Courtyard House: I'm an engineer, and a fairy godmother transferred me to a different position.

In the courtyard, Sha Zhu's words were like a piece of ice falling into hot oil, instantly causing an uproar.

The piece of pork belly that Jia Zhangshi was clutching in her hand jerked violently, oil dripping from between her fingers. Even if she was completely ignorant of the trade, she understood the weight of the word "engineer" in the steel rolling mill—it meant a respectable person earning hundreds of yuan a month. How old was Liu Guangqi? He'd only been in the ministry for a few days? This whole thing sounded incredibly dubious.

She steadied herself, glanced sideways at Sha Zhu, and smirked, her lips curling into a smirk that seemed to hold up half a pot of oil: "Sha Zhu, what kind of wine did you drink during the day, and now you're spouting nonsense? Liu Guangqi has only been in the ministry for a few days, do you think I don't know? An engineer? A group leader in the First Ministry of Machine Building? And he even ate at the same table as Director Li? Aren't you afraid of making up such a ridiculous story!"

Sha Zhu wasn't annoyed at all; instead, he grinned and said, "Why would I lie to you?" He straightened his back and raised his voice a few decibels. "Today, the canteen hosted a special banquet for the engineers from the ministry. I saw it with my own eyes; how could it be fake?" As he spoke, a gleam of pride rose on his face, as if he too had shared in that glory. "Guang Qi even specially introduced me to the leaders and had a drink with me... Director Li kept calling me 'Team Leader Liu,' he was so polite!"

As he got into the conversation, he slammed the aluminum lunchbox he was holding onto the stone table with a loud "bang" that made everyone's eardrums tingle.

"If you don't believe me, go and ask around about today's grading exam—isn't the chief examiner in the workshop Liu Guangqi? He's in charge of all the technical assessments for our factory this time!"

Madam Jia gasped, her narrow eyes widening in shock. She was stingy, but not stupid. Seeing how convincingly Sha Zhu spoke, she had already believed him to some extent. Only now did it dawn on her—no wonder Sha Zhu had urged her to take the meat to the backyard earlier…

So Liu Guangqi really has become someone who can influence the direction of the steel rolling mill?

She unconsciously clenched her fists tighter; her earlier boastful thoughts had long since vanished, leaving only a vague unease. If that were truly the case, she couldn't afford to offend anyone easily in the future, or Dongxu would have no good days at the factory.

Suddenly, the curtain of the Jia family's house in the middle courtyard was lifted, and Jia Dongxu strode out and grabbed his mother, who was still shouting.

"Mom, please say less!" His face was a little pale. Recalling Liu Guangqi's casual remark during the assessment, he understood clearly, "Guangqi... Team Leader Liu really helped me a lot today. If it weren't for his last sentence that woke me up, I probably wouldn't have passed the Level 2 fitter exam."

"He really helped you?" Jia Zhangshi was stunned, then her voice rose sharply, "So Guangqi really became a high-ranking leader?"

"Whether he's a high-ranking leader or not is another matter," Sha Zhu clicked his tongue, always eager to add fuel to the fire. "But if he didn't have any influence in the ministry, would he have been chosen as the chief examiner for our factory? Besides, he's an engineer in the ministry. The steel rolling mill will inevitably have to rely on him when dealing with the ministry in the future. Look at him, he's been promoted to team leader in such a short time. You should think about your future path."

These words were like a large rock thrown into water, leaving the surroundings silent.

Seeing everyone's stunned expressions, Sha Zhu felt a surge of satisfaction. He slowly glanced around, unable to suppress the smile on his lips—what's the point of being the only one bewildered? He had to let the whole hospital taste this feeling.

Just as he was feeling smug, a figure squeezed out from the crowd—it was Xu Damao.

He leaned closer to Sha Zhu and whispered, "Sha Zhu, you're not making this up, are you?"

Sha Zhu never had a good attitude towards this old rival, and rolled his eyes: "I'm telling you right now, Xu Damao, believe it or not."

In an instant, all eyes in the courtyard—surprised, suspicious, and inquisitive—were turned to the two quiet doors of Liu Haizhong's house in the backyard.

Liu Haizhong was leisurely sipping his wine, a plate of freshly fried eggs on the table. He looked relaxed, exuding a sense of ease.

