Yeri greeted a few of her classmates nearby before sitting on one of the waiting benches. Although she was still angry, she wasn't about to make a scene in front of everyone.
Shin sat beside her and pulled out his phone to check their class itinerary again.
"Why did your class decide to go on vacation to such a cold state? Is it just for skiing?"
Yeri shrugged. It had been decided by majority vote. She hadn't been particularly keen on the destination, but since she'd missed the previous annual class trips, this would be both her first and last one.
"Don't wander off by yourself or venture beyond the resort's patrolled boundaries. And remember to keep yourself warm. Did you check your luggage? You didn't forget anything important for the cold, did you? What about your medicines?" Shin asked, unable to hide the worry in his voice.
"The ski resort is five-star. I'm sure they have everything," Yeri muttered.
Shin, "..."
It was an entire week of vacation and a three-hour flight from Sin City. Not only was he uncomfortable and worried, but it also meant he wouldn't get to see her for a whole week.
"Are you not going to miss me?" he asked.
Yeri looked at him...
Miss his face? Did he really think she'd swallow all the nonsense from earlier just because he was trying to act cute?
"You're always busy with work. Before you know it, a week will have already passed."
"Hmm, or I could just fly there if I want to see you."
Yeri's eyes widened as she shot him a warning look.
"Can't I? Don't you want me to come spend the vacation with you?"
"We live in the same penthouse, and you still want to go on vacation together?" Yeri frowned. "Anyway, don't talk to me."
Shin chuckled and reviewed the itinerary again, crossing out activities he considered dangerous, like snowboarding and hiking because of the risk of avalanches.
After a moment of silence, he said, "About Xian Song..."
"Boss! Daughter-in-law!"
An excited voice echoed through the waiting area as Loki bounced toward them, bundled up like a giant burrito while dragging two large suitcases.
"What did you just call me?" Yeri asked, wondering if she'd heard him wrong.
"Daughter-in-law," Loki answered proudly. "Well, I figured you're really young, and I'm not exactly a student, so it doesn't feel appropriate to call you Yeri or Sister-in-law."
"No. I don't want that," Yeri refused immediately.
What kind of nonsense was that? Calling her daughter-in-law in front of her classmates?
They might think they were role-playing some bizarre family drama.
Loki looked ready to argue, but Shin cut him off. "You are a student. Don't stray from your character."
Loki immediately snapped a salute and shouted, "Got it, Boss!"
If some students had still doubted that Loki was part of Hexion, they certainly didn't anymore.
They couldn't hear what the three were discussing from where they sat, but seeing Loki chatting so casually with Shin Keir and repeatedly calling him "Boss" was more than convincing enough.
"By the way, what do you think of my gear?" Loki asked proudly, striking a pose.
"Don't you feel hot?" Yeri asked, seeing that he was completely wrapped up with only his eyes visible.
"No. My ability to regulate my body temperature is top-notch," Loki replied with a confident nod.
Yeri: ???
At that moment, the boarding announcement echoed through the terminal.
Shin glanced at the time and reminded her once again to be careful, avoid dangerous situations, and reply to his messages and calls.
"You were saying earlier... about Xian Song?" Yeri asked softly as she stood up.
Instead of answering, Shin simply pinched her nose and told her to enjoy the trip.
After Shin left, the previously hushed atmosphere became lively once more.
Nina immediately rushed over, followed by several excited classmates, all talking at once about how handsome Shin Keir was, though they admitted they had been too intimidated to approach him.
At first, Yeri didn't understand why everyone had been acting so cautiously. They weren't on his payroll, after all.
But after hearing them, she realized it had simply been an unconscious reaction. Perhaps Shin Keir really did possess that naturally intimidating presence and oppressive aura while everyone else had been quietly observing him.
"Gosh, he's so handsome! I was so intimidated by his presence."
"Yeri, don't get jealous, but I really wanted to ask for his autograph! I just couldn't muster the courage to approach him."
As the group approached the boarding gate, they gradually realized there were no other passengers apart from their class.
A pretty airport attendant greeted them with a smile before explaining that their business class flight had been canceled and that they would instead be boarding a chartered flight, courtesy of Shin Keir.
The entire class fell silent for a few seconds before erupting into cheers.
Everyone turned to look at Yeri, while some jokingly declared that they would call her 'Sister-in-law' or 'Boss Lady' from now on.
After all, even though most of them came from privileged families, chartering an entire plane was still beyond the means of many of them.
"That means this is an exclusive flight just for our class! Oh my gosh, I'm posting this on my account right now!"
