When Sheng Quan was in school, she was obsessed with watching Mary Sue dramas and novels. Back then, stories like "21st-Century Cold-Blooded Assassin Transmigrates into a Princess Consort" were equally popular.
As a teenager, the plots she encountered went like this: the domineering CEO lived in mansions worth hundreds of millions, drove cars worth tens of millions, traveled in private jets, always had an all-capable assistant by his side, and was accompanied by an old butler who would wipe his tears and sigh, "The young master hasn’t been this happy in a long time."
Back then, Sheng Quan never imagined that one day, she would become something even more impressive than a domineering CEO—a domineering chairwoman.
And her residence was even more expensive than those of the CEOs in the novels. Though, considering the inflation since the time she read those stories, it was understandable.
Unfortunately, private jets had to be downgraded to private helicopters in her case. After all, private jets weren’t easy to park, while helicopters, being smaller, were far more convenient to land wherever she pleased.
And to this day, Sheng Quan still felt a twinge of jealousy over how the CEOs in novels could fly their private jets without having to apply for flight routes in advance.
Sheng Domineering Chairwoman Quan gazed at the garden so vast she could practically ride a horse through it and joked to Gu Zhao beside her:
"Thanks to your hard work, your boss has bought another house."
Unfortunately, Gu Zhao didn’t get the joke about "working overtime to help the boss buy property." He thought he was being praised.
"Do you like houses?" he asked, looking at Sheng Quan with an eager expression that seemed to say, "Just say the word, and I’ll work tirelessly to boost company profits so you can own properties all over the world."
His beautiful face remained as expressionless as ever, appearing perfectly composed. But Sheng Quan could tell exactly what he was scheming just from the faint glimmer in his striking light-colored eyes.
"I do like them, but right now, I only like this one." She truly adored this mansion—not only was it nearly perfect in every way, but it had also been thoroughly cleaned and prepped, ready for her to move in without any hassle.
After all, there were hardly any new luxury properties on the market in the country. And Sheng Quan wasn’t the type to insist on overseeing the renovation of her own home. Maybe in her past life she would have, but back then, she hadn’t had nearly as much savings.
This multi-billion-dollar mansion hadn’t fallen from the sky either. It had been sold by a low-key wealthy businessman named Zheng Gong.
Zheng Gong was deeply grateful that Sheng Quan had purchased his family’s estate.
The property had been on the market for quite some time, but buyers were scarce.
This wasn’t surprising. Most wealthy individuals preferred homes they had designed and built themselves. And those who could afford properties worth billions usually already had private residences. Why spend that much on an existing mansion when they could just buy land and construct their own?
On top of that, the Zheng family had insisted on a full cash payment. These days, how many people could lay their hands on billions in liquid assets?
Yet selling at a steep discount would have meant taking a massive loss. After all, the mansion had been painstakingly designed, with every detail meticulously planned.
It boasted four large swimming pools, three garages, entertainment rooms, a wine cellar, a grand library, a greenhouse, a spa and sauna, and even a private helipad.
So, of course, it also had a massive ornamental pond that doubled as a fishing spot.
As she looked around, Sheng Quan realized the only thing missing was an old butler who would tearfully say, "The young miss hasn’t been this happy in so long."
But that trope wouldn’t apply to her—because she was happy every single day.
Who wouldn’t be overjoyed owning a place this magnificent? It was absolutely exhilarating!
Her earlier quip about "being able to ride horses" here wasn’t an exaggeration either. As they toured the grounds, she spotted a stable in the distance, currently housing two "thoroughbred" ponies.
To be honest, it was Sheng Quan’s first time seeing live ponies up close. After Zheng Gong enthusiastically explained their lineage—how their parents had competed in prestigious races and were renowned in the equestrian world—she gazed at the two beautiful, gentle creatures with their big, dark, soulful eyes and couldn’t help but show interest.
"Perfect timing—I’ve been meaning to learn horseback riding."
Zheng Gong didn’t question why Sheng Quan didn’t already know how to ride, nor did he make any snide remarks like, "How can a wealthy heiress like you not know basic horsemanship?"
Newly rich individuals might obsess over this or that etiquette, but those who were truly wealthy rarely cared about such things.
To put it bluntly, they no longer needed to cater to anyone’s expectations. They lived exactly as they pleased. Even if they walked around in a T-shirt, shorts, and flip-flops, people would praise them for being refreshingly unpretentious.
So when Sheng Quan expressed her fondness for the two ponies, Zheng Gong immediately smiled and said,
"They’re still young and not easy to transport, which is why we left them behind. If Chairwoman Sheng likes them, please take them as a gift. At this age, they’re perfect for bonding with their new owner."
"Oh, I couldn’t possibly accept them for free. Even though I don’t know much about horses, just looking at them tells me they must be worth a fortune." Sheng Quan insisted on paying—she certainly had the means to, even if the money for the mansion itself had come from 006.
Zheng Gong knew this amount was pocket change to her. Besides, though he was still wealthier than most, he wasn’t as extravagantly rich as he once had been—otherwise, he wouldn’t have had to sell the estate.
Unlike Sheng Quan, who could casually drop 2.5 billion without blinking. Even with her company, StarGaze, currently thriving, such liquidity was awe-inspiring.
Back when the Zheng family had built this mansion, they’d had to pour money into it bit by bit over time.
So even though the selling price of 2.5 billion was already a bargain, Zheng Gong treated Sheng Quan with the utmost respect, personally accompanying her on the tour—a clear sign of his deference.
Sheng Quan and her group toured the entire property on a sightseeing cart (yes, the place was so big they needed a vehicle to get around), inspecting every building and facility.
