Chapter 208

Suddenly, a static noise came from the loudspeaker in the corner.

Immediately afterwards, a clear and dignified female voice echoed throughout the entire corridor through the loudspeaker:

"Attention, leaders and comrades—"

The announcement rang out from the loudspeakers in the corridor, clear and steady:

"Comrade Liu Guangqi and his team from the Research Department have made key progress in the field of integrated circuits, successfully overcoming the technical challenges of gate oxide charge and electrostatic protection. They are hereby commended."

The brief message was repeated three times to make sure everyone could hear it.

In an instant, the air in the entire building seemed to freeze.

The cadres who had been walking hurriedly stopped in their tracks, their hands hovering in mid-air as they wrote. Many people instinctively turned their heads to listen intently in the direction from which the sound came.

Immediately afterwards, whispers spread like wildfire.

"Integrated circuits...is that the project that Director Liu is in charge of?"

Someone from the planning department stood there, clutching a document, and sighed softly:

"It hasn't been long, and we've already achieved results."

At the tea table in the logistics department, several people holding teacups forgot to drink their tea.

"You just helped the Institute of Computing Technology complete the second-generation transistor computer before the Lunar New Year, and less than three months after returning, you've already made another breakthrough?"

"This speed... is truly amazing."

The news swept through the offices like the wind.

"Old Chen, did you hear the announcement?"

"I heard that. Director Liu's momentum is unstoppable."

Within minutes, Liu Guangqi's name and integrated circuits became the center of everyone's conversation.

A crowd quickly gathered outside the research office. Colleagues from neighboring departments squeezed around the windows, peering inside with envy in their voices.

"Your section chief really made a name for himself this time."

"I'm definitely going to be recognized for outstanding performance this year."

Inside the window, several young technicians unconsciously straightened their backs. A researcher with thick glasses, who was usually quiet, quietly raised the corners of his mouth, his eyes gleaming.

All the fatigue was worth it at this moment.

The commotion downstairs did not reach Liu Guangqi's ears.

As evening fell, the office gradually quieted down. He finished organizing his materials and went downstairs; the security guard had already parked his car in front. His wife, Zhao Mengyun, got into the car, and he habitually said:

"Let's go back to the compound."

Zhao Mengyun turned her face away, a faint smile in her eyes:

"We're not going back to the compound today, we're going to the traditional courtyard house."

Liu Guangqi paused for a moment, then quickly recalled his recent arrangements, but couldn't remember anything special.

"You forgot? Today is Saturday."

Zhao Mengyun gently reminded him:

"Dad came to our house last week and said that he would have to go back to the compound this weekend to discuss Guangtian's wedding."

Liu Guangqi then realized what was happening.

That's true. But he was busy at the time and just casually agreed in his study without taking it to heart.

Only then did he remember that his father, Liu Pangpang, wanted him to go to the girl's house with her on the weekend to settle the matter of the bride price.

Meeting the in-laws?

Liu Guangqi understood perfectly well. His father didn't really need him to discuss things—it was just that his pride couldn't be suppressed again.

These days, being able to ride a Forever brand bicycle to propose marriage is considered quite respectable.

But what two-wheeled vehicle can compare to the eye-catching and impressive Volga sedan he drives?

As his thoughts drifted to this point, Liu Guangqi unconsciously shook his head slightly, a faint smile appearing on his lips. He then whispered to the guard beside him, instructing him to go and pick up the two children first, while he signaled the driver to turn the car around and head towards the familiar courtyard house in Nanluoguxiang.

The car had just stopped at the alley outside the gate when Liu Haizhong, dressed in a crisply starched Zhongshan suit, was pacing back and forth at the gate, constantly looking towards the alley entrance.

"Guangqi, we've been waiting for you to come back!"

Liu Haizhong rushed forward, grabbed his son's arm, and led him into the yard. His voice was low, but it couldn't hide the eagerness that came from the bottom of his heart: "We're going to visit your brother's girlfriend's family tomorrow. Your mother and I have been discussing it all night... As for the betrothal gift, let's set it at twenty yuan!"

He paused slightly, a hint of smugness flashing across his face, and continued, "As for the 'three turns and one sound' (referring to a watch, a radio, and a bicycle), we have them all ready-made, and we even have a few extra coupons! Tomorrow is Sunday, so you'll come with me. With this kind of entourage, the Liu family will have both face and substance!"

