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

"The Ministry of Metallurgy has coordinated with this side, and we'll go help them advance the production line upgrade," he explained briefly. This matter always needs to be explained in advance—her work schedule will inevitably change over the next month. She'll still go to the ministry in the morning as usual, but from noon onwards she'll have to rush to the steel rolling mill, making it even harder to keep a fixed time off. If she's too busy sometimes, she'll have to go home first, but fortunately the journey isn't too far, and she's still quite mobile for now.

Zhao Mengyun paused, then her eyes lit up: "Is it because of that CNC machine tool?"

This isn't hard to guess. What else could possibly warrant the Ministry of Metallurgy specifically borrowing personnel from it?

Liu Guangqi smiled and nodded.

A smile unconsciously spread across Zhao Mengyun's lips, her eyes curved into crescents, and her pride almost overflowed from her eyes.

"I've always believed that no one can compare to you!"

She slightly raised her head to look at the man beside her, her eyes clear and sparkling, filled with undisguised admiration.

"You haven't seen it, but Counselor Yan in our department mentions you every time he sees me these days!"

She mimicked the old leader's thoughtful, hands-behind-the-back posture, imitating him vividly:

"Little Zhao, if a talent like Comrade Guangqi were placed on our diplomatic front, specializing in negotiating with foreign technical delegations, how much initiative could we gain for the country!"

"Staying at the First Ministry of Machine Building is such a waste of his talent, what a pity!"

Her lifelike appearance amused Liu Guangqi, who shook his head and chuckled.

He gazed into his wife's bright eyes, his heart warming, and gently placed his hand on her already showing belly.

"You'll have to work hard from now on."

Liu Guangqi lowered his voice and said, "For the next month, I'll be at the Ministry of Machinery Industry in the morning and rushing to the steel rolling mill in the afternoon, so it will probably be difficult for me to pick you up from get off work on time every day."

Zhao Mengyun immediately shook her head.

She placed her hand on his broad palm, her fingertips tightening: "What's so hard about this? You're busy with important work; I'm overjoyed!"

She suddenly blinked, a playful glint in her eyes:

"Besides, you have a car now, right? If you finish work early one day, you can just pick me up on your way, wouldn't that be the same?"

"Really, I don't care about these things."

Although she spoke lightly, Zhao Mengyun's mind was as clear as a mirror.

This time, Liu Guangqi's trip to the steel rolling mill was not like that of the research department, where he could arrange his own schedule.

He was going to immerse himself in the production line to promote technological upgrades; how could he decide when to finish work?

If there are receptions or impromptu meetings arranged by the factory leaders, it is common to be busy until late at night, not to mention the trivial and complicated daily affairs of the factory.

The so-called "pick-up on the way" is mostly just a tacit comfort between the two parties.

Liu Guangqi naturally understood, but seeing his wife deliberately putting on such a relaxed appearance, his heart softened even more, and he smiled and replied in agreement:

"Okay, whatever you say."

He subtly changed the subject:

"By the way, the steel rolling mill isn't far from our old courtyard house. Maybe we can go back and visit our parents sometime when we have some free time."

When the courtyard house was mentioned, Zhao Mengyun's eyes lit up even more, and she couldn't help but chuckle.

"Do you think if the old neighbors in the compound knew that you were now the chief director of technological innovation at the steel rolling mill, they'd be so surprised they wouldn't be able to speak properly?"

"Especially that old man who always likes to lecture people—"

A sly glint flashed in her eyes: "If he knew your current position, he probably wouldn't be able to stand back with his hands behind his back and lecture you like an elder anymore, would he?"

She found it extremely interesting just to imagine that scene.

Liu Guangqi was also amused by her and started laughing.

"Don't make fun of them. I'm going there to get things done, not to put on airs. Once the technological innovation is complete and the steel mill's output steadily increases..."

"So I withdrew, it's only been a month anyway."

"Um!"

Zhao Mengyun squeezed his hand tightly and smiled, "Let's go home."

"Okay, let's go home."

In front of the dormitory-style apartment building in the ministry compound, the setting sun cast long, slender shadows of the two men. This warmth, embedded in the mundane details of daily life, is far more precious to Liu Guangqi than any honor or medal.

The next morning.

