In 1978, the summer sun shone brightly, and a thirst for knowledge and aspirations permeated the entire land of China. On the playground of a middle school in a small town, an exam that would change the fate of countless people—the college entrance examination—was about to begin.

Before dawn, the playground was already filled with test-takers. Most of them were dressed simply, in faded shirts and patched trousers, but their eyes couldn't hide the tension and anticipation in their eyes. Some clutched their books tightly, silently reciting key points in the last few minutes; others paced back and forth, trying to calm their wildly beating hearts.

With a crisp whistle, the examination hall doors slowly opened. The students took a deep breath and strode resolutely into the hall, like soldiers about to go to battle. Inside, the desks and chairs were neatly arranged, and sunlight streamed through the windows, casting a golden glow on the desks.

The invigilator was both serious and kind, carefully checking each candidate's identification and distributing the exam papers. The moment the exam papers were handed out, the entire classroom fell silent, with only the soft scratching of pens on the paper.

The candidates were completely focused, sometimes frowning, sometimes writing furiously. Some bit their pens, struggling to solve difficult problems; others wrote with a flow of ideas, completing their work in one go. Sweat dripped from their foreheads, but they had no time to notice.

Outside the examination hall, some parents waited anxiously. Some stood, some sat, their eyes fixed on the direction of the examination hall, their gazes filled with worry and anticipation. Under the shade of a tree, several parents whispered among themselves, offering each other words of comfort and encouragement.

Time slipped away quietly in the tense atmosphere. With a crisp bell ringing, the exam ended. Students walked out of the examination hall one after another, some with confident smiles, others with somber expressions. But regardless of the outcome, they had all bravely taken this crucial step, striving for their future.

Lin Jin left the examination hall with light steps! Now all that's left is to wait for the admission notice!

Taking advantage of the lull in the work at the brigade, she decided to go back to Suzhou to visit Grandpa Fu! Without hesitation, Lin Jin went to the educated youth office and asked the brigade leader for leave that very day. She packed her things and prepared to depart.

I put most of my things in my storage space, and only carried a small suitcase. It's convenient to travel light!

For the past few days, Gong Moze has been working tirelessly on an extremely important mission. The mission was like a vast and complex web, where every link allowed for the slightest mistake, requiring his complete dedication. From the moment he received the mission order, he worked like a wound-up machine, day and night. By day, he and his team navigated dangerous environments, gathering crucial intelligence; by night, while others slept soundly, he meticulously analyzed the hard-won information and formulated the next course of action.

Time slipped away unnoticed amidst the tense atmosphere, until one day, a teammate casually mentioned that Lin Jin was about to take the college entrance exam. He was jolted awake. At that moment, his heart felt like it had been struck by a heavy hammer, filled with guilt and self-reproach. The college entrance exam was a crucial turning point in Lin Jin's life; he should have been there to support and encourage him, but he had been absent because of this mission. This sense of guilt, like a seed, quickly took root and sprouted in his heart, making him restless.

Finally, the mission was successfully completed. Mo Ze, without even taking a break, immediately jumped into his car and sped towards Yangliu Village in Baiyang Brigade. All the way, his mind was filled with Lin Jin's image, imagining how he would apologize to her and make amends for his mistake when he saw her.

When he finally arrived at Yangliu Village and saw the familiar courtyard, he found the gate tightly shut. He frowned, his mind racing with speculation. He figured Lin Jin had probably gone up the mountain, since she often went there to collect herbs and study plant characteristics. So he stood quietly at the gate, like a statue, patiently waiting. The summer sun beat down on the earth, and sweat streamed down his forehead, but he didn't care.

After a long while, Aunt Wang, who was passing by, saw him and greeted him warmly. Aunt Wang was a kind-hearted person. Seeing him waiting foolishly at the door, she took the initiative to say, "Young man, are you looking for Dr. Lin? She's already gone home." Mo Ze was startled at first, then fell into deep thought.

Gong Moze couldn't understand why Lin Jin had come home. He thought it unlikely she missed her parents. He knew Lin Jin too well; she wouldn't miss parents like that. A sense of worry welled up inside him, like a dark cloud hanging over his heart.