Hard work after winning the lottery

After several rounds of drinks and five courses of food,

Grandpa Zhou Yinchuan put down his chopsticks.

He picked up the purple clay teacup in front of him, gently blew away the foam, but his gaze drifted towards Hua Mutou sitting opposite him.

"Old Hua."

The old man's tone carried an undisguised sense of loss and reluctance.

"We've only played half the game, and we haven't even had our fill of fishing yet, and you're already leaving?"

He smacked his lips, as if the tea itself had a slightly bitter taste.

Hua Mutou was peeling a large hairy crab when he heard this and stopped what he was doing.

He pulled out a tissue and wiped his hands, his rough but warm hands gently patting the tablecloth.

"Old Zhou, you know that the family's small plot of land can't be left unattended."

Hua Mutou smiled with a simple and honest smile, and the wrinkles at the corners of his eyes revealed his sincerity.

"Farmers feel uneasy if they don't look at their crops."

Zhou Yinchuan sighed, knowing he couldn't force him to stay.

But he quickly rallied, leaning forward slightly like a mischievous old man begging for candy.

"Then it's settled!"

He held up one finger and shook it solemnly.

"When spring comes next year and the weather gets warmer, I definitely want to go back to Baixi Village and stay for a while longer!"

"Then, let's go fishing at Baixi Lake and finish that game of chess you weren't done with!"

As he spoke, he added another sentence, seemingly still wanting to continue.

"And your rice wine, even if the doctor scolds me, I have to have two more cups!"

Seeing Zhou Yinchuan's serious expression, everyone at the table couldn't help but chuckle.

Hua Mutou laughed heartily, his voice booming like a bell.

"You're welcome anytime!"

He picked up the teacup beside him, and instead of wine, he heavily clinked the teacup against Zhou Yinchuan's cup.

"I clean your room every day, and the bedding is always warm from the sun. I've kept it for you!"

"As long as you come, we'll provide plenty of wine and meat!"

The two elderly people, whose combined age was over one hundred, reached a gentleman's agreement at this moment.

Lunch ended amidst laughter and cheerful conversation.

As the sun began to set in the west, it bathed the city in a warm, golden orange glow.

The group drove back to the hotel.

Compared to the relaxed atmosphere when going to the restaurant, the atmosphere back in the room was noticeably more melancholic with parting.

Several suitcases were open in front of the huge floor-to-ceiling windows, taking up almost half of the living room.

When they arrived, the Hua family only brought a few simple travel bags.

Now, those boxes are filled with all sorts of gift boxes.

Those were special products from City A that the Zhou family had specially prepared, along with various precious tonics and fabrics.

Old ginseng from Changbai Mountain, silk with a warm luster, and high-end candies for the village children.

Each item represents the Zhou family's heartfelt sentiments.

Hua Yun was squatting on the carpet, helping her mother tidy up her clothes.

She held a cashmere coat that Lin Yi had just given her, carefully folding it and smoothing out every wrinkle.

"Mom, this coat is warm. Remember to wear it when it's cold in winter. Don't always be reluctant to wear it."

Hua Yun lowered her head, her voice somewhat muffled.

She neatly placed the coat at the bottom of the box and then picked up a box of calcium tablets and stuffed it into the gap.

"And these calcium supplements, Grandma has trouble walking, remember to remind her to take them on time."

Li Guifen sat on the edge of the bed, watching her daughter's busy figure, her eyes gradually reddening.

She reached out and gently stroked Hua Yun's long, smooth, black hair.

The daughter's fingers are fair and slender. She used to do farm work, but now she lives a life of luxury and has finally taken on the appearance of a wealthy young lady.

"Okay, okay."

Li Guifen's voice was choked with emotion, but she tried her best to force a smile.

"Don't worry too much about us while you're at home."

"Your dad, Xiao An, and I are here at home. The house won't collapse."

Hua Yun sniffed, trying to suppress the stinging in her eyes.

She turned around and took her mother's calloused hands in hers.

The roughness of my palm is a testament to the years that have passed, a testament to my mother's lifelong toil for this family.

"Mom, don't overwork yourself when you go back."

She couldn't help but give the instructions again, like an old mother who couldn't bear to leave her child.

"Let Xiao An do more of the work in the fields; he's young and strong."

"And Dad and Grandpa, you need to control their smoking habits and make them smoke less."

Grandma Hua, sitting to the side, was wrapping several delicate pastries in a handkerchief, preparing to take them with her on the road.

