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

"Standard practice?" The voice on the phone became more serious. "Without the transistors he created, what would you use to upgrade your technology? Without the direction he pointed out for integrated circuits, how could you achieve performance breakthroughs?"

"Xiao Lu, you can't just focus on the task at hand when doing scientific research. He's shown you the way, saving you so much time figuring things out on your own! He deserves all the credit."

These words made Lu Hai's ears burn.

Yes, it's because my perspective is too narrow.

"Moreover, I suspect that neither the Soviet Union nor the United States currently have such a clear understanding of integrated circuits. If we can succeed, we will be world leaders."

The tone on the phone softened again, with a faint smile.

Lu Hai sighed sincerely, "It was my limitation. It's just a pity that such a promising talent couldn't be involved personally. With his abilities, it wouldn't be an exaggeration to say he deserved the top credit."

"Hahaha!"

Laughter came through the receiver, the tone revealing a worldly-wise and open-minded perspective:

"Do you think a young person like that would care about where their achievements rank?"

As dusk began to fall, the sky gradually shifted from leaden gray to a warm orange hue. Liu Guangqi escorted the still-excited department head back to Tsinghua University, politely declined the invitation to dinner, and then signaled his guards to turn the car around and head towards the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

For him, nothing was more important than bringing his wife home at that moment.

A black Volga sedan quietly came to a stop in front of the solemn portico of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Liu Guangqi opened the car door, his gaze almost instantly catching sight of a figure on the steps. Zhao Mengyun was leaning against the white marble railing, a loose floral dress accentuating the rounded contours of her late pregnancy. Her right hand carefully supported her belly, her left hand lightly resting on the railing, a few stray strands of her hair fluttering in the evening breeze. Her posture was cautious and serene, enveloped in a soft, gentle light.

Upon seeing Liu Guangqi, her eyes suddenly lit up, and the corners of her lips naturally turned up.

Liu Guangqi quickly stepped forward and firmly supported her arm: "Slow down, no rush."

The familiar scent inside the car put Zhao Mengyun at ease. She turned her head, her gaze gently inquiring: "How was your trip to the Chinese Academy of Sciences today?"

"Successfully." Liu Guangqi took her briefcase, his smile broadening. "The transistor technology sharing deal is settled. They will also assist with the five-axis computer calibration, so it's a win-win situation." His tone was calm, omitting Professor Lu Hai's weighty invitation. Looking at his wife's completely trusting eyes, he became even more certain of his choice—compared to a grand cause requiring anonymity, this tangible warmth was the real sense of security he truly longed to protect.

"That's it?" Zhao Mengyun's fingertips lightly traced the back of his hand, a knowing glint in her smile. She raised her hand and smoothed the slight furrow in his brow, which he had unconsciously lowered. "The moment you frowned here, I knew things weren't just about reaching a cooperation agreement."

She knew him too well. In public, he was a highly capable technical leader and an engineer who created miracles; but when he was with her, his emotions were always clearly written on his face, impossible to hide.

But she didn't press him further. She simply tightened her grip on his hand and said softly, "If you don't want to talk about it, then don't. Whatever decision you make, the child and I will stand by you."

Looking at the man beside her, Zhao Mengyun felt a soft sense of pride welling up inside her. She knew his significance better than anyone else—he was the kind of person who would shine wherever he was placed. In the past year, from exchanging technical skills for military merits, to promoting the development of new fighter jets, to being seconded to the metallurgical sector multiple times, and finally stepping into the gates of the Chinese Academy of Sciences today… her woman's intuition told her that what she had gained today was far more than he had described so lightly.

But since he didn't say anything, she didn't ask. It was an unspoken understanding between them.

Seeing his expression soften, Zhao Mengyun smiled and changed the subject: "By the way, the maternity leave procedures were completed today, and I can start resting at home at the end of the month."

"Really?" Liu Guangqi's eyes lit up, his expression suddenly relaxed, and even his voice became lighter. He tightened his grip on her hand: "It should have been like this a long time ago! At least I can finally rest in peace."

Zhao Mengyun chuckled at his relieved expression, "This is finally what you wanted." Her eyes sparkled with a hint of teasing.

