—lest it bring unnecessary trouble. Remember: A man’s wealth can be his downfall if others covet it.”