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

Five days after the college entrance examination ended, the Lin family courtyard, which had been quiet for several days, became lively again.

As dusk fell, light bulbs were already hanging at the gate of the courtyard. Three tables were set up in the center of the courtyard, with peanuts, melon seeds, and two bottles of soda that were usually too precious to open.

Many neighbors had just finished work and hadn't even gone home yet, but came straight over to see what was going on.

"Another banquet?"

"Why this time?"

"I heard that Wei Dong did exceptionally well in the college entrance examination."

"Really?"

"Wang Xiulan said it herself."

Amidst the murmurs, Wang Xiulan emerged carrying an enamel tray, her face beaming with smiles.

"Sit down, sit down, eat whatever you like today."

Aunt Liu grabbed a handful of sunflower seeds: "Are the results out?"

"Not yet," Wang Xiulan waved her hand. "But Weidong knows what he's doing. He said it's even better than the mock exam."

In short, the surrounding area immediately became lively. Second in the county in the mock exam, and if they performed even better in the actual college entrance exam—that was unacceptable!

"I'm all set for university."

"Maybe I can get into a top university."

"The Lin family has truly produced talented individuals."

Wang Xiulan grinned from ear to ear: "Let's not talk about whether it's important or not, I'm sure I'll get into university."

Inside the room, Lin Weidong sat at the table, holding a book in his hand, but he hadn't turned a single page.

The sounds of conversation from the courtyard kept creeping into my ears—university, key university, promising future. These words used to sound pleasant, but today they inexplicably annoyed me.

Because he found himself becoming increasingly attached to another person.

Lin Xiuhe.

Just then, someone came in from the courtyard gate.

"Where is Wei Dong?"

"Inside the house."

The person who came in quickly walked in; he was a teacher from the commune middle school who had taught Lin Weidong.

"Teacher Wang?"

"I just got back from the county." Teacher Wang sat down, wiping the sweat from his forehead. "I heard the county is currently checking the records of high-scoring students."

Lin Weidong paused for a moment: "A high-scoring candidate?"

"Yes, the Education Bureau conducted a spot check, and I heard the number of people inspected was small."

The room fell silent. Teacher Wang continued, "Did you receive the notification?"

"no."

That's strange.

Why?

"I heard that some people in the Red Flag Commune have received the notice."

Lin Weidong's heart suddenly skipped a beat: "Who?"

Teacher Wang picked up his teacup and took a sip: "I think her name is Lin Xiuhe. Is she a relative of yours?"

Lin Weidong stood there, not turning the pages of the book in his hand for a long time.

Verification of high-scoring candidates. Lin Xiuhe.

The two pieces of information, when put together, gave him a bad feeling.

Meanwhile, at the supply and marketing cooperative's warehouse.

Zhao Xiaomei was holding her workbook, lost in thought. Although the exams were over, she still habitually kept the book within reach.

"Sister Xiuhe."

"Um?"

"When will the results come out?"

"Soon."

Zhao Xiaomei sighed: "Now, when I dream at night, it's not about taking exams, it's about checking my grades."

Li Hongmei laughed uncontrollably from the side: "You're so promising. Once the results come out, you'll realize you've worried for nothing."

As the group was talking, a broadcast suddenly came from outside.

The commune's broadcasting station regularly broadcasts the news, but today there was an extra announcement.

"According to the county education bureau's arrangements, the college entrance examination results are expected to be released in the latter half of this month. We ask all candidates to wait patiently."

The sound traveled from the yard into the warehouse.

Zhao Xiaomei immediately sat up straight: "The end of the month! It's really almost here!" She started counting on her fingers—ten days, less than ten days.

In the warehouse, Lin Xiuhe remained silent. She opened the drawer; the folded piece of paper was still there, its edges worn and faded. She glanced at it, then put it back.

Just then, a quarrel broke out at the entrance of the supply and marketing cooperative. The noise grew louder and louder.

Li Hongmei quickly ran out, and soon returned in a hurry: "Xiuhe!"

"What's wrong?"

"The Lin family was having a banquet, and someone asked about you, which led to an argument."

"Who's making noise?"

"Wang Xiulan".

Li Hongmei took a breath. "In front of a group of people, she said, 'If Lin Xiuhe can really surpass Wei Dong, I'll cut down that old locust tree at the gate of the courtyard and burn it for firewood.'"

In the warehouse, Zhao Xiaomei's eyes widened in surprise: "She really said that?"

Li Hongmei nodded emphatically.

Outside the window, the evening breeze rustled through the courtyard of the supply and marketing cooperative.

Lin Xiuhe looked towards the Lin family's direction. Night had fallen, but the lights over there were exceptionally bright, like a victory celebration that had begun ahead of schedule.

But no one knew that the real report card was still lying in the county education bureau's filing cabinet.