Jean immediately leaned into the question as though it were a matter of national importance.
"Okay, but seriously." He pointed between Storm and Yixing.
"Which one of you actually survives the Four Dons' family approval process?"
Storm nearly laughed into his drink.
Oscar, however, answered immediately. "Yixing."
Jean looked offended. "Wrong."
Oscar raised a brow. "He's literally a Nicia."
"And?" Jean spread his arms dramatically.
"The Four Dons don't care about status. They care about character."
Oscar nodded. "Fair point."
Jean pointed at Storm. "Storm survived Bee's interrogation and Asher's silent judging."
"That's true," Oscar admitted.
"Thank you," Storm said dryly.
Jean continued as though presenting a thesis. "He also got approval from Jonathan."
The table fell silent.
Oscar blinked.
Asher blinked.
Even Yixing looked mildly surprised.
Jean nodded solemnly. "And we all know Jonathan's standards are impossibly high. He would never introduce two people if he didn't think compatibility was there."
"That's…" Oscar paused. "…actually a strong point."
Storm laughed. "I didn't realise I was being evaluated."
"You always are around us," Jean replied matter-of-factly.
Before the debate could continue further, Asher finally interjected. "Oscar."
Everyone turned toward him.
But Oscar blinked. "What?"
Asher shrugged. "If we're talking about surviving Four Don family interviews—Oscar wins."
The table burst into laughter.
Jean sleaned on the table. "He's got a point!"
Oscar looked mildly betrayed. "I've known all of your families since birth. That's not fair."
"Exactly," Asher replied calmly. "You're basically pre-approved."
Storm chuckled. "An unfair advantage."
Even Yixing's lips curved faintly upward.
The mood remained light and playful.
Then Jean grinned. "So we're agreed? Final rankings?"
Oscar sighed dramatically. "I can't believe this is my life."
Storm shook his head, amused. Then, with surprising gentleness, he simply said: "I think whoever Daisy chooses survives."
The table fell briefly quiet.
It was such a simple answer.
Not competitive or possessive, just sincere.
Unfortunately for Storm, he hadn't noticed that Dasom and Bee had returned.The two women had just stepped into earshot.
Dasom slowed. Her eyes widened ever so slightly.
Daisy.
Not Miss Lee.
Not Dasom.
Daisy. Her familiar nickname. Her heart skipped unexpectedly.
Beside her, Bee immediately squeezed her arm.
Hard.
Very hard.
Her expression practically screamed: HE USED THE NICKNAME.
Dasom smiled to herself. And perhaps because she'd already had a drink or two she found that she didn't mind hearing it from him at all.
The girls finally stepped fully into view.
Like magic, the conversation at the table shifted instantly. Every man suddenly became deeply interested in his drink.
Bee narrowed her eyes suspiciously.
She pointed dramatically at them. "What are you guys yapping about?"
Five men.
Five expressions of feigning innocence, but not a single trustworthy face among them.
"What took you two so long anyway?" Jean asked suspiciously.
The girls exchanged a look.
Bee immediately returned to her rightful place beside Asher, slipping into the seat next to him as naturally as breathing.
Asher, without even looking, shifted his drink slightly to give her more room.
Meanwhile, Dasom slid back into her seat, right next to Yixing.
She didn't think much of it.
Yixing, however, quietly straightened in his chair. A movement so subtle that only someone watching closely would have noticed.
Storm still in his seat across from her.
Bee sighed happily. "Home."
Jean rolled his eyes. "You were gone for ages."
Bee gasped dramatically."Excuse me! We had a reunion."
That immediately caught everyone's attention.
Dasom nodded. "We ran into Lara and Sophie Mayview."
Oscar's brows rose. "The twins?"
"THE twins?" Jean echoed.
Bee nodded eagerly. "The very same."
Even Storm looked surprised.
"They're back in Hassano?" Oscar asked.
"Apparently just for the holidays," Dasom explained.
"We hadn't seen them since we moved abroad."
Yixing's expression softened ever so slightly.
"Almost nine years."
Dasom blinked. "Oh. You remember?"
His gaze briefly met hers. "They were difficult to forget."
That earned a laugh from the table.
Jean pointed. "They were your academic rivals!"
Dasom groaned. "Please don't remind me."
Bee immediately betrayed her. "They used to compete for first place."
"Compete?" Storm asked.
"More like lose to Daisy repeatedly," Bee corrected.
Dasom covered her face. "Bee!"
"What? It's true."
Jean nodded in agreement. "She terrorised our generation academically."
