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

"What?!" Liu Guangtian practically jumped off his stool, his voice trembling. "Dad! Fifteen yuan is way too much!" He frantically counted on his fingers, "I only make thirty-three yuan a month, and if I pay that, I'll only have eighteen left! Even my older brother didn't pay that much back then!"

"You think you can compare to your older brother?" Liu Haizhong slammed his chopsticks on the table, his face darkening. He raised his leg as if to kick Liu Guangtian. "Your older brother brings home meat coupons, grain coupons, and cloth coupons every month—aren't they all in high demand? They're worth more than fifteen yuan!" His eyes widened, spittle almost landing on Liu Guangtian's face. "Besides… your older brother gets government subsidies for university. What about you? Doesn't it cost money to go to vocational school? With your salary of thirty-three yuan, you think you're being unfair by paying fifteen yuan?!"

Liu Guangtian was speechless. He knew his father was absolutely right. In those days, it was only natural for unmarried children to contribute money home after they started working. Even though his older brother, Liu Guangqi, had offered to contribute to the household expenses, his parents had refused. In the end, his brother took the initiative to collect all the ration coupons the family needed most, bringing back large bags of them during holidays. Compared to those, fifteen yuan was indeed nothing.

He deflated, like a punctured balloon, head drooping: "I know, I'll pay..." But he knew perfectly well what he was doing: he earned thirty-three yuan a month, and even if he handed over fifteen, though it hurt, he'd still have eighteen yuan and fifty cents left. If this were Old Yan's family in the front yard, that would be truly ruthless—given the calculating nature of his third uncle, Yan Bugui, Yan Jiecheng would only get five yuan a month if his father was in an exceptionally good mood.

Compared to that, it's not the worst.

There are no secrets that stay hidden forever. The fact that Liu Guangtian had been assigned to a factory after graduating from vocational school was never going to be kept quiet, especially since Yan Jiecheng also worked at the Hongxing Factory. Naturally, the Liu family in the backyard didn't try to conceal it either.

Soon, the news that Liu Guangtian had joined the Hongxing Factory and been assigned to an administrative position spread like wildfire among some people in the compound. For a moment, the expressions of everyone in the compound became subtle.

You see, the second uncle's family in the backyard, including Liu Haizhong, Liu Guangqi, and Zhao Mengyun, already constituted three households with two working parents. And this wasn't just an ordinary three-working-age family—it was a genuine three-working-age cadre family. Even Liu Haizhong, who was the least successful among them, had become a workshop foreman, essentially a cadre working in lieu of a government position. And now, Liu Guangtian had joined the family!

The family of three workers and cadres has now gone a step further, becoming a family of four workers and cadres. Such a scene is probably unparalleled, not only in this courtyard house, but also in the entire Nanluoguxiang area.

Against this backdrop, the discussions in the courtyard became impossible to suppress. Neighbors gathered in small groups, and the conversation invariably revolved around this matter:

"Have you heard? The Liu family has produced another successful cadre! The second son graduated from vocational school in a flash and got a job at the Red Star Factory, working in an office!"

"Isn't that what we should do? Graduates from vocational high schools are already considered cadres."

"That's right! Before, Guangqi was in the Ministry of Machine Building, Xiaoyun was in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and my second uncle was the workshop director of a steel rolling mill. Now, add Liu Guangtian, who graduated from a vocational school, and wow, this family of four is all cadres!"

"Wow, this is incredible! You probably won't find another place like it in Nanluoguxiang, will you?"

"I've only ever heard of dual-income or triple-income families before; this is the first time I've ever seen a quadruple-income family!"

"What do you mean by 'four working-class families'? You're not being accurate—they were a family of four working-class cadres! There's a huge difference in the nuances!"

Such casual conversations spread from the courtyard to the alley entrance, as if whispers about Liu Haizhong's family were floating in every corner, and even the air was filled with a subtle atmosphere of envy and reluctance to provoke them.

Of course, none of the commotion in the courtyard reached Liu Guangqi.

At this moment, he...

In the laboratory of the Institute of Computing Technology, every minute is precious.

