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

Liu Guangqi understood.

So it was for this very reason.

Wang Jianguo then said, "I have weighed my own worth."

As he said this, a bitter smile appeared on his lips: "In terms of skill in the technical department, compared to you, I am simply hopeless and cannot be improved upon."

"But spending these days in the heating workshop has actually given me a different kind of enjoyment."

He gestured with his hand to indicate the name:

"Dealing with those veteran craftsmen, coordinating manpower, watching the blueprints gradually turn into reality... Strangely enough, I actually found myself enjoying it."

Smoke drifted slowly between the two, obscuring Wang Jianguo's face.

"Middle age is the hardest time to get through. If you can't find a way to move forward, then this is just how your life will be."

His voice carried the sediment of time:

"Not like you..."

"Guangqi, you are so young. Sometimes I really envy your youthful vigor."

Liu Guangqi gazed at the graying hair at his temples.

Wang Jianguo has indeed given it his all these past few months.

When a machine tool breaks down, he is always the first to dive into the oil slick to find out what's wrong.

To meet the deadline, he could argue with the workshop director until they were red in the face, and then in the blink of an eye, he would put his arm around the director's shoulder and go have a couple of drinks.

This kind of dedication is genuine.

Wang Jianguo lit another cigarette, his voice soft and gentle:

"To be honest..."

"Before you came, I had been holding the position of team leader for many years, and I had longed for the chair of the head of the technical department."

"But as soon as you arrived, I realized that position was not meant for me."

He spoke frankly, yet there was not a trace of resentment in his words.

"The position of head of the technology department was made for someone like you."

"If I continue to linger in the technical department, I'll only be getting in your way. The new branch factory is a perfect opportunity."

"I'll go to the new factory and take care of production for you."

"You can focus on your research in the technical department, and you'll naturally rise through the ranks. You can manage R&D, and I'll handle production—isn't that the best of both worlds?"

After hearing these heartfelt words, Liu Guangqi smiled slightly: "So, team leader, you're implying I'm too outstanding?"

A joke instantly eased the tense atmosphere.

Wang Jianguo was taken aback, then laughed and scolded, "You little rascal, you've learned to make fun of me!"

At this moment, Liu Guangqi's smile faded, and his expression became serious:

"Team leader, I've always known your abilities; managing production is exactly what you excel at."

"I support this matter without reservation."

He paused briefly and took half a step forward.

"It's more than just support."

"When Director Ruolin asked for my opinion, I told him: I wouldn't feel comfortable appointing anyone other than you, Wang Jianguo, as the deputy director of the Hongxing branch factory."

Wang Jianguo suddenly looked up, his fingers holding the cigarette hanging in mid-air, and he was speechless for a moment.

Liu Guangqi continued, "Let's just say it's..."

"I prepared a congratulatory gift for Deputy Factory Director Wang in advance."

Wang Jianguo was completely stunned.

He looked at the younger man, who was more than ten years younger than him, whose eyes were clear as a mirror, without the slightest pretense.

After a long while, Wang Jianguo patted Liu Guangqi's shoulder heavily, his myriad emotions condensed into just two words.

Thank you!

Liu Guangqi smiled and said no more: "Let's go back, it's getting late."

As the year draws to a close, the First Ministry of Machine Building is filled with the unique busyness and subtle relaxation characteristic of the year-end season.

Outside the director's office at the General Machinery Division.

Wang Jianguo took a deep breath and knocked on the door.

"Enter."

Inside, Director Lin was engrossed in reviewing documents at his desk and did not look up when he heard the sound.

Wang Jianguo quietly entered, neatly placing the work report on the corner of the table, his posture upright.

He summarized the entire year in concise language.

After listening, Director Lin gave a low reply, finally looking up from his documents and rubbing his temples. "Comrade Jianguo, you've worked hard. Is there anything else?"

"Reporting to the Director."

Wang Jianguo's voice was steady, yet it subtly revealed a hint of tension:

"I... hope to apply for a job transfer."

As soon as he finished speaking, Director Lin paused slightly in his tea-serving hand, his meaningful gaze falling on Wang Jianguo.

The conversations in the office were brief and to the point.

