POV
"Chang Feng, are you there?"
Hearing my name startled me. I quickly delved into the memories of this body's original owner to identify the voice. It belonged to the mother of this body's previous owner.
Right, I'm on a planet called Huangshan, and from what I've gathered, the city I'm in is still unknown to me. What's clear, though, is that this family—the one I've now inherited—is one of the most powerful in the city.
The voice called out again, snapping me out of my thoughts. I realized I hadn't responded yet.
"Yeah, Mom, I'm awake," I replied, doing my best to mimic the original owner of this body. I needed to act normal if I wanted to avoid suspicion.
The door to my room swung open, and I saw a breathtakingly beautiful woman step inside. She had an air of elegance that immediately demanded attention. It didn't take long for me to realize that this was my new mother.
Despite my situation, I firmly reminded myself: no matter what world I'm in, I'd never even entertain the thought of incest.
She looked to be in her early thirties, her silver-white hair shimmering just like mine. Her face was so stunning that any man who stared too long might lose his ability to think straight. Her figure was equally striking, her curves accentuated by a fitted top and skirt. She had the aura of a high-class beauty—someone who could turn heads effortlessly.
For a moment, I caught myself staring, but her voice brought me back to reality.
"Chang'er," she said softly, using the nickname the previous owner of this body was called. She walked toward me and pulled me into a warm hug.
As she embraced me, I felt a twinge of comfort I hadn't known in years. She was undoubtedly beautiful, but beyond that, she radiated the nurturing presence of a loving mother.
"Mom, what happened?" I asked, trying to stay in character.
She pulled back slightly, looking at me with concern. "Don't you remember? You were training when you fainted, and we had to rush you here."
Her words stirred a memory—the original owner of this body had been training with a girl who was stunningly beautiful.
"Oh… I'm sorry, I must have forgotten," I said, feigning a slight lapse in memory.
Her face shifted to mild shock. "Have you lost some of your memory?" she asked, her tone filled with worry.
I chuckled awkwardly, trying to ease her concern. "No, Mom. I just forgot for a moment, that's all."
Her expression remained skeptical as she observed me closely. "You seem… different. What's going on?"
Internally, I sighed. This world's people seem overly perceptive. I need to be more careful.
I laughed lightly and replied, "Hahaha, I look different? Then that's for the better, right?"
She relaxed slightly and gave me a soft smile. "I hope so."
From what I'd pieced together, the previous owner of this body was well-loved—gentle, kind, and strikingly handsome. But he lacked skill in combat and magic, the two most essential traits for survival in this world.
My mother turned to leave, glancing over her shoulder as she did. "Come downstairs. Your brother and sisters are waiting for you," she said before walking out.
Once she left, I sat back on the bed, taking a moment to sort through the original owner's memories. I needed to study his behavior and personality if I wanted to avoid raising suspicion.
The previous Chang Feng was the epitome of a gentle and loving boy. He was considered the most handsome in the entire city, but his lack of power left him vulnerable. In this world, looks alone could be a curse. Without strength or a powerful family to protect you, you'd either end up enslaved by women or killed by envious men. The same cruel reality applied to women who were beautiful but defenseless.
After combing through his memories, I stood and headed for the door. As I walked out, I couldn't help but think about how drastically my life had changed in just one day.
For the first time in a long time, I felt a spark of happiness. I'd been given a second chance at life, and along with it, a new family. They might not have been the ones who gave birth to me, but I silently vowed to protect them with everything I had.