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

The bustling atmosphere at the entrance of the supply and marketing cooperative continued until evening.

I've read the notice countless times, but some people still want to see it.

"Let me take another look; I didn't see it clearly before."

Where is the Department of Automation located?

"Can you understand it?"

"can't read."

"Then what are you looking at?"

"I recognize the words 'Tsinghua'." These words immediately drew laughter from those around him.

Captain Wang sat at the door, his face almost frozen from smiling.

From noon onwards, people kept coming to offer their congratulations—from the neighboring production team, commune cadres, regular customers of the supply and marketing cooperative, and even some who came all the way from the county town, all wanting to see the notice.

"Captain Wang, you've really given the commune chief face this time."

"It's more than just a source of pride," someone chimed in, "we'll be able to talk about it with pride from now on, saying that our Red Flag Commune has Tsinghua University." Everyone burst into laughter.

Finally, the warehouse fell silent.

Lin Xiuhe sat at the table, on which lay her admission notice and a separate piece of paper—the Key Training Program.

She unfolded it again and read it carefully.

The content is short, but it roughly means that after enrollment, the school will select key students from the freshmen for special training, provide them with more research resources, arrange for excellent teachers to guide them, and give them priority in participating in important projects.

She had already been included in the list.

Even Lin Xiuhe was somewhat moved upon seeing this.

In her past life, her biggest regret was not suffering, but not having the opportunity.

Now, the opportunity is right in front of us.

Just then, there was a knock on the door: "Xiuhe, people from the county have arrived."

Lin Xiuhe looked up. Outside the door, Captain Wang stood with a broad smile, but his eyes held a hint of excitement, as if he had encountered something significant: "Who's here?"

"The Education Bureau and the District Admissions Office are looking for you."

A few minutes later, in the supply and marketing cooperative office.

Several strangers had already sat down, and one of them, a middle-aged man wearing glasses, was the first to stand up: "Comrade Lin Xiuhe, congratulations."

"Thanks."

The man smiled and nodded: "I'm from the regional admissions office. I'm here mainly to confirm two things. First, whether I've received the admission notice. Second, whether I'm willing to participate in the special training program."

The room suddenly fell silent.

Captain Wang subconsciously sat up straight. Although he didn't know exactly what it was, the name sounded impressive.

The admissions officer continued, "In the first year after the resumption of the college entrance examination, not many people in the entire region were included in the plan, and you were one of them. Therefore, the school attaches great importance to you."

Another official nearby added, "Tsinghua University specifically called to inquire about this."

With just one sentence, the office fell silent instantly.

Captain Wang's eyes widened: "A phone call from Beijing?"

"Yes, we specifically inquired about her situation."

The air seemed to freeze for a moment.

For people of this era, Beijing is already very far away, and for Beijing to take the initiative to call is more like something from another world.

Lin Xiuhe noticed something else: "What do I need to do if I participate in the program?"

The cadre was clearly somewhat surprised—many people would agree to such an opportunity immediately, but she asked about the details first: "Normal learning, normal classes, only the requirements will be a bit higher. Of course, there will also be more opportunities."

Lin Xiuhe nodded: "I'll participate."

As soon as he finished speaking, the cadres smiled simultaneously: "Okay, then we'll go back and report."

After completing the formalities, the group left the supply and marketing cooperative.

But the news lingered. In less than an hour, the entire commune was abuzz with news again: "Xiuhe has been given special training by Tsinghua University."

What does "key development" mean?

"I don't know, but it's incredibly powerful."

"That must be impressive; they even called from Beijing."

The news spread like wildfire, and by evening it had even become: "Tsinghua University specifically requested her."

Upon hearing this, Zhao Xiaomei laughed until her stomach hurt: "If this goes on for another two days, Sister Xiuhe will practically become a goddess."

Li Hongmei laughed too. But after laughing, she suddenly felt a little disappointed: "It's gone by so fast."

"What do you mean, 'really fast'?"

"We're heading to Beijing soon."

The room suddenly fell silent.

The smile on Zhao Xiaomei's face gradually faded.

The acceptance letter arrived, which meant another thing was drawing ever closer—leaving. Beijing, university, a new life.

And they remain here.

As night deepened outside the window, the wind rustled through the locust trees in the courtyard.

Lin Xiuhe stood by the window, looking north.

