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

His words were a mixture of resentment, surprise, and a hint of unspoken envy.

Zhao Jianjun and his wife Wu Shuang exchanged a glance, and simultaneously a near-absurd guess popped into their minds—

Could it be Guang Qi?

Under the watchful eyes of everyone, the Volga came to a steady stop in front of the Zhao family's house.

The car door opened, and a familiar figure stepped out unhurriedly—

Who else could it be but Liu Guangqi?

"—It really is him?!"

"Where did he get that Volga? Wait... when did he learn to drive?"

"This kid's been hiding his true abilities well!"

The young people, who had been so arrogant just moments before, suddenly seemed to have been silenced, their faces turning red and then pale.

Shock, astonishment, and then **the unbearable spiciness**

These days, people who can drive are rare, let alone someone like Liu Guangqi, whom they were planning to tease, who would drive such a car to pick up a bride.

All the whispers speculating about the bicycle team and the trucks were now stuck in their throats.

The courtyard suddenly became so quiet that only the soft sound of the morning breeze passing through the treetops could be heard.

In front of the courtyard gate of the small brick and tile building.

The sleek Volga sat silently, a testament to its power. The whispers of the young people watching from inside and outside the courtyard, previously filled with speculation about bicycles or jeeps, now seemed awkward and feeble. They exchanged glances, their initial anticipation of watching the spectacle completely dispelled by the metallic sheen of the car.

Zhao's father stood with his hands behind his back on the threshold, his gaze shifting from Liu Guangqi to the car and back again. The surprise in his eyes gradually faded, turning into a genuine smile. He shook his head, the lines at the corners of his mouth smoothing out: "Good lad...you've got this trick up your sleeve."

Wu Shuang, standing to the side, gently nudged her husband's arm, her tone revealing a relieved satisfaction that she had expected this: "I told you long ago, Guangqi is a man of his word. He would never embarrass our family, much less wrong Xiaoyun." This time, Zhao's father remained silent, but the last trace of melancholy between his brows, born of his daughter's marriage, seemed to dissipate with the appearance of the Volga.

Liu Guangqi stepped out of the car, not carrying a trendy pastry tin, but a carefully arranged bouquet of flowers. The petals still held the morning dew; against this simple, almost rough backdrop of the era, this vibrant fragrance was like a gentle yet unique thunderclap. It was not merely a token of affection, but a silent declaration—a matter of taste, and even more so, of thoughtfulness.

The elderly couple standing at the door looked on with obvious surprise. They watched the young man approach step by step. His white shirt was neatly pressed, making him look as slender and spirited as a bamboo. His demeanor seemed to be that of someone who had stepped out of a carefully drawn propaganda poster, rather than someone who lived in reality.

Liu Guangqi stopped at an appropriate distance, his gaze passing over several still dazed faces, and landed precisely on his father-in-law and mother-in-law. He bowed slightly and said sincerely, "Uncle, Aunt, I was a little delayed on the way and I'm late. Please forgive me."

Before the words were finished, a boy of about ten nimbly slipped out from the crowd; it was Zhao's second son, Mengsheng. He grinned and gave Liu Guangqi a nudge, calling out, "Brother-in-law, we're practically living under your own roof! Stop calling us 'Uncle and Aunt'! Time to change your address!"

The shout came at just the right time. Liu Guangqi smiled inwardly, thinking the lad was clever. But on the surface, he straightened his clothes and bowed respectfully to Zhao Jianjun and Wu Shuang, his voice clear enough for everyone around to hear clearly:

"Dad! Mom! I've come to pick up Mengyun."

Upon hearing the words "Mom and Dad," Wu Shuang could no longer contain her smile, which spread like wildfire. She responded repeatedly, "Oh, good, good boy! Don't be so polite." Looking at his son-in-law, who stood tall and straight like a pine tree, Zhao's father's previously stern expression melted away. He stepped forward and patted Liu Guangqi's shoulder with his thick hand, the force full of approval: "Good job, you really make me proud. You've kept your driving skills well hidden."