But the second aunt couldn't sit still. Hearing the noise outside, she went over and came back with a happy face and her lips were turned up high.

"Boss! Boss!" she exclaimed, her voice brimming with excitement. "Did you hear that? Guangqi got promoted!"

"He Yuzhu said he's become a team leader in a department within the Ministry of Machine Building! Tell me, what level is a team leader in the ministry?"

With a loud "clang".

The chopsticks in Liu Haizhong's hand fell straight to the ground.

"...Guangqi? He's a team leader now?" His voice trembled, and he seemed frozen in place, more bewildered than surprised.

This sounds too far-fetched.

How long has my son been working in the ministry? He was just a regular clerk not long ago, how did he become a team leader in the blink of an eye?

It's rising so fast, even flying can't keep up with this speed.

"The group leader of the research department is at least at the 18th administrative level, with the salary of a deputy section chief." Liu Haizhong was, after all, someone who coveted official positions and knew all about the ranks in the system.

His eyes were glazed over, and he muttered under his breath, "I've dreamed my whole life, and I haven't even gotten a workshop foreman position, but my son does..."

"He's directly become a deputy section chief in a ministry?"

Inside Yi Zhonghai's house, the shadows of the couple were reflected on the window paper.

"Old Yi, what He Yuzhu just said... that Guangqi kid really became a team leader in the department?" The old lady's tone was full of doubt.

"The Liu family is really on the rise!"

"Father just got promoted to level seven blacksmith, and son got a promotion in the ministry..."

"How can we compete like this in the future?"

The old woman kept rambling on and on, but Yi Zhonghai remained silent, sitting on the edge of the kang with a sullen face, his expression so dark it seemed like water could drip from it.

Obviously.

The news of Liu Guangqi's promotion was like a thorn, making him feel suffocated.

It was even more frustrating than when he himself failed to be rated as an eighth-grade worker.

No wonder that kid dared to set a trap for his uncle to his face a few days ago; it turns out he had someone backing him up in the ministry!

"Hmph, the higher you climb, the harder you fall!" Yi Zhonghai squeezed out a few words through gritted teeth, and the temperature in the room seemed to drop several degrees.

"He'll fall down eventually!"

Among the crowd, Yan Bugui was the one who least doubted He Yuzhu's words.

He has always been shrewd and calculating; he can tell the truth from falsehood in someone's words just by listening.

Touching his chin, Yan Bugui's mind began to race: Should he go to the backyard to celebrate tonight?

This time, I can't just bring half a pound of fruit candy.

That's so embarrassing!

We need to cut at least two pounds of meat and bring a decent bottle of wine!

Liu Guangqi has connections in ministries, a real powerful backer! In the future, when the family's children are looking for opportunities, they might have to rely on this connection.

In an instant, the entire courtyard was abuzz with the news of Liu Guangqi's promotion.

Envious, envious, thoughtful, surprised...

Various thoughts were secretly circulating among the neighbors.

Thanks to He Yuzhu's quick tongue, Liu Guangqi's story had already spread to every corner of the country before he even returned to the hospital.

Here at Jia Zhangshi's place.

After hearing He Yuzhu's words, her heart was also in turmoil.

After a while, she quietly nudged Jia Dongxu next to her.

He lowered his voice and said, "Dongxu, tell me... shouldn't we move this piece of meat to the backyard?"

Jia Dongxu was taken aback, then nodded vigorously: "Mom, we should send it. Guangqi helped me before, and now he's been promoted. We should go and congratulate him out of courtesy."

Jia Zhangshi stared at the piece of meat in her hand, her heart aching as she clenched her fist.

"That's a whole four pounds of meat..."

Despite her constant nagging, when she thought about her son's future, she gritted her teeth, stamped her foot, and stuffed the meat into Jia Dongxu's hand.

"Go! Son, take this and deliver it quickly!"

Watching Jia Dongxu carry the meat towards the backyard, Jia Zhangshi began to mutter to herself.

She understood...

Sending these four pounds of meat is not only a congratulatory gift, but also an apology.

This world changes so fast!

And this moment.

Jia Dongxu carried the heavy plate of pork belly and walked step by step toward the backyard.

All eyes in the Intermediate Court were fixed on his back like nails.

These four pounds of meat—

Whether the delivery is timely or not depends entirely on whether the second uncle of the Liu family in the backyard is willing to accept it.

