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

After Director Hua left with a brisk pace, Professor Lu did not rush to get up. Instead, he gave Liu Guangqi a meaningful smile, gesturing for him to follow him.

This is now the real prelude to inviting him here today.

……

Stepping into the office,

Professor Lu personally brewed a cup of hot tea and pushed it in front of the young man. The rising steam dispelled the tense atmosphere in the meeting room.

"Guangqi," Professor Lu said, getting straight to the point.

"You've probably guessed it—our second-generation transistor computer's primary task is to support defense projects in the Northwest."

He paused briefly, his gaze sweeping across the boy's calm face.

"You heard what Director Fang Cai said."

"The institute's instructions will be issued soon, and the transport team will arrive shortly. This machine at the institute probably won't be staying for long."

The implication is crystal clear.

They are all intelligent people; there's no need to explain it to them.

Liu Guangqi pondered for a moment, then looked up and asked, "Professor Lu, what you mean is—"

"You want me to make this trip myself?"

Professor Lu nodded slightly: "The operating methods of the second-generation aircraft are quite different from those of the first-generation aircraft. The comrades at the Northwest Base will have to learn from scratch."

"Not to mention the disassembly and transportation of computers..."

"And then there's the reassembly and debugging upon arrival."

His gaze fell on Liu Guangqi, carrying an undisguised sense of entrustment.

Sending anyone else is not as good as sending you.

"Comrade Guangqi, no one knows this machine better than you. You are the most suitable candidate."

These words are both a request and an undeniable endorsement of the technology.

Moreover, Liu Guangqi had already been to the Northwest last year, and there was no one in the entire Institute of Computing Technology with more experience than him.

Liu Guangqi smiled gently after hearing this.

Professor Lu's words are all true; no one else can replace him on this mission.

He had no objection to this.

Not long after leaving the Institute of Computing Technology and returning to the Ministry of Machine Building, Director Lin's secretary found him.

"Director Liu, the director requests your presence; he says it's urgent."

Liu Guangqi was a little puzzled. He had just returned from the Institute of Computing Technology. What urgent matter could he have?

Pushing open the door to the director's office, I saw that Director Lin had just put down the phone.

Upon seeing him enter, the director couldn't help but laugh: "You rascal, I really don't know whether to say you're incredibly lucky or just incredibly lucky."

"You can get a bonus just by going out!"

Liu Guangqi understood immediately upon hearing this.

The Institute of Computing Technology acted very quickly; he had barely left when the phone rang at the Ministry.

He shook his head helplessly: "It just so happens that we ran into each other."

It was indeed a coincidence, but he also knew that even without today's events, the bonus would have been his sooner or later. His contributions to the development of the second-generation fighter jet were undeniable.

This is an honor, and it is something he deserves.

Director Lin didn't say much about the matter; his smile faded, and his expression became serious. He tapped his fingers twice on the table.

"Let's get down to business."

"The Institute of Computing Technology just called. Are you really sure? You still want to go to the Northwest?"

Liu Guangqi nodded.

The slight smile on his face faded, replaced by a calm and resolute certainty:

"I've made up my mind."

"National defense comes first. If the Northwest needs it, it's only right that I make another trip."

At this point, his tone softened slightly, tinged with a hint of teasing:

"Let's set off early, maybe we can still make it back for the New Year."

Director Lin smiled, a smile that carried the insight and感慨 of an elder.

"Okay, it's good that you're aware of this."

He then changed the subject, leaning forward slightly, and said in a casual tone:

"Since you've made the decision, that's perfect."

"Take one of those seven-axis, five-linkage CNC machine tools from the department with you; we can hitch a ride."

"Once you get there, make sure the machine tools are installed and stabilized. That's killing two birds with one stone."

After listening, Liu Guangqi's eyebrows twitched almost imperceptibly.

Well, they really don't treat him like an outsider.

A section chief and technical expert suddenly became a transporter and debugging worker, splitting himself into several roles.

