Returning to the Red Star Factory felt like pressing a loop button, and the cycle started again. But upon closer inspection, something new, inexplicable, had been added to this cycle.

Liu Li was still the same Liu Li, rushing to the factory before dawn, dressed in faded work clothes, either spending her time in the still somewhat empty preparation office in the technical center or by the equipment in various workshops. But the way people looked at her was different now. In the way they addressed her as "Deputy Section Chief Liu" or "Deputy Group Leader Liu," there was not only the admiration of the past, but also a greater sense of genuine respect.

Fu Jingchen also returned to the Provincial Mechanical Design Institute to continue his theoretical research and postgraduate courses. The two worked at different places and were so busy they rarely had a chance to meet. But a certain tacit understanding naturally grew within these busy intervals.

The canteen during lunch break became their unwritten "base." No prior arrangement was needed; as long as they were both at the factory or institute, they would naturally sit at the same table. Initially, they were just nodding acquaintances, but later they gradually began to talk more. They mostly talked about work; Liu Li would talk about the new problems encountered in the workshop renovation, and Fu Jingchen would discuss the progress of the literature or research he had recently read.

One person shared their practical difficulties, while the other offered theoretical analysis; one mentioned new trends abroad, while the other discussed feasibility in light of the actual situation in their domestic factory. There was no deliberate pandering, no unnecessary formalities, just pure technical exchange and a clash of ideas. Sometimes they argued heatedly, each sticking to their own opinion on a technical parameter, neither willing to give in; other times they suddenly understood a difficult problem and smiled at each other.

Occasionally, Fu Jingchen would translate summaries of newly arrived foreign language materials from the institute's archives that he thought might be useful to Liu Li, then neatly copy them onto manuscript paper and hand them to her during meals. Liu Li would silently note down any calculations he mentioned that required actual data verification, and later have the workshop prepare and send over the relevant data.

After work, if neither of them worked overtime, they would occasionally "coincidentally" bump into each other at the small library in the factory area. One would be browsing the mechanical engineering section, while the other might be looking through the automatic control theory section not far away. Their eyes would occasionally meet across the bookshelves, they would nod, and then go back to their own work. Sometimes they would walk together for a while, from the library back to the dormitory, and on the way, they would still talk mostly about work.

There were no romantic moments under the moon, no sweet words exchanged. The most physical contact was probably when Fu Jingchen naturally reached out and took most of the thick stack of documents from her as she carried them, which were about to fall over; or when, during a heated discussion, Liu Li subconsciously traced lines on the drawings with her pen and accidentally touched the back of his hand. They were both slightly startled, but then continued the conversation as if nothing had happened.

This relationship, as plain as water, exudes a deep-seated comfort and reassurance. They are like two stars on their own orbits, maintaining a stable distance due to gravity, illuminating and supporting each other. They both know the other is there, busy, progressing, and striving for similar goals. This feeling gives Liu Li a constant sense of security when dealing with the tedious tasks and complex interpersonal relationships at the preparation center.

The change in relationships is like spring rain nourishing all things, happening silently, yet allowing certain things to quietly take root and sprout deep in the heart.