Hard work after winning the lottery

Sudden.

Then, something unexpected happened.

Hua Sitao, he's let go.

He loosened his grip on the railing.

Without even the slightest hesitation.

Time seemed to slow down at this moment.

Hua Yun had just finished replying to a customer's message on her phone when she looked up and saw this breathtaking scene.

Her breath caught in her throat.

Si Tao's small body stood upright in the center of the mat without any support.

His arms, like two small wings, stretched out as he tried to maintain his precarious balance.

Two chubby little legs, slightly bent, tensed up all the strength in their bodies.

He looked at his grandmother in front of him, and at the tempting red toy car in her hand.

then.

He lifted his foot.

The little feet landed firmly on the floor mat with a "smack".

Next comes the second step!

His body swayed even more violently, like a drunken old man.

That comical yet stubborn look instantly brought tears to Hua Yun's eyes.

She wanted to scream and cheer, but she covered her mouth tightly.

She was afraid that her voice would disturb the little hero who was creating miracles.

third step!

He practically lunged forward!

The small body lost its last balance and fell straight forward.

"Oh, my dear grandson!"

Li Guifen exclaimed in surprise, forgetting all about the toys, and quickly opened her arms to catch the little bundle of flesh that rushed towards her.

Li Guifen's heart felt as if it were filled with something, both soft and swollen.

"Tao Tao can walk! My goodness! Tao Tao can walk by himself!"

Si Tao herself was stunned.

He nestled in his grandmother's warm embrace, his little hands still tightly gripping her clothes.

The next second, he grinned, revealing a bright, drool-filled smile through his small, toothless mouth.

"Oh no! I missed it! I didn't record it!"

Hua Yun snapped out of her daze and slapped her thigh in frustration.

For a brief moment, her mind went blank, her eyes and heart filled with the image of her son's wobbly little figure. She couldn't even think about her phone!

This is such a huge regret!

The next afternoon, Sile, who had been keeping a close eye on her brother, stumbled and took two small steps when she tried to snatch a small tiger doll from Sian's hand.

Although she plopped down on the ground on the third step, she pouted in grievance because she didn't get the toy.

But this time, Huayun was well-prepared.

She used her phone to record this precious first experience of taking her first steps.

The most composed Si'an appeared on the evening of the third day.

At that time, Hua Yun was preparing to go to the living room to make him formula.

Si'an, holding onto the sofa, watched her mother's departing figure and called out "Ah ah" twice.

Hua Yun turned around and smiled gently at him: "An'an, wait a moment, Mom will be done soon."

Perhaps it was his mother's smile that gave him boundless courage.

He actually let go of her hand.

They didn't forge ahead as bravely as Sitao, nor did they stumble and fall like Sile.

He simply stood there quietly for a good five or six seconds.

It's as if they're using their small bodies to experience a completely new kind of balance.

Then, he carefully moved step by step toward his mother.

They walked steadily and firmly.

Finally, he gently and precisely hugged his mother's legs.

Hua Yun looked down at her son, who was clinging to her leg, his little face tilted up, his dark eyes filled with a plea for praise, and her heart melted.

She bent down and hugged him tightly, kissing his soft cheeks again and again.

"My An'an, you're so great."

From then on, three waddling little penguins appeared in the Hua family's yard.

When they walk, their little bottoms wiggle and their arms are outstretched to maintain balance, just like the little animals in cartoons.

Sitao pushed his toddler box around the floor, but because he didn't brake in time, he crashed into the sofa and fell to the ground with his "box". But he didn't care, got up, picked up the box and continued his charge.

Sile likes to follow his younger brother around. If his brother goes east, he will never go west. But because he takes small steps and is unsteady, he often can't keep up. He gets so anxious that he yells "Aww!" and then sits down on his bottom and crawls over on his hands and feet.

Si'an is the most different.

He would hold onto the wall and slowly move to the TV cabinet, reaching out his little hand to pry open the drawer seams.

Or, he might stagger to Grandpa Huashu's feet, then with a "snap," grab Grandpa's trouser leg, tilt his head back, and stare at you without saying a word.

That look in his eyes seemed to say: Look, I'm coming.

This became the most adorable, yet also the most nerve-wracking, sight in the house.

"Hey, watch out! Watch out, third brother! He's going to bump into the corner of the table!"

"Sile! Don't pick up things from the ground to eat!"

"Who took the remote control down? Quick! An'an's going to put it in her mouth!"

Li Guifen and Hua Yun followed the three little ones around the clock, their hearts pounding in their chests, never stopping for a moment.

Before we knew it, autumn had turned to winter, and the leaves of the old locust tree in the yard had fallen and grown back, turned green and then yellow.

Those little penguins that used to wobble and stumble after every few steps are now running wildly all over the yard.

Time slipped away quietly amidst the children's laughter and stumbling footsteps.

Today is the first birthday of the three little ones in the Hua family.

According to the old tradition of Baixi Village, on the day of a child's first birthday, a "grasping ceremony" is held.

Li Guifen got up early in the morning, humming an off-key tune, and carefully laid the big red cloth that she had specially brought back from town yesterday in the center of the living room.

The red color, so vibrant it resembled a burning flame, instantly bathed the entire room in a warm and festive hue.

On the red cloth, a dazzling array of items were displayed.

At the far east end is a thick Xinhua Dictionary, its pages yellowed and still smelling of ink; it was the one Hua Shu used when he was young.

Next to the dictionary was a small abacus, its beads black and shiny, making a "clattering" sound when turned.

On the other side of the abacus is a bright green scallion, symbolizing "cleverness and quick wit".

There is also a small wooden seal, which is said to have been carved by Hua Mutou himself when he was young, representing power and status.

A small and exquisite children's toy stethoscope, which Huayun specially purchased online.

A shiny little spatula, almost a miniature replica of the big iron pot at home.

The most eye-catching item was a chubby white sheep toy made of felt next to the spatula, which was incredibly cute.

Each item carries the family's simplest and most sincere hopes.

"Alright, alright, it's almost time!"

Li Guifen clapped her hands, her face beaming with a smile.