CHAPTER 144: CHAPTER 144: THE UNUSUAL HE QI’AN

Stepping out of the airport, Lin Xiaoyan saw a tall, handsome woman with a buzz cut holding a sign.

The sign had a string of numbers written on it. Lin Xiaoyan didn’t look at the sign; she fixed her gaze on the woman and quietly said to He Qi’an, "Look quickly, there’s an incredibly handsome woman over there, so cool!"

He Qi’an followed Lin Xiaoyan’s gaze and the first thing he noticed was that string of numbers.

Upon seeing those familiar numbers, he hesitated, a trace of nostalgia and complex emotion flashing in his eyes.

The buzz cut woman also saw He Qi’an by then, her eyes brightened, and she waved excitedly at both He Qi’an and Lin Xiaoyan.

Lin Xiaoyan noticed the handsome woman seemed to be waving in their direction. She turned her head to look around and found no one else was looking that way.

She looked up again at He Qi’an and, seeing his somewhat complex expression, asked uncertainly, "Is she waving at us?"

He Qi’an gently exhaled, gathering all his emotions, "Yes, she’s the one coming to pick us up."

"Oh."

Lin Xiaoyan sensed something odd about He Qi’an, yet couldn’t discern anything from his face, but she just felt he was a bit strange.

Though usually this person was also expressionless and reticent, she just felt that his expressionless demeanor this time was different from before.

"Boss!"

As they approached the buzz cut woman, she excitedly shouted to He Qi’an.

Lin Xiaoyan looked in surprise at the handsome woman, then glanced at He Qi’an.

As soon as He Qi’an heard the title, his face twitched slightly, then resumed an expressionless facade, "I’m currently a policeman with the Sea City Police Station, assigned to a position; please call me Captain He."

Upon hearing He Qi’an’s words, the buzz cut woman’s eyes welled with tears, her face full of reluctance.

He Qi’an frowned, thinking to chastise, but recalling his current identity, said nothing.

"Boss, in our hearts, you’ll always be our leader!" the buzz cut woman said firmly.

Lin Xiaoyan stood by, watching the interaction with curiosity.

She was very curious about what He Qi’an did before.

Suddenly, she felt her neck being grabbed.

Lin Xiaoyan, with her neck grabbed, was forced to walk forward.

"Hey! What are you doing, I can walk by myself!"

Noticing the eyes of others on her, Lin Xiaoyan, embarrassed and angry, lowly scolded.

He Qi’an released his hand, looking down slightly, "I thought you were too engrossed watching the scene to walk."

Lin Xiaoyan: ......This person is just not normal today! What a nutcase!

Angry but afraid to speak out, Lin Xiaoyan secretly glared at He Qi’an, pouting, and walked forward in anger.

Watching Lin Xiaoyan all angry and striding forward, He Qi’an’s tense emotions eased a bit.

Seeing the boss’s interaction with that girl, Lu Lan’s eyes flickered with astonishment.

The boss used to keep at least three feet away from any female!

"Boss... Captain... Officer He."

When He Qi’an and Lin Xiaoyan came out, Lu Lan approached to greet them, but under He Qi’an’s sharp gaze, she had to change her address.

Hearing Lu Lan’s change of address, He Qi’an nodded slightly and pointed to Lin Xiaoyan, introducing, "This is Lin Xiaoyan, the person you’ve been assigned to protect closely."

Hearing this, Lu Lan put on a serious face and smartly saluted Lin Xiaoyan.

"Hello, Ms. Lin, I am Lu Lan, and from now on, I will be responsible for your safety."

Startled by Lu Lan’s action, Lin Xiaoyan, who was unaware she had protection, became a bit flustered, "You... Hello, thank you for protecting me..."

Lin Xiaoyan glanced at He Qi’an beside her, glaring at him, accusing him for not informing her in advance.

Understanding Lin Xiaoyan’s accusation, He Qi’an said nothing, instead dragging their luggage out.

"Let’s go meet up with everyone first."

Lin Xiaoyan followed them onto the car to meet with the main team.

Sitting in the car, Lu Lan diligently checked both inside and outside the vehicle.

"Please get in the car."

After confirming there were no dangerous devices, Lu Lan opened the door for Lin Xiaoyan.

The car was a military jeep, a bit high, so when Lin Xiaoyan got in, Lu Lan thoughtfully supported her arm to help her up.

"Thank you."

Getting a closer look at Lu Lan, Lin Xiaoyan was again impressed by her handsomeness, her face slightly flushed with embarrassment as she got in.

He Qi’an got in and noticed Lin Xiaoyan’s gaze occasionally directed towards Lu Lan driving in front, and saw her cheeks turning redder.

Tsk!

Speechless, He Qi’an internally clicked his tongue.

Picking up on He Qi’an’s disdain, Lin Xiaoyan glared at him.

Today’s Captain He had completely overturned her previous impression!

Men, they should be as gentle and considerate as Doctor Yang...

Thinking of Yang Lin, Lin Xiaoyan felt frustrated again.

She didn’t understand what Yang Lin meant in the past by calling her.

Nor did she understand why he recently disappeared.

She didn’t like ambiguity, but... as someone who had been single her whole life, she couldn’t help but fantasize.

"What are you thinking? Didn’t we just stop at the restroom?"

Seeing Lin Xiaoyan’s face looking like she was constipated, He Qi’an asked seriously.

Lin Xiaoyan widened her eyes at He Qi’an, "You... what’s up with you today?"

"What’s up?"

Lin Xiaoyan, reminded of the presence of others, took a deep breath, "Nothing."

Thinking to herself, once she saw Xuan Shiyi, she’d ask for his help to see if anything had possessed him!

He Qi’an, seeing Lin Xiaoyan looking away, remained expressionless while his fingers lightly rubbed one another.

Only he knew that he was indeed unusual today.

He watched the car speeding along, his heart remained taut.

This mission, he had volunteered for.

When the officials heard he wanted to participate, they agreed after only a half-day consideration.

Before, he’d left too hastily; this time, he wanted to use this mission to put a period, put an end to his past.

Instantly, the atmosphere in the car fell silent.

No one spoke.

Everyone wrapped up in their thoughts.

Lu Lan drove, her gaze fixed straight ahead, while remaining highly alert, observing the surroundings.

"Ding."

Lin Xiaoyan’s phone lit up. She glanced at it; it was from Shi Wu.

Remembering the message she sent to Shi Wu earlier, she quickly opened her phone to see Shi Wu’s reply.

"Looks good, what’s up? Has someone said your bangs don’t look good?"

"I’ve never seen you without bangs, how about you sweep them up to let me compare?"

Glancing at He Qi’an beside her, Lin Xiaoyan replied, "I’m in the car now. I’ll send it to you when we arrive."

Xuan Shiwu: "Ok!"

Xuan Shiwu: "This mission is quite dangerous. Be careful and when you meet Xuan Wu, ask him for a few amulets!"