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

Everyone seemed rooted to the spot, their eyes fixed on him.

He looked around.

Looking at those tense, expectant faces, he deliberately hesitated for a moment before raising his hand and clapping twice.

"I have some good news to share with everyone."

"The ministry has approved it; the entire research department, collectively, will be granted an administrative rank..."

"Everyone will be promoted one level!"

……

After a brief pause,

"Ho—"

It's unclear who shouted it first.

Immediately afterwards, the entire research room seemed to be set ablaze, erupting in waves of cheers.

The tabletop was slammed shut with a loud thud.

Several young technicians even hugged each other, jumping and laughing.

Old Zhang slammed his fist on the table.

The enamel mug rattled and trembled violently, and his eyes instantly reddened.

"That's great...that's really great!"

"I was just promoted to administrative level 19 a while ago, and I never imagined that by following the director, I'd already reached administrative level 18!"

He was so excited that he became somewhat incoherent.

As she laughed, tears welled up in her eyes.

Yes,

In a sense, administrative level 19 – first-level clerk – is still ultimately a clerk.

And administrative level 18,

That means they have truly entered the ranks of deputy section chiefs.

nature,

Administrative rank and administrative position are not entirely equivalent.

The previously boisterous atmosphere in the office abruptly ceased the moment a few footsteps stepped through the door.

Everyone turned to look and saw several people dressed in cadre uniforms standing at the door. The middle-aged man with a square face at the head of the group smiled and looked around before finally fixing his gaze on Liu Guangqi.

Director Qi of the Personnel Department.

Liu Guangqi strode forward, and Director Qi had already taken two tightly sealed brown paper bags from his briefcase and handed them over.

"Director Liu, congratulations." Director Qi's tone was gentle, yet somewhat formal. "The department specifically instructed that these two documents must be handed to you personally."

Liu Guangqi took the paper bag, and when his fingertips touched the paper, he was surprised to find it was quite heavy. He first opened the first envelope and pulled out the appointment letter with a red header.

Song typeface is neat and solemn:

> After deliberation, it was decided that Comrade Liu Guangqi has made outstanding contributions to the research and development of the five-axis linkage CNC machining center and has been approved for promotion to administrative level 14, serving as the director of the research department of the Ministry of Machinery Industry (at the level of a full-fledged department head).

The transition from deputy director to director may seem like just one level up, but the significance is completely different.

From then on, the title "Deputy" was completely removed from his head, and he became the true head of the research department.

Liu Guangqi's lips twitched slightly, but he knew in his heart that this was an unimaginable speed in a ministry full of talented people. He had only taken over this task last year, and now he had already risen to the position of director.

Their meteoric rise is so dramatic that few would believe it if told otherwise.

He didn't let his emotions show on his face and calmly began working on the second document.

This is not an administrative appointment, but an approval document for a technical title.

Written in black and white, concisely:

> After careful consideration, it was decided that Comrade Liu Guangqi, with his outstanding technical skills and remarkable contributions, is hereby specially approved as a Level 6 Engineer.

Liu Guangqi's gaze lingered on that line of text for a moment.

According to normal procedures, even if he is granted special approval year after year, he would still be eligible to apply for the Level 6 Engineer certification next year. But now he has been granted special approval directly, and the document even has the words "approved by the superior institute committee" printed at the end.

That's not just skipping complicated procedures, but also a weighty recognition.

On this path of technological advancement, many people spend their entire lives without ever crossing the threshold of Level 7; Level 6 is already a peak that many veteran engineers look up to.

"Double happiness, Director Liu."

Director Qi's voice pulled him back from his thoughts. Liu Guangqi looked up, met the other man's smiling gaze, and then slowly folded the document and put it into his bag.

Although the researchers around them dared not cheer loudly anymore, their eyes shone with a burning sense of pride.

Liu Guangqi looked at them and suddenly felt that all the nights he had stayed up and the mental strain he had endured over the past six months had finally paid off.