The door to the Liu family's house in the backyard was indeed open.

But when Jia Dongxu handed over the plate of pork, Liu Haizhong didn't even lift his eyelids, let alone reach out to take it.

He put his hands behind his back, sticking out his slightly protruding belly, exuding an air of officialdom.

Now that Liu Haizhong is a dignified seventh-level blacksmith, why would he covet this little bit of pork?

The Jia family actually wanted to test him with just a few pounds of meat?

It's ridiculous.

Who with any backbone would tolerate this kind of bullying?

If he really accepts the money, what will people in the backyard say about him, and how will they view his son?

Therefore, he not only refused, but also refused decisively.

This little incident passed quickly.

When Liu Guangqi returned to the courtyard house, it was already dusk, and a hazy twilight enveloped the eaves. He had no idea that his father had just gone through a "pork test".

"Hey, Guangqi's back?"

"I heard there's some good news lately, Guangqi!"

"Indeed, joining a ministry really makes a difference; look at how radiant you are!"

Several people in the courtyard greeted him warmly, their eyes revealing an unusually bright and eager devotion.

Liu Guangqi smiled and exchanged a few polite words, but he knew in his heart that it was probably Sha Zhu's mouth that spread the news.

Well, he never intended to stay here long anyway, so it didn't hurt to know sooner.

In the backyard, Liu Haizhong put down his wine glass, and a few drops of wine splashed on the table.

Instead of being angry, he smiled so much that wrinkles appeared at the corners of his eyes: "You little rascal, you got promoted and didn't say a word? If it weren't for Sha Zhu shouting, your mother and I would still be in the dark."

Liu Guangqi sat down and took a sip of water, his tone indifferent: "It was only finalized a couple of days ago. We're so busy with the new workshop at the Ministry of Machine Building that we don't have time to talk about this."

He glanced out the window and heard faint whispers of conversation drifting from the courtyard, filled with curiosity and scrutiny.

"It's nothing really," he said casually. "It's just meddling in a few more things, but my rank hasn't changed much."

"What does it mean if not much was moved?" Liu Haizhong leaned forward.

"Level 17".

"Level 17?!" Liu Haizhong was stunned for a moment, then slapped his thigh hard. "That's an exceptional promotion!"

He lowered his voice, his eyes gleaming: "Ministries are always a step higher in rank, so now...aren't you practically a section chief in a steel rolling mill?"

Liu Guangqi didn't respond to that question, only saying calmly, "Dad, we don't talk about these things at home."

Liu Haizhong immediately understood and nodded repeatedly: "Yes, yes, let's not talk about it."

Although he was itching to try it, he wisely kept quiet.

The father and son then started chatting about trivial matters in the yard.

But the thought in Liu Guangqi's mind became clearer and clearer—it was time to apply for housing and move out.

It's not that Liu Guangqi was in a hurry to leave the courtyard just because he had become capable.

It's really—

People always prefer to speak to familiar faces.

Today the neighbor's child has a fever and needs medicine; tomorrow the neighbor's family wants to use their connections to get a job. Should he agree or not?

Living under the same roof, you can't just coldly kick someone out.

Refusing would earn a reputation for being cold-hearted, while agreeing would break the rules; either way, it's a dilemma.

No matter what I do, I get no credit!

After all,

The longer you stay, the more trivial matters will entangle you.

Liu Guangqi wasn't afraid of trouble; it's just that his time should be spent on meaningful things that could move this era forward even a little bit.

Instead of getting bogged down in petty squabbles between neighbors.

All that endless scheming and sycophancy is simply not worth it.

Late at night.

Liu Guangqi leaned against the headboard of the bed in the inner room, carefully examining the blueprints for the heating equipment workshop by the moonlight filtering through the window.

He knew,

Once the evaluation at the steel mill is over, the gazes falling on him in this courtyard will likely become even more complex.

Whether it's scrutiny or flattery, there's no escaping it.

Of course,

For him, these were nothing more than fragmented sounds from the corners of this rebirth.

What really matters—

It transforms the fine lines on paper into a real production line, giving those years of freezing cold and hunger a little more hope.

As for the noisy commotion in the courtyard...

Let it go.

Under the old tree, there is never a shortage of chirping sparrows.