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

"Good!" Director Lin suddenly slammed his hand on the table, his eyes gleaming with joy. "Proceed along this line of thought!" When he sat down again, his expression held a touch of emotion. "Guangqi, what we lack now is not just foreign exchange, but more importantly, the leverage to make our northern neighbors dependent on us. These two magic weapons you have are the keys to breaking the deadlock." He emphasized solemnly, "We must go all out."

"Please rest assured, organization," Liu Guangqi replied solemnly.

Seeing the young man's resolute expression as he made his promise, Director Lin smiled. He picked up his white porcelain cup, took a sip of tea, and suddenly changed the subject: "By the way, the housing application submitted to the Logistics Department last month, wasn't that yours?"

Liu Guangqi's heart skipped a beat. Four weeks had passed since he submitted his application, and he hadn't held out much hope—housing in the ministry's family compound was always in high demand; waiting two or three years from the start of the application to receiving the keys was common. He was just a deputy section-level technical cadre, and he knew how many leaders were ahead of him in the queue. Submitting the application was merely following the usual practice of "taking it or leaving it," and he hadn't expected the director to bring it up now.

What alarmed him even more was the timing of Director Lin's mention of the matter. Leaders never change the subject without a reason; this seemingly casual inquiry often concealed some kind of signal. Liu Guangqi quickly connected this to the recent rumors about the batch of staff dormitories built by the ministry itself, which seemed to be in the allocation stage.

"Yes, Director." He composed himself and decided to be honest. "The main problem is that my current place of residence is inconvenient. My parents and I are crammed into an old courtyard house in Nanluoguxiang. There are more than 20 households in the whole courtyard, with about a hundred people crammed under one roof." He shook his head with a wry smile. "After the news spread that I was in charge of technical evaluation at the steel plant a while ago, the neighbors were just too enthusiastic. I thought that this would inevitably affect my work in the long run, so I tried submitting an application."

These words were a mix of truth and deception. Director Lin smiled knowingly upon hearing this, his fingertips lightly stroking the lock on his desk drawer: "The old courtyard house is indeed lively, but you people who are engaged in technical research and development do need a quiet environment." He opened the drawer and took out a document, "When the logistics department discussed the housing allocation list last week, I paid special attention to your materials."

The newly built dormitory building for the ministry has finally been completed and handed over.

When Director Lin specifically mentioned this matter today, Liu Guangqi vaguely sensed a deeper meaning.

Sure enough, the other party quickly got to the point:

"Your development of the electric kettle and electric blanket has brought honor to the ministry and earned foreign exchange. Based on your contributions, you should be provided with a decent apartment."

As the director spoke, he opened his desk drawer and took out a bunch of keys tied with a red string:

"The three-bedroom apartment on the east side of the second floor, with its six-square-meter balcony, is yours."

The key was gently pushed in front of Liu Guangqi.

He stared at the bunch of brass keys, momentarily stunned—the surprise came too quickly, leaving him in a daze.

"Director, this... is truly unexpected." Liu Guangqi's voice betrayed his unease. "I originally thought..."

"Did you think it wouldn't be your turn?" Director Lin said with a smile. "The ministry is known for its clear system of rewards and punishments. You've grasped the urgent needs of our northern neighbor and made such a contribution, so solving your housing problem is only right. We can't let you be both worried about increasing production and distracted by your family's trivial matters."

He paused briefly, his tone becoming serious:

"This house is a reward, but also a responsibility. Now that we're settled, we should focus on completing our production targets perfectly. Once production increases and orders from over there stabilize..."

"I have an even more substantial reward for you."

"Please rest assured, Director!" Liu Guangqi gripped the keys tightly, straightened his back, and said, "I will handle the matters in the workshop properly and will not let the Ministry down!"

Director Lin nodded and said:

"Keep the keys safe. Just go to the housing management office to get the paperwork done and get a signature; they've already given you instructions."

"We should move in as soon as possible so we can fully focus on production."

"yes!"

Stepping out of the director's office, Liu Guangqi carefully put the keys into his inner pocket, his steps becoming lighter. He glanced at his watch; there was still some time before he left work, so he turned and went downstairs, heading straight for the housing management office.

Before even reaching the door, the faint sounds of lively discussion could be heard inside:

"Have you heard? They've placed another order from the north. This time, it's not us begging them; they're the ones who urgently need the goods!"

