Chapter 71 Sickness

"Your fingers are less flexible in low temperatures, so you can use your teeth to help when tying knots, or warm the rope by rubbing it before twisting."

Yuanyuan did as instructed, warming the rope in her bosom until it softened considerably.

But as soon as she tied a knot, a gust of wind blew, causing the tent fabric to flutter and shake. Not only did the knot come loose, but she herself was almost blown away.

The instructor is really pushing the boundaries too far!

"This is a simulation of an outdoor environment. You need to learn to keep your balance. If you really encounter strong winds, they might be even stronger than this."

Yuanyuan took a deep breath, jumped around in place again, and felt a little warmer. Then she took it apart and started over.

It took three attempts to finally secure the four corners.

Next, the support poles were erected, the waterproof cloth was stretched flat, and several stones were placed around the tent to prevent wind damage.

By the time the tent was set up, Yuanyuan was panting heavily and covered in a thin layer of sweat.

She truly experienced how working could warm her up.

"Not bad, it turned out well on the first try."

Instructor Li handed over a bottle of warm glucose water. "Keeping warm is key in the cold season. After the tent is set up, you should lay a layer of dry grass or animal hide inside to insulate against the cold ground. Also, you must never light a big fire inside the tent, as it can easily lead to oxygen deprivation."

A small fire can be placed at the tent entrance, surrounded by stones, providing both warmth and safety.

Yuanyuan took the hot water, held the cup in both hands, and felt the warmth spread from her palms. She took two sips before her frozen throat felt a little better.

"Instructor, I've got it."

As I watched the newly erected tent condense into a layer of icy mist, my body, which had just warmed up a little, was slowly invaded by the cold again.

"Can it still hold on?"

Yuanyuan nodded, "No problem, I can do it."

Instructor Li nodded, his tone softening: "Hang in there. If you endure the cold now, you'll have a better chance of survival next time the cold season comes."

Next, we'll practice starting a fire and setting up a tent again until you can do it in ten minutes..."

Inside the enclosed space, the cold wind still howled, and white frost covered the walls and the ground, but the flames at the tent entrance continued to leap. Yuanyuan repeated the actions of starting a fire, identifying plants, and setting up the tent time and time again. When her hands and feet went numb, she would rub them; when her face became frozen, she would rub it. Sweat soaked through her inner quick-drying clothes, and the cold air made her feel chilly, but she never uttered a word of giving up.

When the training ended, Yuanyuan's lips were already purple from the cold, and she was walking unsteadily. She forced herself to say goodbye to Instructor Li and followed Uncle Lu Yuan outside.

As soon as she stepped into the corridor, a wave of heat hit her. The alternation between hot and cold made her feel dizzy and she stumbled, almost bumping into the wall.

"Yuanyuan, are you alright?" Lu Yuan quickly helped her up, and was startled when he touched her forehead. "Why is she so hot!"

Yuanyuan shook her head groggily, her cheeks burning red, her body feeling alternating between hot and cold, and her teeth chattering uncontrollably.

"I...I'm a little cold..."

Before she could finish speaking, the scene before her eyes began to spin, and she leaned softly against Lu Yuan.

Lu Yuan didn't dare to delay and immediately picked her up and ran to the medical room, calling for the doctor all the way.

When Gu Zheng and Xia Zhiyun arrived, Yuanyuan was already lying in the hospital bed. The thermometer showed 39.8℃, her face was flushed, her brows were tightly furrowed, and she was muttering incoherently, "So cold...cold..."

"The child caught a chill during training, and combined with the fact that he hadn't fully recovered from his previous travels around the world, his immunity was weakened, which caused his high fever."

While administering an IV drip to Yuanyuan, the doctor explained, "Let's try to bring down her fever and observe her. If the fever doesn't break tonight, we'll need to do further tests."

Xia Zhiyun held Yuanyuan's burning hot hand, her heart aching so much that tears streamed down her face.

Gu Zheng and the others comforted her, "Don't worry, the training intensity is a bit high, but it's for her own good."

Let her rest now; the IV fluids should help.

Lu Yuan brought over an ice pack, wrapped it in a towel, and placed it on Yuan Yuan's forehead. He then tucked her in tightly.

In her drowsy state, Yuanyuan felt a familiar warmth and unconsciously shrank deeper into the blankets. Her incoherent murmurs turned into soft sobs.

"Mommy...hug..."

Seeing her distress, Gu Zheng frowned. "We were too hasty."

This high fever also served as a reminder to them that subsequent training must be carried out gradually and not rushed.

At night, Yuanyuan's body temperature fluctuated, and Xia Zhiyun stayed by her bedside without leaving her side, wiping her body every half hour to lower her temperature.

In the latter half of the night, her body temperature finally gradually decreased. Yuanyuan stopped shivering and her breathing became more steady, but her face was still flushed.

"You're not fully recovered yet, go and rest, I'll stay here and watch over you."

Gu Zheng suggested for the third time that Xia Zhiyun go and rest, but she shook her head and refused.

How could she sleep when her own baby wasn't awake yet?

Gu Zheng frowned. It was already four in the morning. "We can't let her get better and then you fall ill again. Go take a nap over there, and I'll wake you up as soon as you wake up."

Looking at his serious face, Xia Zhiyun finally nodded, but she slept very restlessly, waking up every half hour.

As dawn approached, Yuanyuan slowly opened her eyes and was somewhat stunned to see her father, Mr. Gu, standing by her bedside. "Dad, what's wrong with me?"

Gu Zheng bent down and touched her forehead; her temperature had returned to normal, and he finally felt relieved.

"It's good that you're awake. You caught a cold and had a fever yesterday. Are you hungry now?"

Yuanyuan nodded and tried to sit up, but her whole body was sore and weak that she couldn't get up at all.

"Yuanyuan, is Yuanyuan awake?"

Xia Zhiyun rushed over and hugged him tightly, "It's good that you're awake! It's good that you're awake!"

"You scared your mother to death."

"Mom, I'm fine. I'm sorry for making you worry."

...

After she finished eating

Lu Yuan led Instructor Li in.

Instructor Li said apologetically, "Yuanyuan, the training intensity yesterday was indeed too high. It was my oversight."

Once you've fully recovered, we'll adjust the training plan and take it slowly.

Yuanyuan smiled at him, her voice still a little weak, "It's okay, Instructor, I just couldn't handle it."

Once I'm feeling better, we'll continue practicing. I want to learn it quickly...

Instructor Li nodded, his eyes full of approval: "You have ambition, but health is the foundation."

"Rest well first. Once you've fully recovered, we'll continue training."

Yuanyuan slept for another hour, and when she woke up again, she felt refreshed.

All discomfort is gone.

The medical team examined her thoroughly and only allowed her to leave after confirming that she was alright.

Given the situation today, they didn't dare let her continue training, but Yuanyuan took the initiative to ask to continue.

Finally, I happily received two elementary school test papers.

She blinked and stared at the blank exam paper.

"Write down what you know first, and the teacher will explain what you don't know."

"..."

She actually prefers practicing calligraphy to writing.

It's tiring, but at least I don't have to use my brain!

The little snake was crouching on the other corner of the desk, its tail slapping intermittently.

The little wolf was curled up asleep in the empty shelf above the desk, which was meant to hold books.

The teacher was talking quietly to the mother.

She was the only one huffing and puffing as she did her homework.