A Stark Contrast (5,200 extra)

"Come on, Steven, repeat after me... Round is O, pointed is A..."

In the nursery, Jenna, the nanny, was keeping Wu Ming's two younger siblings entertained with toys, while Madam Sterling had formally begun teaching Wu Ming pronunciation and letters.

The language system in this world was rather similar to the Western alphabet, though it had a few differences and was a little more complicated. Wu Ming had mastered the language long ago, and it only took a little effort to memorize the letters.

But he didn't want anyone to think he was some kind of prodigy, so he still had to make a halfhearted show of keeping up with Madam Sterling.

Even so, the talent he displayed was already enough to earn him the title of genius.

"Very good. You can already read all thirty-five letters..."

Madam Sterling proudly turned to Jenna. "Did you see that? My little Steven is a genius!"

"He really is a very clever child, Madam!"

As a nanny, Jenna wasn't a servant, so she didn't have to call Wu Ming "young master" or anything of the sort. The way she was treated as an equal was also a sign of social progress.

Of course, perhaps Wu Ming was simply ignorant. Given the Sterling Family's wealth and status, they could afford proper maids. After all, establishing personal dependence and passing down loyalty took generations of indoctrination anywhere in the world. Otherwise, it always felt a little nouveau riche.

Before long, Wu Ming's body had turned three. He could run like the wind, and, like every boy his age, he had also developed an intense curiosity. Under the cover of being a baby, he explored the entire house, taking a particular interest in the towering bookcase in Jamie's study.

"One Hundred Sales Techniques," "The Choices of