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

Liu Guangqi watched the professor leave, the hem of his white coat slicing through the air as he turned. On the control panel, the next set of circuit boards awaiting debugging was ready for the first spark of solder from the soldering torch.

"Professor Lu, if there are any technical issues that need to be discussed in the future, please feel free to contact the department. We will keep in touch."

"good!"

Lu Hai was always straightforward; having said all he could, he said no more.

His earlier disappointment vanished instantly. He raised his hand and pressed firmly on Liu Guangqi's shoulder, saying loudly, "We've always reserved a place for you here at the Institute of Computing Technology!"

Engineer Cheng, who was standing nearby, took two steps closer and said with a smile, "Engineer Liu, if you change your mind one day, we'll come and pick you up immediately!"

Liu Guangqi smiled and agreed.

The atmosphere became lively again, but he knew in his heart that he would not go to the institute of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, at least not now.

He can't become the kind of scientific saint who would abandon everything and live in anonymity for a lofty ideal.

Ultimately, he was just an ordinary person.

An ordinary person who deeply loves this land, but only wants to protect his own little world and his family.

Rather than writing legendary stories in the laboratory, he preferred to stay on the front lines of industry.

Watching blueprints transform into parts, and parts assemble into complete machines, we personally lay every cornerstone for the dream of a strong industrial nation.

This kind of attainable achievement is what he truly desires.

Days passed by like flowing water.

People who are engrossed in their work often lose track of time.

It's already the end of December.

The north wind swept through Beijing, its sharp edge biting like a blade against my face.

The development of the CNC system for the five-axis linkage machining center is finally nearing completion.

Engineers Cheng and Fu, who came from the Institute of Computing Technology of the Chinese Academy of Sciences to provide support, have unknowingly reached the point where it's time for them to return home.

Their mission is complete. Compared to a true second-generation transistor computer, this numerical control system is indeed much simpler.

On the day of my departure, a cold wind howled in front of the Ministry of Public Security compound.

Engineer Cheng and Engineer Fu wrapped their coats tighter, but instead of getting into the car, they took out a document from their briefcases and solemnly handed it to Liu Guangqi.

"Mr. Liu, please take a look at this."

Liu Guangqi was taken aback, thinking there was an oversight in the project, and quickly took it.

The paper rustled in the wind.

He looked down, and his gaze suddenly froze—

The document's header prominently displays the title: "List of Research and Development Personnel for Second-Generation Transistor Computers (Draft)".

My gaze quickly moved down and finally settled on the "Core Technology Support" section.

His name was listed there:

Liu Guangqi (Ministry of Public Security)

The note in square brackets states: Foundational contributions to 3D transistor technology and integrated circuit boards.

Liu Guangqi suddenly looked up at the two of them, his voice filled with a complex tremor:

"Engineer Cheng, Engineer Fu, isn't this... a bit inappropriate?"

How could someone who studies mechanical engineering be associated with a top-tier computer project at the Chinese Academy of Sciences?

It was in the capacity of providing core technology support—it felt like a sudden, generous gift, leaving one momentarily stunned.

He devoted all his efforts to developing 3D transistors and integrated circuit boards, with the purest of intentions: to promote the birth of CNC machine tools.

As for the second-generation computer, he never actively envisioned it; it was all an unexpected discovery.

And now, his own name has been officially included in this list?

Is this really appropriate?

"What's inappropriate about it? I think it's perfect!" Engineer Cheng grinned, revealing a hearty smile, and patted Liu Guangqi's shoulder forcefully.

"The professors in the institute all said that you deserve this."

He stopped smiling, his expression turning serious:

"Without your transistor technology, the second-generation computer project would have taken at least two more years to overcome just the two major hurdles of stability and power consumption."

"You've not just made a contribution, you've practically paved the way for us."

Mr. Fu, standing beside him, nodded, adjusted his glasses, and calmly added:

Before leaving, Professor Lu Hai specifically instructed that technology has its limitations, and those who can drive the country forward are the greatest contributors.

"This credit must be given to you."

Liu Guangqi's fingers tightened, and the corners of the list in his palm quietly curled up.

He did not offer any words of refusal.

This light and airy sheet of paper carries far more than just the words on its surface—

It is the most solemn affirmation of his personal abilities by the Institute of Computing Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences.

It stirred his heart more than any medal or material reward.

Engineer Fu looked at his silent expression, a sly glint in his eyes:

"Alright, Engineer Liu, from now on we'll be comrades fighting side by side."

"Like I said before, the Institute of Computing Technology will always welcome you, but the food in the canteen is probably not as good as that of the Ministry of Machine Building, so you'll have to get used to it in advance."

The lighthearted banter instantly melted away the last bit of distance between them.

Liu Guangqi raised the corners of his mouth.

Without saying another word, he simply watched the two depart, smiling and saying, "Have a safe journey!"

I wish you all the best for your upcoming projects.

New Year's Day 1961 arrived quietly.

The skies above Beijing

Fine snowflakes began to fall, adding an auspicious touch to the festival.

Even the ever-busy First Ministry of Machine Building

He also had a rare day off.

Celebrating the start of the new year.

Liu Guangqi enjoyed this brief respite, peacefully spending time at home with Zhao Mengyun and their two young children.

Babies can only eat and sleep, but just gazing at those two identical little faces softens his heart like melting snow.

In the afternoon,

He then took his wife and children back to the courtyard house by car.

New Year's Day reunion,

His original intention was simply to have dinner with his family.

The car had just stopped in front of the gate when

The news spread like wildfire throughout the entire courtyard.

"Look, Guangqi is back!"

"Oh dear, she's holding a baby in her arms!"