"Sizzle—"

Not long after I started work, the familiar static from the First Ministry of Machine Building's broadcasting station broke the silence between the buildings once again.

"The following is an announcement!"

In the offices of various departments, many people unconsciously slowed down their movements.

Pairs of ears quietly perked up.

Sure enough, that familiar name echoed down the corridor once again.

"After deliberation and decision by the department leadership, the following comrades are hereby commended: Comrade Liu Guangqi of the Research Division of our department, leading the project team, has made significant progress again in the field of CNC machine tool research and development with the concerted efforts of all technical personnel..."

The announcer's voice was full and powerful, echoing through the corridors.

"...making new contributions to the modernization of my country's machine tool industry!"

The same words of praise were broadcast three times in a row, word for word, to ensure that everyone in every office, from leaders at all levels to ordinary staff members, heard them clearly.

In an instant, the entire ministry building resembled a lake surface tossed with pebbles, with ripples spreading everywhere.

In the offices on each floor, the hushed conversations blended into a buzzing sound.

"Good grief! Here we go again!"

"Isn't the name 'Director Liu' practically a household name, broadcast over the loudspeaker?"

"They're getting awards every few days!"

A young cadre looked up from the pile of documents, his face filled with disbelief.

"Didn't you hear on the radio? Director Liu and his team have once again cracked a new aircraft model!"

"This is amazing..."

Even so, the envy and admiration in his eyes were obvious to everyone.

"It's more than just 'amazing'—"

The news spread like wildfire.

"Have you heard? The research department has announced another big surprise—three new CNC machine tools, including lathes, milling machines, and grinders!"

A series of suppressed gasps could be heard from various offices.

"This year, their department could probably win the award with their eyes closed."

"Following a leader like that, you'd be full just from the smell of meat, let alone eating it."

"Sigh, I really want to be transferred there..."

At midday, another event quietly occurred.

A gleaming black Volga sedan quietly pulled up in front of the main building of the Ministry of Machinery Industry. Sunlight shone sharply through the chrome trim on the car. A smartly dressed guard stepped out and stood silently to the side, his gaze fixed straight ahead.

People entering and leaving the building couldn't help but slow down.

This is quite a setup—a special car and bodyguards—a privilege usually reserved for officials at the bureau level or above. Who are they here to pick up today?

A moment later, Liu Guangqi walked out of the door.

The guard stepped forward and deftly opened the back door of the car.

The air around them was still for a moment, then a low murmur of whispers rose up.

"Director Liu? Isn't this a bit too much?"

"The ministry is really praising him to the skies. This kind of treatment for a deputy division-level official is unprecedented."

At first, some people were puzzled. Having bodyguards was not unusual in those days; enemy agents were frequently active, and important cadres and engineers often received this treatment. But Liu Guangqi's rank, by all accounts, was not high enough.

On second thought, it dawned on me.

In the past two years, the CNC machine tools he produced have attracted numerous requests for assistance from various ministries. The output value of those units has skyrocketed. From this perspective, assigning him a bodyguard doesn't seem excessive. Moreover, he is a level seven engineer, and senior technical personnel are entitled to special protection.

Someone with sharp eyes whispered a reminder:

"Look at the license plate—it's from the Ministry of Metallurgy. This is a special arrangement; they're only picking him up."

Ministry of Metallurgy.

The moment those three words were spoken, much discussion abruptly ceased. Those who could remain in a ministry generally possessed some discernment. The Ministry of Metallurgical Industry sent a car to pick him up; Liu Guangqi left the ministry at noon… These two events, linked together, suddenly brought one word to everyone's mind:

Temporary transfer.

Good grief, they've come to our door to demand our people back.

Once this was understood, a complex mix of emotions filled the courtyard. Envy, bitterness, and a hint of pride lingered for a long time.

Liu Guangqi, however, seemed completely oblivious to the attention he was receiving. He had already gotten into the car, and the Volga smoothly drove out of the compound, heading towards the steel rolling mill.

The car arrived at the steel rolling mill and slowly stopped in front of the factory office building.

Factory Director Yang, Deputy Factory Director Li Huaide, and several other factory leaders were already waiting at the gate. Seeing Liu Guangqi get out of the car, Factory Director Yang quickly went to greet him: "Comrade Guangqi, we meet again! Welcome!"

