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

There were no empty promises, only concrete arrangements.

Looking at the man before her, seeing the sincerity and frankness in his eyes, Zhao Mengyun was speechless for a moment.

"You're...at least you're sensible."

She held back for a long time before softly uttering those words.

She wished she could go back with Liu Guangqi right now, so that they would no longer be two separate families, but would share a home that belonged to each other.

But reason prevailed in the end: "Let's go, take me home."

In front of the dormitory building in the ministry compound, Liu Guangqi saw Zhao Mengyun off and walked home alone, still feeling warm inside.

The most important thing in my life has finally been settled.

Soon after, he was able to live openly and honestly with Zhao Mengyun, enjoying the peaceful life of an ordinary couple.

Thinking of this, Liu Guangqi's steps became lighter.

Even the stray dogs wandering by the roadside looked a bit more pleasing to the eye.

On this day, Liu Guangqi unusually did not go straight to the factory.

He then went to the First Ministry of Machine Building.

As soon as I entered the gate, the guard on duty greeted me with a smile:

"Hey, Chief Engineer Liu!"

"You're such a busy person, why don't you go to the Red Star Factory to keep an eye on things? How come you have time to come to the ministry?"

"I've come to take care of some personal business."

Liu Guangqi smiled and readily offered him a cigarette: "While you're at it, give the leader a brief report on your work."

The security guard might not accept cigarettes from others.

But Liu Guangqi's cigarettes—he didn't have any reservations about them, after all, this man had always been very popular in the ministry.

After accepting the cigarette, the security guard asked with a smile, "Chief Engineer Liu, is there some good news? You can't hide your smile."

Liu Guangqi laughed loudly, said nothing more, and walked briskly toward Director Lin's office.

Although he is currently on temporary assignment at Hongxing Factory, he still has to go through all the necessary procedures.

The application, marking a new stage in his life, lay quietly in the manila envelope. His status belonged to the department, and such a significant matter as starting a family naturally required going through the organization's procedures.

The office door was left ajar.

He raised his hand, and his knuckles tapped the door panel twice, producing two clear sounds.

"Enter."

The voice coming from inside was deep and familiar. He pushed open the door and saw Director Lin bent over behind his large desk, reviewing documents. Hearing the sound, the director looked up.

"It's Guangqi, please have a seat." The director's face immediately broke into a smile. He put down his pen and gestured for the chair opposite him. His gaze lingered on Guangqi's face for a moment, then a hint of understanding crept into his smile. "What brings you here today? Judging from your complexion, something good must be on your way?"

"Nothing escapes your eyes." Liu Guangqi didn't mince words, smiling as he took the envelope out of his bag and handed it to him with both hands. "I'm here to give the organization an important report on my thoughts."

"A report on my thoughts?" Director Lin chuckled at the question, took the envelope, weighed it in his hand, and immediately sensed something was amiss. He opened the seal and pulled out a marriage application.

"Good lad!" Director Lin pointed at him, his hearty laughter echoing in the office. "Trying to play these tricks on me! A marriage application is a marriage application, don't give me that 'thought report' nonsense!"

Liu Guangqi touched the bridge of his nose, a rare hint of shyness appearing on his face, befitting his age: "I'm afraid you'll think I'm too hasty."

By all accounts, he has just reached the age where he can get a marriage certificate.

"I'm so happy for you!" Director Lin laughed heartily. "Your affair with Xiao Zhao is finally going to be settled! I've been waiting for this day!" He picked up the application, read it carefully, and nodded in satisfaction. "Old Zhao and Sister Wu went to your house yesterday, right? The news spread faster than official documents."

Clearly, the director had already heard about the meeting between the two sets of parents. The purpose of the meeting between the elders was self-evident.

Director Lin raised his eyes, his gaze containing the teasing characteristic of an elder: "You're quick on your feet. One nod over there and the report is handed over here." As he spoke, he picked up his pen and neatly signed his approval at the end of the application.

"I've signed it. I'll have someone take care of all the necessary documentation from the personnel department. I won't delay your work at all."

"Thank you, Director." Seeing that the application had been approved, Liu Guangqi felt relieved.

