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

Not only the neighbors of No. 95 courtyard, but also those from the surrounding alleys and neighboring houses—almost everyone with whom they had some connection—gathered around. Even Liu Guangqi, who had seen many things in life, was genuinely taken aback by the sight before him.

Until Grandpa Yan Bugui from the front yard came forward with a smile and called out:

"Guangqi! We've been waiting for you to come back!"

"We were all shocked when the article appeared in the newspaper the other day! It said in black and white, 'Industrial Leader'—we've never had such a prominent figure in our courtyard house before!"

That shout was like opening a floodgate, and the crowd immediately erupted in commotion.

A cacophony of voices poured in from all directions, and some of the wording left Liu Guangqi feeling somewhat helpless.

"Director Liu! Welcome back in triumph!"

"Guangqi, say a few words to everyone!"

"Chief Engineer Liu..."

Amidst the cacophony of noise, Liu Guangqi was somewhat amused and exasperated. This commotion was far too much of a show.

He couldn't help but feel secretly glad that he had already moved away from this courtyard. If he were still living here, returning home every day to find the same scene, he feared that peace and quiet would be hard to come by in the future.

As the crowd grew larger, the accompanying guards, though dutifully blocking the way, ultimately found themselves outnumbered and outmatched by the enthusiastic neighbors.

"Dear old neighbors, please hear me out!"

Liu Guangqi raised his hand, his voice not loud, but it possessed a calming power. The previously noisy crowd gradually quieted down.

"I grew up in this compound, and many of you here have watched me grow up. Call me by the same way you used to. Calling me 'section chief' or 'chief engineer' just makes me sound too distant."

These words drew a burst of good-natured laughter from the crowd, and the tense atmosphere eased considerably.

"I just got back and I need to rush home to see my kids! Please don't crowd around the door!"

What do you all think?

"good!"

The crowd responded loudly, but their feet didn't budge an inch.

No one wanted to miss this sight that was so close at hand.

Liu Guangqi never expected that the workers of this era would hold such fervent respect for him, an industrial pioneer. Today, labor is most glorious, and people no longer idolize famous opera stars, but instead hold a heartfelt reverence for the role models emerging around them.

The newspaper clearly stated in ink that if it weren't for Liu Guangqi, the family might have had to pay off the heavy debt to their northern neighbor two years later.

They may not chase after the stars, but they cannot help but feel respect for this meritorious person who has brought tangible benefits to the country and to millions of workers.

"Hey, move aside! Don't crowd the light!"

A loud, gruff voice rang out, and Sha Zhu emerged from the crowd, swinging his arms to carve out a narrow path.

"Everyone, disperse! Guangqi just got back; he still needs to visit Second Uncle!"

Sha Zhu, true to his reputation as a reckless brute in the compound, pushed and shoved through the crowd with sheer brute force, disregarding all decorum, and soon cleared a path. He turned to Liu Guangqi, winking and gesturing, his voice low but unable to conceal his smugness:

"Guangqi, you've really given our dean a lot of face!"

Spit almost landed on Liu Guangqi's face.

"Just yesterday, I went on a blind date at the textile factory, and the girl's eyes lit up the moment she heard that I lived in the same courtyard as you!"

"That feeling, hey, it was even better than becoming the cafeteria supervisor myself!"

Naturally, the marriage didn't go through in the end. But just this one experience made Sha Zhu feel proud. His reputation wasn't anything special, but this courtyard at number 95 had produced an industrial pioneer, bringing glory to the entire alley. Who knows, maybe a few more matchmaking attempts would bring him some hope for his lifelong happiness?

Liu Guangqi chuckled at his words and said softly, "Let's go back first."

Protecting Zhao Mengyun beside him, and with Sha Zhu clearing the way, they finally escaped from the encirclement of the neighbors.

Stepping through the hanging flower gate, the noise outside the courtyard suddenly seemed to recede into the distance.

Under the old locust tree in the courtyard, Yi Zhonghai stood by the stone table, holding an unlit cigarette, his eyes looking over with a complicated expression.

"Guangqi, you're back."

