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

In the days that followed, Liu Guangqi checked the second-generation computer's operation every other day. His earlier conversation with Team Leader Yu, for some reason, spread, earning him another nickname within the research institute—"Liu the Three-Year-Old." Clearly, even researchers couldn't hide their dedication and talent for creating nicknames. Now, many people who meet him greet him with a smile, their words revealing their anticipation for the integrated circuit computer with a million-operation-times-per-second speed three years from now. This is both a joke and a shared agreement among everyone.

Time flies, and it's already mid-January. Liu Guangqi has been in this northwestern land for nearly two and a half months. After checking and confirming that the second-generation computer is running smoothly, he finally decided to leave. If he delays any longer, he might really have to spend the Spring Festival here, and there are still many things in the department waiting for him to handle after the New Year.

When they found Director Deng, he was chatting with Team Leader Yu in his office, and the cup of Fu tea on the corner of the table had long since gone cold.

"Director Deng, the computer is now running stably. If there are no other tasks, I request to return to my unit. There are still research projects with the Ministry of Machine Building that need to be followed up after the New Year."

Director Deng put down his pen, studied him for a moment, and a smile appeared on his face:

"I knew you'd be leaving. You've helped us so much these past two months—the nuclear theory project is six months ahead of schedule, and the computer is running smoothly. If you stay any longer, I'm afraid Team Leader Yu will try to get you involved in the hydrogen bomb project."

He took a blank certificate from the drawer, picked up a pen, and wrote in the task evaluation section:

"Comrade Liu Guangqi led the debugging and maintenance of the second-generation transistor computer during his technical support at our Institute of Nuclear Theory, which helped to complete the nuclear theory program ahead of schedule. His outstanding performance is commended and it is recommended that the organization award him a commendation."

After writing it down, he handed the certificate to Liu Guangqi:

"This is the only thing I can do for you. Bringing it back to the Ministry of Machine Building is also a way of recognizing your work during this period."

Liu Guangqi took the paper; the penmanship was strong and pen-written, and a warm feeling welled up in his heart—this was not just a piece of paper, but a high affirmation of all his efforts.

Director Deng patted him lightly on the shoulder: "Go back and wait for our good news. When Qiu makes his official debut, I'll be the first to give you a commendation."

Liu Guangqi nodded emphatically, his eyes slightly moist. In those words, he sensed Director Deng's trust and unwavering belief in the nation's nuclear program.

On the day of departure, just as dawn broke, everyone from the research institute gathered to see them off. The cold wind was still biting, but it couldn't dispel the lingering affection and anticipation in everyone's eyes.

In the crowd, a computer engineer who knew Liu Guangqi well sighed in a low voice:

"With Chief Engineer Liu gone, who knows when we'll see each other again."

Another person beside him chimed in, their face filled with pride and longing:

"Yes, I'm afraid that when we come back, our Qiu** will have already made a grand entrance."

Qiu**—that was the pseudonym for Project 596. "Qiu" is a homophone for "ball," and with their unique romanticism, the researchers gradually evolved the initial nickname "Little Ball" into "Ball**," eventually settling on this subtle and affectionate code name.

"Is this Chief Engineer Liu's last time here...?"

"Chief Engineer Liu..."

The farewell party was filled with admiration and reluctance to part with him. Over two months of working together day and night, he not only brought technological breakthroughs but also ignited everyone's hopes for the future. Even Team Leader Yu, who had only recently joined the institute, sincerely admired this young man.

"It's a pity we can't take a group photo, otherwise I really wanted to take one."

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Team Leader Yu looked at the crowd and said softly.

At the base in Northwest China, any form of video recording was absolutely impossible.

"Team Leader Yu."

"It is an honor for me, Liu Guangqi, to fight alongside you all. Even though we cannot preserve these images, this friendship will live on forever."

Liu Guangqi looked at him with a smile, her eyes reflecting the same sincere solemnity.

Director Deng stood quietly to one side.

Looking at the scene before him, he spoke gently, "Alright, let's not delay Comrade Guangqi's journey any longer. His mission has been accomplished, and our journey must continue."

The words fell.

It expresses both a sense of regret at parting with Liu Guangqi and the decisiveness characteristic of the leader of the Mushroom Project.

This brings everyone's attention back to the present moment.

