Chapter 6: A Baby’s Daily Struggles

Liang Chen sighed internally as he closed the system interface. His mind was still swirling with everything he had just learned about the world, his family, and the imperial court. He had so much more to figure out, but for now, there wasn't much he could do. He was just a baby, stuck in a body too weak to even sit up properly.

I'll look into more information later. Right now, I should just observe and learn as much as I can.

Just as he finished that thought, the door creaked open. The soft sound of footsteps approached, and soon, he saw his personal maid entering the room. She was carrying a large wooden tub filled with steaming water and a neatly folded towel draped over her arm.

Liang Chen immediately realized what was about to happen.

It's time for a bath…

A shiver of dread crawled up his spine.

The maid, unaware of Liang Chen's growing unease, hummed softly as she placed the tub down and set everything up. With practiced movements, she rolled up her sleeves and reached for him.

Liang Chen instinctively wanted to resist. He didn't like the idea of someone seeing him naked, but what could he do? He was a literal infant. His small limbs flailed uselessly as the maid lifted him with ease.

This is humiliating.

His previous life had been full of hardship, but at least he had basic dignity. Now, he was reduced to being bathed like an oversized potato.

The maid gently lowered him into the warm water, it felt… nice, but still. She can see everything. As he settled into the basin, he started to loosen his tense muscles—well the little muscles he had. 

Alright, maybe this isn't so bad.

Then the scrubbing started.

The maid was trying to be as careful and gentle as she could, but a baby's skin is sensitive, and she's most likely a cultivator, so it wasn't pleasant. Liang Chen could do nothing as his face, arms, and even his tiny feet were scrubbed so hard that his skin turned red. 

Didn't she understand that she was being too rough? Especially…down there. 

I swear, I can't wait to be able to bathe myself.

His only consolation was that at least no one else was here to witness this embarrassment.

After finishing, the maid carefully wrapped him in a soft towel and held him close, drying him off with gentle pats. As much as he hated the experience, he had to admit… the warmth was comforting.

As the maid dressed him in fresh clothes and settled him back into the cradle, Liang Chen sighed internally once more.

Being a baby is exhausting already.

He stared up at the ceiling, waiting for sleep to take him.

This world was dangerous, full of unknowns, but for now… he just had to get through the daily struggles of infancy.

_________________________

Two months had passed.

In that time, Liang Chen had settled into his new life as a baby. His days were mostly filled with eating, sleeping, and being doted on by his mother and sister. His father visited less frequently due to his duties, but when he did, he always made sure to play with him.

At first, Liang Chen had been indifferent to their visits. He didn't know them. Family had been nothing but pain and neglect. But these people… he was starting to grow fond of them. His mother would hold him, humming soft lullabies as she stroked his tiny hands. His sister would chatter endlessly about her day, her childish excitement infectious. Even his father, despite his imposing presence, would lower himself to play silly games just to make him laugh.

He wasn't sure how to feel about them yet, but it was hard to ignore the warmth they brought.

In these two months, Liang Chen had also achieved a small but significant milestone—he could crawl.

It had taken effort, frustration, and more than a few faceplants, but he had done it. He could now move around on his own, no longer forced to rely on being carried everywhere. It was a tiny victory, but in his current situation, every bit of progress mattered.

However, for all the things he could control… there was one thing that remained a source of endless humiliation.

His bladder.

I still… can't control it.

No matter how much he willed himself to hold it in, his tiny body refused to cooperate. The worst part was knowing when it was about to happen but being unable to stop it.

This is the worst.

Each time it happened, the maid would simply clean him up with a practiced efficiency, completely unfazed. But for Liang Chen, it was a fresh wave of embarrassment every time.

The moment I gain control over this, I will celebrate like I just broke through to immortality.

Despite his frustrations, time continued to move forward.

His body was still weak. He was still stuck in the role of a helpless baby. But at least now, he had taken his first step—quite literally—toward growing stronger.

