Chapter 156: The Other Maids in the Apartment

Gao Sijin had already achieved significant progress. Just yesterday, through outward obedience, he had gained the right to leave the apartment freely—though only under the condition that the maids accompanied him.

At eight-thirty in the morning, inside the luxury apartment in Kabukicho, Shinjuku Ward, Tsukiyuki Rio had bid Gao Sijin a kiss goodbye earlier and left for the day after changing clothes.

Waking up alone, Gao Sijin dressed, meticulously freshened up, and exited the spacious room.

“Good morning, Master. Would you care to have breakfast now?”

“Mm, sorry for the trouble.”

“It’s no trouble at all. Serving the Master is our bounden duty.”

Deputy Head Maid Morgana offered a poised, radiant smile.

As a girl born in Paris, her every gesture brimmed with a French romanticism—sensual and tinged with a hint of libertine flair. Her fluffy blonde hair fell in natural waves, curling like a cluster of drifting clouds.

Her long, fair legs were not clad in the black or white stockings the other maids wore; she stood out by sporting fishnet stockings instead, fully revealing the wild, leopard-like aura characteristic of Euro-American women.

“Right, where is Yu Qingxue?”

Gao Sijin asked.

“The Head Maid is currently not in the apartment. She likely won’t return until around noon, or perhaps the afternoon. It seems she’s gone somewhere to street race today.”

“And Rio? What time will she be back?”

“Young Lady Tsukiyuki will probably not return until tonight. There are some clan matters that require her to preside over them.”

“All right, understood.”

The two most troublesome individuals had departed—this was good news for Gao Sijin.

However, Morgana followed behind him the entire time, impossible to shake off no matter what.

“Are you going to follow me the whole time?”

“Yes, as the Deputy Head Maid, it is my duty to remain by the Master’s side and ensure his safety.”

“Fine, I get it.” Gao Sijin was somewhat reluctant, but when under someone else’s roof, one had to bow their head. Tsukiyuki Rio would never permit him to act alone.

The dining table was laid with a highly formal Hong Kong-style morning tea spread. Over a hundred maids served within the apartment in total. Aside from the seventy-plus apprentice maids, every one of the full-fledged maids was proficient in the cuisines of various nations, and most came from different countries themselves.

Like a little cat, Emilia from Mumbai asked with a face full of trepidation:

“Master, was today’s cooking to your liking?”

“You did excellently.”

“As long as the Master is pleased. Truthfully, I’ve never been particularly skilled at Chinese cuisine.”

This careful and cautious girl, whose features resembled a Persian Princess, also possessed a rather impressive background. At first glance, she looked like a dancer from the Western Regions, but in truth, she carried the bloodline of the Kshatriya. The family behind her monopolized numerous industries in South Asia, with an influence just slightly inferior to the Tata Group. Gao Sijin had even used her as the model for a female character in a recent novel he was writing.

Sometimes he felt that within this seemingly unremarkable apartment, a single careless misstep could potentially trigger a miniature world war. Each maid had a distinct personality, and they appeared to be divided into different factions. The group of maids, so calm on the surface, was roiling with hidden currents—remarkably consistent with the present global situation.

After finishing breakfast, Gao Sijin dabbed his mouth with a napkin. Seeing him preparing to stand, Morgana immediately stepped forward to support his arm, while the other maids promptly began clearing the dishes.

“I hear the Master is very fond of playing video games. Though my skills are no match for the Head Maid’s, it would be my immense honor if I could be so fortunate as to pass the time playing games together with the Master.”

Morgana, still supporting Gao Sijin, spoke warmly.

“I don’t plan on playing games today. I’d like to go out for a walk.”

“Go out for a walk?”

Morgana’s brows furrowed, her bright eyes shifting as she hesitated, on the verge of speaking but holding back.

“I believe Rio told you yesterday that I have the right to go out for walks with you accompanying me.”

“Young Lady Tsukiyuki did indeed give such instructions yesterday. However, my apologies, Master. I must make a call to confirm first. Please wait a moment.”

Morgana took out her phone and dialed Tsukiyuki Rio’s number. After a brief discussion, permission was finally granted, allowing Gao Sijin to go out.

That said, to prevent Gao Sijin from harboring any thoughts of escape, Tsukiyuki Rio required that at least five maids accompany him.

“Fine. Five it is.”

He changed into a woolen overcoat. The maids positioned themselves in front, behind, and to both sides of Gao Sijin, while Morgana, as the Deputy Head Maid, linked her arm with his. She even clarified to him:

“Master, I am linking arms with you not out of any untoward intentions, but rather because I worry that if lawless individuals harbor murderous intent toward you, I can, at a critical juncture, push you away in time and use my flesh and blood to block the bullets for you.”

Gao Sijin froze for a moment.

“Rest assured, Master. With us here, the probability of an assassination attempt on you is very small. Besides, apart from us visible here, there are also many hidden lookouts nearby protecting your safety.”

“To be precise, it’s not protection—it’s surveillance, isn’t it?”

“I hope the Master will not always assume the worst about our intentions. We are the Master’s maids. To serve the Master and die for the Master is a matter of heavenly principle.”

“Forget it, let’s just call it that.”

Secured under Morgana’s arm, Gao Sijin took the elevator down to the first floor.

The glass door—which he had previously been unable to push open no matter how hard he tried—was now completely open. The outside air smelled so sweet. The warm sun and winter wind gave Gao Sijin a feeling of relief, as if his suffering had finally yielded sweetness.

“Congratulations, Master, for finally achieving your wish.”

Emilia, standing to his right, beamed at him brightly.

Compared to Morgana, Gao Sijin felt that Emilia had a more innocent personality.

The moment he stepped onto the street outside, a sense of fulfillment instantly suffused his entire body.

Unfortunately, surrounded by the maids, Gao Sijin realized that the freedom to walk outdoors was merely an illusion, as fleeting as flowers in a mirror and the moon reflected in water—liable to be revoked at any moment.

“Where does the Master wish to go?” Morgana asked softly. “If it’s too far, we’ll have to take the car.”

“I only want to wander around nearby. I shouldn’t stray too far from the apartment.”

On the streets of Kabukicho, colorful fonts and signboards were everywhere. This streetscape, composed entirely of signs, created a sense of being enveloped, as if one were standing in the very heart of the human world.

At present, escaping by his own power was nearly impossible. However, during these walks, he could thoroughly scout out the surrounding terrain. Once he became familiar with the routes, any future escape would be twice as effective with half the effort.

“Morgana, would you mind telling me about the hidden lookouts nearby?”

“Apologies, Master. It is not convenient to tell you. But regarding safety matters, please set your mind at ease.”

Gao Sijin discreetly lowered his gaze. Morgana and most of the other maids wore high heels. If the day ever came when he truly intended to flee, they ought not to be able to catch up with him.

Still, for now, Gao Sijin would not make any rash moves.