"Brother Julius," Susan called softly. There was even a hint of blush at her ear tips, causing Oden to open his mouth as if seeing a ghost.
Damn!
Was this still his sister? What the hell was this character change?
Julius didn't seem to notice his shock as now, he and Susan were chatting merrily. He had to admit that she wasn't what the rumors made her to be.
"Brother Julius, your Taco Bell Experience and KFC Annihilation Meals are the best I've had in my life. Just how did you do it?"
Seeing the invisible drool coming out from her mouth when mentioning the dishes, Julius thought she was too cute.
It would be a lie to say he wasn't interested in her. Since the day he saved her, he thought of her more and more but felt she might be repulsed with the thought of having him as her husband since his reputation was still a mess.
Many noble ladies would want to marry men in power or those with a higher status than themselves, so they can pull up their families and place them in higher positions. Marriage was business to these families. Every woman and man knows they must marry to make their families thrive.
Additionally, people have to think of what home their children will be born into. Who wants their offspring to suffer?
In today's world, the poor live to the age of 32 or 40 while the nobles can live up to 60.
Many in modern times could frown upon young marriage as much as they wanted, but people in this era truly and a reason for marrying young.
For one, most girls in this era reach menopause by the age of 17~20. They see their period once or twice a year and have to give birth early to ensure the family's lineage continues.
The marriage age here was 14~16. That was the prime time when most girls get married and birth. At the age of 17… eh…you're seen as an old, leftover girl who people don't want.
Statistics here have shown that after 17… 70% of the women here don't give birth anymore.
—And by 20, it's even worse; 99% don't give birth at all.
Those that do, were found to come from noble homes. Meaning peasants don't even stand a chance when they turn 20.
Peasants till the soil for long hours every day. They carry firewood, they carry water from faraway streams, they put their bodies under too much stress, and some don't even see their womanly bleeding for two or four years at times.
So yes…
Every daughter and son understood that they must get married in the prime period and get their sons and daughters out of the womb early.
Many people were also afraid to marry 17-year-old girls because their prime time (14~16) had passed.
At 17, they could still get pregnant, but the odds aren't favorable. What if they marry them and after a year or two, their bellies still don't move? Without a child, won't their legacy end?
Again, many also realized that because women reached Menopause at 17~20, when they do get miraculously pregnant at that time, their bodies can't take it, leading to a majority of them dying during childbirth.
In the end, even women themselves dreaded marrying out so late in this ear. For their survival, they must marry early and produce heirs before the dreaded age of 17.
In this era, life here was quite hard. But Julius felt that give him a few more years, and he swore to turn everything around, increasing the life expectancy rate, the menopause age, and everything else.
…
So Cute!!!
Julius didn't know what came over him, but he couldn't help rubbing her hair a little.
"Well, as my future wife, I can always tell you what you want to know. But that will only be after you become my little wife, no?"
"You—" Susan's entire face turned red as a tomato. "Brother Julius, you are so bad."
But she likes it.
Erh-erm!~
Oden coughed, reminding them he was still here. Oden scratched his head, embarrassed to be in their presence. He placed his arm around Julius's shoulder, cutting it between Julius and his sister.
"Hey buddy, who says I approve of you? At least not yet. But if you want my support, how about you sway my mind with a little chicken?"
Julius clicked his tongue, inwardly rolling his eyes heavenwards. "No way. Your sister will be mine sooner or later whether I have your consent or not… But it's not impossible to get free KFC from me."
Julius leaned forward and mischievously whispered into Oden's ears.
Who was he? A shrewd person of technology who has dealt with so many shrewd scientists and business overlords in his former world. He died at the age of 18, but he was already the most talked of person in that world.
Not only was he a top scientist who created what many described as Alien technology, but he was also a ruthless business man.
Those company bosses had used all the tricks in the books against him and failed. Many who crossed paths with him were typically left dumbfounded by how shrewd he was at business. Many said he should have been a businessman rather than a technological researcher and inventor.
In conclusion, he was the youngest most accomplished genius the world has ever seen; and also the shrewdest too.
Who can take advantage of him?—The answer was no one!
Oden was confused. "That's it?"
Julius nodded, raising his hands as if in defeat. "Buddy. Because you're my future brother-in-law, I chose to give you this simple task. How dare I ask more from you?"
The simple-minded Oden didn't think much of it and even felt a little proud when his authority as Brother-in-law cashed Julius to not give him any overboard tasks.
Julius knew what he was thinking and chuckled.
'What a simple fellow. Hopefully, General Clayton won't kill his son after he finds out.'
Oops…
'I better prepare for his arrival.'