The national-level project had concluded, and the clamor of the awards ceremony gradually subsided. Liu Li and Fu Jingchen packed their bags and embarked on their journey back to the Hongxing Machinery Factory. On the train back, their feelings were quite different from when they arrived. The initial trepidation and unfamiliarity had faded, replaced by a more composed demeanor, and a touch of anticipation, like the nervous anticipation of returning home.

The train sounded its whistle and slowly pulled into the familiar platform. Just as Liu Li reached the exit, she heard a burst of enthusiastic noise.

"He's here! Engineer Liu is back!"

"Engineer Fu is back too!"

She looked up and saw the factory office director with several colleagues, as well as Zhang Shulan, whom she knew, several young members of the QC team, and even several veteran workers from the machining workshop, all holding up a bright red banner that read, "Warmly welcome our factory's technical backbone comrades Liu Li and Fu Jingchen back with honors!"

The commotion startled Liu Li, and her face instantly turned red with embarrassment. She quickly waved her hands, saying, "Director, Sister Zhang, what are you doing? This is making a huge fuss..."

"What kind of talk is that!" The factory office director stepped forward, grasped her hand tightly, and beamed with joy. "Comrade Liu Li, you have done a great service to our factory this time! The commendation and notice from the Ministry have already reached the factory! 'Ministerial-level Technical Innovation Expert'! This is the first time since the founding of our Hongxing Factory! We must give you a warm welcome!"

Zhang Shulan squeezed through the crowd, grabbed her shoulder, and said in a loud voice, "You little rascal! You made such a commotion without making a sound! You've really made us female workers proud!"

"Engineer Liu, you're amazing!" Xiao Li and Xiao Zhao from the QC team also gathered around, their eyes filled with admiration.

Fu Jingchen was also surrounded by enthusiastic colleagues.

Back at the factory, every step she took revealed a difference. Colleagues, both familiar and unfamiliar, greeted her with smiles, their "Engineer Liu" sounding more genuine than before, their eyes filled with clear respect. Even the elderly gatekeeper peeked out from the guardhouse, beaming, "Engineer Liu's back! Well done!"

Instead of returning to the technical department, she carried her luggage straight to the machining workshop. The workshop was still noisy and chaotic, filled with the familiar smells of machine oil and metal shavings, which made her nose tingle with emotion.

Master Wang Jianguo was facing away from the door, grinding some tool in front of the grinding machine. Hearing the noise, he turned around, saw Liu Li, paused for a moment, then turned back and continued grinding slowly, only letting out a soft "hmm" through his nose.

Liu Li walked over and, as before, stood quietly beside him.

After a while, Master Wang turned off the grinder, picked up the chipped enamel mug next to him, took a sip of tea, and then glanced at her. His gaze lingered on her face for two seconds, then swept over her whole body, and finally he said indifferently, "You've gotten darker and thinner."

Those three simple words brought tears to Liu Li's eyes. She knew that her master was worried about her.

"I didn't let you down, did I, Master?" she said softly.

Master Wang snorted, but the corners of his mouth twitched almost imperceptibly upwards: "So-so." He put down the jar, picked up the freshly sharpened drill bit, and examined it against the light. "Going out for a while, I've broadened my horizons and improved my skills. That's good. The workshop is still the same workshop, and the work continues."

"Yes!" Liu Li nodded vigorously.

She knew that the honors were in the past, and the road ahead still needed to be walked step by step. But this time, returning with honors, she was no longer the apprentice who needed to cautiously prove herself. She had earned widespread respect through her hard work and achievements, adding new luster to the Hongxing Factory brand. Standing in the familiar workshop, she felt an unprecedented sense of security and confidence. A new journey was quietly beginning on this land she deeply loved and had strived for.