The voice of a young staff member was filled with excitement.

"More than that! My relative in the foreign trade department said that this time the other party didn't even mention quality inspection clauses, only saying they would accept as much as they could—who would have dared to do that before?"

Another person picked up the conversation, their tone filled with a triumphant and triumphant feeling.

"Isn't this all thanks to Comrade Liu Guangqi from the Research Department? He managed to completely subdue the picky Mao... cough, he really got them all under control!"

"We finally got our revenge this time!"

Although the Housing Management Office does not directly participate in the operations, it is a place with excellent information. As a functional department serving internal staff, it is often the first to know about various developments within the department.

At this moment, Liu Guangqi, who was at the center of the discussion, stopped outside the door. Hearing his name being mentioned repeatedly, he paused in his hand that was about to push the door open.

After a moment, he gently pushed the door open and entered.

The laughter and conversation inside the room abruptly ceased. Seven or eight pairs of eyes turned towards them simultaneously, and then lit up.

The young officer who had spoken the loudest was the first to stand up, a warm smile spreading across his face:

"Team Leader Liu! We were just talking about you, and here you are!"

"Comrade Guangqi, please have a seat!" A middle-aged female colleague in her forties deftly handed over an enamel mug, steam rising gently. "Congratulations! You've done a great service to our unit. I heard they call your heater over there... 'Eastern Heating Technique'!"

Everyone in the room echoed their sentiments. Every word of praise was genuine, without a trace of polite pretense.

Liu Guangqi took the teacup, and the water temperature passed through the cup wall to his palm.

He felt a warmth on his fingertips and smiled slightly. "It's all thanks to the concerted efforts of my comrades. I was just doing my duty."

"You're too kind!" The young clerk's eyes lit up, his voice filled with excitement. "In the past, my colleagues in the foreign trade department were always worried about the pass rate, and their brows were never relaxed... But now, they're all smiles when they see someone, as if they've encountered some great joy."

"Everyone says that the two things you handled, Team Leader Liu, are now more valuable than real money."

Before he finished speaking, the curtain to the inner room was lifted.

Director Luo Heping of the Housing Management Office strode out. Over fifty years old and slightly plump, he always wore a kind smile. Upon seeing Liu Guangqi, the lines around his eyes deepened into fine wrinkles: "Comrade Guangqi! I've finally waited for you."

He strode forward, grabbed Liu Guangqi's hand firmly and warmly, and said, "Come, come with me to my office."

"Your housing arrangements have already been arranged by the director. All the formalities have been completed, and all that's left is for you to sign."

He then led Liu Guangqi toward the office.

The room is brightly lit.

Director Luo looked at the young man in front of him, his eyes filled not only with approval but also with a deep sense of respect.

"To be honest, Team Leader Liu, in all my years at the housing management office, I've never seen a deputy section chief get allocated a three-bedroom apartment—"

"And it even has a bright and airy balcony!"

The respect in his eyes deepened as he looked at Liu Guangqi.

Yes, respect.

If these words were spoken to others, they might carry a subtle implication or even a slight criticism.

But it was a completely different story when it came to Liu Guangqi.

Luo Heping felt it was only natural and perfectly reasonable.

After all, Liu Guangqi had done a great service to the entire ministry this time, securing the largest foreign exchange order from the northern neighbor. This achievement alone was enough to get him promoted several ranks.

These days, it's just improving living conditions, what does that matter?

Luo Heping even secretly thought that even if Liu was assigned a suite in this tenement building, it was still somewhat unfair to him.

But he also knew in his heart that this was not just about housing allocation, but also about the attitude of the ministry leaders.

Thinking this, he led Liu Guangqi to the desk and took out a stack of documents from the drawer.

"Team Leader Liu, I have prepared all your housing documents."

"According to regulations, those below the section chief level can only apply for a one-bedroom apartment at most, while those at the section chief or deputy section chief level may have the opportunity to be allocated a two-bedroom apartment. Your three-bedroom apartment with a balcony is a privilege reserved for those at the division chief or deputy division chief level."

He tapped the document lightly with his fingertips, his smile warm: "Moreover, it's located on the second floor, on the east side, the room with the best natural light, with a south-facing balcony... Every morning at nine o'clock, the sun shines through the window onto the bedside."

