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

The applause lasted for a long time.

Outside the meeting room, in the corridor, and in the courtyard, more and more people gathered. Some tiptoed to look inside, while others stood directly by the window.

The applause gradually subsided before the Women's Federation director picked up her pen again.

The words "Mediation Opinions on the Dispute over Lin Xiuhe's College Entrance Examination Registration" were written at the top.

The pen nib scratched across the paper, making a hissing sound.

All eyes in the meeting room were fixed on that piece of paper. Everyone knew that today's mediation was about to reach a conclusion.

After the Women's Federation director finished writing the last line, she handed the materials to the commune cadre next to her.

The commune cadres nodded after reading it.

Then it was stamped.

The red seal fell heavily.

Snapped.

The sound wasn't loud, but it instantly invigorated everyone in the conference room.

The director of the Women's Federation placed the document in the center of the table: "The mediation conclusion is as follows."

Her voice was clear and strong.

"First, Comrade Lin Xiuhe meets the requirements for registering for the resumption of the national college entrance examination, and her registration procedures are legal and valid. No individual may interfere with her registration."

Zhao Xiaomei, holding the exercise book, immediately relaxed her shoulders.

"Secondly, Lin Jianguo and Wang Xiulan repeatedly attempted to disqualify candidates from registration, collect examination admission tickets on their behalf, and interfere with candidates' exam preparation. Their behavior was inappropriate and they are ordered to cease their actions."

Wang Xiulan's face grew increasingly grim. But this time, no one spoke up for her.

"Third, the college entrance examination is a national talent selection system, and candidates should not be restricted from taking the exam based on family relationships, gender, or identity."

Outside the meeting room, a murmur of discussion immediately arose. Many people were hearing this official statement for the first time. The wording in the national document was completely different from the old rules in the production team.

The Women's Federation director turned to the last page: "Fourth, if obstruction occurs again, the commune will formally file a report for processing."

The last four words are "filing processing".

Several people in the meeting room exchanged glances. Everyone understood what this meant. This was no longer a family matter; this was something that would be recorded in the files.

The Women's Federation director put down the documents: "Comrade Lin Jianguo, did you hear me clearly?"

Lin Jianguo sat there, his back soaked with sweat. After a few seconds, he nodded: "I heard you clearly."

Where is Comrade Wang Xiulan?

Wang Xiulan's lips moved, and she finally managed to squeeze out, "I heard you clearly."

The Women's Federation director closed the document: "Then sign here."

The staff member immediately handed over the pen.

Lin Jianguo took the paper, his hand hovering over it for two seconds before finally dropping it. The three characters were written somewhat crookedly—Lin Jianguo.

Then, Wang Xiulan also signed. Her handwriting was terribly messy.

Finally, it was Lin Xiuhe's turn. She took the pen and wrote her name at the bottom of the document—Lin Xiuhe. The three characters were neat and clear, exactly the same as the ones on the registration form.

The moment the agreement was signed, applause suddenly erupted outside the meeting room, even more enthusiastic than before.

Some people led the applause, while others shouted, "Well done!"

Soon, laughter and applause filled the air.

Wang Xiulan's face turned pale, and she wished she could leave immediately.

But just as she stood up, someone outside shouted, "Make way! People from the county are here!"

The crowd automatically separated.

A man in his forties strode into the conference room, a briefcase tucked under his arm and an official badge pinned to his chest—County Education Bureau.

The fan was still running, and the cicadas were still chirping outside the window, but everyone's attention was drawn to them.

Why are people from the county here?

The education bureau official first shook hands with the commune official, then opened the documents in his hand: "Since everyone is here, I have something to inform you about."

Everyone in the conference room was looking at him.

"The county has decided to organize a county-wide mock exam next week. The rankings will be made public as a final assessment before the official college entrance examination."

As soon as she finished speaking, Zhao Xiaomei instinctively hugged her workbook tightly. The entire conference room erupted in laughter.

Mock exam! Rankings released! This is the first time since the resumption of the college entrance examination.

The education bureau official continued, "All registered candidates must participate, and the results will be sent back to each commune for record-keeping. Candidates with outstanding performance will also receive priority recommendations."

After he finished speaking, he placed the notice on the table.

The top line of text was particularly eye-catching—"Notice on the County-wide Unified Simulation Examination".

Lin Weidong was standing outside the crowd in the last row of the conference room.

I don't know when they arrived.

His gaze remained fixed on the notice, never looking away.

******

Even after the education bureau officials left, the discussions in the meeting room continued.

Mock exams, county-wide rankings, and top recommendations—every word was like a stone thrown into water, creating ripples that spread outwards. This was the first time since the resumption of the college entrance examination that the entire county had undergone a unified assessment. No one knew where they stood, and no one knew who their competitors were.

