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

In the afternoon, the arrangements for the first day were largely finalized, and Liu Guangqi's work at the factory was temporarily put on hold.

At 5:30, the end-of-work bell rang through the factory area, and the once-silent gates were suddenly pushed open by a surge of people.

A river of blue work uniforms flowed out of the factory gate, bicycle bells jingled, lunchboxes clattered, and laughter mixed with weariness flowed into a unique hustle and bustle in the twilight.

Amidst the hazy blue crowd, a black Volga sedan slowly drove out.

The car moved slowly, yet it acted like a magnet, drawing away the surrounding noise.

Many people slowed their pace, their eyes filled with curiosity, envy, and a touch of unease, and silently made way for a narrow path.

Liu Guangqi, who had just said goodbye to Director Yang, was sitting in the car.

Not far from the factory gate, he spotted a familiar figure by the roadside, immediately told the guard to slow down, rolled down the window, and called out:

"Dad, over here."

The voice wasn't loud, but it stood out clearly in the crowd that had suddenly quieted down.

Over there, Liu Haizhong was pushing his cart alongside Yi Zhonghai and his apprentice Jia Dongxu when he heard the sound and suddenly stopped.

Turning his head, he saw the face inside the car, and his eyes widened instantly.

"Hikari...Hikari-ki?"

His plump face instantly broke into a smile, and without even greeting Yi Zhonghai and the others, he pushed his cart and hurried forward, looking like a bouncing mountain of flesh, grinning as he asked, "Here to inspect the factory again today?"

Liu Guangqi smiled and said, "No. I was temporarily transferred to the steel rolling mill to specifically oversee technological innovation."

"Are you heading home? Get in, I can give you a ride."

Liu Haizhong was taken aback, then quickly waved his hand: "No need, no need, I can walk back, there's no need to trouble the car to take me."

Despite saying that, his eyes remained glued to the car.

These days, you can hold your head high in the alley with just a bicycle, let alone a car that only high-ranking leaders are entitled to ride in.

Given Liu Haizhong's prideful nature, he was already itching to refuse, but in front of so many old friends, as a father, he had to say a few words of refusal.

Liu Guangqi understood his father's thoughts perfectly well, so he could only persuade him again: "Dad, why are you being so formal with me? Give the bicycle to that old man and let him ride it back for you. Get on the bike, it'll get dark if we delay any longer."

He paused for a moment, then added, "I have to rush to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to pick up Meng Yun. We'll have dinner together at the compound tonight."

He's been so busy these days that he's barely had time to rest, and he's hardly ever stepped into his home.

Since I've run into my father, it would be only right to give him a ride and have a meal together back home.

Sure enough, upon hearing that he was going to pick up his daughter-in-law, Liu Haizhong immediately found a way out, and the smile on his face could no longer be concealed.

"Oh, picking up Xiaoyun? Okay, okay! Dad won't stand on ceremony!"

He happily agreed, turned around and handed the bicycle to Jia Dongxu, instructing him to ride it back to the yard.

Jia Dongxu glanced at Liu Guangqi inside the car, and finally smiled and nodded.

Liu Haizhong walked around to the other side of the car door, carefully opened it, and before getting in, he didn't forget to pat the dust off his trouser legs.

"Guangqi, Dad's covered in dust, won't he get the car seat dirty?"

"It's alright, just sit tight."

As the car drove away from the factory area, the setting sun was painting the brick walls along the street with a honey hue. Liu Haizhong's coworker, who was with him, forgot to smoke his half-smoked cigarette until the thin dust kicked up by the car had settled. Then someone clicked his tongue and said, "Old Liu's luck is probably something he's cultivated for three lifetimes." Another person chimed in, "Our legs that pedal bicycles can't compare to his life of riding in a car."

Inside the Volga sedan, Liu Haizhong sat upright, his hands resting awkwardly on his knees, yet his eyes were surprisingly lively, scanning the passing street scenes through the car window. The leather seats exuded a faint camphor scent, and the windows were so clear you could see your reflection—this was the first time in his fifty-six years of life he had ridden in such a prestigious car. His son, in the driver's seat, held the steering wheel, his profile appearing remarkably composed in the twilight. The smugness in Liu Haizhong's heart melted like sugar in warm water, a sweet smile constantly spreading across his face.

