Chapter 101: Overbearing

It was around eight or nine o’clock at night, and the city of Huhai was ablaze with countless lights. Xiao Cheng and his sister-in-law ate together, chatting softly, a long-lost warmth gently blossoming between them.

Xiao Cheng truly did not want to disrupt this atmosphere with talk of AIDS, yet these matters had to be addressed. His time was tight, and his enemies would grant him no grace period. His rebirth had already altered many things; who could say how the future might be affected? His foes certainly would not “keep to the schedule” for his sake.

After the annihilation of his clan in his past life, he had been immersed in cultivation and evasion, knowing little of the outside world. The valuable information he had now must be used wisely. But all these external matters were secondary; the most crucial thing was to increase his own strength. He would not let difficulties stop his progress.

He entrusted the important details to his sisters-in-law, letting them manage the affairs. The Xiao family had four remarkable sisters-in-law; he need not meddle, only to grow stronger. Only by possessing overwhelming power could he ensure that everything remained stable.

“Do you know if the company has done any specialized research on AIDS treatment?” Xiao Cheng asked.

“There is some, but it’s rather superficial and ineffective,” Fang Yujia replied.

“I’ve heard of a possibility,” Xiao Cheng said thoughtfully. “There was an AIDS patient who lived thirty years longer than usual because he frequently ate sea urchin. I think this might be a promising breakthrough.”

Xiao Cheng could not directly reveal that he was from the future, so he conveyed the information this way. However, he was no expert in Western medicine; this idea was absurd. Anyone with even rudimentary medical knowledge would ridicule the notion that diet alone could cure AIDS.

Fang Yujia, much like Xiao Cheng, was somewhat gullible. Having owed many favors to Xiao Cheng, she immediately believed his words.

“Good, I’ll start preparing this project tomorrow!” she agreed decisively.

Fang Yujia, a finance master’s graduate, was extremely attuned to business opportunities. She knew that if Huxiao Pharmaceuticals made a significant breakthrough in AIDS treatment, the company’s reputation would soar, and untold wealth would follow. Becoming a world-class pharmaceutical firm was no longer a dream.

Xiao Cheng had expected to spend much effort convincing her, so her prompt agreement startled him.

The ultimate AIDS inhibitor was only part of his plan. Medical research like this would take a long time, at least six months even with a breakthrough. He had another idea.

If he remembered correctly, early next year, a strain of acute rabies would break out in Japan. This mutated rabies spread through saliva and had evolved beyond dogs; it could transmit from person to person.

Once infected, there was a one- or two-day incubation period, after which the illness was irreversible. The symptoms were horrifying—people would go mad and bite wildly, much like the undead.

Because this mutated virus appeared so suddenly, the outbreak was difficult to control. Over 100,000 deaths occurred within Japan, and other countries suffered to varying degrees. A month after the outbreak, the United States developed an effective drug and vaccine.

If Huxiao Pharmaceuticals could quickly produce their own treatments, they would not only make a fortune but also save countless lives. Why not?

However, this matter was harder to explain to his sister-in-law. After pondering, Xiao Cheng carefully said, “The situation in the East China Sea and Japan is tense lately. Japan certainly wouldn’t dare make a move against ****, but reliable intelligence says they have recently developed a mutated acute rabies virus that spreads rapidly between people. It might be targeted at ****. Yuer, do you think the company can develop an effective drug and vaccine in a short time?”

Though reluctant to lie to family, this was a necessary, well-intentioned deception.

Fang Yujia was shocked. Such an event was unimaginable. **** was densely populated; if the virus spread there, the consequences would be catastrophic.

“Does the national security department know about this?” she asked.

“Probably not yet. I learned of it through special channels. It might be true or false, but one must be cautious,” Xiao Cheng said.

Fang Yujia frowned, realizing the gravity of the situation. “If it’s uncertain, it’s inconvenient to alert security. Without a virus sample, research can’t begin.”

“That’s not a problem. This virus is a strain of rabies, essentially rabies with a faster replication rate. We can develop drugs based on that,” Xiao Cheng explained. His idea was sound—the virus was fundamentally rabies, just with accelerated spread.