"Has anything like this ever happened before? Anyway, it's all thanks to Shin Keir. Good thing I signed up for this trip."
"Yeri, let's keep in touch even after high school, okay? Can I call you my best friend?"
"Excuse me, that title has long been taken. Stop being so thick-skinned here," Nina immediately scolded, making Yeri burst into laughter.
"Wait." Nina quickly pulled out her phone, snapped a selfie with Yeri, and sent it to Levi. "I remember his class trip is on some tropical island. Anyway, that twig isn't into outdoor activities. He's probably sulking somewhere already. Let's make him sulk even more."
Everyone remained in high spirits as they boarded the plane, excitedly checking out the complimentary meals, snacks, and amenities.
Loki took the seat beside Yeri and muttered to himself, "Children are so easy to pacify. I've been on plenty of chartered flights before. As for that ski resort... it'd only be interesting if I got to see a polar bear."
"Are you trying to get yourself killed? Don't you know how dangerous polar bears are?" Yeri asked.
"I trained extensively in winter wilderness survival and extreme blizzards. I can teach you... if you let me call you Daughter-in-law," he bargained.
"No, thanks," Yeri refused without hesitation before turning to Nina, who was seated on her other side.
"How about surviving an avalanche?" Loki continued proudly.
Yeri "..."
Why would she need to learn that when they were only staying for a week? Besides, this was supposed to be a vacation, not a suicidal expedition.
Just then, Shin sent her a text message reminding her to wear earplugs if the cabin noise became uncomfortable. He also mentioned that there was a fully enclosed private bedroom reserved for her if she wanted to lie down and rest.
In truth, the chartered flight had surprised Yeri as much as everyone else. She had no idea Shin had arranged any of this. Although she was still upset with him, she sent him a simple Thank you.
During the flight, the attendants came by several times to ask whether she wanted to move to the private bedroom or if she needed anything.
However, with the flight lasting only three hours, she chose to stay with her classmates, chatting and playing games.
The surprises didn't end with the chartered plane. Their airport transfers and hotel accommodations had also been upgraded, leaving everyone in exceptionally high spirits.
Some even nicknamed it "the billionaire vacation."
By the time they arrived at the hotel, everyone was busy checking in, changing into their winter clothes, and signing up for different activities.
Nina wrapped a scarf around Yeri's neck before excitedly holding up a pair of pink ski gloves.
"I bought matching ones for both of us so we can twin! What do you think?"
Yeri smiled as she slipped them on. "How did you manage to get these? I checked online before, and they were already out of stock."
Nina proudly lifted her chin.
Behind them, Daisy pointed her action camera at herself while holding her phone in the other hand, speaking with the enthusiasm of a professional reporter.
"Cuties, we've finally arrived at our hotel! I'd like to give a special thanks to our sponsors, Yeri and Young Master Keir, for making this trip absolutely unforgettable!"
Noticing the livestream, Yeri smiled warmly at the phone's camera while Nina flashed a cheerful V-sign beside her.
The livestream was immediately flooded with comments, most of them asking why Yeri was there despite the rumors that she was pregnant.
"The host is actually classmates with Yeri. I'm so jealous. I want a big shot to sponsor my vacation too."
"Doesn't Yeri look like she's lost some weight? Is it because of pregnancy symptoms? Going to such a cold place... what is she thinking?"
"Yeri Zhi, you shameless vixen! You're already spending Shin Keir's money so recklessly! You just want to show off in front of your classmates, don't you? Do you even know how much it costs to sponsor a trip for an entire class? You have no conscience."
Seeing the direction the bullet comments had taken, Daisy frowned and shifted her phone so Yeri was no longer in the frame.
She reminded the viewers not to be toxic, adding that her livestream was about their travels, not spreading hate.
Nina also flared up, practically itching to fight those toxic keyboard warriors. She had done the same every time accusations against Yeri surfaced, but people like them were impossible to extinguish completely.
"It's okay. I'm not bothered," Yeri said, patting Nina's shoulder before jokingly adding, "Besides, I have an entire legal team backing me up."
Nina gave her a thumbs-up, knowing Yeri wasn't exactly bragging. It was simply the confidence of someone holding all the cards.
---
Meanwhile, back in Sin City, two major pieces of news broke that day.
First, Madam Neri, once one of the most respected figures not only as the matriarch of a prestigious family but also because of her position in Neri Corporation, had lost her legal case against Neri Medical Hospital.
Not only was she removed from her position, but her assets were also frozen pending further investigation. In addition, she was sentenced to eight years in prison.
Despite her influence and extensive connections, her previous verdict of three years under house arrest was now rather laughable.