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

"Right now, the linkage control system for the seven-axis machine tool is at a critical stage, and I have to keep track of time even when I'm eating and sleeping; on top of that, I have the task of compiling textbooks on my shoulders, so I really don't have a moment of free time."

He spread his hands, his expression revealing a slight weariness.

"I'm afraid I won't be able to attend this presentation."

He understood better than anyone else present just how turbulent the impending storm would be.

While personal relationships may play a role in the industrial sector, ultimately it comes down to solid technology and products – that's a true contest of skill and substance.

As for academia...

He has absolutely no intention of getting involved.

Professor Lu Hai seemed to have anticipated this refusal, and waved his hand with a smile:

"Don't rush to refuse!"

"There are only a handful of research institutes participating this time, so you don't need to prepare a long speech. Just show up and talk about your ideas for technological transformation."

He leaned forward and lowered his voice, saying, "Besides, what your department really wants is to give you a nominal title—"

"After all, you are a top student from Tsinghua University, and now you are a key technical backbone that the ministry is cultivating."

"By having the title of an external mentor, your participation in academic projects when the research institute collaborates with your alma mater in the future will be perfectly legitimate."

Upon hearing this, Liu Guangqi gently shook his head, his smile revealing an unwavering resolve.

"Teacher Lu, you know my personality best."

"Since graduating from school, I have devoted myself to practical experience in the workshop."

"Academic matters neither interest me nor can I spare my attention."

He paused briefly, then continued, "I'm still young, and there's so much I need to learn on this technical path."

"Right now, I just want to focus on mastering the seven-axis machine tool and computer modification projects. That's more important than any title. As for academic research... I can take my time and let it settle in a few years."

As soon as he finished speaking, the office fell silent.

Director Lin sat to the side with a teacup in his hand, glancing up at Liu Guangqi. Though he did not speak, a barely perceptible hint of approval flashed in his eyes.

This kid is very perceptive.

Not seeking empty fame, not chasing fleeting trends, and taking every step with a firm footing—such clear-headedness and composure are truly rare among young people.

Professor Lu Hai gazed into Liu Guangqi's clear and determined eyes, remained silent for a moment, and then suddenly burst out laughing.

The laughter was mixed with helplessness, appreciation, and a sense of relief at meeting someone like oneself.

"Fine, fine, I knew I couldn't persuade you."

The slight regret on his face quickly disappeared, replaced by a cheerful expression.

"That's fine too!"

"To me, your ability to organize the computer teaching materials system is the most important achievement."

After saying that, Professor Lu Hai got up and walked to Liu Guangqi's side, giving him two firm pats on the shoulder.

"Then it's settled! I won't keep you from working on your project any longer; time is precious."

As he reached the door, his hand already on the doorknob, he suddenly turned back, a playful glint in his eyes:

"Your temper—you can't tolerate any flaws, and your mind is only focused on technique—is just like mine when I was young!"

"OK!"

His voice suddenly rose, carrying the triumphant satisfaction of someone who had been through it all:

"People who work in technology..."

"You have to have that unwavering, unyielding stubbornness!"

**

After seeing Professor Lu Hai off, the door closed softly.

Director Lin picked up the glass of cold tea on the table, took a slow sip, and a knowing smile appeared in his eyes.

"You little rascal."

The teacup landed back on the table with a crisp sound.

"You've really figured out the meaning of the word 'avoiding suspicion'."

This statement is subtle, containing both praise and a hint of teasing.

Compared to Liu Guangqi's clear-headedness stemming from foresight, Director Lin saw it as nothing more than a pragmatic choice made by a young person between a ministry and a university.

After all, the previous leak involving the North could be a big deal or a small one.

Liu Guangqi's current decision to distance himself from academic circles and avoid those superficial titles demonstrates his wisdom and tact.

Liu Guangqi did not explain the ineffable premonition, but simply smiled slightly:

"Director."

"I just want to focus on improving my technical skills and avoid getting into unnecessary trouble."

"**Steady and reliable, that's better than anything else."

These simple words resonated perfectly with Director Lin.

He suppressed his smile, tapped his fingers lightly twice on the edge of the table, and his expression became serious:

"If you can think like this, you can't go down the wrong path."

"The water in your Tsinghua University's pool... is quite deep."

Director Lin patted him on the shoulder, his eyes filled with heavy expectations. "Right now, you're doing very well in the industrial sector. The '947' machine tool is key. Expanding export channels is what truly constitutes a solid achievement."

He paused, his eyes filled with clear admiration: "Work steadily for a few more years, until your achievements are so substantial that no one can shake them. Then, fame and glory will come to you on their own, and you won't be able to refuse them."

Liu Guangqi simply nodded with a smile.

Some roads are more meaningful to be measured by footsteps than to be described with words.

When I returned to the technical department, Lao Zhang had already gathered the two core teams back, and the whole room was arguing heatedly about the first draft of the seven-axis solution.

Upon his arrival, a technician immediately grabbed a sketch and rushed over: "Director Liu, could you please check the positioning accuracy of this rotating shaft section—would it be more appropriate to use an optical encoder or a magnetic encoder?"

Liu Guangqi took the blueprint and gently ran his fingertips over the delicate lines.

The slight hesitation from when I politely declined the invitation vanished at this moment.

This is his true territory, a world where steel, gears, and electricity intertwine.

Compared to those empty titles, the hum of the machine tools and the curves on the blueprints made him feel more grounded.

At present, while tackling the technical challenges of seven-axis technology needs to be advanced, the compilation of professional teaching materials should not be neglected.

Both of these paths lead in the same direction—to make the ground beneath our feet more solid.

He must proceed cautiously, step by step.

Only in this way can we stand firm and move forward when storms come.

May has arrived in the blink of an eye.

