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

In the office, the technician, who had been unable to contain his excitement, immediately fell silent upon seeing this and awkwardly retreated to the side.

"Director Liu," the secretary stepped forward and said succinctly, "the minister requests your presence."

"Do you know what it is?"

"I'm not entirely sure about the specifics, but it seems to be related to the higher-level council. I need to arrange for vehicles first; you can go directly to the minister's office."

Liu Guangqi nodded.

He put down his work, told the technician to "put the newspaper here," and then turned and walked out.

As soon as he stepped outside, he saw the familiar figure of the Minister of the First Ministry of Machine Building waiting at the corner of the stairs, waving at him.

"Kuangqi!"

Liu Guangqi hurried downstairs: "Boss, what's the matter that's so urgent?"

"The council just called, specifically requesting that the two of us come over immediately!" The minister's face was filled with barely suppressed joy.

He pulled Liu Guangqi aside, and as they walked out of the building, he chuckled in a low voice:

"It's probably because you developed the second-generation computer. The top leader mentioned last time that he wanted to give you credit."

"This time, your Level 6 Engineer certificate might have to be moved up a bit!"

Liu Guangqi immediately understood.

The minister had previously mentioned the matter of rewards in a phone call during a report to the four-roll mill.

He acted too quickly—working with the Institute of Computing Technology to complete the second-generation transistor computer as a gift before National Day.

It now appears that these two achievements have been combined by the higher-ups to give him a concentrated reward.

really.

Shortly after entering the administrative office area, he was greeted by the familiar high-ranking leader.

"Comrade Guangqi, I've called you here today for no other important matter." The senior leader's tone was calm, yet carried immense weight.

"The organization has already discussed your rewards and benefits."

"It has been decided to promote your engineer level by one level, and you will be treated as a level 5 engineer from now on."

Level 5 Engineer.

Even though he had a premonition and had mentally prepared himself for it many times, hearing it with his own ears still stirred a surge of emotion in Liu Guangqi's chest.

He understands the weight of this class all too well.

I'm only twenty-four years old, and I've already reached this threshold—if I told anyone, even I would probably feel bewildered.

"Don't be surprised, you can handle it."

The senior leader seemed to read his mind and gently pushed two documents on the table forward with a smile.

"In the metallurgical sector, the four-roll mill broke through foreign blockades, causing steel production to skyrocket."

"At the Chinese Academy of Sciences, the second-generation transistor computer has achieved complete self-reliance, and its computing speed is catching up with the international level."

With each word he spoke, the air in the room grew quieter.

Having said that, the senior leader leaned back in his large chair, his gaze falling on Liu Guangqi with a mixture of scrutiny and admiration:

"Either of these two things alone would be enough to get you into the position of a Level 5 engineer."

"But you managed to accomplish both in the same year."

This merit—

"You deserve this level without a doubt."

After he finished speaking, the office fell silent.

Only the faint sounds of the city outside the window, like distant tides, gently lapping against the banks of time.

The secretary stood quietly to one side, her eyelashes trembling slightly.

He had served this leader for many years and had seen countless talented young people and scholars returning from overseas, but none of them had achieved the level five engineer certification at such an age.

Liu Guangqi was the first one.

What does it mean to be a level 5 engineer at the age of 24?

Ordinary engineers start from level nine and climb up level by level.

If everything goes smoothly, it may take two years to go from level nine to level eight.

It will take another three or four years to go from level eight to level seven.

The higher you go, the more difficult and dangerous the obstacles become.

The transition from Level 6 to Level 5 is like an insurmountable chasm.

Without at least three major technological contributions and more than ten years of experience as a foundation, it's not even worth considering.

Many gray-haired engineers, having devoted their entire lives to the cause, are ultimately trapped at the Level 6 threshold, unable to surpass it even upon retirement.

And what about Liu Guangqi in front of us?

Before he was even 24, he seemed to be riding the wind and driving a rocket, breaking all the rules one after another!

This is no longer just breaking a record—

This is about crushing past records into dust and reshaping them into the clouds.

A chill ran through the secretary's heart, and when she looked at Liu Guangqi again, it was no different from looking at a rare treasure.

Liu Guangqi remained silent.

The calmer he was, the clearer the admiration in the leader's eyes became.

The tone shifted slightly, a gentle smile appearing in the voice:

"Comrade Guangqi..."

Do you know what a Level 5 engineer means to outsiders?

"Since the founding of the People's Republic of China, there have been very few Level 5 engineers under the age of 30. Such qualifications would qualify one for a full professorship at Tsinghua University."

He tapped the table lightly with his fingertip, his tone carrying a playful yet cautionary tone:

"Comrade Guangqi, if you were to say right now that you want to teach at a university, I dare say that the presidents of Tsinghua University and Peking University would be fighting over you right here in my office."

"But let me warn you—give up that idea as soon as possible. Our industrial development can't do without you these days."

A few laughs and conversations quietly melted away the slightly somber atmosphere in the room.

Liu Guangqi couldn't help but smile.

The wisp of confusion that had been floating in my heart finally settled back into reality.

"Sir, please rest assured."

"I still have too many ideas that haven't been realized, and I absolutely cannot leave the industrial front..."

The leader nodded, picked up the pen from the table, uncapped it, and began to write on the document.

The pen tip glided across the paper with a soft, clear sound, especially distinct in the quiet office.

"The details of your commendation are already in the documents, so I won't go into them again. You will certainly not be treated unfairly."

He put down his pen, looked up at Liu Guangqi, and his gaze was solemn:

"I only want to emphasize three things to you."