When Liu Guangqi and Zhao Mengyun each carried a swaddled baby into the courtyard, the entire courtyard erupted in excitement.

Yan Bugui was the first to rush forward.

Stretching their necks to look at the baby's face in swaddling clothes, their eyes were filled with undisguised envy:

"Guangqi, you two are truly blessed! Your first child is twins, a boy and a girl!"

"To make a 'good' character!"

"Look how beautiful these two babies are!"

"Guangqi, you're really quite capable!"

Others in the courtyard also came out, all wanting to share in the joy of the twins.

Especially Qin Huairu,

Now pregnant again, her gaze towards Zhao Mengyun is filled with an irrepressible longing.

Have to admit,

For the neighbors in the courtyard, hearing about it before was one thing, but seeing it with their own eyes was quite another.

For a time,

The elders in the courtyard all gathered around.

A cacophony of praise rose and fell, and envious glances nearly overwhelmed the child.

Liu Haizhong also strolled over from the backyard at this moment.

With her back straight and hands clasped behind her back, she stood at the edge of the crowd, her wrinkles spreading out in a smile, yet she still maintained a certain air of composure.

That smug and triumphant expression was impossible to conceal:

"Alright, alright!"

"Everyone, please spread out, don't disturb my grandchildren!"

to be frank,

For Liu Guangqi, returning to the courtyard house was just a small interlude during the holiday.

But for the neighbors in the courtyard,

But it was no less than a novel thing worth savoring, enough to keep them talking about it until the following spring.

The New Year's Day holiday passed in the blink of an eye.

Liu Guangqi once again devoted himself to the ministry's research and development laboratory, and the warmth of the holiday was quickly replaced by the intense work pace.

because--

The CNC system of the five-axis machining center—this last and most crucial piece of the puzzle.

All tests were finally completed at the Institute of Computing Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences.

They have been escorted back to the First Ministry of Machine Building.

In front of the department building,

Liu Guangqi personally led the team to welcome them.

He directed the workers in the transport team to operate the lifting equipment and slowly hoist down the wooden crates that were sealed with the institute's sealing strips.

The box made a very soft sound when it hit the ground.

Yet it resonated deeply in everyone's heart.

Then came the process of moving the goods to the laboratory, unpacking them, and testing them.

Every step,

Liu Guangqi personally participated in everything, his gaze so focused that he couldn't tolerate even the slightest speck of dust.

After confirming that everything was in order, the final assembly work officially began.

"Old Yang!"

"Pass me the motor connector."

"Xiao Zhou, test the voltage of line number three again."

Liu Guangqi's calm and clear voice echoed steadily in the spacious research and development laboratory.

Only Liu Guangqi in the laboratory could fully grasp the technical details of five-axis linkage.

His figure moved tirelessly among the various pieces of equipment—sometimes bending down to reach inside the machine tools to connect the intricate web of wiring, sometimes climbing onto the platform to calibrate the transmission structure at the top. Every movement was as refined as a scalpel, without any redundancy, like a surgical master wielding precision instruments.

As the technology chain entered the final assembly stage, the researchers who had initially intended to assist quietly withdrew after observing for a moment. They realized that intervening rashly at this crucial juncture of CNC system debugging might actually slow things down.

Sunlight slanted in through the window, gradually transforming the bright afternoon into an orange-red twilight. The end of the workday had long passed, yet no one remained in the laboratory. Dozens of gazes, like burning lamplight, followed closely the figure busily working in front of the massive machining center.

"despair."

The last screw clicked as it was tightened. Liu Guangqi straightened up, wiped the sweat from his forehead with the back of his hand, and took two steps back.

The fully automated CNC machining center, the culmination of nearly a year of his hard work, stands serenely in the interplay of light and shadow. Rows of machine tools are arranged in order, their metal surfaces gleaming with a cool luster, their strong lines outlining the unique beauty of technology.

The five-axis linkage CNC machining center is now fully presented here.

The laboratory fell silent, as if even breathing was suspended in mid-air.

Liu Guangqi turned around, meeting countless fixed gazes, his voice as calm as a deep pool:

"Power on, begin the first joint commissioning."

The researcher in charge of power supply took a deep breath and steadily pushed the heavy cable connector into the interface.

"Click."

The instant the power was switched on, all eyes were immediately focused on the control panel. Liu Guangqi pressed the scarlet start button.

A deep hum rose from inside the machine tool, and then the indicator lights on the control panel lit up one by one—from warm yellow to emerald green, and in just three seconds, all the green lights remained constantly lit without flickering.

"Phase one successful!"

A young researcher nearly burst into cheers, but was gently stopped by a colleague touching his arm. He had to cover his mouth, though his excitement was still evident in his eyes.

Liu Guangqi remained focused. His fingers flew across the control panel, inputting the preset blade machining program.

In an instant, the spindle began to rotate, gradually increasing in speed, as smooth as a ripple on still water. The swing arm precisely positioned itself, and the blade tip lightly touched the metal blank—

A wisp of silvery chip flew out at a steady speed. The cutter head began to move between the curved surfaces, and the other CNC units started in sequence, working seamlessly together. Sometimes it went deep into the mill, sometimes it went into the horizontal grinding, the whole process was as smooth as a flowing spring, without any interruptions.

This transcends ordinary industrial operations, resembling a precise dance performed by machinery.

In an instant, the laboratory erupted in thunderous cheers:

"It's done!"

"We did it!"

The young researchers looked at each other and laughed, some even waving their arms excitedly.

Liu Guangqi did not join the jubilant crowd. He remained standing still, watching the smoothly operating automated center, gazing as the metal billet gradually transformed into standard pneumatic blades through each process.

A carefree smile finally appeared on his lips.

Nearly a year of dedication—

It took shape at this moment.