Hard work after winning the lottery

Zhou Yinchuan's boastful and expectant words were like a pebble thrown into the calm lake of Baixi Village.

However, for Hua Yun, this pebble didn't even manage to create a complete ripple...

The ripples spread so quickly that she barely noticed them.

That grandson named Yan Jin was nothing more than a vague, yet outstanding, symbol in Grandpa Zhou's words.

She, her three children, and this land are separated by a vast distance.

The next day, the sun rose as usual.

As usual, Hua Yun got up before dawn.

First, I dealt with the backlog of orders and inquiries that had accumulated overnight for the online store Xishan Muyun.

Customer service representative Hua Yi sent me a message saying that lamb leg meat and lamb spine have been selling exceptionally well lately, and asked if I could urge the slaughterhouse to increase their supply.

She replied carefully and checked the sales data in the backend. Sales were good and the reviews were overwhelmingly positive.

Grandpa Zhou's grandson is coming, so he needs a place to stay.

She thought for a moment and then walked to the guest room next to the east wing where Zhou Yinchuan was staying.

That room has been uninhabited for a long time.

Hua Yun pushed open the door.

A faint scent of dust and wood wafted towards me.

She walked to the window and pushed open the carved wooden window with force.

With a "creak," sunlight flooded in instantly, illuminating countless swirling golden dust particles in the air.

She rolled up her sleeves and first moved all the tables, chairs, and benches in the room to the yard, wiping them down repeatedly with a damp cloth.

Then they found a broom and mop and cleaned every corner of the room thoroughly.

Finally, she brought out a brand new quilt.

The quilt was a brand new cotton quilt that Li Guifen and her grandmother had just bought a few days ago when they went to the market. The quilt cover was a light blue plaid cotton fabric that Hua Yun had personally selected. After washing it, it was hung out to dry on a bamboo pole in the yard for several days.

She gave it a strong shake, and the quilt opened in the air in a full arc, carrying the warm, clean scent of soapberries after being exposed to the sun, before slowly falling down.

She carefully made the bed, patted the pillows until they were fluffy and soft, and placed the neatly folded quilt at the foot of the bed.

After doing all this, she stood at the door, looking at the bright, clean, and brand-new guest room, and nodded in satisfaction.

As evening fell, the sunset painted half the sky crimson.

Zhou Yinchuan and Hua Mutou each moved a small stool and sat under the locust tree in the courtyard, puffing on their pipes.

The wisps of smoke blurred the weathered faces of the two elderly people.

Zhou Yinchuan looked into the distance and saw Hua Yun leading the triplets to water the tomatoes in the vegetable garden.

Sitao and Sile chased each other, carrying small plastic buckets, spilling water all the way and getting their trouser legs wet.

Si'an was the quietest of them all. Holding a small water ladle, she carefully watered the roots of each tomato seedling with green fruit.

Hua Yun followed behind them, a gentle smile on her face, occasionally reminding them, "Slow down, don't fall."

The scene was so heartwarming, like a flowing oil painting.

Zhou Yinchuan took a deep drag on his cigarette and then slowly exhaled the smoke.

His voice carried an unprecedented solemnity and emotion.

"Old Hua."

"Hmm?" Hua Mutou tapped the ash out of his pipe.

"I really like your family." Zhou Yinchuan's gaze remained fixed on the vegetable garden. "I like you, I like your wife, I like Yun'er, and I especially like these three clever little devils."

Hua Mutou grinned, revealing his blackened teeth; his smile was simple and honest.

"You old codger, just say you're comfortable here, stop beating around the bush."

Zhou Yinchuan shook his head, but his expression became more serious.

That's not what I meant.

He paused, seemingly organizing his thoughts.

"I mean, if only... our two families could be closer."

These words have a hidden meaning.

Hua Mutou is an honest man, but not a fool.

He instantly understood the meaning behind his old comrade's words.

He was silent.

The embers in his pipe flickered, reflecting in his cloudy yet intelligent eyes.

He certainly hoped that his granddaughter could find a good home.

Yunyun has had a very tough few years.

He witnessed all the hardships of raising three children and managing such a large business on his own, and it pained him deeply.

He knew exactly what kind of social standing the Zhou family held.

His grandson, Zhou Yanjin, is an exceptional individual.

Old Zhou didn't mind that Yunyun had three children, and he appreciated her kindness.

But what about his grandson?

Would a person who stands on high status be willing to accept a woman from a rural background who has three "burdens" (children)?

Hua Mutou tapped his pipe on the sole of his shoe again to remove the last bit of ash.

He raised his head and looked at his old comrade-in-arms with a sincere gaze.

"Old Zhou, I understand what you're thinking."

"It's a blessing for Yunyun to be liked by you."

"But..." he sighed, his voice tinged with age and helplessness, "Children and grandchildren have their own blessings; we old folks can only watch and see."

"As for the rest, let's see what fate brings."

Zhou Yinchuan didn't say anything more.

He knew Lao Hua's concerns, and he also knew that this matter couldn't be rushed.

Children's world is always much simpler than adults'.

They were unaware of the complex thoughts and considerations that adults had in their minds.

All they knew was that new guests were coming to their house.

He is also the grandson of Zhou's great-grandfather.

In the evening, after washing up, the triplets, dressed in matching bear pajamas, sat in a row on the bed.

Hua Si'an hugged her Ultraman blanket, tilted her little face up, and asked Zhou Yinchuan, who was sitting on the edge of the bed, with curiosity.

"Grandpa Zhou, is your grandson... Uncle Zhou?"

Zhou Yinchuan chuckled and patted each of their little heads: "Yes, it's Uncle Zhou."

"So, is Uncle Zhou handsome?" Hua Sile, who loves beauty, asked softly, her big eyes blinking.

Hua Sitao, however, was more practical, concerned with a different question: "Will he play with our solar-powered toy cars?"

Zhou Yinchuan burst into laughter at the three little ones, his chest heaving.

He deliberately put on a stern face, pretending to be very serious.

"Beautiful! Of course it's beautiful! How could my grandson, Zhou Yinchuan's grandson, not be beautiful?"

"As for playing with you..." He deliberately dragged out his words, watching the three little ones hold their breath in tension, before slapping his thigh triumphantly.

"He dares not to accompany me! If he dares not to accompany me, I'll beat him with my cane!"

He waved his fist, looking domineering and as if he were saying, "I'm in charge."

Then, he embraced the three children, his voice filled with unwavering doting affection and pride.

"Don't worry!"

"How dare he not like you!"

"Our Si'an, Si'le, and Si'tao are the cutest children in the world! Everyone who sees them will love them!"

Hua Yun walked into the room carrying a glass of warm milk, just in time to hear this resolute declaration.

Under the lamplight, the elderly and children nestled together, a scene that conveyed a warmth and intimacy that transcended blood ties.

The children giggled at Zhou Yinchuan's words, their clear laughter like a string of silver bells, especially melodious in the quiet night.

They were so innocent and carefree.

Hua Yun's heart felt as if it had been gently bumped by something.

It's both sour and soft.

For the past six years, she has given them all her maternal love, and their grandparents and maternal grandparents have also given them the most selfless love.

But the role of the father is always missing.

Perhaps, in the small world of children, there is a natural sense of closeness and longing towards every friendly adult male who may appear.

Looking at the children's pure and innocent smiles, her heart softened.