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

Outside the window, above the courtyard of the siheyuan (traditional courtyard house), a patch of gray-blue sky was slowly settling into twilight. Lights gradually came on in each house, their glow spreading across the window paper, enveloping the whispers and envious glances in the folds of ordinary life. Only inside the Liu family's window in the backyard, beside a glass of cooling water, a silent ripple had not yet completely subsided.

He paced back and forth in the room, searching for tea sets: "You must be tired from your journey. Have some water to soothe your throat! There's still some pre-Qingming tea that Guangqi specially brought back before the New Year in the cabinet. I haven't been willing to open it..."

"cough--"

Seeing his father's overly attentive manner, Liu Guangqi quickly stepped forward to stop him: "Dad, Yunyun is here to visit you as a junior, not as a superior inspecting work. You don't need to go to such lengths."

Zhao Mengyun pursed her lips, suppressing a smile.

Fortunately, Liu Guangqi had warned her about this elder's temperament beforehand.

She then replied gently:

"Uncle, I'm really not thirsty. In terms of rank, I'm even lower than Guangqi..."

"If you keep being so polite, I won't be able to sit still."

Liu Haizhong was stunned for a moment.

He glanced at his son, rubbed his hands awkwardly, and smiled:

"Well, well... the main problem is that I, Lao Liu, have never spoken to a colleague who works in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in my entire life."

"So it's a bit..."

"Okay, okay, I won't say anymore!"

He waved his hands repeatedly, his palms sweating as he wiped his sweaty shirt. "Then... shall Uncle call you Xiaoyun?"

"That's a perfect way to address you."

Zhao Mengyun smiled broadly.

Liu Guangqi felt a ripple in his heart as he looked at his father's sudden change in attitude.

The mere mention of "Ministry of Foreign Affairs" made him feel so uneasy.

I wonder how nervous my father will be when he meets Zhao Mengyun's family in a few days.

To know--

Zhao Mengyun's mother was a shrewd and capable noblewoman.

And her father...

He was a figure whose epaulets were adorned with the star of a general.

Thinking about these things.

Liu Guangqi shook his head slightly and said nothing more.

Some things are ingrained in our bones and cannot be changed by force.

My father wasn't malicious; it was just that his past experiences limited his perspective, and he had an instinctive awe of power and position.

Perhaps after seeing it more often, I'll gradually get used to it.

Zhao Mengyun clearly understood the intricacies of the matter.

When her second aunt inquired about her family background, she only briefly mentioned that she came from a military family. If the questions went too far, Liu Guangqi would change the subject at the right time—it was her first visit, and she didn't want to make the elders too nervous.

Gradually, the atmosphere relaxed.

Liu Haizhong asked about his son's recent situation.

Liu Guangqi simplified his work experience and glossed over it, which did not cause much surprise.

Zhao Mengyun stood to the side, smiling silently.

Overall, the family dinner, which marked their first meeting, went quite smoothly.

It is worth mentioning that--

Liu Guangqi knew his father's temperament well.

On this trip home, I specially brought back a new white enamel mug from my workplace, saying it was for my father's daily use.

"Is your cup really necessary at home?"

Liu Haizhong said this, but took it and examined it carefully.

soon.

He noticed the words printed on the cup.

One side displays the five large, vermilion characters reading "Advanced Worker," while the other side features the more prominent name of the organization.

First Ministry of Machine Building.

"Ha!"

Liu Haizhong slapped his leg suddenly, his eyes wide open, and he gripped the cup tightly with both hands, examining it repeatedly.

His fingertips traced the names of the ministries.

His mouth stretched almost to his ears: "Guangqi, you... you got recognized as an outstanding worker in the ministry?"

That joyful feeling.

It was even more intense than the cigarettes and alcohol gifts I had just received.

"This is good, this is good!"

"Dad will keep it!"

Next time there's a big meeting in the institute, he'll have to take this cup to Yi Zhonghai to get some water.

…………

After some pleasantries...

Zhao Mengyun truly felt the warmth and life of the courtyard house, as well as the unique atmosphere of Liu Guangqi's family.

