Hard work after winning the lottery

Zhou Yanjin reached out and tidied her hair, which had been ruffled by the night wind. His fingertips brushed against her cheek, sending a tingling sensation through her.

"I want to hold a banquet in Baixi Village to invite the whole village to celebrate your wedding and thank them for taking care of you over the years."

Hua Yun felt a warmth in her heart. She hadn't expected Zhou Yanjin to be so thoughtful and respectful of her past.

"Then," Zhou Yanjin's voice lowered a few decibels, "we'll hold another event in City A. I want everyone to know that you are Zhou Yanjin's wife, the rightful young mistress of the Zhou family."

"Okay." Hua Yun's eyes welled up with tears. She stood on tiptoe and kissed his lips.

The kiss seemed exceptionally long in the quiet night.

The children showed the most significant changes in the following days.

At first, they were a little reserved with these two grandparents who had suddenly appeared.

But with Zhou Ye and Lin Yi's meticulous care, that barrier was quickly broken down.

Si'an no longer always pretends to be a little adult; she will cling to Zhou Ye's back and act coquettishly, asking him to tell her stories.

Sile became Lin Yi's little shadow, following her everywhere she went.

Even Si Tao would proactively stuff peeled candies into Zhou Ye's mouth.

"Grandpa, is it sweet?"

Si Tao asked in a childish voice.

Zhou Ye grinned from ear to ear, "Sweet! It's so sweet it warms Grandpa's heart!"

These tender calls of "Grandpa" and "Grandma" are like the strongest adhesive.

This brought these two families, which were originally worlds apart, together.

Steam rose from the spout of the teapot, and the aroma of tea mingled with the unique earthy fragrance of the countryside, slowly spreading in the air.

Zhou Yinchuan picked up his teacup and gently blew on the tea leaves floating on the surface.

At this moment, this once-powerful veteran concealed his sharp edge.

He looked at Hua Mutou sitting opposite him, his teacup gently tapping on the wooden table with a crisp "thu".

As the eldest member of the Zhou family, Zhou Yinchuan cleared his throat and was the first to break the silence.

He steered the conversation toward the main topic of the evening.

"Old Hua, I've seen it all these past few days; these two kids have had a tough time."

The old man's voice was weathered yet powerful, carrying a sense of peace and tranquility.

"Now that the betrothal gifts have been given and the marriage has been arranged, we, as the elders, need to have a proper discussion about it."

He paused, his gaze sweeping over everyone present, finally settling on Zhou Yanjin and Hua Yun, who were sitting right next to each other.

"We need to come up with a plan for the wedding of these two children, and how to arrange the ceremony."

As soon as he finished speaking, the atmosphere in the courtyard seemed to freeze for a moment, before being replaced by an undercurrent of joy.

Hua Mutou was holding a tobacco pipe bowl that had been polished to a shine in his hand.

Upon hearing this, he subconsciously tapped the ash from his pipe.

His honest face was filled with smiles in every wrinkle.

He nodded, his loving gaze sweeping across the tea table to his granddaughter and her tall, composed husband.

"Yes, this is a big deal."

Hua Mutou's voice trembled slightly, a mixture of excitement and relief.

"Although Baixi Village is a small place, marrying off a daughter is a very important event and cannot be taken lightly."

However, he also understood that the Zhou family was not an ordinary family.

Wealthy families have many rules, and as the grandfather, he can't let his old ideas mislead his children.

Then he changed the subject.

"However, times have changed, and we need to change our old ways of thinking too."

Hua Mutou put down his pipe, folded his hands on his knees, and appeared exceptionally understanding.

"We respect the children's opinions, but we also need to hear the Zhou family's thoughts, after all, Yan Jin is in big business."

The ball was kicked back to the feet of the two parties involved.

Zhou Yanjin turned her head and her gaze met Hua Yun's clear eyes.

Neither of them spoke immediately.

