Chapter 2: His Gentleness

He said nothing—just placed his long, strong hands gently over her slightly swollen ankle. The warmth from his palm seeped into her skin, and the pressure of his fingertips was surprisingly precise—neither too firm nor too light—as he massaged her ankle to ease the pain.

Si Tiantian froze, too tense to move.

Her eyes lowered to the man’s focused profile: chiseled features, a straight nose, tightly pressed thin lips.

And yet… the way he moved at this moment was unbelievably gentle, a stark contrast to the commanding, unapproachable aura that radiated from him. She was momentarily dazed. Was this man truly a fearsome devil—or…

Standing not far away, Assistant Lin’s eyes widened behind his glasses, his jaw almost hitting the ground.

He had worked at Master Han’s side for years, handled countless difficult affairs, and never once seen him lower himself like this for any woman—let alone personally massage someone’s foot!

Was this really their Master Han? Had he been possessed?? Assistant Lin felt like he needed to re-evaluate his entire understanding of the world. The other confidants nearby were all exchanging stunned glances, barely daring to breathe, afraid of disrupting the strange yet oddly harmonious scene before them.

Li Hanye, seemingly unaware of the shock in the room, never once looked away from Si Tiantian. His eyes were fixed on her, as though she were the only treasure in the world—something fragile he needed to protect with utmost care.

The heat of his fingertips seeped through her delicate skin, soothing her injured ankle while also making her heart tremble.

“It’s sprained,” he said, looking up toward Lin Ke. “Get the medical kit.”

Lin Ke blinked, then quickly snapped out of his daze. “Yes, sir!” He rushed out without delay.

The very air in the room seemed to freeze in the presence of this man, pressing down on everyone, making it hard to breathe.

Then, his deep voice broke the silence. Though slightly hoarse, it carried a rare softness, like he was afraid of startling her:
“What’s your name?”

Si Tiantian bit her lip. The pain in her ankle had eased slightly under his massage, but the tension in her chest had only grown worse—his sudden gentleness was even more unsettling.

She looked up and met his deep, bottomless black eyes. Emotions swirled within them, too intense to decipher, too overwhelming to face. Her heart pounded so loudly it felt like it might leap out of her chest.

“I… I’m Si Tiantian.” Her voice was soft, barely audible, with a tremble even she didn’t notice.

As soon as the words left her lips, Li Hanye slowly lifted his gaze. His deep eyes locked onto her face, something flashing quickly within them.

His expression sharpened, more focused than before, as though trying to carve the name “Si Tiantian”—and the person herself—deep into his very bones.

His thin lips moved slightly as he silently mouthed her name, as if tasting something delicious.

Si Tiantian felt a chill run through her, her scalp tingling under his intense gaze. She instinctively tried to pull her foot back—but his firm grip held her in place, not allowing her even the slightest movement.

This man, though attentive and meticulous in his care, exuded an overpowering dominance that brooked no resistance.

His gaze was gentle… yet filled with an oppressive possessiveness that made it hard to breathe. She had the distinct feeling of danger—as though she’d been locked in the sights of a lurking beast, and she was the trembling prey, with no way to escape.

Just then, hurried footsteps echoed through the room. Lin Ke rushed back in with the medical kit in his arms. He placed it on the floor, sneaking a glance at Li Hanye, then at the pale-faced Si Tiantian on the sofa, his eyes complicated.

“Sir, I brought the medical kit,” Lin Ke’s voice broke the heavy silence that had settled over the room.