His voice held a smile, along with politeness and感慨, but deeper down, there was an indescribable sense of melancholy. Seeing Liu Guangqi's current success, he couldn't help but think of his own uncertain old age.

Liu Guangqi smiled slightly upon hearing this, and without stopping, merely nodded slightly to him.

"An old man."

There was no need for further words; all he wanted at that moment was to get home as soon as possible.

Passing through the screen wall, we entered the backyard.

Only when he stepped one foot into his own home did Liu Guangqi finally breathe a sigh of relief.

Inside the house, Liu Haizhong was carefully holding a copy of the "Minzhong Daily," his fingertips repeatedly stroking the photo of his son on the paper. The edges were frayed and the paper was limp—but that didn't matter, he had bought more than one copy of this newspaper and even had one framed and hung in the most prominent position in the house.

This was indeed something Liu Pangpang would do. Because he was at home taking care of his grandchildren, he was not very aware of the commotion outside. As soon as he saw his son and daughter-in-law enter the door, he immediately stood up and went to greet them.

"Guangqi, Xiaoyun, you're finally back!"

He grabbed his son's hand, looked him up and down, and grinned from ear to ear.

"Please sit down, please sit down!"

"You silly child, why did you make such a commotion without making a sound?"

Liu Haizhong rubbed his hands together, pointed to the brand-new photo frame on the wall, and his voice trembled slightly.

"Our Liu family has produced someone who's made the newspapers! Your father's life has been worthwhile!"

Faced with his father's excitement, Liu Guangqi simply smiled calmly. He knew his father's nature all too well—a career-obsessed man at heart. For such a man, his son not only appearing in the newspapers but also receiving public commendation was undoubtedly the greatest honor to the family. Given Liu Pangpang's temperament, it would be strange if he weren't excited.

The meal was warm and harmonious.

As the food and drinks were finished and the atmosphere was getting lively, Liu Guangqi put down his chopsticks and looked at his parents with a serious expression.

"Dad, Mom," he said, "there's something I want to discuss with you."

The laughter and chatter at the dinner table suddenly stopped, and several pairs of eyes fell on his face.

"Ruixue and Fengnian will be three years old next year," Liu Guangqi continued. "Meng Yun and I are discussing bringing them to live in the ministry compound, where there is a directly affiliated nursery. It's time for them to start school."

As soon as he finished speaking, the room fell silent.

The nurseries directly under the ministries in those days were different from the wartime childcare institutions of earlier times; they were more like preschools. Children in the compounds would follow the "nursery to primary school" system when they reached a certain age. The teachers were all regular, tenured childcare workers, educated and with status; it was extremely difficult for children from ordinary families to get in.

Given Liu Guangqi's current rank, sending two children in is naturally not a problem.

The second aunt was the first to recover, gently putting down her bowl and chopsticks, her tone tinged with unease: "Take them over? You both have to go to work, who will take care of the children? We can't just leave the two little ones home alone, can we?"

Before Liu Guangqi could respond, Zhao Mengyun smiled and took over the conversation: "Mom, don't worry, everything is arranged. Guangqi has already applied to the ministry, and it's been approved. They've specially assigned a level-seven childcare worker and a life assistant to our family, both of whom are on the payroll."

"A childcare worker?" Liu Haizhong slammed the steamed bun down in his hand, his voice rising involuntarily. "You mean... that level seven childcare worker who's at level eight?"

"A personal assistant?" Liu Guangtian's eyes lit up, and he leaned closer. "Brother, what does a personal assistant do? Is it like the nannies we used to have?" He held his breath, his face full of curiosity.

Liu Guangfu, who was standing next to him, also widened his eyes in surprise.

Liu Guangqi picked up his teacup, took a slow sip, and then explained, "What nanny? Don't talk nonsense. That's what capitalists used to call her. Here in our ministry, we call her a life assistant, mainly responsible for assisting with daily life." He paused for a moment, then added softly, "This is a special benefit approved by the higher-level ministry, and it just so happens that the child is older and we can use her."

Now, the dinner table fell completely silent.

The second aunt opened her mouth, but for a moment she didn't know what to say.

Liu Guangtian's mind was filled with the words "nursery" and "life assistant," and he was so envious that he almost drooled.

