“Can’t enjoy good food without some good wine.” Vita laughed as he took out two bottles of aged brandy and said, “It’s all thanks to you that I could advance further in my career, Mr. Laine. Let me give you a toast.”
Smiling, Jasper picked up his cup and said, “Cheers to that. Before we talk about anything else, you should first stop calling me Mr. Laine. You’re about John’s age, and I should be addressing you as an older brother instead. Please, call me Jasper.”
“Alright, Jasper, cheers!” Vita’s face was bright red as he excitedly clinked his glass against Jasper’s and downed its contents.
Jasper, too, tilted his head back and finished the entire glass.
…
“This is the meat of the albino beluga sturgeon, a rare fish which can only be harvested for half a month every year. It’s suitable to be consumed by women because it nourishes your body and skin.”
Jasper did not give Celine the cold shoulder as they ate. He cut her a slice of sturgeon meat as he spoke.
When he heard that, Vita smiled and said, “Two years ago, a pound of this could be bought for 8,000 dollars. But bear in mind that it was 8,000 dollars back in 1999. Now, there’s simply no supply although there’s a great demand for it. You can’t buy it even if you have the money.”
Celine took a bite of the meat. It was tender, fresh, and fatty without being greasy. She said in surprise, “It’s delicious.
“I remember seeing lots of sturgeon in the rivers when I was a child. Are they this rare now?”
When he heard what Celine said, Jasper exclaimed in surprise, “You grew up by a river?”
Celine rolled her eyes at Jasper and said, “I’m a southerner through and through, alright? I only left the country when I was in fourth grade, but it’s been more than ten years since I’ve returned to my hometown. I wonder what it’s like now.”
“There used to be a lot of sturgeons, but overfishing has caused its numbers to drop greatly. A policy was even introduced so now, they can only be caught for half a month every year so they’ll have time to breed. It’s much better than simply letting the animal go extinct,” Vita said.
“A relative of mine back home caught this sturgeon two days ago. It’s considered one of the largest ones that have ever been caught in recent years, but he didn’t sell it to anyone despite being offered several million dollars for it. Instead, he brought it straight to me.”
John stood and served Jasper a bowl of snake soup. He smiled meaningfully as he said, “You should have more of this, Jasper. It has amazing healing properties. All the herbs are aged and harvested from the depths of the forests, which means they have potent medicinal powers.”
Jasper took the bowl from him as he said exasperatedly, “I’m still young and strong. You two are the ones who should drink more of this. Don’t regret it when you’re in your 40s and have weakened stamina.”
Men would inevitably end up talking about slightly inappropriate things when they ate and drank together.
John and Vita were both well-versed in such topics. Jasper had initially been worried Celine would not be used to it but was shocked to hear her interjection.
“This stuff only provides a psychological effect. If you actually want treatment, you might as well take two Viagra pills.”
Everyone at the table burst into laughter when they heard that.
The awkwardness that had been present because of Celine, who was a stranger, was cleverly defused.
It was a great meal, and everyone enjoyed themselves.
Jasper was extremely satisfied with the meal. The table had been filled with delicious delicacies made from top-grade ingredients by a skilled chef.
It was past ten at night when they finished eating.
It was either the snake soup or the brandy that had caused Vita and John to be slightly tipsy with reddened cheeks. After they left the farm, they giggled as they bade goodbye to Jasper. They obviously had more plans lined up.
Jasper had Celine with him, and it seemed they would not be bringing him with them.
Either way, Jasper did not have that many common interests with a bunch of middle-aged men. Thus, he returned to the city with Celine.
Celine had had quite a bit to drink that night too. She had chugged at least half of the brandy that was poured. Things might have gotten awkward if not for the fact Vita had only brought that much brandy.
