Hard work after winning the lottery

The private helipad in City A is empty and vast.

A sleek, white Gulfstream private jet lies quietly at the end of the runway.

It resembles a steel behemoth poised to pounce, reflecting a cold and expensive luster in the sunlight.

The massive engine hadn't started yet, but the surrounding air seemed to have become stagnant with the impending departure.

Several black Rolls-Royce cars slowly came to a stop.

The car door opened, and the Zhou and Hua families stepped out one after another.

Although Zhou Yanjin had arranged everything in advance, Grandpa Zhou Yinchuan, Zhou Ye, and Lin Yi still insisted on seeing him off in person.

They always felt something was missing if they didn't see their in-laws board the plane in person.

The wind on the tarmac was a bit strong, which messed up Lin Yi's carefully styled hair and also brought tears to everyone's eyes.

Lin Yi wore a simple cashmere shawl today, which made her look less sharp and more gentle than usual.

She took two quick steps and held Li Guifen's hand tightly.

Their hands were clasped together.

One pair is well-maintained with slender fingers; the other pair is rough, covered in calluses, and has large knuckles.

But this did not create any barriers; on the contrary, it conveyed a certain tacit understanding and warmth between two mothers and elders.

"Mother-in-law".

Lin Yi's voice was broken by the wind, carrying a deep sense of reluctance.

"It's too rushed to leave after only a few days."

She gently patted Li Guifen's hand, her eyes sincere.

"We're family now, so we must stay in touch."

"They can call or video chat anytime."

"Once I'm less busy with farm work at home, I'll come back to City A again when I have time, and I'm happy to stay as long as I want."

Li Guifen is an honest and simple rural woman. The hospitality she has received at the Zhou family's house these past few days has both moved and made her feel apprehensive.

Seeing her elegant and dignified mother-in-law being so open and honest, tears welled up in her eyes.

"Okay, okay."

Li Guifen nodded vigorously, her voice choked with emotion.

"Mother-in-law, please take good care of yourselves as well."

"Yunyun is immature. If she does anything wrong in the future, please be lenient with her."

"If she throws a tantrum, you discipline her for me."

Lin Yi shook her head reproachfully and smiled as she straightened Li Guifen's collar, which had been ruffled by the wind.

"Yunyun is such a sensible child, it breaks my heart. I love her so much, I can't bear to discipline her."

Standing to the side, Mr. Zhou Yinchuan was dressed in a smart Zhongshan suit today.

Although he was using a cane, his back was ramrod straight, and one could still vaguely see the bearing of a soldier from back then.

He looked at Hua Mutou, who was directing the staff to move luggage, and his eyes were full of mutual respect.

"Old Hua."

Zhou Yinchuan stepped forward, and the two old men, with their very different personalities, seemed to get along remarkably well at this moment.

"Be careful on your way back."

Hua Mutou smiled憨厚ly, the wrinkles at the corners of his eyes smoothing out.

As the adults exchanged pleasantries and said goodbye, the children were the first to keenly sense the sadness in the air.

Si Tao was still holding the Ultraman figure in his hand, but he didn't wave it. Instead, he gripped Hua Yun's trouser leg tightly.

Si'an pursed her lips, her little face tense, her eyes darting back and forth between her grandparents.

Sile is the kind of person who can't hide her feelings. Her big eyes were already filled with tears, and her little mouth was pouting, looking like she was about to cry at any moment.

Although they were young, they knew that after the big plane flew away, they wouldn't see their grandparents for a very long time.

That feeling called "separation" is like a wet cotton ball stuck in your heart, making you feel uncomfortable.

The three little ones nestled obediently in their parents' arms, unusually quiet, without their usual playful antics.

Looking at his three beautifully sculpted great-grandchildren, Hua Mutou felt a surge of tenderness mixed with intense bitterness.

He slowly squatted down, bringing his line of sight to the children's level.

Those big hands, which had worked the land all their lives, were gently placed on Si'an's head.

The rough lines of my palm rubbed against the child's soft hair.

Si'an raised her head, and in her eyes, which resembled Zhou Yanjin's, lay a maturity beyond her years.

"Si'an."

Hua Mutou's voice was deep and resonant, carrying a sense of weight and solidity, like that of earth.

He didn't look at anyone else, but spoke earnestly to the three children, as well as to Zhou Yanjin and Hua Yun behind him.

"Once you get to the big city, you must study hard."

"The schools and teachers here are good; you must strive to do well."

At this point, the old man paused, his gaze becoming deep and distant, as if piercing through the bustling City A and seeing the small mountain village with its rising smoke thousands of miles away.

"However, one must not forget one's roots."

"No matter how high you fly or how far you go in the future, even if you become a big shot like your father."

Hua Mutou stood up, staring intently at Zhou Yanjin.

"We must not forget our roots."

"The land and water of Baixi Village nurtured your mother and are your roots."

"During the holidays, don't look down on the countryside for being dirty; take them back to Baixi Village to visit often."

"Go to the fields and wade in the mud, go to the mountains and graze sheep, that's the way our ancestors passed down."

This statement is simple and unadorned.

It's not some profound philosophy, but rather the most simple and honest persistence of a farmer.

Upon hearing this, Zhou Yanjin said, "Grandpa, don't worry."

Zhou Yanjin straightened up, her gaze firm, her tone sincere.

"We will definitely go back often."

He reached out and put his arm around Hua Yun, whose eyes were slightly red, offering her silent support.

"The children's roots are in Baixi Village, and we will never forget that."

"I will let them know how food is grown, and I will also let them remember that their loved ones are there."

Hearing this, Hua Mutou nodded with satisfaction.

He patted Zhou Yanjin on the shoulder with a strong thud.

"Good, good boy."

It's time to board.

The crew was already standing at the cabin door waiting, and the engines were warming up, emitting a deep roar.

The voice was like a urging spell, pushing the atmosphere of parting to a climax.

Hua Yun stood there, looking at the faces of her loved ones in front of her.

Grandpa's full head of white hair was disheveled in the wind, Grandma was hunched over but tried her best to straighten up, Dad was taciturn but his eyes were piercing, and Mom was already in tears.

There's also my younger brother, Hua An.

The little brother who used to follow her around begging for candy is now a head taller than her.

At that moment, a thousand words stuck in my throat.

Hua Yun forced back the tears welling up in her eyes. She didn't want her parents to see her cry, and she didn't want them to worry.

She took a deep breath, stepped forward, and hugged her grandfather tightly.

The old woman smelled faintly of tobacco and sunshine, the scent that brought her the most comforting feeling of her childhood.

"Grandpa, take care of yourself."

Next was Grandma. The old woman's body was so light that it startled Hua Yun.

"Grandma, remember to take your calcium supplements."

Then it's Dad.

Hua Shu was somewhat at a loss, stiffly letting her daughter hug her, and finally awkwardly patted her daughter's back twice.

"It's alright, ah, it's alright."

Finally, there's the mother, Li Guifen.

The mother and daughter hugged each other, tears instantly soaking their shoulders.

"mom……"

Hua Yun's voice was tinged with sobs.

Li Guifen forcefully wiped away her tears, pushed her daughter away, and forced a smile.

"Go, go quickly, don't be late."

Hua Yun turned around and looked at Hua An, who was standing at the back.