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

Her voice unconsciously lowered by three points, and her attitude changed from professional attentiveness to genuine respect. When her gaze fell on the words "Administrative Level 15" on Liu Guangqi's pay slip, she secretly held her breath.

A level 15 cadre of this age!

It's really rare to see that.

"You two are truly young and promising!" Her smile revealed genuine warmth. "Real savings are the safest option right now. Here, we preserve value based on the market price of rice and flour, so your principal will never be lost."

Liu Guangqi didn't reply, but stood quietly to the side, his gaze falling on his wife with a smile.

After Zhao Mengyun had settled the main payments, she added softly, "Open another account for both fixed and flexible payments, to keep some working capital for emergencies."

"Okay!" The clerk responded with exceptional efficiency, her actions flowing smoothly.

The bookkeeping, stamping, and submitting the form were all done in one smooth motion. Two freshly printed deposit slips were handed out from the window: "Comrade, please keep your receipts safe."

She paused slightly as she handed over the deposit slip: "By the way, our bank recently launched a prize-winning savings program. The interest can be redeemed for physical prizes, such as enamel basins and cotton towels. Would you like to take a look?"

Zhao Mengyun turned to her husband.

Liu Guangqi smiled and shook his head: "No need, regular savings are fine."

It wasn't that he didn't care about the prizes, but his family didn't lack such items, so he figured it was better to leave them for those who needed them more. This practical way of saving suited his personality better.

The teller said no more, and handed the deposit slip back with a smile: "Okay! Come over anytime if you need anything in the future."

Stepping out of the bank, a cold wind swept over her, but Zhao Mengyun felt an even stronger warmth in her heart. She gently shook the two deposit slips in her hand, a faint smile appearing at the corner of her eyes: "That's good. I have one in fixed deposit and one in current account. In case of emergencies at home, I'll be more at ease."

"That's right," Liu Guangqi chimed in, his tone carrying a gentle teasing tone, "It's all thanks to our manager's thoughtful planning and proper arrangements."

"Let's go to the department store to buy New Year's goods."

Hearing his words, Zhao Mengyun couldn't help but smile: "Now you know how to be anxious? A few days ago, I asked you to come along, but you always said you were too busy to get away."

At the end of the year, state-run department stores resembled battlefields.

Those who have just received their wages, who wouldn't want to cut a few feet of new cloth, buy a couple of pounds of fresh meat, and purchase some rare sweets to enjoy at home for a bountiful New Year? If the money in their pockets isn't exchanged for tangible goods, the festive atmosphere seems to lack substance.

The two walked side by side toward the No. 1 Department Store, which was not far away.

The store was bustling with people. Although the shelves were not as full as in previous years, they were still neatly arranged with various New Year's supplies such as candies, pastries, fabrics, and canned goods. However, the rationing of various coupons was much tighter in comparison—having cash but no coupons still made it difficult to move an inch.

Fortunately, both Liu Guangqi and Zhao Mengyun held positions in ministries, and they had accumulated a sufficient number of vouchers during this period. Zhao Mengyun, in particular, was a standout from the General Logistics Department compound and also worked in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs…

The tickets and warrants she held were more varied than those of Liu Guangqi.

No need to ask any more questions.

It was naturally prepared quietly by Zhao's father and his well-connected mother-in-law.

At this moment, this once aloof flower is imbued with the warmth of everyday life, and exudes the calm elegance of someone who manages a household well.

When it was Zhao Mengyun's turn, the sales clerk didn't even look up and asked in a formulaic manner, "What do you need? Show me your receipt."

Zhao Mengyun remained calm and composed as she took out a stack of tickets from her canvas bag.

"despair."

A neat stack of tickets landed gently on the glass counter.

Meat coupons, cloth coupons, sugar coupons, pastry coupons, food ration books... a wide variety of coupons, each one neat and tidy with clear edges and corners.

The salesperson's eyelids twitched suddenly.

On the 27th day of the twelfth lunar month, the north wind was howling fiercely, and the air was filled with a biting chill.

The auditorium of the steel rolling mill was brightly lit. As a key plant directly under the Ministry of Metallurgical Industry, the workers always had to stand their posts until the very end, and their holidays were a day later than those of government agencies. In this era where honor was paramount, the year-end meeting was the most solemn ceremony of the year—advanced individuals and model workers took turns on stage to receive certificates and prizes. Nearly ten thousand eyes below the stage converged into a fervent wave, and applause rose higher and higher.

