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

As soon as Lin Xiuhe returned to the inner room, the cursing outside started again.

Wang Xiulan seemed to be provoked by her earlier word "report," and the more she thought about it, the more unwilling she became.

"Lin Xiuhe! Don't think you can get away with hiding the notice! You're my child, I'm sending you to the commune, so you have to go!"

Lin Jianguo squatted by the doorstep, puffing on his pipe one cigarette after another, his face grim and silent.

Lin Weidong's eyes reddened with anxiety as he repeatedly muttered, "The Liu family is still waiting for a reply..."

Lin Xiuhe listened to the commotion outside and suddenly smiled.

She didn't want to argue anymore.

But some people are like that—when you retreat back inside, they think you're scared.

She lifted the curtain and went outside.

"Why should I give way?"

These words were spoken.

The room was so quiet you could hear a pin drop.

The kerosene lamp flickered, casting Wang Xiulan's face in alternating shades of pale and bluish light.

She never expected that her eldest daughter, who was always the most obedient, would dare to talk back.

"Say it again?"

Wang Xiulan stared intently at her, her voice trembling.

Lin Xiuhe looked at the familiar face in front of her.

In her past life, what she feared most was her mother looking at her like that. Whenever Wang Xiulan frowned, she would panic, feel afraid, and think she had done something wrong.

But now, she suddenly realized—this woman who had terrified her her whole life was nothing special after all.

"I said—," Lin Xiuhe raised her head, "I got this job through the exam, I'm not giving it to you!"

"That's outrageous!"

Wang Xiulan suddenly stood up, slamming the table shut with a loud bang.

"Lin Xiuhe! Do you know what you're saying?"

"Know."

"Your brother is getting married soon!"

"What does this have to do with me?"

"you--"

Wang Xiulan almost couldn't catch her breath.

Lin Jianguo finally spoke up from the side.

"Xiuhe, speak nicely to your mother."

coming.

The words I knew best in my past life.

Every time Wang Xiulan got angry, Lin Jianguo would step in and play the good guy. But in the end? No matter who was right or wrong, she was always the one who gave in.

Lin Xiuhe smiled.

"Father, you be the judge. Who took the supply and marketing cooperative exam?"

Lin Jianguo remained silent.

Who took the offer letter back?

Still, silence.

"Since it's all my job, why should I give the work to Weidong?"

Lin Jianguo's face darkened: "We're all family."

"It's all family again." Lin Xiuhe interrupted directly, "Then let me ask you—if Weidong got the job, would you give it to me?"

One sentence stumped everyone.

Wang Xiulan blurted out, "How can they be the same?"

"What's different?"

"Wei Dong is a boy!"

The air suddenly became quiet.

Even Lin Jianguo didn't say anything.

Because they both knew in their hearts—this was the truth. They weren't family, and it wasn't about who needed them more. It was simply because: Lin Weidong was a son, and she was a daughter.

"I see." Lin Xiuhe nodded. "Then don't talk to me about being family anymore. Because in your eyes, I've never been family."

Wang Xiulan's expression changed: "Nonsense!"

"Are you lying?" Lin Xiuhe looked at her younger brother. "Who bought that Shanghai brand watch last year?"

Lin Weidong's face turned pale.

Who paid for that Phoenix bicycle from two years ago?

Lin Weidong lowered his head.

"And those leather shoes of Liu Chunyan, were they also bought with my salary?"

One sentence after another.

Lin Weidong finally panicked: "Sister! You're my own sister!"

"so what?"

"Please help me, what's wrong?"

"Help you?" Lin Xiuhe laughed. "Haven't I helped you enough? From childhood to adulthood, I've given you eggs to eat, new clothes to wear, and money for your education. Now I'm even giving you a job. Lin Weidong, do you feel like I owe you something?"

Lin Weidong opened his mouth, but couldn't say a word.

Because that's truly what he thought. From childhood, everyone told him: older sisters should give way to their younger brothers. So he had long been used to it—used to enjoying, used to taking, used to taking things for granted.

"Look at what she's saying!" Wang Xiulan trembled with anger. "Look at the things she's saying! I'm going to teach her a lesson today!"

No sooner had she finished speaking than Wang Xiulan raised her hand to strike.

That slap came quickly and hard.

In her past life, Lin Xiuhe endured countless hardships. But in this life, it won't be the same.

Snapped!

She suddenly raised her hand and grabbed Wang Xiulan's wrist.

The whole room fell silent.

Wang Xiulan was stunned. Lin Jianguo was stunned. Lin Weidong was also stunned.

No one expected that she would dare to stop them.

"How dare you block my way?" Wang Xiulan's voice trembled.

"Why wouldn't you dare?" Lin Xiuhe stared at her. "I'm eighteen, not eight. If anyone lays a hand on me again, I'll go to the brigade cadres. If that doesn't work, I'll go to the commune."

Wang Xiulan's expression changed drastically: "Are you threatening me?"

"It's not a threat," Lin Xiuhe released her grip, "it's a notification."

One sentence left Wang Xiulan speechless, her face turning ashen.

Just then, a sound came from outside the courtyard.

"Brother Jianguo? What's going on? I could hear them arguing from your house from far away."

It's Aunt Zhang, my neighbor.

Immediately afterwards, footsteps approached.

"What's wrong? What happened?"

"Is Xiulan scolding the child again?"

Clearly, the commotion was too loud and had alerted several nearby households.

Wang Xiulan's expression changed immediately.

What is she most afraid of? Losing face.

Over the years, she has always praised her daughter Xiuhe to everyone she meets, saying, "My Xiuhe is the most sensible, the most obedient, and the most filial." If people knew that she was forcing her daughter to give up her job at the supply and marketing cooperative to her son, how could she face anyone in the future?

"Shut up, all of you!" Wang Xiulan lowered her voice, glaring fiercely at Lin Xiuhe. "Nobody is allowed to leave!"

But the next second, Lin Xiuhe smiled.

This is the moment she has been waiting for.

In her past life, she was most afraid of revealing her family's dirty laundry, always believing that harmony in the family was the key to prosperity. In the end, however, she bore all the suffering herself.

In this life, whoever is afraid of losing face should not do anything shameful.

Amidst everyone's shocked gazes, she turned and walked towards the courtyard gate.

"Lin Xiuhe!" Wang Xiulan screamed, "You stop right there!"

But Lin Xiuhe didn't even turn her head.

squeak-

She yanked the wooden door open.

A sudden gust of night wind rushed into the courtyard.

Outside the door, Aunt Zhang and several neighbors were stunned at the same time.

Before they could even speak, Lin Xiuhe had already raised her head, her voice clear and distinct:

"Aunt Zhang, it's perfect that you're here. Please help me judge this—my parents want to give the job I passed the exam to my younger brother."

The air fell silent instantly.

Everyone stared wide-eyed.

"What?!"