Storm looked genuinely amused. "I didn't realise you had a villain arc."
Dasom stared at him in disbelief. "Villain arc? That's dramatic."
Bee placed a hand over her heart. "Storm, my dear, you don't understand."
She gestured dramatically at Dasom. "This woman was collecting awards like Pokémon cards."
"Bee!"
"What? I can't be proud of you!?"
Oscar chuckled quietly. "That does sound like Dasom."
"It was honestly inspiring," Dasom admitted softly. "We pushed each other to do better."
Her expression warmed at the memory. "And they attended my brother and parents' funeral."
Dasom smiled gently. "They went against their family to come."
Yixing's expression shifted.
Oscar's too.
Even Jean looked surprised.
"We only got the chance to properly talk about it tonight."
Bee nodded. "There was crying."
Dasom laughed. "Okay there was a lot of crying."
"And makeup touch-ups," Bee added.
"Several."
The table laughed softly.
Storm smiled. "It sounds like a good reunion."
Dasom nodded. "It really was."
As the conversation drifted onward, Yixing quietly glanced at her.
She looked lighter.
Happier.
More at ease than she had at Jean's banquet two nights ago.
And for reasons he still couldn't quite explain, seeing that made something inside his chest loosen.
Jean suddenly leaned back in his chair and patted his stomach dramatically.
"I'm hungry. Should we get some food?"
Bee's hand shot into the air immediately. "Yes! Let's all go."
Asher laughed quietly. "You've been saying you're hungry for the last hour."
"Because I am hungry," Bee replied matter-of-factly. "Dancing is cardio."
"Watching Asher DJ is cardio?" Jean teased.
"Emotionally, yes."
The table burst into laughter.
Dasom looked across the table toward Storm. "Storm, would you come too? Or are you working?"
Storm met her gaze, the corner of his lips lifted slightly. "No stress."
He took a sip of his drink and shrugged casually. "I'm the boss, I can do as I please."
There was a beat of silence.
Then—" Ooooooh."
Jean and Bee immediately leaned back in their seats dramatically.
Bee clutched her chest. "Did you hear that?"
Jean nodded solemnly. "The confidence."
"The aura."
"The billionaire energy."
Storm blinked."What are you on about?"
Dasom laughed into her hand.
Meanwhile, Yixing quietly took a sip of his whiskey. Expression still unreadable.
Jean pointed accusingly at Storm. "Say it again."
Storm looked confused. "Say what again?"
"The boss line."
Storm frowned slightly. "I'm not saying it again."
"Coward," Jean replied immediately.
Storm laughed under his breath. "I own the club, not a theatre."
Bee dramatically wiped away an imaginary tear.
"He's humble too."
"This is getting out of hand," Storm muttered.
"It got out of hand when you publicly claimed Daisy with a shot," Jean reminded him.
Storm nearly sighed. "I did not publicly claim anyone."
Across from him, Dasom smiled into her drink. She wasn't sure why.
Perhaps because she was still a little tipsy, or perhaps because for the first time in a long time—Being courted didn't feel heavy.
It felt light.
Fun.
Exciting.
The kind of excitement she'd only ever read about in novels.
Bee suddenly stood. "Okay! Food."
She pointed dramatically toward the exit. "Before I start eating the cocktail garnish."
"Lead the way," Asher said.
As the group began standing, Jonathan appeared as if summoned by the universe itself.
"Leaving already?" he asked dramatically.
Bee gasped. "Diva! We're going for food."
Jonathan looked personally offended. "Cheating on my club with carbohydrates?"
"Always," Jean answered.
Jonathan sighed theatrically. "Tragic."
Then his eyes lit up. "Oh! Take them to Moon Alley."
Storm nodded. "Good recommendation."
Dasom blinked. "Moon Alley?"
Storm smiled. "Twenty-four-hour street food district."
Jean's eyes widened. "Say less."
Bee immediately grabbed Dasom's arm.
And like that, seven very wealthy young adults, dressed like they'd stepped off magazine covers, set off in search of late-night food.
----
As they stepped out of Steam through the VIP entrance, they were immediately hit by the sharp bite of the winter air. Even on an island like Hassano, winter nights could be surprisingly cold.
Bee shivered instantly
"Why do we always dress for aesthetics and not survival?" she complained.
"Because suffering is fashionable," Jean answered matter-of-factly.
"Exactly," Bee agreed.
Asher simply shook his head.
The girls truly never learned.
Before Dasom could even rub warmth back into her arms, a familiar weight settled over her shoulders.
She blinked.
