Chapter 3

Butler Young Master (3)

Huo Shu was in his final year of high school, with a tightly packed daily schedule. Not only did he have to study, but his free time was also dedicated to firearms training. He got less than six hours of sleep each day, staying up late and waking up early.

As he had said, he didn’t really need a butler. He scored full marks in every subject and achieved top results in his training. He seemed capable of anything a truly gifted young man.

Compared to other heirs, working for him was worry-free and effortless.

Jiang You only needed to stay nearby, acting like a wooden sculpture day after day.

She even felt that the role of a 【tool】 was tailor-made for her. The tasks weren’t heavy, the work was easy, and it came with room and board. Even if she had to endure occasional mockery and difficulties from other butlers, it was still within tolerable limits.

The young man had a sharp jawline, with pure black hair smoothly falling just above his eyebrows. Seated by the window in the classroom, his fingers distinctly knuckled and porcelain-white turned the pages of a book. A mole on the back of his hand stood out vividly, like a bold stroke in an oil painting.

His features were exceptionally handsome, blending the lush beauty inherited from his biological mother. Though his looks were striking, they carried no femininity, instead radiating an almost captivating allure.

Sitting outside on the marble edge of a flower bed, Jiang You watched this scene with appreciation, quietly reflecting.

In the novel’s plot, the older Huo Shu, who eventually came to power, rarely appeared in the media. People only knew him as decisive, ruthless, and brutal. One passage captured his image perfectly:

【Most of the man’s face was shrouded in shadow, his dark eyes reflecting flickering sparks. The sudden report of a gun echoed, the thick scent of blood spreading through the room, washing over his cold, intimidating features. In an instant, long-suppressed excitement and madness surfaced in his expression.】

After experiencing so many life-and-death crises, any normal person would not only have their blood, but their very bones steeped in darkness.

It’d be strange if he weren’t psychologically twisted.

“Don’t be afraid. He’s just a bastard. If you like him, he’d be overwhelmed with gratitude,” a voice, neither too loud nor too soft, came from nearby.

The students at this school were all from wealthy families, and each clan had its own dedicated educational wing the Huo family was no exception. This teaching building belonged to them.

A slightly trembling, flustered female voice responded, “Don’t… don’t say that.”

Soon, two figures came into Jiang You’s view.

One of them was a collateral heir of the Huo family, named Huo… Huo Qimo.

Beside her stood another girl. As the wind lifted a strand of hair near her eye, what caught the eye first were her exquisitely beautiful features, dark pupils, pale lips, and a school uniform dress that outlined her slender, graceful figure.

Jiang You thought back and quickly recalled the list of young ladies from prominent families that the original host had memorized.

This was Qin Cheng’s only daughter of the top-tier Chu family, Chu Muci.

To expand their influence and businesses, families most commonly and effectively used arranged marriages.

As one of the three major families in Qin Cheng, the Chu family was a target for the Huo family’s marriage alliance plans.

It was said that this Chu Muci was one of the potential marriage candidates for the Huo family’s direct-line second young master, Huo Ye.

Chu Muci had a personality that adhered strictly to family rules, with poised and well-mannered conduct. She appeared even more outstanding compared to Huo Qimo beside her.

The two walked past Jiang You, entered the classroom, and stopped by the window seat next to Huo Shu.

“Hey, my best friend has something to say to you.” Huo Qimo looked down on Huo Shu from the bottom of her heart. The concept of family bloodline was deeply ingrained in her, and she believed that an illegitimate child like Huo Shu, who couldn’t see the light of day, didn’t deserve to stay in the Huo family.

Though she thought this way, when she saw his appearance up close, she couldn’t help but sigh inwardly.

With looks like that, no wonder Muci liked him.

Huo Shu paused slightly, his expression unchanged. His dark, pool-like eyes calmly looked at them.

Meeting the young man’s gaze, Chu Muci’s cheeks still flushed red.

She remembered their first meeting. Her father had acted first and reported her name to the Huo family without consulting her, making her one of the potential marriage candidates for the Huo family’s second young master, Huo Ye. When she heard this news, she was filled with grief and indignation.

Never mind that she was still in high school, not even eighteen years old, and her father was already in such a hurry. Moreover, what she truly wanted in her heart was mutual affection, not a match where both parties would grow to dislike each other.

That day after school, she hid in the school storage room, unwilling to go home, until

The young man appeared before her, lofty and unattainable as a deity, yet cold and aloof like a snow lotus on a mountain.

Without saying a word, he left a handkerchief on the shelf before departing.

That was their only contact.

“To-tomorrow is my birthday. Can you come?” Chu Muci mustered all her courage, clenched her fingers, and managed to say these words to him.

Huo Shu remained silent. Huo Qimo impatiently urged, “Hurry up and agree! Muci came personally to invite you. With your status, what are you hesitating for?”

Her words were full of condescension and disdain.

Huo Shu lowered his eyelids.

After a moment.

“Okay.”

Huo Qimo glared at him fiercely before taking Chu Muci’s hand and leaving.

The other Huo family heirs around them cast jealous glances his way.

Huo Shu seemed completely unaware of others’ stares and continued reading the book on the table.

Only Jiang You outside the window caught the fleeting self-disgust and cold darkness in his eyes.

At this point in the story, the male lead was often constrained by circumstances. He could only endure, suppress, and then silently break his enemies’ necks.

The novel didn’t specify how he became the head of the Huo family, so Jiang You didn’t know.

Her gaze swept over Chu Muci’s retreating figure as she pondered carefully.

If Huo Shu could use Chu Muci’s status to climb up, it wouldn’t be long before he obtained everything he wanted.

The Chu family was both an opportunity and a shortcut.

“Young master, what choice will you make?” She leaned against the tree trunk, watching the young man sitting by the window with relaxed composure.

The birthday banquet for the Chu family’s young lady was held at Jianghuai Hotel.

Jianghuai Hotel was part of the Huo family’s assets and the most expensive hotel in the city. The main hall was filled with laughter and conversation, showcasing the extravagance of the wealthy and powerful. It felt less like a birthday celebration and more like a social gathering for various wealthy families.

The Chu family intended to form a marriage alliance with the Huo family, so they had personally delivered the invitation to Huo Yuan.

Huo Yuan would naturally grace the occasion with his presence.

Huo Shu, who had arrived at the banquet hall half an hour earlier, stood in an inconspicuous corner. Compared to others, he wore an ordinary, relatively inexpensive suit.

Jiang You stood about five meters away from him, spotting the eye-catching Chu family young lady, Chu Muci, standing beside her parents from a distance.

Chu Muci’s gaze continuously swept through the crowd, searching for Huo Shu’s figure.

But the person she was looking for never once let his eyes linger on her.

“Young master, the family head has arrived,” Jiang You reminded him at the appropriate moment.

After all these days, Huo Shu had stopped trying to drive her away.

It seemed he had finally clearly understood that she wouldn’t leave.

Yet even so, the young man’s attitude toward her remained as indifferent as ever, treating her like air and never acknowledging her.

This time, however, a subtle shift flickered in his eyes. He slightly lifted his chin and joined the others in turning his gaze toward the main entrance.

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