Hard work after winning the lottery

After the meal, Hua Yun changed into a pair of durable hiking boots and prepared to go to Xishan to check out the newly planned pasture planting area.

"I'm going up the mountain."

As soon as she finished speaking, the tall figure who had just been discussing the weather with Hua Shu was already standing beside her.

"I'll stay with you."

Zhou Yanjin's voice was calm and resolute, without questioning, only stating.

It was as if spending time with her was the most natural part of his day.

Hua Yun's heart trembled slightly, and she nodded.

"it is good."

The path leading to Xishan is a dirt road worn down by the villagers. It was slippery and muddy after a light rain last night.

Zhou Yanjin walked half a step ahead of Hua Yun, like a moving mountain.

When they came across a steep slope, he would go up it first, then turn around and reach out his hand to her.

His palms were large, dry and warm, with thin calluses on his knuckles, marks left by years of holding a pen.

Without the slightest hesitation, Hua Yun placed her hand on it.

With a strong pull, she easily stepped onto flat ground using his strength.

Throughout the entire process, the two did not exchange any extra words, but every glance and every movement was filled with an unspoken understanding.

The wind on the mountaintop, carrying the fragrance of grass and trees, ruffled the stray hairs on Hua Yun's forehead.

She pointed to a newly turned plot of land on the hillside, her eyes sparkling with bright light.

"Look, there it is. Secretary Zhang has helped me coordinate everything, and the alfalfa seeds will be sown in a few days."

Zhou Yanjin looked in the direction she pointed, but instead of seeing that land, she saw her radiant profile illuminated by the sunlight.

He listened as she talked about the scale of her sheep farming, her future plans for the online store, and her vision for the future of Baixi Village.

His gaze was focused and earnest, without the slightest hint of perfunctoriness.

"Your idea is very good."

He pondered for a moment, then offered his suggestion, but his tone was not that of a CEO reviewing a subordinate; rather, it was a discussion of equality and respect.

"We've already established a brand presence, so we just need to focus on the green and organic concept. As for the supply chain, I can have Chen Xu help you connect with professional cold chain logistics to ensure the freshness of the lamb."

Instead of saying "I'll take care of it for you," he said "I'll help you with the connection."

A single word can make all the difference.

Hua Yun felt that respect very clearly.

She looked at him, a gentle ripple appearing in her eyes.

This man is entering her world in his own way, supporting her career, and respecting her dreams.

The sun was shining brightly in the afternoon.

Zhou Yanjin was handling remote official business at her desk in the east wing.

The makeshift office and a high-performance laptop allowed him to remotely control a vast business empire thousands of miles away, even from this remote mountain village.

He wore gold-rimmed glasses, his expression focused, and occasionally spoke fluent English with the person on the other end of the phone, exuding the sharpness and decisiveness of someone in a position of authority.

Hua Yun quietly entered, carrying a cup of tea.

She moved quietly and gently placed the white porcelain teacup beside him.

The tea was Biluochun, brewed by her own hands. The water temperature was just right—not too hot, nor too cold to diminish the aroma.

Zhou Yanjin's meeting has just come to an end.

He took off his headphones, looked up, and the sharp edge he exuded in the business world vanished instantly, replaced by tenderness in his eyes.

He picked up his teacup and took a small sip.

"It smells very good."

He looked at her and admired her sincerely.

Hua Yun smiled, didn't disturb him, and turned to leave.

But he grabbed her wrist.

With a little effort, she fell into his arms.

"Stay with me for a while."

His chin rested on the top of her head, inhaling the faint scent of soap on her body, his voice carrying a hint of weariness and longing.

Hua Yun's body stiffened for a moment, then relaxed, leaning quietly against his chest, listening to his steady and powerful heartbeat.

Outside the window, cicadas chirped incessantly.

Inside, all was peaceful and serene.

As evening fell, the afterglow of the setting sun bathed the entire Baixi Village in a warm golden glow.

On the shore of Baixi Lake, the shadows of a family of five stretched very long.

Zhou Yanjin held one in each hand, and Si Tao and Sile, like two happy little birds, chirped and asked all sorts of strange and wonderful questions.

Si'an walked quietly beside Hua Yun, occasionally glancing up at the man beside her.

"Daddy, why are the clouds in the sky red?" Si Tao asked in her childish voice, looking up at her.

Zhou Yanjin patiently squatted down so that he could look her in the eye.

"Because the sun is going home after get off work, he waved goodbye to the sky, and the sky got shy, so his face turned red."

This whimsical explanation made Sile giggle.

"When does Grandma Moon come to work?"

"When the sun falls asleep, the moon will quietly come out with the little stars to stand guard."

Zhou Yanjin's voice was so gentle it could melt your heart, and the doting look in her eyes was almost overflowing.

Hua Yun watched this scene quietly, watching his tall figure patiently build one beautiful fairy tale world after another for the children.

The barren land in her heart, which had been desolate for five years, is now blooming with magnificent flowers.

This undisguised sweetness and warmth, like a contagious magic, infected everyone in the family.

After dinner, the family sat in the yard to cool off.

Hua Shu lit a cigarette and smoked silently, but his gaze kept glancing at Zhou Yanjin, who was watching the ants move house with the children.

This man, whom he once wanted to smash with a hoe, is now gradually smoothing away the resentment in his heart through the most simple and honest actions.

He would get up early to help him feed the sheep, humbly ask him for advice on farm work, and even discuss with him which feed was more cost-effective.

He had none of the airs of a big boss; he was as down-to-earth as any hardworking young man in the village.

Hua Shu exhaled a smoke ring, the smoke blurring his expression.

He spoke in a deep, muffled voice to his elderly father beside him, and also to himself:

"This kid, at least he has some conscience."

Grandpa Hua was using a palm-leaf fan to swat away mosquitoes for his great-grandchildren when he heard this, and he didn't even lift his eyelids.

"Hmph, he's smart to know his place."

Although he expressed his disdain verbally, the slight upturn of his lips betrayed his true feelings.

He watched as Hua Yun leaned against Zhou Yanjin, speaking softly, a genuine smile on her face that he hadn't seen in a long time.

The last bit of resentment in the old man's heart has completely disappeared.

That's it, that's it.

As long as my granddaughter is doing well, that's more important than anything else.

He turned his gaze to the chessboard and gestured with his chin toward Zhou Yanjin.

"Hey kid, it's getting dark, play a game with me!"

This "young man" is no longer a judgmental and demanding term, but rather an affectionate greeting from an elder to a younger person.

Zhou Yanjin smiled as he stood up, pulled the sleepy-eyed Sile into his arms, and loudly replied to the old man:

"Okay, Grandpa Hua."

That "Grandpa Hua" sounded perfectly natural.