Chapter 13: Hiring an External Butler [New Book, Seeking Your Continued Support ꉂ(ˊᗜˋ*)]
The luxurious cruise ship chartered by the Takemoto family was docked high at the port, imposing and splendid, with several layers of observation decks visible.
Before boarding, Gao Mo was momentarily stunned.
The wealthy truly were formidable.
Following the old butler along the lower deck, the first place they entered was a spacious dining hall.
Gao Mo cautiously kept close behind the butler. Though the death threat had vanished, he remained vigilant.
He knew about the invitation and likely the package sender, yet he didn’t recognize him... Perhaps this old butler’s memories had been altered.
If the other party realized this, it could easily draw unwanted attention...
“This ship will probably reach Tokyo by tomorrow noon, so you only need to be mindful of dinner tonight and breakfast tomorrow,” the butler explained as they passed through the dining room into the kitchen.
“Also, Master Shoji will be in charge of the meals. You just need to serve according to the dining schedule and promptly clear the dishes afterward.”
“Hm?” Gao Mo asked curiously, “Are there no other servants on the ship?”
“No,” the butler replied, seeming reluctant to elaborate. Realizing Gao Mo might be unfamiliar with the Takemoto family, he slowly pulled out a memorandum from his inner pocket.
“This... was supposed to be sent with the invitation. Please read the notes carefully.”
Gao Mo opened the booklet; the first page featured the Takemoto family’s relationship chart.
At the top stood the patriarch, Takemoto Gokura, with his direct descendants below.
The eldest son, Shoichi Takemoto; the eldest daughter, Mariko; and the second son, Shoji.
At the bottom were the newlyweds of today: Shoichi and his daughter-in-law, Natsue Takemoto.
“These are the direct blood relatives and their spouses,” the butler continued, “except for the couple who died in a car accident last year, there are nine people attending the wedding, all of whom you will be serving.”
Gao Mo felt a bit inclined to complain about this job.
Was he a butler or a servant?
And there was hardly any compensation...
“Also,” the butler produced a thick envelope with one hand behind his back, “here is an advance payment of 300,000 yen. The remaining 200,000 yen will be mailed to you after arriving in Tokyo.”
Oh wow!
Gao Mo took the envelope calmly, but his heart was in turmoil.
Generous, incredibly extravagant.
Couldn’t they have explained everything clearly at once?
“Don’t forget to carefully read the notes at the back of the booklet,” the butler continued as they toured the ship, droning on, “The master isn’t in a good mood today, so be careful not to upset him. As for the others, Master Shoji doesn’t like anyone touching his knives...”
Gao Mo put away the booklet for now, planning to study it later.
After passing through the dining hall and kitchen, they inspected the luxurious guest rooms on the upper deck one by one.
“These are spare keys,” the butler suddenly produced a large bunch, “use them only when necessary. Whatever happens, always knock politely.”
After viewing the entertainment deck, neither ventured into the crew quarters.
Gao Mo only needed to manage the living quarters of the Takemoto family members.
“The crew won’t come to bother you. Do you have any questions?” the butler asked finally.
“No,” Gao Mo replied.
“Then I’ll take you to change clothes.”
Gao Mo’s room was near the luxury suites, seemingly for easy summons.
Inside, several sets of black morning suits were prepared, everything exquisite and orderly.
After stepping out of the room and displaying the posture of an English butler under the old butler’s approving gaze, Gao Mo finally exhaled in relief.
The first hurdle was crossed.
The tasks didn’t sound too difficult.
---
The duties taught for butlers mainly involved overall management: coordinating chefs, servants, managing daily family affairs, and preparing for ceremonies and social banquets...
But on this ship, there was nothing to do; he was the only servant.
No ceremonial matters, only posture to mind, and managing the relationships among the Takemoto family members—just serving as a waiter for a day.
It felt like a pointless exercise.
For someone who could quickly immerse himself in a role, this was far too simple.
“If you have any questions, you can call me,” the old butler said, leaving a business card before departing confidently.
...
The cruise ship’s corridor was deserted, so empty it was unsettling.
With nowhere else to go, Gao Mo stayed in his room, rereading the memorandum.
Drawing the curtains open, the large window offered a view of the entire bay.
The ice-blue sea, as if dyed, rippled under the sunlight, shimmering brilliantly, with seagulls flying and landing intermittently.
The mingled cries of seabirds and ship horns created an oddly pleasant melody.
Life was everywhere.
Most of the vessels coming and going were preparing to depart, with no ships bringing supplies or passengers for several days.
The Takemoto family’s chartered cruise ship would likely be the last to leave today.
“Swish!”
Gao Mo pulled the curtain halfway to block the glaring sunlight.
He continued reading the back of the memorandum.
The old butler was meticulous, writing extensively about each Takemoto family member’s background, personality, likes, and dislikes.
There were even some inside details that he, as an outsider, shouldn’t have known.