Besides the prestigious individual honors, the factory also had some special encouragement awards. The prizes were nothing more than ordinary items like enamel mugs and work gloves—small in value, but significant in meaning. To be able to appear on stage in front of all the factory workers, with one's name loudly announced over a loudspeaker, was a source of pride that would stay with them for years to come.

Liu Haizhong stood with his hands behind his back to the side of the auditorium, his posture ramrod straight. His forging workshop had been recognized as an advanced collective this year, and as the deputy director, he had just received a brand-new pair of work gloves from the leaders on behalf of the workshop. The gloves were on his hands at that moment, the dark blue cotton fabric looking particularly crisp under the lights. He wasn't in a hurry to take them off; instead, he let his hands hang naturally at his sides, his knuckles slightly bent, so that passersby could see them.

The workday bell finally rang, and a flood of people poured out of the gate. Liu Haizhong pushed his bicycle through the crowd, and people would nod and greet him from time to time: "Director Liu, still here?" He would raise his chin, his gloved hand rising as if to adjust his collar, and reply, "I'm leaving, I'm leaving." The cold wind brushed against his slightly chubby cheeks, but he felt warm all over.

The workers, more or less, carried New Year's goods—factory benefits—wrapped in mesh bags or cloth, swaying in the twilight. Laughter, bicycle bells, and footsteps blended into a bustling river, flowing towards the street outside the factory, its surface yellowed by the streetlights. Liu Haizhong followed this river at a leisurely pace, the cotton threads on his gloves shimmering in the light and shadow. Looking at the throng of people ahead, he suddenly felt that this road was wider and brighter than ever before.

Liu Haizhong held the brand-new certificate in his hand, his fingertips repeatedly stroking the edge of the paper. This was the first time he had ever received a formal recognition, and compared to the pounding in his chest when he received the model worker sash years ago, the joy he felt now was deeper and more real, like holding a warm piece of iron in his hand.

"Deputy Director Liu, this is double good news!"

"First he got promoted, then the workshop was recognized as an advanced unit... He's probably going to be even more amazing in the future."

Congratulations from fellow workers echoed along the way. Liu Haizhong waved his hand modestly, saying, "It's my duty, it's what I should do," but unconsciously straightened his back and relaxed his shoulders. "We're all working for the collective. If the workshop does well, everyone can benefit more during the holidays," he said in a loud voice, his eyes crinkling with a smile.

At the front of the line, Yi Zhonghai stood empty-handed, his face expressionless. This year's factory commendation ceremony was irrelevant to him—he hadn't even made it onto the candidate list, let alone received any titles for advanced worker or model worker. The controversy surrounding his last assessment for level eight workers had left an invisible mark on his file, effectively putting his year-end performance evaluation on hold. If anyone asked, the response from above was always the same: "Let him hone his skills further." It was easy to say, but everyone knew that ever since that Liu family brat uttered those words, Yi Zhonghai wouldn't be able to hold his head high in the factory for at least three years.

Listening to the commotion behind him, Liu Haizhong, a sour feeling rose in his throat, like the taste of aged vinegar. In the past, in this factory compound, when had he never been the one to consistently outshine Liu Haizhong? Now, not only had the other man secured the position of deputy director, but he was also receiving the banner of "Advanced Collective" in a grand manner, while he himself had been relegated to obscurity. All he could do was sigh.

Jia Dongxu followed slowly a few steps behind, a faded scarf wrapped around his neck, occasionally breathing white breath into his frostbitten palms. He stole glances at his master's stiff back, his heart filled with mixed feelings—his master had stumbled, while he, the apprentice, had reaped the benefits; a sense of satisfaction mingled with an inexplicable guilt. Therefore, today after get off work, he deliberately slowed his pace, not following closely behind Yi Zhonghai, afraid that the things he was carrying would offend his master's eyes.

The steel rolling mill was indeed doing quite well this year. Although everyone was strapped for cash, the mill had a connection with the Red Star Factory, and their electric ovens were selling like hotcakes overseas, so they got a share of the profits too. As a result, their year-end bonuses were quite generous. Yi Zhonghai, having been punished for his past actions, naturally missed out on this benefit; but Jia Dongxu, having done nothing wrong, received his share—a pound of meat and three pounds of coarse flour, which now weighed heavily on his wrist.