Director Lin put down his pen, looked at him, and said with a tone of satisfaction, "Guangqi, I've watched you grow up. From assistant engineer to level eight engineer, from heating elements to electric blankets and rice cookers that earn foreign exchange, you haven't disappointed me. Now that you've started a family, you must be even more steady and manage both your career and family well."

"I understand, Director," Liu Guangqi replied solemnly.

"The wedding date is set, you must let me know." Director Lin's tone was serious and brooked no refusal. "I absolutely have to drink this wedding wine, and you'll definitely get a red envelope."

Liu Guangqi smiled and agreed, "I will definitely treat you."

After leaving the director's office, Liu Guangqi did not linger and went straight back to work at the Hongxing Factory.

The news spread like wildfire. In less than half a day, by the time he finished get off work at lunchtime, the news of his marriage application had already reached many people.

"Congratulations, Chief Engineer Liu!"

"Don't forget to invite us when you celebrate your wedding!"

"The chief engineer is not only technically skilled, but also has excellent taste in partners. A talented woman from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, truly remarkable!"

Liu Guangqi could only respond with a smile. He hadn't expected the news to spread so quickly, nor had he anticipated his colleagues' enthusiasm.

He did not eat lunch at the factory canteen.

Instead, he rode his bicycle to the vicinity of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. From afar, he saw Zhao Mengyun carrying a briefcase, standing under a lush grove of trees.

Zhao Mengyun's gaze, like willow branches swaying in the wind, repeatedly drifted towards the alley entrance.

The sound of wheels rolling over the stone pavement grew louder as Liu Guangqi dismounted his bicycle; the bell was still vibrating slightly. He handed him an aluminum water bottle, its surface gleaming silver in the early summer afternoon light. "Were you waiting impatiently?"

The moment she grasped the kettle, a chill spread from her fingertips, but it melted into a warm current in her chest.

She unscrewed the lid, but didn't drink. She leaned forward, her eyelashes casting faint shadows under her eyes: "Did your report... pass the higher-ups?" The words had barely left her lips when her earlobes began to burn uncontrollably—even though the two families had just sat down to discuss the marriage, her question now made her seem unusually anxious.

Liu Guangqi noticed her flushed ears, and a smile spread across his eyes. He gently brushed her hair aside. "It's approved. Director Lin signed it personally, and even said he absolutely had to have a drink at her wedding." He took a folder out of his bag. "Look, all the necessary stamps are there."

Zhao Mengyun took the document, her fingertips tracing the clear imprint on the paper, a ripple of smile spreading across her eyes: "Mine is done too. I reported it to the director this morning, and she stamped it on the spot, saying she'd give me a wedding gift another day."

The moment their eyes met, they both smiled in unison.

"Now that everything's ready," Liu Guangqi suddenly said, "why don't we take advantage of the free time today and go get the photos taken? We'll probably be busy from now on."

"Okay!" Zhao Mengyun's eyes lit up immediately, and she nodded hastily. Last night, she had secretly practiced her smile in front of the mirror, afraid that she would look stiff in the photo.

After walking through two streets, the curtain of the familiar photo studio was lifted, and the copper bell rang crisply.

The experienced photographer behind the counter looked up from above his reading glasses, saw Liu Guangqi, and his brow immediately relaxed: "Oh, young Liu! You've brought your partner to take wedding photos, haven't you?"

"Thank you for your help." Liu Guangqi gently placed the two people's documents on the glass counter.

The experienced worker picked up the ID and glanced at it, then suddenly froze. It dawned on him—no wonder the young man had politely declined his invitations to help at the facility several times before. He was from the Ministry of Machine Building.

The crisp sound of the shutter being pressed was particularly clear in the quiet room.

In the viewfinder, Liu Guangqi wore a crisp white shirt, his shoulders and back straight, a gentle smile playing on his lips. Beside him, Zhao Mengyun wore a new light blue dress, her lips slightly pursed, her shyness revealing an undisguised joy, her eyes sparkling as if filled with shimmering light.

The experienced photographer stared at the film preview window, rubbing his hands together involuntarily. He had spent most of his life working with cameras, and such a well-matched and natural-looking young couple was indeed a rare sight. He knew in his heart that it wasn't because his skills were particularly exquisite, but simply because the two of them had outstanding looks and temperament, and any snapshot they took would result in a beautiful picture.