"There's a small flower bed downstairs, which is both quiet and pleasing to the eye."

The implication is that this three-bedroom apartment is top-notch even among similar housing units.

Liu Guangqi smiled slightly upon hearing this, understanding the significance of the treatment.

This era differed from later generations; there were no dazzling array of choices, nor were there luxurious mansions that could be obtained simply by spending money.

Ultimately, in the years of public housing allocation, housing was not acquired through purchase, but through allocation.

Therefore, in a sense, housing is a person's face in their workplace, a microcosm of their status, and a home that can shelter them from the wind and rain.

After being in this world for so long, Liu Guangqi finally had a place of his own. The feeling was indescribable.

Admittedly, his family was relatively well-off, and they had a few rooms in the backyard of the courtyard house, but those were ultimately public housing allocated under his father's name.

Unlike the building in front of him, located in the ministry compound, which was actually registered under his name.

……

After introducing the general situation of the house, Luo Heping subtly changed the subject:

"However, Team Leader Liu, the foreign exchange you have earned for the country and the honor you have won for the ministry are more than enough to warrant this treatment."

"Just settle in comfortably."

After saying that, he unscrewed a Hero brand fountain pen and handed it to Liu Guangqi with a smile: "Here, Team Leader Liu."

"Sign your name here, and everything will be settled."

"By the way, did Director Lin give you the room key earlier? I heard that he personally went to the logistics department to get the key, afraid of neglecting you, a meritorious person."

"You can go see the house tomorrow. If you need furniture, just let me know—"

Luo Heping's eyes curved slightly, and he added another sentence:

"A new batch of high-quality timber has arrived at the General Affairs Department. We'll use the best materials to make furniture for you, and give you priority."

The setting sun hung low on the horizon, bathing the entire alley in a warm golden hue. As Liu Guangqi pushed his bicycle into Nanluoguxiang, smoke rose from the chimneys of each household, and the smell of coal stoves mingled with the aroma of cooking oil in the air—a unique atmosphere of the courtyard at dusk.

A familiar figure was squatting by the threshold of the front yard. Yan Bugui was holding a bunch of chives in his hand. The moment he looked up and saw the person, his eyes narrowed into slits.

"Guangqi's back?" He stood up briskly, a few vegetable leaves still clinging to the edge of his apron. "You're back early today."

"There's not much to do at the factory, so I came back early." Liu Guangqi parked his car against the wall, rolled up the cuffs of his white shirt to his elbows, revealing the distinct lines of his wrist bones.

Yan Bugui took two steps closer, lowering his voice slightly: "I heard your department has set up a new workshop? Specifically for supplying our big brother up north?" He paused, his gaze drifting towards his own front door. "The rumors outside are quite outrageous, saying people over there are scrambling for the goods… Is the new workshop short-staffed?"

A faint smile appeared on Liu Guangqi's lips. This old neighbor's information network was always surprisingly efficient. "Uncle's ears are really long," he said calmly, subtly changing the subject, "These chives are quite fresh. Shall we make dumplings tonight?"

"Of course!" Yan Bugui replied sheepishly, the juice seeping from between his fingers as he pinched the bunch of chives in his hand. Knowing that his conversation had been cut off, he could only continue, "How about... coming over for a bite tonight? You know how good your third aunt is at making fillings."

"Let's do it another day. I still have blueprints to finish today." Liu Guangqi said as he walked towards the central courtyard. His figure passed through the clotheslines intertwined in the twilight, and his white shirt gradually blended into the deepening night.

Yan Bugui stared at the direction where the figure disappeared for a long while before squatting down again. The crisp sound of chive leaves being snapped echoed softly in the yard, mingling with the opera singing drifting from the radio next door.

A few men who had just finished work were gathered by the sink in the middle courtyard, rinsing their hands, which were covered in machine oil. When they saw Liu Guangqi pushing his cart past, their conversation suddenly quieted down, but their eyes were fixed on his back until the peeling wooden door creaked shut.

There were no lights on in the room. Liu Guangqi stood in the dim light for a moment, the last ray of sunlight filtering through the window slanting across the table and illuminating a corner of the spread-out drawings. He reached into the drawer and took out the heavy fountain pen, the metal cap making a soft click as it was unscrewed.

The pen tip hovered above the paper, concentrating into a tiny black dot.