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

When Lin Xiuhe knocked on the door of the director's office, tea had just been brewed inside.

The director looked up and saw the list and keys in her hand, and his brows furrowed.

"sit."

Lin Xiuhe placed the items on the table.

"Chief, I've made up my mind."

The director looked at the key first, then at her.

"They actually came to return the things."

"Um."

"Not accepting projects?"

"I won't answer."

"You don't even want the list?"

"don't want."

The director picked up the list and gently patted it on the table.

"Director Zhao called again yesterday."

"The province has already scheduled projects here. You just need to nod, and this line will be handed over to you."

Lin Xiuhe nodded.

"I know."

"You knew that, yet you still left?"

The director was genuinely annoyed this time.

"I remember what you were like when you first joined the institute. You worked harder than anyone else for a permanent position. Now that you have the position, the people you're given, and even the province is starting to use you, you're telling me you want to go out and do business."

"Um."

The director stared at her.

"Does your family know?"

"Not all of it has been said yet."

Where is Zhou Zhiyuan?

"I know I'm considering it."

"He told you to leave?"

Lin Xiuhe immediately shook her head.

"This is my own choice."

The director exhaled through his nose.

"Not bad, I didn't shift the blame to my partner."

Lin Xiuhe almost burst out laughing.

The director put the list back on the table.

I'll give you one more chance.

"Take this back today, and keep it in the project office for now. Think about it for another week."

"Director."

"Let me finish speaking first."

He raised his hand to stop her.

"There are opportunities outside now, and I can see them."

"But when you used to go out to run projects, the research institute was standing behind you. But once you went out there, if you couldn't get the money back, if there were problems with the goods, or if the factory changed its mind at the last minute, you had to bear all the consequences yourself."

"I know."

"You know the general idea."

The director picked up his teacup, took a sip, and put it down again.

"You've never actually lost your own money."

Lin Xiuhe thought for a moment.

There has to be a first time.

The director glared at her.

"You're quite good at responding."

"I wasn't hoping to lose money."

"I know."

He rubbed his temples.

"I just feel it's a pity."

Lin Xiuhe looked at the list on the table.

"I also think it's a pity."

The director looked up.

"Then why are you leaving?"

"It's a pity we can't pretend we never thought about it."

She paused for a while before continuing.

"If I stay because I can't bear to leave, and then I see someone else walk this path, I'll feel even worse."

The director didn't reprimand her anymore.

After a moment, he asked:

"What are your plans before you go out?"

"Start with the smaller orders that I'm familiar with."

"Do you own a factory?"

"no."

"How much money do you have?"

"not much."

The director's brow furrowed even more.

"Then you still dare?"

Lin Xiuhe smiled.

"So start with small steps."

The director looked at her for a few seconds.

"It seems this idea didn't just start in the last couple of days."

"no."

He opened the drawer and took out an application form.

"If we really want to proceed, we have to follow the proper procedures."

Lin Xiuhe reached out to take it.

The director, however, pressed down on that piece of paper.

"I'll ask you one last question."

"Um."

"If you ever regret it later, I can't promise you you can come back today."

"I see."

"If you give this position to someone else, it won't stay vacant forever waiting for you."

"I know."

The director then released his grip.

"Then write it."

When Lin Xiuhe returned to the office with the application form, Engineer Sun was coming out.

He spotted the paper in her hand immediately.

"Where's the key?"

"I returned it."

Mr. Sun stopped.

"Really not going to answer?"

"Um."

"So what are you planning to do?"

"Leave the research institute."

The joking expression on Engineer Sun's face vanished instantly.

"You're insane."

Lin Xiuhe almost laughed at what he said.

"You already said something similar yesterday."

Yesterday I thought you were just hesitating.

Mr. Sun hurriedly took two steps forward.

"Beijing Research Institute, deputy team leader, you want none of the provincial projects?"

"Um."

"Go out to do business?"

"Um."

Mr. Sun grabbed a handful of hair.

"I really don't understand."

Director Liang happened to be coming down the corridor when he heard the last sentence and pushed the door open to come in.

"What don't you understand?"

Sun turned his head.

"She's leaving."

Director Liang slowed his pace.

He looked at Lin Xiuhe.

"Does the director know?"

"We just finished talking."

"Have you thought it through?"

"I've made up my mind."

Director Liang looked at her for a while, then asked:

What should we do with the projects we have on hand?