“Alright, I’ll arrange for full-scale research on the drug and human vaccine starting tomorrow,” Fang Yujia nodded. If the virus really existed as described, developing the antiviral drug wouldn’t be difficult, and the vaccine could be adapted from existing canine vaccines.

“Yes, prepare enough antiviral medicine for 100,000 people. The more vaccines, the better,” Xiao Cheng said, a faint hope stirring within him, secretly wishing for more outbreaks in Japan.

If his plan succeeded, next year would bring a fortune. Vaccines priced at 250 yuan each—how many in Japan would need inoculation? Earning hundreds of millions wouldn’t be impossible.

After discussing these matters, Xiao Cheng felt relieved. He had expected suspicion from his sister-in-law, who did not trust him and thought him a villain, but things had gone surprisingly smoothly.

They then chatted casually over drinks, glasses clinking softly. Unconsciously, Xiao Cheng had downed three cups of Maotai and felt a slight buzz.

After all, when drinking with family, he did not want to use cultivation to neutralize alcohol. Being with loved ones meant no need for tricks or schemes.

Yet, to his surprise, his sister-in-law showed no signs of intoxication. Her condition was normal.

Xiao Cheng’s constitution was excellent—having undergone foundation establishment, coupled with lifelong training, his alcohol tolerance far exceeded ordinary people’s. His sister-in-law drank as much as he did but remained sober, which astonished him.

Throughout the evening, neither mentioned the forced marriage pressured by the Fang family.

For Fang Yujia, the words from her young brother-in-law had already clarified his stance. Assigning her these projects and responsibilities was premised on her remaining part of the Xiao family.

Xiao Cheng, however, was unsure how to broach the topic. He was not her elder and, in her eyes, a scoundrel. It was not easy for him to speak up.

They had been chatting idly when suddenly silence fell between them.

Fang Yujia’s mind, distracted by Xiao Cheng’s words, was again disturbed by that strange feeling below. A subtle panic stirred; she didn’t know what to say.

“Yuer, are you still worried about the forced marriage?” Xiao Cheng broke the silence. Regardless of whether it was the right time, he could not back down. There was no way his sister-in-law could marry someone like Chu Jinghui, a petty opportunist.

Fang Yujia looked at Xiao Cheng, unsure how to respond. She was now alone, with only this young brother-in-law. To say she did not hope for his help would be lying—to herself as well.

Yet Xiao Cheng was only eighteen, still a green youth. He had done much already; from the heart, she did not want him entangled in such troubles. Besides, what could he do against the pressure from the three great families?

She was torn, nodding and shaking her head in turn.

She had expected comforting words from Xiao Cheng, but minutes passed without a word. Suddenly, an emptiness crept in, as if something precious had quietly slipped away.

Looking up, she saw Xiao Cheng staring at her. His face flushed from the wine, yet his eyes shone brightly with unwavering determination.

He then drained his cup and declared firmly, “Yuer, I absolutely won’t allow you to remarry. This matter is decided by me!”

His refusal was resolute; his declaration final. Though domineering and unreasonable, he spoke as if it were the natural order.

Fang Yujia, initially disappointed, felt a strange warmth rise in her chest at his words, like a sip of 58-degree Maotai burning pleasantly down her throat. Her nose tingled.

She quickly picked up Xiao Cheng’s bowl and said, “I’ll get you some more food,” then slipped into the kitchen.

Avoiding his gaze, tears slowly traced down her cheeks.

“No,” “I decide”—though overly forceful, those words meant taking everything upon oneself.

The Fang family pressured her to marry; the Chu family did too, and Xiao Fusheng would soon join them. She was alone, facing three powerful clans, unsure what to do. Xiao Cheng’s words were, without doubt, a bold defiance to those three families—“Go to hell. I refuse. Try and stop me!”

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[This chapter was difficult to write. Thank you all for your votes… I beg for your support! Unknowingly, “The Strongest Young Uncle” has reached 100 chapters thanks to everyone’s support. I hope you will continue to support it. Thank you—I bow and take my leave.]