The honor never belongs to one person; it belongs to everyone who has worked hard together here.

He took a deep breath and nodded to Director Qi.

"Thank you for your guidance and support."

As soon as he finished speaking, the research room was filled with the low murmur of conversation, a mix of excitement and anticipation for tomorrow.

Outside the window, the sky was bright.

Director Qi, watching the other party's stunned expression, smiled even more broadly: "Administrative level fourteen, matched with a technical level six engineer—this is the first of its kind in the entire First Ministry of Machinery Industry."

"Whoosh—"

The technicians who had gathered around instantly erupted in excitement:

"Very good!"

"The section chief has been promoted to Level 6 Engineer!"

"That's exactly right! With the director's abilities, the Level 6 Engineer title is well-deserved!"

"They've mastered the five-axis machining center; what's a level six rating? I'd say a level five wouldn't be an exaggeration!"

"That's right!"

A wave of amazement and envy swept through the crowd, but even more so, it was a genuine and heartfelt recognition. In their eyes, this section chief deserved this honor.

*

The name Liu Guangqi spread throughout the streets and alleys overnight.

Five-axis CNC machining center—this tongue-twisting technical term entered every household with its print in newspapers, stirring up waves of discussion. Its influence extended far beyond the few lines of news on the page, spreading into deeper and more profound realms.

This is undoubtedly exciting news for this land.

But shadows always accompany the darkness.

Since the birth of this land, lurking ghosts have never completely disappeared. Even in 1961, those eyes hidden in the shadows had not closed. Sabotage and espionage were missions etched into their very bones. Attacks on important scientific researchers and the destruction of construction achievements occurred frequently.

Liu Guangqi —

While this name gives wings to industry, it is also bound to be firmly locked onto certain lists.

However, the schemes plotted in the shadows will ultimately fail.

Unlike those researchers who remained anonymous, Liu Guangqi was now in the spotlight. With the issuance of the high-level commendation order, the level of protection surrounding him quietly rose to a new level. Even he himself was unaware that three groups of guards had begun rotating shifts, ensuring he was under an invisible shield day and night.

*

The usually quiet lunch break in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs office was disturbed today by a slight commotion.

Several female employees gathered around Zhao Mengyun's desk, passing her newspapers with striking photos on them, their eyes filled with amazement.

"Xiaoyun, come quick... isn't that your lover in the newspaper?"

As soon as Zhao Mengyun returned to her seat with a stack of files, she was enthusiastically surrounded by her colleagues. Sister Wang at the next table was the most excited, grabbing Zhao's wrist and pointing to the open newspaper, her voice unconsciously rising:

"Look at this headline—'World Leading'! My goodness, what a huge achievement!"

Zhao Mengyun's gaze fell on the page. The black and white photo wasn't very clear, but it couldn't hide the person's upright posture and charisma. Although it was just an ordinary work photo, the focus in his eyes was more striking than any pictorial.

"Meng Yun, your husband looks so energetic!"

A younger colleague leaned closer to examine the photo, his tone tinged with envy: "The photo is really well taken; such charisma is rare."

"That's what you call young and promising!" another person chimed in. "Where can you find such a young Level 7 engineer?"

Hearing the cacophony of voices, Zhao Mengyun couldn't help but smile slightly. She took the newspaper, feigning composure, and lightly scolded, "You guys are making such a racket that I can't even read the words."

Her fingertips traced the photograph, then fell upon the three printed names. A surge of burning pride mixed with a subtle heartache welled up within her. She had known all along that her husband was doing something unusual, but only when the words "world-leading" appeared in black and white on the paper did she truly feel their immense weight.

Behind this are countless sleepless days and nights.

"The newspaper says this machine can manufacture aerospace parts, is that true?"

"How could it be fake? It's been published in the newspaper!"

Looking at Zhao Mengyun, Sister Wang's eyes were full of emotion: "Xiaoyun, you are so lucky, it's hard to know what to say."

