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

At the end of the production line, the special steel produced by the collaboration of various workshops has piled up into a silvery-gray sea. Initially, it only occupied a corner of the warehouse, then it filled the entire warehouse, and now even the open space outside the warehouse has been covered with temporary sheds. The finished products covered under the tarpaulins look like rolling metal hills, waiting for the metallurgical department's transport convoy.

Inside the deputy factory director's office, Li Huaide's hands trembled slightly as he clutched a thin sheet of paper, his eyes gleaming with intense light. His fingertips repeatedly traced the striking red numbers on the report, the edges of the paper already crumpled into fine creases.

Special steel production increased eightfold year-on-year!

This number made his heart pound. Li Huaide took a deep breath, an irrepressible smile spreading across his face, his wrinkles smoothing out like ripples. He strode towards the factory director's office, his voice trembling with emotion:

"Old Yang! Quickly check this month's production data!"

Factory Director Yang was drinking tea from an enamel mug when the shout startled him, causing him to jerk and spill a few drops of hot tea onto the table. "What's the rush?" he asked, putting down his mug and looking up with a slightly reproachful gaze. "You look like you've stumbled upon a treasure trove."

"More precious than treasure!" Li Huaide slammed the report on his desk, pointing sharply at the number. "Eight times! A full eight times! Our factory's special steel production!"

He spoke rapidly with excitement: "The ministry's decision to go to the trouble of inviting Chief Engineer Liu was absolutely the right one!"

Factory Director Yang's expression immediately turned serious as he bent down to carefully examine the report. When he saw the string of bright red numbers, his breath caught in his throat. After a long while, he slowly leaned back in his chair, letting out a long sigh of relief, his relaxed shoulders unable to conceal the satisfaction on his face.

"That's right," Director Yang said with emotion, "all of this is thanks to the changes brought about by Comrade Guangqi."

"Who could have predicted that a single technological upgrade would lead to such a leap in production capacity?" This tangible result filled the factory manager and deputy factory manager with joy.

Li Huaide suddenly lowered his voice, his eyes sparkling with anticipation: "Right now, it's just the effect of upgrading the old equipment. Once the new batch of CNC machine tools at Hongxing Factory are fully operational..." He stopped abruptly, but his unfinished words sent a jolt through Director Yang.

What heights would the steel mill's output reach then? He could hardly imagine that magnificent scene.

"Buzz—"

A sharp crackling sound suddenly pierced the noise of the factory area. Loudspeakers scattered throughout the factory blared simultaneously, instantly drawing everyone's attention.

Nearly 10,000 workers stopped what they were doing and listened attentively.

The propaganda department announcer's enthusiastic voice resounded through the loudspeaker, reaching every corner:

"Breaking news!"

"Attention all staff and workers! Under the leadership of our Chief Engineer Liu Guangqi, the entire Technical Department overcame numerous difficulties and successfully completed the technical transformation task!"

"The plant's total output this month increased eightfold year-on-year! Special steel production hit a record high, earning commendation from higher authorities!"

To enhance the impact, the announcer paused briefly and repeated the key data in a louder voice. Given the large number of people on the technical team, the broadcast highlighted Liu Guangqi's name—this engineer's contributions truly deserved this honor.

Without the technological changes he brought, and without his pioneering efforts to innovate and upgrade machine tools, the factory's technical department would never have been able to complete such a large-scale equipment update in such a short period of time.

That's why—

The moment the news spread, all the workshops in the entire steel rolling mill seemed to have been thrown into a pot of boiling oil, and suddenly they were in an uproar!

"Total output has increased eightfold compared to the same period last year!"

The news, like a thunderclap, was broadcast three times over the loudspeaker. Each word struck like a hammer blow to the heart, sending ripples through the factory. After a brief silence, a cacophony of noise erupted throughout the factory.

"What? Did I hear that right?"

"Eight times? How is that possible!"

"Good heavens... has the machine been cursed?"

"Chief Engineer Liu! It's Chief Engineer Liu again! I knew he was extraordinary, and he's only been at the factory for a short time!"

