The novel 'Under My Protection' is this wild, emotional rollercoaster that starts off with a seemingly cold and distant CEO, Lin Mo, who’s got this reputation for being ruthless in business. Enter Bai Yu, this bright-eyed, kind-hearted intern who somehow ends up assigned as Lin Mo’s personal assistant. The initial dynamic is pure ice—Lin Mo’s all sharp edges, and Bai Yu’s just trying not to get frostbite. But as they spend more time together, cracks start forming in Lin Mo’s armor. There’s this one scene where Bai Yu stays late to reorganize files after a project goes sideways, and Lin Mo catches him asleep at his desk. Instead of chewing him out, he quietly drapes his coat over him. It’s the first hint that there’s warmth beneath that icy exterior.
The plot thickens when Bai Yu accidentally stumbles onto some shady dealings targeting Lin Mo’s company. Instead of backing off, he doubles down, using his own network to dig up evidence—putting himself in danger. Lin Mo, who’s spent years building walls, suddenly finds himself tearing them down to protect Bai Yu. The power dynamics flip in such a satisfying way; the protector becomes the protected, and the emotional payoff is huge. There’s this intense scene where Lin Mo confronts the antagonists, and for the first time, he’s not calculating—he’s just furious on Bai Yu’s behalf. The novel does a great job balancing corporate intrigue with slow-burn romance, and the way Bai Yu’s quiet resilience chips away at Lin Mo’s cynicism feels earned. Plus, the side characters add so much texture, from Lin Mo’s sarcastic best friend to Bai Yu’s fiercely protective sister. By the end, it’s less about who’s protecting whom and more about how they’ve become each other’s safe harbor.