[Chapter 196]
"Ahaha, don't say that! He goes to Mayberry University, you know—after he graduates, he might very well find himself a job along Mayberry Commercial Street, too!"
Everyone wanted to get in on the merriment.
"Oho? Then we'd basically be colleagues! Let's get along, Gerald!" Murphy chortled.
He wanted to keep this conversation going. He would often have to hear about everyone bringing up this old friend of Sharon's.
It had made him curious about what she'd seen in a penniless guy like Gerald.
Sometimes it even made things awkward for him.
That was why, the moment this guy was introduced to him as Gerald, Murphy couldn't resist having a bit of fun at his expense, just to see how he'd respond.
So far, it appeared that this Gerald had no social skills to speak of whatsoever. Once he started working life, it would be a carnival with him!
"Haha… Leave him alone, Murphy! For a guy like him to get a job in Mayberry Street, the boss would have to be deaf and blind!"
"Oh, yeah—Murphy, you never told us how you scored that Sales Manager job over there!"
The focus had been returned to Murphy, anyway.
"Oh, that's a long story—but I suppose it could be because this is my field of specialty. But my boss thinks I'm still kinda green, so my salary's only 45k per year for now. Ahh, I still have such a long way to go!"
"Whoa! That's amazing, man!"
A fresh graduate commanding that level of pay was a rare thing. What's more, he could still climb further up the coveted Mayberry corporate ladder.
Lilian was green with envy toward Sharon now. She was her equal in terms of looks—but Lilian was more carefree, while Sharon was more reserved. The latter approach apparently made a woman more desirable.
At the moment, Sharon was beaming with pride.
Unbidden, her gaze sought out Gerald, further down the table.
A quiet pang of sorrow arose in her heart, followed immediately by horror—imagine if, during those years, she'd succumbed to a moment's sentimentality and had become an item with that guy… what would her fate have been?
"Ahah, I just got lucky. Lilian, you and the others have done pretty well for yourselves too—I hear you're an elementary school teacher now? Is that for real?"
Lilian nodded. "Yup, yup!"
"That's wonderful to hear. From now on, we can all continue to grow with the Mayberry family. I'm planning to get my own place in the district in a couple of years… and then, I shall marry Sharon!"
Chuckling merrily, Murphy added, "Oh, yes—Gerald, bro, what are your plans for after you graduate? Gonna apply for a government position? Have you got a job lined up for yourself? Interested in sales? Design? Perhaps admin work?
"I'd recommend that last one for you. A government office would be a tough fit for you. Speaking as someone working in sales, honestly, you'd be terrible at this sort of thing, Gerald. As for design, it sounds great on paper, but the reality is a nightmare! It takes a sharp, logical mind… another talent you don't seem to be blessed with. No, it's gotta be something less cerebral, a basic desk job where all you need to know is how to work a simple calculator—that's perfect for you!"
After Murphy said all this, everyone watched Gerald contemptuously.
The food was already on the table. Gerald ate, keeping his own counsel. The only thing he said in reply was, "We'll see how it goes. Whatever works. No need for your concern."
"Yo, yo, yo! There's that attitude, again… Can't handle the truth?"
"That's it! It's bad enough how hopeless you are, but you won't even listen to good advice? Alas, your future looks bleak!" Lilian moaned.
As they went on heckling Gerald in this way, unbeknownst to any of them, trouble was brewing outside their private room.
A group of youths were having a disagreement with one of the staff:
"I said we'll pay extra, understand? We're a big group—it has to be this room!" snapped a crude sort of fellow. "Name your price, d*mn it, and then kick everyone out of there!"