As night deepened, the light remained on in Fu Jingchen's single dormitory room in the factory's residential compound. A potted green ivy on the windowsill stretched its tenacious verdant foliage in the winter night. On the desk lay not letters filled with romantic sentiments, but rather sketches of the construction plan for the technology center, several thick mechanical manuals, and a letter from Beijing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics regarding the application process for on-the-job postgraduate studies.

Liu Li and Fu Jingchen sat facing each other on either side of the desk, separated by spread-out blueprints and documents. This was not a romantic date under the moon, but more like a different kind of "war room."

“I think the personnel structure of the technology center needs to be refined.” Liu Li lightly tapped a box on the sketch with a pencil, her brows furrowing slightly. “We can’t just write ‘technical backbone’ in general terms. We need to clarify the division of responsibilities and personnel sources for the core research team, the technology promotion team, and the daily maintenance team. Ideally, we should draw promising young people from various workshops and combine them with the strength of the department.”

Fu Jingchen leaned over, carefully examining the spot she pointed to. He casually picked up a ruler and gestured with it: "That makes sense. Unclear responsibilities easily lead to shirking responsibility. We can prioritize the teams that participated in the promotion of the dynamic balancing device and the last export order. They have the foundation and the enthusiasm." He picked up another pen of a different color and quickly marked a few notes on the sketch. "Regarding theoretical training, I can help coordinate factory-university cooperation and see if we can invite teachers from the university to give regular lectures."

His support was specific and pragmatic, directly addressing the implementation level.

"That's great, this makes the training system more complete." Liu Li's eyes lit up, then she thought of something and looked at the letter from Beihang University next to Fu Jingchen, "How's your graduate school application coming along? Do you need any certificates from the factory, or any leader's signature?"

The conversation naturally turned to his plans.

“The basic materials are all prepared, and the recommendation letter has been written by the chief engineer. The procedures at the factory shouldn’t be a problem, since it’s for employees to pursue further education, which is beneficial to the factory’s long-term development.” Fu Jingchen pushed up his glasses, his tone steady with a hint of barely perceptible expectation. “The only issue is that if I’m accepted, there might be some intensive classes in the early stages, requiring short-term leave of absence, about one or two months each time, once or twice a year.”

He paused here, looking at Liu Li with a questioning and considering look in his eyes. This meant that if they confirmed their relationship, he would have a short period of time to leave.

Liu Li barely hesitated, a slight smile playing on her lips, conveying understanding and encouragement: "This is a good thing! It's a rare opportunity, you definitely have to go. Don't worry about the technology center; once the foundation is laid, progressing according to plan shouldn't be a problem. Besides, when you return after your studies, won't our factory and the technology center benefit even more?" She had a long-term vision, showing no trace of girlish reluctance or worry, but rather happiness that he could access more cutting-edge knowledge.

Looking into her clear and determined gaze, Fu Jingchen's last trace of worry vanished. He understood her; he knew she wasn't a vine that needed constant care, but a kapok tree that could grow alongside him.

"Yes." He nodded, a warm feeling flowing through his heart. "During my studies, if the factory or the technology center needs any theoretical support or information, I can find a way in Beijing."

"That's a deal!" Liu Li said with a smile. "I'll definitely need your help as an 'outsider' when the time comes."

They smiled at each other, a deep connection based on shared goals and mutual success deepening silently. Their conversation wasn't about romance, but about concrete plans—his studies, her career, and the future of the Red Star Factory and the Technology Center, for which they both wanted to strive.

“Once the technology center is operating smoothly and the first batch of talents have been trained, we might consider making dynamic balancing technology into a standardized module and promoting it to smaller agricultural machinery factories.” Liu Li’s gaze fell on the sketch, her thoughts already drifting further afield.

“This is a great idea. It can be developed into a series of products. The key is cost control and adaptive design…” Fu Jingchen immediately followed her train of thought and picked up a pen to start sketching a simple diagram of the principle in the blank space.

Under the lamplight, the two sometimes discussed in hushed tones, sometimes lost in thought, their pens scratching across the paper, sketching not only the blueprint for the technology center but also the trajectory of their shared future. There were no grand vows, no passionate words of love, but in this pragmatic exchange of words and phrases, in their mutually supportive and understanding gazes, something deeper and more resilient than love was quietly growing—a tacit understanding of shared goals, a promise to move forward hand in hand, and an expectation of being rooted in this industrial soil and looking towards the future together.

The night deepened, and the stars outside the window twinkled quietly. This small dormitory felt incredibly fulfilling and warm because of two hearts that were closely intertwined and beat in unison, and because of their shared, weighty blueprint for their careers and the future.