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

"Zhou Zhiyuan?"

Lin Xiuhe put down her pen, somewhat surprised.

It's almost 10 p.m. What's he doing here at this hour?

She got up and opened the door. A cool night breeze blew in, and Zhou Zhiyuan stood outside, holding a brown paper envelope in his hand.

"So late?" Lin Xiuhe asked.

"Just came from the commune," Zhou Zhiyuan said calmly. "On the way."

It was on the way again. Lin Xiuhe almost laughed out loud—it seemed that this person's biggest hobby lately was going wherever he wanted.

"Come in." She stepped aside.

Zhou Zhiyuan hesitated for a moment, but still went inside.

The warehouse wasn't big. There was a wooden bed, an old table, and textbooks stacked neatly. Under the kerosene lamp, two pages of math problems were laid out.

Zhou Zhiyuan's gaze swept over them, pausing slightly.

In her past life, she didn't have the chance to do these problems. In this life, things are finally different.

"What do you want?" Lin Xiuhe asked directly.

Zhou Zhiyuan placed the envelope on the table: "Notice from the commune."

"What notification?"

"College Entrance Examination Registration".

The air fell silent instantly.

Lin Xiuhe's heart skipped a beat, and she immediately reached for the envelope. Opening it, she found a mimeographed notice inside, the words at the top of which were strikingly prominent:

Notice on Resuming Registration for College Entrance Examinations

She even stopped breathing for a moment.

It's finally here. In her past life, she missed this stage—her books were burned, her registration was delayed, and in the end, she could only watch helplessly as others walked into the examination hall.

Thinking of this, her fingers tightened slightly.

"When will it start?"

"Next Monday," Zhou Zhiyuan replied. "The location is the county high school. You'll need identification, proof of education, and a letter of introduction from the production team."

letter of introduction.

Lin Xiuhe frowned. The first two were fine, but the production team's letter of introduction... required the brigade's approval, and the Lin family was still within the production team.

Thinking of this, her eyes darkened slightly.

"Is there trouble?" Zhou Zhiyuan noticed her expression.

"A little. I'm worried someone might refuse a letter of introduction."

The warehouse fell silent.

Zhou Zhiyuan remained silent. He knew she was right. In his past life, he had been delayed in this way. Although there were other reasons in the end, the first hurdle was the letter of introduction.

"That's why I'm here to remind you," he said, "do it early, don't wait until the last day."

*Thud.* It sounded as if something had gently fallen to the ground.

Lin Xiuhe raised her head.

It's that feeling again. The first time we met, he said: "Get there early, lest things get complicated." Later he said: "Textbooks will be harder and harder to buy." Now he's saying: "Get your referral letter done early, don't wait until the last day."

Every sentence hits the most crucial point perfectly. It's almost too clever for its own good.

"Zhou Zhiyuan," she suddenly said.

"Um?"

Have you noticed something?

The air grew slightly still. A sense of unease suddenly rose in Zhou Zhiyuan's heart.

"What is it?"

"You always seem to know a lot of things in advance."

The warehouse fell silent. The kerosene lamp flickered gently. Zhou Zhiyuan looked at her, but didn't speak immediately.

Lin Xiuhe was also looking at him, her gaze serious and inquisitive.

After a moment, Zhou Zhiyuan suddenly smiled and said, "It's normal for the commune office to be well-informed."

It's the same answer again.

Lin Xiuhe stared at him, not looking away: "What about textbooks? Textbooks will go up in price, you need to report for work early, and you need to get your letters of introduction in advance—you're well-informed about all of this too?"

Each sentence is like unraveling a puzzle.

Zhou Zhiyuan fell silent. For the first time, he didn't respond immediately.

Because there are some things he simply can't explain.

Lin Xiuhe happened to catch that one second of pause.

"You..." she was about to ask another question.

Zhou Zhiyuan suddenly stood up: "It's getting late, I'll be going now."

Escape. This was the first time this usually composed and calm person had chosen to end the conversation.

Lin Xiuhe looked at him but didn't stop him. However, her doubts grew deeper.

"Zhou Zhiyuan." Just as he reached the door, she suddenly called out to him again.

"Is there anything else?"

"Thank you." The voice was soft, but earnest.

If it weren't for this notice, she might have really suffered a loss.

Zhou Zhiyuan paused for a moment, then smiled. It was a faint smile, but one that seemed much more genuine than usual.

"I'll thank you again when I get into university."

When you're done, turn around and leave.

The night fell silent once more.

In the warehouse, Lin Xiuhe looked down at the notice, her gaze gradually hardening.

The National College Entrance Examination (Gaokao) is finally here.

Meanwhile, on the other side, on a dark road.

Zhou Zhiyuan walked very slowly. The wind rustled through the treetops, making a soft sound.

He looked down at the road beneath his feet and felt a headache for the first time.

He realized that Lin Xiuhe had begun to have doubts. If things continued like this, some secrets might not be able to remain hidden for long.

Thinking of this, he suddenly stopped and looked into the dark night in the distance.

After a long while, he sighed softly.

"We were still too hasty."