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

Even Yan Jiecheng, who usually doesn't interact much, silently followed at the back.

Everyone was carrying something in their hands.

Liu Guangqi smiled.

Sha Zhu and the others had come all the way to the backyard to invite him, so naturally he wouldn't put on airs.

but.

Liu Guangqi didn't leave his hands empty either.

He turned around, took out two bottles of Moutai from the house, and then walked towards the central courtyard with a smile.

he knows.

This is what these people crave.

The area around the stone table in the central courtyard had already become noisy.

Liu Guangqi has arrived.

Jia Dongxu deftly placed the items he had brought on the table, a simple smile plastered on his face:

"My husband just made some scallion pancakes, they're still warm!"

"I quickly stir-fried a few side dishes to go with the drinks, everyone have a taste!"

Xu Damao didn't bring much.

It comes in a single oil paper package, but it's quite substantial.

Then, with a "thud," it was slammed onto the table, revealing a whole, glistening smoked chicken.

"Brother Guangqi! This is a special dish I saved for you!"

Yan Jiecheng was a man of few words.

He just smiled and pushed the peanuts and a small dish of braised beef he had brought onto the table.

Such a gesture.

He was much more generous than his father, Yan Bugui.

This scene has become an unwritten rule in the courtyard.

Starting the year before last.

As the year draws to a close, Sha Zhu and his gang of young men always find a reason to get together with Liu Guangqi.

Especially as Liu Guangqi's status gradually rose.

They were even more unwilling to miss this rare opportunity to sit and drink together.

Liu Guang glanced at it.

The stone table was quickly filled with a variety of dishes, both meat and vegetables, their aromas mingling together, exuding a warm festive atmosphere.

He smiled but didn't show off.

He casually placed the two bottles of Moutai he had brought on the table.

In an instant.

The two bottles of wine elevated the entire meal's grandeur.

Several elders in the courtyard.

Seeing this scene, he chuckled and joked, "You young people are so dignified; you make a lively scene whenever you get together!"

"That's right! Everyone mainly wants to clink glasses with Guangqi!"

Sha Zhu plopped down and blurted out, "He's a big shot now; it's not easy to see him even once a year!"

This statement is half flattery and half truth; it has an element of praise, but it is mostly the truth.

natural.

There was another truth he didn't say.

That is why everyone longs for the taste of Liu Guangqi's Moutai liquor.

Liu Guangqi didn't expose it.

Smiling, I unscrewed the bottle cap, and a rich, savory aroma instantly overwhelmed the fragrance of all the dishes.

"How could I let Guangqi pour the wine? I'll do it... I'll do it!"

Xu Damao was quick; he snatched the wine bottle and poured wine for everyone. When it was his turn, he poured the wine in a thin stream, as if afraid of spilling a single drop.

……

We've had several rounds of drinks.

Sha Zhu tilted his head back and gulped down a glass of Moutai. It was so spicy that he grimaced, but his face was full of enjoyment.

"Guangqi, you've truly made it this far!"

He put down his cup, his eyes filled with emotion.

The thing you produced the other day was even featured in the newspapers! And the wine you drank was something none of us had ever heard of before.

Today, we are all truly benefiting from your kindness!

That's it!

It was rare for Xu Damao to stand on the same side as Sha Zhu.

His words were laced with obvious flattery: Who would have thought that such a great person as Brother Guangqi would emerge from our courtyard! If any good opportunities come your way in the future, please remember your old neighbors!

What do you mean by "person" or "person"!

Liu Guangqi held a wine glass in his hand, a faint smile on his face.

He didn't agree directly, but raised his glass to the crowd: those sitting here all grew up in the same courtyard, and we will naturally not forget to take care of them when we can.

This statement is both comprehensive and tactful.

At least, it warmed the hearts of everyone at the table.

Yan Jiecheng, however, seemed quite different.

He now has a formal job; he is no longer a temporary worker at the street office, but an apprentice at the Hongxing Factory.

As it turns out, this kid is much more resourceful than his shrewd father, Yan Laokou.

Instead of learning his father's empty schemes, he took advantage of the merger and expansion of the Red Star Factory to secure a stable job for himself.

Because he worked at the Hongxing Factory, he understood better than anyone else in the compound what the name Liu Guangqi represented in the entire factory.

