Without hesitation, he scooped up the still-sleeping Xu Xichen and bolted toward the Back Courtyard like an arrow released from a bow. Upon arriving, he placed the boy in a relatively safe spot, then immediately hurried back to the neighboring room to wake Li Xiurong. Startled by the urgency in his voice, Li Xiurong realized the gravity of the situation, rose at once, and accompanied him to the Middle Courtyard.
By then, many residents had gathered in the Middle Courtyard, including the family of Xu Hua. As the most spacious area in the courtyard, it had naturally become the safest refuge. After handing Xu Xichen over to Li Xiurong, Xu Shu rushed to the courtyard where Xu Haitao and the others lived to check on their safety. Upon stepping inside, he found Xu Haitian, Xu Haitao, and their families gathered together, their faces etched with terror and unease—clearly shaken by the earthquake.
Xu Shu walked straight up to them and said in a grave tone, "Haitao, Haitian, this was definitely an earthquake, and based on my assessment, it was quite a significant one. I’ve read that earthquakes are often followed by heavy rain. Once things stabilize, you must hurry back inside to retrieve food and water. After that, waste no time in setting up a simple earthquake shelter; do not go back into the houses again for a while. Keep a close eye on the children, especially—don't let them wander off."
Chapter 244