A Struggling Life in 1948

Fang Dahai is a modern man who has experienced two previous time-travel incidents. In his first life, he transmigrated into the Ming Dynasty as a member of the prestigious Jinyiwei family, serving as a secret agent on the dangerous northern frontier. Despite his efforts to survive and learn essential skills, he died during the Mongol raids of the Wanli era. Six years later, he transmigrated again, only to die once more, triggering a cycle of reincarnation. Upon waking in his third life, he finds himself in September 1948, in a rural village near Beijing. He discovers he possesses a mysterious spinning wheel system that rewards him with points for labor, which can be used to draw prizes such as food and supplies. However, his new identity is dire: he is a fourteen-year-old boy named Fang Dahai, whose father was shot and killed by retreating Kuomintang troops while protecting his children. He is left with a ten-year-old brother, Fang Dajiang, a twelve-year-old child fiancée, He Yulan, and a four-year-old sister, Fang Xiangcao. All four are malnourished, orphaned, and facing immediate starvation in a war-torn landscape.

The core conflict centers on survival amidst the chaos of the Chinese Civil War. Fang Dahai, drawing on his adult mindset and previous experience as a Jinyiwei agent, quickly assumes the role of patriarch. He prioritizes the safety of his siblings, hiding them in a mountain cave while he scouts the village. After confirming the soldiers have departed, he retrieves his father’s body and arranges a humble burial with the help of neighbors. Realizing that relying on charity is unsustainable, he devises a plan to secure resources. Using his investigative skills, he infiltrates the nearby Fu family compound, which was looted by soldiers but still holds hidden wealth. He discovers a secret compartment containing two thousand silver dollars, gold, and various antiques. He also gathers practical supplies such as bedding, cookware, and a pushcart, storing them in his system’s warehouse space to avoid detection.

A key turning point occurs when Fang Dahai decides to relocate his family to the capital, Beijing. He fabricates a story about finding relatives to justify their journey, specifically claiming that He Yulan has a second uncle who is a chef at a restaurant called Xiangmanlou. This provides a plausible destination and a potential support network. Before leaving, he uses his system to draw more food, securing ten pounds of rice and five pounds of sweet potatoes, which he hides to prevent theft. The family departs at dawn, pushing the cart through the countryside. Upon reaching the capital’s Anding Gate, they face scrutiny from Kuomintang soldiers demanding bribes. Fang Dahai navigates the corruption by offering copper coins, having anticipated the devaluation of fiat currency, and successfully gains entry.

The story direction shifts as the family enters the devastated capital, which is filled with starving refugees and signs of impending liberation by the People's Liberation Army. Fang Dahai recognizes the historical timeline, knowing that Beijing will be surrounded by the PLA in December 1948. He understands that staying in the village exposes his family to continued danger and instability, whereas the city, despite its hardships, offers better opportunities for survival and future stability. His goal is to establish a secure base, utilize his system to accumulate resources, and protect his siblings until the political situation settles. The narrative follows his efforts to blend into the urban environment, manage the family’s limited resources, and navigate the complex social and political landscape of a city on the brink of regime change, all while keeping his supernatural abilities and time-travel background hidden from those around him.