These words were spoken bluntly, and their meaning was made without any attempt to conceal it. Liu Guangqi understood immediately—his father's long-standing bias in treating his children differently had not changed at all.

You have to understand, when he got married, his father practically emptied the family savings, scraping together nearly two thousand yuan for all the expenses. Now, for his second son, Liu Guangtian, all that's left is twenty yuan for the dowry and some cigarettes and alcohol. The difference between them is like heaven and earth.

Of course, this was partly due to Zhao Mengyun's background in a high-ranking family and her own position in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. But fundamentally, it stemmed from the fact that her father-in-law felt his two sons were not of equal importance. Fortunately, her parents-in-law were both reasonable and generous, accepting only sixty-six yuan as a dowry, a lucky number symbolizing a smooth and happy marriage.

In comparison, Liu Guangtian's betrothal gift seemed rather meager at first glance. However, this was only in comparison to Liu Guangqi's. Looking at the entire courtyard, a betrothal gift of twenty yuan was hardly stingy. Ordinary families usually exchanged betrothal gifts of five or ten yuan, plus the "four ones"—a wooden bed, a washbasin, a spittoon, and a kettle—and that was considered complete. As for the "three turns and one sound" (a traditional Chinese stringed instrument), that was a luxury only ministerial officials dared to dream of. In these days when everything required ration coupons, ordinary families could hardly afford even one or two of those items.

Thinking of this, Liu Guangqi suddenly spoke up, interrupting his father's still enthusiastic rambling.

"Dad," he said calmly, with a serene smile on his face, "this marriage cannot be arranged like this."

Zhao Mengyun, who was sitting to the side, looked up when she heard the sound. Her eyes held a hint of doubt, but more than that, a calm trust.

Liu Haizhong was taken aback: "This isn't enough? Twenty yuan for the bride price, plus three turns and a radio, isn't that enough of a show?"

"Let's keep the same betrothal gifts as when I got married," Liu Guangqi said with a smile.

"What?" Liu Haizhong's eyes widened, almost bulging out. "According to your usual practice? Sixty-six yuan?"

"Yes, let's go for good luck with six." Liu Guangqi nodded, his tone still calm. "We're all family, so everything else is fine, but the betrothal gifts should be fair. We can't have one set for my wedding and another set for the second son. The family isn't short of a few dozen yuan. It wouldn't be worth it if it caused resentment between Guangtian and his wife over such a small amount."

With Liu Guangqi's current status and vision, he would no longer care about such petty gains. He sees further ahead—people's hearts are fickle. Today, Liu Guangtian may feel satisfied with twenty yuan, but what about ten or twenty years from now? Whenever he recalls the huge difference in the betrothal gifts between the two brothers, who can guarantee that resentment will not gradually grow in his heart? Once a thorn is planted, it will eventually fester and rot. Why sow this unnecessary hidden danger?

"Sixty-six yuan?!" Upon hearing this, Liu Haizhong's eyes widened like saucers, and the muscles in his face tightened. "What kind of talk is this! That second son is just a level eight clerk right now, earning only thirty-three yuan a month. How could he be worth this dowry?"

Throughout his life, even when eating cornbread, he would always give his eldest son the best half; every penny he saved was reserved for Liu Guangqi. The thought of spending so much money on his second son was more painful than having flesh ripped from his own body. Liu Haizhong's cheeks trembled with anger, and his words became stammering:

"Guangqi, are you delirious from a fever? Six sixes bring good fortune... Does he deserve that? What would he need such good fortune for! It's true that you gave him sixty-six as a wedding gift when you got married, but how many things have you bought for the house since then? Bicycle, radio, watch—everything that 'turns' and 'makes' wasn't bought with your own money?"

Inside the Liu family house, Liu Haizhong's eyes were wide open, his voice booming so loudly it made the window paper tremble: "That kid Guangtian? Besides throwing those few crumpled bills home every month, what has he ever accomplished?" In his mind, his sons had long been clearly divided: one was the apple of his eye, the others were just extras. He held one firm belief in his entire life: the eldest son is the pillar of the family, and should always come first! Good things are born to be the eldest. Not to mention that the eldest son is now thriving in the ministry, a success that even burning incense at the ancestors' graves couldn't have achieved—in fact, the ancestors' graves would have to be burned to the ground to qualify.

