Glaze of Time

At this moment, Bai Hennan was already driving toward the company building, his mind still lingering on the scene from earlier. That brief morning encounter stirred an indescribable emotion within him.

— Ji Yuntong's unintentional dependence made him feel protective of her. She had always been independent, yet because of his assertiveness, she had started to lower her guard, allowing him into her world, letting him take care of her. He knew that deep down, she also longed to be cared for. Logic told him he shouldn't be so easily affected by her, yet in his heart, he was certain—he wanted to protect her.

These emotions swirled within him as he drove, lingering until his car entered the underground parking lot. He collected his thoughts, pushed open the car door, and walked into the building with steady steps.

Inside the elevator, he pressed the button for the eighth floor, his gaze fixed on the digital screen displaying the floor changes. His expression was calm and focused. He knew why he was here and wouldn't let anything distract him. When the elevator doors opened, he strode out, heading straight for the executive secretary Sun Tan's office.

Sun Tan looked up, a flicker of surprise flashing through her eyes before she quickly regained her professional composure. She stood up promptly and asked respectfully, "Do you have an appointment?"

Bai Hennan smiled faintly, his tone polite yet carrying an undeniable authority. "Tell Mr. Gao that Bai Hennan is here."

Sun Tan was slightly taken aback but quickly recovered, nodding. "Please wait a moment."

After making a quick call, she hung up and gestured toward him. "Mr. Bai, please come in. Mr. Gao is expecting you."

As they walked towards the office, murmurs spread among the employees.

"I heard he's our new legal director—Bai Hennan. He's really handsome!"

"I heard Mr. Gao personally recruited him, and they even know each other from before."

"No wonder! That aura is something else."

Bai Hennan ignored the whispers and calmly entered the office.

Inside, Sun Tan addressed the person at the desk. "Mr. Gao, your guest has arrived. Do you have any instructions?"

"No, you may leave for now," Gao Yue replied sternly, barely looking up.

"Understood." Sun Tan nodded and stepped out.

As soon as the door closed, Gao Yue's serious expression instantly transformed into a warm, enthusiastic one.

Bai Hennan glanced at him and teased, "You switch faces so fast."

Gao Yue shrugged. "Workplace etiquette, you know."

He studied Bai Hennan and half-jokingly asked, "Are you sure you want to work here? My company isn't that big."

Bai Hennan's tone was firm. "I believe in your capabilities and your team."

Gao Yue raised an eyebrow, his voice playful. "Come on, you're the legal director, not here to play games, right?"

Bai Hennan chuckled and countered, "Unless you want me to slack off?"

Gao Yue stared at him, as if trying to decipher his true motives.

Bai Hennan simply smiled and responded ambiguously, "I'm not that bored. I just wanted to see how your 'small company' operates. Besides, we've known each other for so many years. I should offer some support."

Gao Yue seemed surprised by his attitude. "Support? Don't tell me… You're here because of that incident?"

Bai Hennan's expression darkened for a moment before he quickly regained his usual composure. He let out a soft chuckle. "It's not that complicated. I just happened to want a break. Besides, you should know by now—I have my own persistence. Since they went through so much effort to try and control me, I won't let them have their way."

Gao Yue smiled knowingly. He understood Bai Hennan's personality well. Without further questions, he pushed a document across the desk. "Alright, since you've decided to join, take a look at this contract. Let's sign once everything checks out."

Bai Hennan took the document, scanning through it quickly, his mind calm as water.

Although this was technically a new job, it carried a deeper meaning for him. This wasn't just a career move—it was the start of something new.

"The terms are fair," he remarked casually. "But you should know, I'm not as easygoing as you think."

Gao Yue chuckled, a teasing glint in his eyes. "I know. You're here for a real challenge, not to take it easy."

Bai Hennan met his gaze, his eyes firm. "Challenges require courage, don't they?"

Gao Yue's smile gradually faded, replaced by a more serious expression. "Are you ready for everything that comes next?"

Bai Hennan set down the contract, his gaze unwavering. "I'm ready."

Gao Yue studied him for a moment before nodding. "Alright then. Welcome aboard." He picked up the phone and called Sun Tan back in.

"Take him to the legal director's office," Gao Yue instructed.

Sun Tan responded promptly, then turned to Bai Hennan with a polite smile. "Mr. Bai, please follow me."

Holding the contract, Bai Hennan stood up and followed her to his new office.

As they walked, Sun Tan maintained her professional smile, but she couldn't help glancing at the tall man beside her.

What's the deal with Mr. Gao and Mr. Bai? They seem really familiar.

Also… this legal director is way too handsome. The girls in the company are definitely going to fall for him.

But judging from his composed demeanor, he doesn't seem easy to approach. Hopefully, he's not too difficult to work with.

When they arrived at the office, Bai Hennan stepped inside. A subtle scent of wood filled the air. The desk was neatly arranged with a few documents on top, while the sunlight streaming through the floor-to-ceiling windows made the space feel bright and open.

He took a moment to survey his surroundings. His gaze landed on the left side of the desk, where a window provided a clear view of the bustling streets below. The sunlight filtering in cast a warm glow across the room. On the desk, a nameplate engraved with "Bai Hennan" stood prominently. His eyes paused briefly on the bookshelf, where neatly arranged law books lined the shelves.

He hesitated for a moment before stepping forward, pulling out the chair, and sitting down, adjusting it to the most comfortable position.

Both the desk and chair were gaming-style, clearly designed for long working hours—likely an intentional choice to match the gaming company's atmosphere and help employees understand the habits of esports players.

"This is your office," Sun Tan said efficiently. "Mr. Gao had it prepared in advance. All key documents are in the folder on the desk. Let me know if you need any adjustments."

Bai Hennan took the folder and skimmed through a few pages. "Organize all current cases for me."

"Understood. I'll compile everything and send it to your email. Also, Mr. Gao has arranged for your new assistant to start tomorrow."

"Alright." He nodded slightly, tapping his fingers on the desk as his gaze drifted toward the window, deep in thought.

Bai Hennan spent the entire morning in his office, carefully reviewing case files. His pen glided across the pages, marking key points, while the soft clicking of his keyboard punctuated the quiet.

Whenever he took on a new position, he always familiarized himself with the work first—this time was no exception. His eyes moved from reports to file folders, highlighting important notes and annotating crucial details. Occasionally, he would glance outside, ponder for a moment, then return to his tasks.

By noon, Sun Tan knocked on the door. "Mr. Bai, would you like me to order lunch for you?"

He closed a file and leaned back in his chair. "Any recommendations nearby?"

Sun Tan smiled. "Mr. Gao figured you might be busy, so he asked me to order takeout for you. I have a few restaurant menus here—would you like to take a look?"

He nodded, flipped through the menu, and casually picked a few light dishes. "Thanks."

"No problem, it's part of my job." Sun Tan smiled and turned to leave. Before stepping out, she couldn't resist glancing at him once more.

She realized that despite Bai Hennan's composed demeanor and distant aura, he wasn't as unapproachable as she had initially thought.