The jubilation over the successful repair spread like wildfire throughout the entire Hongxing Machinery Factory overnight. The next morning, instead of its usual marches or production announcements, the factory's central loudspeaker broadcast a rare and solemn order of commendation to the entire factory:

"...At a critical juncture concerning the nation's military production tasks, Comrade Liu Li from our factory's technical department, with a high sense of responsibility, superb professional skills, and a pioneering spirit of innovation, was entrusted with a critical mission. She made accurate judgments and successfully resolved a major equipment malfunction, ensuring the smooth progress of the xx military production task and winning honor for our factory...After deliberation by the factory's Party Committee and management, it has been decided to issue a commendation order to Comrade Liu Li, awarding her the honorary titles of 'Special Contribution Award' and 'Technical Innovation Pioneer,' and providing her with corresponding material rewards..."

A deep baritone voice echoed in every corner of the factory. In the workshops, the roar of the machine tools seemed to subside as the workers listened intently, their faces beaming with pride. In the offices, the clerks put down their pens and exchanged admiring glances. In the canteen, the cooks preparing lunch also put down their ladles and listened with great interest.

This is just the beginning.

In the afternoon, a grand commendation meeting was held in the factory auditorium. A striking red banner hung above the stage – “Commendation Meeting for Comrade Liu Li’s Special Contributions and Awarding of Technological Innovation Pioneers”. The auditorium was packed, with employee representatives from various workshops and departments gathered in a warm and enthusiastic atmosphere.

All members of the factory's leadership team attended. The chief engineer personally described the arduous process of the emergency repair and the decisive role played by Liu Li. He praised her lavishly: "...When everyone was at a loss, it was Comrade Liu Li, with her keen observation, systematic analysis, and extraordinary courage, who cut through the fog and got straight to the core! Moreover, with her solid hands-on skills and ingenious repair plan, she personally brought the equipment back to life! What she demonstrated was not only her personal technical strength, but also the spirit of our Hongxing workers who dare to overcome difficulties and innovate!"

Amid thunderous applause, Liu Li was invited to the stage. She was still wearing her faded work clothes, with a big red flower pinned to her chest. Her face was flushed with excitement, but her eyes were clear and calm.

The factory director personally handed her a bright red certificate bearing the inscription "Special Contribution Award" and a thick envelope (containing a prize money), and also pinned on her a sash that read "Technological Innovation Pioneer." The weighty certificate and sash represented not only honor, but also a heavy responsibility and recognition.

"Comrade Liu Li, well done! You are the pride of our entire factory!" The factory director shook her hand firmly, his voice booming.

Below the stage, Master Wang Jianguo sat in the front row, watching his radiant apprentice on stage, a barely perceptible smile playing on his lips as he clapped enthusiastically. Fu Jingchen, sitting in the technical department's line, followed her intently, his applause warm and sustained. Zhang Shulan was so moved that her eyes reddened, and her palms turned red from clapping.

Subsequently, an officer from the factory's publicity department carried a camera and aimed it at the stage—the image of Liu Li holding an award certificate and wearing a red flower on her chest was captured on film. This photograph, along with a lengthy article detailing her deeds, was quickly published on the front page of the latest issue of the "Red Star Factory Newspaper."

Her name and deeds did not stop within the factory. The "Industrial Briefing," sponsored by the Municipal Bureau of Industry, keenly captured this exemplary figure and quickly sent reporters to interview her. A report entitled "Women are not inferior to men, young talents bravely shoulder heavy responsibilities - A story of Liu Lizhi, a young technician at Hongxing Machinery Factory, solving difficult equipment malfunctions" was published in a prominent position in the briefing and sent to all industrial units in the city.

Overnight, the name "Liu Li" became a household name not only within the Hongxing Factory but also throughout the city's industrial system. "The little expert of the Hongxing Factory" and "the female technician who repaired foreign equipment" became her most dazzling labels.

After the commendation ceremony, Liu Li walked off the stage with her certificate and prizes, and was immediately surrounded by enthusiastic colleagues, who congratulated her and praised her endlessly. She smiled a little shyly and responded to everyone, never showing the slightest bit of pride.

She knew very well that the honors belonged to the past, the roar of the machines continued, and what awaited her was the next technical challenge to overcome, an endless climb. But at this moment, the feeling of being recognized and needed was like warm sunshine, illuminating her path forward and making her even more determined in her choice.