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

"I'm involved in industry because our country's foundation in this area is too weak. It's a weakness of the nation, and I want to use what I've learned to make up for it."

My father was a military commander, and his soldiers were stationed on the frontier.

"A solid national defense is the lifeblood of a country and a bulwark to protect its territory. They defend this line of defense with their lives."

"We may take different paths, but we share the same goal."

"One makes shields, the other forges spears; which do you think is more important?"

He looked at Zhao Mengsheng with a faint smile in his eyes.

"You're only fifteen, it's only natural that you'd be drawn to those novel machines. But a momentary interest is ultimately different from the direction you're heading in your life."

"To put it another way—"

"If you get into a military academy, you can still access the most cutting-edge technology."

"Fighter jets, warships, and even the more sophisticated equipment of the future—aren't they all the pinnacle of mechanics and engineering? Aren't they all the culmination of defense technology?"

"You're still young, so why not take a closer look and think things through? Don't close the door to the future too soon."

"Life has many possibilities. Perhaps one day, the soldier's spirit within you will awaken, and you will become an outstanding soldier?"

Zhao Mengsheng only caught the first half of Liu Guangqi's words: "Brother-in-law, really? Those... are even more advanced than the machine tools you're currently studying?"

Liu Guangqi nodded: "Of course."

"If you can combine military discipline with technical ingenuity, you will surely have a bright future."

These calm and insightful words were seen by the father-in-law and mother-in-law, who further increased their admiration for their son-in-law.

The tense atmosphere at the dinner table relaxed without us even realizing it.

With a stern face, Zhao's father finished the wine in his cup, which fell to the table with a soft thud.

He stopped getting angry at his son and instead turned to Liu Guangqi:

"Your brother-in-law is right."

"Soldiers are not just people who stand in formation. Only soldiers who are technically proficient can better defend our homeland."

His gaze returned to Zhao Mengsheng, his tone leaving no room for argument:

"I'll say it again: the descendants of the Zhao family—"

"Not joining the army is absolutely impossible."

Although the words were still firm and resolute, they left room for maneuver.

Wu Shuang, the mother-in-law standing to the side, quietly breathed a sigh of relief, smiled as she poured her husband a full glass of wine, and gently tugged at his sleeve.

"Look at him, Guangqi knows how to reason. You were yelling and glaring at him earlier, how could the child listen to a word you said?"

Zhao's father gave a low hum, unusually not refuting him.

He turned to Liu Guangqi and said:

"Guangqi, you are all young people. I'm counting on you to guide Mengsheng in the future, so he doesn't go astray at such a young age."

Liu Guangqi smiled and agreed.

A domestic dispute that almost escalated into a major conflict was thus calmed down by his few words.

Warmth spreads again.

Seeing this, the two little ones, Ruixue and Fengnian, started laughing and frolicking together again.

As Zhao's father became more animated, he pulled Liu Guangqi aside and recounted old stories of marching, from the hardships of crossing the grasslands to the amusing anecdotes of battlefield drills.

Zhao Mengsheng's face was no longer gloomy, and he could occasionally chime in with a few words. His eyes gradually showed a thoughtful glint.

This home—

Because of Liu Guangqi's arrival, it felt more like a family reunion than ever before.

After staying in the General Logistics Department compound for two days, Liu Guangqi bid farewell to the two elders and took Zhao Mengyun and their two children back to their courtyard house to celebrate the New Year, promising to visit again on the second day of the Lunar New Year.

As soon as you step into the alley, a strong smell of the New Year, mixed with coal smoke and the salty aroma of cured meat, hits you.

That's the unique atmosphere of a traditional courtyard house.

At the base of the wall, several coal stoves were burning brightly, and wisps of smoke from the chimneys rose gently into the crisp air.

The year of great disaster has passed, and the situation of every household is visibly improving.

On ordinary days, people might be reluctant to use meat ration coupons, but as the Lunar New Year approaches, who doesn't cut some meat and smoke some cured meat? Without these, the New Year wouldn't feel like the New Year.

Several strings of brand-new red lanterns hang from the branches of an old locust tree by the roadside; they were newly bought by several courtyards in the alley by pooling their money.

When the wind blows, the lanterns sway gently, and the snowlight cast on the ground is tinged with a warm red.

As soon as you enter the courtyard, you see Yan Bugui in the front yard writing Spring Festival couplets at his desk—his old craft, which he exchanges for melon seeds and peanuts every year.

