Hard work after winning the lottery

The coldness from her fingertips spread little by little along the rough edge of the stove back to her limbs and bones.

That overwhelming panic, which arose from within and was enough to devour a person, was forcibly driven back into the depths of the soul by an even stronger will, like nails being driven in.

For the sake of the children.

These four words were the only light source in her desolate world, the driftwood she desperately clung to when she was drowning.

She slowly loosened her grip on the stove, revealing several deep, bloody marks on her palm, caused by her fingernails.

This minor pain acted like a wake-up call, giving her confused mind a brief respite.

Just then, the thin wooden door of the kitchen could no longer block out the sounds from the yard.

Zhou Yinchuan's loud, clear voice, brimming with undisguised boasting and affection, pierced through the air.

"Yan Jin, look, these are the three little ones I often mention to you!"

"Si'an, Si'le, Si'tao!"

"How about it, isn't it cute? Just like you were when you were little, a little rascal?"

Every word was like a precisely thrown dagger, piercing Hua Yun's heart.

Her body, which had just barely stopped trembling, now stiffened uncontrollably again.

The blood seemed to flow backward at that moment.

She bit her lower lip hard, using all her strength to prevent a suppressed sob from escaping her throat.

The rusty, bloody taste quickly filled my mouth.

That slight sting kept her conscious at last.

"Oh my, we have guests over?"

The cheerful voice of Li Guifen, the mother, came from the gate of the courtyard, mixed with the slightly unsteady footsteps of the grandmother.

They had obviously just returned from chatting with the village aunties, and immediately spotted the black luxury car parked at the entrance that stood out starkly from the rest of the village.

"Oh, sister-in-law, Guifen, you've come back just in time!"

Zhou Yinchuan's voice immediately rose, and he enthusiastically introduced them.

"Come here, come here! Let me introduce you! This is my good-for-nothing grandson, Zhou Yanjin!"

"Yan Jin, this is Yun'er's grandmother, and this is her mother. Please greet them."

Hua Yun could imagine the scene outside.

My mother and grandmother had smiles that were simple and reserved, typical of country folk.

as well as……

Zhou Yanjin's response was polite and considerate, yet distant and indifferent.

Sure enough, the next second, his clear, mountain-spring-like voice rang out unhurriedly.

"Hello, Grandma. Hello, Auntie."

Be neither humble nor arrogant, and be courteous in every way.

"Good, good, good! This child is really handsome!"

It was Grandma's overjoyed praise.

"Come in, come in! Hey, the master and Ashu went to check on the sheep in the western mountains, they haven't come back yet!"

It was her mother's warm greeting, tinged with a hint of apology.

The outside world is a scene of joy and harmony.

It was as if she were the only one trapped in this cold, dark kitchen, enduring this silent, agonizing torture all by herself.

No.

She couldn't stay any longer.

Staying any longer will only arouse more suspicion.

Hua Yun suddenly turned around and turned on the tap.

The icy cold well water rushed down with a "whoosh".

She scooped up a handful of cold water and splashed it on her burning face without hesitation.

The bone-chilling cold made her shiver violently.

The heat on her cheeks dissipated instantly, and even the fear that was driving her almost crazy seemed to be washed away by the cold water.

She looked at her reflection in the basin of water, her face pale as paper and her eyes slightly red.

No.

This won't do at all.

She scooped up another handful of water and slapped her face even harder.

Once, twice.

Only when his cheeks felt numb from the cold did he finally manage to suppress the uncontrollable panic.

She looked up and gazed at her reflection in the water again.

Her face was still pale, but the vulnerability on the verge of collapse in her eyes had been hidden, replaced by an almost numb calm.

That's it.

She took a deep breath, the breath feeling like it carried shards of ice, freezing her esophagus and lungs.

Then, she turned around and picked up the tea tray that had been prepared beforehand and was still warm.

The teapot is a celadon teapot, the most common type in the countryside, and the teacup is a simple white porcelain cup.

But her hands remained steady without trembling in the slightest.

Those few steps leading to the courtyard, in the atmosphere of Huayun, felt as long as an eternity.

Every step felt like stepping on a red-hot blade.

She could feel that the moment she pushed open the kitchen door, all eyes in the yard fell on her.

One...

The deepest, the most complex, and the one she dared not touch.

From Zhou Yanjin's gaze.

That gaze followed her like a shadow, like an invisible net that enveloped her from head to toe, leaving no room for escape.

She could even clearly feel that gaze lingering on her pale lips, her still reddened eyes, and the tense, feignedly calm curves of her body.

Hua Yun's back was taut like a string about to break.

She forced herself to focus all her attention on the tea tray in her hands.

It was as if it contained the most precious treasure in the world, and no mishap was allowed.

She walked straight to the stone table without looking to the side.

Sunlight filtered through the branches and leaves of the old locust tree, casting dappled shadows that fell precisely on the hem of his crisp black suit trousers.

She could smell a very faint, crisp woody scent emanating from him, mixed with the smell of sunshine, clean yet dangerous.

Hua Yun's heart was gripped once again.

But a perfectly polite smile had already appeared on her face.

That smile was the most solid mask she had forged for herself over six years.

Gentle, mild, with just the right amount of aloofness.

She placed the tea tray steadily on the stone table, picked up the teapot, and began to pour tea.

Her movements were fluid and elegant, as if she had rehearsed them a thousand times.

"Grandpa Zhou, please have some tea."

She poured Zhou Yinchuan a glass first, handed it to him with both hands, her voice gentle and soft, revealing nothing unusual.

"Grandma, Mom."

She poured more for the two elders.

Finally, she picked up the last clean teacup, filled it with clear yellow tea, and wisps of white steam rose up, blurring her vision.

Her eyes were lowered, and her long, thick eyelashes cast a light shadow under her eyelids, perfectly concealing all her emotions.

She didn't look up, nor did she allow her gaze to meet his for even a fraction of a second.

She simply pushed the cup of tea gently towards him.

The porcelain cup collided with the stone table, producing a very slight "tap".

In the quiet afternoon, it was as clear as a thunderclap.

"Mr. Zhou."

Her voice was as calm as a still lake in late autumn, without a ripple.

"Please have some tea."