As soon as the notice was posted on the commune's bulletin board, people from several nearby production teams gathered around. Some stood on tiptoe to look, some took out pens to copy it down, and some even ran back to report the news.

That evening, at the Lin family home.

The kerosene lamp was placed in the center of the table, its wick burning quite long, the flame flickering.

Lin Weidong sat at the table, with a copybook of notices spread out in front of him. The top line of text had been repeatedly traced: County-wide unified mock exam.

Wang Xiulan placed the boiled eggs in front of him: "Eat quickly, don't overwork yourself lately."

Lin Weidong did not move, his gaze remaining fixed on the paper.

"Wei Dong," Wang Xiulan called out again.

"I heard you." He folded the notice and stuffed it into his textbook. "I'll do well on this exam."

Wang Xiulan immediately laughed: "Of course! From childhood to adulthood, when have you ever had a bad grade?"

Lin Jianguo sat by the door smoking, the cigarette glowing and fading. He didn't speak—the scene from the commune meeting room that afternoon was like a thorn stuck there, impossible to pull out.

Just then, Lin Weidong suddenly asked, "Dad, what if I get first place in the whole county...?"

Lin Jianguo looked up: "What?"

"If I'm number one, what does she have to compare with me?"

The kerosene lamp flame flickered. No one in the room responded to that.

But Lin Weidong had already lowered his head and reopened the math problems. His pen fell, one problem after another.

On the other side, the supply and marketing cooperative's warehouse.

Zhao Xiaomei was hunched over her desk doing math problems. Half a steamed bun sat beside her, long since cold. She didn't bother eating it; she filled one page of her worksheet, then moved on to the next.

Lin Xiuhe placed a document in front of her: "Look at this first."

Zhao Xiaomei took the paper, turned to the first page, and froze. Her hand hovered over the edge of the page, and she didn't turn to the next page for a long time.

Zhao Xiaomei read the first page three times before looking up: "The notes from the county's No. 1 High School?"

"Um."

"Where did it come from?"

"It was a gift from Zhou Zhiyuan."

Zhao Xiaomei's mouth dropped open: "You can even get this?" Lin Xiuhe smiled but didn't explain.

In fact, at this time in his previous life, the county's No. 1 High School's mock exams had not yet been released to the public, and many key questions were hidden in the teachers' internal materials. Zhou Zhiyuan had obviously prepared in advance.

Footsteps sounded outside the warehouse door. The next second, the curtain was lifted, and Zhou Zhiyuan walked in, carrying a stack of exam papers.

"Just printed, one copy for everyone."

The test paper was placed on the table, and the words on top were very eye-catching: "County-wide Mock Exam Prediction Paper".

Zhao Xiaomei swallowed hard: "Right now?"

"Do it now," Zhou Zhiyuan replied. "The exam won't wait for anyone."

The warehouse quickly quieted down. Papers rustled, pens scratched, and occasionally Zhao Xiaomei could be heard scratching her head.

Time passed slowly, and the sky outside the window grew darker and darker. The kerosene lamp was lit.

I finally finished the first test paper.

Zhou Zhiyuan began grading. Zhao Xiaomei stood beside him, even her breathing became soft.

A few minutes later, the score came out—sixty-three.

Zhao Xiaomei first looked at the score, then at the total score, and finally hugged the paper to her arms: "I actually passed?" Her voice was full of surprise.

A while ago, she couldn't even finish half of the questions, but now she actually passed.

Lin Xiuhe took her paper; Zhou Zhiyuan had already finished grading it. Total score: 91.

Zhou Zhiyuan flipped to the last page of the test paper: "I lost nine points on the composition, and my handwriting could have been neater."

Zhao Xiaomei stared at the score, her eyes wide with disbelief: "Ninety-one? Out of one hundred?"

"Um."

"How are we supposed to take the exam?" She suddenly began to worry about all the candidates in the county.

Just then, shouts suddenly came from outside the supply and marketing cooperative: "Something's happened! Something's happened!"

Someone ran into the yard, completely out of breath.

Director Zhao strode over from the front: "What happened?"

The man, leaning against the doorframe and panting, said, "I just got back from the county. I heard that the county's top high school did some preliminary assessments! Several key schools in the county participated! The results are in!"

Several people in the warehouse looked up simultaneously: "Who's number one?"

The newcomer swallowed hard: "Lin Weidong!"

The kerosene lamp was still burning, and the wind was still blowing. But everyone's eyes were fixed on that person's face.

The visitor continued, "I heard he almost got a perfect score in math! The teachers all say he's probably the most promising student in our commune for this year's college entrance exam!"