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

Lin Xiuhe picked up the phone and dialed Linzhou.

The phone rang a few times, and someone answered it quickly.

"Department store procurement".

"Is Comrade Qian here? I am Lin Xiuhe from the Beijing Research Institute."

Immediately, someone shouted from the other end: "Money for procurement! Lin's phone number!"

Not long after, the money was transferred to the purchasing department.

"Engineer Lin? So early."

"Hmm. Is that bill still there?"

"It's still there."

Qian Caigou answered very quickly.

"Someone asked me yesterday afternoon, but I didn't give a straight answer. I promised to save it for you until noon today, so I waited until noon."

Lin Xiuhe held the receiver and glanced into the office. Engineer Sun had just entered, carrying a stack of documents and placing them on the table.

"Comrade Qian."

"Why."

"Don't hold this order for me."

There was a pause on the other end of the phone.

"You don't want it anymore?"

"I can't take it now."

Lin Xiuhe said, "I'm still at the research institute, and the unit, official seal, and accounting are still not sorted out. The buyer is waiting for the goods, and I can't let them waste time with me."

Qian Caigou clicked his tongue.

"You even made a special trip to ask me about it the day before yesterday."

"It wasn't a wasted trip."

"So, it wasn't a wasted trip?"

Lin Xiuhe smiled.

"At least I know that if I can take orders on my own one day, you'll dare to give me those orders."

Even the money spent on procurement was met with a smile.

"I agree with that. If you really come out and do the work, deliver the goods on time, and there are people you can find if there are any problems, I'll still dare to hire you."

"OK."

"But next time, no one will be there to reserve two days for you."

"Of course."

"Whoever arrives quickly and can do it, I'll give it to them."

"Of course."

Qian Caigou asked again:

"So, I really gave this one to someone else?"

"Give it to me."

"Don't look back and feel sorry for yourself."

Lin Xiuhe paused for a moment.

"I'm sure it hurts."

Qian Caigou burst out laughing.

"You're quite honest."

"Alright, then I won't stand on ceremony with you."

After hanging up the phone, Lin Xiuhe sat at the table for a while.

One hundred and eighty sets isn't a big order, but she still felt the pinch if she actually gave them away.

"Linzhou?"

Mr. Sun walked over carrying an enamel mug.

"Um."

"Something else?"

"Someone took one of the forms."

Engineer Sun raised an eyebrow.

"Why are you making it sound like you lost ten dollars?"

Lin Xiuhe was amused by his words.

"More or less."

"Then you should hurry up and be happy."

Mr. Sun spread a document on her desk.

"Director Liang just gave it to me."

"What?"

"The first batch of projects arranged by the province."

He pointed downwards as he spoke.

"There are still two names missing here."

Lin Xiuhe lowered her head.

It was the same list that the director showed her yesterday.

Engineer Sun has already started vying for his position.

"Let me tell you, I went home last night and discussed it with my family."

"You actually discussed it?"

"Nonsense, isn't this a serious matter?"

Mr. Sun sat down next to him.

"If I really work on this project, I'll definitely be traveling a lot."

"What did your partner say?"

She said she would go if she could.

He sounded rather smug as he said this.

"They even asked me if I would be considered part of the provincial project team in the future."

Lin Xiuhe couldn't help but laugh.

"What did you reply?"

"I said I'd have to see if Deputy Team Leader Lin would accept me first."

Don't flatter me.

"That's not flattery."

Engineer Sun pushed the list toward her.

"You chose the people yourself, isn't that obvious?"

After he finished speaking, he looked at her face again.

Why are you making that face?

"What kind of expression is that?"

"It was strange yesterday, and it's still strange today."

Mr. Sun put down his cup.

"Such a good offer, you don't really not want to take it, do you?"

Lin Xiuhe did not give a direct answer.

"You really want to go with me?"

"certainly."

Engineer Sun frowned.

"Xiuhe, how many times can you get this kind of opportunity? Before, when we were working on projects, we just did whatever we were told to do. Now you can lead your own team, and the province has directly assigned you to work on projects."

As he spoke, he became more alert.

"Once you achieve real success, who will still treat you like an ordinary technician?"

Lin Xiuhe looked at the two empty names, and after a while, pushed the list back.

"Keep it for now."

"What do you mean?"

"I haven't agreed yet."

The smile on Engineer Sun's face gradually faded.

"Are you serious?"

"Um."

Why?

Lin Xiuhe thought for a moment.

"I'll tell you after I've thought it through."

Mr. Sun opened his mouth, then finally picked up the materials.

"OK."

He walked a few steps, then turned back.

"But if you really do accept, remember me."

Lin Xiuhe smiled.

"understood."

At nine o'clock, Lin Xiuhe went to the director's office.

When the director saw her come in, he closed the file in his hand.

"Have you thought it through?"

Lin Xiuhe sat down.

"I'd like one more day."

The director frowned.

"Didn't you say you'd give me an answer today?"

"I know."

"So now you..."

He stared at her for a while as he spoke.

"Is there something else going on outside?"

Lin Xiuhe didn't beat around the bush.

"I have been thinking about things outside lately."

The director's expression turned serious.

Explain yourself.

"I've been thinking about whether I could take orders on my own in the future."

"Own?"

"Um."

"You want to start a business?"

After the director uttered those words, Lin Xiuhe paused for a moment before speaking.

"I have this idea."

The director leaned back in his chair, his expression not very pleasant.

"You really know how to pick your time."

Lin Xiuhe looked up.

The director raised his hand and pointed at the materials on the table.

"The province just gave you the project, and the institute has started assigning you staff. But you have to be thinking about other things right now."

I know it's hard to say.

"You know that too?"

The director was somewhat annoyed.

