NOVEL NEXT Chapter 1: Chapter 1: Could the Young Master Be Possessed?
"Wuwuwu, Ming'er, you're finally awake!"
"Ming'er, you scared your mother to death!"
"Ming'er, my dear Ming'er."
"If you were gone, your mother wouldn't want to live anymore!"
As Xu Ming slowly opened his eyes, he saw a young lady tightly holding him, tears streaming down her face.
Xu Ming's mind was foggy.
Wasn't I hit by a truck? Where am I? Have I been reincarnated?
He wanted to ask, "Who are you, madam?" but all that came out was, "Ah, ah, ah."
Xu Ming moved his limbs and found his body uncoordinated, his hands and feet difficult to control. It was then he realized that he had become...a baby.
"Come, Ming'er, you must be hungry. Have some milk," the lady said, lifting her clothing and awkwardly guiding the softness to Xu Ming's mouth.
Driven by instinct and hunger, Xu Ming latched on and began to suck eagerly. The lady bit her lip slightly from discomfort but held her composure. Xu Ming blinked and adjusted his force, becoming gentler.
Just as he was halfway full, a line of text appeared in his mind:
[You have unlocked the talent: Fivefold Nutrient Absorption (0/6000). Nutrient value will awaken at 6000.]
[You took a sip of milk, Nutrients +1.]
[You took a sip of milk, Nutrients +1.]
[...]
When Xu Ming had filled his stomach, a voice came from outside the door.
"Fifth Madam, the young miss is hungry. The First Madam has summoned you."
The lady glanced at the child in her arms, her teeth biting down on her lower lip. "I understand. I'll be right there. Let me change first."
"Fifth Madam, please hurry; Chunyan will wait for you outside," the maid said softly.
"Child, eat as much as you can," the lady whispered, holding Xu Ming's tiny hand gently.
Looking at his mother's expression, Xu Ming had a bad feeling. He began drinking faster, fearing he wouldn't have another chance to eat.
"Fifth Madam, are you ready? We really need to go now. If Young Master Ming'er eats too much, and you run out of milk..." The maid outside sounded slightly awkward, clearly aware of what was happening inside.
"Alright, alright."
Reluctantly, the lady removed Xu Ming's head from her chest and gently placed him on the bed before hurriedly dressing and leaving.
"Chunyan, please look after Ming'er for me. He hasn't been feeling well today," the lady said politely to the maid.
Chunyan nodded. "Don't worry, Fifth Madam. Go ahead. I'll take good care of the young master."
The Fifth Madam turned back to look at her son one last time before reluctantly leaving.
As the door closed, Xu Ming saw Chunyan, the maid, walking toward him.
She looked at him for a moment, then pinched his little face and sighed.
"Young Master, don't blame your mother for not letting you eat your fill. Both you and your mother are such pitiful people. The First Madam, honestly, how can someone be so cruel..." Chunyan muttered as she began venting her frustrations.
Listening to her ramblings, Xu Ming began piecing together the story of his new life.
In this life, he was still called Xu Ming, just like in his previous one.
He was born into a wealthy family, but his mother was merely a concubine.
In this world, concubines held a status only slightly higher than maids.
"Ah-woo," he whimpered softly.
Xu Ming kicked his leg forcefully.
The next moment, a line of text appeared in his mind:
[You successfully kicked your leg. Strength +1. Talent unlocked: Sanctified Physique (0/1000). Awaken with 1,000 strength points.]
"This works too?!"
Xu Ming was stunned. He had thought his golden finger was limited to just one talent. But to his surprise, kicking his leg unlocked another one.
Without hesitation, Xu Ming began kicking his legs with all his might.
Once. Twice. Three times. Strength +1. Strength +1. Strength +1.
Nearby, Chunyan, the maid, was startled when she saw Xu Ming turning red in the face from constant kicking.
Could the young master be possessed?
Noticing Chunyan's odd expression, Xu Ming quickly stopped and pretended to be asleep.
When Chunyan turned away, he resumed kicking.
About half an hour later, Xu Ming's mother returned. Chunyan considered telling her about the young master's unusual behavior but decided against it since Xu Ming now appeared perfectly normal.
"Ming'er, I'm sorry. You must be starving," his mother said with guilt, kissing Xu Ming gently on the forehead.
"Wait a moment, my dear. Mother will drink more water so I can feed you properly."
She sat down and began drinking water nonstop, hoping to produce more milk for her child.
Xu Ming wasn't sure if this method would work, but his mother did manage to nurse him again, though the milk was watery.
Still, to put her at ease, he drank heartily, gulp after gulp.
His mother held his tiny hand with a tender smile on her face.
---
Four days passed. Xu Ming spent his time drinking milk and kicking his legs.
Other than his mother, the only person he saw was Chunyan.
Every time Chunyan came by, it was to summon his mother to feed the young miss. Chunyan would often complain aloud by Xu Ming's bedside about her daily grievances, assuming he couldn't understand.
From Chunyan's chatter, Xu Ming gradually pieced together the situation. His family wasn't just any wealthy household; this was the residence of the Duke of Xu.
The Duke of Xu and the Duke of Qin had fought alongside the founding emperor, earning their titles and privileges. At the top of the family hierarchy was the Dowager Duchess, wife of the Duke of Xu, with both families possessing imperial pardons.
By Xu Ming's generation—the fifth—the households had become extravagantly decadent. While there were a few capable members, they were in the minority.
Xu Ming's mother, Chen Suya, came from a humble family. She was taken into the household because of her beauty, essentially forced into marriage by the Mr. Xu.
The young miss, whom his mother was constantly summoned to feed, was the daughter of the First Madam. She had been born on the same day as Xu Ming, just slightly earlier, making her his elder sister.
The First Madam couldn't produce milk, so Xu Ming's mother was ordered to serve as her wet nurse.
In a large household like this, they could have hired any wet nurse. The fact that his mother was chosen could only mean one thing—she was being deliberately targeted.
Xu Ming looked at his mother lying beside him.
He recalled how, after each nursing session, she would return and drink copious amounts of water, trying to produce enough milk for him. His heart ached.
Kick! Kick!
Once. Twice. Three times!
While his mother napped lightly at the bedside, Xu Ming continued kicking his legs diligently under the blanket.
When I grow stronger, I'll make sure my mother lives a good life.
Just then, a new voice came from outside the door.
"Fifth Madam, the First Madam and Lady Qin from the Qin household have arrived with their daughters."
Xu Ming froze mid-kick.