These words sounded like a complaint, but deep down they conveyed a sense of satisfaction. Liu Guangqi smiled slightly and explained, "I thought today should be special, so as not to waste it. This car was properly allocated according to my current rank, with all the necessary paperwork, and it's perfect for today's wedding procession." He paused, his gaze sweeping over the Volga, and said in a low but clear voice, "I want Meng Yun to have a grand wedding."

These few casual words, however, stirred up a storm in the hearts of the young people around who were listening intently.

"A company car? What rank is he exactly?"

"You don't know? Deputy Director of the Research Department, Administrative Level 15!"

"Level 15?! That...that's equivalent to a deputy regimental commander in a unit! How old is he?"

Someone counted on their fingers, then gasped, "My dad worked so hard, his temples were all white..."

"We were guessing it was a bicycle before, we were really... too naive."

"How could we possibly judge this? We used to think that Sister Meng Yun was settling for less, but now it seems they're a perfect match!"

"With this skill and this pomp, who would dare utter a single word of dissent?"

The discussions had completely shifted; the previous overt and covert scrutiny and comparisons had now transformed into pure amazement and unattainable envy. On the young faces, only expressions of utter resignation remained.

Hearing all this, Zhao's father felt a surge of pride, a pride that belonged to both father and father-in-law, welling up within him. He cleared his throat, his loud voice drowning out the rising noise:

"The auspicious time must not be missed. Everyone, stop crowding around and let the groom enter the house to fetch the bride!"

Liu Guangqi followed his mother-in-law into the house.

His gaze swept across the bustling figures in the living room, immediately catching sight of a touch of crimson by the window. Zhao Mengyun stood there quietly, the morning light filtering through the glass, framing her with a hazy golden edge. Her silk dress rose and fell gently with her breath, like the softest glow of sunset.

The surrounding laughter and noise suddenly fell silent.

His gaze fell upon her, like a long-traveled traveler finally spotting an oasis. And in the instant she raised her eyelashes, only his silhouette was reflected in her eyes.

"Meng Yun".

He stepped forward and gently handed her a bouquet of flowers, still glistening with morning dew. His palm opened before her, and he said in a low but clear and firm voice, "Let's go home."

Zhao Mengyun lowered her head and sniffed the fragrance of the flowers in her arms. Almost without hesitation, she placed her hand into the waiting palm. His hand immediately closed, holding her firmly. The dry warmth instantly enveloped her fingertips, soothing the last trace of uncertainty in her heart.

She turned her head to look at her parents behind her. Their eyes were filled with tears, but they both smiled and nodded at her, their gazes a mixture of affection and endless comfort.

The two turned around hand in hand and stepped over the threshold.

"Crackling and popping—!"

Almost at the same moment they stepped out from under the eaves, a deafening explosion suddenly erupted, loud and unexpected, startling the birds in the locust tree in the courtyard. The firecrackers originally prepared for the amusement of "blocking the door" were now being lit in a rush.

This was no longer childish banter, but heartfelt cheers and blessings. The young men who had been making the most noise just moments before now had flushed faces, frantically adding more firecrackers while shouting at the top of their lungs:

Congratulations to Sister Mengyun on your marriage! May you be forever united in love!

Cheers erupted, merging into a wave of joy. Bright red confetti rained down, carpeting the ground and creating a vibrant, bustling path leading to the waiting convoy.

The lead convoy of gleaming Volga cars slowly drove away from the entrance of the General Logistics Department compound, drawing the attention of the soldiers on guard. Several military green jeeps followed in succession. In an era when bicycles were a source of pride, this convoy was sure to attract the attention of everyone along the way.

Inside the carriage, dappled sunlight filtering through the trees danced gently as the vehicle moved, brushing across Zhao Mengyun's beautiful profile. She turned her gaze to the man in the driver's seat, her eyes shining as if they held starlight.

"Comrade Liu Guangqi," she said, a playful smile curving her lips, her tone laced with inquiry and barely concealed pride, "you're really something, you even know this?"

She didn't care about the pomp and circumstance of the wedding procession; even just walking side by side would have been enough for her. But what woman in the world doesn't secretly yearn for a memorable ceremony? She just hadn't expected that the respect he showed her would be something rarely seen even in the entire compound.