That place was Beijing, the place where her destiny truly changed.

Just then, a folded supplementary page slid out from the notice on the table.

Lin Xiuhe bent down to pick it up, unfolded it, and the next second, her gaze paused slightly.

Because it says on it: [New Student Registration Time: September 1st]

There is less than a month left.

******

Three days after the notice was delivered, Hongqi Commune was still bustling with activity.

The table at the entrance of the supply and marketing cooperative is still there, with a copy of the admission notice on it. People come to see it every day, and some even ride their bicycles from the next commune just to see the four characters "Tsinghua University".

Li Hongmei has lost count of how many times she has said in the past few days: "It's true, it's not fake, I really passed the exam."

Because people ask about it every day, and people confirm it every day.

That morning, people from the county education bureau came again.

This time, I didn't drive a Jeep; I rode a bicycle with a brown paper document bag strapped to the back seat.

Is Comrade Lin Xiuhe here?

The people at the supply and marketing cooperative immediately gathered around: "What is it now? From Beijing?"

An education bureau official laughed: "So you really are from Beijing."

With just one sentence, the crowd immediately became lively.

The file folder was opened, revealing a stack of documents inside.

The top of the document reads "Instructions for the Class of 1978 Freshmen," followed by "Introduction to Campus Life," "Instructions for Registration Procedures," and "Beijing Traffic Map."

Upon seeing the last one, Zhao Xiaomei's eyes lit up: "A map of Beijing? Let me see!" She then leaned closer.

The counter of the supply and marketing cooperative was immediately surrounded by people.

None of us had ever been to Beijing, let alone seen a map.

A sheet of paper unfolded, covered with dense lines. Zhao Xiaomei stared at it for a long time: "What is this?"

An education bureau official couldn't help but laugh: "Bus routes."

"Bus?"

"It's a public bus."

Zhao Xiaomei was stunned: "There's even a special car for this?"

Those around them were also shocked.

For many, county towns are rarely visited; Beijing is simply too far away. But now, that distant city has taken shape for the first time.

In the courtyard of the supply and marketing cooperative, everyone gathered around the map for a long time—some studied the route, some studied the schools, and some studied Tiananmen Square, as if they had already gone to Beijing ahead of time.

Lin Xiuhe, however, noticed the last page of the information, which stated: "[New students are advised to prepare their luggage in advance, buy their tickets ahead of time, and register on time.]"

The train ticket. She paused slightly, taken aback.

Because it was only at this moment that she truly realized she was about to leave.

At the same time, Zhou Zhiyuan walked in through the courtyard gate, holding a paper package in his hand: "This is for you."

Lin Xiuhe looked up: "What?"

"A fountain pen, for use in college."

Zhao Xiaomei immediately started to complain: "Ouch!"

Li Hongmei also smiled and said, "Comrade Zhou is really thoughtful."

Zhou Zhiyuan's ears burned slightly, but he didn't explain. He simply placed the paper package on the table and said, "Beijing is different from the commune. Many things need to be prepared in advance."

Lin Xiuhe opened the paper package; inside was a brand new Hero fountain pen.

She paused for a moment. In her past life, she had also had one, but she couldn't bear to use it, and it broke later, so she never bought another one.

"Thank you," she said softly.

Zhou Zhiyuan nodded, his gaze falling on the map of Beijing. After a moment, he suddenly said, "It's best to buy the tickets as soon as possible."

"Why?" Zhao Xiaomei asked.

"There are a lot of people during the start of the school season, and you won't be able to buy a sleeper berth if you're late."

The supply and marketing cooperative suddenly fell silent.

Sleeper berth, train, Beijing—these words suddenly became real, no longer just words on an admission notice, but something about to happen.

In the evening, the education bureau officials left, leaving the map behind at the supply and marketing cooperative. After many people left, the courtyard became quiet again.

Lin Xiuhe sat at the table and looked at the reporting date again—September 1st. More than twenty days had passed since then.

Outside the window, the late summer breeze rustled through the locust trees, carrying a hint of farewell.

Just then, Zhou Zhiyuan suddenly took a piece of paper out of his pocket and put it on the table: "By the way, I asked for you while I was in town today."

Lin Xiuhe lowered her head, and the next second, her gaze sharpened slightly—because it was a train timetable heading towards Beijing.