That cannot be summed up simply by saying "promising".

He looked at Liu Guangqi, who was surrounded by people, and his eyes did not show the fawning of Xu Damao, nor the envy of Jia Dongxu, but a deep respect from the bottom of his heart.

He knew very well that it was in this courtyard house.

Once he steps out of this door, these neighbors probably won't even have the right to eat at the same table with Liu Guangqi.

We've long since gone down different paths.

The following days were the most leisurely time for Liu Guangqi since returning to the courtyard house for the Lunar New Year.

There was no painstaking planning in work, nor any insincerity in interpersonal relationships.

Every day when I open my eyes, a sumptuous New Year's feast is laid out on the table, and a pot of boiling water has already been boiled in the yard.

This life of being waited on hand and foot allowed him to unknowingly relive the carefree days he had as the young master of the Liu family.

In his spare time, he would either take his wife and children to temple fairs to listen to a newly popular crosstalk performance, or carry his Zijinshan camera to casually capture the unique street scenes and human interactions of this era.

The photos show his wife, Zhao Mengyun, with a bright smile amidst the festive atmosphere, as well as their two adorable children.

On New Year's Eve, the entire courtyard was filled with the crackling sound of firecrackers, bringing the festive atmosphere to its peak.

Xu Damao, who lived in the backyard, had already brought over a string of small firecrackers and came over with a smile.

"Brother Guangqi, shall we set off some firecrackers together?"

Your large red armchair looks impressive; let's light it and drive away all the bad luck in this backyard!

Xu Damao rubbed his hands together, his face beaming with smiles.

Liu Guangqi smiled at him and gestured to her daughter, who was wrapped up tightly and fast asleep in her arms.

He then casually handed the plate of "Da Di Hong" (a type of red pastry) to Liu Guangtian, who was eager to try it out.

"Second brother, go order it, remember to stay far away."

"Okay, bro!"

Liu Guangtian was overjoyed. He picked up the plate of firecrackers and ran out of the courtyard with an air of self-importance, as if he were the most important person tonight.

Xu Damao's smile faltered for a moment.

He originally intended to take the opportunity to get closer to Liu Guangqi, but seeing that Liu Guangtian was already preparing to set off the firecrackers, he didn't delay and went over with a smile to set them off together.

To outsiders, Liu Guangqi's actions showed brotherly harmony, with the older brother giving way to the younger.

Only Liu Guangqi himself knew that he was just afraid that the deafening firecrackers would disturb his daughter who had just fallen asleep in his arms.

The fuse was lit, and a long string of firecrackers exploded on the snow, sparks flying, smoke billowing, and the loud noise made the window paper tremble slightly.

Liu Guangqi subconsciously covered his daughter's ears gently. He felt the little one in his arms move slightly, and his eyes softened.

Comfortable days always seem to pass by too quickly.

In the blink of an eye, it's already the second day of the Lunar New Year.

A black Volga sedan came to a steady stop in front of the courtyard house amidst the surprised gazes of the neighbors.

The guard quickly got out of the car, opened the door, and stood quietly to the side to wait.

The second day of the Lunar New Year is the day when one returns to their maternal home.

On the afternoon of the second day of the Lunar New Year, the General Logistics Department compound was shrouded in solemn silence. Although brand-new Spring Festival couplets were pasted on the lintels of the blue brick buildings, the red color seemed unable to penetrate the air thick with discipline. Compared to the festive fireworks that filled the alleyways, this place was more like the inside of a finely tuned clock.

As soon as the black Volga sedan came to a stop in front of the building, Liu Guangqi saw his father-in-law's upright figure standing at the entrance of the building. The collar of his military overcoat was turned up, covering half of his face, but this usually stern elder was now holding two round cloth tigers in his arms, their bright colors creating a strange contrast with his military uniform.

The car door opened, and the serious lines etched on the father-in-law's face by time and duty instantly relaxed, revealing undisguised joy. "You've finally arrived!" he exclaimed loudly, his gaze already passing over his son-in-law and landing on the little couple.

