Life at the Top

“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.”

was tender, fresh, and fatty without being greasy.

lots of sturgeon in the rivers when I was

he heard what Celine said, Jasper exclaimed in surprise,

southerner through and through, alright? I only left the country when I was in fourth grade, but it’s been more than

introduced so now, they can only be caught for half a month

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

he said, “You should have more of this, Jasper. It has amazing healing properties. All the herbs are aged and

“I’m still young and strong. You two are the ones

would inevitably end up talking about slightly inappropriate things when they ate and

well-versed in such topics. Jasper had initially been worried Celine would not be used to it but was shocked to

If you actually want treatment, you might as well take two

table burst into laughter when they

that had been present because of Celine, who was a stranger, was