He had originally intended to sit in the back next to Guangqi, but changed his mind as he opened the door: he still needed to pick up Mengyun later, so there was no reason for his daughter-in-law to sit alone in the front. He was confident in his ability to handle such social situations. Liu Guangqi glanced at his father's solemn expression in the rearview mirror and smiled silently.

As the car passed the intersection, Liu Hai's heartbeat gradually calmed down. Only then did he remember the important matter. He turned to the side and asked in a low voice, "This car... is it government-owned? Is it alright for me to sit in it?" He rubbed his rough palms, his knuckles still bearing the calluses from years of holding a wrench.

"Please sit still." Liu Guangqi's gaze remained fixed ahead, but his tone carried a reassuring steadiness. "If it were truly against the rules, I wouldn't dare let you come up."

Liu Haizhong let out a long sigh, sinking back into his seat and finally appreciating the softness of the backrest. The street scene outside the window gradually changed from factory buildings to gray-walled courtyards. Suddenly remembering something, he leaned forward again: "Guangqi, that technological innovation you were transferred to the steel rolling mill… what level was it?"

"Let's not talk about work after get off work." Liu Guangqi turned the steering wheel, and the car turned into a road lined with plane trees. After a moment of silence, he seemed to suddenly remember something, and his voice softened: "I was so busy the other day that I forgot to tell you and Mom—Meng Yun is pregnant, almost four months along."

The carriage fell silent instantly, so quiet that the engine hummed.

Liu Haizhong's mouth gaped open, the wrinkles on his face seemingly frozen in time. His ears were ringing, and after a long pause, he managed to squeeze out, "Wh...what?" His voice was dry, as if forced out from his throat, "I...I'm going to be a grandfather?"

Liu Guangqi gave him a smiling look in the rearview mirror.

With a bang, countless emotions exploded in Liu Haizhong's chest. He had clearly divided his three sons in his life: Guangqi was the apple of his eye, the hope for carrying on the family line; Guangtian and Guangfu were merely collateral branches raised incidentally. The old saying goes that people love their youngest son, but not him; all his hopes in this life were tied to his eldest son.

The "official rank" and "level" he had just been calculating have now crumbled into dust in the wind. What could possibly compare to the title of "Grandpa"? It meant the Liu family line was about to sprout new shoots, and the surname in his bangs was about to be passed down!

The old man's lips trembled, his Adam's apple bobbed, and his eyes suddenly welled up with tears. He gripped the back of the seat in front of him tightly, his knuckles turning white, and a string of "good"s burst from his trembling lips: "Good! Good! Good!" Each word seemed to be pulled from his heart, carrying a burning heat.

He looked into his son's eyes reflected in the rearview mirror and suddenly burst out laughing. The laughter was initially suppressed, but then it burst out, tears welling up in his eyes: "You little rascal... you kept it so well hidden!"

Liu Haizhong's voice trembled slightly with excitement, and the words were squeezed out intermittently from his throat: "When did you find out? How long have you been pregnant? Have you been to the hospital? What did the doctor say?"

A series of follow-up questions.

Like a sudden downpour, it drenched him, soaking the joy and helplessness churning in his heart.

The questioning of the father.

Liu Guangqi did not try to hide anything and said frankly, "The ministry has been very busy lately, and I haven't had time to come back to the institute to talk to you two."

"Don't worry, Meng Yun and the child are both fine."

"She should give birth in a few more days."

Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The solemn building with its gray bricks and dark red window frames gradually became clearer and closer in Liu Haizhong's vision.

Having lived most of his life, the most impressive building he had ever seen was the office building of the steel rolling mill.

But once this building stands before me, all my previous knowledge pales in comparison, appearing shabby and insignificant.

Especially at the entrance to the department.

The people coming and going wore crisp uniforms, walked with ease, and had a certain air about them that he couldn't quite put his finger on but could clearly sense—a demeanor befitting someone in a superior position.

This is the place he truly longs for.

They were all officials.

His Adam's apple bobbed up and down several times before a few dry, hoarse words finally escaped from between his lips:

"This is the Ministry of Foreign Affairs... It's really impressive."

The slight smugness he felt after being promoted to deputy workshop director was instantly washed away.

Instead.