"What would you like to eat? I'll take you to a state-run restaurant for a better meal." He gestured for the guard to drive, but his gaze kept drifting to his wife's pregnant belly. There was a hint of nervousness, a fervent expectation, and above all, an almost reverent tenderness from someone about to become a father.

For him, this ordinary evening, the warmth inside the car, and the hand he held with her were the most precious things in the world.

In these times, the saying that women hold up half the sky is indeed not an exaggeration. This is evident even in the matter of childbirth. The maternity leave benefits for pregnant women today are far less than in his past life—when leave could easily last several months, accumulating to nearly half a year. Now, however, it's a uniform 30 days before delivery and 26 days after, a total of 56 days. That's all.

Less than two months is neither a long nor a short period of time.

After several discussions, Liu Guangqi decided to take Zhao Mengyun back to the courtyard house first. Zhao Mengyun's due date was approaching, her belly was already quite large, and she moved with considerable caution. Asking his mother to help with postpartum care was a plan Liu Guangqi had long considered, but he hadn't been in a hurry to ask her before Zhao Mengyun's maternity leave was due. Now, however, things were different—in another half month, Zhao Mengyun would officially begin her maternity leave, and this matter could no longer be delayed.

Liu Guangqi thought to himself: Although he could go to get off work and leave on time, what if he had just left and the baby was about to be born? He would be caught off guard. Therefore, he had to communicate with his family in advance and make all the necessary arrangements.

As dusk deepened, the black Volga sedan slowly pulled up in front of the courtyard house. It was dinnertime, and everyone was eating inside. Liu Guangqi was fortunate enough to avoid running into his third uncle, Yan Bugui. However, several people in the front yard were already peering curiously out of their windows at the sound of the car. Just then, Sha Zhu returned from the factory canteen carrying a lunch bag. He immediately spotted Liu Guangqi and Zhao Mengyun getting out of the car, and his face lit up with a smile. His voice, neither too loud nor too soft, was just loud enough for everyone around to hear:

"Hey, Guangqi's back! Your wife... she's about to give birth, isn't she? If you ask me, your first child is sure to be a strong boy!"

As soon as she finished speaking, several elderly women in the courtyard, who were fanning themselves to cool off, gathered around. Madam Jia was especially enthusiastic, her eyes full of the helpfulness of someone with experience, even more so than when she treated her own daughter-in-law, Qin Huairu: "Guangqi, Mengyun is pregnant and very precious. It's cool in the evening, so quickly help her inside and make sure she doesn't catch a cold."

Immediately, a cacophony of greetings and flattery erupted:

"That's exactly right! Come inside and rest!"

"Look at Guangqi's wife, she's pregnant but still so beautiful and elegant, with a rosy complexion, she's clearly well-nourished."

"Look at that round belly, it's clearly the look of someone giving birth to a son!"

Faced with the crowd's politeness and flattery, Liu Guangqi wore an appropriate smile, protecting Zhao Mengyun while calmly dealing with them. In just a few words, he and his wife had already made their way through the crowd and headed straight for their home in the backyard.

In the backyard, Liu's mother was about to start cooking when she heard footsteps. She looked up, startled at first, then rushed forward, her face a mixture of surprise and nervousness: "Guangqi, why did you come back so suddenly? You didn't even let me know."

Liu's father, who was a little slower to react, shuffled out in his slippers and walked up to his son, his voice filled with concern: "What urgent matter brings you back at this hour?"

"Dad, Mom, it's nothing, I just wanted to discuss something with you." Liu Guangqi helped Zhao Mengyun sit down in a chair, then sat down himself. "Mengyun will start her maternity leave at the end of the month, but I have to work during the day. I'm really worried about leaving her alone at home." He paused slightly, looked at his mother, and couldn't help but smile slightly. "So I was thinking... Mom, could you come over and help out for a few days? You can stay with me during the day and look after her."

Upon hearing this, Liu's mother's eyes lit up immediately, and without thinking, she replied, "What's there to discuss! It's just what we should do! Don't worry, I'll definitely be there—would you like me to make breakfast for you both?"

Compared to Liu's mother's straightforwardness, Liu's father's response carried more of the air of the head of the family. He waved his hand and said in a booming voice, "Why only go during the day? You can have your mother stay at your place! Anyway, Guangtian is going to vocational school now, and it's just me and Guangfu at home. I can easily make do with whatever I need."

