Hard work after winning the lottery

Hua Mutou sat on the armchair in the center of the main room, twirling two walnuts in his hands without making a sound. He simply looked at Zhou Yanjin with a chillingly calm gaze.

Hua Shu stood like a door god, arms crossed, leaning against the door frame, his face displeased, his jawline taut, as if he were about to rush up and throw the "culprit" out at any moment.

Grandma Hua and Li Guifen sat on either side of Hua Yun, their eyes filled with a mixture of heartache and wariness, like two mother hens protecting their chicks, firmly shielding them behind them.

Hua Yun lowered her head, her long eyelashes casting a dim shadow under her eyes, making it impossible to see her expression.

She simply gripped her hands tightly, so tightly that her nails dug deep into the soft flesh of her palms, using this subtle pain to maintain a facade of calm.

Zhou Yanjin stood alone in the center of the living room, bearing the heavy gazes from all directions.

He changed out of his sharp suit and wore only a clean white shirt and casual pants, shedding his usual aloof CEO aura, which made him appear even more upright.

His deep gaze slowly swept over each person present.

Finally, the image freezes on that frail figure with her head always bowed.

His Adam's apple bobbed almost imperceptibly.

Then, under everyone's gaze, he made a move that caught the entire Hua family completely off guard.

Without the slightest hesitation, his straight spine bent down, forming a perfect ninety-degree angle.

He bowed deeply, very deeply, to the members of the Hua family.

The air seemed to freeze completely at that moment.

Even the cicadas chirping in the trees outside seemed to have been paused.

Hua Shu loosened his arms slightly, and the anger in his eyes was replaced by astonishment.

Li Guifen and Grandma Hua were so shocked that they covered their mouths, their faces full of disbelief.

Given Zhou Yanjin's status and position, how could he have ever treated anyone like this?

This bow carries more weight than a thousand words.

Hua Yun's body trembled violently. She finally raised her head, her beautiful almond-shaped eyes filled with shock and confusion.

Zhou Yanjin maintained this posture for a full five seconds.

Then, he slowly straightened up.

His face showed no sign of reluctance or hypocrisy, only an unprecedented solemnity and sincerity.

"Grandpa Hua, Uncle Hua, Auntie, Grandma."

His voice was clear and steady, each word sounding thoughtful and sincere.

"besides……"

His gaze shifted to Hua Yun, and his voice unconsciously softened slightly, carrying a hint of caution that even he himself was unaware of.

"Hua Yun"

Just those two words stirred up Hua Yun's heart once again. She hurriedly avoided his gaze and lowered her eyes again.

Zhou Yanjin withdrew her gaze, turned to the elders again, and spoke with a heavy heart.

"First of all, I would like to express my sincerest apologies to Hua Yun and all the elders for my past negligence."

He bowed slightly again and said, clearly and deliberately, word by word:

"sorry!"

He spoke those three words with extreme force, as if he were pouring all the emotions that had been building up in his heart into them.

The living room remained deathly silent.

No one spoke, only heavy breathing mingled in the air.

Zhou Yanjin didn't expect immediate forgiveness. He paused, then continued:

"I know that a flimsy apology cannot make up for the hardships that Hua Yun has endured alone over the years, nor can it dispel the anger and worry in the hearts of the elders."

Yes, what does an apology even mean?

His casual remark, though seemingly insignificant, sealed five years of a dark and hopeless youth for his granddaughter and daughter.

Hua Shu's expression darkened further, and he let out a suppressed snort.

Li Guifen's eyes instantly reddened.

Zhou Yanjin took in everything, but he didn't stop. There were some things he had to say today.

"About Si'an, Si'le, and Si'tao."

When he mentioned his three children's names, a hint of tenderness and guilt finally crept into his usually cold and hard voice.

"They are my sons, that's an unchangeable fact, and I will never deny it."

He said it with unwavering conviction and conviction.

It was as if he was making a declaration to his family in China, and even more so as if he were swearing an oath to himself.

"I missed five years of their growth, which is the biggest regret and mistake of my life."

As he said this, a deep pain flashed across his eyes.

The moments I spent with the children these past few days flashed through my mind like scenes from a movie.

All of this should have started five years ago, but he has been absent for more than 1,800 days and nights.

This belated happiness is accompanied by ten times more regret.

"I am standing here today not to make excuses or shirk responsibility, but to make a solemn promise to you all."

"First, I will never forcibly take the child away from Hua Yun."

Upon hearing this, Li Guifen and Grandma Hua, who had been on edge, visibly relaxed.

This is their biggest concern.

Zhou Yanjin looked in Hua Yun's direction, her tone extremely solemn.

"The final decision regarding the child's upbringing and education, future living environment, and everything else will be made with respect to Hua Yun's opinion."

He completely handed the choice back to Huayun.

This is the greatest sincerity he can offer.

"Secondly, I request permission from my elders."

He used the words "request" and "permission," adopting an extremely humble stance.

"Allow me to participate in my children's future lives as a father, to care for them, to accompany them, and to fulfill my responsibilities."

As his words fell, the entire hall fell into an even deeper silence.

Everyone was stunned by his clear, logical, and sincere words.

He did not use the Zhou family's power to oppress people, nor did he use blood ties to coerce them, nor did he make any unreasonable demands.

He simply apologized, admitted his mistake, and then made the most humble yet reasonable request a father could make.

The anger in Hua Shu's eyes subsided considerably, replaced by a more complex scrutiny.

Hua Mu's hand, which was playing with walnuts, finally moved, making a soft "crunching" sound, one after another, striking everyone's heart.

Hua Yun could no longer control herself.

But when Zhou Yanjin stood there, in front of all her family members, and clearly stated, word by word, that he was the child's father, that he was sorry to her, that he would never take the child away, and that he only asked to be a part of their lives...

All the grievances, all the bitterness, all the forbearance, at this moment, all turned into a flood that burst forth.

She didn't cry out loud.

But the tears, like beads from a broken string, fell one by one, scalding hot, dripping onto the back of my hand and spreading out a wet patch.

Silent weeping is far more heartbreaking than loud wailing.