Chapter 13: Butler Team

The threat posed by Hongyuan Group did not disrupt Qin Feng's rhythm. To him, it was more like the game entering a new level, bringing fresh challenges and enjoyment.

He knew well that to establish himself and reach the peak in the business world, relying solely on himself and the system was far from enough. He needed an efficient, professional, and utterly loyal team to assist him in handling increasingly complex affairs and perfectly executing his will and strategy.

On a personal level, the mansion at Yunding Mansion, two top-tier supercars, and future assets yet to come also required professional management and maintenance. He could not handle everything himself.

It was time to build his core team.

His first thought was a personal butler team. This was not merely hiring a maid or a driver, but an elite group capable of comprehensively managing his personal life, asset maintenance, itinerary scheduling, and even partial privacy security.

He entrusted this requirement to Chen Yongming, with only one demand: top-tier, professional, clean background, and knowing when to stay silent.

Chen Yongming's efficiency was extremely high—or rather, Qin Feng's current display of wealth and influence had attracted the most elite talent. Just three days later, a meticulously screened list of candidates sat on Qin Feng's desk.

That afternoon, in the living room of Building 7, Zone C of Yunding Mansion, a special interview was underway.

Qin Feng sat on the main sofa, relaxed in posture yet radiating an invisible aura of authority. Chen Yongming stood beside him.

Before him stood two men and one woman.

The first was a man in his mid-thirties, tall and upright, dressed in a well-tailored dark suit, his eyes sharp and calm like a crouching cheetah. His name was Gao Yuan, a former special forces officer who later worked for an internationally top-tier security consultancy firm, possessing extensive experience in security risk assessment, crisis management, and high-end protection.

The second was a woman around forty, wearing gold-rimmed glasses, her demeanor steady and capable. Her name was Su Wenqian, holding the highest certification from the International Butler Association, having served as a butler for multiple ancient European noble families and Middle Eastern royal households, proficient in asset management, banquet planning, luxury item maintenance, and even art appraisal and cigar preservation—she was a living encyclopedia of personal butler services.

The third was a young man in his late twenties, appearing sharp and capable, his eyes lively. His name was Sun Zhe, a certified public accountant and financial analyst, having worked at the Big Four accounting firms and top-tier investment banks, skilled in personal and family asset tax planning, investment portfolio management, and financial auditing.

These three individuals represented the pinnacle of expertise in security, personal management, and wealth management, respectively.

Qin Feng did not ask many conventional questions. His gaze swept over the three, directly activating a sliver of intuition from his 【Investment Insight】, combined with his keen perception granted by 20 points of Spiritual Attribute.

"Gao Yuan," Qin Feng spoke, his voice calm, "if an unidentified person attempts to forcibly break into this house, what is your first reaction?"

Gao Yuan did not hesitate; his speech was steady and clear: "First, confirm the employer's location and guide them to a preset safe house. Second, activate emergency alarms and defense systems (if installed). Third, use terrain and any available objects nearby for non-lethal obstruction, buying time while assessing the intruder's intent and threat level. Fourth, seek external support or create an evacuation route." His answer was logically structured, brimming with practical combat thinking.

Qin Feng nodded slightly, turning to Su Wenqian: "Madam Su, suppose I need to host a guest tomorrow from the Middle East with specific religious dietary requirements and a preference for Renaissance art—how would you prepare?"

Su Wenqian smiled gently, composed and unruffled: "First, I will confirm the guest's exact dietary restrictions, contact the city's best halal ingredient supplier to air-freight the freshest produce, and hire a private chef skilled in that cuisine. Second, I will select two or three authentic or high-quality replica paintings in Renaissance style from your collection (or rent temporarily), arrange them in the banquet area, and prepare relevant appreciation materials. Meanwhile, the tableware, music, and even the ambient fragrance will be coordinated around this theme, ensuring the guest feels respect, professionalism, and a unique cultural experience."

Her response was flawless, demonstrating exceptional professional competence and resource integration ability.

Finally, Qin Feng turned to Sun Zhe: "Mr. Sun, if I were to entrust you with one hundred million in cash, requiring an annualized return of no less than 15% with controllable risk, what is your initial strategy?"

