Chapter 105: New Year

Yan Bugui nodded and bowed hurriedly, turning to lead the way, but his steps were so fast he wished he could dash into the courtyard in a flash, beating this group of big shots to the door.

The gate of the Siheyuan was pushed open, and Yan Bugui ran in with three steps at a time, shouting at the top of his lungs: "Chief Engineer Li! Is Chief Engineer Li home? There are big shots here to see you!"

This shout was like a sudden clap of thunder on flat ground, waking the entire Siheyuan.

The doors and windows of every household were pushed open almost simultaneously, and the sleepy-eyed residents poked their heads out in curiosity.

"What's all the hollering about?" Jia Zhangshi walked out wearing a cotton-padded jacket, her face full of displeasure, "It's the first day of the Lunar New Year, what are you shouting for!"

Yan Bugui couldn't spare the time to explain, only pointing at the courtyard gate, his eyes filled with shock and excitement.

Just then, that group of "big shots" had already walked into the courtyard.

The man in military uniform leading them looked around, his gaze sweeping over each door before finally stopping at Li Mingyuan's small side courtyard.

"Is Chief Engineer Li home?" he asked loudly, his voice resonant and full of authority.

Li Mingyuan pushed open the door upon hearing the sound, dressed in a simple but neat Zhongshan suit, a trace of surprise on his face: "Chief He? Why have you come?"

"Haha, Chief Engineer Li, Happy New Year!" The man in military uniform stepped forward two paces, shaking hands with Li Mingyuan enthusiastically.

"I am here on behalf of the Military Industry Department to pay a New Year's call and thank you for the outstanding contributions you have made to the cause of national defense!"

As soon as these words were spoken, everyone in the courtyard was stunned.

A chief from the Military Industry Department, personally coming to pay a New Year's call? What an honor this was!

Before everyone could recover, another middle-aged man dressed in plain clothes but with an extraordinary bearing stepped forward:

"Chief Engineer Li, I am Lin Yi from the Ministry of Industry. We were testing the Engine together just yesterday, and today I've come specially to wish you a Happy New Year!"

Immediately following, another middle-aged man stepped forward: "Chief Engineer Li, I am Factory Director Zhang of the Automobile Manufacturing Plant. Thank you for your 'Longxin-1' Engine; it will completely change the face of our country's automobile industry!"

"Chief Engineer Li, I am from the Ministry of Electronics, I have long admired your name..."

"Chief Engineer Li, Ministry of Aviation, here specifically to pay a visit..."

"Chief Engineer Li, Director Wang of the Mechanical Industry Committee, I heard that you..."

In an instant, the area in front of Li Mingyuan's door was crowded with important officials from all walks of life, each of them beaming with smiles, holding gifts, and scrambling to greet him.

The residents of the Siheyuan stood in front of their respective doors, watching this scene in a daze.

These big shots, whom they couldn't even see on ordinary days, had all appeared in their courtyard today, and were here to pay a New Year's call to Li Mingyuan!

Jia Zhangshi stood in the center of the courtyard, her mouth open wide enough to fit an egg, her whole person frozen there as if struck by lightning.

Last night she was still gossiping about Li Mingyuan behind his back, but now she saw so many high-ranking officials and dignitaries coming to pay him a New Year's call; the contrast was simply too great.

Yan Bugui was no better off; his jaw was almost hitting the ground, and his eyes were wider than the Lantern Festival lanterns from last night.

As the "well-informed person" in the courtyard, he considered himself to have some understanding of Li Mingyuan's background, but this spectacle today completely exceeded his imagination.

"Quick, go pour some tea!" He Yuzhu reacted the fastest, dashing home in a flash to take out his prized tea leaves, preparing to brew tea for these big shots.

Liu Haizhong stood at his door, the expression on his face a colorful mix of envy, surprise, jealousy, and obsequiousness... various emotions intertwined, and he didn't know what to do.

The accompanying staff carrying gifts had already begun moving items into Li Mingyuan's room.

Boxes and cases of gifts shimmered in the sunlight; some were exquisitely packaged, others were massive in size, and stacked together they were almost forming a small hill.

Li Mingyuan looked at the scene before him, feeling somewhat between laughter and tears.

With the soul of a modern person, he was somewhat unaccustomed to this kind of "pomp and circumstance," but he understood that this was the social custom of this era.

"Chiefs, comrades," Li Mingyuan said loudly, "Thank you all for your kindness, but my small house really cannot accommodate so many distinguished guests. How about we move to the factory's reception room? It is more spacious there."

The man in military uniform—Minister He of the Military Industry Department—nodded: "Good idea! We also acted on impulse; we didn't expect everyone to choose today to visit, it is indeed a bit abrupt."

The others echoed in agreement, expressing their approval.

Just like that, this group of unexpected distinguished guests came quickly and left quickly, leaving behind a courtyard full of gifts and dumbfounded neighbors.

Li Mingyuan gave a few instructions to two security guards, then boarded Minister He's official car and left the Siheyuan.

Only then did the residents in the courtyard wake from their dream, discussing it in a clamor.

"My god, that was Minister He of the Military Industry Department! I've seen his photo in the newspaper!"

"And Minister Lin of the Ministry of Industry, and the one from the Ministry of Electronics..."

"Did you see those gifts? Moutai liquor, White Rabbit creamy candies, imported watches..."

"What exactly is Li Mingyuan's background? Why did so many big shots come to pay him a New Year's call?"

……

Jia Zhangshi finally came to her senses, her complexion looking extremely ugly; she turned around and went back into her room in a huff, slamming the door shut.

Yan Bugui, however, had eyes shining with greed, his mind already active: "It seems I must properly cozy up to Chief Engineer Li. This network, this status, tsk tsk..."

At three in the afternoon, Li Mingyuan finally broke free from the series of meetings and returned to the Siheyuan.

He had thought he could enjoy a moment of peace, but he didn't expect that as soon as he pushed open the courtyard gate, he would find the courtyard already packed with people—not only the residents of the Siheyuan, but also many neighbors from the street, and even people from several hutongs away who had heard the news and rushed over, wanting to catch a glimpse of the "big shots."

"Chief Engineer Li is back!" Someone shouted, and everyone's gaze immediately focused on Li Mingyuan.

Li Mingyuan smiled somewhat awkwardly and nodded to everyone in greeting: "Happy New Year, neighbors."

"Happy New Year! Happy New Year!" The crowd responded one after another, their voices enthusiastic and uniform, many decibels higher than usual.

Liu Haizhong and Yan Bugui squeezed to the very front, smiling like two blooming chrysanthemums, their eyes squinted into slits.

"Chief Engineer Li, congratulations, congratulations!" Liu Haizhong said obsequiously, "Today was truly a grand scene, the whole hutong was stirred up!"

Yan Bugui clapped his hands even more exaggeratedly: "Chief Engineer Li, you are truly the pride of our Siheyuan! So many big shots coming to pay you a New Year's call, what an honor this is!"

Li Mingyuan smiled without a word, merely nodding politely, then turned toward his room.

To his surprise, the doorway to his room was piled high with gifts, almost blocking the entire porch.

All kinds of exquisite gift boxes and colorful gift bags were stacked more than a person's height high.

"This..." Li Mingyuan felt somewhat between laughter and tears, "Why is there so much stuff?"