Someone gently tapped the table: "Deputy Team Leader Liu, please review this result."

Two researchers wearing glasses handed him a newly printed set of data, their eyes filled with a mixture of tension and hope.

Liu Guangqi didn't look up, but simply reached out and took the paper, his gaze quickly sweeping over the rows of numbers.

In just over ten seconds, he picked up the red and blue pencils on the table and steadily drew marks on two places on the paper.

"Here, and here." His voice was calm but resolute. "The calculations are incorrect. Please double-check."

After the two left, Liu Guangqi buried himself back in the blueprints and formulas in front of him.

In name, Professor Lu Hai is the person in charge of the entire project, but in reality, since the project started, almost every key decision and every technological shift has been ultimately made by Liu Guangqi.

He is the true helmsman of this scientific research vessel.

It must be said that, thanks to Liu Guangqi's presence, the project progressed at an astonishing speed.

In just six months, many technical challenges faced by the second-generation transistor computer have been overcome one by one, and some modules have even entered the trial production stage.

In Professor Lu Hai's view, this pace can still be accelerated—with their comprehensive technological accumulation and Liu Guangqi's grasp of the direction, their goal is to complete the development of the first second-generation transistor computer in China before National Day.

Time flies.

In the blink of an eye, Liu Guangtian has been working at Hongxing Factory for two months.

At this moment, the steel rolling mill is about to witness an important event.

The Second Heavy Machinery Plant and the Oriental Electric Plant completed the manufacturing of key components for the four-roll mill in accordance with the technical drawings.

Upon receiving the news, Li Huaide immediately took action, personally leading a convoy of transport vehicles to the Second Heavy Machinery Plant to escort the large components wrapped in tarpaulins back to the plant.

He kept a close eye on everything from loading and unloading to assembly, and only breathed a sigh of relief when all the parts were in place and ready for trial operation.

Inside the factory area, three heavy trucks were loaded with tightly wrapped rolling mill parts.

Li Huaide, unusually dressed in work clothes and wearing a safety helmet, stood on site with a notebook in hand, occasionally giving instructions to the head of the technical department:

"Slow down! The support rollers must not be bumped or damaged. The precision requirements are extremely high, and there can be no room for error."

He appeared much more composed than he had been two months ago.

The impetuousness of prioritizing relationships over technical skills has quietly faded away—his father-in-law's stern admonition from the Ministry of Metallurgy has finally made him more mature.

That criticism, though seemingly embarrassing, actually earned him crucial support.

Now Li Huaide knows clearly that this four-roll mill will determine the future direction of the steel mill.

"Deputy Factory Director Li does things personally."

A slightly cool voice came from behind. Director Yang approached with two administrative staff members, his face as gloomy as a dark cloud.

Looking at the parts scattered on the ground, he felt both annoyed and anxious. He had explicitly opposed Li Huaide's interference in production affairs. If this man were to successfully oversee the production, wouldn't he, as the factory director, be rendered useless?

Although he had the support of ministerial leaders behind him, that was ultimately just a relationship at the official level. How could it compare to the close relationship between Li Huaide and Vice Minister Yin, who was like father-in-law and son-in-law?

"Director Yang is here?" Li Huaide turned around, a smile on his face, but his voice held a sharp edge. "Perfect timing. You thought the four-roll mill was not feasible back then. Today, let's see for ourselves whether Comrade Guangqi's design can actually be put into operation."

He gestured to the head of the technical department next to him:

"The masters at the Second Heavy Machinery Plant all said that the precision of the parts even exceeds the design standards, and they are just waiting to be assembled and tested."

Factory Director Yang was speechless for a moment.

His gaze swept over the precise machining marks on the parts, and he ultimately did not refute them—he understood production management, but not the in-depth technical details; arguing at this point would only put him in a more passive position, especially since the technical person in charge that Li Huaide was relying on this time was Liu Guangqi.

This made him feel a little apprehensive.

The workers began assembling the equipment in an orderly manner, and Li Huaide stood nearby the whole time, not even leaving during his lunch break.