"I'd always heard how capable he was in the ministry, but today I've witnessed it firsthand... Chief Engineer Liu is truly amazing!"

……

Inside the forging workshop, Liu Haizhong, with his round belly and hands clasped behind his back, paced back and forth in his assigned area. Since being promoted to deputy workshop director, he had left his hands-on work position and switched to management, but his urge to give orders hadn't diminished in the slightest. He felt uneasy if he didn't patrol the workshop several times a day and issue commands.

After all, who wouldn't want to take another step forward?

At this moment, he was holding an enamel mug with the words "Labor is Glorious" printed on it, taking sips from time to time to moisten his throat, which was used to giving orders. His eyes swept over each worker as if inspecting them, with a very imposing manner.

He was about to reprimand a lazy young worker when the broadcast came on.

The next moment, the words "Comrade Liu Guangqi" entered his ears, and Liu Haizhong froze as if he had been electrocuted.

He slowly straightened up, listening intently, even more focused than when listening to an important broadcast. When the words "received commendation from the higher-level ministry" came over the loudspeaker, the teacup in his hand trembled violently, and scalding tea splashed onto the back of his hand, but he was completely unaware.

Yes, he didn't care too much about the production increasing several times over.

What he cares about are the words "higher-level ministries" and "public commendation" that he keeps pondering in his dreams.

An uncontrollable surge of ecstasy rose from the soles of his feet and shot straight to the top of his head.

His face, usually so muscular, instantly filled with laughter, his wrinkles spreading like chrysanthemums, completely devoid of his usual dignified air.

"Did you all hear that? How amazing Chief Engineer Liu is!"

"He's only been here a month, and he's already increased our factory's production eightfold!"

……

Hearing Liu Haizhong's boast, the surrounding blacksmiths gathered around, their voices full of envy:

"Director Liu, you are truly blessed!"

"With this move, even higher-level ministries have been implicated by Chief Engineer Liu."

"With such an accomplished son, you'll be a proud family member of our factory from now on!"

As Liu Haizhong listened to the radio repeatedly calling out his son's name, his pride almost overflowed.

He felt light as a feather, as if he were walking on clouds.

Although he had known for some time that his son held a prominent position in the Ministry of Machine Building, he hadn't truly grasped the extent of his abilities. Now, seeing is believing, and hearing is believing—

One person, one month, propelled the entire steel rolling mill to a leap forward, increasing output eightfold!

What does this mean?

It's simply unbelievably excellent.

Liu Haizhong puffed out his chest, enjoying the flattery around him. The sense of pride made him feel that even if he became the factory director, it would probably be nothing more than this.

No wonder... no wonder the ministry provided a special car and assigned bodyguards, protecting him like some important figure. How could such a talent not be strictly protected?

……

In the fitter's workshop, Yi Zhonghai's tools hung in mid-air, his expression complex.

He had spent most of his life as a fitter, firmly believing that craftsmanship was fundamental. But the technological innovation brought about by Liu Guangqi completely shook his ingrained beliefs—

Parts that used to require hours of meticulous polishing by an eighth-grade worker can now be completed in just over ten minutes by machine tools, with even higher precision.

"...Sigh, I'm really getting old."

Yi Zhonghai sighed deeply, a trace of melancholy flashing in his eyes:

"I always thought Guangqi was too young, but I never expected him to be so capable."

At that moment, the subtle sense of superiority he felt as an elder quietly vanished.

What does seniority in the courtyard matter...? In the face of absolute power, these empty titles and honors are as insignificant as dust.

It wasn't until this moment that Jia Dongxu truly understood.

Why was Liu Guangqi able to hold a stable position in the Ministry of Machinery Industry at such a young age, with a private car to pick him up and drop him off, and even the leaders of the Ministry of Metallurgy and the factory doting on him?

He relied on nothing but his exceptional skills.

At his workstation, Jia Dongxu had already stopped what he was doing.

From Liu Guangqi's admission to university, graduation, entry into a ministry, allocation of housing in the ministry compound, rising all the way to deputy director, and now being seconded to the steel rolling mill, becoming the respected Chief Engineer Liu—Jia Dongxu thought he had long been accustomed to, even numb to, all these events.

