Reborn in 1977, I will no longer be my brother's blood bag.

"We're currently short-staffed."

After Director Qin finished speaking, the conference room fell silent for a moment.

Li Mingyuan and Zhao Guodong subconsciously looked at Lin Xiuhe. Although it wasn't explicitly stated, everyone knew who Director Qin was referring to.

The research institute actually took the initiative to speak to a freshman who had only been enrolled for less than a month.

This kind of thing is rare even in the entire Department of Automation.

Professor Chen, however, seemed to have expected this, picked up his teacup and took a sip: "No rush, let's observe first."

Director Qin glanced at him: "Are you afraid I'll steal them away?"

"Nonsense," Professor Chen replied confidently.

Laughter immediately filled the meeting room, easing the tense atmosphere considerably.

But Lin Xiuhe didn't say anything.

Because she knew that research institutes, competitions, and special training were just the beginning. What truly determined her future was her ability.

After the meeting ended, Li Mingyuan chased after him:

"How are you feeling?"

"What, how is it?"

"The research institute has taken a liking to you."

Lin Xiuhe smiled and said, "Just looking."

"When others just take a look, it's just a casual glance; but when it comes to research institutes, it's a different story."

The two walked slowly along the tree-lined path towards their dormitory. The autumn wind rustled the leaves.

Li Mingyuan suddenly said, "Do you know how many people want to get into a research institute?"

"Know."

"Then why are you so calm?"

Lin Xiuhe paused for a moment, then said softly, "Because it's no use for me to go in now."

Li Mingyuan was stunned: "What do you mean?"

"I don't know enough yet."

The voice wasn't loud, but it silenced Li Mingyuan.

If someone else said this, they would find it hypocritical. But when Lin Xiuhe said it, it felt perfectly natural—because she truly knew what she lacked.

Thinking about this, Li Mingyuan suddenly understood Professor Chen a little.

Who wouldn't want a student like that?

In the afternoon, it was English class.

As usual, Teacher Zhou conducted listening exercises. After the recording ended, she suddenly called out, "Lin Xiuhe."

"arrive."

"You repeat it."

Many people in the classroom looked up.

Last time, Lin Xiuhe stopped halfway through her sentence.

What about this time?

Lin Xiuhe stood up and began to repeat herself.

The first sentence is accurate.

The second sentence is accurate.

The third sentence is still accurate.

Although the speaking speed is still a bit slow and the pronunciation is not perfect, it is already able to express the meaning completely.

The classroom gradually quieted down, and many people's expressions began to change. It had been less than two weeks since the last test; their progress had been too rapid.

Teacher Zhou didn't praise him, he just nodded and said, "Sit down."

But the hint of satisfaction in his eyes was obvious to everyone.

Zhao Guodong sat in the back row, his hand gripping the pen slightly tighter.

He suddenly realized that the most terrifying thing was not a genius, but a genius who was improving every day.

After class, Teacher Zhou called Lin Xiuhe aside:

"You've been sticking to it well lately."

"Of course."

"We'll be changing textbooks starting tomorrow."

After saying that, she took out an even thicker book from her bag. It was entirely in English, with almost no Chinese annotations.

Lin Xiuhe flipped through it and glanced at it; the difficulty had clearly increased.

"Are you scared?" Teacher Zhou asked.

Lin Xiuhe shook her head.

"That's good." Teacher Zhou smiled. "Remember, English and math are different. Math is something you can do once you know how, but English is something you accumulate knowledge over time; you can't rush it."

Lin Xiuhe nodded, but she knew very well that she didn't have much time to slowly accumulate experience, because the future was approaching step by step.

Evening, dormitory 403.

Gu Xiaolan rushed in, clutching a letter: "Xiuhe! Your letter!"

Lin Xiuhe was slightly taken aback.

letter?

Since arriving in Beijing, she has not received any news from home.

Gu Xiaolan handed over the letter.

The envelope was a little wrinkled, with a stamp affixed to the upper right corner, and the most conspicuous thing was the return address—[Red Flag Commune].

Upon seeing these four words, Lin Xiuhe suddenly paused.

A long-lost feeling welled up in my heart.

In her past life, she received countless letters from home, most of which contained the same message: she needed money, something had happened, and she needed help with her younger brother.

And in this lifetime, this is the first letter.

Liu Xue was incredibly curious: "Who sent it? Could it be your boyfriend?"

Gu Xiaolan's eyes immediately lit up: "That's possible!"

Su Qing also looked up, showing a rare hint of interest.

Lin Xiuhe didn't speak, but just looked down at the envelope.

The handwriting was familiar, neat and strong—it wasn't Wang Xiulan, nor Lin Jianguo, nor Lin Weidong.

The next second, she suddenly had an answer in her heart: Zhou Zhiyuan.

She didn't know why, but she recognized the handwriting immediately.

Several people in the dorm had already gathered around: "Quick, open it and see what it says. Is it because Beijing is too far away and you miss them?"

Amidst the commotion, Lin Xiuhe gently opened the envelope.

There were only two pieces of paper inside, nothing more.

The first line catches the eye: "Autumn comes early to Beijing."