Although he thought this way, he also understood—

When it comes to matters of vital importance to the future, all resources must give way. Whether it's second-generation computers or precision machine tools, both are indispensable aids.

Let alone picking up a machine tool along the way, even if he were asked to bring his entire technical team to settle in the Northwest, he would have to agree.

Therefore, he did not actually refuse.

This era has its own magic; though material things are simple, people's hearts are united as if cast in stone.

The entire country seemed like a clenched fist, with all its power surging in the same direction.

That's why miracles that started from scratch have grown one after another from the wasteland.

Thinking of this, the helplessness in my heart quietly dissipated, transforming into a heavy sense of agreement:

"Okay, I'll go."

"Well done!" Director Lin praised loudly.

Director Lin slapped the table with delight, "Your thoughtfulness is enough. Go back and make some preparations, then wait for further instructions."

Before you know it, it's time to leave work again.

It happened to be the eve of the weekend.

Liu Guangqi picked up Zhao Mengyun and instructed his guards to drive to the courtyard to pick up the child.

The car door closed gently, shutting out the noise of the street.

As soon as Zhao Mengyun sat down, she turned to the side, her clear gaze falling on her husband's profile.

"Did you see Director Hua at the Institute of Computing Technology today?"

"What's your impression?"

As a member of the diplomatic system, she was already very familiar with the mathematical giant who resolutely returned to China—the shock caused by his return back then is still a popular topic of conversation in the ministry.

Now my husband is able to meet with such a person.

She couldn't hide her curiosity either.

Liu Guangqi nodded with a smile: "It's pretty much as I expected. He is indeed a figure destined to be recorded in history."

Zhao Mengyun's eyes sparkled.

The atmosphere inside the car relaxed.

After a few jokes,

The topic then shifted to the second-generation computer and the research and development bonuses awarded by the higher-level research institute.

"Oh, right."

She glanced at him slightly, and asked casually, "You said the academy committee gave the Institute of Computing Technology an award and a bonus?"

"Such a significant project must have a substantial bonus, right?"

She had barely finished speaking when she chuckled and added:

"I don't mean to be greedy, I just want to see how much recognition your hard work over the past year has received."

A gentle smile appeared in Liu Guangqi's eyes: "So, what do you think is considered high?"

"At least... it can't be lower than a rice cooker and an electric blanket, right?"

Zhao Mengyun held up her index finger and said, "The last few times we received those export-oriented electrical appliances, we gave out a 100 yuan bonus for each one."

"A national strategic asset like the second-generation computer is really only worth one hundred yuan?"

She didn't care about money.

Instead, she wanted to confirm whether her husband's efforts were truly being recognized.

Actually,

With their income,

Over the years, I've saved nearly two hundred yuan a month from my salary, and my family's savings have long been approaching ten thousand yuan.

In those days, housing was allocated by work units, and meals were provided by canteens.

Even with various forms of subsidies and allowances, Liu Guangqi, as an engineer and ministerial official, never lacked anything.

In this situation

Even if a family has savings, where can they spend them?

Having money but nowhere to spend it is the most accurate reflection of this era.

Perhaps that is why,

This era is particularly conducive to nurturing souls who are indifferent to wealth, dedicated to their country, and devoted to selfless service.

Because money is at this moment

It certainly lacks substance.

But honor is as heavy as mountains and seas.

In Zhao Mengyun's heart

The husband's talent couldn't be clearer.

In the past, Liu Guangqi developed electric blankets and rice cookers. No matter which product generated foreign exchange, the Ministry of Foreign Trade would give him at least one hundred yuan as a reward.

What pleased her was not the amount of money.

Rather, it was the affirmation from superiors that brought her husband respect and recognition of his skills.

The same applies to second-generation computers.

This sophisticated technological creation represents almost all of Liu Guangqi's hard work throughout the year, and now that the results are in,

Zhao Mengyun pondered to herself,

It should be at least ten or twenty times the usual bonus, right?