The more she saw, the more delighted she became.
It was as if the mansion had been tailor-made for her tastes—down to the private cinema, which rivaled a commercial theater. The seats were incredibly comfortable with built-in massage functions, and there was even a dedicated area for staff outside to ensure that snacks and drinks could be delivered instantly.
With so much space, she could even invite the entire company’s executives for a movie night. The viewing experience was guaranteed to be a hundred times better than a regular theater.
And most importantly of all—the estate came with a top-tier security system and ample rooms. A place this grand naturally required more security personnel.
At last, she could assemble the elite bodyguard team she had always dreamed of, without any reservations.
Sheng Quan knew none of this was a coincidence. Out of all the luxury properties for sale worldwide, how could the one in the prize pool be the one that perfectly matched her preferences in every way?
"006, thank you," she murmured.
["You're welcome, Host! 006 is happy if you're happy!"]
006 was indeed delighted, especially after Sheng Quan mentioned plans to take it on a movie marathon once they moved in.
Over time, Sheng Quan noticed that 006 had its own preferences. While it still struggled to grasp many human nuances, she observed its deep admiration for excellence—whether in people or things.
When it came to people, 006 naturally gravitated toward those who were diligent, talented, and virtuous. Any display of such qualities earned its quiet approval.
As for objects, it adored natural landscapes. During the filming of The Cultivator and Stellar War, the crew went to great lengths to preserve and restore scenic locations, which kept 006 in high spirits for days.
It also had a keen appreciation for films, music, and even paintings, often enjoying them alongside Sheng Quan. Despite its youthful demeanor, there was a strangely all-encompassing wisdom in how it embraced the world.
Take now, for instance. 006 couldn’t quite fathom why Sheng Quan was so taken with these facilities. To it, a cave and a villa were the same—just places to live.
But if Sheng Quan liked them, 006 would happily procure them.
And when it saw her joy, 006—having secretly (or so it thought) prepared for this moment—would bask in its own quiet satisfaction.
Of course, even with everything ready, Sheng Quan couldn’t just waltz in with her entourage of bodyguards.
First, she faced a pressing issue: hiring staff.
A place this size was beyond the capacity of her two housekeepers.
And unlike the all-powerful CEOs in romance novels, she couldn’t just dump the task on her overworked assistants.
Even if they were willing—lured by overtime pay—it wasn’t their expertise. Recruitment was HR’s job, but involving the company’s HR department would blur the line between personal and professional matters.
Besides, new hires would need a manager.
Not one to fuss over such details, Sheng Quan turned to the estate’s previous owner, Zheng Gong.
Zheng Gong eagerly explained that affluent households typically employed private butlers—professionally trained, highly paid, and exceptionally capable. A reliable butler could handle all domestic affairs, leaving the owner free of trivial worries.
"Some are local, others foreign—foreign butlers are more in vogue these days," he added.
"Just outline your requirements, Madam Sheng, and they’ll arrange everything. These butlers usually stay for life, so once you’ve chosen, it’s a permanent arrangement."
Sheng Quan: So the 'loyal family butler' trope is real…
Art truly imitated life.
Despite her earlier skepticism, Sheng Quan recognized the need for a butler and promptly asked Zheng Gong to make introductions.
While this was a straightforward transaction, Zheng Gong saw it as an opportunity to cultivate ties with the young tycoon—especially since it cost him little effort.
He swiftly provided the contact details of a reputable agency.
Sheng Quan wasn’t overly concerned. Wealth had a way of smoothing obstacles, and if this agency didn’t work out, she could always try another.
A call later, the agency assured her in soothing tones that they’d handpick the perfect candidate.
Their service was impeccable—no intrusive questions, just a swift presentation of meticulously curated profiles, each introduced with patience and care.
But lately, Sheng Quan had been engrossed in her private theater and had little patience for decision-making. Yu Xiangwan volunteered to take over.
Despite the rising heat, the impeccably groomed young man remained cool and composed. Behind his gold-rimmed glasses, his eyes crinkled warmly.
"I know your tastes well, and I’m familiar with the estate’s needs. Let me handle this for you."
Yu Xiangwan lowkey regretted not being able to apply for the butler position himself.
Compared to his roles as company VP and the all-powerful production supervisor on set, he’d much rather stay by Sheng Quan’s side.
But after some soul-searching, even he had to admit that his skills were more useful elsewhere. Reluctantly, he gave up on self-nominating.
Sheng Quan hesitated. "Won’t this cut into your vacation?"
"Not at all." His smile was gentle. "Helping you is my pleasure."
…Yeah, that sounds like him.
She relented. "Then I’ll leave it to you. You’ve never let me down."
The praise softened Yu Xiangwan’s usually composed expression. Adjusting his glasses, his demeanor turned almost as affectionate as the mechanical pup nuzzling Sheng Quan’s side.
"Rest assured, I’ll find a butler worthy of you."
"I trust you. Go ahead."
Nodding, Sheng Quan turned to survey her sprawling garden and the helicopter parked on the distant landing pad. The whole scene screamed romance-novel billionaire lifestyle.
All that was missing was the quintessential family butler.
Two weeks later.
Sheng Quan slowly set down her boba tea as Yu Xiangwan presented his choice.
"This is… the butler you found?"
The tall young man in a tailored tailcoat bowed gracefully before lifting his gaze. Beneath his dark hair, clear blue eyes curved in a smile before respectfully lowering again.
Sheng Quan: "…"
The strikingly handsome yet unassuming man before her dipped his head, as if pledging fealty.
"An honor to meet you, Madam."
"I am Evan, your personal butler."
