"If he's so great, why don't you introduce your daughters to him?" Verna said to Jason and Hillary.
Both Jason and Hillary had daughters who were around twenty years old. Verna's comment was harmless, but it made Jason and Hillary feel awkward. In their hearts, they silently thought, "Do you think we don't want to introduce our daughters to Bill? Unfortunately, Bill isn't interested."
In the midst of their awkwardness, the waiter came in with the dishes. It must be said that Kailomen truly lived up to its reputation as one of the best restaurants in J City. The luxurious decor, impeccable service, the speed of serving the dishes, and the taste of the food were all excellent. Everyone praised the meal.
Of course, in Jake's opinion, the taste of the dishes was far inferior to Nina's roasted chicken. Jason and Hillary, during the meal, indeed raised their glasses to Bill. Even David hesitated for a moment but eventually lifted his glass. Only Jake and Verna, as if they hadn't noticed, showed no response.
At this moment, Jason spoke again, "Jake, stand up and raise a glass to Bill. Today, Bill is treating us, and with his support, your work at school will be much smoother in the future."
Bill looked arrogantly at Jake, waiting for him to stand up and propose a toast. He was planning to refuse the toast directly when Jake reached for the glass, not wanting to give him that satisfaction.
However, upon hearing Jason's words, Jake said, "I don't drink."
"Drink a little. It's okay. What man doesn't know how to drink?" Jason didn't let go of Jake.
"I've always been a teetotaler," Jake insisted.
"Jake, I have to say a few words to you. Your attitude like this won't work in the workplace. You'll suffer. Even if you don't drink, you should at least drink a little," Hillary, taking on the appearance of a senior, lectured Jake.
"I'm allergic to alcohol. If I drink, I'll end up in the hospital. Hillary, would you take responsibility if something happens?" Jake looked at Hillary and asked.
"Well, um..." Hillary was at a loss for words.
Hillary naturally couldn't say that she would take responsibility if something happened. After all, this matter could be big or small, and if Jake had an accident, would he be the one going to jail?
Verna couldn't help but smile in her heart this time. She could tell that Jake simply didn't want to propose a toast. As for being allergic to alcohol, it was all made up. However, Hillary clearly didn't dare to gamble, so he was completely stunned.
Bill glared at Jake with resentment. He didn't expect Jake to be so cunning. He couldn't force him on the matter of drinking anymore. If he really compelled him and Jake only toasted to him under duress, wouldn't that be embarrassing? After thinking for a moment, Bill signaled to Jason with his eyes.
Jason understood and placed his chopsticks down, exclaiming, "I've truly broadened my horizons today. The food here is so delicious that I'm afraid after this meal, eating other dishes will be completely tasteless."
"Yeah, we're lucky to have the opportunity to eat here, thanks to Bill's invitation," Hillary also chimed in. Another round of flattery began. However, Jake didn't expect Jason to suddenly turn the conversation towards him.
"Jake, what do you think of the dishes here? You probably haven't had food that tastes this good before, right?" Jason said. It was evident that he wanted to belittle Jake, implying that Jake was inexperienced.
Just like Hillary, Jason went as far as to belittle himself while trying to flatter Bill and undermine Jake. They really went all out. However, what he and Bill didn't expect was that Jake shook his head and said, "I actually think the food here is mediocre. I've had dishes that tasted better than what they serve here."
Jake was speaking the truth. While the food here was decent, it couldn't compare to Nina's cooking, and Jake even believed that his own dishes wouldn't necessarily be worse than what was served here.
However, the others didn't know Jake's situation, so when they heard his words, they didn't believe him. They thought he was bragging.
Bill sneered and said, "If you're going to brag, at least consider the place. This is one of the best restaurants in the entire J City. Even the dishes served at the other good restaurants are on par with this place. You actually claim that the food here is mediocre? You've had dishes that tasted better? You're shameless and not afraid of being laughed at."
Even Verna couldn't believe Jake's words anymore. She had been to several top restaurants in J City, and the food was indeed as Bill described—almost indistinguishable in taste. Verna thought that the dishes served at those restaurants were quite good, certainly not "mediocre" as Jake claimed. Of course, Verna wouldn't stoop to mocking Jake like Bill did.
"Bragging? Is that necessary?" Jake said nonchalantly. "Just talking about the taste of the dishes I make, they're not worse than what's served here."
"You? Haha," Bill couldn't help but laugh. "Do you know that the chefs here were hired by the owner at great expense from all over the country? Each one of them is a culinary master. Do you think the dishes you make can compare to theirs?"
"Jake, young people should stay grounded and not be so ignorant," Hillary lectured Jake again.
Jake really wondered if Hillary was from the Dean's Office. Why did he enjoy lecturing people so much? "If you don't believe me, it's fine. I'm just speaking the truth," Jake shrugged, looking relaxed and not bothered by the attitudes of the others.
"Are you thinking that since you can't compare to the chefs here, there's no way to determine if what you said is true or not?" Bill sneered. "Well, you might be disappointed. I know the manager here, and I can ask him to arrange a competition between you and the chefs here."
"Why should I compete?" Jake countered Bill. "I simply said that my culinary skills aren't worse than the chefs here, but I never said I wanted to compete with them."
"What's the matter? Are you scared?" Bill's face showed a more mocking expression.
"It's not that I'm scared, I just don't see the need," Jake said. "After we finish eating, I have other things to do."
Jake was still thinking that if he had time after the meal, he wanted to set up his food stall. He didn't have time to waste here doing something so boring and delaying his money-making opportunities.
Bill taunted Jake a few more times, but he couldn't get Jake to agree to the competition. However, he didn't give up. This was an opportunity to embarrass Jake in front of Verna, so he secretly sent a message on his phone.