She wasn't after money.

I just feel that my husband has put so much effort into this and deserves the highest level of recognition.

Because she deeply loved Liu Guangqi, she also deeply loved everything he had fought for.

Just as Zhao Mengyun's thoughts were fluttering,

Liu Guangqi, who was beside him, suddenly chuckled softly.

He then took a brand new black ten from his pocket and handed it to her:

"Look, this is the entire prize money for the second-generation computer."

"A full ten yuan."

Zhao Mengyun froze, clutching the banknote, her eyes widening slightly: "Ten yuan?"

Her first thought was that her husband was joking.

After all, each of those seemingly ordinary home appliances that generate foreign exchange earns a hundred-yuan reward.

How could such a major project as the second-generation computer cost only ten yuan?

However, Liu Guangqi nodded, his expression calm: "It's true."

He held her hand, his voice as gentle as a babbling brook:

"The total prize money this time is actually quite substantial, amounting to 10,000 yuan."

"But I feel that this credit should not be attributed to me alone."

Liu Guangqi's eyes shone brightly.

She knew that light all too well—clear, firm, and warm.

"The successful development of the second-generation computer is an important milestone in the country's scientific and technological progress." Liu Guangqi's voice rang out steadily in the car. "From the blueprint design to the assembly of the last part, every participant poured their heart and soul into it. This honor belongs to the collective."

He paused, then continued, "I have suggested to my superiors that the project bonus be distributed to all contributors. I will personally receive ten yuan as a special incentive; colleagues from collaborating units will receive five or three yuan respectively, depending on their level of participation. The important thing is that everyone should share in this joy."

Zhao Mengyun lowered her eyes and stared at the dark, inky ten-yuan banknote in her hand, remaining silent for a long time.

Gradually, her expression underwent a subtle change.

The initial confusion faded away, transforming into a deep understanding, and finally settled into a bright gleam in my eyes.

Then, she did something that surprised Liu Guangqi.

Instead of casually putting the banknotes into her pocket, she gently opened her briefcase and carefully placed them in the innermost compartment, as if treasuring a medal.

After completing this action, she raised her eyelids again.

His gaze was clear and ardent as he looked at Liu Guangqi, filled with unreserved praise and admiration.

A brief silence spread through the carriage.

The scenery outside the window slowly shifts, transitioning from the neat and uniform outlines of the ministry buildings to the lively atmosphere of everyday life in the alleyways.

The discussion about the bonus has ended.

Zhao Mengyun leaned back in her chair, a faint smile playing at the corners of her eyes and brows. Her lips unconsciously curved upwards, and her fingertips tapped lightly on her knees, creating an off-key rhythm as she hummed a broken, joyful melody.

Liu Guangqi hesitated several times before speaking.

That remark about the upcoming business trip felt like a burning lump of coal rolling between my lips and teeth…

But as his gaze swept over his wife's serene and joyful profile, he ultimately couldn't bring himself to say it.

Although she always verbally expressed her support, the unease and bewilderment he felt when his peace was shattered during those sleepless nights before his departure was the shadow he least wanted to touch.

So be it.

Liu Guangqi ultimately swallowed his words.

His gaze drifted towards the approaching alleyway outside the window, and he had already made up his mind. He would let her enjoy her happiness for the next few days, and then, after the official notification from the compound was issued, he would find a suitable time to subtly inform her.

At least for now.

Don't overthink it; just let her immerse herself in the simple joy of picking up the kids from school.

* * *

"squeak--"

The Volga sedan came to a stop on the bluestone ground in front of the courtyard house, the lingering sound of its tires still echoing.

Before Liu Guangqi and Zhao Mengyun could even get out of the car, the entire alleyway suddenly erupted into a commotion, as if a pebble had been thrown into a still pond.

Outside the car window, a dense crowd of people had gathered.