"Guangqi! Xiaoyun!" Yan Bugui looked up, his face crinkling with a smile. "You're back later this year than usual!"

While exchanging pleasantries, his gaze involuntarily drifted towards the various New Year's goods Liu Guangqi was carrying.

However, he only dared to glance at it secretly, and didn't even dare to say a single joke trying to get a free advantage.

Old Man Yan didn't suddenly become generous; he was as clear-headed as a mirror, knowing who he could take advantage of and who he couldn't touch.

As Liu Guangqi walked through the courtyard, his gaze lingered for a moment on the two strings of glistening cured meat hanging under the Jia family's door. Although Jia Dongxu was gone, Qin Huairu still had a large family to support, and life had to go on. Even if she was shrewd and knew how to put on an act, she wouldn't be so stingy as to refuse a few pieces of meat for the New Year. To come begging for meat during the New Year would be utterly disgraceful in this courtyard. Besides, Liu Guangqi knew better than anyone that Qin Huairu's family, relying on the factory's pension and her apprentice's meager wages, were far from being as strapped for cash as she pretended.

Qin Huairu was wiping the windows in the yard when she saw Liu Guangqi and his family return. She quickly put down her rag, wiped her hands on her apron, and smiled broadly, "Guangqi, Xiaoyun, you're back for the New Year?"

"Yes, I came back to see you two." Liu Guangqi replied with a smile, but his steps didn't stop. His gaze swept lightly across her face before he led his family towards the backyard. Qin Huairu, knowing better than anyone, stood still and didn't move forward. She knew very well that she was now a widow, and widows often attract gossip. To flirt or take advantage of Sha Zhu was a matter of mutual benefit. But with Liu Guangqi, she dared not. After dealing with him for so many years, she understood better than anyone that while this man appeared amiable on the surface, his eyes seemed to see right through people. She didn't want to make a fool of herself.

Back in the backyard, even the cold wind seemed to soften. The second son, Liu Guangtian, had returned from school for the holidays and was helping his father, Liu Pangpang, shovel snow in the yard. Seeing his older brother and sister-in-law enter, he grinned, revealing two rows of white teeth. This kid is becoming more and more sensible.

The biggest happy event in the Liu family this year had to be the third son, Liu Guangfu. Before the high school entrance exam, this kid shamelessly came to Liu Guangqi, pleading and begging for ages, insisting on getting a fountain pen like his second brother had. Liu Guangqi, unable to resist his nagging, finally gave in. Who knew that this one pen would actually bring him good fortune, allowing him to barely pass the entrance exam for a vocational school. Now, the Liu family had one college graduate and two vocational school graduates! The news seemed to have grown legs, spreading throughout Nanluoguxiang in less than a day, causing an uproar in the courtyard. Those in the front and middle courtyards were practically envious. A few opportunistic individuals kept running to the back courtyard with odds and ends, subtly hinting at wanting to move, causing quite a stir in the backyard.

Good feng shui? The people in the backyard aren't stupid. Hearing outsiders say that only makes them cherish their house even more; anyone willing to trade is a fool! Finally, the deaf old lady came out, leaning on her cane, stood in the middle of the backyard, pointed at the most vocal troublemakers, and gave them a good scolding, finally calming the unruly crowd down. This old lady, normally she's just deaf, but if you cause her any trouble, her hearing is sharper than anyone else's. There was no way around it; those clueless people in the yard actually dared to target her, saying the backyard was inconvenient to access and they wanted to trade with her. With that, it would be strange if the deaf old lady didn't curse—what use is a nearly deceased old woman going out? Are you going to carry her around every day?

Speaking of feng shui, didn't He Yushui, the younger sister of Zhongyuan Shazhu, also get into high school? It's just that the Liu family's situation is too eye-catching. Three sons, all of them either college students or vocational school graduates. In the eyes of the neighbors, it's simply a great joyous occasion, like their ancestral graves emitting auspicious smoke.

Little did they know, Liu Guangqi was perfectly clear-headed. That mysterious aura only accounted for about 10%. The remaining 90% was the subtle change brought about by his elder brother. Workers mentoring workers, cooks teaching cooks—with such a role model, how could the Liu family's academic atmosphere be anything but good? Besides, his father, Liu Pangpang, had long since lost the violent temper he used to display, venting his anger on his second and third sons after his eldest son left. Frankly, since having grandchildren, he was too lazy even to deal with those two "filler" sons, let alone lay a hand on them.

