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

The next morning, just as dawn broke, there was movement in dormitory 403.

Gu Xiaolan was the first to get up. She was quick and efficient, making the quilt in three minutes and washing up in five minutes.

Liu Xue groggily peeked out from under the covers, glanced out the window, then ducked back in: "It's not even dawn yet..."

"Get up quickly." Gu Xiaolan said bluntly, "Today is the English placement test."

The words had barely left her mouth when Liu Xue abruptly sat up: "That's right! The exam!"

Su Qing was already reading at the table, her gaze behind her glasses calm, clearly prepared.

Lin Xiuhe also opened her eyes.

Actually, she woke up even earlier; she had been thinking about English the whole night while lying in bed.

She had learned some things after she started working in her previous life, but that was many years later.

Now, she has to face college English with the identity of someone born in 1978.

This was the first time she was truly unsure.

Half an hour later, the four of them went out together.

The Tsinghua campus is quiet and beautiful in the early morning.

There were already quite a few students on the tree-lined path—some memorizing vocabulary, some doing morning reading, and others reading English texts by the lake.

Liu Xue clicked her tongue in amazement: "This is too much!"

Gu Xiaolan remained calm: "This is Tsinghua University."

At those words, everyone fell silent.

Yes, this is Tsinghua University. The best people in the country are here, and no one will stop just because they get into university.

Looking at those people reading aloud in the morning, Lin Xiuhe suddenly felt a sense of familiarity.

In her previous life, when she worked, she also met many outstanding people.

What's most terrifying about them is never their talent, but that they are more talented than you, yet work even harder.

Soon, we arrived at the examination room.

The entrance was already crowded with new students, many of whom were holding English books, and a sense of tension filled the air.

"Xiuhe," Gu Xiaolan leaned closer, "how's your English?"

"It's not good," Lin Xiuhe said honestly.

Gu Xiaolan clearly didn't believe her: "You're the best in the whole county."

Liu Xue nodded, "If you say it's not good, then what should we do?"

Lin Xiuhe smiled but didn't explain.

Because there are some things that people won't believe even if you tell them.

In her past life, her greatest strengths were mathematics, logic, and analysis; language was never her strong suit.

The bell rang, and the exam began.

After trying out the curls, Lin Xiuhe glanced at them first—grammar, reading, and translation weren't major issues.

But when the tape recorder started playing, she still frowned slightly.

The hearing test came, just as expected.

The tape emitted a slight electrical hum, followed by English dialogue.

The classroom fell silent immediately, and everyone lowered their heads to answer the questions.

Lin Xiuhe was also listening, but she quickly noticed a problem—the speed was too fast, and many of the pronunciations were completely different from those in the textbook.

She could understand some of it, but not all of it.

At this moment, she finally felt a long-lost sense of defeat.

After being reborn, the college entrance examination, checking scores, and being admitted to Tsinghua University all went smoothly.

But now, reality has finally told her that rebirth is not a panacea, and some skills still need to be learned again.

The exam lasted one and a half hours.

Many people breathed a sigh of relief when it was over, and Liu Xue even slumped onto the table, saying, "It's over, it's completely over. I guessed all the last few listening comprehension questions."

Gu Xiaolan's complexion was also not good, clearly indicating that her performance was mediocre.

Only Su Qing remained calm, as if nothing had happened.

As I walked out of the classroom, I suddenly heard murmurs from ahead:

"I heard that the class placement this time is very strict. Those who are good at English will go directly into the advanced class and will be able to access foreign language materials in the future."

"Really?"

"Of course it is."

The students chatted as they walked.

Lin Xiuhe paused slightly – the term "foreign language materials" caught her attention.

Because automation majors will be exposed to a lot of foreign literature, many opportunities will be lost if their English is not good enough.

Thinking of this, she suddenly felt a sense of urgency—she had to replenish her body, and she had to do so as soon as possible.

On the way back to the dormitory, Gu Xiaolan was still complaining about her hearing, while Liu Xue kept guessing the answers.

Lin Xiuhe remained silent, her mind already racing with ideas on how to improve her English as quickly as possible.

Just then, a group of people suddenly gathered in front of the teaching building, and some of them were looking at the bulletin board.

"What's wrong?" Liu Xue asked curiously, leaning closer. The next second, she exclaimed, "The diagnostic test results are out?"

Gu Xiaolan squeezed in as well: "So fast?"

The bulletin board became increasingly lively, with many new students gathering around it.

Lin Xiuhe followed.

The list was posted on several pages, with the rankings of each major's preliminary exam at the top.

Department of Automation, first place: Lin Xiuhe.

The moment the name was seen, the surroundings suddenly fell silent.

Immediately, whispers arose: "Is that her? The one who got first place in the county? The one who got a perfect score in math? I heard she's from the countryside."

Gu Xiaolan turned her head sharply, her eyes wide: "Xiuhe! You're number one!"

Liu Xue was also stunned, then excitedly patted her shoulder: "I knew it! The title of number one in the county is well-deserved!"

More and more eyes were drawn to him—curious, surprised, and clearly resentful.

Lin Xiuhe remained calm, knowing that this was just the beginning and the real competition was yet to come.

Just then, a figure suddenly appeared next to the bulletin board.

His hair was gray, and he was wearing a gray Zhongshan suit.

Many teachers greeted him immediately upon seeing him: "Professor Chen, what brings you here?"

Many students instinctively made way for each other.

The old man didn't speak, but looked up at the list, his gaze finally settling on the first name – Lin Xiuhe.

A few seconds later, he slowly nodded, then turned and left, as if he had just come to take a casual look.

But for some reason, Lin Xiuhe had a feeling that the look just now seemed to be directed at her.

Meanwhile, not far away, a boy wearing glasses looked at the list with a rather unpleasant expression.

Because his name was ranked second, and he was only two points behind.

He stared at the three characters "Lin Xiuhe," his gaze becoming serious for the first time.

Tsinghua University has never lacked geniuses.

But at that moment, he suddenly realized that he seemed to have met a real opponent.