Looking at the young man before him—not much older than his own son—Director Yang felt a surge of emotions. At their first meeting, he had only thought of him as a young engineer from the ministry; but later, one thing after another, he had come to realize that this man truly possessed solid skills.

Therefore, his attitude at this moment contained not only appreciation but also genuine respect.

"Director Yang, it's been a long time."

Liu Guangqi smiled slightly, striking the perfect balance—neither too formal nor too overly familiar. He turned to Li Huaide: "Director Li, you look better and better."

To be honest, he didn't like this kind of welcoming and sending-off ceremony. It was too ostentatious, like welcoming an imperial envoy in the old days. He was just a temporary chief engineer; there was really no need for such a show.

Despite his thoughts, he showed no sign of distress on his face. Years of experience had taught him how to navigate various situations with composure. He even managed to smile and nod to each of the less familiar factory leaders behind him.

His smile was gentle, his manners impeccable, and he was flawless.

Li Huaide burst into laughter first, his words perfectly chosen to smooth things over. This deputy factory director, always adept at creating a pleasant atmosphere, saw that Liu Guangqi had already exchanged pleasantries with everyone, and promptly stepped forward, saying in a loud voice, "Comrade Guangqi is too modest! The ministry personally selected you to serve as the chief technical commander; it's us who should be relying on your guidance from now on." He looked Liu up and down, then added with concern, "Judging from your journey here at noon, you probably haven't had lunch yet?"

He put on a warm smile and gestured, "Director Yang specially instructed the canteen to prepare a simple meal for you today to welcome you. Why don't we fill our stomachs first, and we can discuss work matters in detail this afternoon."

"Then I'll go along with the arrangements made by the two factory managers."

Liu Guangqi remained calm, as if he had anticipated this, and showed no sign of being eager to start work. He knew that rushing into the workshop upon arriving in a new environment was a reckless act only a greenhorn would do—no matter the era, if you want others to cooperate with you, you must first integrate into their pace. To move smoothly, one must blend in; in dealing with people, one must avoid being too rigid.

"Yes, yes, let's eat first!"

Factory Director Yang also smiled and agreed.

So the group walked towards the small canteen. By then, the ordinary workers' mealtime had long ended, and the large canteen was empty, with only a faint smell of food remaining. They bypassed the front hall and went straight to a private room at the back that was not open to the public.

Li Huaide rushed forward and pushed open the door to the private room.

In an instant, a rich aroma mingled with the scent of meat and wine wafted over. More than a dozen porcelain plates were already laid out on the round table: the braised four treasures were glistening and tempting, the braised pork was rich in color, the deep-fried ribbonfish was golden and crispy, the braised duck was plump and meaty... Each dish was steaming hot, clearly prepared specially for a private kitchen.

Liu Guangqi's gaze swept across the table.

Eight hot dishes and four cold dishes were served, along with a simmering clay pot of chicken soup, its broth a clear yellow, exuding a rich, fragrant aroma. Judging from the dishes, this meal wasn't prepared by He Yuzhu, the factory's stubborn cook. Although he was a bit of a troublemaker, his culinary skills were truly excellent, especially his family's Tan family cuisine—though that style was too refined, often featuring braised shark fin and clear bird's nest soup. In those days, few people had even heard of it, let alone tasted it. Even if the factory leaders wanted to prepare special meals, they wouldn't dare to be so ostentatious. Therefore, He Yuzhu usually showcased his skills in making spicy and flavorful Sichuan cuisine.

The dishes on the table in front of us are clearly not in the Sichuan style.

Liu Guangqi knew perfectly well that this meal was far beyond the usual level of working hospitality. It was more like a silent statement—the steel rolling mill's emphasis on this technological innovation, and its respect for him, the chief technical officer who had been transferred from a sister unit by the Ministry of Metallurgy.

Once Liu Guangqi understood this, he had a clear understanding of the situation.

He immediately adopted a perfectly humble expression and said, "Director Yang, Director Li, this is really too much trouble." His words were simple and sincere, "I'm here to solve a technical problem. There's no need for formalities among comrades. A simple meal is fine."

"Oh no! That won't do!"