It was a sigh of self-deprecation mixed with relief and pride in the success of his son and daughter-in-law.

here--

But his daughter-in-law goes to and from her workplace every day!

He was lost in thought.

Not far away, under the shade of a sycamore tree, a graceful figure came into view.

Zhao Mengyun, dressed in a well-fitting dress, looked in this direction with a smile on her lips.

A car was seen approaching.

She picked up her briefcase and walked briskly towards him. A flicker of surprise crossed her eyes when her gaze fell on Liu Haizhong in the passenger seat, quickly transforming into a warm smile.

"Dad! Why did you come with Guangqi?"

Upon hearing this, Liu Haizhong quickly put on what he considered his most benevolent smile, and his voice unconsciously rose a little:

"Yes!"

"I had just finished work and happened to run into Guangqi at the factory gate. He was going the same way, so he offered me a ride."

That's a good point.

It was as if going from the steel mill to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs was the most convenient route imaginable.

Zhao Mengyun smiled as she opened the car door and sat in the back seat.

Liu Guangqi took the briefcase from her hand very naturally and asked gently, "Are you busy today? Is your back still sore?"

"Not tired."

Zhao Mengyun shook her head.

She intended to lean on her husband's shoulder as usual, but upon noticing Liu Haizhong beside her, she simply smiled and started chatting about everyday matters: "Dad, Guangqi said you're now the deputy director of the workshop, managing quite a few things."

"Hahaha, it's all thanks to Guangqi!"

Liu Haizhong laughed loudly, knowing perfectly well how he had gotten the position of deputy director.

now.

He gazed out the window at the majestic, gray-and-red main building, his eyes filled with emotion—

She comes from a good family and is good-looking!

With such a respectable job, and now carrying the blood of the Liu family in her womb, how much virtue and how much auspicious smoke must have been accumulated at her ancestral graves!

The carriage was warm and cozy.

Liu Guangqi recounted the interesting stories from the factory during the day, while Zhao Mengyun listened intently, occasionally pursing her lips and smiling. Liu Haizhong stood beside her, his smile never fading.

Not long after.

The black Volga sedan slowly turned into Nanluoguxiang.

These days—

In a hutong, being able to ride a bicycle was already considered a sign of a well-off family, let alone a car like this that was clearly extraordinary at a glance.

We had just reached the alley entrance.

The neighbors, who were fanning themselves at the doorway to cool off, were all drawn to this, craning their necks to see who this important person was visiting in this ordinary alley.

"Hey, whose car is this? It looks like something a high-ranking official would drive!"

"How can a car possibly drive into this narrow alley?"

"Have you forgotten the Liu family in courtyard number 95? Their eldest son, Liu Guangqi, is now a deputy section chief in the Ministry of Machine Building!"

"It must be him sitting in the car!"

"Good heavens! Is it really Guangqi? I'd heard he'd made something of himself, but I never imagined he'd actually gotten to the point where he could drive a car!"

Several middle-aged women gathered together and chattered amongst themselves.

Those with sharp eyes had already spotted the figures inside the car: "Look, look! It's really Guangqi! Isn't that his dad, Liu Haizhong, next to him?"

"His wife is in the car too!"

"Oh my, look at her belly, isn't she... pregnant?"

"Tsk tsk, the Liu family's life is getting better and better. Their son is a high-ranking official, and their daughter-in-law is also very capable. Their good fortune is truly enviable!"

Amidst a chorus of exclamations and envious comments.

Liu Haizhong felt completely relaxed, and even his back straightened unconsciously. He even cleared his throat and politely greeted the guard in the front seat:

"Driver!"

The air inside the car was a little stuffy, so I turned to my companions and whispered, "Could you please open one window?"

As soon as he finished speaking, the passengers in the carriage exchanged knowing glances.

The young man in the Zhongshan suit sitting in the passenger seat was a staff member assigned by the ministry. Hearing the sound, he leaned over and rolled down the window. The moment the cool breeze rushed in, the gazes of those looking around on the street also flowed in, sticking to the gleaming car body.

My father sat beside me, his back ramrod straight, his chin slightly raised. His undisguised glory was almost tangible, overflowing through the cracks in the car window.

Meng Yun and I exchanged a fleeting glance, both seeing a hint of helpless amusement in each other's eyes. This old lady's penchant for flamboyance seems to be ingrained in her very being.