The medical examination form left by Director Liu was so thin it was translucent, yet it weighed heavily on Liu Li's heart. The one-week deadline, like the countdown clock for the college entrance examination at school, ticked away anxiously every day—each additional day of delay increased the risk of going to the countryside.

The next day, just as dawn was breaking and a light mist was still drifting outside the window, Liu Li got up. Wang Guifen tried to stop her, saying, "Your fever has just subsided, lie down a little longer, it's chilly outside." But she shook her head, put on her old, faded green military uniform, and braided her hair tightly, saying, "Mom, I'm going out for a walk to get some fresh air."

Actually, it wasn't about getting some fresh air. She was frantic with worry—she couldn't put all her hopes on Liu's father. What if he couldn't find out the news? Wouldn't she just have to wait to be sent to the countryside?

Stepping out of the tenement building, the morning breeze carried the scent of old locust trees, refreshing to the lungs—a stark contrast to the ever-present car exhaust fumes that permeated the city later. The streets were already bustling with people; workers in overalls hurried along, lunchboxes tucked in their hands, humming "We workers have strength"—a spirit rarely seen in later generations. Liu Li watched, thinking to herself, "I wish I could be one of them," but without lingering, she headed straight for the eastern industrial zone—her destination for the day: the Red Star Machinery Factory.

She hadn't walked far when her legs gave way, sweat streamed down her face, and each step felt like her legs were made of lead. She leaned against the wall to rest for a while, thinking to herself: "How far have I even gone? If I really have to go to the countryside and work in the fields every day, how can my body handle it? I need to work on my stamina." To avoid going to the countryside, she had to keep going, she encouraged herself mentally, and continued on.

Just as she was about to faint, she finally caught a glimpse of the industrial area. Towering chimneys billowed black smoke, turning half the sky gray, and the factory walls stretched as far as the eye could see. The air was thick with the smell of machine oil mixed with metal shavings. The gate of the Red Star Machinery Factory was more imposing than she had imagined, with a red five-pointed star embedded in the brick gatehouse, and the five characters "Red Star Machinery Factory" painted bright red. The security guards at the gate wore uniforms, stood ramrod straight with their hands behind their backs, and held guns, looking quite serious.

Liu Li clenched the hem of her clothes, leaned closer and asked in a low voice, "Comrade, excuse me... is your factory hiring today?"

The security guard glanced at her, thinking to himself: "She's probably some leader's daughter, here to get information beforehand." He didn't pay her much attention, just waved his hand: "Wait over there for now."

Liu Li had no choice but to retreat to the door, watching the workers in blue overalls walk in wave after wave, feeling envious—if she could work here, she wouldn't have to go to the countryside. The sun rose, making her dizzy, and the security guard ignored her. She started to wonder: Was she overthinking things? Were they not hiring today? Should she try asking at other factories? But then she thought, she only knew a little about machinery. If she switched to another factory, like a textile factory or a chemical plant, she didn't know anything. Would she be able to pass the exam?

Just as she was worrying, she caught a glimpse of a group of people gathered near the side gate of the machinery factory, pointing and gesturing at the wall. Her heart skipped a beat—could it be a job posting?

Her feet moved faster than her brain; she quickly ran over, squeezed into the crowd, and saw a piece of paper posted on the wall with eye-catching calligraphy: "Recruitment Announcement of Hongxing Machinery Factory in 1972!"

They're really hiring!

"Great!" Liu Li was overjoyed. Now there was hope! Thinking this, she quickly went to take a closer look. The notice stated that they were recruiting fitter and lathe apprentices... Applicants needed to be local urban residents, recent or past graduates were welcome, and they had to be ideologically progressive, have a clean family background, be in good health, and have at least a junior high school education. Most importantly, there was a small print at the bottom: "Register at the administrative office in three days, bringing your household registration booklet, graduation certificate, and a one-inch photo. If you register, you can take the exam directly; otherwise, you won't be considered."

The exam is in three days! There will also be assessments of technical knowledge and general education; the best candidates will be selected.

Liu Li felt a sense of clarity—she had taken so many exams before transmigrating and even studied mechanical engineering, so what was there to fear about this little test? Although she couldn't reveal too much of her abilities to avoid arousing suspicion, she was sure she could handle the "common sense" questions. She silently recited what she needed to bring three times in her mind to make sure she hadn't forgotten anything before turning around and heading home, her steps becoming much lighter.

As soon as I entered, Wang Guifen greeted me: "How's it going? Any job openings?"

"Mom! Hongxing Machinery Factory is hiring! They've posted a notice!" Liu Li exclaimed excitedly. "Registration starts in three days, and the exam is right after registration!"

"Really?" Wang Guifen was both surprised and delighted. She stopped sewing and frowned. "But what about the exam? We don't have any relatives connected to the machinery factory. We're completely clueless. How can you possibly pass the exam?"

"It has to work out! This is the only chance!" Liu Li said firmly, but in her heart she was planning to wait for her father to come back at noon and see what information he had found out. It would be best if she could prepare for both possibilities, but if not, she would focus all her attention on the Hongxing Factory.

