Hard work after winning the lottery

"Father-in-law, I'm so happy today! It's a rare occasion for you to come to City A, so please don't be in such a hurry to leave."

The old man looked eager.

"Tomorrow, let Yan Jin arrange a car, let's go to that... newly built park! And that museum too!"

Hua Mutou took a sip of porridge, smiled, and shook his head.

He patted his old comrade's hand, his tone sincere yet firm.

"Old Zhou, our whole family appreciates your kindness. Seeing how well Xiaoyun is doing and how understanding our in-laws are, we feel sweeter than if we had eaten honey."

He paused, his gaze somewhat unfocused, as if looking at some distant place.

"But, there are so many things to do at home that we really need someone to take care of."

"You wouldn't believe it, I can't leave the sheep in the pen alone without watching them. The crops in the fields need watering too. And that business Xiao An just took over is just starting out; it can't function without someone keeping an eye on it."

Hua Mutou sighed, his eyes showing reluctance, but even more so, the deep affection a farmer has for his land.

"We discussed it and decided to go back first thing the day after tomorrow."

These words instantly cooled the previously lively atmosphere.

Zhou Yinchuan got anxious as soon as he heard this, and his mustache almost stood on end.

"How can that be! We've only been here a few days! We haven't even had a chance to settle in!"

He slammed his chopsticks on the table and threw a tantrum like an old child.

"No, no! You have to stay for at least a week! I have so many comrades I want to introduce you to!"

Zhou Yinchuan gripped Hua Mutou's sleeve tightly, as if afraid he would run away at any moment.

Hua Yun's parents stood by, looking equally troubled.

Li Guifen explained softly, "Grandpa, it's not that we're being polite. It's just that... we wouldn't sleep soundly if we entrusted those hundreds of sheep to someone else."

That was the culmination of their life's work, and the foundation upon which they made their living.

Although their daughter has now married into a wealthy family, they are still simple farmers at heart. They are not used to this life of ease and are even more reluctant to abandon their roots.

The atmosphere became somewhat tense for a moment.

Lin Yi wanted to say a few words of advice, but she didn't know what to say.

After all, the two families have very different lifestyles, and forcing them to stay is not a good idea.

Just then, Zhou Yanjin put down the bowl of porridge in her hand.

He took a tissue and wiped his mouth, then looked at the two elderly people with gentle eyes.

"Grandpa, it's only natural that Grandpa Hua and the others are worried about their families."

His voice was steady and powerful, instantly making him the focus of the entire audience.

"Think about it, if you were asked to leave the company for a week and be completely uninvolved, would you feel at ease?"

Zhou Yinchuan paused for a moment, then muttered, "That...that's different."

"The principle is the same."

Zhou Yanjin smiled and turned to look at Hua Mutou.

"Grandpa Hua, this is what I think."

"Tomorrow, let's have a good family gathering. We won't go anywhere else. We'll just stay here at the hotel or go to our home. We'll have a lively meal together and chat."

"This will also allow the children to spend more time with you."

"The day after tomorrow morning, I will arrange a private plane to take you back directly to the entrance of Baixi Village, saving you the trouble of taking a car."

"There's still a long road ahead."

Zhou Yanjin grasped Hua Yun's hand, their fingers intertwined.

"If you want to come, just give me a call anytime, and I'll send someone to pick you up. If you miss the children, we'll take them back to see you."

"With such convenient transportation these days, it only takes a few hours to get from City A to Baixi Village."

These words were both considerate of Zhou Yinchuan's feelings and understanding of the Hua family's difficulties.

This showed the Hua family a great deal of respect.

The fact that he was flown in by private jet is enough to show how much Zhou Yanjin values ​​his in-laws.

Hua Mutou nodded repeatedly as he listened, his eyes welling up with tears.

"Good! Good! Yan Jin is such a thoughtful child!"

He looked at Zhou Yinchuan and smiled, "Old Zhou, you see, the kid has said so, let's listen to him."

Although Zhou Yinchuan was still extremely reluctant to part with her, he knew that this was the best arrangement.

He sighed and picked up the bowl of porridge with a somewhat dejected expression.

"Alright, alright, I'll do whatever you say."

"But it's a deal, next time you come, you have to stay for at least half a month!"

"Definitely! Definitely!" Hua Mutou readily agreed.

Although things were settled, the atmosphere of parting still quietly permeated the air at that moment.

Hua Yun leaned on Zhou Yanjin's shoulder, watching the scene before her, her heart filled with mixed feelings.

On one side are her parents and relatives who gave her life, and on the other side are her husband and children who love her deeply.

Both sides are home.

Fortunately, because of love, these two originally parallel worlds finally intersected.

Outside the window, the night view of City A is still as dazzling as day.

The next day, sunlight filtered through the carved windows of the Suzhou-style garden, casting dappled patterns onto the large round table made of rosewood.

This is a private restaurant hidden in the bustling downtown area of ​​City A, named "Tingyuxuan".

There is no opulent splendor, only the elegant charm of winding paths, swaying bamboo shadows, and babbling brooks.

Zhou Yanjin specially booked an independent waterside pavilion here to bid farewell to his wife's family.

Compared to the boisterous atmosphere of the banquet hall last night, the atmosphere here feels exceptionally warm and down-to-earth.

The table was no longer set with cold Western food, but with steaming hot, colorful, and delicious local Jiangnan cuisine.

The squirrel-shaped mandarin fish is orange-red in color, crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, with a thick and tempting broth clinging to it.

The crab meat lion's head meatballs are stewed until tender and juicy, with an exquisite and delicate flavor.

Si Tao had been itching to get started for a long time.

The little guy was holding a crystal shrimp dumpling in his hand, his cheeks puffed out like a little hamster hoarding food.

"Mmm...delicious...this is delicious too!"

He chewed while mumbling his food reviews.

A tiny, glistening oil stain clung to the corner of his mouth.

Si'an, sitting next to him, frowned slightly and sighed like a little adult.

He skillfully pulled out a wet wipe, and with a hint of disdain but gentle movements, wiped his younger brother's mouth.

"Eat slowly, no one's going to take it from you."

Si'an's voice was clear and crisp, carrying a composure beyond her years.

Si Le, on the other hand, was much more refined.

He sat obediently between Lin Yi and Li Guifen, sipping the white fungus and lotus seed soup in front of him.

She would occasionally look up and give her two grandmothers a sweet smile, her peach blossom eyes, which resembled Hua Yun's, filled with tiny starlight.

This scene melted the hearts of both sets of elders.

Lin Yi, overflowing with maternal love, kept using serving chopsticks to put food into Li Guifen's bowl.

"Mother-in-law, this braised eel in hot oil is the restaurant's signature dish. You should try it; it's good for replenishing your blood and energy."

Li Guifen looked at the mountain of food piled up in her bowl, her face beaming with undisguised joy.

"Okay, that's enough, mother-in-law, you eat too."

This pure, unadulterated family warmth is especially precious in this city where fame and fortune are so intertwined.