Just as Liu Guangqi once described—

His father, an elder who was obsessed with officialdom, was indeed a vivid and interesting character, like a character who was always on the stage.

Outside the courtyard wall.

As smoke rose from the kitchens of each household, the earlier lively gathering gradually dissipated.

after all.

Other people's happy events are ultimately theirs.

After the initial excitement of seeing the new bride wears off, everyone has to return to their own lives.

Those who need to cook should cook rice, and those who need to prepare vegetables should prepare vegetables.

Everyone's life must go on.

Sha Zhu and the others, who had originally wanted to have a drink with Liu Guangqi, had no choice but to give up when they saw this situation and went home.

When Liu Guangqi said goodbye to his parents, the neighbors in the courtyard had already dispersed—since everyone else was having family reunions, it wouldn't be appropriate for him to join in and gossip about drinking and eating.

After dinner, only the four of them remained in the main room. Liu Guangqi looked at his parents, a gentle smile appearing on his lips: "Dad, Mom, there's something I'd like to discuss with you."

"What is it?" Liu Haizhong sat at the octagonal table, took a sip of tea, and his expression showed more composure than usual, like that of a parent.

"A few days ago," Liu Guangqi slowed his speech, "I went to meet Meng Yun's parents. They seem to approve of me."

He paused for a moment, then continued, "They mean that when they have a little less work, they'd like to invite you over for a formal meeting so that the two families can settle things regarding the two children."

Liu Haizhong's hand, which was holding a teacup, froze in mid-air.

Immediately, a smile spread across his face, and his voice unconsciously rose: "It's settled? This is incredibly joyous news!"

He put down his teacup and rubbed his hands together. "Your mother and I are fine anytime! We can come anytime!"

"Okay." Liu Guangqi nodded. "Meng Yun's parents are indeed very busy with work. I'll let you know as soon as they set a date. I'm just letting you know today so you can be prepared."

Liu Haizhong couldn't sit still any longer. He stood up and paced around the room a couple of times: "It's the first time I'm meeting my in-laws, so I can't be careless with my manners..."

He turned to his wife, and the two discussed in hushed tones what kind of gift they should prepare for their first meeting.

Liu Guangqi looked up and met Zhao Mengyun's gaze. Their eyes met, and they couldn't help but smile knowingly.

***

The bicycle drove out of the alley, and the rows of gray-tiled courtyards gradually disappeared around the street corner. Zhao Mengyun, sitting on the back seat, reached out and gently tugged at Liu Guangqi's clothes.

"Guangqi, your courtyard is really interesting." Her voice was filled with laughter. "Especially your uncle... he's exactly as you described him."

Recalling the scene in the courtyard just now, Zhao Mengyun felt that life in this alley was much more vibrant than in their General Logistics Department compound. She grew up in a military family, where her parents were always busy with tasks, and the house was often empty and quiet, lacking precisely this kind of lively atmosphere.

"That's just his temper," Liu Guangqi said with a smile as he pedaled, the wheels making a soft, even sound as they rolled over the road. "But you can tell they really like you."

These words struck a chord with Zhao Mengyun. She slightly raised her chin, a hint of smugness in her voice: "Of course, look who picked her."

A clear laugh drifted on the wind. The two chatted idly, and before long, their bicycles turned through the iron gate of the ministry compound.

Originally, Liu Guangqi suggested going for a walk in the park or watching a movie, but Zhao Mengyun spoke first.

"Guangqi," she said casually, as if it were the most natural thing in the world, "take me to see where you live."

In her mind, since the two of them had already reached the point of discussing marriage and would eventually become family, there was no need to maintain any deliberate distance. Excessive awkwardness would only make them seem distant.

Liu Guangqi was slightly taken aback, then smiled: "Okay. The house isn't very big, but don't mind."

"I'll love any place you live, no matter how small."

***

The third floor of Building No. 5.

Standing before the dark brown wooden door, Zhao Mengyun quietly took a deep breath. When she visited his parents' courtyard house earlier, the atmosphere inside was pleasant, but the furnishings and cleanliness of the house surprised her. Moreover… she could almost picture the chaotic state of a man living alone in such a place.

