Hard work after winning the lottery

The off-key military song echoed through the spacious carriage.

It's like a rusted gear, grinding away the marks of time as it turns.

Looking through the rearview mirror, Xiao Li saw a light he had never seen before gleaming in the old man's eyes, and he understood.

Even though that place is not my hometown.

As the car exited the highway, the scenery outside the window suddenly changed.

The asphalt road turned into a winding cement country road, with tall and straight poplar trees on both sides, their shadows dappling the car windows.

The car slowed down unconsciously.

Zhou Yinchuan sat up straight, his back ramrod straight, like a soldier about to be inspected.

His gaze greedily swept over everything outside the window.

We turned around a mountain bend.

suddenly see the light.

A pool of clear water, like a huge, uncut piece of jade, unexpectedly came into his view.

The lake was as calm as a mirror, reflecting the azure sky and the rolling, dark green mountains.

Several white waterbirds gracefully skimmed across the lake, their wingtips creating delicate ripples.

A thin mist, like gauze, lingers among the lush bamboo groves and scattered houses by the lake.

"Xiao Li, stop the car."

Zhou Yinchuan's voice trembled slightly, almost imperceptibly.

Xiao Zhang immediately and smoothly pulled the car to the side of the road.

The car window slowly rolled down.

A rush of air, carrying moisture and the fresh scent of grass and trees, instantly filled the room.

Zhou Yinchuan took a deep breath, as if he wanted to inhale all the spiritual energy of the mountains into his lungs.

"This is... Baixi Lake?"

He muttered to himself.

This was completely different from the barren and isolated mountain valley that Hua Mutou had described in his mind.

This place is clearly a paradise on earth.

"Grandpa, the navigation shows that we have entered the area of ​​Baixi Village."

Xiao Li reported in a low voice.

"Let's go, let's keep going."

Zhou Yinchuan waved his hand, his eyes filled with barely suppressed urgency.

The black Hongqi sedan, like a drop of thick ink, silently blended into this exquisite landscape painting.

Continue along the smooth cement road by the lake.

Zhou Yinchuan's surprise deepened with each passing moment.

The road was newly built and so clean that not a speck of dirt could be seen.

Every few dozen meters, a brand-new solar street light stands, looking particularly bright even during the day.

Along the roadside, rows of two- and three-story buildings of various styles stand by the lake.

Some have wooden signs for Baixi B&Bs hanging on their walls, and their courtyards are filled with colorful flowers and plants.

Some of the vehicles parked at the entrance had out-of-town license plates, and several young tourists wearing windbreakers were taking pictures of the lake with their cameras, their faces beaming with contentment.

He even saw a fairly large campsite, with colorful tents dotting the lush green lawn like blooming mushrooms.

There is no poverty or backwardness here.

Only tranquility, abundance, and a vibrant, upward-moving life force.

"That old Hua guy..."

Zhou Yinchuan's lips unconsciously curled upwards.

"They've kept this amazing place hidden for decades and only told me about it now!"

He muttered to himself, but the smile in his eyes grew even wider.

This isn't an invitation for him to reminisce about past hardships; it's clearly an invitation for him to enjoy a life of leisure!

"Sir, according to the address given by Mr. Hua, it should be the building in front of us."

Xiao Zhang, in the driver's seat, pointed to a building not far away and spoke.

Zhou Yinchuan looked in the direction he pointed.

There stood a magnificent three-story villa at the far end of the village road, backed by a lush bamboo forest.

White walls and blue tiles, clean and bright.

In front of the wide courtyard gate, the ground is paved with bluestone slabs and is swept spotlessly clean.

The courtyard wall was covered with lush green vines, interspersed with a few unidentified small purple flowers.

Two large red lanterns hung high on either side of the gate, exuding a festive atmosphere.

The car slowly came to a stop in front of the small building.

The moment the engine shut off, everything around seemed to fall silent.

Only the rustling of the wind through the bamboo forest and the faint sounds of children's laughter coming from the courtyard remained.

Xiao Li quickly got out of the car and respectfully opened the back door for Zhou Yinchuan.

The moment Zhou Yinchuan's feet touched the soil of Baixi Village, his gaze was immediately fixed on the figure at the courtyard gate.

Hua Mutou was standing there.

Behind him stood his son, daughter-in-law, granddaughter, and three great-grandchildren wearing identical red jackets.

The whole family, young and old, stood in neat rows like soldiers waiting for inspection.

Time has also left deep marks on Hua Mutou's face.

His hair was already as white as winter frost and snow.

His dark skin was covered with crisscrossing wrinkles, marks left by wind and sun.

But his back remained as straight as a javelin.

Those slightly cloudy eyes were now churning with a raging storm.

Eyes facing each other.

Time seemed to stand still at that moment.

Half a century passed in a flash before their eyes, like a fast-forwarded black and white film.

Those battlefields filled with the roar of gunfire, those nights of fighting side by side, those reluctant farewells, those intermittent greetings in letters...

Scene after scene, they all eventually settled into the familiar yet unfamiliar aged face before my eyes.

Zhou Yinchuan's eyes reddened without warning.

He pushed away Xiao Li's hand that was trying to help him, and took a step, one step at a time, walking firmly toward the person who had waited for him for most of his life.

Hua Mutou also moved.

His steps were equally steady and powerful.

The distance between the two was only about ten meters.

Yet it felt as if it spanned a long period of fifty-four years.

Getting closer.

Zhou Yinchuan could see the wrinkles at the corners of his eyes and his slightly trembling lips.

Hua Mutou could also see the white hair at his temples and his equally reddened eyes.

Finally, their hands clasped tightly together.

Those two hands are no longer young.

His skin was covered with age spots, loose, and his knuckles were large.

One hand is the one that holds the pen and manages the business empire year after year.

The other hand is the one that holds a hoe and works with the land year-round.

But when they are held together, the power and warmth seem to shake the very fabric of time.

"Old Hua!"

Zhou Yinchuan's voice was terribly hoarse, filled with heavy sobs.

"Old Zhou!"

Hua Mutou's voice was still loud and clear, but it was also mixed with a trace of uncontrollable trembling.

No further words were spoken.

These are just two simple names, yet they contain a thousand words.

It contains half a century of longing, a bond forged through life and death, and the unparalleled joy and excitement of reunion.

Hua Mutou patted Zhou Yinchuan's hand forcefully with his large hand, then gripped it tightly.

"You old bastard... you've finally arrived!"

"You blockhead... still so sturdy!"

Two elderly people with white hair stood at the gate of the courtyard, holding each other's hands tightly and smiling at each other.

As she laughed, tears silently streamed down her face, tracing the wrinkles on her cheeks.

Time has etched lines on their faces, but it cannot erase the affection that is etched into their bones.

This handshake transcends countless mountains and rivers.

This handshake took more than half a century to come.