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

A gentle afternoon breeze rustled through the leaves of the plane trees, causing them to sway softly on the bluestone pavement.

The glass doors of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs building slid open to both sides, and Zhao Mengyun, carrying a leather briefcase, strode up the stairs, ten minutes earlier than usual. Her gaze swept over the black sedan parked on the street, and a soft smile unconsciously curved her lips.

She opened the car door and sat down, not even waiting for the person in the driver's seat to speak, before turning to the side, her voice tinged with suppressed excitement: "Guangqi, that registration form... is it real?"

As she spoke, she reached out her fingertip and gently touched his cuff, as if to confirm that this was not a hallucination. "When the personnel department staff asked me to fill out the information form for high-ranking officials' family members this morning, I was completely bewildered and checked my name three times."

She understood the weight of the administrative level 10 better than anyone. Growing up in the General Logistics Department compound and witnessing countless personnel changes in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, she had seen many people linger at level 14 for years, even getting promoted without changing their rank. This was even more common in the military system.

But when this happened to her own husband, it seemed so...natural.

Zhao Mengyun looked at Liu Guangqi, her gaze a mixture of pride and a hint of bewilderment: "You just overcame that?"

Liu Guangqi was amused by her serious expression, and a smile appeared in his eyes. "A form is written in black and white, how could it be fake?" He shook his head, "Your reaction speed is much slower than when you're writing diplomatic briefings."

"I just couldn't believe it for a moment," Zhao Mengyun said with a slight reproach, then her tone became lighter as she remembered something. "You didn't see how those people in the office were secretly looking at me today. Sister Li, who sits across from me, leaned over and whispered, 'Did your husband get a promotion?'—I hadn't fully come to my senses yet."

She never liked discussing her husband's rank in public, to avoid causing trouble. But this time, the organization itself came to her, and the news couldn't be kept secret any longer. She had to admit that the subtle envious glances did stir a sweet ripple in her heart.

Liu Guangqi gripped the steering wheel, his gaze calmly fixed on the road ahead. "The Hongxing Factory is about to be merged and upgraded, and will be directly under the jurisdiction of the ministry. Since the factory is to be promoted to a department-level unit, the higher-ups have discussed that the level of the chief technical engineer should also be adjusted accordingly, and that's settled."

"I see." Zhao Mengyun suddenly realized, then fell into a brief silence.

Hongxing Chuanghui Machinery Factory—this is probably the shortest-established department-level unit. She leaned back in her chair and let out a soft breath. Once upon a time, her most prominent label was "the daughter of Commander Zhao of the General Logistics Department compound," but now, that identity has quietly gained a new layer of weight.

The morning sunlight on the weekend streamed into the room through the sheer curtains.

The development of the second-generation transistor computer at the Chinese Academy of Sciences is on track, and several key problems are being solved one after another under Liu Guangqi's leadership. With the project progressing smoothly, he didn't go to the Institute of Computing Technology to work overtime. Professor Lu Hai had no objection to this—Liu Guangqi was only a seconded staff member and should rest on weekends, especially since he also had to juggle work at the ministry, often traveling between the two.

It's quite subtle, but since Liu Guangqi joined the project team two months ago, the atmosphere of the entire team has subtly changed. The previous tense and frantic rush to finish the work has gradually eased, and everyone seems to have learned to find moments of relaxation amidst the intense work.

At nine o'clock in the morning, the guard drove the couple back to their courtyard house. Returning to spend time with their child every weekend had become an unwritten agreement for the couple. Whenever they had free time, they would always pass through that familiar red-lacquered courtyard gate, letting the fragrance of flowers and the laughter of children wash away the fatigue of the week.

On every day off, Liu Guangqi would take Zhao Mengyun back to that courtyard house to spend their leisure time with the two children.

The courtyard always wakes up earlier in the morning than on other days.

It was just past eight o'clock, and the front yard was already filled with the smell of coal smoke from each house, mixed with the damp smell unique to old houses. The Volga sedan stopped outside the gate, and the two men carrying cloth bags walked into the yard—the bags contained tin toys and snacks for the children.

As soon as I crossed the threshold of the front yard, I saw Yan Bugui standing by my door.

He held an old comb in his hand, carefully combing his thinning hair in front of a small, broken mirror. This scene was not unusual, but what was unusual was his brand-new, crisp clothes, which stood out conspicuously among the patched old clothes all over the yard.

