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Join the Server[The core responsibility of a butler is to coordinate the big picture and ensure that life runs smoothly, rather than being confined to performing menial chores.]
[“Ensuring that the master never has to worry about trivial matters” is the highest goal of a butler; on a daily basis, one must lead the entire service staff—including cooks, cleaners, and drivers—oversee guest receptions and banquets, manage household assets, attend to property maintenance, handle emergencies, and simultaneously formulate the household budget…]
001 rapidly scanned through various literature concerning the duties of a butler, finally casting his gaze toward the grand mansion behind him.
What he needed to do was manage all household affairs properly for his master, rather than constantly trailing behind him.
A faint streak of blue light flickered across his pitch-black pupils as he slowly turned and walked toward the residence.
As for the “meaningful things” his master had spoken of, the internet had also provided an answer.
For a butler, the most meaningful endeavor was to employ one’s utmost professionalism and loyalty to create a carefree, orderly, and dignified ideal life for the master—such that the master would barely register the butler’s presence, yet should he ever be gone, life would immediately plunge into total chaos.
He would carry out meaningful tasks in accordance with his master’s command.
***
When Mu An returned to the house after his morning jog, the scent of drifting aromas filled his senses, prompting him to pivot and head toward the kitchen.
Clay pot congee had already been served on the dining table, the rising steam dispersing fragrances that made Mu An’s stomach rumble with hunger.
Nanny Li happened to emerge carrying bowls and spoons, and seeing him, she couldn’t help marveling at the uncanny accuracy—the butler had just told her that she could bring the pot to the table in five minutes to let the congee cool for the young master, and it had indeed matched his timing perfectly.
“Young Master, I’ll cool the congee for you now; by the time you’ve changed your clothes, the temperature will be just right.”
“Alright.”
Mu An wiped the sweat from his forehead.
Having not run in so long, a bit of exercise left him dripping with sweat.
He turned to head upstairs, only to have his path barred on the second floor.
“Master, I have prepared warm water in the bathtub of the first guest room on the second floor for you to bathe and freshen up.”
001 bowed slightly.
“I have also selected freshly ironed garments for you from the laundry room and placed them on the table inside.”
“If Master is dissatisfied, I can coordinate another outfit for you.”
Mu An’s eyes lit up slightly.
‘Is this the life of the wealthy?’
“No need, I’m not picky with clothes. Thank you, 001.”
Mu An strode quickly toward the guest room.
001 followed him to the door by reflex, halting his steps just before crossing the threshold.
He stood in silence for a moment, and only upon hearing the bathroom door close and confirming Master had no further orders did he turn and walk away.
Soaking in the warm bathtub, a bath bomb had already dissolved in the water, tinting it a delicate pale cyan.
The subtle scent of green grapes mingled with rose washed over his shoulders and neck with the ripples, leaving a silky touch in its wake.
“Taking a bath first thing in the morning feels dangerously indulgent.”
The longer Mu An soaked, the less he wanted to get out and eat breakfast.
It was only when a rhythmic knocking came at the door that he yawned, stood up to rinse off with fresh water, and changed into the clothes, feeling as though his entire body was radiating fragrance.
He carelessly buttoned up his shirt, grabbed his necktie, and went to open the door.
As the door swung open, 001 stood waiting outside, bowing his head with deference.
“Breakfast has been prepared for you. If you eat now, the temperature will be just right.”
His gaze settled upon the pale cyan necktie wound around Mu An’s fingertips; the man’s soft, pale knuckles complemented the gentle hue, evoking a unique visual aesthetic.
“Master, do you require my assistance?”
001 extended his hand toward Mu An, his gaze pointed straight at the necktie in his hand with unmistakable meaning.
Mu An glanced down at his wristwatch; there wasn’t much time left.
“No need.”
‘It’s just tying a knot; there’s no need to make it so complicated.’
Bypassing 001, he headed straight downstairs, his fingers deftly tying a knot as he walked, and by the time he reached the ground floor, a handsome necktie was already neatly fastened.
“Nanny Li, your cooking is getting better and better, it smells wonderful!”
Mu An’s cheerful voice drifted backward into 001’s auditory sensors.
Standing by the staircase landing, he quietly watched the man’s receding silhouette, turning toward the garage only after a brief silence.
“Thank you for the compliment, Young Master.”
Nanny Li smiled as she ladled a bowl of congee for Mu An.
The butler had specifically instructed her to ensure the young master maintained a balanced diet and not to omit greens just because he disliked them, as long-term neglect of vegetables could easily lead to various health complications.
In accordance with the butler’s instructions, the greens in the congee had been blanched, squeezed dry, and diced exceptionally fine, completely eliminating the bitter astringency of the leafy greens.
Mu An wasn’t actually allergic to vegetables—he simply disliked them—so without encountering broad, fibrous leaves, he harbored no aversion and ate with hearty relish instead.
Seeing this, Nanny Li put her mind at ease.
After finishing his breakfast, Mu An stepped outside only to find that the driver had already pulled the car up to the front entrance, saving him a trip to the parking lot.
The moment he got into the vehicle, Driver Hong smoothly started the engine and departed for the research institute.
The entire process went so smoothly that Mu An was somewhat surprised, but upon reflection, the only person capable of coordinating everyone with such precise timing was 001.
‘As expected of a butler worth tens of millions! Not only can he help complete missions, but he can also manage the entire household staff.’
Mu An gazed at the red light outside the window, lost in admiration, when his left hand habitually reached to his side, his gaze freezing.
“Crap! I didn’t bring my bag!”
Usually, after freshening up, he would grab his briefcase from his bedroom on his way downstairs to eat.
Today, however, he hadn’t returned to his room at all after his early morning run, and he had boarded the car so briskly that he naturally clean forgot about it.
Shortly after, Sister Liu received a distress call from Mu An, asking her to enter his bedroom, retrieve his briefcase, and deliver it to him.
Sister Liu hung up the phone, only to turn around and run straight into 001’s cold face, giving her a sudden fright.
“What did Master instruct you to do?”
001 was puzzled as to why, in his role as butler, Master’s first point of contact had not been him.
Sister Liu steadied her heartbeat and answered timidly, “The young master asked me to go to his room to fetch his bag.”
001 nodded and turned to head toward Mu An’s bedroom, but the moment Sister Liu thought of what might be inside the master’s room, she immediately stopped him.
Although a robot couldn’t possibly possess human consciousness, the young master had never permitted 001 into his room, so it was best she refrained from facilitating anything the young master hadn’t explicitly sanctioned, lest she lose her job.
“The young master specifically named me to deliver the bag to him. Without the young master’s permission, you’d better not go in,” Sister Liu whispered softly.
The robot before her remained expressionless, terrifying Sister Liu to her core.
Only when 001 acknowledged her words and walked away did Sister Liu finally breathe freely.
If you asked her, things like robots simply shouldn’t exist—humanoid yet non-human—not to mention that 001 shared a face with someone who had already passed away, appearing horrifying no matter how one looked at it.
***
With his morning tasks already largely coordinated and having nowhere else to go, 001 silently returned to his room.
Looking at the simple, large bed inside the room, he walked slowly toward it, his fingertips brushing lightly across its surface.
Even when he lay down fully on the mattress and closed his eyes, he still could not comprehend the meaning of this bed’s existence.
Just as he did not know what mistake he had made to fail to earn his master’s trust.
The excitement doesn't stop here! If you enjoyed this, you’ll adore The Phantom of the Library. Start reading now!
Read : The Phantom of the Library
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