Finally, the maid, Liang Hua, who also shared their surname, went to do her other duties—whatever those were. Liang Chen had no idea what she did outside of taking care of him, but he had noticed one thing:

She never strayed far.

Even when she left, she was always within reach, always listening for any sign of distress.

But there was something else he had picked up on.

When she thought he was asleep, she read.

It wasn't every day, but when the nights were long, and there was nothing to do, she would take out a book, flipping through the pages quietly while sitting beside his crib. She must have been bored.

That's when Liang Chen remembered something important.

The system gives EXP for reading.

And if that was the case…

He turned his head toward the small wooden table near his crib. There it was. The book she had left open, just within reach if he tried hard enough.

Alright. If I can get to that book without her noticing, I'll be one step closer to leveling up.

He steeled himself.

But then another thought crossed his mind.

If she sees a baby grab a book and start reading… what will she think?

He imagined her shrieking, running out of the room to call a priest.

'Young Master is possessed!'

That… would be a problem.

Okay, so I just have to be careful.

With newfound determination, he made his move.

Liang Chen stared at the top of his crib.

It was a challenge—one that shouldn't be difficult for a fourteen-year-old in a proper body, but he was trapped in the form of a helpless two-month-old infant.

Still, that wouldn't stop him. He refused to be weak.

He grabbed onto the wooden bars, using what little strength he had to pull himself up. His arms shook violently, and for a moment, he thought he might fall back. But with sheer determination, he hooked a tiny foot against one of the slats and tried to push himself over.

It took everything in him.

And then—he tumbled forward.

For a split second, panic shot through him. But when he hit the floor, the thick rug cushioned his fall.

He stayed there for a moment, stunned.

I actually did it.

But there was no time to celebrate. He had another mission.

His eyes landed on the book that the maid always read when she thought he was asleep. The system rewarded him for reading, and this was the perfect chance to gain experience.

He had to reach that book.

Taking a deep breath, he began crawling.

The first few movements weren't too bad. He pulled himself forward, inch by inch, the book coming closer.

Then, his arms trembled. His legs ached.

And suddenly, he felt like he was dying.

He collapsed onto the floor, panting.

Tired. Exhausted. From crawling.

For only thirty seconds.

A wave of pure frustration surged through him.

This is pathetic!

If he had the energy, he would have screamed. Instead, he glared at the book with pure hatred.

Fine. I'll rest. But I swear, I'm going to read that book.

No matter how weak his body was now, he would not accept defeat.

______________________

When Liang Chen woke up, he was back in his crib.

For a moment, he stared at the ceiling, his mind blank.

Then, the realization hit him.

No way.

He instantly turned his head, eyes scanning the room. The book—was gone.

His tiny hands clenched into fists.

I fell asleep, didn't I?

It wasn't even a question.

He could still feel the warmth of the thick rug on his skin, the exhaustion that had dragged him into unconsciousness. He must have passed out from sheer fatigue, right there on the floor.

And then—Liang Hua must have found him.

She must have picked him up and placed him back in the crib, probably wondering how in the world her tiny young master had ended up sleeping on the floor.

He felt like crying and laughing at the same time.

Crying—because this body was so weak that just crawling for a minute had knocked him out.

Laughing—because the maid probably had no idea what had actually happened.

She must think I somehow rolled off the crib while sleeping.

He wanted to scream. But all he could do was silently seethe in his crib.

The book had been so close.

But he wouldn't give up.

He would try again. And next time—he would reach it.

For an entire week, Liang Hua didn't bring another book into the room.

Liang Chen was devastated.

Did she notice something? Did she realize I was going for it?

He doubted it. If she did, she would have made a fuss. Most likely, she just finished the book and didn't have another one on hand.

Still, it was torture. He had nothing to do except eat, sleep, and stare at the ceiling.

How am I supposed to level up like this?

Every day, he waited. Every day, he was disappointed.

Then, finally, it happened.

Liang Hua walked in, holding a new book.

Liang Chen almost cheered.

It's time.