Factory Director Yang stood there for a moment, and seeing that no one paid any attention to him, he had no choice but to silently retreat to a corner, secretly hoping that the test run would not go smoothly.

Time slips away quietly.

The steel rolling mill's technical department worked all afternoon to finally assemble the last component of the four-roll mill.

The workshop was bustling with people, including administrative staff who rarely showed up on weekdays.

A brand-new four-roll mill stands tall in the factory, its silver-gray exterior gleaming with a chilling metallic light, creating a stark contrast with the mottled old three-roll mill next to it.

"Feed! Ready to start up!"

Li Huaide raised his hand and shouted, his voice brimming with barely suppressed passion.

The workers responded and pushed the raw materials into the machine. With a roar, the new machine began to run.

Soon after, the quality inspector rushed towards the factory leaders, clutching the report, his voice trembling with excitement:

"Director Li! The results are in!"

"The width and thickness of this batch of steel are more than double the highest record we've ever achieved!"

"The number of welds has also been significantly reduced!"

"Great! That's wonderful!"

Li Huaide snatched the paper, glanced at the data, and burst into loud laughter.

Cheers swept through the workshop like a tidal wave, and every face was bathed in an excited glow.

That steady, humming machine stood before everyone like a milestone—it was not just an improvement, but a leap forward.

Liu Guangqi and the name of the four-roll mill once again resounded throughout the metallurgical system.

The following afternoon, Liu Guangqi had just returned to the Ministry of Machine Building from the Institute of Computing Technology when the building's loudspeaker suddenly started broadcasting.

The clear announcements penetrated the corridors and offices:

"Comrades, I am now conveying a commendation notice from the higher-level institute committee."

The entire building fell silent instantly, and all movement came to an abrupt halt.

"Recently, under the leadership of Comrade Liu Guangqi of the Research Department of the First Ministry of Machine Building, and in collaboration with the Ministry of Metallurgical Industry, the Second Heavy Machinery Plant, and other units, a major breakthrough has been achieved in the field of rolling mill technology. This is hereby commended!"

The broadcast paused briefly, then repeated the content twice more in a solemn tone.

After the announcement was broadcast three times, a commotion immediately broke out in the government building.

"Did you hear that? Director Liu has been commended again!"

"This tough nut to crack—the rolling mill—hadn't been touched for years, yet he actually managed to break through?"

"Incredible...this is like a golden plaque bestowed upon our department!"

The entrance to the research department was already crowded with young technicians, and someone knocked on Liu Guangqi's office door with a smile:

"Director, you really kept this a secret this time!"

"You've even made inroads into the metallurgical field! The institute personally named you; our hearts were pounding in our chests!"

Liu Guangqi shook his head helplessly, and before he could answer, steady footsteps came from the end of the corridor.

The crowd immediately fell silent, stepped aside to make way, and greeted each other in unison:

"Director!"

Director Lin, carrying a manila envelope and documents, walked over with a smile, his gaze sweeping over the crowd:

"What are you all doing gathered here? Let's disperse."

He went into the office, closed the door, and shut out the noise.

"Guangqi, this is a special commendation from the Academy Committee for you." Director Lin placed the paper bag on the table, his eyes filled with approval. "You have once again brought honor to the Ministry of Machine Building."

Liu Guangqi simply smiled and said, "The blueprints are just the beginning; the real credit goes to the hard work of the three parties working together."

"You..." Director Lin shook his head and chuckled, then lowered his voice, "I heard that the Institute of Computing Technology... has news coming soon?"

"Soon." Liu Guangqi nodded frankly.

Outside the window, late September in Beiping was already tinged with autumn chill, yet the wind carried a sweltering heat.

As National Day approaches, the festive atmosphere permeates every brick and tile of every street and alley, like ink seeping into paper.

Heat waves poured out of the windows of countless factories.

In this era that reveres labor, the air before the holiday is thick with tension, not a hint of relaxation. Everywhere is a race against time, every second is given full force. The roar of machines drowns out all other sounds, and even many workplace canteens have tacitly postponed their mealtimes by half an hour.