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

The loudspeakers at the Red Flag Commune broadcasting station blared early the next morning.

"Notice, notice. Attention all production teams in Hongqi Commune: Comrades from the County Education Bureau are coming to our commune today to investigate college entrance examination work."

The broadcast was repeated three times. Many people had already left their homes before they had even finished breakfast.

"Have people from the county come?"

"What are you doing here?"

"Is there even a question? The top spot in the entire county is in our commune, it must be because of Lin Xiuhe."

The news spread quickly.

As soon as the supply and marketing cooperative opened, a number of people were already standing at the entrance.

Li Hongmei had just finished wiping the counter when she looked outside and was startled: "Why are there more people buying things than at a market?"

Zhao Xiaomei poked her head out: "They're not here to buy anything."

"Then what are you here for?"

"Look at Sister Xiuhe."

Li Hongmei burst out laughing at those words.

Indeed—these people weren't carrying anything; they were just standing at the door chatting, glancing towards the warehouse every now and then, as if they were looking at something unusual.

At nine o'clock in the morning, a jeep drove into Hongqi Commune, kicking up a high cloud of dust.

Many children chased after the car, shouting, "Car! A car from the county! Look!"

The car stopped in front of the commune office, and three people got out: an education bureau official, a radio reporter, and a young man with a camera.

This was a spectacle the entire commune had never seen before.

Captain Wang personally came out to greet them, his face beaming with smiles: "Welcome, welcome! You've worked hard."

The education bureau official shook hands: "Captain Wang, congratulations! Your commune has achieved the best results in the entire county."

Captain Wang's mouth practically stretched to his ears in a grin: "Lucky me."

The official immediately waved his hand: "This isn't luck. Out of more than four hundred candidates in the entire county, there's only one first place."

After saying that, he looked in the direction of the supply and marketing cooperative: "Where is Comrade Lin Xiuhe?"

Meanwhile, a growing crowd had gathered at the entrance of the supply and marketing cooperative. Some people had even come all the way from the neighboring production team.

"Are you really here for an interview?"

"And there's a camera too."

"I heard it's going to be in the newspaper."

"Oh My God."

The discussion continued.

Inside the warehouse, Lin Xiuhe was checking the purchase order when she heard a noise outside and looked up.

Li Hongmei rushed in, shouting, "Coming! Coming!"

"Who's here?"

"The county officials! And reporters!"

Zhao Xiaomei followed behind, her face flushed with excitement: "There's a camera! A real camera!"

After she finished speaking, she laughed first—in all her years of life, this was the first time she had ever seen a reporter.

Shortly afterward, education bureau officials and reporters entered the supply and marketing cooperative. The previously noisy crowd automatically parted, and all eyes followed them.

The reporter, notebook in hand, first observed the surroundings, then looked at Lin Xiuhe, a hint of surprise in his eyes.

He had originally thought that the top student in the county would be a very scholarly person, but he was surprised to find that the girl in front of him was wearing a faded work uniform, with an abacus and order slips on the table, and was no different from an ordinary supply and marketing cooperative employee.

"Comrade Lin Xiuhe?"

"it's me."

"Hello." The reporter extended his hand. "This is the local radio station. We'd like to know more about you."

More and more people gathered around; some stood on tiptoe, some peeked through the windows, and some children even climbed onto the wall.

Upon seeing this, Captain Wang quickly waved his hand and said, "Come down! Don't trample the wall!" Laughter immediately erupted from the crowd.

The interview has officially begun.

The reporter opened her notebook: "When did you start preparing for the college entrance exam?"

"last year."

How many hours do you study each day?

"After get off work."

Why do you want to go to university?

Lin Xiuhe thought for a moment: "I want to learn something truly useful."

The reporter paused, pen in hand: "What constitutes 'useful'?"

"It can increase food production, keep machines running, and make life better."

The supply and marketing cooperative suddenly fell silent. Many people didn't quite understand, but they thought the statement was very insightful. The reporter was also taken aback for a moment, then quickly wrote it down.

A camera nearby clicked—click, click, taking several pictures in succession.

Zhao Xiaomei stood at the back of the crowd, her face flushed with excitement: "It'll be in the newspaper, it'll definitely be in the newspaper!"

Li Hongmei nodded: "I think so too."

The interview lasted for half an hour. Before leaving, the education bureau official called Captain Wang aside.

"Please pay attention to your emails recently."

"mail?"

"Yes." The official lowered his voice. "The process has already begun in Beijing."

Captain Wang's eyes lit up immediately: "A notification letter?"

The official smiled but didn't answer directly. He simply patted the man on the shoulder and said, "Just make sure the postman doesn't make a wasted trip."

After saying that, he got into the car and left. But those words were enough.

In the afternoon, the entire Hongqi Commune was spreading the same message: Beijing has begun the procedures, and the notification letter will be here soon.

Meanwhile, at the county post office.

Just as Lao Xu was about to leave work, a staff member suddenly called out to him from behind: "Lao Xu, wait a minute. Be careful when you go to Hongqi Commune these next few days."

Why?

The staff member took a registration book from the counter and turned to the last page. It read: [Important Email Tracking Registration]

The first line clearly displays a name—Lin Xiuhe.

Old Xu looked at the register and slowly opened his eyes wide.