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

Liu Guangqi made no mention of the hardships in the Northwest, focusing only on the technical details: "The second-generation machine has now achieved stable operation, and the comrades at the local research institute have mastered the maintenance and operation methods, so there is no need for us to stay for a long time." He paused briefly, took a sip of tea, and said, "The efficiency of future data processing is expected to be greatly improved, which will save considerable manpower and time."

Director Lin nodded slightly, his eyes filled with undisguised approval: "Very thoughtful. With such computing power, the subsequent project will proceed more smoothly." He leaned forward slightly, his voice unconsciously lowering a few decibels, as if touching upon some hidden point: "In your judgment, will there be any movement from the Northwest this year?"

The air seemed to freeze for a moment.

Liu Guangqi remained calm, a confident smile playing on his lips: "If nothing unexpected happens, we should soon hear that earth-shattering thunder."

"Good!" Director Lin's eyes suddenly lit up. "With that statement, our land can truly stand tall. Then, let's see who dares to put on a condescending attitude all the time." The pent-up frustration of many years seemed to find an outlet at this moment.

The two tacitly agreed to stop discussing the Northwest issue there.

Director Lin sat down again, and after calming down, changed the subject, a teasing smile appearing on his face: "By the way, the four-roll mill you designed has already been piloted in three large steel plants. The Ministry of Metallurgical Industry owes you a considerable favor this time."

Liu Guangqi simply smiled calmly. The technological advantages of the four-roll mill were obvious, and once put into use, its effects would be remarkable. Moreover, steel production was crucial to the lifeline of the entire industrial system, and no one could stop the promotion of this type of equipment.

"You're a celebrity these days, everyone's vying to invite you. My doorstep's practically worn down from all the visits," Director Lin joked.

The two looked at each other and smiled; much more needed to be said.

The conversation continued until noon, when Liu Guangqi got up to take his leave. Director Lin wanted to invite him to stay for lunch, but he politely declined, saying, "My family is waiting." As he saw him to the door, Director Lin reached out and brushed his shoulder clean—though there was no dust, the gesture was full of solemnity.

"Take a good rest during the Spring Festival and recharge your energy." His tone turned serious. "There is an important meeting after the holiday. The college committee will hear your special report, so be sure to prepare carefully."

Stepping out of the courtyard, Liu Guangqi was still immersed in the conversation he had just heard. A report personally heard by someone at the level of a council member? He, a mere section chief in the administrative department, was somewhat surprised to receive such attention.

The wintersweet in front of Building No. 6 was blooming in the cold wind. Liu Guangqi stood there, stunned, for a long while. Director Lin's words were still echoing in his ears—the briefing meetings of ministries and institutes were usually reserved for ministers and department heads, so why had this time it suddenly fallen to him, a section chief?

You could run into several section chiefs like him in the compound every time you turned around.

After much thought, he realized that only the foundation he had built up over those years in Northwest China could possibly earn him a second glance from higher-ups. This wasn't just about saving face; it was also a trump card for securing funding and conducting research in the future.

He let out a soft breath, suppressing the slight turmoil in his heart, and turned to walk towards Building 5. His steps unconsciously became lighter.

Pushing open the door, a warm breeze mingled with the aroma of food. Zhao Mengyun had already brought lunch back from the cafeteria, and her luggage and New Year's goods were neatly stacked by the door. Since the addition of two children to the family, she had gradually taken on the role of a mother in addition to her wife, and her hands and feet had become more agile in managing the household chores.

After the meal, Liu Guangqi first called over the childcare workers and their caregivers, giving them their New Year's leave: "Have a good New Year, don't worry about things at home."

Then he nodded to Xiao Wang, the guard standing at the door.

"Get the car ready, let's go back to Nanluoguxiang."

Unlike childcare workers, security guards work on a rotating shift basis and don't get holidays. For those like Liu Guangqi who are responsible for key projects, safety is always the top priority, and they can't be left unattended.

Before long, the black Volga quietly glided to the ground floor. As the car drove out of the courtyard, rows of gray walls outside the window swept past, and Liu Guangqi's thoughts drifted back to that always noisy courtyard house.

In Nanluoguxiang, the festive atmosphere of the Lunar New Year grew stronger as dusk fell.