Sun Zhe adjusted his glasses, his eyes gleaming with numbers: "Mr. Qin, achieving a 15% annualized return on one hundred million through fixed-income products alone is nearly impossible. I would recommend a multi-strategy portfolio: 40% allocated to blue-chip stocks with stable dividends and reasonable valuations; 30% invested in promising Pre-IPO projects or top-tier VC funds; 20% in hedge fund macro or market-neutral strategies; the remaining 10% held as reserve capital to capture short-term market arbitrage opportunities. Simultaneously, establish strict risk warning and drawdown control mechanisms." His reasoning was clear, balancing ambition with risk awareness.

All three performances left Qin Feng highly satisfied.

"Excellent," Qin Feng leaned forward slightly, his gaze sweeping over them. "I need not just employees, but trustworthy partners. My requirements are simple: absolute loyalty, absolute professionalism, absolute discretion. As for compensation, you need not worry—it will start at three times the industry top level, with substantial bonuses and equity incentives based on performance."

He paused, his tone carrying undeniable authority: "Now, tell me your decisions."

Gao Yuan spoke first, his voice resolute: "I accept the challenge, Mr. Qin!" He sensed the unfathomable power and potential within this young man—far more compelling than carrying out dull missions at a security firm.

Su Wenqian bowed gracefully: "To serve you is my honor." She had met countless billionaires, but none as young, mysterious, and commanding as Qin Feng.

Sun Zhe took a deep breath, his eyes filled with determination: "Mr. Qin, I look forward to managing your wealth and creating greater value!" Triple the salary, equity incentives, and the employer's astonishing financial power showed him limitless possibilities.

"Welcome aboard," Qin Feng said, a faint smile appearing on his face.

The framework of his core butler team was thus established.

Gao Yuan immediately assumed his role, beginning to plan security protocols for Yunding Mansion and Qin Feng's other residences and vehicles, and arranging installation of the most advanced security systems.

Su Wenqian took full charge of Qin Feng's personal life—from organizing his wardrobe, scheduling daily meals, maintaining vehicles and the mansion, to planning his future social itinerary—all becoming orderly, professionalism evident in every silent detail.

Sun Zhe began sorting through Qin Feng's sprawling assets—cash, stocks, real estate, company equity—building clear financial statements and investment portfolio models, preparing for larger-scale asset allocation ahead.

With this efficient team, Qin Feng immediately felt much lighter, able to devote more energy to strategic decisions and system upgrades.

He unswervingly used the 【Blessing Key】 and 【Skill Key】 every day. The 【Blessing Key】 sometimes granted him 【Minor Fortune】, helping him avoid trivial troubles or stumble upon interesting investment opportunities; sometimes it brought "inspiration," broadening his thinking on business strategies. The 【Skill Key】 allowed him daily one-hour experiences of higher-level skills: sometimes 【Investment Insight (Intermediate)】, deepening his grasp of market trends; sometimes 【Language Proficiency (Master Level)】, enabling him to effortlessly read foreign-language originals in eight languages; once, randomly unlocking the unlearned 【Programming Proficiency (Advanced)】—though only for an hour, it gave him a fleeting glimpse into the world of code.

Today, he used the 【Skill Key】 and again randomly obtained 【Investment Insight (Intermediate)】.

Within the one-hour skill effect, he combined recently gathered public information and market rumors about Hongyuan Group, keenly detecting an unusual pattern—Hongyuan Group appeared to be secretly mobilizing massive funds, their movements tied to a large logistics real estate project in the city's west, yet the scale of capital seemed far beyond what the project itself required.

What were they planning?

Qin Feng's eyes flickered with caution. Recalling Chen Yongming's earlier warning about Hongyuan potentially suppressing Xingyao Department Store, a strong premonition rose within him.

Hongyuan's target was likely more than mere business competition.

He immediately summoned Gao Yuan and Su Wenqian.

"Gao Yuan, upgrade security levels at Xingyao Department Store's several outlets, especially logistics and warehouse areas. Deploy more trusted personnel. Watch for any suspicious individuals or vehicles." "Sister Su, on my behalf, invite several mainstream media outlets and financial commentators in the city. Three days from now, I will hold a strategic briefing on the future of the department store industry at the Xingyao Department Store flagship store."

He intended to knock on the mountain to shake the tiger, to see what tricks this old fox intended to play.

With the system and his team, Qin Feng felt confident facing any challenge.

A storm may be coming, but he was no longer the boy on the rooftop, helpless against wind and rain.

He was now the one holding the chess pieces.