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

"Let's go then."

The entire Lin family fell silent upon hearing those three words.

No one expected Lin Xiuhe to agree so readily.

She turned and went back into the house. She didn't slam the door, didn't cry, and didn't argue like she used to—she just quietly started packing her things.

Outside, Wang Xiulan was the first to react.

"It's all just for show, definitely for show." She sneered. "A young woman moving out in the middle of the night? Would she dare?"

Lin Weidong didn't say anything, but he also felt it was impossible.

Over the years, Lin Xiuhe has had to report in advance even to go to the county. Let her move out alone? Who would believe that?

Only Lin Jianguo frowned, puffing on his cigarette one puff after another.

For some reason, he felt that this time was different.

Inside the house, Lin Xiuhe had already opened the wooden box.

The box was old, with worn-out edges—it was something she had exchanged for with her saved work points when she was sixteen.

There wasn't much inside: two sets of old clothes, a pair of cloth shoes, a dictionary, and a few high school textbooks.

She gently touched the textbook cover, her eyes softening.

In a past life, these books were burned, leaving not even ashes.

And they are still there now.

that's nice!

Thinking of this, she ran her fingertips over the pages of the book, carefully packing it up as if it contained a brand new future.

Outside, Wang Xiulan was still cursing.

"If you're so capable, then don't come back! Let's see how long you can last! Don't come crying to me then!"

One sentence after another.

Lin Xiuhe ignored him and continued tidying up.

The packing was finished quickly. Actually, there wasn't much; it all fit in one package.

She picked it up and glanced once more at the little house where she had lived for eighteen years.

The roof leaked when it rained, the windows let in the wind, and it was as cold as an icebox in winter.

Even so, in her past life she still couldn't bear to leave. Because she always felt that this was home.

Now she finally understands: a home is a place with family and warmth, and this place, which is just a cold room full of scheming, is nothing more than a place of scheming.

Thinking of this, she turned and walked out.

Everyone in the courtyard was stunned.

Because she was carrying a bag, she really came out.

"What are you doing?" Wang Xiulan's voice suddenly rose.

"Weren't you telling me to leave?" Lin Xiuhe said calmly. "I'm leaving."

"you--"

Wang Xiulan suddenly panicked.

She only meant to scare people, she didn't really intend to kick her daughter out. Or rather, she didn't think Lin Xiuhe would dare to leave.

"Stop right there! Did I say you could leave?"

"Didn't you just say that? If you've got the guts, then leave now."

One sentence left Wang Xiulan speechless. Her face turned pale and then flushed.

"I was just saying that out of anger! Can't you tell?"

Lin Xiuhe laughed: "So, when Dad said he wouldn't give us food, water, or a place to stay, was that just something he said in anger?"

The courtyard fell silent.

No one could respond. Because those were indeed the words they said.

"Xiuhe," Lin Jianguo finally spoke, his voice much deeper, "Stop fooling around. Put your bag down and go back to your room to sleep."

If it were in the past, Lin Xiuhe would have definitely given in upon hearing those words.

But now, she simply shook her head: "No need. I'm all grown up now, I can support myself."

After saying that, she walked out.

One step, two steps.

There was no turning back.

"Sister!" Lin Weidong suddenly called out.

Lin Xiuhe paused slightly.

"You really want to do this?" The voice was filled with disbelief.

It was as if only at this moment that he realized—his sister, who had always yielded to him, was truly gone.

"Weidong." Lin Xiuhe turned around and looked at her younger brother seriously for the first time. "From childhood to adulthood, I've let you have your way many times. Work won't be the next time."

After saying that, she turned and left.

A night breeze blew by, and the courtyard gate creaked open before slowly closing.

The entire courtyard suddenly fell silent.

No one spoke.

After a long while, Wang Xiulan suddenly rushed to the door and opened the courtyard gate.

It was deserted outside. The dirt road stretched into the depths of the night, and no one could be seen.

She stood there, stunned, a strange sense of panic rising within her for the first time.

"She...she's really gone?"

No one answered.

Because everyone saw it—she really left.

the other side.

The night grew deeper.

Lin Xiuhe carried her bag and walked forward step by step.

The wind was a bit chilly, but she felt a sense of ease she had never experienced before.

In her past life, she couldn't leave that home because she had no way out.

In this life, she has a job, a salary, and a future.

Thinking of this, she touched the twenty-four yuan in her pocket, and a smile slowly spread across her face.

She finally took the first step.

Just then, a dim yellow light suddenly appeared ahead.

It was an abandoned warehouse, near the backyard of the supply and marketing cooperative. It used to be used for storing coal, but it was later abandoned.

Lin Xiuhe stopped in her tracks, her eyes brightening slightly.

She suddenly remembered that in her previous life, this place had been empty for a period of time—no one lived here and no one cared about it.

A thought slowly surfaced in my mind.

Perhaps she knows where to go tonight.