The Yan family in the front yard has been particularly talked about this year, much like the Liu family in the back yard in previous years—the topic of conversation almost always involves them.

The reason was simple: Yan Jiecheng's new wife, Yu Li, was spending her first New Year in the courtyard, and everything she said and did was new and exciting. In addition, Yan Jiecheng had become a permanent employee at the Hongxing Factory and was gradually standing out among the younger generation, no longer the quiet young man who used to take odd jobs on the street.

Right now, Yu Li is picking vegetables in the yard, while her younger sister, Yu Haitang, sits on a small stool next to her, cracking sunflower seeds with a smile in her eyes.

"Sis, your husband's factory gave out a really big year-end bonus!"

Yu Li paused for a moment, and the corners of her mouth curved up:

"That's right. Hongxing Factory is the top foreign exchange earner in our area, and your brother-in-law is a full-time employee, so his benefits are naturally excellent."

Yan Jiecheng came out of the house and happened to hear it; his face lit up as well.

The family was chatting and laughing when a deep engine sound came from the alley entrance, growing louder as it approached.

A black sedan slowly turned into the alley, standing out conspicuously among the gray walls and tiles—this kind of car is usually only seen with bureau-level leaders. Why would such a leader come to Nanluoguxiang?

Several neighbors in the alley poked their heads out to look this way.

As soon as the car came to a stop in front of the courtyard house, Yan Bugui from the front yard came out to greet us with a smile:

"Guangqi's back! What have you been up to lately? It's been so long since I've seen you at the hospital. Did you spend the New Year here this year?"

As he spoke, he stepped aside to let people into the yard.

Liu Guangqi caught a glimpse of the guard following closely behind, and he became even more aware of his current importance. He couldn't help but find the old man's habit of waiting at the gate every time he returned somewhat comical. Come to think of it, every time he stepped into this courtyard, the first person he would bump into was Yan Bugui—just based on this unwavering waiting, Liu Guangqi had to admire the man's patience. What a character!

To be fair, if Yan Bugui hadn't been disadvantaged by his family background, his ability to read people and his unwavering dedication over the past decade would have made it a shame he didn't become a school principal. There's no doubt that in those days, family background carried immense weight. Once Yan Bugui was labeled a "small business owner," it sealed his fate, preventing him from ever holding a leadership position in the school.

In many stories about courtyard houses, some characters believe that Yan Bugui's salary shouldn't be only 27.5 yuan, but should be higher. This idea is actually wrong—Liu Guangqi used to think the same way: with such a low salary, where would he get the money to buy a bicycle and a television? But after experiencing this era firsthand, he realized that Yan Bugui's monthly salary was indeed only that much. Back then, salaries were all determined by rank, clearly defined, and no one could hide it from him.

Ultimately, Yan Bugui's predicament boils down to his "class background" label. With a poor class background, he couldn't get a higher professional title; without a higher title, he couldn't get promoted; and without a promotion, where would his high salary come from? Many people overlook the implications behind his "small business owner" status: as a "business owner," how could he not have income beyond his salary?

And that was indeed the case. Since the public-private partnership in 1956, he had rented out his street-facing shop to the local government, receiving a steady monthly rent—though he only received a portion of it, the amount was still considerable. Add to that the subsidies for guarding the courtyard and the odd jobs he earned from dealing in flowers, birds, fish, and insects, Yan Bugui's actual income was probably higher than many of the fourth or fifth-grade workers in the courtyard. Crucially, as a teacher, he had no ambition for advancement, so he didn't need to work himself to the bone like the older workers striving for awards. Of the three older men in the courtyard, he had the easiest job, with little work and plenty of free time.

Otherwise—where would he find so much time to act as a "doorman" in the front yard all day? He simply keeps repeating the word "poor" to himself, putting on a convincing act that makes the neighbors believe him. Of course, even with Liu Guangqi's current perspective, one must admit that while Yan Bugui is shrewd and calculating, he gets everything done. Calling him a "talented person" isn't an exaggeration.

These thoughts flashed through Liu Guangqi's mind only briefly. He didn't really care how much Yan Bugui earned; it was just a fleeting feeling of感慨 (gǎnkǎi, a complex emotion encompassing feelings, reflection, and a sense of wonder). Different levels of understanding naturally lead to different perspectives.