"Firstly, from today onwards, there will be no limit to the amount of your special research funding! For all projects led by you, Liu Guangqi, the institute will give priority to allocating funds, and will provide as much as needed."

"Secondly, the Academy Committee fully supports your previously proposed nine-axis CNC machine tool, as well as the integrated circuit and integrated chip projects!"

"Funding and personnel will be prioritized for you. Just go for it!"

Thirdly…

The leader paused briefly, his eyes blazing with a fiery light:

"I heard your spouse recently had a baby? You must need someone to take care of the baby at home."

"You can apply to the organization for a childcare worker and a life assistant to help you with household chores. Someone as talented as you shouldn't be held back by mundane chores."

Needless to say.

Every single one of these arrangements has been put into practice.

Priority funding from higher-level academic committees undoubtedly provided a solid backing for Liu Guangqi's dedicated research.

Not only that--

If you need resources, we'll provide resources; if you need manpower, we'll provide manpower.

Even more so, caregivers and life assistants were provided for him.

The leader's words undoubtedly cleared the way for Liu Guangqi's future scientific research journey, leaving him with no more worries.

What excited him even more was the treatment of the caregivers and life assistants.

It must be made clear—

Childcare workers and life assistants are completely different from the servants and nannies that capitalists used to employ in the old days.

In short:

If you secretly hire a nanny, you're picking up capitalist habits; it's an undeniable fact that you might be exposed and criticized at any time.

But Liu Guangqi's treatment was granted by the state and showed care from the organization.

Who dares to speak recklessly about right and wrong?

Who would dare to gossip behind their back?

These days, a childcare worker is not someone that can be just any woman.

Behind these three characters lies one of the eight official ranks.

It is a formal position with knowledge, rank, and a government salary!

In other words-

In an era of surging industrial revolution, there is a group of people whose existence is to protect the softest concern of the workers who fight on the front lines of the production line—their children.

In this era that advocates gender equality, a senior childcare worker often holds a status no less than that of a highly respected senior technician in a workshop.

According to the evaluation standards, childcare workers are divided into nine levels, from the lowest level nine to the highest level one, with monthly salaries starting at 23 yuan and reaching a maximum of 53 yuan. This income is enough to attract many envious glances.

This is not just a job of looking after children.

It is also a symbol of honor bestowed by the state, a special care that only senior officials and top scholars are entitled to.

Liu Guangqi's thoughts drifted to the courtyard where his father-in-law lived.

My father-in-law was a decorated general, and my mother-in-law was a political commissar in the army. Naturally, the family had dedicated caregivers who were responsible for the daily life of the whole family and the upbringing of their grandchildren.

This is a special guarantee provided by the state to allow these leaders who shoulder heavy responsibilities to devote themselves wholeheartedly to the great cause of national development without distraction.

In the past, when he accompanied his wife back to that compound and witnessed the living conditions of his father-in-law's family, it would be a lie for Liu Guangqi to say that he had no longing for it.

But despite his longing, he knew perfectly well that it was the treatment his father-in-law had earned through a lifetime of fighting amidst gunfire, a treatment he had earned as a division commander.

And what about myself? What right do I, a descendant of an ordinary worker who grew up in peacetime and in ordinary alleys, have to hope for such things?

However, at this moment,

With the skills he had developed through his own research, he actually managed to touch the edge of that door.

Although the level of caregiver assigned to him certainly cannot compare with that at his father-in-law's house, the meaning is the same!

Thinking of this,

An indescribable feeling of exhilaration quietly filled my heart.

He knew all too well how much his wife missed their child.

If it weren't for the fact that both of them were working in ministries and had very heavy workloads, what mother would be willing to send her still-breastfeeding infant to her grandparents to raise?

Liu Guangqi didn't say it,

Yet, every time he saw his wife returning from visiting the children on the weekend, he saw that reluctant expression on her face.

Now things are much better.

With a state-appointed caregiver, the two children were able to be brought back to their side and receive professional care.

And he himself was finally able to devote all his energy to the technological research and development he loved without any worries!

A myriad of emotions swept through my heart.

Liu Guangqi looked at the leader in front of him, and his eyes couldn't help but get a little moist.

"Thank you for the organization's guidance!"

"I will do my utmost to live up to expectations!"

Upon hearing this, the leader smiled, waved his hand, and then his expression turned serious, and his tone became solemn.

"A Level 5 Engineer not only receives a higher salary, but also greater responsibility."

He got up and walked to the wall.

Pointing to that huge "National Industrial Layout Map".

The key areas circled in red on the map—next to the computer R&D base and the chip development team—are all labeled with the same name in small print:

Liu Guangqi!

"You are now a banner on our country's industrial front. All the comrades in the country engaged in industrial construction are watching you."

"You should also pay more attention to other brother units and not hold back."

"Technology is something you develop through your own research, but industrial development depends on everyone. Let them learn more and work together to solidify the nation's industrial foundation; that's the most important thing."

"If you encounter any problems, you can contact the department or come directly to me, but you must never back down..."

"Do you understand?"

Liu Guangqi also stood up, clutching the still-freshly printed approval document tightly in his hand, the edges of the paper wrinkled from his grip.

"Please rest assured, sir, I understand my responsibilities."

His voice wasn't loud.

But it was like an iron nail driven into hard ground: "I will never let you down."

The leader nodded approvingly.

He stepped forward and patted him hard on the shoulder: "I value your steady and pragmatic spirit."

"Alright, go back to your work, I won't keep you any longer!"

Later,