The Introvert is Becoming the Police Station's Beloved!

Chapter 272: Chapter 272: Nearly New Year’s

The employees working in the office heard the boss was arriving and greeted the boss one by one.

Lin Xiaoyan also greeted everyone in turn. When she saw Li Wen, she realized it might be the holiday season.

But his sister wasn’t there. According to her brother, Li Jing had transferred to a different school and had resumed her studies.

"I came back this morning. Brother, could you show me the attendance sheet? I need to tally the numbers so I can go with Sister Nan to shop for the New Year’s benefits."

Lin Hao took the attendance sheet out from the drawer and handed it to Lin Xiaoyan.

Lin Xiaoyan glanced at it, counted the number of people, and then returned the attendance sheet.

"Brother, I’m heading out with Sister Nan. Come over for dinner at my place tonight."

Lin Hao said, "Sure, take it slow on the way."

After Lin Xiaoyan and Nan Xi left, the employees in the store were overjoyed. They just heard the boss say they were going to buy New Year’s benefits; they wondered what would be purchased!

Li Wen had a bright smile on his face. Nowadays, he often wore a smile since the family issues were resolved.

Not only had his sister’s matters been settled, but all the family debts had been taken care of too.

"What should we buy?" Lin Xiaoyan and Nan Xi looked around together.

Nan Xi followed closely with Lin Xiaoyan, observing the crowd around. With the New Year approaching, places were crowded no matter where they went.

She had to stay vigilant, ensuring Lin Xiaoyan’s safety.

"There are three female employees in the store. I ought to get them a set of skincare products..."

"As for the male employees, there seem to be men’s skincare products as well..."

"Our Yu Province’s New Year gifts, such as oil, milk, and nut gift boxes, are essentials. Let’s get them as well; they can either enjoy them or gift them..."

Lin Xiaoyan mentioned everything she saw, and Nan Xi nodded in agreement each time.

"What else should we buy? We need to get some practical stuff..."

After a long while of shopping, Lin Xiaoyan finally managed to gather all the New Year gifts for the employees.

The two of them huffed and puffed as they loaded everything onto the car, and then headed back home.

Lin Xiaoyan sent a message to He Qi’an, inviting him to her place for dinner after he got off work.

He Qi’an quickly replied with, "Okay."

"Let’s leave the stuff in the car and deliver them tomorrow by car."

After parking the car in the neighborhood, Lin Xiaoyan said to Nan Xi.

"Oh, should I give them a heads-up in the group chat to think about how to bring the gifts home tomorrow..."

She looked at the car full of gifts, knowing it wouldn’t be easy to carry them all.

Each person had seven or eight gifts, which wasn’t easy to manage.

Nan Xi took a look and suggested, "Maybe don’t say anything. It’ll be a surprise for them tomorrow. They can figure out ways to bring them home."

Lin Xiaoyan thought about it, "Alright, if need be, tomorrow we can hire a courier to deliver them to their homes."

"Sure."

In the evening, Lin Xiaoyan prepared a table full of dishes. With Nan Xi there, she only needed to cook a bit.

He Qi’an went straight to Lin Xiaoyan’s place opposite after getting off work.

"Anything I can help with?"

After changing into slippers and taking off his coat, He Qi’an headed into the kitchen.

Seeing He Qi’an arrive, Nan Xi smartly stepped aside.

"Off work so soon?"

Lin Xiaoyan was surprised to see her boyfriend entering the kitchen, "Isn’t your office busy with the year-end approaching?"

He Qi’an rolled up Lin Xiaoyan’s sleeves slightly and said softly, "It’s alright. We have to prepare year-end summaries, but I finished mine on time, while others are still working overtime."

Lin Xiaoyan praised, "You’re amazing!"

Hearing his girlfriend’s compliment, He Qi’an leaned over and couldn’t resist giving her a peck.

"Hey!" Lin Xiaoyan quickly looked towards the kitchen and noticed Sister Nan had discreetly left, leaving her relieved.

He Qi’an smiled broadly, "What’s the matter? Isn’t it normal for a boyfriend to kiss his girlfriend?"

Lin Xiaoyan replied, "...Yes, but I dare you to do it when my brother comes back!"

He Qi’an: ...I wouldn’t dare!

That night, when Lin Hao arrived at his sister’s home, he immediately noticed He Qi’an was there too.

"Qi An, you’re here too."

Upon hearing Lin Hao’s words, He Qi’an felt something odd in his tone, as if there was a hidden meaning...

"Yeah, brother."

After washing his hands, Lin Hao sat down and watched his sister serving dishes in the kitchen. He glanced at He Qi’an.

He Qi’an quickly got the hint and dashed into the kitchen to bring out the dishes.

"Let me do it, you can sit down. You’ve worked hard making so many dishes tonight." He Qi’an took the dish from Lin Xiaoyan, signaling with his eyes.

Lin Xiaoyan raised her eyebrows, suppressing a smile, "Alright, you serve them. Don’t forget to bring out the chopsticks too."

Lin Xiaoyan walked out and took her seat in the dining room, waiting for He Qi’an to bring the dishes out.

Lin Hao’s expression lightened somewhat at this point.

"Yanyan, when are you planning to go back?" Lin Hao looked at his sister and asked.

"Around the 28th of the lunar month, brother. Let’s drive back together then," Lin Xiaoyan said.

"I’m going too?"

Lin Hao paused, "If both of us go back, what about the store?"

The store remains open during the New Year, and Lin Hao had already told his wife they might not make it back for the holidays.

Lin Xiaoyan replied, "No worries. Tomorrow, I’ll ask the staff to see who can work during the New Year. The pay will be doubled for those working on those days."

Upon hearing this, Lin Hao chuckled, "They’ll definitely be eager to work.

I’ve overheard them saying they’re not fond of the New Year, mainly due to dealing with relatives’ questions."

Lin Xiaoyan nodded in agreement, "Indeed, New Year’s isn’t the same as when we were kids. Back then, we looked forward to wearing new clothes, but now...

meeting relatives and facing all kinds of questions can be quite uncomfortable."

He Qi’an brought out the bowls and chopsticks and sat down.

"What were you talking about?"

Lin Xiaoyan looked at He Qi’an, "When do you guys get the holidays?"

He Qi’an replied, "No holidays. Didn’t I just get back from Beijing?"

"You’re staying in Sea City?"

"Yeah, we work during the New Year, taking turns."

Lin Xiaoyan remarked, "Makes sense. The police can’t leave, especially during the New Year. It seems like there’s more theft too..."

He Qi’an nodded, "Exactly, starting this month, we’ve already received several theft cases."

Nan Xi finished her call and returned.

"Sister Nan, come eat with us."

Nan Xi sat down, and everyone picked up their chopsticks to start eating.

Seeing this scene, Nan Xi felt a warmth in her heart. She had never received such treatment before.

"Brother, I’ve already bought all the welfare gifts for the employees today. Let’s close the deliveries early tomorrow afternoon, and get off work early. Then I’ll bring the gifts over, and we can have a meeting.

We’ll discuss the New Year’s shifts. Today is already the 25th, tomorrow’s the 26th, and there aren’t many days left until the New Year."

Lin Hao nodded and agreed.

"We’ll come back to Sea City by the sixth day of the New Year. I’m thinking of letting Li Wen manage the store."

Lin Hao, hearing Li Wen’s name, nodded in agreement, "Sure, despite his young age, Li Wen handles things very well. Whenever there’s something at the store and I’m busy, he always helps out..."