The time spent waiting for the lenses to be developed flowed slowly in the red light of the darkroom. The old photographer, wiping the lens, suddenly sighed, "Young Liu, you used to work in the Ministry of Machine Building. No wonder I always tried to persuade you to come to the photo studio, but you never agreed."

He chuckled to himself and shook his head. He'd initially thought the young man was an expert in light and shadow composition, given how knowledgeable he was, and had repeatedly tried to get his help. Now he realized how ridiculous his idea had been.

Liu Guangqi simply smiled gently: "You flatter me. My theories are all theoretical; they can't compare to yours."

Soon after, the photograph was developed from the chemical solution.

"It's so beautiful..." Zhao Mengyun held the four-inch photo, looking at it again and again, reluctant to look away.

The experienced craftsman leaned closer to examine the photos, his delight growing with each look: "Young Liu, young Zhao, these photos are truly vibrant! I have a favor to ask—could I print a couple more copies? I could hang them in my window so passersby can see the good fortune?"

Liu Guangqi was slightly taken aback, then smiled and shook his head: "We appreciate your kindness. But we live an ordinary life and shouldn't be too ostentatious."

Zhao Mengyun nodded gently. Although she felt a sweet warmth in her heart from the praise, she preferred to carefully cherish this joy and place it peacefully in her own life.

A hint of regret flashed across Liu Guangqi's face, but he didn't insist any further: "Alright, then I won't drag you along this time. If you ever want to get photos developed in the future, come to me anytime, and I guarantee you the lowest price."

Stepping out of the photo studio, Liu Guangqi swung his long legs and hopped onto the bicycle, patting the back seat. "Hold on tight." Zhao Mengyun sat sideways, her fingers lightly resting on his waist, and the bicycle glided off like an arrow, heading straight towards the street office.

It was a quiet time at the office, and they didn't have to wait long before it was their turn. The person handling the paperwork was a nimble middle-aged woman. After taking the marriage application and the couple's photo, a smile immediately spread across her face: "Oh, what a perfect couple! Today is an auspicious day, perfect for a happy occasion." As she skillfully checked the documents, her eyes swept over the bright red ministry seal on the application, and she couldn't help but nod repeatedly: "One works in the Ministry of Machinery Industry, and the other in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. They are truly a perfect match, a perfect couple indeed."

The procedures went exceptionally smoothly. Before long, a marriage certificate, bearing the distinct mark of its era, was retrieved from the drawer. The certificate featured golden ears of wheat, a dove of peace with outstretched wings, and twin lotus blossoms—simple yet dignified. As the older woman handed over the certificate, her gaze lingered for a moment on the small photograph of the couple—she had processed thousands of marriage registrations, but she had never seen a couple so perfectly matched, their eyes sparkling with joy.

"Thank you so much." Zhao Mengyun pulled two fruit candies from her bag at some point and gently placed them in her older sister's palm. "Please enjoy this sweet treat and share in the good fortune." The older sister smiled broadly, saying repeatedly, "This girl is so thoughtful! I wish you two a happy and harmonious life together, and that you'll soon have a baby!"

Receiving his "certificate of merit," Liu Guangqi gently flipped through it, his fingertips tracing the two names written side by side—his and Zhao Mengyun's. Beside their names was the photo of them together. From this moment on, they were a family bound together by law and vows. They smiled at each other, their eyes sparkling with undisguised joy. The feeling was strange; their way of relating hadn't changed instantly, yet this single document transformed Zhao Mengyun from a lover, from a half-family member, into Liu Guangqi's rightful wife, the closest connection in his life.

As soon as they stepped out of the neighborhood office, Zhao Mengyun took a bulging cloth bag from her canvas bag and stuffed it into Liu Guangqi's hands. "Mom specially prepared this for you before she went to the army. It's all wrapped in red paper; it's wedding candy. Take it back to the factory and share it with your colleagues so everyone can share in the joy." Liu Guangqi smiled as he accepted the bag, feeling a weight in his palm, yet a warm feeling welled up inside him. This bag of candy was more than just candy; it was clearly a heavy expression of approval and blessing from his mother-in-law, whom he had never met but who seemed to possess extraordinary abilities.

"Okay, I'll distribute them to everyone when I get back to the factory this afternoon."