Gotham City.
I don't know if it's due to its geographical location, but the weather in this city is mostly cloudy. Even at noon every day, the sky is always covered with thick gray leaden clouds, and it looks gloomy as if it is about to rain.
Today is the weekend and Gotham is cloudy as usual. Of course, people living in this city are already used to it.
rustle--
A top-of-the-line extended-length black Rolls-Royce drove into the manor. The vehicle drove slowly without any bumps or vibrations, and finally stopped in front of the iron gate of a large private manor house.
The main driver's seat is open.
The driver in a suit and tie came down quickly and skillfully, opened the back door respectfully, and bent down to block the upper edge of the door in a standard manner.
The red-haired girl had obviously never experienced such treatment before. She jumped down from the luxurious soft seat somewhat uncomfortably. Almost as soon as she landed on the ground in her uniform dress, the iron gate of the manor in front of her slowly opened inwards.
"Please come in, Miss Wanda." The driver raised his arm respectfully.
Wanda looked in the direction indicated, and what came into view was a huge manor with the appearance of a royal castle, with tall tower-like buildings reaching up to the dark sky of Gotham.
Is this really the butler training base that Miss Diana mentioned?
Wanda entered the iron gate and walked along the corridor inside the manor. Many maids who were tending plants and keeping the yard clean bowed politely and friendly when they saw her.
Wanda nodded quickly in response.
"You are Miss Wanda, right?"
A gentle and kind voice suddenly came from the front. Wanda subconsciously raised her eyes and looked over. She saw an old man with pale hair and a neat suit standing in front of the door of a manor building that looked like a castle.
"Yes, hello, old sir!"
In the overly luxurious environment, with an inexplicable sense of oppression called "power and nobility", Wanda bowed somewhat stiffly.
The old man smiled and nodded, "I am Alfred Pennyworth. In view of Miss Diana's request, you can call me 'Teacher'."
…
Wayne Manor, the main reception hall on the first floor.
Wanda sat obediently and quietly on the chair, her short legs dangling in the air, completely unable to touch the carpet underneath.
Butler Afu poured Wanda a cup of hot coffee. His hands were so steady that the coffee in the cup did not shake at all. His body seemed even stronger than his old appearance.
"How do you feel?" Butler Ah Fu asked kindly.
Wanda held the coffee cup in both hands to warm them. She glanced at the magnificent main hall. The expensive and retro interior refreshed her perception of luxury.
This made her even more reserved and nervous, and she whispered, "I don't feel like I'm here for housekeeper training. You all... treat me like a young lady."
"Hahahaha, really."
Butler Ah Fu couldn't help but laugh, then blinked and asked, "You don't know the identity of the Prince family, do you?"
"Identity?" Wanda tilted her head.
"How should I explain it?" Butler Ah Fu pondered for a moment, then said, "Let me put it this way. The Young Master Wayne I serve is the head of the Wayne Group. The Wayne Group's market capitalization exceeds 100 billion, encompassing sectors including technology, education, healthcare, transportation, and more. The vast majority of things you see everywhere in Gotham City today are owned by the Wayne Group."
Wanda opened her eyes wide in surprise. She had heard of the Wayne Group many times in New York.
Butler Ah Fu paused and continued, "And the Prince family is an existence that can stand on equal footing with the Wayne family."
"So, as the Prince family's only maid and future butler, you can perform formal rituals, but you don't have to truly bow to anyone, not even the so-called nobles or officials. After all, your status represents the family you serve, and bowing down would only tarnish your master's reputation!"
…
After hearing what Butler Afu said, Wanda obviously had a better understanding of Xi Nian and the Prince family, which made her seem less reserved and nervous.
Seeing that the first lesson had already been effective, Butler Ah Fu cleared his throat and said softly, "Let's get to the point of today. Before we officially begin the butler training, I'd like to ask you a question. What do you think is the most important quality for a butler?"
Wanda thought about it seriously and said hesitantly, "Loyalty?"
"Loyalty is a must, it's the foundation of the foundation." Butler Ah Fu smiled and said, "I think the most important quality of a butler should be a sense of mission."
"Sense of mission?" Wanda was stunned.
"Yes. It's not just superheroes who need a sense of mission; butlers must also have a unique sense of mission."
Butler Ah Fu spoke methodically, "A butler's sense of mission is naturally to better serve his master. However, it's not just about completing the tasks ordered by the master. That's just the duty of an ordinary servant."
"A steward needs to understand the master's true needs and wants, complete preparations and plans early on, and serve as a powerful assistant on the master's journey. Furthermore, they need to provide guidance and assistance when the master goes astray or gets lost."
"A steward with a sense of mission needs to have the conviction to dedicate his life to this mission." Butler Ah Fu asked, his clear eyes fixed on the thirteen-year-old Wanda. "You're still young. Are you ready for that realization?"
Little Wanda took a deep breath, and the image of the black-haired boy appeared in her mind. She said with determination on her face, "I can do it!"
Butler Ah Fu nodded. "To do this, you need to learn more than the master, and cover a wider range of subjects. Not just things like cleaning, but also etiquette, communication, fighting, shooting, intelligence, management, psychology, and so on."
"Well..." Little Wanda hesitated and asked, "Doesn't that mean I have to come to this city more often?"
Wanda didn't think it was too far, but if it was like this, she would have to get up very early on weekends to go.
Just like today, there was no way to wake Xinian up and prepare breakfast.
Butler Ah Fu smiled and said, "You don't have to come to Gotham to study on weekends. I will arrange for professional staff to teach you at your school."
Wanda's eyes lit up slightly, and she asked curiously, "Will the school agree?"
"Of course." Butler Ah Fu nodded and said firmly, "Long before today, with the authorization of Young Master Wayne, I had already purchased the school you are currently attending."
…
at this time.
On the busiest and most lively sidewalk in downtown Washington.
Xi Nian stopped in shock and looked at the bald woman next to him who called herself "Gu Yi".
"Are you talking to me?" Xi Nian glanced sideways at the people passing by, and for a moment he suspected that the other party was talking to someone else.
"Xinian Prince."
Say his name accurately.
Gu Yi's face, whose exact age could not be determined, was calm. When he looked at Xi Nian, a faint smile appeared on the corner of his mouth: "No need to look, the person I'm looking for is you."