But the unspoken understanding that spoke volumes at that moment was witnessed by all the elders present.

Zhou Yanjin stretched out his long, slender hand and gently grasped Hua Yun's slightly cool fingers under the table.

His palms were dry and warm, carrying a reassuring power.

Hua Yun's heart skipped a beat, and she reached out and gripped his hand in return.

Their fingers are intertwined.

Zhou Yanjin turned her head and looked at the two elderly people in the main seat, as well as her parents sitting to the side.

He stood tall and straight, like a majestic mountain.

"Grandpa, Grandpa Hua, Dad, Mom..."

The man's voice was deep and mellow, sounding exceptionally clear in the quiet night, carrying an undeniable firmness.

"I've discussed this with Hua Yun."

All eyes were on him.

Zhou Yanjin paused for a moment, her gaze gently sweeping over the slightly old but warm-hearted house.

"Baixi Village is where our fate began."

"This is also where our three children were born and raised. Every blade of grass and every tree here has special meaning for us."

Without this village and the kindness of the Hua family, there might not be three little ones today, let alone the reunion of these two children.

Hua Yun felt the man's hand tighten slightly.

She took a deep breath and continued the conversation.

Her voice was no longer as sharp as when she was facing business negotiations, but instead carried the gentleness of a Jiangnan water town, yet also the determination of a daughter of the mountains.

"So, we hope to be here."

Hua Yun raised her head, looking intently at everyone, her eyes sparkling with tiny glints of light.

"In front of our elders and with the villagers who watched me grow up as witnesses, we will first hold a wedding ceremony."

This is not for show, but for gratitude.

It was to give the land that nurtured her and her children the most solemn explanation.

As soon as he finished speaking, there seemed to be a two-second silence in the air.

Although Hua Mutou and Li Guifen thought the same thing, they didn't dare to say it.

After all, would a family of Zhou's stature be willing to hold a wedding in such a poor and remote place?

However, it was Lin Yi who was the first to break the silence.

This lady, who usually frequented only high-end banquet halls, had an astonishingly bright eye at this moment.

"Great idea! That's fantastic!"

Lin Yi expressed her support almost immediately, her voice filled with undisguised excitement.

She wasn't just being polite.

These past few days in the countryside have shown her scenery she had never seen before, and she has also felt a family warmth she had never experienced before.

Looking at Hua Yun, she felt more and more that this daughter-in-law was thoughtful and sensible, which made her feel sorry for her.

"Yunyun is very thoughtful."

Lin Yi reached out and straightened her shawl, her tone light and cheerful.

"These days, young people get married in hotels or on lawns, it's all the same, we're tired of it."

She looked around, pointed to the brilliant starry sky above, and then to the dark yet vibrant mountains in the distance.

"It would be so much better to hold it in the village! It would be so welcoming and down-to-earth!"

Lin Yi said with a smile, "Let us, who have been living in the city for too long, also feel the spirit of this land and share in its joy!"

She really likes it here.

There is no deceit or hypocrisy here, only the purest form of life.

Zhou Ye sat to the side, playing with two walnuts in his hands.

He nodded slightly upon hearing his wife's statement.

As a former head of the group, his perspective on issues is more pragmatic, but also more insightful.

"When in Rome, do as the Romans do; that's the proper thing to do."

Zhou's father's voice was steady, carrying the authority of a superior, but it was not intimidating.

He looked at Hua Mutou with respect for his in-laws.

"The Hua family has married such a fine daughter to our Zhou family. It is only proper etiquette and sincerity for us to hold a banquet at the Hua family's doorstep."

With the full support of her parents-in-law, Hua Yun's eyes welled up with tears.

She was initially worried that the Zhou family would feel it was a loss of face to hold a wedding in the countryside.

Unexpectedly, they gave me not only understanding, but also a great deal of respect.

However, Zhou Ye is Zhou Ye after all.

While agreeing with his assessment, he also raised some practical questions.

"What about City A..."