Rebirth: My college entrance exam score was stolen? I turned the tables and made a billion.

When Liu Guangming slowly woke up, the first thing he noticed was the strong smell of Lysol around his nose.

Am I... in a hospital?

Turning his head, he found himself lying on a large iron-framed bed with clean and tidy sheets. The room also had a separate bathroom and washbasin.

Wow, a single room?!

This is definitely not a regular ward.

A sobbing voice came from beside the bed.

Liu Guangming turned his head and saw his eldest sister, Liu Chunhua, sitting on a small stool. Her eyes were red as if she had just cried, and she was clutching a wet towel in her hand.

"Sis, what brings you here?"

Liu Guangming tried to sit up, but the pain in his back made him frown.

Liu Chunhua quickly pressed down on his shoulder, tears streaming down her face.

"Don't move!"

"The doctor said you have severe soft tissue contusion in your back; you almost broke the bone!"

"You brat! I told you not to mess around like this. Selling watermelons at the train station was one thing, but how did you end up in the police station? And get beaten up like this!"

Seeing his older sister crying and scolding him, Liu Guangming felt a warm feeling in his heart and offered words of comfort:

"Sis, I'm fine, aren't I? Where am I?"

"In the cadre ward of the county hospital!"

Liu Chunhua wiped her face, lowered her voice, and spoke with a hint of awe.

"Let me tell you, this isn't a place for ordinary people like us to come in."

"I just went to the nurses' station and asked. They said it was a county magistrate surnamed Lin who personally arranged this private room for you, and all your medical expenses will be paid!"

"The doctor came specifically to tell you that although no bones were broken, you still need to rest and recuperate. So he told you to stay here and rest well, and not to worry about anything."

As they were talking, the wooden door to the ward was gently pushed open.

Lin Weimin walked in wearing a crisp white shirt, accompanied by a gentle-looking middle-aged woman carrying two bulging net bags.

Walking at the very back was Lin Xiaofan, who hung her head and looked like a wilted eggplant.

When Liu Chunhua saw the person, she was so frightened that she quickly stood up from the stool and nervously rubbed her hands on her coarse cloth apron.

She knew that the person in front of her was a high-ranking official in the county; she had never seen such a high-ranking leader in her life.

"County Magistrate Lin, why did you come in person?"

Liu Guangming made a move to get up.

"Lie still!"

Lin Weimin strode forward, grabbed Liu Guangming's arm, and forcefully pressed him back onto the pillow, his tone very amiable.

"You're the injured one now, so you're the oldest. This is my wife, Su Qin. She heard about Xiao Fan's situation and insisted on coming to see you in person."

Su Qin placed the net bag in her hand on the bedside table. Inside were two cans of malted milk powder, several boxes of imported luncheon meat, and a large bag of Fuji apples, which would definitely be considered a luxury item in this era.

Upon seeing this, Liu Chunhua waved her hands repeatedly and retreated:

"Oh dear! That won't do!"

"This is far too expensive, County Chief Lin. You've already paid so much for our medical expenses; we really can't accept this!"

Su Qin stepped forward, grabbed Liu Chunhua's rough hand, and spoke softly but sincerely:

"Sister, what are you saying?"

"No matter how valuable this thing is, can it be more valuable than my Xiaofan's life?"

"If it weren't for Brother Guangming taking that beating for Xiaofan in the cell, who knows what kind of beating our rascal would have gotten."

"These supplements are for Guangming to improve his health. Please don't refuse them, or we'll feel bad about it."

Liu Chunhua's eyes reddened again as she listened, and she couldn't bring herself to refuse. She could only nod and thank her repeatedly.

At this moment, Lin Xiaofan walked to the bedside carrying an enamel teacup.

This arrogant young master, who used to be so domineering in the compound, now had no trace of arrogance on his face.

He handed the teacup to Liu Guangming with both hands, bowed slightly, and called out to him with obvious willingness:

"Ming-ge, have some water."

Liu Guangming took the teacup and couldn't help but smile at Lin Xiaofan's honest and simple appearance.

"Xiaofan, now you can loudly proclaim your father to be the county magistrate."

Upon hearing this, Lin Xiaofan scratched his head, his face turning bright red, and after a long pause, he finally managed to utter:

"Ming-ge, I admit I was a bit reckless. I promise I won't be so arrogant anymore."

Lin Weimin, who was listening nearby, glared at his son with annoyance:

"Good to know. If you continue to be arrogant and domineering, what's the difference between you and that policeman who randomly arrests people?"

"Also, stop calling him 'Ming-ge' all the time. Even your Ming-ge says he's a prospective college student. You should catch up on those failing grades first!"

