However, when it came to Shin Keir, who looked as though he would give anyone hell if they dared approach him, they hesitated.
If this had been before, they probably wouldn't have dared. But because of Yeri Zhi, many of the women had changed their mindset to, 'If Yeri can do it, then so can I.'
In fact, others might not have noticed, but Tristan had already spotted that many of the women tonight were deliberately going for the soft and delicate type, copying Yeri's style and demeanor.
Although it was Shin's bachelor's party, a lot could happen even in a single night.
So it wasn't surprising why so many of these women were setting their sights on Shin Keir.
"Big bro, don't be too hard on yourself. Let them sit beside you. Sis-in-law definitely won't mind," Saeki said from the side.
"Shin, you've worked hard all your life and always lived up to the Keirs' expectations. For tonight, at least have some fun," Zoren encouraged him.
"Yeah, you're not exactly cheating just by talking to other women. It's your bachelor's party. After this, you really can't act single anymore, so don't regret it," Daniel nodded to himself.
Tristan wore a faint smile as he listened to them.
None of them understood, and perhaps they never would. It wasn't that Shin was controlling himself. He simply didn't have the urge, fickle-mindedness, or desire that humans have.
Hearing them, the girls blushed shyly and found the courage to approach Shin Keir, each with her own scheme of getting close to him. Some even imagined that if they could spend the night with him, they could later disappear and return with a child, forcing their way into his life.
However, Shin stood up the moment they sat down.
"Big bro, where are you going?" Saeki asked.
Shin's cold gaze swept across the room.
"If you were throwing a bachelor's party on my behalf, then you should already know my preferences. Stop using me as an excuse. If you want to hang out, no one's stopping you."
The room suddenly fell tense as everyone exchanged glances.
Tristan simply sat there, thinking that he had already reminded them not to hire women. No matter how gorgeous they were, Shin wouldn't care.
"It's just to liven up the atmosphere. You don't have to overthink it," Zoren said nervously.
"Young Master Shin, I'm sorry if we've offended you..." one of the women said, her eyes reddening. "We were just doing what we were told to do. If you want, I can sit quietly and won't say anything. Just please don't kick me out, or my pay will get deducted."
However, Shin didn't even look at her. Such a pitiful act didn't work on him, unless it was Yeri.
Shin gave Zoren a bone-piercing gaze and gestured to leave.
Saeki and the others tried to stop him, but he ignored them. They had long known that he didn't tolerate this kind of thing, especially since he had never liked the habit of getting wasted with strangers hovering around him.
"Eh, what now? What's the point of this party?" Daniel muttered.
"Don't we still have the cake and presents on the way?" Zoren added.
"Told you this wouldn't work," Tristan simply shrugged.
"Well, since we're already here, we can just throw another bachelor's party. A trip, perhaps, or some kind of sports event," Saeki said dejectedly.
Zahn also stood up to excuse himself, but Saeki immediately clung to him, refusing to let him leave.
"Stone face, you don't have to get drunk. Just stay, okay? You're already divorced. No one would get mad at you even if you hang out with women."
"What are you implying?" Zahn suddenly felt provoked, yanking him by the collar.
"Alright, alright. You know Saeki tends to run his mouth without thinking." Allen quickly separated the two while warning the confused Saeki.
"What's wrong with what I said?" Saeki asked.
"Since Shin left, just consider this my advanced bachelor's party," Allen said, trying to liven up the atmosphere.
In the end, Zahn stayed, but he didn't touch another drink.
Perhaps because of Saeki's words, he remembered how Vanessa had nearly taken advantage of him when he was passed out drunk before. This time, he didn't want to sabotage himself and destroy his hope of getting back together with Lianna.
Halfway through the party, the door was suddenly slammed open.
A girl rushed inside, her eyes darting around the room. The moment she spotted Jj, she ran toward him and screamed furiously at the woman chatting beside him.
Everyone "..."
Jj was momentarily stunned, but realizing who it was, he exclaimed, "You! What are you doing here? No, how did you even know I'm here?!"
"Is this why you weren't at your dorm? You're actually hanging out with some ugly vixen!" Anri spat, pointing at the girl. "You homewrecker, stay away from him! Who knows what kind of disease you're carrying!"
The girl trembled, trying to explain that she wasn't doing anything, but Anri looked like a fire-breathing dragon ready to purge her.
Jj finally snapped and dragged her outside.
"Anri Rune, what is wrong with you? I've told you countless times that I have no interest in you. I have no intention of dating you, so stop stalking me."
Anri cried, stomping her feet in frustration. "Why? That girl looks so ugly! What do you even see in her?!"
"It has nothing to do with her. She's just doing her job. Anyway, go back and focus on your studies."
"You're actually defending her?!" Anri shrieked.
"Are you even listening? Just go back, okay?" Jj felt a headache coming on.
"If I study hard, will you like me?" Anri sniffed. "Brother Jj, you never go out at this hour. Who are those people? Why are you hanging out with them?"
"Enough. I'm telling you, stop causing trouble. You'll only embarrass yourself. Besides, do your parents even know what you've been up to? Go back," Jj said before heading back inside.
Anri looked like she hadn't heard him and stubbornly followed him inside, glaring at the girl.
"Do I have to say it, or are you just dense?" she spat.
The girl's eyes reddened as she timidly glanced at Jj.
Jj "..."
Saeki and the others all lit up as if they were watching a real drama unfold.
Jj didn't want to cause a scene and thought he should just leave.
"Ah, Young Master Felan, Young Master Jie! I didn't realize you were here earlier. I'm sorry," Anri exclaimed when she saw them, also greeting the others.
"I remember you. You're the only daughter of the Rune family, right?" Saeki said.
Anri nodded and began chatting about her family.
"She's a minor and shouldn't be here. I'm sorry to trouble everyone. We're leaving," Jj said before grabbing Anri.
"What? How did she even get here...?" Daniel frowned.
While Anri waited outside, Tristan asked Jj, "You look troubled. Want me to help?"
Jj blinked before asking skeptically, "How? I don't want to go too far. I just want her to leave me alone."
Tristan chuckled. "Don't worry. I don't have a hobby of harming girls. With her family background, it's not easy. If you want her to stop, just go straight to the person who can control her. I know her father. I could talk to him."
Jj looked enlightened and immediately nodded. "Thank you. I'll definitely remember this favor."
Tristan lightly laughed. "Don't be too formal. I'm helping because you're also a member of Hexion."
After the two left, the rest of them continued their bachelor's party without the main character of their supposed celebration.
---
Two days passed. Yeri and her friends had a great time at their yacht party. Then, they chartered a plane to a luxurious island and had another party.
On the third day, they arrived in a very rural area that was highly recommended for hiking, with scenic mountain views and ideal weather.
"Whoever suggested hiking after we partied for two days should carry me down this mountain!" Nina complained angrily. "I can't even feel my feet anymore!"
"It's fine. We're almost there. We didn't even go all the way up," someone reassured her.
"Great weather, my ass! It suddenly started raining, and now the road is all muddy and slippery. Ugh!" Daisy groaned.
"We should've just stayed at the hotel and roamed around the nearby tourist spots." Another commented.
They were a group of eight, with only Levi as the guy, so they had to rely on themselves.
Levi carried Nina's heavy bag while assisting Yeri, since Nina had insisted.
Once the group successfully descended the mountain and arrived back at their hotel, they looked completely disheveled and somehow soaked from the rain.
"Are you okay, Yeri?" Nina asked.
Yeri nodded. Although she was exhausted, she didn't want to show it after everyone had put so much effort into planning this bachelorette party.
Passing by the hotel's event hall, Daisy said casually, "Someone's having a wedding."
"I've never seen a traditional rural wedding. Should we go take a look?"
"Looking like this? Do you want to be mistaken for beggars?" Nina clicked her tongue.
"Actually, most rural people have their own beliefs. It would be terrifying if we got accused of trying to jinx the wedding or wish the couple bad luck," Daisy said knowledgeably.
"Yeri Zhi?!"
Their group halted when they heard someone call out Yeri's name.
The bride, wearing traditional wedding attire, approached them and also recognized Nina and Levi.
"I'm right, you're Yeri Zhi, aren't you?" she said in surprise. "I remember the three of you were always together. Nina Geun and Levi Ando, right?"
The three exchanged glances, but none of them recognized her.
The girl smiled and introduced herself. "I used to be classmates with you back in middle school."
"Really? Ah, what's your name?" Nina asked.
Seeing that they genuinely didn't remember her, the girl smiled awkwardly.
"Of course, how could you remember? I'm just a scholarship student who got lucky enough to get into a prestigious school for wealthy families. It's Lizzy. I sat behind Yeri."
"You're that student? It's really a coincidence meeting you here. Are you originally from this town?" Levi asked.
Lizzy nodded and glanced toward the wedding hall. "It's my wedding today."
"Congratulations. You look great," Nina said, although she still couldn't remember who this girl was.
Even Yeri was wracking her brain, trying to remember her middle school classmates.
"Thank you. By the way, what are you doing in this small town?" Lizzy asked, giving them a once-over, and a hint of disdain flashed in her eyes.