Director Lin raised his eyes, his gaze lingering on Wang Jianguo's face for a moment. "Want to go to the grassroots level?"

"Hongxing Chuanghui Machinery Factory," Wang Jianguo said directly. "I'll go there after the new factory is completed after the New Year."

The teacup was gently placed back on the table. Director Lin leaned back in his chair, a brief silence hanging in the air. "Keep an eye on the deputy factory director's position?"

"Yes."

That crisp reply brought a glimmer of light to Director Lin's eyes. Having courage is never a bad thing.

"You've got some nerve." Director Lin chuckled, but then changed the subject. "So many people are doing everything they can to get into a ministry, and you, a level 16 deputy director, are going to work in a factory, and at the same level no less."

He paused, his tone scrutinizing, "What's the point?"

"I'm looking for a possibility." Wang Jianguo's voice was steady and clear. "I've spent these days in the heating workshop, following Comrade Liu Guangqi, and I've personally witnessed orders being completed batch after batch, selling like hotcakes in the north. I trust him, and I trust the future of Hongxing Factory even more."

This statement was made frankly, indicating both the attitude and aptly pointing out the key name.

Director Lin nodded, but did not immediately express his opinion, only telling Wang Jianguo to go back and wait for further instructions.

The door closed behind him. A gust of cold wind from the corridor rushed in, instantly clearing Wang Jianguo's head. He knew this was a gamble where he had to stake everything—leaving the safe haven of the ministry and sailing into a new, uncertain sea.

But so what? He's about to turn forty, and his administrative level sixteen position is like a deep, silent well, offering a glimpse into the rest of his life. To advance further, ability alone is far from enough; he also needs the favor of opportunity and time.

But he couldn't wait any longer.

Hongxing Chuanghui Machinery Factory, a division-level unit directly under two ministries, held immeasurable potential in his eyes. His request for transfer was not merely to kill time in a different place, but to become a pioneer in expanding territory. If this factory could truly make a name for itself and its profits would impress superiors, its future upgrade to a department-level unit directly under a ministry would not be a pipe dream.

At that time, he, the deputy factory director who had been rooted here since the factory was first built, would naturally be able to rise to prominence.

Seeking wealth and fortune amidst danger. Wang Jianguo clenched his fists, his footsteps echoing on the corridor floor, each sound steady and resolute.

***

Almost at the same moment, there was another knock on the door of the director's office.

Liu Guangqi responded and entered the room. Director Lin's expression had changed; he warmly beckoned him to sit down and personally poured hot tea into an empty cup. Steam rose, blurring the view between the two.

"Guangqi, please sit down. Try this. It's some really good tea that I got from the department leaders. I usually can't bear to take it out."

Liu Guangqi was slightly taken aback, then quickly stood up: "Director, you're too kind..."

"Sit down, sit down and talk." Director Lin patted his shoulder without waiting for a reply, then sat down opposite him with a broad smile on his face. "This time, our department—no, the entire Ministry of Machine Building—was able to fight such a beautiful battle in export earnings. No one can take credit for that."

Liu Guangqi simply smiled and said, "It's thanks to the director's effective leadership and the concerted efforts of all the comrades."

"You little rascal!" Director Lin pointed at him, a hint of reproach in his smile. "Still spouting all that bureaucratic nonsense in front of me? What's yours is yours."

His praise was almost overflowing. It's no wonder he was so impressed—a heating workshop converted from an old warehouse, with only a hundred or so workers, had achieved such astonishing foreign exchange results in just over four months, bringing great prestige to the entire General Machinery Department. A few days ago, at a ministry meeting, the top leader specifically praised him in front of eight specialized bureaus. This export order truly allowed the department to stand tall in front of its superiors.

Looking at the calm and composed young man before him, without a trace of arrogance, Director Lin's appreciation deepened. He's steady and reliable; he's a promising talent.

"Director," Liu Guangqi steered the conversation back on track, "what brings you here today?"

Director Lin poured himself a full cup of tea, sat back in his chair, and began in a calm tone, "What are your thoughts on Comrade Wang Jianguo?" He paused, "Today he submitted a transfer application to me, hoping to become the deputy director of Hongxing Chuanghui Machinery Factory."