"I'll begin the handover process today."

"Where's the data?"

"Keep them all in the detention center."

"Will the factory contact you again later?"

"I will tell them who to work with."

Director Liang nodded.

"Okay then."

Engineer Sun became anxious.

"Director Liang, are you just going to let this go like that?"

Director Liang turned to look at him.

"She's already made up her mind, why would I tie her up here?"

Mr. Sun was speechless when asked the question.

Director Liang looked at Lin Xiuhe again.

"There's something I need to say first."

"Please speak."

"Whether things go well for you after you leave, come back and visit."

Lin Xiuhe's nose felt a little sore.

"it is good."

Director Liang raised her hand and tapped the documents on her desk.

"Don't be sour yet."

"Even if one page is missing from the handover, I'll still contact you."

Lin Xiuhe smiled.

"No less."

After finishing the application, Lin Xiuhe first went to organize the projects at hand.

She clearly marked each project: those that had already finished, those that were still being followed up on, and those that were scheduled to go to the factory next week.

Mr. Sun sat to the side, not saying much.

After Lin Xiuhe pushed the last document over, he asked:

"Who will take over this role later?"

"Director Liang will make new arrangements."

"It really can't be you?"

"I'm about to leave."

Mr. Sun leaned back in his chair, looking somewhat awkward.

"Yesterday I told my family that I wanted to go with you to work on projects in the province."

Lin Xiuhe paused, her pen still in her hand.

"I can run away with anyone."

"How can that be the same?"

Lin Xiuhe looked up.

Mr. Sun hesitated for a while.

"never mind."

He took the documents over.

"If you ever need someone to run errands in the future, just let me know."

"no."

Engineer Sun frowned.

"Why isn't it working again?"

"You're from the research institute."

Lin Xiuhe said:

"From now on, my affairs cannot take up the institute's time, nor can I use the connections here to get things done."

Mr. Sun was so angry he laughed.

"You haven't even left yet, and you're already trying to distance yourself from me like this."

"The sooner we draw a clear line, the easier it will be later."

"OK."

Mr. Sun hugged the documents to his chest.

"Then I'll wait and see when you earn your first pot of money."

Lin Xiuhe smiled.

"You wait."

Around 4 PM, someone from HR came to collect the applications.

The director picked up his pen and signed his name in the last column.

Lin Xiuhe stood right next to her.

The pen tip glided across the paper, and after the last stroke, the director capped the pen and handed over the application.

"The paperwork will take a few more days to process."

"I'll be working normally these next few days and finish the handover."

"it is good."

"The official departure date will be announced by HR."

"it is good."

The director looked up at her.

"You're answering quite readily now."

Lin Xiuhe smiled.

"Whatever is owed must be paid in full."

The HR person put the application into a folder, closed it, and then held it in their arms.

The director leaned back in his chair.

"Go."

Lin Xiuhe turned and went out the door.

That evening, Zhou Zhiyuan waited for her at the entrance of the research institute.

When Lin Xiuhe came out, he was leaning against his bicycle.

As she approached, he asked directly:

"Did you say so?"

"I said so."

"How is it?"

"The director scolded me."

Zhou Zhiyuan smiled.

"Should."

Lin Xiuhe glared at him.

"Which side are you on?"

"Yours here."

"Then why did you say it was right?"

"They've trained you for so long, and finally gave you this position. You turn around and want to leave. I'd be angry too."

Lin Xiuhe laughed after hearing this.

"Engineer Sun also said I'm crazy."

Do you think you're crazy?

"A little."

Zhou Zhiyuan's eyebrows twitched.

"regret?"

Lin Xiuhe looked back at the gate of the research institute.

The lights in the guardhouse are already on.

The first time she entered through here with her work ID, she carefully kept the ID, afraid of even folding a corner.

"I feel sorry for you."

She looked away.

"The application has already been submitted."

Zhou Zhiyuan nodded.

"So what's next?"

Lin Xiuhe thought of the drawer containing the money for purchasing, and then of the factories in Linzhou that were willing to work with her.

"First, get the identity that allows you to take orders."

"Then go to Linzhou."

"Find the money to purchase?"

"Um."

Zhou Zhiyuan smiled.

"Didn't you already give that one to someone else?"

That's why we're going.

Lin Xiuhe looked at him.

"I'll get the next one myself."