After dying in a decade-long global catastrophe, Xu Dong unexpectedly returns to the year before disaster strikes. Knowing that massive solar flares will trigger extreme drought, food shortages, and worldwide upheaval, he decides to use his memories of the future to protect the people he loves. He quits his job, raises money, buys and fortifies a traditional courtyard house in Yanjing, and begins stockpiling food, water, energy equipment, and other essential supplies. As society changes under relentless environmental pressure, Xu Dong’s careful preparations gradually reshape his family’s fate. From simple survival to business, migration, and the challenges faced by later generations, his second life becomes a long journey of protecting family and adapting to a transformed world.
Chapter 23: Falling Ill
Over the next few days, life in the Siheyuan seemed a bit monotonous; Xu Dong and his family barely set foot outside the inner gate. Eating, drinking, using the bathroom, sleeping, and playing—everything was done right at home. Only Hua Hua—the tabby cat—would occasionally leap over the courtyard wall to wander around outside. After spending nearly a month with them, this tabby cat had completely made the Siheyuan her own home. Mark, the wolfhound, wasn’t so lucky—Xu Dong had tied him up in the courtyard. Fortunately, he lived in a luxurious doghouse and was fed bone scraps at every meal, so he behaved himself. Before he knew it, it was February 22nd. If Xu Dong’s memory served him correctly, the solar flare was supposed to end tomorrow. Unexpectedly, right at this critical moment, Xiao Bao—the frailest of the triplets—came down with a fever, causing Xu Dong to panic and immediately drop the book he was holding. The book’s cover boldly read *How to Stop Worrying and Start Living*. This was one of the bestsellers Xu Dong had previously purchased in a bundle online, written by the renowned Carnegie. After tossing the book aside, Xu Dong rushed into the living room in a few strides. There he saw Yang Lina holding Xiao Bao and trying to comfort him. The little one’s face was flushed, his lips were dry, and he was quietly sobbing. “What’s going on? He was fine just a moment ago—how did he get a fever?” After asking this, Xu Dong first tested Xiao Bao’s forehead with the back of his hand, then checked his own, and found that it was indeed a bit warm. “Don’t worry—it’s probably just a cold.” Xu’s mother offered a reassuring word as she prepared to take Xiao Bao’s temperature. Since the digital thermometer wasn’t working, they had to use one of those old-fashioned mercury thermometers. How could Xu Dong not be worried? Unconsciously, some unpleasant memories from his past life flashed through his mind, and his face turned pale in an instant. At the same time, he muttered under his breath: “He was perfectly fine last night!” “Could it be that the fire in the fireplace was too hot?” “That can’t be!” Xu’s mother glanced at her youngest son in surprise. After all, children get sick all the time—and this was just a minor cold. Was there really any need to get so worked up? Seven or eight minutes later, the thermometer showed the result:
