บท 37: First acquaintance in the office
Looking at the person flexing his muscles in front of him, Jake smiled and said, "What can you teach? It has nothing to do with your physique, right?"
"Hmph, weakling. I could knock down ten of you with a single punch," the person replied.
"Is that so? How about a little test then?" Jake showed no fear in the face of his new colleague's provocation.
"You want to test yourself against me? Don't overestimate your abilities!" The person replied disdainfully.
"Come on, everyone is a colleague here. It's fine to joke around, but let's not ruin the atmosphere," David quickly stepped in to defuse the situation.
The person snorted coldly, giving David face and ignoring Jake. He continued lifting his dumbbells. As for Jake, he smiled at David and didn't say anything further.
"Jake, since you're new here, do you want me to show you around?" David asked Jake.
"Thanks, but no need. I used to live near this school and often come here, so I'm familiar with the place," Jake replied.
"I see. That works then," David said. "But the housing prices in J City are really expensive, especially near the school. Being able to live around here means you must be a wealthy person."
"I'm just an ordinary person, I don't have much money. I'm renting a place," Jake explained.
"Hmph, you don't seem like a wealthy person to me," the young man next to them spoke up again, his tone still disdainful but not as aggressive as before.
"Bill is from J City. His family owns a company, so he's rich," David whispered to Jake, expressing some envy in his words.
Jake glanced at the young man next to him, who was only a few years older, and suddenly understood. No wonder David had used the word "also" when referring to him earlier. It turned out that there was a second-generation rich person in this office. However, Jake wondered how this rich kid ended up becoming a teacher, and why he seemed to have a grudge against him despite not knowing each other before.
While Jake was still puzzled, the office door opened, and a graceful figure walked in. Bill, who had just been working out, immediately put down his dumbbells and went to greet the person.
"Verna, you're here? Are you tired? Let me make you a cup of tea," the young man said enthusiastically.
Jake also looked over and was instantly captivated. It was a woman who had entered, around twenty-five or twenty-six years old, with delicate facial features, a well-proportioned figure, and an elegant temperament. Every step she took seemed to have a unique rhythm. She was a woman with a perfect body and appearance.
"No need," the woman decisively rejected the young man's enthusiasm.
"Verna, we're all so familiar, there's no need to be so distant," the young man didn't mind the woman's coldness and continued to smile, his demeanor completely different from how he had treated Jake earlier.
The woman seemed to know the young man's character and simply ignored him, only then noticing the presence of a stranger in the office.
"Let me introduce you," David stepped forward and said, "This beautiful lady is Verna, she teaches gymnastics. And this is Jake, our new teacher."
"Hello," Jake greeted.
"Hello," Verna didn't show the same coldness as she did to the young man earlier. "You look quite young. If David hadn't mentioned it, I would have thought you were a student at our school."
"Verna, you also look very young and beautiful compared to many students," Jake complimented. Verna's smile grew, as who wouldn't appreciate being praised, especially as a woman and a beauty.
"Hmph, smooth talker," the young man interrupted to spoil the atmosphere. "Verna, you need to be careful. There are many people nowadays who deceive women with their silver tongue and hidden malicious intentions."
"Bill! I've told you many times that my affairs are none of your concern!" Verna retorted angrily.
"Our families have been friends for generations. I can't just stand by and watch you get deceived," Bill argued.
"I don't care about you!" Verna finished her words, smiled apologetically at Jake, and went to her own desk.
"Hmph, a toad dreaming of eating swan meat!" Bill said to Jake before returning to his desk.
"Bill has been pursuing Verna for a long time," David whispered to Jake.
"I can tell," Jake replied. No wonder this Bill had shown such deep animosity towards him when he first arrived. His hostility lessened a bit after finding out that Jake wasn't wealthy. He must be afraid of Jake becoming his love rival and pursuing Verna.
After all, with Verna's beauty, it was easy for men to be attracted to her, especially since Jake was still young and probably unmarried. That would pose a greater threat.
Jake returned to his seat, finding the whole situation somewhat amusing but not paying too much attention to it. He had encountered various office politics and interpersonal relationships in his previous jobs, so compared to that, Bill's behavior seemed childish.
Jake didn't concern himself with Bill's affairs. After all, he didn't plan on spending much time in the office, and he probably wouldn't have many opportunities to meet these people.
Shortly after, two more people arrived in the office, completing the six physical education teachers, including Jake. The two new teachers were also men, around the same age as David, and they were married.
"Clap, clap, clap." Once everyone was present, David stood up and applauded. "Today is the first day of the new semester. How about we have a dinner together after work?"
"I agree!" Bill was the first to raise his hand in support. He looked at Verna and said, "It's been a long time since we've all seen each other. We should definitely get together."
Verna didn't look at Bill but nodded in agreement. The other two teachers didn't object either. Having dinner among colleagues was a normal occurrence, especially on the first day of the new semester.
"What about you, Jake? Will you join us?" David asked Jake.
"The dinner will be split equally, so those who don't have money shouldn't even think about coming to mooch off us," Bill said sarcastically.
Jake wasn't initially planning to go. He had a stall to attend to in the evening. However, since they were colleagues, and even though he didn't plan on coming to the office often, he didn't want to create unnecessary tension in the work relationship. Moreover, with Bill's sarcastic comment, if Jake refused, he would become the person Bill accused of wanting a free meal and drinks.
"Alright, I don't mind," Jake said.
"Great, let's all go together after work," David said sincerely.
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