Liu Guangqi understood immediately; it was indeed about this matter. He replied solemnly, "Team Leader Wang's performance at work is impeccable, especially in production management, where his abilities are outstanding." He paused briefly, his tone sincere, "I fully agree with the proposal to appoint him as deputy factory director."

This assessment was objective and frank; even when facing his former superior, he made no attempt to conceal his approval and expressed it openly.

Director Lin nodded slightly, his face showing approval. What he needed was not the empty platitudes of the bureaucracy, but rather practical and pertinent advice.

"Alright, with your words, I feel more at ease." Director Lin picked up his teacup, took a small sip, and a deep look flashed in his eyes. "Since you have no objections, this matter is settled."

He changed the subject, his gaze falling on Liu Guangqi, a meaningful smile appearing on his lips.

"After Comrade Wang Jianguo takes over production affairs," he said slowly, "you lad, once you have some free time after the New Year, the research department also needs to step up its efforts and try to take on the responsibilities as soon as possible."

Thus, a clear conclusion was reached regarding Wang Jianguo's job transfer.

Afterwards, Director Lin gave several instructions on routine tasks before Liu Guangqi took his leave.

Soon, the year-end reports of various departments within the Ministry of Machine Building were completed, and the notice of the Spring Festival holiday was finally posted on the bulletin board. People who had been busy all year finally looked forward to the moment of reuniting with their families.

For Wang Jianguo, this Spring Festival was destined to be different.

Once the holiday notices from the ministries were announced, the most exciting part—payday—followed immediately. This year's payday also included year-end bonuses, and the hallways were filled with barely suppressed laughter and chatter, everyone's face beaming with festive joy.

Of course, these are merely icing on the cake for Liu Guangqi. With his current salary and subsidies, he already far exceeds the standard of living for an average family.

Compared to rice, flour, and cooking oil, what he craves most right now is a complete rest.

Since moving into the ministry's dormitory building in early September, he has barely had a proper rest in nearly four months. During this time, Liu Guangqi has not returned to the courtyard house even once.

Every weekend, he was either working overtime at the ministry or buried in drawing design blueprints in the staff quarters of the ministry compound. From the complex internal structure of the product to the appearance of the rice cooker, and even the treatment of every curve of the outer shell, he strived for perfection.

Months of intense work had turned him into a straight line on a blueprint, leaving him with very little time for himself.

Now, I can finally relax.

The day before the holiday, after receiving his salary and briefly explaining things to Wang Jianguo, Liu Guangqi went to the logistics department to collect his year-end bonus. Sure enough, a long queue had already formed at the entrance of the logistics department, the winding line stretching far into the distance, and the noisy conversations almost lifting the roof off.

Tomorrow marks the official start of the Lunar New Year holiday, and the place is now filled with people collecting their salaries and benefits. In just a short while, a dozen familiar faces of cadres emerged, beaming with joy, each carrying a piece of meat and a cloth bag.

"Old Li! That's quite a lot of perks this year!"

"Absolutely! Two catties of pork, five catties of flour, and two ounces of oil! The ministry is really generous this time!"

Listening to the discussions around him, Liu Guangqi felt a pang of emotion. It was clear that the leaders of the ministries had indeed invested heavily this year.

However, the foreign trade sector achieved remarkable foreign exchange results. In just four months, the two products alone, electric kettles and electric blankets, generated at least several million in foreign exchange revenue. Given the continued increase in orders from Russia and their refusal to negotiate prices, this figure is likely to rise further.

It's no wonder that the department leaders were in high spirits and generously distributed benefits, given that a temporary workshop had created such amazing value in just four months.

As he was pondering this, he saw an old master craftsman from the heating workshop walk out happily carrying two large pieces of meat. The flour bag in his other hand was also much bulging than the others, and its weight was obviously more than five pounds.

Only after inquiring did I learn that the salary and benefits this time were actually divided into levels. Ordinary cadres of ministries could receive two catties of meat and five catties of flour, while those workshop workers transferred from directly affiliated factories, who had made meritorious contributions, received special tickets for the meals and could receive double the benefits.

With the Lunar New Year approaching, four catties of pork, ten catties of refined white flour, and four ounces of oil—this is the typical holiday gift for ordinary workers.