Jake looked up. Even though he was used to seeing beauties like Wendy and Xenia, the person before him left him momentarily stunned.
Delicate features, elegant eyebrows, a cherry-red lip, and a waterfall of luxurious hair neatly tied behind her head gave her an air of both beauty and professionalism.
Fortunately, Jake had met and interacted with women of Wendy and Xenia's caliber quite frequently, so the stunning appearance of the woman before him didn't leave him speechless. He was simply amazed by her beauty but quickly regained his composure.
"Viola?" Jake lowered his head to examine the resume she handed him, and then he said, somewhat surprised, "Your resume is quite impressive."
Viola, 24 years old, had excelled in her studies from a young age, receiving various scholarships. She had attended a renowned university in the M country, graduating a year early with high scholarships every year. In her final year, she interned at a five-star hotel, working as a front-of-house manager.
Viola's resume was indeed impressive. She had both the education and experience required for the job. Jake couldn't understand why someone as talented as Viola would be interested in working at his restaurant.
Although Jake had confidence in his restaurant and believed it would become nationally renowned, others might not see it that way. To most people, his restaurant was just a fledgling establishment in its early stages, and its future was uncertain. It could even go out of business after a short time.
"Why did you choose to apply to my restaurant?" Jake asked. He couldn't fathom why such a remarkable talent as Viola would be interested in his restaurant.
"Because I want to start from scratch," Viola replied confidently. "My dream is to create a top-tier restaurant known nationwide, even worldwide! Your restaurant is just starting out, and from the description, it seems to have excellent basic conditions, meeting my requirements. So, I decided to apply."
Indeed, Viola was an ambitious and confident individual. Even Jake, who had his own aspirations for the restaurant, only aimed to make it nationally renowned. In contrast, Viola aimed to build a world-renowned top-tier restaurant, a goal even more ambitious than Jake's. However, her ambitious spirit wasn't a bad thing, especially considering her abilities. Her determination would provide her with the motivation needed to achieve great things.
"I think your idea is excellent, and I also want to take my restaurant to that level," Jake said with a smile. "I hope we can work together harmoniously and achieve this goal."
"Looking forward to a harmonious collaboration," Viola replied. With the manager position settled, Jake moved on to hiring waitstaff and other positions. These roles had fewer educational and experience requirements and quickly attracted applicants.
Jake had hired all the necessary staff, and there was no need for him to stay longer. As he prepared to leave, he heard someone calling his name. Turning around, he saw someone he didn't want to encounter.
Cody, Jake's college classmate and one of Zora's admirers.
During their college days, many people had a crush on Zora because she was undeniably beautiful and popular. Cody was one of the more prominent admirers.
Cody had been Jake's classmate, and he came from a wealthy family, often spending money extravagantly. He had openly pursued Zora with flowers, gifts, and more, but despite four years of trying, Zora had never agreed to be with him.
Back when Jake had his embarrassing incident with Zora, Cody was one of the most vocal mockers, second only to Winni. Due to his past interactions with Cody, Jake didn't have a favorable impression of him.
"Oh, it's really you. I thought my eyes were playing tricks on me," Cody said as he approached. "What? Are you here to find a job?"
Before Jake could respond, Cody continued, "Jobs are hard to come by these days. Look at all these people here; there must be thousands of them. Some have degrees, some have experience, but even with all that, it's tough to find a good job. J City, being such a developed city, has fierce competition. I don't understand why you're staying here. If I were you, I'd have gone back to my hometown long ago. Those small towns in the middle of nowhere have less competition. You might find a good job there."
Cody went on, seemingly giving Jake advice, but in reality, he was belittling him in various ways.
"Thank you for your advice, but I already have a job," Jake replied calmly.
"You have a job? Is it at a clothing factory or an electronics plant?" Cody asked. "Why work so hard to stay in J City? My dad's company is hiring. Didn't you see those students from prestigious universities crying and begging to apply?"
Cody shook a thick stack of resumes in his hand and continued, "See? All of these are applicants."
Jake nodded and said, "Yes, there are quite a few."
"No kidding," Cody said. "In the spirit of being classmates, I wanted to help you out. I could have pulled some strings to get you a position in my dad's company. However, with your qualifications and abilities, I doubt you'd be suitable for any significant role. Fortunately, our company is currently hiring security personnel. You can give it a try."
Jake declined and said, "No, thank you."
"Don't look down on the security position. Many people are vying for it. If it weren't for you being my classmate, I wouldn't have given you this opportunity," Cody said.
"Thanks for your kind offer, but I'm not interested," Jake replied.
Cody commented, "You're quite prideful, huh? Well, if you don't want it, so be it. I'll be on my way. Take your time looking."
Jake watched Cody leave and shook his head slightly. He then left the talent market and went to the restaurant. The renovation team had arrived and was starting the renovation. Since the previous establishment had been a restaurant with a decent interior, Jake didn't plan for a major overhaul. Instead, he focused on refinements to elevate its style.