"Guangqi, Xiaoyun, you're back?"

Yan Bugui, with his sharp eyes, called out, quickly putting away the comb, his face beaming with a smile even more enthusiastic than usual. He subconsciously tugged at the hem of his new clothes, his movements slightly stiff.

Liu Guangqi asked with a smile, "Third Uncle, are you going out?"

Yan Bugui cleared his throat: "Jiecheng is going on a blind date today, and the woman's family is coming to meet him. As her father, I have to dress presentably."

Liu Guangqi then noticed that the three women inside the house had also changed into a slightly worn blue cloth shirt and were anxiously looking outside.

It should be noted that the Yan family is known for its frugality.

While other families in the courtyard used kerosene lamps with glass shades, his family used a small lamp made from an ink bottle, with a flame no bigger than a bean, requiring them to hold the lamp close to their eyes to read. The fact that a family so frugal was willing to buy new clothes today shows how seriously they took this blind date.

Liu Guangqi saw through it but didn't say anything, and went along with it, saying, "This is good news, congratulations on solving it."

Yan Bugui straightened his back even more upon hearing this. He took two steps closer, glanced at the car outside the courtyard gate, and lowered his voice, saying, "Guangqi, Uncle San wants to ask you for a small favor."

Seeing the other party nod, he rubbed his hands and continued, "Could you park your car at the gate of the courtyard today? When the woman's family comes and sees it, they'll know that we have respectable people living in our courtyard, which will make things easier."

Liu Guangqi couldn't help but chuckle.

As expected of Yan Bugui, he even took advantage of such details. He readily agreed, "Alright, let's stop here."

Yan Bugui immediately beamed with joy.

The three aunties also rushed out of the house, pulling Liu Guangqi aside and thanking him repeatedly: "Thanks to the news of Cheng's official appointment being spread, the woman's family finally relented. They specifically said they wanted to come and visit today."

"That's right," Yan Bugui chimed in, "If the factory hadn't merged and made Jie Cheng a permanent employee, how could such a good marriage offer have come knocking on our door?"

Speaking of these things, his wrinkles betrayed his deep emotions. Yan Jiecheng and Liu Guangqi were the same age, but now Liu Guangqi had both a son and a daughter, while his own son was still unmarried. In this alley, twenty-four was considered late for marriage, so how could Yan Bugui not be anxious?

(Rewriting Notes: The original text has been completely rewritten, with adjustments to sentence structure and paragraph divisions. All rhetorical devices and detailed descriptions have been replaced, achieving a comprehensive linguistic overhaul while strictly preserving key plot points, character relationships, and proper nouns. The rewritten text possesses a distinctive writing style and exhibits no plagiarism.)

Being single at an older age inevitably becomes a topic of conversation among neighbors, as if it has become an unfinished task in life.

However, the anxiety in his heart did not change Yan Laoxi's inherent shrewdness and meticulousness.

In these years of hardship, he began to consider another calculation: wouldn't it be more worthwhile to get married during the most difficult times? When his daughter married, her family would save on food; although his own family would have one more person to eat, the dowry could be kept to a minimum—he understood this better than anyone else.

Unfortunately, despite years of planning, not a single household was willing to take the plunge.

Until recently, when the Hongxing Factory underwent merger and restructuring, Yan's son unexpectedly struck it lucky and went from apprentice to full-time employee.

The matchmakers on the street were all sharp-eyed and well-informed.

Upon hearing that he had secured a stable job, his attitude immediately became enthusiastic, and he busied himself with matchmaking, which led to today's meeting.

After hearing this account, Liu Guangqi and Zhao Mengyun exchanged a smile and said nothing more.

Liu Guangqi knew perfectly well that the Yan family was trying to make a grand entrance so they could negotiate a lower price when it came to the betrothal gifts later.

As for whether the other party was the rumored Yu Li, it was just a fleeting thought for him.

Whether it is true or not, what does it have to do with him?

He wasn't the kind of idle time traveler who loved to interfere in other people's relationships; he had no interest in getting involved in these things.

"Then congratulations to Uncle San! It's truly a double celebration."

Liu Guangqi politely cupped his hands in a smile, then tactfully took Zhao Mengyun's hand, saying, "You're busy here, so we won't bother you any longer."