She even secretly planned to roll up her sleeves today and give him a good tidying up, so he could see how capable she was.

The key turned the lock, making a soft "click".

The door opened.

All of Zhao Mengyun's preconceived notions vanished the moment she saw the scene inside the room.

She stood frozen at the doorway, momentarily forgetting to move.

There was none of the clutter one might expect in a single man's residence.

There was no stuffy sweat smell, no damp musty smell; instead, the air was filled with a faint fragrance, like a mixture of sun-dried cotton and refreshing soap.

Is this really the home of a man living alone?

Zhao Mengyun stepped in, her gaze slowly sweeping over her surroundings, growing more and more astonished with each look.

The room layout in this tenement building was acceptable, but for someone like her who grew up in a spacious house in the General Logistics Department compound, the area wasn't considered spacious. Yet every piece of furniture in the room seemed to have been carefully considered—a square table, four chairs with backs, and tall bookshelves and cabinets standing against the wall. The style was simple, but all were coated with a layer of clear varnish, and the wood grain shone with a warm luster under the light.

What surprised her most was the arrangement of the furniture. Each piece was in its proper place, and the distance between them was just right, making excellent use of the limited space. Far from feeling cramped, it presented a unique sense of order and spaciousness.

In contrast, although my own home is spacious, the furniture is all provided by the government and is placed haphazardly, which makes me feel less comfortable and orderly.

Liu Guangqi's residence exudes a unique sense of order.

Each piece of furniture is placed perfectly in its most suitable position, with simple lines and unique styles that not only conform to current trends but also subtly reveal a forward-thinking deliberation. The space thus appears exceptionally harmonious, as if every inch has been carefully considered.

Zhao Mengyun stood at the door, unable to look away.

She had never imagined that this ordinary tenement building in the ministry compound could exude such a tranquil and serene atmosphere after being arranged in this way. That man surprised her once again.

She turned around, her gaze fixed intently on Liu Guangqi's face, her eyes sparkling with curiosity.

"Guangqi," she took a deep breath, looking around at the cleverly arranged tables and cabinets in the room, "you've arranged this place...so neatly." Her voice couldn't hide her amazement, "These pieces of furniture...did you make them all yourself?"

Looking at her expression, which was as if she were already one of his own, Liu Guangqi couldn't help but smile slightly: "I drew the picture, but the work was done by the experienced workers in the general affairs department."

"I really didn't expect that," Zhao Mengyun said softly, her gaze lingering on the tidy corner of the room and the windowsill, her approval growing even stronger.

After that visit, the subtle barrier between the two completely melted away.

They began to go out together, becoming a striking sight in the ministry compound. To outsiders, the only thing missing for this perfect couple was for their parents to sit down and finalize the marriage.

Their inseparable days drew secret envy from many of their younger colleagues in the institute. The men lamented why they weren't Liu Guangqi, while the women hoped they could have a relationship like Zhao Mengyun's.

Time flows by silently, like pages torn from a calendar, one after another.

Spring deepened in the blink of an eye, and the sycamore trees in the courtyard sprouted tender green buds. Liu Guangqi and Zhao Mengyun's lives also entered a calm and steady rhythm.

However, Zhao Mengyun's parents were so busy coordinating the allocation of supplies to deal with the increasingly severe disaster that they barely had time to return home. As a result, the meeting between the two families to discuss the marriage had to be temporarily put on hold.

Unbeknownst to many, the atmosphere in Beijing had become tense.

The most tangible impact came from the dwindling figures on the food ration book each month. The ration standards for urban residents were strictly redefined according to their labor level. While manual laborers could still maintain a basic food supply, the rations for ordinary workers, students, and even children were drastically reduced, with children under three years old receiving only a few kilograms per month.

The shadow of famine loomed over people's hearts, and their spirits wavered.

However, this had a limited impact on Liu Guangqi. As an administrative cadre and senior intellectual in the ministry, he was still entitled to certain special allowances despite the quota reductions. Although the food in the ministry's canteen was significantly reduced, it was not enough to make him go hungry.

It is worth mentioning that Qin Huairu also gave birth to her second child in the late spring of 1959.

Following their original plan, they named the girl Xiao Dang.