"Graduated from a second-rate university and currently working as a barkeeper at a bar," Ye Tian replied without humility or arrogance.
With those words, everyone instantly understood, and their gazes towards Ye Tian became full of contempt.
This group of people were all graduates from prestigious universities; any one of them had a better job than Ye Tian.
Su Yuxin's pretty face turned red. She originally wanted to smooth things over for Ye Tian and say he held a managerial position in her company, but she didn't expect him to be so honest!
"A barkeeper, huh... that's some physical work there," Wang Shao looked at Ye Tian with meaningful eyes, now confirming that Ye Tian was not only a poor guy but also had no powerful connections. With that in mind, he felt reassured to bully him!
Right then, the food was served, and Ye Tian didn't hold back, starting to eat on his own.
Seeing the way he consumed his food ravenously, the others looked down on him even more.
Su Yuxin was also secretly annoyed, quietly tugging on Ye Tian's sleeve to remind him to mind his manners.
However, Ye Tian didn't care; he had been in the police station for three days, and the food was terrible, so of course, he had to eat well when he had the chance.
"Since you're a barkeeper, let me ask you a question," He Caixiao, with a plan in mind, grabbed a bottle of red wine from the table and asked Ye Tian, "Do you recognize this wine?"
"'92 Lafite," Ye Tian glanced at it and replied.
"That's right, do you know how much this wine costs per bottle?" He Caixiao asked again.
"Fifteen thousand."
As the conversation went on, Su Yuxin started to feel uneasy, and sure enough, she heard He Caixiao chuckle and say, "Although you're a barkeeper, you probably haven't had the chance to drink such expensive wine, right?"
"No."
"First time in a Five-Star Hotel as well, isn't it?"
"Yes."
"Well, today is quite an eye-opener for you, and all thanks to our dear Wang Shao, why don't you bow to him and say thanks," He Caixiao did not hold back, openly mocking Ye Tian.
At this remark, the crowd laughed.
If Ye Tian had any spine, he would leave the table and go, that would play right into their hands.
If Ye Tian bowed to Wang Shao, he would lose all his dignity.
It was a difficult choice.
However, before Ye Tian could make a move, Su Yuxin stood up first and coldly said, "We will not be eating this meal. Have fun without us, Ye Tian, let's go!"
Although Ye Tian's status was faked, Su Yuxin was not comfortable with him being ridiculed like this.
Seeing the situation, Wang Shao hurriedly stepped in to mediate, "Yuxin, don't be upset, Caixiao was just joking. I'm hosting this dinner; everyone just eat and drink, we're all classmates and friends, there's no need for thanks."
The other classmates also chimed in to persuade, and Su Yuxin sat back down. She glanced at Ye Tian, who continued to focus on his food, feeling a sudden frustration. Being bullied like that, didn't he have any backbone at all?
The others thought the same, seeing Ye Tian as someone living off a woman.
"Come on, let's all have a drink, we haven't seen each other for many years, we should stay in touch so we don't lose our connection!" Wang Shao raised his cup, and the others followed suit. For a moment, cups were clinking, the atmosphere was lively, and the previous awkwardness was swept away.
"Here, Yuxin, let's drink together," Wang Shao poured another cup of wine and approached Su Yuxin, "I'll drink first to show my respect."
After saying that, he downed his drink.
Although Su Yuxin didn't like Wang Shao, with so many classmates watching, it wasn't good to hurt his pride, so she sipped a little.
"Hey Yuxin, Wang Shao finished his drink, how can you be petty? Bottoms up." He Caixiao egged on from the side, even pushing Su Yuxin's wine, forcing her to finish her cup.
With the alcohol consumed, a flush immediately spread over Su Yuxin's face, sparking imagination.
Wang Shao gave He Caixiao a look, and she understood. She held up another cup of wine and said, "Yuxin, here, I toast to you. Everyone else has drunk, don't back out now!"
Without waiting for Su Yuxin to respond, she just drank.
Su Yuxin had no choice but to take the drink reluctantly.
Seeing this, the other classmates also toasted to Su Yuxin, and after a while, she began to feel tipsy.
Ye Tian paid no attention and continued eating.
Disappointed, Su Yuxin thought that Ye Tian, as a man, would at least block a few drinks for her, if not drink. She did not expect him to completely ignore the situation.
Seeing that the time was right, Wang Shao, unnoticed, secretly slipped a pill into a glass of wine and handed it to Su Yuxin, "Come on, Yuxin, let's keep drinking! Tonight we're not stopping until we're wasted!"
"No, I can't drink anymore," Su Yuxin retained her last bit of sobriety; she knew that if she drank more, trouble would ensue, so she tugged on Ye Tian, "Ye Tian, come with me, let's go."
Ye Tian uttered an "Oh," stood up, having eaten and drunk his fill.
But Wang Shao blocked his way, saying, "Yuxin, today is our class reunion. If Mr. Ye has to leave, you can let him go home first, and then you can continue to catch up with us!"
The others heard this and echoed in agreement.
"Mr. Ye, here is five hundred yuan; you can take a taxi home first," Wang Shao pulled out a stack of Renminbi, plucked a few bills, and handed them to Ye Tian.
Ye Tian of course knew what Wang Shao was up to, but he didn't respond, just looking at Su Yuxin, knowing that as long as she insisted on leaving, no one here could keep them.
"I really can't, I have to go. Let's meet up another time," Su Yuxin still refused.
Wang Shao's face darkened, but soon he put on a smile again, saying, "If that's the case, then alright, but you have to finish this last drink. Otherwise, it'd be too disappointing."
"Well... okay." Su Yuxin agreed, just about to take the wine from Wang Shao's hand, but Ye Tian blocked it.
"This wine, you can't drink."
These simple six words surprised everyone present.
"What do you mean? Wang Shao is offering Yuxin a toast, why can't she drink?" He Caixiao jumped out, pointing at Ye Tian's nose, scolding, "We let you sit and dine with us out of respect for Yuxin, yet you're here to stir up discord between us classmates, what's your intention really?"
"Exactly! Wang Shao is toasting to Yuxin, what's it got to do with you?"
The others also agreed, feeling that Ye Tian was being ungrateful.
"If you want to drink so badly, then here, drink it yourself." Ye Tian snatched the wine from Wang Shao, walked straight to He Caixiao, grabbed her chin with one hand, forcibly opened her mouth, and poured the wine in!