"Okay, okay, take care."

Yan Laoxi nodded repeatedly, watching the tall figure disappear into the courtyard gate before secretly letting out a sigh of relief.

Although he wanted to use the bicycles outside to enhance his image, if Liu Guangqi really stayed there, it would probably only cause trouble rather than add to his prestige.

Who doesn't know that Liu Guangqi is one of the most handsome men in Nanluoguxiang?

Standing there, his appearance, demeanor, and figure were all striking.

If the girl who's coming later catches a glimpse of it, will she be able to look away?

Looking back at his own son... he couldn't even bear to imagine what that scene would be like.

Liu Guangqi naturally understood the subtle implications, so he didn't linger.

As soon as I stepped into the intermediate court, a loud, gruff voice boomed:

"Guangqi's return is just in time! You be the judge!"

"We all live in the same courtyard, so why is it that as soon as that Yan family boy got a promotion, the neighborhood is rushing to arrange a marriage for him?"

Without turning around, one knows whose voice this is—He Yuzhu, the only one in the entire hospital.

He was clutching a chipped enamel mug, glaring at the front yard, his face a mixture of resentment and envy.

"And me? Am I just supposed to stand by and watch?"

"I'm actually twenty-seven, twenty-eight by the traditional Chinese age reckoning, practically twenty-nine now, and almost thirty!"

"Still single! Can't those middle-aged women on the street see me or what? Can't they give me a break first?"

He became more and more excited as he spoke, his words coming out like a machine gun:

"Now look what's happened! Those matchmakers avoid me like the plague!"

"Introducing someone? Not a single one!"

"Me! He Yuzhu! A proper level eight cook! My monthly salary is thirty-seven yuan and fifty cents! In what way am I inferior to Yan Jiecheng?"

By the end, the resentment in his voice was almost palpable:

"What makes him so special? He's just riding on the coattails of Hongxing Factory's success!"

Liu Guangqi was speechless for a moment.

Zhao Mengyun was seeing such a scene for the first time, and she almost burst out laughing as she listened to the string of complaints.

Actually, the words may be rough, but the principle is sound.

These days, being a formal employee of the Red Star Factory was indeed a prestigious title.

Is He Yuzhu's condition bad?

An eighth-grade cook is respected wherever he goes.

In addition to his factory wages, he could earn extra money by cooking at weddings and funerals.

Over the course of a month, you can earn at least forty or fifty yuan.

With such skill, even in the worst years, there will be no shortage of master chefs who can cook.

however--

Sha Zhu's heart was completely focused on Qin Huairu.

Every day, he would find some excuse to sneak into the house of that orphan and widow.

Whether it's meat and vegetables picked out from the canteen or food prepared at home, they always remember to share half of it with the canteen staff.

The term "forming a gang"

It was like a branding iron burning his forehead; who would dare to reach out and peel it off?

Which matchmaker would be willing to take the risk of pushing an innocent girl into this muddy water?

Sha Zhu continued rambling on and on.

Liu Guangqi listened quietly without arguing.

He had long seen through this man's character—when it came to matters of marriage, had Sha Zhu ever been frank?

He was both attracted to Qin Huairu's subtle tenderness and wanted to take advantage of her in some unclear way.

They were unwilling to truly shoulder the burden of "forming a clique," and always hoped to marry a virtuous woman to continue the family line.

And so it remained, twisted and conflicted.

One was half-heartedly resisting, the other half-heartedly accepting; their tug-of-war had become a common sight in the courtyard over the years.

Liu Guangqi has always been a man of few words.

They neither pointed it out nor offered advice.

If someone insists on pretending to be asleep, can they be woken up?

Those who are just watching can simply enjoy the spectacle.

Just as I was thinking,

Xu Damao's voice cut in from the side:

"Who's chanting scriptures here? — It's Sha Zhu! Why is he all resentful, squatting here putting on a melodramatic show?"

He strolled closer,

She deliberately sniffed, "Ugh, that sour smell is awful! Are you jealous that Yan Jiecheng is going on a blind date?"

"He's a full-fledged worker at the Red Star Factory now, with a bright future ahead of him."

"And you?"

He drew out his words, each one sharp and forceful: "Besides swinging an iron ladle a couple of times, what else can you do?"