Hard work after winning the lottery

These two words seemed to be squeezed out from between Hua Yun's teeth, carrying a subtle, unknown tremor.

She used all her self-control to prevent the plate of osmanthus cake from slipping from her fingers.

Zhou Yanjin's gaze lingered indifferently for a moment on her face, which had instantly lost all color.

In those unfathomable eyes, emotions were well hidden, like a deep pool covered with a thin layer of ice, no matter how you looked into it, you could not see through it at all.

His thin lips parted slightly.

His voice was deep and resonant, with a unique, clear, and magnetic quality, like the lowest notes of a cello, flowing slowly through the silent air.

"Hello, Ms. Hua."

Miss Hua.

The three words, light and airy, were like three invisible steel needles, precisely piercing Hua Yun's heart.

Polite, distant, yet with an unmistakable scrutiny.

He paused, his gaze sweeping over her shoulder and landing on the three almost identical little figures in the yard, their big, curious eyes fixed on him.

Then, his gaze returned to her face.

"Sorry to bother you."

He said.

Her tone was so calm that it was as if he were just an ordinary junior visiting an elder, rather than a giant bomb dropped into her peaceful life.

This extreme composure was like a smooth mirror, reflecting Hua Yun's panic, confusion, and embarrassment at that moment.

His composure, his indifference, his eyes that seemed to see through everything yet remained impassive...

Each one was like an invisible hand, tightly gripping her throat.

Hua Yun felt like she couldn't breathe.

The gaze that fell upon her, though devoid of any warmth, was more scorching than the hottest lava, almost burning through her skin inch by inch, exposing the most unbearable and terrifying secret deep within her heart.

She dared not look at him again.

Even if she looked at it for just one more second, she was afraid that the psychological defenses she had painstakingly built up over six years would crumble in front of everyone.

Hua-Yun lowered her eyes in a panic and a disheveled manner, avoiding the gaze that left her with nowhere to hide.

Her eyelashes, like butterfly wings battered by a torrential rain, trembled uncontrollably.

She forced herself to turn her head and look at Zhou Yinchuan, who had a relieved smile on his face. Her throat felt like it was stuffed with a ball of hot cotton, and the voice she made was dry and hoarse.

"Grandpa Zhou..."

She tried hard to make her voice sound normal, but when she uttered those two words, her voice still trembled uncontrollably.

"Please...please sit with Mr. Zhou..."

The change in address from "Grandpa Zhou" to "Mr. Zhou" revealed the turmoil in her heart.

She carelessly placed the plate of osmanthus cake, which had already lost its temperature, on the stone table in the courtyard. The porcelain plate collided with the stone surface, making a crisp yet abrupt "clatter" sound.

"I...I'll go pour the tea."

Before she could finish speaking, she didn't even have time to look at anyone else. As if a ferocious beast was chasing her, she turned around and rushed back to the kitchen.

"Sigh, this girl..."

Zhou Yinchuan watched her somewhat flustered back, completely oblivious to anything amiss, assuming she was just nervous about meeting such an important figure as his grandson. He even cheerfully explained to Zhou Yanjin:

"That's just how Yun is, she's shy and reserved."

Zhou Yanjin remained silent.

His gaze followed the slender figure as she practically fled, until she disappeared behind the kitchen door.

Beneath the ice in those deep eyes, a complex and inscrutable ripple finally spread.

In the kitchen.

Hua Yun slammed the door shut, cutting off all sounds and sights from the outside.

She felt as if all her strength had been drained away, and she leaned against the cold door panel, completely exhausted, before slowly sliding down to the ground.

My heart was pounding wildly in my chest.

"Thump! Thump! Thump!"

The sound was so intense, so frantic, as if it were about to break free from the confinement of her ribs and leap out of her throat at any moment.

Her body was still trembling uncontrollably.

My fingertips were icy cold, but my palms were covered in cold sweat.

How could it be him?

How could the good-for-nothing grandson Grandpa Zhou was talking about be Zhou Yanjin?!

Why is the world so small?

Why did God have to play such a cruel joke on her?!

Countless questions, like countless venomous snakes, frantically gnawed at her reason, turning her mind into a boiling pot of porridge.

The immense panic and helplessness, like a giant, airtight net, gripped her from all sides, rendering her unable to move and making even breathing incredibly difficult.

Why did he come here?

Is it just a simple visit to see Grandpa Zhou?

still is……

What does he already know?

They found out about the child's existence?

The thought of this possibility made Hua Yun feel as if her heart was being gripped tightly by an icy hand, the pain almost making her curl up in agony.

Children...

Her Si Le, Si Tao, Si An...

The babies she protected with everything she had were right there in the courtyard, just a wall away.

And their biological father, the man she never thought she would have any contact with again, was also in that courtyard.

He saw them.

She noticed his gaze just now... though calm.

The slight ripple that crossed his eyes the moment he saw the children.

He got it!

He must already know!

This realization struck Hua Yun like a bolt of lightning.

The blood in her body seemed to freeze into ice in that instant.

What will happen next?

What will he do?

Will he try to take the child from her?

With the Zhou family's power and his methods, if he really wanted the child back... she would be completely powerless to fight back!

Do not!

No!

Absolutely not!

This thought, like a lifeline, instantly ignited all her will to survive.

Hua Yun suddenly opened her eyes, and a glimmer of light returned to her unfocused gaze.

She breathed heavily, greedily drawing in the air, trying to calm her heart which was about to explode.

calm down!

Hua Yun, you need to calm down!

She screamed at herself in her heart over and over again.

Now is not the time to collapse!

Panic won't solve anything; it will only put you in a more passive position!

Six years ago, you had nothing and you managed to get through it all. Now you're not alone anymore; you have three children to protect!

Don't panic!

You absolutely must not let anyone notice anything unusual about you!

I can't let my parents and grandfather worry, and even more so...

You absolutely cannot let him see through your disguise!

She leaned against the cold stove and, with all her might, slowly and carefully stood up from the ground.

Her legs were still weak, but her eyes gradually regained their firmness and sharpness.