Liu Guangqi then boarded the base's jeep with his accompanying guards.

The car door closed, and he rolled down the window.

A gust of wind suddenly rushed into the carriage, ruffling his hair.

He raised his arm.

He waved forcefully at the dark mass of people seeing him off, shouting, "Stop seeing me off! I will never forget our three-year promise!"

The sound pierced through the wind and reached everyone's ears clearly:

"The day when a million-pixel computer is born!"

"I will deliver it myself! This is not just my promise, but a promise we will make together across the galaxy!"

……

The words echoed.

Laughter and cheers erupted from the crowd, and Director Deng and Team Leader Yu nodded and smiled as they watched him leave.

Finally, the Jeep slowly drove away with a low roar from its engine.

It stirred up a long trail of dust.

Liu Guangqi strained to make out the gradually blurring outlines through the rear window of the car.

They remained standing, waving, until the vehicles rounded the dunes, reducing all their figures to mere specks of dust on the horizon.

Liu Guangqi looked away.

My fingertips touched the cold, hard stone in my pocket.

Those were ordinary pebbles picked up from the Golden and Silver Beach, but the wind and sand of the Gobi Desert have etched unique veins into them.

He gripped it tightly.

It felt as if I had grasped all the memories of this trip—

Those mornings and evenings spent together, those joyful laughs when overcoming difficulties.

This trip to Northwest China.

It's far more than just the end of a mission.

It also led him to meet a group of like-minded people who were willing to remain anonymous and serve their country, thus gaining a profound bond.

The vastness and hardship of this place, and the fervent passion for scientific research here, burned fiercely in his heart like a wildfire.

His determination to move forward was tempered to be as firm as a rock.

Outside the car window.

The wind and sand howled, constantly lashing against the car body, making a soft, dense sound.

But Liu Guangqi's heart was burning with passion.

He knew that the road before him led to his home, to his long-separated relatives, and to the upcoming Lunar New Year's Eve reunion.

And in the more distant future.

There are still countless national treasures waiting for him to forge.

The distribution of holiday supplies has always been carried out and delivered quietly.

The staff quarters in the ministry compound are densely packed, making it quite convenient for the logistics department staff to deliver supplies.

For example, Liu Guangqi.

While he is still on secondment, his salary and benefits naturally need to be transferred to someone else.

Zhao Mengyun works for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, so it was obviously inconvenient for her to go to the Ministry of Machine Building to collect the document on her behalf.

Therefore, the monthly salary and belongings were delivered to his home by the logistics department staff.

It was handed over to Zhao Mengyun.

At this moment, the logistics staff are busy at work, pushing carts loaded with New Year's goods and delivering them to each household.

"Squeak—"

As the door opened, the family members of the cadres living in the tenement building all beamed with joy.

The Spring Festival is approaching.

With the grain and money in hand, who wouldn't be overjoyed?

the other side.

Zhao Mengyun had just finished get off work at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Her salary from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs had been paid, and it felt heavy in her pocket, but she felt empty and adrift.

My vacation starts tomorrow!

But the person who should have gone home has yet to be found.

Passing by Building No. 4 next door, Aunt Zhang, who lives on the first floor, was standing with her hands on her hips, directing several logistics staff members with a beaming smile.

"Hey young man, move that bag of flour inside! Yes, be careful not to spill it!"

"These apples in the net bag are on the table; my husband, Lao Li, loves them!"

He looked up and saw Zhao Mengyun.

Aunt Zhang's wrinkles crinkled into a smile: "Xiaoyun's back! Look, this year's New Year's goods are much more plentiful than last year's!"

"They also included half a pound of cottonseed oil, enough to fry several batches of meatballs!"

Uncle Sun was standing to the side.

He was a division-level cadre at the 15th administrative level, smiling as he helped carry two net bags of bright red apples. "Young comrades, you've worked hard! Running around like this isn't easy."

"Director Li, you're being too polite!"

The leading officer wiped the sweat from his brow, his smile simple and honest.

"These are year-end gifts prepared by the ministry for all the leaders. You've worked hard all year, so this is only right!"

Uncle Li gently stroked the smooth skin of the apple and raised his voice towards the house, "Honey, come quick! The apples you've been talking about for days have arrived."

The phrase "quite a few days" made Zhao Mengyun pause slightly. Yes, it wasn't just the apples; she herself had also been counting down the days in a long wait.

