Chapter 274: Factory Holiday

January 23rd.

Six days before the Lunar New Year.

The sun was bright, and the sky was high and vast.

That morning, Shen Yan arrived at the factory carrying a suitcase filled with stacks of hundred-yuan bills, totaling 700,000 in cash.

This included the workers' wages and their year-end bonuses.

Under normal circumstances, except for a few workers without bank cards, the factory settled wages via bank transfer, but since it was the New Year, distributing cash was mainly for the festive spirit.

Walking into the workshop, the workers were finishing up their last tasks, their faces beaming with bright smiles, chatting from time to time about going home, how long the ride would take, and what gifts they had bought for their children.

"Clap, clap, clap!"

Shen Yan clapped his hands to gather everyone together. Looking out, there were nearly 90 people on-site. Shen Yan said clearly and articulately: "Everyone knows that our factory will officially start the New Year holiday this afternoon. Over the past three months, everyone has worked very hard, using your diligent hands to strive for a better life and making huge contributions to the factory. I have seen all of this."

"I originally thought about buying everyone some Apples, cooking oil, or something similar as a New Year benefit, but then I thought it wasn't quite appropriate. It's better to just give out red envelopes; everyone can go buy what they need themselves."

Hearing this, the workers' eyes lit up.

That's right, what's the point of those messy things? Money can take you anywhere, and it saves them from having to lug things around.

Young people really have sharp minds.

No wonder he can get rich.

Just as everyone was preparing to express their gratitude, they heard Shen Yan continue: "The red envelope amount isn't huge, it's two hundred yuan. Besides that, I have also prepared a year-end bonus for everyone, the amount of which is linked to your length of employment. Everyone, come to my office in order to collect your money in a moment."

As soon as these words were spoken, everyone was ecstatic.

Having worked away from home for so many years, this was the first time they had ever heard the term "year-end bonus." In the past, being able to get their wages on time was already something to thank the heavens for.

They didn't expect to meet such a good boss this year.

He never delayed wages and even let everyone return home with a full load—what a good person! They must come back here to work next year.

"Oh ho! Long live the boss!"

"Thank you, boss!"

"Wishing the boss great prosperity and to make a fortune every year."

Applause erupted from below, deafening like thunder and enduring like the waves.

A breeze-like smile appeared on Shen Yan's face as he raised his hand to signal for silence. The scene immediately became quiet, showing the boss's prestige.

Shen Yan continued: "I won't say much else. I wish everyone a Happy New Year in advance. We resume work on the tenth day of the first lunar month, and I hope to fight alongside you all again."

"Okay!"

"Boss, I will definitely come back next year."

"I'm coming too!"

"Boss, I'll work for you again next year."

"Happy New Year, boss!"

Inside the factory manager's office.

After listening to Han Yi's work report, Shen Yan nodded with satisfaction, then took a large red envelope from the drawer and said with a smile: "You've performed well these past few months, and the factory has been managed in an orderly fashion. This is the year-end bonus I'm rewarding you with; there's 15,000 inside. I hope you will continue to work hard next year."

???

Han Yi's eyes almost popped out. Holy crap! He was actually giving out such a large year-end bonus at once; it was equivalent to two months of his salary.

After coming to his senses, he hurriedly took the red envelope and said with a beaming face: "Thank you, boss. I will definitely work hard next year and not let down your expectations of me."

Shen Yan nodded slightly, gave a few more instructions, and then had Han Yi call the finance department over.

They prepared to start distributing wages.

Then, one by one, the workers came to the office to collect their money: wages + year-end bonus + red envelope.

Clutching the thick stack of cash in their hands, every worker was beaming, not forgetting to wish Shen Yan a Happy New Year and saying they would report back to the factory next year.

Shen Yan responded to each one.

After receiving their money and finishing the final tasks, the workers left the factory one after another. The once bustling factory suddenly became quiet, like an uninhabited forest, where even the sound of the breeze blowing could be clearly heard.

At one o'clock in the afternoon, after locking the office door, Shen Yan drove Fang Xiang back to her residential complex. In the passenger seat, Fang Xiang looked at Shen Yan with deep attachment, her voice soft: "Boss, why don't you go upstairs and sit for a while? We won't see each other for a long time, and I can't bear to part with you."

"What, haven't I fed you enough these past few days?" Shen Yan raised an eyebrow, his face playful.

"That's not it, I just want to stay with you a little longer." Fang Xiang's baby-faced cheeks instantly turned a deep red, and she twisted her body coyly.

The time was still early, and Shen Yan did not let down her affection. He followed Fang Xiang to the Fang residence. As soon as they entered the bedroom, there was no need for words; the two locked eyes.

Their gazes lingered.

Sparks flew all the way.

Fang Xiang was pressed onto the Large Bed, and one piece of clothing after another was tossed away. Shen Yan's scorching breath hit her fair, slender neck, and those delicate, glistening earlobes...

This was Fang Xiang's most sensitive area. Her pretty face flushed red, and she unconsciously twisted her delicate body, murmuring "Boss" under her breath.

The sound was melodious, yet it made one's heart surge.

Then, the temperature in the room rose once more.

Afterwards, Shen Yan took a shower in the bathroom. Once dressed neatly, he looked at Fang Xiang, who was lying on her side, gazing at him infatuatedly, and lowered his head to kiss her on the face again.

"Stay safe here, call me if anything happens."

Fang Xiang nodded obediently and opened her arms, wanting to hug Shen Yan again. Shen Yan held her and cherished her for a while longer, his large hand kneading her under the covers.

He teased, "My little wild cat is getting more and more plump and enchanting."

"As long as the boss likes it!" Fang Xiang felt infinite joy, her little face flushed red.

The sunset illuminated the horizon, the colorful clouds filled with romance.

When driving away from the complex, Shen Yan couldn't help but sigh; being too strong wasn't necessarily a good thing—three hours had passed in the blink of an eye.

At this special point in time, the streets were shrouded in a thick New Year atmosphere, and a festive and peaceful mood permeated everywhere. Primary school students on winter break were like a flock of free birds, darting through the streets and alleys, enjoying their own happy time to the fullest.

They chased and played happily. Some children took out their pocket money, excitedly bought some small firecrackers, and after carefully lighting the fuse, they would either throw them into the water or cover them with something, then quickly run away.

Immediately following this, crisp and loud explosions rang out, echoing in the air as if announcing their happiness and joy to the world.

Approaching Danqingyuan Residential Complex, Shen Yan saw from afar that under a lush camphor tree at the complex entrance, Wu Yue'er was amusing herself, playing the childhood game of hopscotch.

She stood on one foot, toes pointed, hopping forward, occasionally switching to landing on both feet, a childlike, innocent smile hanging on the corners of her mouth, then turning one hundred and eighty degrees with movements so light and graceful, she looked just like a butterfly dancing in flight.

At this moment, Wu Yue'er was completely immersed in her own world of joy, having forgotten everything around her...