Lu Tu had always been an ambitious person, striving to obtain whatever he desired.
So while he indulged his emotions, casting admiring glances at the Miss and finding ways to make her more comfortable, he also contacted family businesses during the deep night when the Miss slept, giving his ambitions powerful support.
The Miss would still bully people, but Lu Tu no longer held grudges or endured it silently—he intuitively learned to deliberately show weakness to her.
Just like at this moment, when the vase in the bedroom was empty. The Miss told him to go pick one of every rose from outside and bring them in.
The reason this place was called Rose Manor was because it cultivated thousands of varieties of roses: Fendela, Maria, Diana, Ice Beauty... Even though only a few hundred types bloomed in this season, it would still take quite some time to gather them all.
Lu Tu didn't want to go at all.
The handsome butler's voice carried a hint of laughter, tinged with a helpless tone, as he deliberately lowered his voice and sighed, "Miss, please spare me."
Jiang Yan felt an inexplicable stirring in her heart. She was a little—just a little—bewitched by him... Well, sending someone out to pick flowers all day did seem a bit unreasonable. She'd have no one to take care of her.
"Then just pick one kind and bring it in," the Miss said accommodatingly, her usually aggressive demeanor suddenly appearing soft and adorable.
Lu Tu gazed at her for a few more moments before tiptoeing outside.
Left alone in the room, Jiang Yan reflected on whether she was being too lenient with Lu Tu. He had been acting like this lately, his attitude... very similar to before, making it difficult for Jiang Yan to give him a hard time.
Did that mean it was time to start a romantic relationship?
Before Jiang Yan could come to a conclusion, a servant suddenly came to inform her that a guest had arrived and was waiting in the living room.
Rose Manor rarely received visitors, so thinking something might have happened, Jiang Yan followed the maid to greet them.
Unexpectedly, the visitor turned out to be a young man with a vibrant voice and quite loud. As soon as Jiang Yan appeared, he began praising the manor's beauty in a string of clever words.
Jiang Yan curiously asked for his surname, and the young man, suddenly abashed, stopped mid-sentence and hurriedly introduced himself as Lin Muqian.
Only then did Jiang Yan realize he had participated in the butler selection process.
...
Lu Tu carefully selected a few stems of lychee roses, bringing their fragrance into the room, only to find it empty.
Lu Tu furrowed his brow, set down the flowers, and walked out. After getting clarification from the maid, he was somewhat relieved. He strode to the reception room, discovering the guest was actually Lin Muqian.
As Lu Tu approached, he overheard Lin Muqian analyzing his own feelings: "...The first time I saw you, I realized you were nothing like the rumors. You're so beautiful, surely a masterpiece sculpted by the creator..."
Lu Tu's lips tightened in displeasure, but relaxed when he saw the Miss boredly fiddling with her fingers.
Lin Muqian continued his volley of compliments: "I heard from my father that you're very accomplished in music, often discussing pieces with renowned masters. I'm very interested in music. Could we perhaps discuss music appreciation sometime?"
Lu Tu let out a scoff.
Jiang Yan spoke up: "Does listening to lullabies count?"
Lin Muqian: ...What?!
Some people's willpower manifests in small things.
Just like the undeterred Lin Muqian at this moment. He persevered bravely: "I also heard you enjoy reading? I noticed 'Klingsors letzter Sommer' on the bookshelf here. Do you like this kind of autobiographical novel?"
Lu Tu chuckled softly.
Jiang Yan let out an "Oh," and calmly replied to Lin Muqian's suddenly hopeful gaze: "You didn't look carefully. Those books haven't actually been unwrapped. They're just for decorating the shelves."
Because none of those books were in Braille, Jiang Yan had never read them.
Lin Muqian didn't understand why the Miss was nothing like what he'd heard. She didn't understand music, didn't love reading, but her honest demeanor was so captivating! I still love her...
Lu Tu, however, didn't give him another chance. He walked right in.
Lu Tu addressed the bored Miss: "The roses have been prepared and are waiting for your use. You can go tend to the roses now, and I'll entertain your guest."
Jiang Yan indeed didn't want to stay any longer and left with the maid.
Lin Muqian's gaze longingly followed her departure, then turned to Lu Tu with a complex expression: "You don't know how much I envy you. You only have eyes for your career and don't understand how beautiful the Miss is..."
"I do understand," Lu Tu cut him off bluntly.