Before he could finish speaking, his mother-in-law had already strode out of the stairwell. She deftly bypassed her husband, grabbed her daughter Zhao Mengyun's hand, and took her grandson Fengnian from her. "Yunyun, come inside quickly, it's windy outside." Her voice was gentle but firm, and she turned and left with the child in her arms, leaving only her voice echoing in the chilly air, "I've kept the snacks warm by the stove for you, and there's some freshly arrived dried fruit too."

Left standing there, the father-in-law shook his head helplessly, then turned to look at Liu Guangqi—or more accurately, at little Ruixue, who was wrapped up tightly in Liu Guangqi's arms. He put on a stern face and said in a commanding tone, "Still standing there? Give me the child, and you can go and move the New Year's gifts from the car."

"There are orderly soldiers," Liu Guangqi replied with a smile.

"I need you to move it." His father-in-law frowned slightly, his tone becoming more serious. "This is an assignment!"

"I'm not one of your soldiers."

"You little brat, you're talking to me about this now?" the father-in-law said, but his eyes were fixed on the half of his granddaughter's face that was showing.

"Your hands can't be idle," Liu Guangqi said, holding his daughter steadily in his arms. Over the years, he was no longer the awkward new son-in-law he had been when he first visited the family. He had become quite adept at the unspoken "battle" between father-in-law and son-in-law.

Just as they were at an impasse, Zhao Mengsheng burst out of the house like a cannonball. His brand-new blue tracksuit clung to his youthful, energetic body. He sidled up to Liu Guangqi, nudged his brother-in-law with his elbow, and exclaimed, his eyes gleaming, "Brother-in-law! Are you still going to the city race this year? I lost to you last year, I'm definitely going to make up for it this year!"

Liu Guangqi smiled and shook his head: "You young people go have fun, I won't join in. It's rare for me to have time to spend with the kids." As he spoke, he looked down at his daughter in his arms. Little Ruixue was unconsciously clutching one of his fingers, and the soft touch warmed his heart.

Almost as soon as he finished speaking, he felt two gazes fixed on him. One was from his brother-in-law, full of anxiety and expectation; the other was from his father-in-law, whose gaze was deep and complex. Liu Guangqi instantly understood: this old man didn't really want him to go for a run; he was clearly looking for an opportunity to get him away from his daughter.

Sure enough, his father-in-law cleared his throat and adopted a concerned expression: "Guangqi, you're always either hunched over your drawing desk or by the machine tool, you don't get enough exercise. This city run is a tradition in Beijing, it's a good way to get some exercise and it's good for your health." He paused, then his tone became more insistent, "It's the New Year, go and work up a sweat with the young people in the compound, it'll give you energy!"

Zhao Mengsheng immediately jumped up as if he'd received a command: "That's right, brother-in-law! I've been bragging about it, I've made bets with several groups of people in the compound that you'll definitely come this year! If you don't go, I'll have no face to show my face in this compound anymore!"

Looking at his brother-in-law's anxious, scratching-headed expression, and noticing that his father-in-law, though serious, kept glancing at Xiao Ruixue out of the corner of his eye, Liu Guangqi couldn't help but find it amusing. This old man was really going to great lengths to have a granddaughter.

"Alright." He finally relented, a knowing smile playing on his lips. "Consider it as keeping you company while you guys get together."

A glint of triumph flashed in his father-in-law's eyes, though he quickly suppressed it and straightened his face again: "Yes, that's right. Mengsheng, take your brother-in-law. Run well, don't rush back." He said the last half of the sentence with exceptional ease and naturalness.

The old man naturally opened his arms:

"Xiaoxue, come here, Grandpa will carry you to see the big tiger, Daddy's going for a run."

Before long, the ring track was packed with participants.

As soon as Liu Guangqi, Zhao Mengsheng, and several young people from the General Logistics Department compound stood near the starting line, they attracted a lot of attention.

Someone recognized him at a glance:

"Hey! Isn't this Chief Engineer Liu, the one who was featured in the newspaper the other day?"

"It really is Engineer Liu! He's even more handsome in person than in the newspaper photo!"

"Engineer Liu is also participating in the long-distance run!"

The surrounding greetings were constant, revealing an excessive enthusiasm.

Zhao Mengsheng listened attentively, his back ramrod straight, chin slightly raised, nudging his companion with his elbow, and chuckling softly:

"Look at my brother-in-law's reputation."