Sha Zhu and Xu Damao shuffled over to join the crowd. Sha Zhu rushed up to Liu Haizhong in a few strides, grinning, and said, "Second Uncle, the way you went on stage today was truly impressive! I saw it clearly from below."

Xu Damao immediately snorted through his nose, glancing sideways at Sha Zhu: "If you can't cheer, don't force yourself. You can't even speak properly." But when he turned to face Liu Haizhong, his tone instantly changed to a warm one: "What kind of status does our second uncle have? He's the deputy director of the steel rolling mill! Isn't it only natural for him to go on stage to receive an award? He has to be in the limelight!"

His eyes darted around, and his tone subtly shifted: "But to be honest, the reason our factory is doing so well this year, and why your workshop was recognized as an advanced unit, is largely thanks to Brother Guangqi." His tone was deliberately suggestive, his ulterior motive practically radiating from his eyes. "If it weren't for Brother Guangqi's work at the Hongxing Factory, where he's been making those foreign exchange-earning treasures and bringing the country mountains of gold and silver, how could our steel mill be enjoying such a bountiful harvest? I've heard that many factories haven't even seen a speck of flour this year!"

He spends most of his time traveling to film screenings, so he is definitely better informed than others.

Sha Zhu wasn't one for mincing words. Hearing Liu Guangqi mentioned, his interest immediately piqued: "That's right, Second Uncle! Brother Guangqi should be on holiday at the ministry by now, right? Is he coming back to the institute for the New Year this year? If he is, I'll definitely prepare some good food and have a nice drink with him!"

The moment Liu Guangqi's name was mentioned, the atmosphere in the courtyard immediately became lively.

Yi Zhonghai naturally chimed in:

"Old Liu, you two both live in the courtyard. Guangqi should come back for the New Year this year, right?"

As soon as he asked the question, the eyes of the people around him all fell on Liu Haizhong's face—their gazes were a mixture of envy, flattery, and some inexplicable curiosity, making them seem particularly complicated.

Even Jia Dongxu looked up and smiled.

Since Liu Guangqi moved out of this courtyard house, he has rarely been seen coming back. If he can come back for the Spring Festival this year, the young people in the courtyard can join in the fun.

Liu Haizhong himself wasn't really sure either.

His eldest son is now married, and his father-in-law is a prominent figure in the military. The young couple might go there for the New Year, and he can't be sure how they'll build relationships and connections.

So he could only give a vague, ambiguous laugh and reply, "Hey, young people have their own plans. We elders won't interfere. They can live wherever they want. Anyway, they're all married now..."

Before he could finish speaking, Sha Zhu suddenly shouted:

"Hey! Isn't that Guang Qi?!"

Everyone looked up at the same time—

A pair of figures walked towards the gate of the courtyard house, carrying gift boxes and packages of various sizes.

The woman gently took the man's arm, lowered her head and smiled as she spoke, her gentle and bright eyes immediately drawing attention.

What a perfect couple!

Who else could it be but Liu Guangqi and Zhao Mengyun?

"Guangqi! Xiaoyun!"

Liu Haizhong's eyes lit up instantly, and the airs he had been maintaining vanished in an instant. He quickly stepped forward, his voice rising several decibels:

"Why did you suddenly come back?"

Liu Guangqi turned around upon hearing the voice, and led Zhao Mengyun forward, responding with a smile:

"Dad, we're bringing you and Mom some New Year's gifts, and we'll also be coming back to the compound to celebrate the New Year this year."

"It's good that you're back, it's good that you're back..."

Liu Haizhong was so excited that his hands were trembling slightly. "Why bring anything back to our own home! Come on, let's go into the yard first."

Zhao Mengyun, standing to the side, also called out "Dad" softly. Noticing Yi Zhonghai and the others approaching, she greeted them with a graceful and generous manner.

"Hello, Uncle Yi, Brother Jia, Brother Shazhu, Brother Xu."

"Hey! Hello, Comrade Zhao!"

Yi Zhonghai rarely smiled, and his gaze towards Zhao Mengyun was full of admiration.

This girl is not only beautiful, but her overall demeanor is also exceptional.

Look at this, this is what a comrade from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs should be like. He has no airs at all and is much more sensible than these young people in the institute.

Xu Damao, Sha Zhu, and Jia Dongxu all returned the greeting with smiles.

"Hello, Comrade Zhao!"