In his words, he completely ignored Liu Guangfu, as if it were irrelevant whether this son, who was just there to make up the numbers, went hungry or not.

Liu Guangfu: "..."

Liu Guangfu had only taken a bite of the cornbread in his hand when he suddenly stopped. The coarse cornmeal was stuck in his throat; he couldn't swallow it, nor could he spit it out. He lowered his eyes and sighed silently.

At this moment, he especially missed the days when his second brother was still home. Back then, at least there was someone to help him out. Unlike now, the house was empty, with only him left, and even his breathing could be heard clearly.

He knew perfectly well that his elder brother would never be as foolish as their parents, nor would he mistreat him. With that thought in mind, Liu Guangfu simply put down the half-eaten cornbread, forced a smile, and moved closer: "Brother, sister-in-law."

Liu Guangqi laughed at his father's words and waved his hand, "Dad, there's no need to stay. It's too much trouble for you to travel back and forth. Mom, don't bother preparing breakfast. I'll eat at home before I leave. There's a canteen in the ministry compound, so don't worry."

After saying that, he looked at Liu Guangfu and said gently, "You two can come over after Guangfu goes to school. Help look after him during the day for two months, and I'll go home after work in the evening." He then turned and ruffled his younger brother's hair, "Don't worry, how could your parents really not care about you?"

Liu Guangfu glanced at his father Liu Haizhong's round figure and thought to himself: If it weren't for his elder brother's orders, they really would have done it.

Liu Haizhong and his second aunt always listened to their eldest son the most, so they immediately nodded in agreement: "Okay! It's settled then."

After the matter was settled, Liu Guangqi chatted with his parents for a while before helping Zhao Mengyun slowly walk out the door.

Morning light streamed through the windowpanes.

In the office of the Research Department of the First Ministry of Machine Building, Liu Guangqi was hunched over his desk, his mind completely absorbed in the blueprints and data of the five-axis linkage system. Every meshing of gears, every structural component, was repeatedly calculated in his mind before being meticulously written down on paper.

A soft knock sounded on the door.

"Please come in." Liu Guangqi said without looking up.

The door opened a crack, and a staff member from the Personnel Department poked half his body in, a smile plastered on his face: "Director Liu, busy now? This year's graduates from Tsinghua University have arrived."

Before the words were even finished, seven or eight young people filed in. All were wearing new uniforms, their faces still bearing the youthful naiveté of their school days, yet their eyes shone with anticipation for the future, along with a hint of barely perceptible unease. Their gazes towards Liu Guangqi were filled with undisguised admiration—this was the legendary senior? Only two years after graduation, already the deputy director of the research department? He didn't look much older than them.

"Hello, leader!" came the unanimous greeting, clear and bright with a scholarly air.

Liu Guangqi put down his pencil, raised his head, and his gaze slowly swept over the young faces. So young. A slight thought stirred within him as he recalled his own arrival, as if it were just yesterday.

"Welcome to the First Ministry of Machine Building. From now on, we'll be colleagues." Liu Guangqi stood up, his tone calm. "Please sit down, don't stand."

The group of people pulled out chairs and sat down, looking a little reserved, their backs ramrod straight.

The personnel officer chuckled and placed the file folder on the table: "Director Liu, I'm entrusting these people to you now. The director specifically instructed that they are all top talents from Tsinghua University."

Liu Guangqi smiled and nodded. The other party didn't linger, exchanged a few pleasantries, and then left, closing the door behind them.

The moment the door closed, the atmosphere in the room became even more tense. A boy with the most honest-looking face and wearing black-rimmed glasses mustered his courage and spoke first: "Director... Director Liu! We've all heard of you. We look forward to your guidance in the future!"

Liu Guangqi waved his hand, his expression gentle: "The internship period is one year. After becoming a full-time employee, you'll be appointed as an administrative level 22, a level 4 clerk. Everyone understands this standard, right?"

"Understood!" everyone answered in unison once again. This was a unified rule, one they were already aware of.

Without exception, these young people held a deep admiration for the senior student before them. At his age and in such a position, he was truly a figure to be respected.

Looking at those vibrant faces, Liu Guangqi couldn't help but smile. He had walked that path himself. Only, compared to them, his luck seemed to have been a little better.