But for some reason, every time he heard news about Liu Guangqi, his heart would still churn violently.

Perhaps it was because they grew up in the same courtyard and always felt that they were not much different from each other, so the sense of distance between them became very blurred.

Now, witnessing firsthand how Liu Guangqi single-handedly propelled the entire steel rolling mill's production forward by leaps and bounds, Jia Dongxu truly realized that this man's abilities had already reached heights beyond his comprehension.

Then look at yourself, still grinding parts in the workshop day after day.

"We can't compare," Jia Dongxu shook his head and smiled bitterly, "We're afraid we'll never catch up to Guangqi's skills, no matter how hard we try."

A young worker nearby chimed in:

"Brother Dongxu, you still want to compare yourself to Chief Engineer Liu? He's the kind of person who can make CNC machine tools; he's not even on the same level as us."

"Yes, we're not on the same path..." Jia Dongxu repeated in a low voice, his grip on the wrench tightening involuntarily.

*

In the kitchen of the third canteen of the steel rolling mill, amidst the clatter of spatulas and the clatter of cleavers, Sha Zhu was busy preparing lunch.

The broadcast drifted in through the noise, startling him at first. Then, he grabbed the arm of the kitchen helper beside him and raised his voice sharply:

"Did you hear that? Chief Engineer Liu—my brother Guangqi! He increased our factory's output eightfold in just one month!"

"That's amazing!"

Several kitchen helpers gathered around, asking curiously, "Chef He, do you know Chief Engineer Liu?"

"Of course!" Sha Zhu rolled up his sleeves and got all excited. "We've lived in the same courtyard since we were kids. But he's different from us roughnecks; he was a natural at studying from a young age, and he's quick-witted."

"Back then, he was the first person from our neighborhood to get into Tsinghua University."

"After graduation, I joined the Ministry of Machine Building. I was always accompanied by guards when I went out; it was difficult for ordinary people to even see me!"

He spoke with great enthusiasm, as if he himself was beaming with pride.

At this moment, Liu Lan, who was also busy in the cafeteria, interjected with a smile:

"Master He, since you're so familiar with Chief Engineer Liu, why haven't you ever seen him grace our third canteen with his presence for a meal?"

"Are you just trying to make yourself look good?"

Upon hearing this, Sha Zhu's expression immediately turned sour.

"What do you know!" he retorted, sticking his neck out. "They work at the Ministry of Machine Building in the morning and only come to the steel rolling mill at noon. They must be eating in the ministry's canteen for their employees."

"What kind of food is served in the cadre mess hall? Refined rice and white flour, with meat at every meal. If you were in that situation, would you choose to eat communal meals here instead of going to a better place?"

While verbally refuting this, Sha Zhu couldn't help but mutter to himself: Liu Lan's mouth really never lets anyone off the hook.

However, her words also reminded me.

When Liu Guangqi comes to the factory this afternoon, we must invite him to the third canteen.

For no other reason than to shut Liu Lan up.

We'll see what kind of expression she has then.

Thinking this way, Sha Zhu's initial displeasure vanished instantly, replaced by a surge of eager anticipation.

He had to let everyone know—that he, He Yuzhu, was not just a cook who could lift a ladle; the people he knew were not ordinary.

*

Liu Guangqi was unaware of this.

He had been at the No. 1 Machine Tool Plant all morning, so he was unaware that the steel rolling mill had broadcast his name on the radio again.

Even if he found out, he probably wouldn't take it too seriously.

After all, he was only temporarily transferred here and was not considered a formal employee of the steel rolling mill. He wouldn't be here long, so these praises and announcements wouldn't mean much to him.

To put it bluntly, with his current resume, he already has more than enough praise from the steel mill.

The steel rolling mill office building gradually quieted down in the afternoon.

In the factory area, the echoes of the broadcast seemed to still linger on the walls. The workers gathered in several groups, their excited chatter barely audible, until the time for work approached, at which point the crowd gradually dispersed.

At that moment, Liu Guangqi was walking out of the ministry's courtyard, heading slowly toward the steel rolling mill.