Seeing his father's fierce expression, Liu Guangqi wasn't angry; instead, a faint smile appeared on his lips. He didn't respond to the previous topic, but instead slowly brought up an old story: "Dad, you still remember the Fang family across the street, right? A few years ago, when the eldest son got married, the bride price was a full fifteen yuan; when it came to the second son, they managed to drag it down to ten yuan. Just because of that five-yuan difference, now when the two brothers bump into each other in the yard, they turn their necks and go their separate ways, stiffer than strangers. Tell me, is that little bit of money... really worth it?"

These words, like a fine needle, gently pierced Liu Haizhong's heart. Yet his face remained tense, his neck stiffened, and his voice remained rough and hard: "He wouldn't dare! If he forgets his roots after getting married, I'll break his legs!" Liu Haizhong had always believed that only through corporal punishment could filial sons be raised. Apart from his eldest son, his other two sons were merely there to make up the numbers; what right did they have to argue with their father?

But what surprised him was his eldest son's attitude. Liu Guangqi not only didn't argue with him, but instead advised him to be more generous. According to the older generation's calculations, every penny saved would eventually be left to the eldest son. In short, what he held in his hands was already part of his eldest son's family fortune. Anyone else would probably have been extremely calculating, but Liu Guangqi not only didn't argue, but also encouraged him to contribute more—his generosity was truly unexpected.

Liu Guangqi shook his head, a calm smile on his face: "Dad, Guangtian isn't the kind of person who doesn't know what's good for him. Let's try to be fair with the bride price so there will be less gossip later. Besides, does the family really need a few dozen yuan? If we let Guangtian and his wife hold a grudge over such a small amount, and they start arguing every day, how can you and Mom have any peace and quiet?"

Seeing the opportune moment, Zhao Mengyun gently chimed in, "Dad, Guangqi is right. Marriage is a joyous occasion, and we all want it to go smoothly and perfectly." Her voice was soft, yet every word was perfectly chosen. "Think about it, our family gave Guangtian a respectable dowry. Zhou Juan will feel warm inside after marrying into our family, knowing we are a reasonable family. In the future, won't she get along with me, her sister-in-law, just like a real sister? With harmonious relations between sisters-in-law, wouldn't you and Mom have peace of mind?" She subtly changed the subject, as if mentioning it casually, "Besides, Guangqi's income in half a month is more than that. Our family doesn't lack that much, so why leave a grudge in your second son's heart? Let Guangtian have a grand wedding; wouldn't that make you proud too?"

Zhao Mengyun, being a worldly woman, spoke succinctly, each word striking a chord with Liu Haizhong. Indeed, Liu Haizhong was the second most powerful man in the courtyard; his eldest son was capable, and his second son's wedding was a success—it was a source of pride. He opened his mouth, glanced at his composed eldest son, then at his shrewd and perceptive daughter-in-law beside him, and his inner turmoil unconsciously dissipated.

Finally, Liu Haizhong's throat moved, and he nodded somewhat reluctantly: "Okay...we'll do as you say."

By this time, the courtyard was already bustling with activity. The news of Liu Guangtian's upcoming marriage spread like wildfire across the thresholds of every household, becoming the hottest topic of conversation among the neighbors.

"Guangtian, impressive! You've settled this big matter so quietly; you're almost as fast as your brother!"

In the middle courtyard, Yi Zhonghai, an elderly man, strolled over with his hands behind his back, taking a leisurely pace. To be honest, seeing the Liu family's prosperous state, he couldn't help but feel a pang of envy. Especially seeing the three sons of the Liu family getting married one after another, seemingly enjoying a thriving family, he was even more envious. However, for now, he maintained the composed demeanor of an elder, nodding and saying, "Guangtian, that child... is not bad!"

The warmth of the meal still lingered on his tongue, but the matter settled at the old wooden table in Old Liu's house had already rolled around in Liu Guangtian's mind several times. Every word felt like a roasted sweet potato just pulled from the stove, burning him and weighing heavily on his heart.

He rubbed his slightly sweaty palms, then got up and walked towards the backyard.