Their entourage travelled by train to the capital of Hassano Island — Gold City. From there, they boarded a private jet at Gold City International Airport bound for their new home in Finland.
For the entirety of the flight, Dasom slept.
Ever since the plane crash, flying terrified her.
When Hee Zhang, Asher Young, and Jean Nicia were granted permission to move abroad with Dasom, they could hardly contain their excitement. The opportunity to study overseas was thrilling enough, but the chance to travel Europe together made it even better.
Since school would not begin for another month, the four friends decided to spend three weeks sightseeing across Finland and neighbouring countries after landing.
For the first time in a long while, life almost felt normal again.
Six Years Later
Mingyu's relentless hard work at Shiwei was finally paying off.
Starting from the very bottom of the company despite his status, he steadily climbed the ranks and became Vice President at only twenty-four years old. The public admired him greatly for achieving such extraordinary milestones at such a young age.
He had also become known as one of Gold City's most eligible bachelors. His combination of wealth, good looks, intelligence, and discipline made him the ideal son-in-law in the eyes of many influential families across Hassano.
Meanwhile, Dasom and her friends were nearing the end of their school years abroad.
The years they spent together in Finland strengthened their bond beyond repair. Being exposed to people outside their elite social circle also taught them invaluable lessons about the world and themselves.
Dasom, Hee, and Jean consistently ranked at the top of their classes and remained within the top five students across all their subjects.
Asher, however, had graduated two years earlier and chosen to attend Hassano Arts University. Alongside his studies, he worked under his father's entertainment company, Komodo Entertainment, as both a mentor and producer for rising artists.
To celebrate the trio's high school graduation, the families travelled to Finland and stayed together at the Woo estate for an entire weekend.
For four days, the estate was filled with laughter, celebration, and endless congratulations. Lavish gifts were exchanged, meals stretched for hours, and every corner of the mansion buzzed with life.
Throughout the weekend, each set of parents privately took time to speak with Dasom, telling her how proud they were of the woman she had become.
The final day became everyone's favourite.
The family watched the sunrise together from hot air balloons drifting across the Finnish skies before returning for a grand brunch. The rest of the afternoon was spent swimming, relaxing, and enjoying one another's company before they gathered once more that evening for a family meeting.
One by one, everyone stood to give speeches and share nostalgic stories from the children's upbringing.
Dasom was deeply moved by the effort everyone put into making her feel loved and celebrated.
But the biggest surprise came from Mingyu.
As a graduation gift, he gave Dasom her very own mansion within Lotus Castle — an ultra-exclusive gated community just outside Gold City. The waiting list alone was nearly impossible to get onto, yet Mingyu had somehow secured an estate there solely for her.
When it was finally Dasom's turn to speak, emotion shone clearly in her eyes.
"When we're born into this life," she began softly, "we're gifted teachers who help shape us into the people we become."
She looked around at the people surrounding her.
"I was blessed enough to be raised by all of you. I promise I'll continue to make you proud." She smiled warmly before lifting her glass. "I love you all. Cheers."
"Cheers!" the family echoed together as glasses clinked throughout the room.
The following morning was complete chaos.
Suitcases rolled across marble floors, staff hurried around the estate, and goodbyes were exchanged in every corner of the house. Then, almost as suddenly as they had arrived, everyone was gone.
Once the estate finally fell quiet again, Dasom sat alone and reflected on the previous four days in her journal.
An overwhelming mixture of joy, gratitude, and determination swelled within her chest.
For the first time in years, she truly felt ready to face the world.
Two Years Later
Both Dasom and Jean were accepted into numerous prestigious universities across the world. However, the only school they had both been accepted into was University of Cambridge, so they ultimately chose to attend together.
Meanwhile, Hee was accepted into Politecnico di Milano to pursue fashion design in Milan.
By now, Dasom had become something of a legend within academic circles.
The university paper nicknamed her "Princess Earhart" due to her brilliance in computer science and her groundbreaking contributions to the technology industry at such a young age. Major tech corporations constantly attempted to recruit her, but Dasom politely rejected every offer.
She still had two years remaining before graduation and refused to tie herself down so early.
After declining another job offer through email, Dasom heard her phone ping.
A message from Jean appeared on her screen.
Jeanie 🥳: Hey Daisy :)
Dasom: yessir
Jeanie 🥳: My birthday banquet is next month…
Dasom: Oooh! Where is it this year?
Jeanie 🥳: In the motherland hahahaha
Dasom: okay good for u 🤌🏽✨
Jeanie 🥳: Can't you come? Pls!!?
Dasom: hmmmm 👁👄👁
Jeanie 🥳: Please don't make me beg (7^7)
The final message made Dasom burst into laughter.
Without hesitation, she called him.
Jean answered on the very first ring.
"Jeanie," Dasom said casually, "when have I ever let you down?"
That alone was enough to brighten his mood instantly.
"You'd really catch a plane home for me?"
"Plane?" Dasom shuddered dramatically. "I thought you meant Mother Russia…"
Jean blinked before laughing.
"Oh. It's actually in Hassano. But if you can't make it, that's fi—"
Dasom giggled softly, finding his sincerity oddly adorable whenever he dropped his usual playful act.
"I'm not a little kid anymore," she interrupted gently. "Don't worry. I'll be there. I promise."
"You're the best," Jean grinned. "I'll send you the details now."
Moments after hanging up, the digital invitation arrived on her phone, and Dasom immediately began reorganising her schedule around the trip home.