As soon as Liu Weiguo walked in at noon, Liu Li approached him and asked, "Dad, have you found out if there are any job openings?"

Liu Weiguo sighed, sat on the edge of the kang (a heated brick bed), picked up his enamel mug, and took a sip of cold water. "I asked Old Zhang in the labor and personnel department, and our textile factory doesn't have any openings this year. Several other factories I know also said they're not hiring. Lili, I think... maybe you should..."

"Dad! Hongxing Machinery Factory is hiring! I saw the announcement with my own eyes!" Liu Li quickly interrupted him.

"What?" Liu Weiguo slammed the enamel mug he was holding onto the table with a clang, his eyes widening in disbelief. "Red Star Machinery Factory? That's a huge factory! So many people would kill for that! Are you sure you didn't see wrong?"

“It’s definitely right! The notice posted at the side gate says you need your household registration book, graduation certificate, and photos. Registration starts in three days, and the exam is right after you register!” Liu Li repeated the key information.

Liu Weiguo was stunned for a long time before he came to his senses—he hadn't expected his daughter to actually find an opportunity after going out. Hongxing Factory was a good company; if his daughter could get in, even as a temporary worker, it would be better than going to the countryside!

"It's just an exam..." He stroked his chin. "What kind of exam will it be about? Nobody in our family knows anything about mechanics."

"Let's not worry about what the exam is for now, let's just register first!" Liu Weiguo said after thinking for a while. "Don't go out these two days, stay home and review your academic subjects. I'll go to the factory this afternoon to ask what kind of technical knowledge they usually test on, and I'll borrow a couple of books."

That evening, the family sat under the lamp for a short meeting. Liu Weiguo, smoking a hand-rolled cigarette, said, "I inquired this afternoon, and the competition for jobs at the Hongxing Factory is fierce. Many employees' children are eyeing it. Lili, you need to be prepared; it's not like you can just register and expect to get in."

"Dad, I know. But as long as there's even a glimmer of hope, I'll give it my all." Liu Li's eyes were firm as she silently cheered herself on.

"Good! Just like my daughter!" Liu Weiguo smiled, then frowned. "The exam is divided into academic subjects and technical knowledge. You just graduated from high school, so the academic subjects are no problem. But the technical knowledge is a problem. You've never touched a machine before, what are you going to do?"

Liu Li had thought about this before—for people of this era, technical common sense might just mean recognizing tools and memorizing safety regulations. She had studied mechanical principles, which would definitely be enough, but she couldn't be too conspicuous. She looked at Liu Weiguo: "Dad, could you borrow a couple of books for me? Like books on blueprint reading or introductory books for mechanics, the more basic the better."

"Sure! I'll go ask the technical department tomorrow, and they'll definitely lend it to you! I'll take care of the registration too!" Liu Weiguo patted his chest and then asked, "What position do you want to apply for?"

Liu Li thought for a moment and said, "Let's apply for temporary work. They're only hiring two technicians and two union officers, and only one accountant. The competition is too fierce, and they might have already decided on someone else. Temporary workers are more likely to be hired, and they're relatively easier to get the job. Let's secure the job first and fill the quota for going to the countryside."

Liu Weiguo nodded: "You've thought this through. Just report it as a temporary worker."

The next morning, Liu Weiguo took a short leave and, carrying his household registration booklet, graduation certificate, and photos, went to the administrative department of Hongxing Machinery Factory. The registration line was very long, mostly parents with their children. When it was his turn, the clerk, flipping through his household registration booklet, asked without looking up, "Family background?"

"Workers," Liu Weiguo quickly replied.

What is my "political affiliation"?

"Member of the Communist Youth League".

The clerk quickly filled out the form, stamped it with an official seal on the photo, and handed over a mimeographed admission ticket: "The time and place of the assessment are written here. Be on time, or it will be invalid."

Liu Weiguo's hands were trembling slightly as he quickly folded the admission ticket and stuffed it into his pocket—this was his daughter's future path, and he couldn't let it get creased or crumpled.

He returned at noon with his exam admission ticket and two books: a crumpled copy of "Basic Drawing Interpretation for Mechanical Workers" and "Introduction to Fitter Technology." "I borrowed the books from the factory technician, who repeatedly told me not to damage them and to return them after the exam." He handed the books to Liu Li, saying, "Study them carefully, don't miss this opportunity."

Liu Li took the book and admission ticket, and looked at the words on it: Examination time: 8:00 a.m. two days later; Location: Classroom of the Staff Education Department.

Only two days left to review!

She opened the book "Basic Drawing Interpretation for Mechanical Workers," and the three-view drawings and part drawings came into view, just like the engineering drawing she had studied in college—very familiar. But after flipping through a few pages, she discovered that the book's explanations were different from those of later generations; they were more practical, all knowledge that could be used in actual work. She quickly calmed herself down and read on, page by page—this was her hope of staying in the city, and she couldn't afford to be careless in the slightest.