The movie ended, and night had fallen. Liu Li and Fu Jingchen walked side by side back to their factory dormitory along the street, bathed in the dim glow of the streetlights. A quiet and warm atmosphere flowed between them as they discussed the scenes of oil workers battling against nature in the movie, and also chatted about the progress of the factory's technical center preparations. Only after seeing Liu Li to the women's dormitory building did Fu Jingchen gently say goodbye and watch her go upstairs.
Liu Li returned to the dormitory. Most of her roommates were already asleep, except for Zhang Shulan, who was still mending her work clothes by the bedside lamp. Seeing Liu Li return, Zhang winked and smiled silently. Liu Li's face flushed slightly. She waved her hand gently, washed up quickly, and lay down on the bed. The movie's plot was still replaying in her mind, but even clearer were Fu Jingchen's smiling eyes reflected in the streetlights, and the words "Want to go see it together?" echoing in her ears. She buried her face in the soap-scented pillow, a secret and genuine sweetness rising in her heart.
The next day was a day off, and Liu Li went home early in the morning. As soon as she stepped into the familiar courtyard, her mother, who was rinsing rice under the tap, saw her immediately, wiped her hands on her apron, and beamed with joy as she hurried over to greet her: "Lizi's back!"
Liu Dong, the younger brother, burst out of the house like a cannonball, excitedly shouting, "Sis! We heard your name on the factory's loudspeaker! 'Special Contribution Award'! Isn't that amazing?"
Liu Weiguo, the father, was sitting on a stool in the courtyard, holding a copy of the "Red Star Factory Newspaper." He looked up when he heard the sound, his gaze falling on his daughter. Unlike his mother and younger brother, his gaze was not overtly expressed, but his brows, which usually carried the weight of life's burdens, were now noticeably relaxed, and his eyes revealed an indescribable sense of relief.
"You're back?" His voice was still steady, but his tone was much gentler than usual. He shook the newspaper in his hand. "It's been published in the factory newspaper too."
Liu Li walked over and saw that the front page indeed featured a photo of her wearing a big red flower and holding an award certificate, with a prominent headline next to it. Neighbor Aunt Zhao, carrying a vegetable basin, passed by the gate, poked her head in, and exclaimed loudly, "Oh my, Old Liu, your Lizi is really something!" She gave a thumbs-up, "Now everyone in this area knows that the Red Star Factory has produced a female expert who can even fix foreign machines! Your family's ancestors are emitting auspicious smoke!"
The mother quickly responded modestly, but the pride on her face was impossible to hide.
Lunch was exceptionally lavish; Mother had specially fried eggs and even cut a small dish of her treasured cured meat. At the table, her younger brother chattered incessantly, pressing for details about repairing the machine. Liu Li briefly explained what she could, omitting the pressure and risks involved.
My father listened silently the whole time, occasionally picking up a piece of food with his chopsticks. Only when he was almost finished eating did he put down his chopsticks, pick up the enamel mug next to him—a mug that had been used for many years, its enamel mostly peeling—and find that it contained a small amount of loose liquor. He rarely drank alcohol.
Liu Li and her mother looked at him with some surprise.
Liu Weiguo didn't look at them. His gaze fell on the old jujube tree in the yard. He seemed to be talking to himself, or perhaps to Liu Li: "Back then, when you insisted on going to the factory to learn a skill, I... had my doubts. I thought that for a girl, it would be better to find an easy job and live a stable life."
He paused, took a sip of the spicy liquid, his throat bobbing, before continuing, "I didn't expect you to actually get into it and make a name for yourself." He turned to look at Liu Li, his eyes filled with complex emotions—a mix of感慨 (gǎnkǎi, deep feelings), 悔悔 (huǐhuǐ, regret), but above all, an unprecedented and undisguised pride. "Lizi, you... well done. You've truly put down roots and made a name for yourself in this era."
His words, spoken with the warmth of the liquor and the weight of years, landed heavily on Liu Li's heart. She knew that her father's approval was more precious than any award she had received. It represented the most complete affirmation of her chosen path by her closest family.
At that moment, Liu Li felt her eyes well up with tears, and a warm current surged through her heart. The warmth and support of her family would always be her most solid and warmest harbor on this challenging journey of struggle. She nodded firmly, her voice slightly choked: "Dad, Mom, don't worry, I will continue to work hard."
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com