"Third Uncle, it's been a while!" Liu Guangqi smiled politely, neither overly warm nor distant. "I have been quite busy lately. Do you have guests? Then you go ahead with your work, I'll take Mengyun and the children inside to meet your parents." He glanced briefly at Yan Bugui's house before looking away.

Yan Bugui was stopped by him, and all the festive words he had prepared suddenly disappeared without a chance to be uttered. At this moment, the guards had already carried various New Year's gifts and walked into the courtyard.

In the front yard, Yu Haitang was helping her sister Yu Li prepare vegetables. Hearing the noise at the door, she pretended to carry the vegetables into the yard, but her eyes secretly drifted towards Liu Guangqi—she wanted to see what the "high-ranking official in the ministry" her sister had mentioned looked like. But once she saw him, she couldn't look away.

The leader her sister had mentioned was indeed so tall and upright, his entire demeanor like someone who had stepped out of a magazine. Actually, she had already planned her visit to the compound. Despite just graduating high school, these days, without a university degree, a high school diploma was less desirable than a vocational school diploma; there was no guarantee of job placement. Yu Haitang was currently idle, waiting for the neighborhood committee to prioritize high school graduates for employment. After hearing about Old Liu's situation in the backyard, that little idea quietly began to stir within her.

Yu Haitang secretly plotted, planning to use her sister's connections to marry into this courtyard house. She had always been discerning; ordinary families in the courtyard were beneath her notice. The only family she truly admired was the Liu family in the back courtyard. All four of them held government positions—a situation anyone knew was incredibly rare. Yu Haitang considered herself a shrewd person; otherwise, she wouldn't have been wandering around this courtyard.

Liu Guangqi was naturally unaware of this thought. Even if he had known, he probably wouldn't have cared about it; it would have been a trivial matter, insignificant.

At this moment, Liu Guangqi had already arrived at the central courtyard. He Yuzhu, who had been chatting with Qin Huairu, greeted him with a smile upon seeing him approach: "Guangqi! It's so good to see you back! It's been quite a while since we last met." He patted Liu Guangqi's shoulder as he spoke, his tone as familiar as that of an old friend reuniting. "We should definitely find time to get together these next few days!" Qin Huairu, leaning against the door, still holding an unfinished shoe sole in her hand, nodded with a smile: "Guangqi, Xiaoyun, you're back for the New Year?" Although Liu Guangqi hadn't agreed to her request to transfer factories, Qin Huairu's attitude towards him remained polite. She was a perceptive person and knew who deserved respect.

"Yes," Liu Guangqi said gently, "the children also miss the people in the hospital." With that simple sentence, the slight awkwardness dissipated, and Qin Huairu's smile relaxed a little.

On the other side, Xu Damao had been going to the countryside frequently lately and rarely stayed in the courtyard. As soon as he saw Liu Guangqi return, he strolled over from the backyard: "Brother Guangqi, it's just in time to come back. Shall we have a drink tonight?" It was clear that with Liu Guangqi's return, the festive atmosphere in the courtyard seemed to have intensified.

The commotion started because of him, but Liu Guangqi had no intention of lingering. After exchanging a few pleasantries with everyone and responding to each one, he led his wife and children, accompanied by his guards, straight to the backyard.

As soon as he stepped through the moon gate into the backyard, he saw two energetic young figures standing in front of his own house—his second younger brother, Guangtian, and third younger brother, Guangfu, who were home on holiday. At a glance, Liu Guangqi noticed something different. Their brand-new khaki jackets stood out sharply in the bleak winter courtyard, their shoulders straight and wrinkle-free, clearly newly tailored. This appearance bore no resemblance to the timid and sullen figure he remembered.

Liu Guangqi knew perfectly well that the various ration coupons he had brought home from time to time hadn't been wasted. The surplus cloth coupons alone were enough to buy the two boys some decent clothes. After all, they were both legitimate vocational school students, and they bore his name as Liu Guangqi's younger brother; they couldn't be too shabby. Especially Guangtian, who, after starting work and gaining experience, had long since shed his former impetuousness and become much more mature in his dealings with others.

Now that he commutes to get off work by bicycle, he voluntarily gives his monthly salary to his family, and he also generously brings home all the rice, noodles, meat, and oil that the factory distributes for holidays. His life is definitely getting better and better.