Hard work after winning the lottery

In the afternoon, Zhou Yinchuan usually takes a short nap on the rocking chair in the yard.

The autumn wind already carries a hint of coolness.

When Hua Si'an saw that her great-grandfather was asleep, she quietly ran back to her room.

He struggled to carry out his little blanket—which was printed with his favorite Ultraman.

He tiptoed to the rocking chair and gently, very gently, covered Zhou Yinchuan's legs with the blanket.

The blanket was too small; it barely covered my knees.

But that careful, clumsy tenderness is warmer than any of the world's most precious cashmere blankets.

Xiao Li, who was not far away, saw this scene and a gentle smile involuntarily appeared on his lips.

He thought that the old man, who had spent his life on the battlefield and dominated half his life, probably never imagined that he would be completely captivated in his later years by a small blanket with Ultraman printed on it, a slippery stone, and a crumpled little red flower.

In the blink of an eye, half a month has quietly passed.

Life in Baixi Village was like a gentle mountain stream, calm and peaceful, yet it unknowingly washed away the long-standing pent-up emotions within Zhou Yinchuan.

That morning, it was still barely dawn, and even the roosters in the yard hadn't started crowing yet.

Zhou Yinchuan had already opened his eyes.

Without the slightest confusion or stagnation, his mind was as clear as that of an early-rising old man.

He slowly sat up, habitually placing his hand on his chest, feeling the steady beat of his heart.

That feeling of chest tightness and shortness of breath that used to strike him unexpectedly in the concrete jungle of City A has not returned for a long time.

He put on his coat, walked to the carved wooden window, and pushed it open.

A fresh breeze, carrying the fragrance of earth and the moisture of dew, instantly filled my lungs.

Zhou Yinchuan closed his eyes and took a deep, deep breath.

My entire chest felt as if it had been thoroughly cleansed by the sweet air, leaving me feeling refreshed and comfortable.

He could clearly feel that his breathing had become deeper and stronger than ever before.

In the yard, Hua Mutou had already gotten up and was scattering corn kernels for the old hens.

"Old Zhou, up so early?" Hua Mutou grinned when he saw him come out, revealing a set of teeth that were slightly yellowed from tobacco smoke.

Zhou Yinchuan laughed heartily, his voice so loud that it made the few fallen leaves under the eaves tremble.

"Wake-up by birdsong; the birds here are more punctual than alarm clocks in the city."

The two exchanged a smile, everything understood without a word.

The breakfast table was steaming hot.

The golden millet porridge was cooked until thick and glossy, and sprinkled with a few bright red goji berries.

Hua Yun's handmade steamed white flour buns are as soft as clouds and have a pure wheat aroma.

There was also a dish of homemade pickled vegetables and a few salted duck eggs oozing with golden oil.

In front of Zhou Yinchuan was a large celadon bowl, larger than the ones on the table.

He picked up the bowl and slurped down half a bowl of porridge, fine beads of sweat appearing on his forehead, feeling as if every pore on his body had opened up.

"Yun girl, serve Grandpa Zhou another bowl!" He handed over the bowl, his voice full of energy.

After finishing breakfast, Zhou Yinchuan's personal cell phone rang.

It was a family doctor from City A, making a routine phone call to check on me.

"Hello, it's me." Zhou Yinchuan's voice came through the radio waves, still loud and clear.

There was a moment of silence on the other end of the phone, followed by the doctor's surprised voice.

"Grandpa? Your voice... it sounds so much stronger than the last time we talked?"

Zhou Yinchuan raised an eyebrow smugly and glanced at Hua Mutou, who was drinking tea beside him.

"Of course!"

The doctor then cautiously asked, "How's your sleep lately?"

"Now I can fall asleep the moment my head hits the pillow and sleep soundly until dawn, without even having a dream!"

This is no exaggeration.

Before coming to Baixi Village, insomnia was his biggest problem.

Now, listening to the croaking of frogs and chirping of insects outside his window every day, and with the faint scent of grass under his pillow, he can always enjoy a deep, baby-like sleep.

After hanging up the phone, Hua Mutou poured him more tea and teased him with a smile.

"How about it, Lao Zhou? I didn't lie to you, did I?"

"Our Baixi Village may not have anything else of value, but it has good air, good water, and clean food."

He took a sip of tea and continued slowly.

"People are like crops in the field. If they are separated from the soil, from clean water and air, their roots will not be firm, and no matter how tall they grow, they are still just empty shells."

"This place is perfect for retirement!"

Zhou Yinchuan nodded emphatically in deep agreement.

He could feel his body being quietly nourished by this simple and honest land.

My daily life is as regular as sunrise and sunset.

In the early morning, I take a walk with my old comrade-in-arms on the ridge of the field and breathe in the freshest air.

In the morning, I followed Li Guifen and Grandma Hua to peel beans and pick vegetables under the grape trellis, doing some "labor" within my ability.

In the afternoon, I play with the triplets or quietly fish by the lake.

There were no more endless social engagements and meetings in City A, and no more complicated family matters to worry about.

His body and mind were relaxed like never before.

He even followed Hua Mutou and learned a few moves of Tai Chi in a seemingly professional manner.

Every day at the crack of dawn, the two of them would walk one after the other to the lake at the entrance of the village.

A thin layer of morning mist rose from the lake, creating a scene resembling a fairyland.

Zhou Yinchuan concentrated and slowly began to move, performing "White Crane Spreads Wings" and "Wild Horse Parts Mane".

Although his moves weren't as fluid and graceful as Hua Mutou's, they were still quite skillful and methodical.

At first, his old bones were still a bit stiff, and he couldn't even squat down in a lunge position.

Now, after completing a set of punches, I feel as if all my muscles and bones have been soaked in warm water, leaving me feeling completely relaxed and slightly sweaty.

Bodyguard Xiao Zhang, who was in the distance, saw all of this.

In the evening, he found a quiet corner and dialed that familiar number.

When the call connected, he respectfully lowered his voice.

"President."

On the other end of the phone, Zhou Yanjin's deep and cool voice came through: "Speak."

"President, I'd like to report on the old man's condition."

Xiao Zhang's tone carried an undisguised surprise and joy.

"With the old man here, everything is very good."

"His complexion is rosy, and he looks much more energetic than when he was in City A."

He paused, seemingly organizing his thoughts, trying to make his description more specific.

"He now eats twice as much as he used to, and sleeps very soundly at night."

"Moreover... he also learned Tai Chi from Mr. Hua and insisted on practicing it every morning."

There was a long silence on the other end of the phone.

Xiao Zhang could even imagine the look of surprise on his CEO's face, who would remain calm even if Mount Tai collapsed before him.

After a long while, Zhou Yanjin's voice rang out again, seemingly carrying a hint of barely perceptible warmth.

"Okay, take good care of him."

"Yes, President."

After hanging up the phone, Xiao Zhang breathed a sigh of relief.

He looked up and saw that the courtyard was brightly lit, and the sounds of laughter and cheerful conversation could be faintly heard.

The old man was surrounded by three little ones, telling a story with great enthusiasm, and his hearty laughter could be heard from afar.

Xiao Zhang's lips unconsciously curled up slightly.