The recent Labor Day holiday seemed to have put the entire country on high alert.

In this era that reveres labor, Labor Day itself is a most shining medal.

Especially in various industrial sectors, the pent-up energy accumulated after the holiday has suddenly surged forth.

Metallurgy, light industry, foreign trade... all the ministries, large and small, along with their subordinate state-owned factories, were holding their breath.

Paying off the debt—paying off the heavy debt in the north ahead of schedule—is like a long race.

I originally thought it would take another three to five years, and everyone might still follow the pace.

But things are different now.

Once the spirit of the meeting from higher authorities was conveyed, everyone felt as if they had been injected with new energy: by next spring at the latest, we must be able to put down this burden!

Who doesn't understand this? Who doesn't want to stand tall and do this job well?

Moreover, with Labor Day just over, it would be a waste of that day's rest if we didn't fully commit to production.

As the main force in export earnings, Hongxing Factory naturally took the lead.

Not only are washing machines in high demand, but Liu Guangqi is also keeping a close eye on CNC machine tools intended for export.

That day, he happened to be in the factory area coordinating parts allocation when he bumped into Wang Jianguo holding a series of workshop production mobilization meetings, slapping his hands on the table with a loud thud.

"The workload this year has almost doubled!"

"If any link in the chain dares to hold things up or delay the schedule, don't blame me for not giving you prior notice!"

His words and actions were all focused on production.

In those days, if a factory director wanted to remove a troublesome worker, the procedures were complicated and the impact had to be considered; but if he wanted to transfer a grassroots cadre, there were many more ways.

So there might be stubborn workers in the factory who dare to glare at the factory manager, but there are absolutely no workshop managers who are not afraid of the factory manager.

The Ministry of Machine Building was just as busy as a tightly wound spring.

Liu Guangqi was also completely caught up in the non-stop rhythm: during the day he devoted himself to tackling the seven-axis five-linkage problem, and at night he continued to sort out the manuscript of computer teaching materials when he returned home.

With his foundation in five-axis technology, he didn't play by the rules at all.

The traditional process of completing a full set of drawings, conducting technical demonstrations, and finally putting the project into production has been completely broken in the development of the seven-axis system.

He was sketching at his desk, while the clanging sounds of machine tools machining parts could be heard from the five-axis CNC center next door.

Designing with one hand and prototyping with the other—this dual-track approach made the two technical teams working with him extremely nervous.

"Director..." a young researcher leaned closer and asked in a low voice, "We haven't even fully grasped the spindle drive structure yet, and you've already started processing parts?"

Fearing that his question might disrupt Liu Guangqi's train of thought, he couldn't help but add, "If there's even the slightest error in the blueprints, these parts will be real losses."

Liu Guangqi didn't even look up; his pencil moved smoothly across the paper, leaving behind intricate and interwoven patterns.

"It's alright," he said calmly, yet with an undeniable certainty. "Just go for it. Think it through as you go, and ask me anything you don't understand."

The technicians exchanged glances, and ultimately swallowed back the words that were on the tip of their tongues.

What else can I say? Just follow along.

A few more sycamore leaves have fallen outside the window. Autumn is in full swing, and the old colleagues in the department still remember that at this time last year, the project team's blueprints were completely blank. From nothing to something, like building a bridge out of thin air, Liu Guangqi and a few young people pulled the five-axis linkage system from theory into reality. This spring, the task list added the words "seven axes." What others see as an insurmountable barrier, he sees as a natural extension—now that the foundation is solid, building on top will inevitably yield results.

Besides, he already had a complete blueprint in his mind, showing where the project would be completed. Where to turn, where to mesh—it was all etched deep within his consciousness. What others needed to repeatedly verify, he simply followed. So when the progress chart jumped to 30% at the end-of-month summary meeting, no one in the department showed any surprise—as if it were expected.

That afternoon, the sunlight slanted into the office, and dust particles slowly floated and sank within the beams of light. Liu Guangqi had just marked the last connection point on the drawing, his knuckles still in the groove of the drawing ruler, when a knock came at the door.

"Director Liu, this month's payslip has arrived."

Her voice was very soft, as if afraid of disturbing the lines and numbers filling the room. It was a new girl from the logistics department, whose voice always carried a hint of cautious crispness. She pushed the door open and came in, holding a kraft paper envelope in her hand, the edges of which were already slightly frayed.

"Also, the department's welfare benefits and engineer allowances for this month will be delivered directly to the compound after get off work, so you don't need to go and collect them."

Living in the compound was indeed very convenient. Every month, rice, flour, oil, salt, soap, and towels were delivered by the logistics department, saving the trouble of queuing and squeezing for supplies. When the girl spoke, she didn't dare to look him directly in the eye. Her gaze swept over the mountain of blueprints on the table and finally landed on the only empty corner, where she gently placed the envelope down.

She had heard of this section chief before—too young, yet incredibly capable. Occasionally, she'd run into him in the hallway; he was always dressed in faded work clothes, sleeves rolled up to his forearms, his hands always holding blueprints or parts. His profile was sharp and focused under the fluorescent lights, but… it was a pity he'd gotten married so early.

Liu Guangqi didn't look up; the pen tip was still tracing its final arc on the paper. He only mumbled a reply: "Okay, leave it."

The girl pursed her lips and left, closing the door silently behind her.

Only when a throbbing pain shot through his neck did Liu Guangqi abruptly pull himself away from the drawings. He leaned back, his joints making a soft clicking sound, and as he stretched out his arm, he accidentally bumped into an envelope on the corner of the table—thick and heavy.

Then I remembered that today is payday.

He picked it up and weighed it in his hand, hearing the soft rustling of the paper inside. Suddenly, a thought struck him: This month, I should receive the industrial coupons, right?