Siheyuan: No Início, He Daqing Quer Fugir

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Chapter 1: Reborn as the Foolish Young Shaozhu

December 2022, City S

The final frenzy of the COVID pandemic: nationwide immunity. He Chendong ventured out to deliver ibuprofen to his feverish girlfriend, and by the next day, he felt a fever coming on himself.

Staring at the test kit in his hand, the result was positive.

“Well, this isn’t so bad. I don’t have to go to work, I can rest at home—just treat it as a holiday,” he thought, quickly calling his supervisor to report in.

With the call done, He Chendong found himself with nothing to do at home, so he opened his laptop and continued binge-watching his series. “Full Courtyard of Affection”—though online, it was often mockingly called “Courtyard Full of Beasts.” He played it at double speed. By the end of the day, he’d finally finished. “Sigh, this Shaozhu really has it rough! Though, he is exasperating at times.”

After dinner, He Chendong went straight to bed. In his sleep, his illness worsened: a high fever, his throat felt as if it were being cut with knives. His consciousness began to blur.

Parallel Universe, 1952

Red Star Courtyard, Luogu Lane, South City

“Cough, cough, cough—” A bout of coughing jolted a young man awake from his sleep.

Spotting a kettle on the table, he hurried over, poured a cup of water, and drank, soothing the dryness in his throat.

After drinking, the youth stood up and surveyed the unfamiliar surroundings: a shabby room, furnished with old tables and chairs. “Am I dreaming? Has my fever muddled my mind?” He Ch