Hard work after winning the lottery

As night fell, the lights at the ceremony site by the lake were adjusted.

The huge flower stand, illuminated by the lights, resembles the gate of a castle in a fairy tale.

"Attention all departments, the first full-process rehearsal is about to begin!"

The executive director shouted through a megaphone.

The music flowed out slowly; it was the classic and sacred "Wedding March".

Hua Shu was wearing a specially made dark blue Zhongshan suit, and his posture was ramrod straight.

But his slightly trembling arms betrayed his inner tension.

Hua Yun took her father's arm and walked forward step by step on the red carpet.

Although she wasn't wearing a wedding dress, the solemnity of that moment was still breathtaking.

"Dad, slow down, don't walk with the same step."

Hua Yun lowered her voice and reminded him while suppressing a laugh.

Hua Shu blushed, took a deep breath, and forcibly adjusted his pace.

"I'm just nervous... Now that this day has finally come, Dad is so worried..."

At the end of the red carpet, Zhou Yanjin stood tall and graceful, waiting quietly.

When Hua Shu solemnly placed her daughter's hand into Zhou Yanjin's palm, the old woman's eyes reddened.

"Yan Jin... I only have this one daughter... I've cherished her since she was little..."

Even during rehearsals, Hua Shu's voice choked with emotion.

"In the future... if she does anything wrong, tell me, and don't bully her."

Zhou Yanjin gripped that rough, large hand tightly, her gaze as firm as iron.

"Dad, don't worry. I will be good to Yunyun for the rest of my life."

Next up was the main event for the three little ones.

Si'an and Si'le were dressed in suits, each holding an exquisite velvet ring box.

The two little ones looked serious.

They marched in unison, step by step, to the front of the stage.

Meanwhile, Si Tao, who serves as the "wedding prop officer," has long been restless.

He was holding the enlarged model of the marriage certificate in his hand, and he was so excited that he ran too fast.

"Smack!"

He tripped over his own feet with his left foot and fell flat on his face.

The entire room fell silent for a second.

Immediately afterwards, Si Tao, as if nothing had happened, scrambled to his feet and patted the dirt off his knees.

He held up the certificate in his hand and shouted, "It's not broken! Mom and Dad's marriage certificate is still intact!"

"Hahaha--"

A burst of good-natured laughter erupted from the crowd.

Hua Yun was also amused by this little rascal, laughing so hard she bent over.

Despite a few minor hiccups, the rehearsal proceeded smoothly.

In the following days, the entire Baixi Village seemed to be filled with joy.

Without anyone urging them, the villagers spontaneously picked up brooms.

The village road was swept clean and spotless, and even the weeds along the roadside were pulled out cleanly.

Brand new red lanterns were hung in front of every household.

Party Secretary Zhang, along with several young men, hung red ribbons all over the ancient trees at the village entrance, creating a festive atmosphere when the wind blew.

"This is a golden phoenix that flew out of our village; we must give her the utmost respect!"

Amidst this bustling scene, Hua Yun, the bride, ironically became the most idle person.

"Sis, don't touch that box! Let me do it!"

When Hua An saw her about to move her things, he immediately rushed over and snatched them away.

"Yunyun, go, go, go back to your room and lie down to put on a face mask. Don't get a tan these next few days."

Li Guifen herded her into the house like a duck.

Even Zhou Yanjin stood on the united front.

"Madam, your task is to be beautiful; leave the rest to us."

Helpless, Hua Yun could only sit on the second-floor balcony, holding a cup of warm jujube tea in her hands.

She watched her family members coming and going in the courtyard, and Zhou Yanjin bustling about in the distance.

Sunlight shone on his profile, gilding it with a gentle golden hue.

An unprecedented sense of satisfaction overwhelmed her like a tidal wave.

After finishing her final tasks, Zhou Yanjin put on a trench coat and gently pushed open the door to her second-floor room.

"Still not asleep?"

He walked behind Hua Yun and naturally pulled her into his arms.

"I can't sleep."

Hua Yun leaned back against his chest, feeling his steady and powerful heartbeat.

"Are you too nervous?"

Zhou Yanjin lowered his head, his warm lips gently brushing against her earlobe.

"It feels a bit like a dream."

"Come on, I'll take you somewhere."

Zhou Yanjin took her hand, and the two quietly went downstairs.

The moonlight, like water, spilled onto the boardwalk by the lake.

That's where they're about to hold their ceremony.

The daytime noise is gone, and only the fragrance of flowers floats on the night breeze.

Zhou Yanjin pulled her along and they stood under the newly erected ceremonial pavilion.

Although there were no lights, the moonlight was enough to illuminate their eyes.

"Hua Yun"

He suddenly turned around to face her, his expression appearing particularly solemn in the moonlight.

"Although the official wedding isn't until a few days later, I wanted to tell you now."

"Thank you for letting me into your life, into these mountains."

"Thank you for giving me a home."

His voice was deep and hoarse, and every word seemed to strike Hua Yun's heart.

Hua Yun's eyes welled up with tears. She reached out and gently stroked the man's angular face.

"Zhou Yanjin, I'm stuck with you for life."

The two smiled at each other and exchanged a deep and lingering kiss amidst the tranquil scenery.

The wind stopped, and the moon seemed to shyly hide behind the clouds.

The air was thick with a mixture of sweetness, tension, and excitement, reaching its peak.

……

The main room door was wide open, and warm yellow light spilled onto the cement floor, illuminating busy yet cozy figures.

Two square tables were put together, and the tables were filled with dishes personally prepared by Li Guifen and Lin Yi.

It lacks the elaborate plating of a hotel, but it possesses the most comforting, down-to-earth charm.

Steaming hot stewed mutton, handmade dumplings with thin skins and generous fillings, and freshly picked crisp and tender green vegetables from our own garden.

Zhou Yanjin took off his usual meticulous suit jacket and wore only a simple white shirt with the cuffs slightly rolled up.

He was turning to the side to place a boneless lamb chop on Hua Yun's plate next to him.

The movements were so natural, as if they had done them a thousand times.

"Eat more, you'll be busy tomorrow, you can't do without energy."

Hua Yun looked at the mountain of food piled up in her bowl, smiled helplessly, but her eyes couldn't hide the sweetness in them.

"You eat too, don't just eat for me."

At the head of the table, old man Zhou Yinchuan held a somewhat old, rough porcelain wine bowl, his cheeks slightly flushed.

He looked at Hua Mutou sitting opposite him, his eyes shining brighter than the stars in the sky.

"Old friend, fill it up!"

Hua Mutou picked up the wine bottle and poured the clear liquid into the bowl, releasing a rich aroma.

Zhou Yinchuan grabbed Hua Mutou's wrist with a force that was unusual for an elderly person.

"Old Hua, I must toast you with this glass."

The old man's voice was choked with emotion, a result of the hardships he had endured.

"We are separated by thousands of mountains and rivers in this lifetime."

"But fate is such a mysterious thing."

"Because of these two children, we became in-laws."

Zhou Yinchuan raised his wine bowl, his eyes burning.