This is one of the genres that I really like, using drama as a mirror to show real life in a country.

Watching the Story of Xingfu was like a memory trip to me, back to the early or mid 2010s, when I witnessed such changes in China. But I will let the dust settle its veil on my extensive jianghu roaming throughout the vast country which I visited or lived in for several decades.
The vibe of change has not let down as China, despite still having a vast agricultural part, has now for years slid into a majority urban mode of life. Poverty has been more or less uprooted, as the allocations to the neediest gave a leg up for many to gain access to better opportunities. Chinese people are industrious, and this drama shows some ways they put this attitude to work.

My opinion is that this drama portrays very well the lingering rural / urban divide, together with the opportunities for everyone to change their destiny through education or venturing into business. China's rapidly evolving landscapes and mindscapes are the subject of this drama, as well as the disappearance of utter poverty as was documented by the likes of Wang Bing in movies such as TieXiQu and San ZiMei. This is only hinted to in the wistful reminiscences of the Wan village leader, in the drama, but it is ever present in the memories of all those who lived in the decades leading to the 21st century, and it is useful to understand that China has an increasing part of people reaching retirement : they are living memory but can also be a burden with their different mindset from the new generations who feel shackled by the outdated ways and values such older generations family members still accept.
Old ways must sometimes be firmly opposed, forcing new ways to replace backwards customs, like outlawing the wedding hazing or boorish behavior in the drama, or fighting attacks on women in real life, like the Tangshan, Hebei, BBQ restaurant incident in June, that had the Chinese social media aflame, triggering crackdowns on emerging gang style groups.
Yes, there are still remnants of old ways of doing things, like the relying on family and friends networks for favors or needed support by public like Xingfu seeking approval from village leader Wan, the red envelopes, etc. Village life is often a sort of extended family life in which special rules may apply; the village head is considered as a revered father figure.
With modernity, new challenges appear : environmental concerns, new ways of marketing the products of the land, quality control, especially since the melamine laced milk scandal of 2008 that has left deep scars on the Chinese public's confidence in food and beverages : can mountain streams water be drunk safely ? can fish and produce be free of toxic pollutants?
The regulatory frame is hinted to : today it is so much more aligned with those in developed countries. New laws and regulations have addressed how to tackle the people responsible, with less influence from adverse lobbying than in many other countries. Part of the drama takes place in a law firm, and we see court at work.
But a generation's booming almost lawless development has left traces in groundwater and soils. Shifting from coal based to other energy (wind, solar, nuclear, or imported fuel) is not really seen in this drama that tackles other subjects for concern. Such as hacking and theft of identity. And also the threat of being targeted by the social media rumor mongers, the fearsome 'Water Army' that can orchestrate smear campaigns, difficult to get to the root of and to rectify.
Rumor mongering is severely punished when it is possible to find the authors. Therefore it is especially important that the discontented follow the rules that have been established to get attention from authorities, in order to find solutions. The drama takes the Chinese view on treating problems within the bounds of the tradition that view mediation as often preferable to fighting and going to court ; when it gets there, the sentence can be harsh if there is bloodshed or treason, otherwise the culprit will be sentenced to time that can be spent usefully to redeem and improve themselves through studying. Reform is the objective if the guilty party must return to society. It was already so in 1992 with Qiu Ju and it remains in part true in 2015-2022 with Xingfu.

Actors perform quite well in their sometimes unappealing roles as proposed archetypes or role models. Zhao Liying is a much more beautiful countryside Xingfu than Gong Li's Qiu Ju, and her cheerfulness and courage faced with problems that exceed the family frame, is meant as a good role model for many, but may feel a tad too flawless (ZLY will be again in a leadership role in upcoming Wild Bloom drama next year after two other dramas). Her husband Qinglai, played by Tang Zen, is the epitome of country bumpkins that are the burden which needs to be carried and educated. His sister Xiuyu, played by Lin Siyi, is the model of the downtrodden who must find a way to swallow the heartache and move their destiny upwards nonetheless (She is now playing in a more lighthearted youth romance, Dear Little Mermaid) , Xingfu's sister Xingyun, played by Zhang Keying, is the model of the women who let their profession dampen their moral aspirations, Wan Chuanjia, played by Cao Zeng, has the role of a villain, not the worst, but driven by a weakness of moral character, opposite to his father Wan Shantang, played by Liu Wei, who represents the older, idealistic, generation, who fought to make positive changes around them. The most awaited star (except for Zhao Liying) : LuoJin , appears mostly in the "Xingfu in the city" first part episodes. He plays a pivotal role as Guan Tao the lawyer, and represents what China strives to achieve in law and order.

It is not really useful to dwell on the music. The orchestral theme for the opening of episodes is adequately pleasing to listen to while pictures and sketches roll by. The background music is unobtrusive. The end episode theme song "Happy Flowers" 幸福花朵 sung by Tan/Qin Kexin (覃可心) is a slow ballad.

Despite some expected twists and lengths, it is in my opinion, a very good drama, that presents an interesting image of how China is evolving, centered on domestic country problems, still hoping for a brighter future through the efforts of all.
Would I rewatch ? I have, once, on and off, while being in the thrall of a beautiful ancient History costume drama starring the other Zhao actress and the impressive Wu Lei, so still somewhat distracted from gathering my thoughts about this radically different Story of Xingfu. As in many dramas, the end can feel slightly disappointing or satisfactory, depending on mood and pov.. Overall, I still rate this as excellent in its subgenre.