Lin Xiuhe paused slightly, then continued reading. The handwriting was still familiar—steady, restrained, just like the person who wrote the letter.

But when she saw the second page, her gaze suddenly stopped, and her breathing slowed down.

Because it said there: "There's something I've never told you."

Inside the dormitory, Gu Xiaolan and the others were still speculating about the contents of the letter. No one noticed that Lin Xiuhe's hand, gripping the letter, suddenly tightened.

******

The dormitory was very quiet.

Gu Xiaolan and the others had already gathered around, but seeing that Lin Xiuhe's expression was a bit off, they wisely stepped back.

"Let's go get some water first, you can take your time looking around."

Soon, Lin Xiuhe was the only one left in the dormitory.

As darkness fell outside the window, she lowered her head and continued looking down.

The handwriting on the letter was still neat and steady.

There's something I've been meaning to tell you.

The machinery factory currently has one training slot available.

The county recommended me.

Lin Xiuhe paused slightly before continuing to read.

The training will be held in Beijing.

The word "Beijing" immediately catches the eye.

Her hand holding the letter tightened slightly.

Zhou Zhiyuan is coming to Beijing. Although it's just for training, it still gives her an indescribable feeling—as if her past life and this life are slowly overlapping.

The letter contained little emotion; it was simply a calm narration:

The specific time has not yet been determined.

If the review is approved, it should be sent out before the end of the year.

I might have to stay for a while then.

Upon seeing this, Lin Xiuhe suddenly smiled, very softly, without even realizing it herself.

Then continue scrolling down.

However, the smile slowly disappeared the next second.

Because there is another section below:

[Also, Beijing and county towns are different.]

Some people have a pleasant way of speaking, but that doesn't necessarily mean they can be trusted.

Especially those who actively approach you.

Lin Xiuhe was stunned.

At this moment, a sense of familiarity resurfaced.

too familiar.

Since before the college entrance examination, Zhou Zhiyuan had often said similar things—reminding her to save her information, reminding her to be careful of the Lin family, and reminding her not to trust others easily.

Many times, it's almost like knowing in advance what will happen.

Thinking of this, Lin Xiuhe's gaze slowly settled on the letter, remaining fixed for a long time.

In her past life, she had never seen Zhou Zhiyuan like this. But in this life, he seemed to know far too much, almost unreasonably so.

The evening breeze stirred the curtains, and the letter paper swayed gently.

After a long while, Lin Xiuhe finally put the letter away, not wanting to think about it any further. Because she herself harbored the greatest secret.

The next day, at six o'clock in the morning, in the English classroom.

As usual, Teacher Zhou turned on the tape recorder, and the tape slowly turned, with English words coming from the speaker.

Compared to when she first started, Lin Xiuhe can now understand most of what she hears. Although she still misses some details, her progress is clearly visible.

After class, Ms. Zhou checked the reading notes and suddenly stopped when she turned to the last page:

"Did you write this?"

"Um."

"All in English?"

"Try writing it."

Teacher Zhou was silent for a few seconds, then closed the notebook: "Not bad."

Just two words, yet they made Zhao Guodong look up. He knew very well that Teacher Zhou rarely praised anyone, especially not English.

As they were leaving the classroom, Zhao Guodong suddenly said, "You've made great progress lately."

Lin Xiuhe smiled and said, "That's not enough."

Zhao Guodong didn't speak, but for the first time, he didn't refute her. Even he could see that if things continued like this, she would catch up sooner or later.

In the afternoon, at the Automation Building.

Lin Xiuhe had just finished class when she was notified to go to Professor Chen's office.

When I opened the door, Li Mingyuan and Zhao Guodong were already there. There was a thick stack of documents on the table, and Director Qin was also there.

Seeing her come in, Professor Chen nodded: "Everyone's here."

Then he pushed the documents over: "Starting today, the three of you are officially in the competition group."

Li Mingyuan's eyes lit up, Zhao Guodong sat up straight, and Lin Xiuhe looked down at the documents.

Page 1: "Beijing Youth Science and Technology Competition Project Materials"

Page 2: Joint Training Program of the Research Institute.

Page 3: List of Young People for Training and Exchange in Mechanical Systems

She was just flipping through the pages casually, but the next second, she suddenly stopped.

Because at the very bottom of the list, there's a familiar name—

Zhou Zhiyuan.

Time seemed to stand still at that moment.

Lin Xiuhe stared at those three words, her gaze lingering for a long time.

Beside them, Director Qin was explaining the project arrangements, Li Mingyuan was flipping through documents, and Zhao Guodong was taking notes on key points.

No one noticed anything unusual about her.

Only she knew that her heart was beating faster and faster at that moment.

The letter arrived yesterday, and the list appeared today.

This is by no means a coincidence.

More importantly, the training institution was located in Beijing.

At the same time, a thousand miles away, at the county machinery factory.

Zhou Zhiyuan was standing at the office door, holding a document that had just been stamped.

The top of the document reads: [Notice of Training in Beijing]

He glanced down at it, then slowly put it away, his gaze turning northward.

That place is Beijing.

It is also Tsinghua University campus.