The environment changed, and so did their mindset. Add to that the subtle influence of the older brother—the two younger brothers' current situation, while seemingly accidental, felt more like inevitable.

"Guangqi and Xiaoyun are back!"

I just stepped into the courtyard.

A woman with gray hair hurried out of the house to greet them, a damp rag still clutched in her hand, the warmth of the kitchen seemingly clinging to her clothes. She spotted the two children immediately, and the wrinkles at the corners of her eyes suddenly smoothed out like the ice on a river in early spring: "Ah—auspicious snow, bountiful harvest! Come to Grandma!"

Zhao Mengyun smiled and handed the child over, and the family crowded together as they entered the house. The coal stove was burning brightly in the corner, and the warmth enveloped them like silk, instantly melting away the chill on their shoulders.

Before long, the Liu family's New Year's Eve dinner began. Liu Haizhong poured himself a full glass of wine, then leaned over to fill Liu Guangqi's glass as well. "Guangqi, have a couple of drinks with Dad today." He took a big sip, his cheeks gradually turning reddish-brown, and his voice became thicker: "At this time last year, your mother and I were still worried about when these hard times would end. Now we can finally relax."

He put down his wine glass, his voice tinged with emotion: "I have to say, Guangqi, you're really capable."

"If it weren't for you frequently bringing home food and oil coupons, this family would probably never have been able to keep the fire burning."

Liu Guangqi smiled slightly, said nothing more, and put a piece of food into his father's bowl.

Between a father and son, some things don't need to be said outright.

Outside the window, firecrackers crackled and popped, mingling with the laughter of children chasing and playing. Liu Guangqi held Fengnian in his arms, Zhao Mengyun held Ruixue's hand, and the family leaned against the door, watching the lively scene outside. The light of fireworks flashed across the night sky, illuminating every smiling face.

The trivial entanglements in the courtyard have never disappeared, but at this moment, they have all been diluted by the heavy atmosphere of the New Year.

During the Spring Festival, Liu Guangqi spent most of his time like any other day. The only exception was on the third day of the Lunar New Year, when he did not participate in the city-wide long-distance run but instead stayed at his father-in-law's house, quietly spending several days with his wife and children.

Time flies, and the day to start work is just around the corner.

On the first day of work after the Lunar New Year, Liu Guangqi was summoned to Director Lin's office by phone.

"Boss, you wanted to see me?"

"There's something urgent, Guangqi. Come over here now."

Upon entering the director's office, Liu Guangqi saw Director Chen from the Ministry of Foreign Trade also present, and immediately understood the situation. "Sir, Director Chen."

"Guangqi is here? Have a seat."

Liu Guangqi sat down on the sofa as instructed, and asked with a smile, "It's only the beginning of the year, has Hongxing Factory received another big project? Or is it about foreign exchange orders?"

"It's over to the north," Director Chen said, his words immediately causing Liu Guangqi to pause in surprise. "They want to discuss the import of seven-axis, five-linkage machine tools."

……

Inside the office of the Director of the General Machinery Department of the First Ministry of Machine Building.

When Liu Guangqi heard the words "north side" and "seven axes and five linkages" together, he was stunned for a moment.

A chill ran down his spine—he immediately understood.

The news has leaked again.

The seven-axis machine tool went through a confidentiality process from the very beginning of its development, and after its successful development, it was classified as a top secret in the industrial field. But he also knew in his heart that no matter how tight the seal was, it would eventually be difficult to withstand the penetration of time.

But this infiltration came too quickly.

From the successful development to now, past the Lunar New Year, it's only been three months. This speed far exceeded his expectations.

Director Lin, noticing his suddenly darkened expression, sighed softly and took a document from his drawer, pushing it towards him:

"Guangqi, take a look for yourself."

"The problem mostly lies with the universities."

Liu Guangqi silently accepted the rough-textured report. The lead type on it, however, was like fine needles, dazzling to the eye.

Some time ago, after the seven-axis machine tool was launched, many ministries and universities came to investigate the progress of the industry. Initially, the ministry did not receive clear instructions from the higher-level academic committee, but the First Ministry of Machine Building thought it was a good thing, so it allowed professors from other departments and universities to come and inspect, hoping to broaden their thinking and cultivate more talents by learning from the actual situation on the front line of industry.

After all, the earliest three-coordinate CNC machine tool was developed under the leadership of Tsinghua University.