Hearing her granddaughter's words, the old lady smiled, her eyes crinkling with affection.

"Understood, little housekeeper."

"You must take good care of yourself while you're at the Zhou family's."

Grandma Hua took Hua Yun's hand and spoke earnestly.

"Yan Jin is a good girl, and her parents-in-law are also understanding. You are blessed."

"But we must not take our parents-in-law for granted; we must be filial to our parents-in-law and be good wives and mothers."

Hua Yun nodded heavily, and tears finally streamed down her face.

"Grandma, I will."

The sadness of parting seemed to have also affected the three children who were playing on the carpet.

Sitao, who was playing with Lego, suddenly dropped the toy.

He toddled over to Hua Shu with his short legs.

"Grandpa!"

The little guy pulled a somewhat worn Ultraman doll out of his pocket.

That was his favorite one; he would even sleep with it in his arms.

He stood on tiptoe and tried his best to stuff the doll into Hua Shu's arms.

"Here, take this!"

Hua Shu was stunned. Looking into her grandson's clear, big eyes, her heart melted completely.

"This is Tao Tao's favorite. What are you giving it to Grandpa for?"

Si Tao tilted her head and said in a childish voice, "Grandpa looks at it when he misses me."

"It glows, it can fight monsters, and it can protect Grandpa!"

Children's words are innocent and uninhibited, yet they are the most poignant.

This old farmer, who had always been like a tough guy, now had tears welling up in his eyes.

He took the small doll with trembling hands and carefully put it into his inner pocket.

"Okay, okay, Grandpa will definitely carry it with him at all times."

On the other side, Sile had already rushed into Li Guifen's arms.

Without saying a word, she simply hugged her grandmother's neck tightly and buried her face in the crook of the old woman's neck.

Warm tears soaked Li Guifen's collar.

"Grandma won't leave... I miss Grandma..."

The faint chirping of mosquitoes and flies was enough to break one's heart.

Li Guifen gently patted her grandson's back, tears streaming down her face, yet she continued to soothe him softly.

"Lele, be good. Grandma will be coming again in a while, okay?"

"When the holidays come, your dad will take you back to the village, and your grandma will roast sweet potatoes for you."

The room was filled with warmth and reluctance to part, so intense it was almost palpable.

On the balcony, two men stood side by side.

Zhou Yanjin was dressed in casual home clothes, her posture upright like a pine tree.

Standing next to him, Hua An, though still dressed in a slightly immature hoodie and jeans, had a youthful air about him.

After this period of experience, especially after taking over the family business, this younger brother, who used to only follow his older sister around and cause trouble, has finally grown up.

Hua An held an unopened can of Coke in his hand, his knuckles turning slightly white.

He looked at his sister, who was wiping away their mother's tears inside the house, his gaze deep.

After a long while, he turned his head and looked at the powerful man beside him.

Gone is the arrogance of their first meeting; now, his eyes hold a newfound seriousness as a member of her family.

"Brother-in-law."

Hua An spoke, his voice not loud, but every word was firm and resounding.

"In the past, my sister carried the burden of this family and me."

"She suffered a lot to support my education and to pay off the family's debts."

As he spoke, he looked up at the bustling skyline of City A outside the window.

This is my sister's future, and also her once unattainable dream.

Hua An turned around and looked directly into Zhou Yanjin's eyes, his back ramrod straight.

"I will take care of things at home."

"I ask for nothing else, I only ask that you..."

His Adam's apple bobbed as he suppressed the emotions welling up inside him.

"Don't let her suffer."

"I'm entrusting my sister and nephews to you."

This is a handover between men.

It is also a weighty entrustment.

Zhou Yanjin looked at the determined-looking young man in front of him, a hint of admiration flashing in his eyes.

Instead, he reached out and patted Hua An on the shoulder heavily.

The force of the palm, penetrating the thin fabric, conveyed a silent power.

"rest assured."

Zhou Yanjin's voice was deep and mellow, and he uttered only two simple words.

Yet it weighs as much as a thousand pounds.

That was a promise to a man, and a vow for life.

Looking at his brother-in-law's determined eyes, Hua An finally felt a huge weight lifted from his heart.

He smiled.

That smile held relief, trust, and boundless pride as it prepared to embark on a new life.

"OK!"

The afterglow of the setting sun spilled onto the balcony, casting long, long shadows of the two men.