After scolding his son, Lin Weimin pulled up a chair and sat down by the bed, his expression gradually becoming serious.

"Xiao Liu, you don't need to worry about Lao Zhao's matter."

Lin Weimin's voice was low, but it conveyed a sense of decisiveness and efficiency.

"Old Zheng personally led a team to conduct a surprise interrogation overnight. No matter who else is involved, the county will definitely not be lenient this time and must give the people an explanation."

"Just stay here and focus on recovering. Once you're discharged, you can set up your stall wherever you want, as long as the policy allows."

"I'd like to see who dares to overturn your business!"

Liu Guangming nodded: "I'm sorry to have troubled you."

"It's my fault as the deputy county head for not managing my subordinates well. What kind of trouble is this?"

Lin Weimin waved his hand, then shifted to a more comfortable sitting position, looked at Liu Guangming, and suddenly changed the subject.

"Actually, besides visiting you, there's something else I'm curious about that I came here today."

Lin Weimin tapped his fingers lightly on his knee, his tone carrying a hint of testing.

"You're a quick-witted and daring kid."

"Yesterday in the cell, you pulled out the business license and argued with Zhao Youcai. You made such a logical argument that even I couldn't find fault with you."

"As the executive deputy county head in charge of the economy, I'm currently very worried about the stagnant state of the county."

"I'd like to hear your thoughts on the future development of our county."

The ward fell silent.

Liu Guangming leaned back on his pillow, quickly reviewing the historical context of 1992 in his mind.

That was the year the chief architect of China's Southern Tour spoke, a pivotal moment when the entire Chinese economy was about to experience a major boom.

He didn't answer immediately, but instead picked up his teacup, took a sip of water to moisten his throat, and then spoke.

"County Magistrate Lin, since you've asked, I'll say a few words from the bottom of my heart."

Please forgive me if there is anything wrong with this.

Liu Guangming placed the teacup on the cabinet and looked at Lin Weimin:

"Actually, the problem is very simple. Factories are being built every day in the south, and everyone is rushing to get in and make a fortune."

Why? Because they're bold and fast.

"What about our county? The vast majority of people are still clinging to that iron rice bowl of a state-owned factory and refusing to let go."

"Even if the factory has been losing money for years and can't pay wages for half a month, people would rather just coast along in the factory than dare to go out and start their own businesses."

Lin Weimin nodded in deep agreement: "This is indeed a big problem; I can't wrap my head around it."

"They can't get over it because no one is there to protect them, and more importantly, the overall environment is scaring them."

Liu Guangming pointed to himself, "Take me for example. I have a proper permit to set up a shaved ice stall, but I can still be arrested as a vagrant."

"Even someone like me, who looks like a student, is like this. Who among the ordinary people who have honestly worked as laborers their whole lives would dare to take this step?"

"What people are afraid of isn't not making money, but what?"

"Also, aren't they worried about policy uncertainty and potential repercussions later?"

Lin Weimin frowned and leaned forward involuntarily, clearly feeling that his sore spot had been hit.

Liu Guangming continued to increase his bets:

"Therefore, if you want to revitalize the county's economy, just shouting slogans from above won't work."

"We need to set an example, to let the people see that going into business is not only not illegal, but can also make a lot of money, and the government will protect that money."

"Taking down one obstacle like Zhao Youcai is more effective than issuing ten official documents."

"More importantly, we need to integrate the idle labor force in society."

"For example, the brothers who set up stalls with me now were vagrants yesterday, but today they are partners. Not only do they stop causing trouble, they can also generate profits for the county."

"Isn't this the best way to maintain stability?"

After hearing this, Lin Weimin was completely stunned.

He stared intently at the young man on the hospital bed.

This doesn't look like a rural college student who has just turned eighteen.

This keen sense of policy and analysis of the underlying logic of the market economy is even more thorough than that of the old bureaucrats who have been in the county government compound for decades!

This kid is a real talent!

Lin Weimin opened his mouth, just about to continue the discussion on how to guide private capital, when there was a sudden knock on the ward door.

Secretary Xiao Wang pushed open the door, and with a somewhat anxious expression, leaned close to Lin Weimin's ear and whispered a few words.

Lin Weimin's expression changed slightly, then he stood up and looked at Liu Guangming with a hint of apology:

"Xiao Liu, I've encountered a new situation at work, and I need to go there immediately to handle it."

"What you just said has truly awakened me from my dream."

"Once you're discharged from the hospital, come to my office, we'll make some tea and have a good chat!"

Liu Guangming nodded in agreement.

"You should be busy with your important business."