Liu Haizhong's heart was churning with emotion.

A level-seven childcare worker, a life assistant, and with special approval from higher authorities—this is hardly the treatment a leader in a regular ministry could receive. He had always known his son was a leader in a ministry, but he didn't really understand the true weight of that "leadership," nor could he picture what it entailed. Only now, with these tangible benefits laid out before him, did he begin to grasp a vague outline of what it entailed.

The elderly couple, who had initially been somewhat hesitant, stopped saying anything after hearing Zhao Mengyun mention the arrangements for a childcare worker and a life assistant. While they certainly hoped to spend more time with their grandchildren, since their son and daughter-in-law had better conditions and dedicated staff to care for the children, they, as grandparents, were naturally willing to support them.

Although they felt a little reluctant, the elderly couple believed that their eldest son was so successful that he was always right—they would listen to their son.

Especially Liu Haizhong. Now he's long been used to relying on his son, and he's convinced of one thing: following Guangqi is the right thing to do.

As for the other two... let's not talk about them for now. Anyway, wasn't my rise from an ordinary worker to my current position as workshop foreman all thanks to my son's guidance?

It wasn't late yet, so Liu Guangqi wasn't in a hurry to go back. Since she had decided to take her child to the ministry compound, there was a lot to pack, and the whole weekend would give her plenty of time to sort things out.

Zhao Mengyun followed her second aunt into the inner room and began tidying up the children's clothes. Among the neatly folded little clothes in the closet, many were hand-stitched by her parents-in-law with new cotton just last month; the stitches were fine and even, and you could tell at a glance how much care had been put into them.

The elderly couple have always doted on their grandchildren without reservation.

The treatment is no worse than Liu Guangqi's before!

Inside the outer room, Liu Haizhong listened to the sounds coming from the inner room, and a surge of smugness welled up inside him. He tied his hands behind his back and strolled slowly across the paved floor, each step firm and resounding.

"A nursery directly under a ministry..."

"A level seven childcare worker, also provided with a life assistant..."

He muttered to himself, straightening his back slightly with each word. What is dignity? This is it! Now he truly understood—the wisest decision he had ever made was listening to his son.

Naturally, this "son" refers specifically to the eldest son.

As for the other two who were just there to make up the numbers...

Let's not talk about it!

Isn't that right? From being a temporary worker to now being the workshop foreman, wasn't every step he took thanks to his boss's ideas? The undeniable facts are clear: following his son's path is the only way to a smooth road to promotion. He now believes in one thing: listening to his son is always the right thing to do.

On Liu Guangtian's side, although he's now the only son left in the family, which has somewhat elevated his status, his envy of his older brother hasn't diminished in the slightest. Or rather, his admiration for Liu Guangqi has long since surpassed the simple act of casually giving him a bicycle; it has now reached the level of having a full complement of caregivers and assistants—a privilege reserved for high-ranking officials in the old society. Having such an older brother isn't just a source of pride and tangible benefits; more importantly, it's a real eye-opener. Now, all he has to do is wait for his work unit to allocate him housing…

The small square table in the backyard had just been tidied up, and a cool night breeze swept through, making one feel comfortable. Before Liu Guangqi could exchange more than a few words with his second brother, Sha Zhu's signature loud voice echoed from the middle courtyard, one booming sound after another, growing louder as it approached:

"Guangqi!"

"Stop chatting with your brother and come out for a couple of drinks with your brother Zhu!"

Before the words were even finished, Sha Zhu's tall figure emerged from the moon gate, carrying a bright bottle of Erguotou liquor, the bottle gleaming faintly in the moonlight.

Liu Guangqi chuckled upon hearing this. He was already quite used to Sha Zhu's impulsive temper. Besides, it had been a long time since he had sat down and chatted leisurely with the people in the courtyard like this. It was still early, so he didn't refuse. He simply turned to give a few instructions to his second brother, Liu Guangtian, and then strolled leisurely into the central courtyard.

On the stone table, Sha Zhu had already unscrewed the bottle cap, and a strong and pure aroma of liquor instantly filled the air.

"Here you go, Guangqi, fill your cup!"