Clutching his transfer order and that heavy spatula, he returned home as dusk was falling. Before even stepping inside, he was greeted by the rare aroma of meat. Pushing open the familiar wooden door, he saw, under the dim light, a much more lavish spread than usual on the small dining table: a plate of glistening braised pork, a bowl of golden scrambled eggs, and vibrant green stir-fried vegetables. His mother was carrying a steaming bowl of rice out of the kitchen, and his father, unusually, wasn't sitting in his old wicker chair listening to the radio, but standing by the table, a smile he couldn't hide on his face.
"Lily's back? Come on, wash your hands and eat!" Her mother's voice was cheerful.
Little Jun, her younger brother, rushed over like a cannonball, circling around Liu Li: "Sis! Mom said you became a technician! Is it true? Does that mean you'll be working in an office and won't be covered in grease anymore?"
Liu Li smiled and patted her younger brother's head, feeling a warm glow in her heart. She carefully placed the spatula, which had been meticulously wrapped in old newspapers, into the wooden box beside her bed before washing her hands.
The atmosphere at the dinner table was exceptionally warm. Her mother kept piling meat onto her plate: "Lily, eat more. You've gotten so thin these days. Going to the technical department is good; you're sheltered from the wind and rain. It's a place for educated people."
Father Liu Weiguo took a sip of cheap bulk liquor, his face flushed, and he spoke more than usual: "Lili, today in the workshop... Master Wang didn't say anything."
Liu Li put down her chopsticks and said seriously: "I did. Master Wang gave me a set of scraping and grinding tools that he had used for many years."
The father clearly knew the weight of this set of tools. He paused for a moment, then sighed heavily, filled with immense satisfaction. "Master Wang... he's treating you like his last disciple! This kindness is truly profound!"
He picked up his wine glass, took another sip, and looked at Liu Li with an unprecedented seriousness in his eyes: "Lili, you are where you are today because you put in the effort and worked hard. But remember, without Master Wang's strict, hands-on teaching, guiding you through the basics, and giving you opportunities, even if you had extraordinary talent, you would have nowhere to use it! Our Liu family cannot forget such kindness."
"Dad, I know." Liu Li nodded vigorously. "After dinner, I'll buy some things and go to the master's house to thank him in person."
"Of course!" the mother immediately replied. "Master Wang has always been incredibly good to you. I'll go to the grocery store right now and see if I can buy some good pork. We also have some wine that your father bought a few days ago; take it to Master Wang!"
She took the pork and wine her mother had prepared, and even used her newly received salary to go out of her way to buy a can of fruit. At that time, this was considered an extremely generous gift.
Following her memory, she found the low-lying, single-story houses where Master Wang lived; night had already fallen. She knocked on the peeling wooden door, and Master Wang's wife opened it. Seeing Liu Li, she was first surprised, then her face lit up with a smile: "Oh, it's Lili! Come in, come in! Old man, look who's here!"
Master Wang was sitting at the eight-immortal table by the window, repairing an old radio by the light. He was wearing reading glasses and holding a soldering iron. Seeing Liu Li and the things she was carrying, he frowned habitually: "What are you doing here so late? Buying all this stuff, what a waste of money!"
The teacher's wife took the things from him, scolding him playfully, "You old man, the child's good intentions are appreciated! Lily, don't mind him, sit down." She then poured water for Liu Li.
Liu Li didn't sit down. She walked over to Master Wang, looked at the parts and tools spread out on the table, and said softly, "Master, I told my parents this afternoon about the tools you gave me. They both told me I must come and thank you properly."
Master Wang put down the soldering iron, took off his reading glasses, rubbed his temples with his rough fingers, and softened his tone: "No need to thank me. You've gotten this far because you've proven yourself. I was just doing my duty as a mentor."
More than just fulfilling her duty, Liu Li looked at her master's gray hair and his calloused, now slightly trembling hands, and her heart ached. "Without you pushing me to grind drill bits and practice, without you overruling everyone's objections to let me work on the lathe and participate in the trial production, without you standing up for me when people gossiped... I wouldn't be where I am today. Master, your teachings weren't just about technique, but also about how to be a person, how to do things. I'll remember all of that."
Master Wang was silent for a moment, then pointed to the long bench next to him: "Sit down."
Liu Li sat down, and the two remained silent for a moment. Faint sounds of conversation came from the neighbors outside the window, making the room feel even more peaceful and cozy.
After a while, Master Wang slowly spoke, his voice somewhat low: "Going to the technical department is a good thing. The platform is bigger, and you can learn about more things. But it's different there from the workshop. Interpersonal relationships are more complicated, so you have to be careful in your words and actions. However, don't be afraid." He looked up at Liu Li, his eyes filled with trust. "You have a technical foundation, so you can stand tall. Remember, no matter where you go, as long as you have work to do and confidence in yourself, you won't be afraid of any storms."
"Yes, I understand, Master." Liu Li nodded earnestly.
The master's wife chimed in from the side: "Lily, come visit us often when you have time. Your master may be stubborn, but he really cares about you disciples!"
Master Wang uttered a sound, without refuting it, but the corner of his mouth twitched slightly.
As Liu Li left Master Wang's house, the moonlight was perfect. The weight of parting and gratitude in her heart seemed to have been lifted completely. Home was a warm harbor, giving her the strength to move forward; while her master's teachings were the rules and foundation for her path. These two, like the brand-new plotter and the heavy bag of old shovels in her toolbox—one pointing to the future, the other remembering the fundamentals—would accompany her on her next challenging journey.
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