Hard work after winning the lottery

After the meal.

The sun had risen a little higher, but it wasn't yet at its most scorching.

Hua Mutou suggested going to Baixi Lake to digest their food.

The proposal was immediately approved unanimously.

It was early morning, and a thin layer of mist hung over the lake, as if draping the water in a light veil, creating a hazy, dreamlike scene.

The lakeside was covered with reeds that were half a person tall, swaying gently in the breeze and making a rustling sound.

Occasionally, a few egrets would be startled from the reeds, flapping their white wings and skimming across the water, leaving ripples in their wake.

"Wow—! A bird!" Little Potato clapped his hands excitedly.

Nuannuan was having a blast.

She wore a pale yellow dress today and rushed to the front like a butterfly.

"Brother, come quick! Let's catch a big bird!"

Si Tao, who thrived on chaos, turned tail and ran as soon as he heard this.

"Charge! Whoever catches it keeps it!"

"Slow down! Don't fall into the water!"

Sile chased after her like a mother hen, holding a warm little water bottle in her hand.

Si'an kept her hands in her pockets, seemingly nonchalant, but her eyes were actually fixed on her younger siblings.

Four children and a little potato ran happily ahead.

The laughter startled the grasshoppers in the grass and also disturbed the small fish at the bottom of the lake.

Two old men, leaning on their canes, strolled slowly behind, pointing to the distant mountains and reminiscing about their glorious past.

Zhou Yanjin and Hua Yun deliberately lagged behind by a few steps.

Neither of them spoke; they simply walked on in silence.

The path beneath my feet was a soft, muddy track, with wild grass glistening with dew on either side.

Zhou Yanjin's hand naturally took Hua Yun's hand again.

This time, their fingers were intertwined.

His hands were large enough to completely envelop Hua Yun's hands.

"Look at them."

Hua Yun stopped and looked at the group of children running around wildly ahead, her eyes filled with a subtle smile. "Don't they look like a bunch of little monkeys just released from their cages?"

Sitao, who was in front, was trying to catch a dragonfly that was perched on a reed when he slipped and almost fell flat on his face, which made Nuannuan and Xiaotudou burst into laughter.

Zhou Yanjin's gaze softened as she watched the scene unfold.

"Yes, they are all good children."

He paused, turned his head, and looked at Hua Yun with deep eyes, "Our good child."

"That's right." Hua Yun raised her chin arrogantly. "Don't you even know who gave birth to her?"

Zhou Yanjin chuckled softly and squeezed her palm.

A gentle breeze blew by, dispersing the thin mist on the lake's surface.

The sunlight poured down without reservation, making the entire lake surface sparkle like it had been sprinkled with gold dust.

Hua Yun suddenly stopped joking and turned around to look at Zhou Yanjin.

Behind her was the shimmering lake, and the wind tousled her hair.

"Zhou Yanjin".

"Um?"

Do you think our lives have been fulfilling?

This question came as a surprise.

Perhaps it's because the scenery is so beautiful, or perhaps it's because the atmosphere is so wonderful, that it makes one want to explore the true meaning of life.

Zhou Yanjin stopped and turned around to face her.

The morning light cast a golden outline behind him, making him look both tall and sacred.

But in his dark eyes, there was only Hua Yun's reflection.

He didn't answer immediately, but thought about it seriously for a moment.

He raised his hand and tucked a strand of her wind-blown hair behind her ear, his fingertips gently tracing her cheek.

"In the past, I thought that fulfillment meant making the Zhou Group bigger and stronger, standing at the top of the pyramid and looking down on all living beings. At that time, even if I owned the whole world, my heart would be empty."

"But now..."

He turned to look ahead.

Those are children splashing water on each other, and those are old people giving their opinions on the world.

Then, his gaze returned to Hua Yun's face.

"We found each other, we found home."

"The children are healthy and happy, the elders are enjoying their twilight years, there is no scheming or backstabbing. We can still hold hands and walk along the lake in our hometown, feeling the breeze and enjoying the scenery."

Zhou Yanjin's eyes held an unprecedented sense of satisfaction and determination:

"If this isn't perfection, then what is?"

As Hua Yun listened to his words, she felt her eyes well up with tears.

My nose feels sore.

Yes.

She sniffed, nodded vigorously, and a bright smile bloomed on her lips:

"Yes, that's enough."

This is enough.

Even without a fortune of hundreds of millions, just this moment of peace and companionship is enough to make this life worthwhile.

"Dad! Mom! Come quick!"

Suddenly, a warm, excited shout came from ahead.

The little girl was squatting on a large rock, waving frantically at them, pointing to the water with her other hand:

"There are so many small fish here! And tiny shrimp too!"

"Hurry up! Brother Sitao said he's going to catch fish for us to grill!" Little Potato chimed in from the side.

Zhou Yanjin and Hua Yun exchanged a smile.

All the deep affection and friendship ultimately transformed into this moment of tacit understanding.

"Let's go."

Zhou Yanjin squeezed her hand, "Don't keep your little darling waiting, or she'll start crying again."

The two quickened their pace, facing the sunlight, towards the shimmering lake and the group of children who were waiting for them.

The sunlight grew brighter and brighter, shining on everyone with a warm glow, as if draping each person in a golden veil.

In the distance, wisps of smoke were already rising from the chimneys of Baixi Village.

The white smoke rose between the green tiles and white walls, mingling with the sounds of roosters crowing and dogs barking, creating a vibrant atmosphere.

Nearby, a family was laughing and chatting happily.

Si Tao ultimately failed to catch any fish and instead got himself covered in mud.

Si'an shook her head helplessly and took out a handkerchief to wipe her younger brother's face.

This is the best of times.

This is the warmest home.

Many years later, when Nuannuan grew up, got married, and had her own children.

She might forget many things.

We'll forget the expensive toys we had as children, and the endless collection of princess dresses we never finished wearing.

But she will definitely remember this summer.

I remember the cool mist of Baixi Lake in the early morning, I remember the breakfast that wasn't particularly lavish but was incredibly delicious, and I remember my great-grandfathers arguing over pickled vegetables.

She will also remember her parents holding hands, walking towards her step by step against the light.

That was the strongest support she had in her life.

She will understand that love is never some grand vow or some earth-shattering feat.

Love is such a thing—

It turns brokenness into wholeness, separation into reunion, and suffering into stories to tell over tea.

In the end, the story had no dramatic twists and turns, only a quiet and uneventful ending.

Just like the waters of Baixi Lake, still waters run deep.

Because the deepest happiness is often hidden in these most ordinary and trivial days.

(End of the book)