I feel right at home in the world of the courtyard house.

A group of workers crowded into the conference room, which was filled with smoke. A dozen or so experienced workers sat around a round conference table. Yi Zhonghai sat by the window and glanced around—everyone present was at least a level seven worker; lathe operators, fitters, riveters, welders—almost all the pillars of each workshop were there. When the workshop foreman had notified him to come to the meeting, he had been completely bewildered. After asking around for a while, the foreman only said, "You'll find out when you get there," and then hurriedly left.

Just as he was pondering this, the door was pushed open. A young man strode in, followed by two staff members carrying document bags. This was Ma, the newly appointed deputy leader of the production command group.

"Dear colleagues, I apologize for keeping you all waiting." Deputy Team Leader Ma placed a rolled-up blueprint on the table. "I have invited you all here today because I have a sacred political mission."

The meeting room fell silent.

"We're making floats for the National Day parade." Deputy Team Leader Ma raised his voice slightly as he said this. "Director Li of the factory's Revolutionary Committee attaches great importance to this and has specifically instructed that our steel rolling mill must stand out in this parade, showcasing revolutionary spirit, and the floats must be innovative and unique!"

After speaking, he gestured with his chin to the two staff members behind him, who then spread the blueprints on the round table. More than a dozen experienced craftsmen stood up and craned their necks to gather around. Yi Zhonghai also joined in, squeezing into the middle of the crowd, his calloused hands resting on the edge of the table as he looked down to examine the blueprints closely.

The drawing depicts a huge ship-shaped float with wave patterns carved on both sides of the hull, a high bow, and a straight mast.

"You all saw it, right?" Deputy Team Leader Ma was also holding a blueprint. "This design was painstakingly conceived by Director Li. First, let's talk about the shape: a boat shape, symbolizing our Party riding the waves of revolution. Director Li specifically instructed that the entire vehicle must be made of iron, and the water ripples on the side of the boat must have a three-dimensional feel, be movable, and make people feel at a glance that the boat is moving forward. Therefore, for the water ripple part, you craftsmen need to design a set of mechanical transmission devices."

"And then there's the mast. The mast can't be static. Director Li said it has to be eye-catching and unforgettable. How do we achieve that? — The mast has to be raised slowly during the march. And when we get to the front of the platform, the sails have to open with a 'whoosh.' So the gear transmission, bearing structure, and lifting device all depend on the collective wisdom and effort of all the experienced workers."

The discussion grew louder. Several experienced craftsmen gathered together, pointing and gesturing at the mast base on the blueprints.

"Director Li said," Deputy Team Leader Ma placed his hands on the table, scanning the room from left to right, "that if this float is a resounding success, all participants will be recognized as outstanding individuals this year. In addition, to ensure the smooth progress of the project, everyone present will be assigned to a temporary special production team."

He straightened up and patted his chest: "I'm the group leader. However, I have other things to do and can't be here every day. So, we need to choose a deputy group leader from among you experienced workers to lead the team on-site. Let's see—who's willing to take on this responsibility?"

The meeting room fell silent.

A dozen or so experienced workers looked at each other. Some of them clearly had something on their minds, their lips twitched, and then they closed them again.

No one spoke.

Yi Zhonghai knew exactly what was going on. This matter seemed like a lucrative opportunity; if handled well, he could secure the "Advanced Individual" title and perhaps even get a promotion. But what if things went wrong? What if, during the National Day parade, the sails wouldn't unfurl in front of the reviewing stand? The mast got stuck halfway up? What a huge mess that would be! If he botched something like that, it wouldn't just be a matter of being dismissed from his post.

They're all seasoned veterans; who would be willing to take the lead?

Deputy Team Leader Ma looked around twice and suddenly smiled. "Fellow workers, let me add one more thing—Director Li specifically instructed that after the parade, all participants, except for those who were already recognized for their outstanding performance, will be commended. As for the deputy team leader," he paused deliberately, his gaze sweeping back and forth across the faces of the group, "if you perform exceptionally well and coordinate effectively, Director Li will consider promoting you to a leadership position, depending on the specific circumstances."

The last sentence was like a pebble thrown into a pond.

With a "buzz," a sudden burst of discussion erupted.

"Master Wang is great! You're an eighth-grade worker and have trained so many apprentices. You're the most suitable person to be the deputy team leader!" Someone gave Master Wang, who was sitting against the wall, a push.

Master Wang quickly waved his hand, his face flushing red: "No, no, no, how could I do that? I'm just a laborer. I'm good at swinging a sledgehammer, but I'm not good at managing people. If you ask me, Master Ma, you're more suitable—"

"Me?" Master Ma across from him nearly knocked over his enamel mug. "Don't try to embarrass me. If you can't do it, how could I? Old Li is young, quick-witted, and capable!"

"Brother, don't joke with me. How could I possibly be qualified to lead you older brothers?"

The group pushed and shoved each other, their words polite, but their eyes held a subtle hint of testing and competition. Yi Zhonghai sat there motionless, clutching an enamel mug in his hand. A piece of porcelain was chipped off the mug, revealing a dark gray iron base.

"Master Yi is awesome!" someone shouted.

There was a half-second of silence in the conference room.

"Yes, Master Yi!" another voice chimed in. "Master Yi is warm-hearted and reliable. Everyone respects him and has a good relationship with him."

"That's right, Master Yi is good."

"Sure, sure, Master Yi."

Yi Zhonghai felt several pairs of eyes fall on him simultaneously. His heart skipped a beat—not from nervousness, but because in that instant, he clearly felt something long forgotten. Being recognized, being seen, being pushed to the forefront by a group of old comrades. He suppressed the almost forced smile on his lips, quickly waved his hand, and said in a soft but sincere voice, "Oh dear, I can't, I can't. I'm just not cut out for this. I'm happy that everyone is giving me this opportunity, but if I really have to do this, I'm afraid I'll hold everyone back."

Seeing that Yi Zhonghai consistently disagreed, Deputy Team Leader Ma had no choice but to make the decision himself.

"Since Master Yi is unwilling, then let's go with Master Wang." Deputy Team Leader Ma nodded to Master Wang. "Master Wang is an eighth-grade worker; his qualifications, skills, and reputation are impeccable. Does anyone have any objections?"

There was a moment of silence in the meeting room, followed by scattered applause. A few people's expressions froze for a fraction of a second, but they quickly put on smiles again, patting Master Wang on the shoulder and saying, "Congratulations! Master Wang is a force to be reckoned with!" Master Wang's face turned as red as a boiled shrimp, and he kept saying, "I'm ashamed, I'm ashamed," but his eyes shone brightly.