The air was filled with laughter and cheerful conversation, the familiar greetings and chatter of neighbors drifting through the air. Yet, this lively atmosphere seemed to be separated by a transparent barrier; Zhao Mengyun, amidst it all, felt no warmth whatsoever. The man of the house had been temporarily transferred away nearly three months ago. Not a word, not a single piece of news; all she knew was that he was on temporary assignment. Where he went, what he did, and when he would return—all were shrouded in a vague void. The man was the pillar that held up the family; with that pillar suddenly gone, even the sky above seemed to have sank lower.

A biting north wind swept across her face, sharp and piercing. She pulled her scarf tighter, burying her chin deep in the soft fabric, leaving only her calm eyes visible. She shook her head slightly and quickened her pace home. Her slender figure appeared particularly lonely in the twilight.

As soon as they reached the dormitory building, a blast of biting cold air hit them. Aunt Zhou, the childcare worker, was leading Ruixue and Fengnian back, one in each hand. Little Ruixue, wrapped in a bright red cotton-padded jacket, had rosy cheeks from the cold, looking like a cute little fruit in the snow. The moment she saw her mother returning from get off work, she immediately let go of Aunt Zhou's hand and, with unsteady steps, wobbled over.

"Mommy! Mommy's home!"

The child's clear voice pierced the cold wind, sounding especially melodious. Fengnian followed closely behind, holding up a clumsy-looking little snowman, his face beaming with pride: "Mommy, look! I made this!"

A warm feeling instantly washed over Zhao Mengyun, dispelling the weariness of the day's work. She bent down and opened her arms to pull the two small bodies into her embrace. "It's so cold outside, why aren't you playing inside?"

"It's not cold!" Ruixue tilted her little face up, her eyes sparkling with anticipation. "Mommy, when is Daddy coming home? He promised to finish telling me 'The Little Bear Crossing the Bridge,' but the story isn't finished yet." Fengnian also leaned his little head closer, his voice muffled by his mother's clothes: "Daddy hasn't told a story in a long time. Where did he go? I miss Daddy."

Zhao Mengyun's heart clenched slightly, and the smile in her eyes faded a little. She suppressed the lump in her throat, maintaining her gentle tone, and lightly tapped the children's noses: "Daddy has important work to do. When he's done, he'll definitely come back and continue telling stories, and he'll bring you delicious treats."

She took a jar of mandarin oranges from her bag, shook it in the dim light, and the glass jar gleamed softly. "Look," she said, "Mom got these from work. How about we have these tonight?"

The two children's eyes were immediately drawn to the jar of orange-yellow fruit, and their longing for their father was temporarily dispelled by the sweet promise before them. They excitedly grabbed their mother's hand, responding repeatedly, and couldn't wait to go upstairs.

Following behind, Aunt Zhou looked at the mother and her two children with a relieved smile: "Comrade Zhao, don't worry. Director Liu is a man of great importance. He'll be back soon after he's done with this." Zhao Mengyun nodded her thanks for the kindness, but the heavy worry in her heart could not be easily dispelled by a few words of comfort.

Just as Aunt Zhou settled the children inside, a knock sounded at the door. She went to answer it, and two staff members from the ministry's logistics department stood outside. They were pushing a small cart covered with sacks containing unidentified items, and one of them was carrying half a piece of processed pork on his shoulder, a respectful smile on his face.

"Comrade Zhao," the two greeted in unison, their attitude earnest, "we've come to deliver Director Liu's salary and holiday benefits for this month."

Zhao Mengyun invited them into the house. A clerk deftly took a folder from his briefcase, speaking in a formal yet polite tone: "Comrade Zhao, could you please show me your marriage certificate and household registration booklet? We need to verify them routinely."

Zhao Mengyun took out her identification and handed it over as instructed. Although everyone knew her identity, the necessary procedures were followed meticulously. After carefully verifying her identity, the clerk took out an envelope from the folder, with the words "Liu Guangqi" neatly written on the cover, and handed it to Zhao Mengyun with a smile.

"Here is Director Liu's salary for this month, along with various subsidies such as grain coupons, cloth coupons, and industrial vouchers," he pointed to the envelope, "a total of one hundred and eighty-seven yuan and six jiao. Please count it."