"You've just established yourself in your position, and the province is starting to utilize your abilities. Have you really thought this through before considering leaving?"

"I'm still thinking about it."

"So what exactly do you want to try?"

Lin Xiuhe said, "Let's see if I can make things happen on my own after leaving the research institute."

The director looked at her for a few seconds.

"Based on those few orders from Linzhou recently?"

"Not entirely."

"Then on what grounds?"

Lin Xiuhe thought for a moment.

"When I used to go to the factory, I would come back as soon as I finished my work."

"Now I'm thinking about where the next order is coming from, and whether there's any more work to be done at the factory."

She paused.

"I was really upset when Nanhua took that order a few days ago."

"I don't want to be the one helping people sort things out every time, only to stand by and watch them sign off in the end."

The director tapped his pen on the table.

"So you're planning to just throw the research institute away?"

Lin Xiuhe felt somewhat helpless.

"I haven't said I'd throw it away yet."

"So what are you doing now?"

That's why I've come to ask you for a day.

The director looked at her.

"Are you willing to leave this place?"

"I can't bear to part with it."

She answered very quickly.

The director's expression finally softened a bit.

"It wasn't a waste of these years."

Lin Xiuhe smiled.

"That's really generous of me; then I wouldn't have to struggle with this choice."

The director picked up his teacup and took a sip.

"Fine, I won't stop you from wanting to."

"But you didn't get to this position easily. If you really want to give it up, think it through carefully before you do. Don't regret it six months later and think you made a fool of yourself."

"I see."

"Then give me a definite answer tomorrow."

"it is good."

The director added:

"Until then, don't touch any of the outside orders."

Lin Xiuhe nodded.

"The one from before has already been taken by someone else."

The director looked up.

"Do you have another order?"

"The purchasing agent saved the money for me until noon today."

"You didn't answer?"

"Didn't answer."

The director's expression softened considerably.

"I can still tell the difference fairly well."

Lin Xiuhe stood up.

As she reached the door, the director called her again.

"Xiuhe."

"Um?"

"Do you still have that list from yesterday?"

"exist."

"Don't come back yet."

Lin Xiuhe turned around.

The director sat behind the table, still looking somewhat displeased.

"If you say you're staying tomorrow, I'll still give it to you."

"If it's about leaving..."

He paused.

"Let's talk about it tomorrow."

Lin Xiuhe nodded.

"it is good."

In the afternoon, Lin Xiuhe checked the project materials for the next stage with Director Liang as usual.

Director Liang flipped to one of the copies and handed it to her.

"You're familiar with this factory, so it's best if you bring your people there later."

Lin Xiuhe took it.

"it is good."

She paused for a moment after uttering the word.

Director Liang looked up.

"What's wrong?"

"It's nothing."

Lin Xiuhe put the materials away.

Director Liang didn't press further.

Just before I was about to leave work, Engineer Sun came running over again.

"Shouldn't the list be finalized by tomorrow?"

Lin Xiuhe looked at his expectant face.

I'll tell you tomorrow.

"Okay, I'm waiting."

After he finished speaking, he pushed his bicycle and left first.

As people gradually left the office, the sounds of chairs being moved and drawers closing gradually subsided.

Lin Xiuhe put the materials she had used that day into the cabinet.

The key in the drawer struck the metal sheet, making a soft sound.

She paused, then put the keys back in their place.

From this table against the wall to now having others waiting for her to choose people and lead projects, she has come this far step by step over the years, and none of it has come for nothing.

Lin Xiuhe closed the drawer, picked up her bag, and left the office.

She slowed her pace a little as she approached the project office.

The door was still locked.

The key was in her bag.

She stood there for a moment, then continued walking.

Zhou Zhiyuan was waiting for her downstairs in the dormitory building.

This time I didn't bring any sesame seed cakes; instead, I brought a small bag of oranges.

Lin Xiuhe walked over.

"Why did you change it today?"

"You ate sesame seed cakes yesterday, are you having them again today?"

He handed one to her.

"Didn't you say your mouth tasted bitter lately?"

Lin Xiuhe peeled it open, ate a piece, and frowned from the sourness.

Zhou Zhiyuan laughed out loud.

"Looks like we picked the wrong one."

"Good."

"Your mouth is so sore and you're still feeling good?"

Lin Xiuhe ate another piece.

"Wake up."

Zhou Zhiyuan looked at her for a while.

"Have you thought it through?"

"Um."

"Does the research institute know?"

"We don't know the result yet."

"So, what's your choice?"

Lin Xiuhe looked up at him.

"Walk."

Zhou Zhiyuan's smile faded, and his expression became serious.

Lin Xiuhe continued:

"I didn't take the purchase order today."

"I really hate to give up the position the director gave me. Engineer Sun is still waiting for me to bring him into the project team."

She let out a soft breath as she finished speaking.

"But I've thought about it all day, and I still want to go out."

Zhou Zhiyuan asked:

Are you scared?

"Afraid."

Do you regret it?

Lin Xiuhe thought for a while.

"Not now."

Zhou Zhiyuan nodded.

"That's fine then."

Lin Xiuhe looked at him.

Aren't you going to try to persuade me?

"Yesterday I advised you to stay, today I'm advising you to leave. Whose advice will you ultimately take?"

"Listen to me."

"That settles it then."

He reached out and took the orange peel from her hand, then put it in a paper bag.

"When should we tell the director?"

"tomorrow."

The next morning, Lin Xiuhe arrived a little earlier than usual.

There weren't many people in the office yet.

She opened the drawer.

The key to the project office is still inside, with yesterday's list pressed down next to it.

Lin Xiuhe took out two items.

At the end of the corridor, the director's office had just opened.

She closed the drawer, took the key and the list, and went over.