"I'm at least half a person in the mechanical industry."

His answer remained as effortless as ever, as casual as commenting on the breeze outside the window.

"After visiting the factory and observing the experienced workers tinkering with it a few times, I naturally learned how to do it; it's not a difficult thing."

It was that same tone again. Zhao Mengyun suddenly recalled their first date at Beihai Park, when he held up that rather complicated camera and said in the same nonchalant way, "You'll get it if you try." It was as if there were no truly intractable obstacles in the world before him; or rather, he possessed a strange innate talent that allowed him to turn what ordinary people considered difficult problems into commonplace matters that he could handle with ease.

It was this composure that allowed a deep sense of security to quietly take root in her heart.

As the convoy wound its way through the streets, the gatehouse of the ministry compound soon came into view. Even before getting close, two brand-new, large red lanterns hung high, swaying gently in the breeze with a cheerful air. The area in front of the canteen was bustling with activity.

The chefs and kitchen staff had already changed into their crisply white uniforms, their faces beaming with simple smiles. On the steps, Liu's father, with his slightly plump figure, stood with Yi Zhonghai, Yan Bugui, and others, eagerly awaiting their arrival. Beside them, a group of young people from the courtyard house, including Xu Damao, He Yuzhu, and Jia Dongxu, were also huddled together, gazing at the end of the road.

Given the difficult circumstances, extravagance was unwise. Liu Guangqi therefore held the banquet in the ministry's compound canteen. The invited guests were simply familiar neighbors and a few necessary unit leaders. Don't underestimate this canteen; the food and culinary skills served there were comparable to those of famous restaurants outside. And holding the banquet there was perfectly appropriate for Liu Guangqi's status, avoiding any criticism.

Xu Damao nudged He Yuzhu beside him with his elbow, his voice low but unable to hide his teasing: "Hey, silly Zhu, you better hold onto that string of firecrackers tight! Don't shoot yourself into the air before you even see the wheels of the newcomer's carriage!"

"Stop spouting nonsense! You're a movie projectionist, do you even know how to light firecrackers?"

He Yuzhu frowned, his words laced with venom, almost hitting Xu Damao's nose:

"Today is Brother Guangqi's big day. If you keep spouting nonsense, believe me, I'll throw you into a firecracker fuse and set you on fire!"

As the two were locked in a contest, a black Volga sedan quietly slid to the edge of the steps.

"Here it comes!"

In the crowd, Jia Dongxu shouted with a laugh. Xu Damao and He Yuzhu immediately shut up and hurriedly stepped forward.

"point!"

With a shout from He Yuzhu, two cigarette butts simultaneously touched the fuse of the firecracker.

"laugh--"

"Crackling! Crackling!"

A thunderous sound suddenly erupted, and scarlet paper scraps rained down, instantly filling the air with the scorching smell of gunpowder. The onlookers, including the cadres' families and children, clapped and cheered.

"Look! The groom is getting out of the car!"

"The bride is absolutely gorgeous!"

Amidst the clamor and congratulatory cheers, Liu Guangqi walked around to the other side of the car, opened the door, and smiled as he extended his hand to Zhao Mengyun, who was sitting inside.

……

The wedding banquet had no complicated rituals or deliberately sentimental parts. After the meal, the residents of the courtyard finally learned where Liu Guangqi's assigned house was, confirming their previous guesses, and they also saw several people they rarely saw on ordinary days. Apart from that, there was nothing special.

As night deepened, the banquet ended. After seeing off those distinguished guests, only he and Zhao Mengyun remained in the tenement building of the ministry compound.

Looking at the familiar scene before her, Zhao Mengyun's eyes shone with undisguised joy:

"Guangqi, this is really good."

"From now on, we won't have to go back to our own homes anymore."

Although her home in the General Logistics Department compound was a small brick building where the leaders lived, and the conditions were more spacious, she was still deeply attached to this little nest that belonged only to the two of them—every corner of it exuded a solid warmth.

Liu Guangqi tightened his grip on her arm, gently resting his chin on her hair, inhaling the sweet scent of soapberry.

"If you don't like it, we can find another place later."

"No trade!"