A chorus of approving whispers filled the office.

What shone in those eyes was not merely a yearning for achievement.

"Who can argue with that!"

"Look at Xiaoyun, she's already a mother of two, but her figure and complexion are like those of a young woman who hasn't married yet."

"She just married someone who cares for her and is considerate!"

Sister Wang sighed, a mix of joke and genuine concern, "Breakfast is ready as soon as I open my eyes in the morning, and I don't even have to clear the table when I get home at night! There's also someone to help look after the kids!"

"Xiaoyun, you're so lucky, it's making everyone envious!"

The room was immediately filled with good-natured teasing.

In this day and age,

How many men go home expecting dinner to be served?

Not to mention someone like Liu Guangqi, who holds important positions—both a department head and a top engineer—he should be so busy he's practically invisible.

But he refused.

He's a pillar of strength outside the home, and a good husband at home.

What is most admirable is—

The couple's whispered conversations even at night were filled with harmonious joy.

Such a scene,

Which woman wouldn't feel envious?

It was like falling into a honey pot, so sweet it made you dizzy.

***

The news of Liu Guangqi's publication was more than just a ripple on the lake's surface; it was like a thunderclap.

It exploded in the place where he had once worked.

Red Star Factory!

A sharp broadcast abruptly cut through the noise in the workshop.

The entire factory fell silent.

Immediately, Wang Jianguo's loud voice, tinged with a hint of boasting, resounded throughout every corner:

"Great news! Huge news!"

"Attention all comrades! I have some good news to report!"

"Our factory's chief engineer, Comrade Liu Guangqi, led the development of a five-axis CNC machine tool, achieving a world-leading major breakthrough!"

Wang Jianguo cleared his throat.

They practically shouted out the newspaper headlines, as if afraid that no one in any corner wouldn't hear them.

That shout of "My factory!" was delivered with absolute confidence.

The workshop instantly erupted in chaos.

"Look!"

"The bulletin board has been posted with a newspaper..."

"Wow, it really is Chief Engineer Liu! This photo is fantastic!"

An elderly man adjusted his reading glasses, his fingertips trembling slightly as he pointed to the three characters "Liu Guangqi" on the newspaper.

"I told you long ago that Chief Engineer Liu was capable of great things, but you didn't believe me at the time!"

"I thought that was the end of his line of work, with the batch of machine tools he modified for the factory last time. But looking at it now—what was that?"

"Compared to this five-axis linkage, it's a piece of cake!"

"Absolutely! It even made the front page of the national newspaper. That's incredible treatment!"

Inside the office building,

Wang Jianguo put down the microphone, walked around the room with his hands behind his back, and a smile appeared on his lips.

He had already made up his mind:

Next time I report to the ministry, I must see that world-leading machine tool with my own eyes.

***

On the other end, the steel rolling mill.

This is also a place where Liu Guangqi once stayed briefly.

Several experienced workers who usually enjoy reading newspapers were now surrounded by their apprentices and colleagues.

"Did you see everything clearly?"

"This is Chief Engineer Liu, whom our factory hired last year to solve a difficult problem in just one day!"

One of the veteran workers spoke with great enthusiasm, even more excited than if he himself had received an award.

"What does it mean to have real ability? This is it!"

"Look at that! It hasn't been long, and Chief Engineer Liu has already made it into the national newspaper!"

"Hey, what do you guys think...? Could our factory use this five-axis linkage system in the future?"

"Is that even a question?"

The experienced foreman's eyes widened: "Definitely! Chief Engineer Liu is a sentimental person!"

"He left a message saying to come to him anytime if I ever needed anything! He developed such a wonderful thing, how could he forget us?"

"Don't forget Director Liu from the forging workshop—that's his own father!"

The voice just fell,

A burst of laughter erupted from all around.

Jokes aside, the steel rolling mill now has something to talk about for the future.

***

Institute of Computing Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences.

The office was quiet, with only the soft rustling of pages turning.