For instance, Shoji Takemoto had amassed a large external debt and was reprimanded harshly by the patriarch after asking for money, likely the reason for the elder’s bad mood.
Knowing Takemoto Gokura’s character, he would probably withhold the money for a long time just to dismiss the matter.
...
The youngest granddaughter, Natsue, was indeed the patriarch’s favorite.
The last page of the notes mentioned that Gokura had already drafted a will, leaving the entire inheritance to Natsue, and the Takemoto Group would be managed by whomever she chose.
This old man was ruthless.
If the other family members found out about this will, who knew what chaos might erupt.
Gao Mo couldn’t help but want to criticize the clueless old butler.
This wasn’t meant for him at all.
It was completely a personal memorandum.
He must have taken the wrong one.
...
Though the departure time was two hours away, several Takemoto family members had already boarded the cruise ship.
Gao Mo had scarcely enjoyed the unbeatable sea view from his luxury room when the corridor suddenly echoed with a quarrel between a man and woman, their high-heeled footsteps clicking rapidly.
It sounded like Natsue’s sister, Aki Takemoto, and her husband.
“Phew!”
Recalling the butler’s demeanor, Gao Mo cleared his throat, placed one hand behind his back, and slightly bowed as he stepped out.
“You must be the external butler?” Before Gao Mo could speak, the woman in high heels brightened and spoke first.
She had a tea-colored bob with blunt bangs, wore a black sleeveless evening dress that exposed her shoulders, and below a pearl necklace, a tantalizing cleavage was visible.
“Quite young, aren’t you?”
Leaning on the corridor corner, she swiftly fished a note from her mini handbag, and behind her, her husband handed Gao Mo a slip of paper. She winked teasingly.
“You’ll be in charge from now on, Mr. Butler. If you need anything, just come to me.”
“Uh…”
---
Pushing up his black-rimmed glasses, Gao Mo hadn’t expected such an opening.
Girls from wealthy families really knew how to play.
“What did she say to you just now?” The young man behind looked suspiciously at his wife as she walked away and warned sharply, “Don’t get the wrong idea—I’m Aki’s husband. She’s only trying to toy with you. There’s no way she’s after the Takemoto family fortune!”
The husband was Tatsuo Takemoto.
Gao Mo compared him to the notes.
The young man with slicked-back hair wore a green blazer; the notes described him as an artist, but he looked more like a street thug.
His gaze was fierce but beneath it lay obvious nervousness and fear.
The sorrow of being a son-in-law.
“Hey, what’s with that look? Looking down on me?”
The young man angrily grabbed Gao Mo’s tie.
Contrasting with his frail frame, Gao Mo’s calm, deathly expression startled him.
In the moment their eyes met, it was as if he glimpsed death.
“You bastard...”
Tatsuo’s Adam’s apple bobbed with rising anger. He raised his fist but froze at the sound of approaching footsteps from the hallway.
He could only snort, releasing his grip and patting Gao Mo’s shoulder sideways.
He was scared by such a delicate-looking pretty boy.
“Brat, behave yourself or I’ll report you and you’ll lose your job!”
“Tatsuo, what are you doing?!”
An angry voice came from the stairwell, causing the young man to shudder.
“N-nothing,” Tatsuo forced a laugh and turned back, “Grandpa, I was just joking around with the external butler.”
“Get out! All of you are useless!”
Takemoto Gokura’s figure appeared, accompanied by the family.
Wearing a dark traditional haori and kimono, his long gray hair tied at the back, with broad sword eyebrows and a full beard, he looked like a patriarch straight out of a historical drama.
His expression was stern and unapproachable, making even the other family members tread carefully.
Yet, to Gao Mo, he was considerably more amiable.
“Sorry to trouble you. We’ll be relying on you on the journey. Don’t mind these fools.”
Without waiting for a reply, the old man, radiating authority, turned sharply and headed to the innermost suite.
The remaining family members smiled slightly, acknowledging Gao Mo.
They merely regarded him as a temporary servant, indifferent to whether this external butler was truly professional.
“Phew!”
Gao Mo sighed, straightening his collar and tie. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Tatsuo Takemoto hastily retreating, and a chill suddenly gripped his heart.
The Takemoto family was still busy flattering the patriarch.
No one noticed the atmosphere beginning to shift.
A strange, eerie breeze swept through the quiet ship corridor; the door creaked open slightly.
Outside, the once bright bay darkened suddenly, as if a storm was approaching.
Looking back inside, the curtains fluttered for a long while; a teacup on the table trembled and shifted, and the reflections seemed to reveal a shadow...
Something seemed to have passed by.
“He has come.”
Gao Mo’s eyes narrowed sharply. Ignoring the employers, he bowed his head carefully and left the second-floor cabins.
He needed to hide himself—there was no response from the system, but he felt whispers close to his ear.
This return voyage had barely begun, yet it already felt ominous.
A killing intent lingered in the air.
It would not be just one death.