Yixing had draped his overcoat around her with practiced ease.
The coat was still warm.
Warm enough that she immediately recognised it.
Again.
Her eyes widened slightly. "Yixing—"
He adjusted the collar around her shoulders before she could protest.
"You have a bad habit of not wearing warm clothes, Daisy."
His voice was calm.
Matter-of-fact and almost scolding.
Dasom instinctively pulled the coat closer around herself. It smelled faintly of cedarwood and spice.
The scent she was starting to really enjoy.
Her breath caught for half a second.
No wonder it had felt familiar.
She looked up at him and smiled softly. "Thank you again."
Again.
The word lingered.
Yixing's gaze paused on her for a brief moment. Long enough to notice the way her cheeks had turned pink from the cold.
Or perhaps not entirely from the cold...
"Mm." That was all he said but somehow it sounded gentler than usual.
A few steps ahead, Jean, Asher, and Bee exchanged knowing looks. The kind of looks only people who had known each other for decades could exchange.
Bee's eyes widened.
Jean smirked.
Asher simply sighed into the winter air.
None of them said a word.
They merely continued walking.
Meanwhile, Oscar and Storm had somehow become engrossed in an entirely different conversation.
"…I'm telling you, they should've traded him two seasons ago," Oscar argued.
Storm looked mildly offended. "That's a terrible take."
"It's a realistic take."
"It's slander."
Their discussion about baseball continued with surprising intensity.
Apparently even billionaires and executive secretaries argued over sports.
Around them, paparazzi swarmed like moths to a flame. Camera shutters clicked rapidly and voices called out from every direction.
"Young Master Nicia!"
"Miss Lee!"
"Sir Young!"
"Look this way!"
The security teams moved efficiently.
A well-practiced wall of black suits keeping photographers at a respectful distance.
Growing up as the children and grandchildren of the Four Dons meant scenes like this were simply part of life.
None of them paid it much attention anymore.
To them, this was normal.
As they walked beneath the city lights of Gold City, laughter drifted between them.
Seven young people.
Each carrying extraordinary expectations.
Yet for this moment, they looked no different from any other group of friends heading out for late-night food after a good night.
-
The group slowed to a stop as they arrived at Moon Alley. The sight before them was almost unrecognisable. Despite it being close to one in the morning, the district was bursting with life.
Food stalls lined the streets. Restaurants overflowed with patrons. Street vendors called out cheerfully to passersby.
The air was filled with the sounds of laughter, sizzling grills, clinking dishes, and distant music.
The aroma alone was enough to make anyone hungry.
Spiced meats.
Fresh noodles.
Sweet pastries.
Seafood.
Coffee.
The entire place felt alive.
Dasom blinked in surprise. "There are so many people."
Even Bee looked impressed. "I thought clubs were busy."
Storm chuckled. "This is a slow night."
Everyone stopped walking.
"What?" they asked almost in unison.
Storm simply smiled.
Jean looked around in disbelief.
"Okay, hold on." He pointed dramatically at the district. "So it's actually called Moon Alley now?"
He looked at the others. "We've always called it Lane No Sleep."
Dasom immediately nodded. "Right? Same."
Bee laughed. "I still call it that too."
Storm slipped his hands into his pockets.
"No, it's officially been called Moon Alley for about three years now."
"Yeah, exactly," Bee said before pausing. "Wait."
Her eyes widened. "It's been three years?"
Storm nodded.
Dasom looked around, still taking in the changes.
"Well, to be fair…" She gestured around them. "It used to only be a lane."
Asher nodded in agreement. "Now it's practically an entire strip."
That was putting it mildly.
What had once been a beloved late-night street had expanded into one of Gold City's busiest nightlife and dining districts.
Oscar smiled faintly. "We sometimes come to some of the higher-end restaurants out here for business team meetings."
Jean stared at him. "Business meetings?"
"Mm." Oscar looked entirely serious. "Surprisingly productive."
Storm nodded. "A lot of deals get done over food."
Yixing, who had been quietly observing the bustling district around them, finally spoke.
"Yes, it has improved considerably."
The others glanced at him.
There was something thoughtful in his expression. After all, they had all grown up in Gold City.
Watched it change.
Watched it expand.
Watched familiar places disappear while new ones rose in their place, somehow Moon Alley had managed to keep its soul.
The bright lights reflected against the winter night sky.
Steam rose from food carts.
Friends laughed together.
Families shared meals.
Couples walked hand in hand.
For a city that never truly slept Moon Alley felt strangely warm.
Bee suddenly grabbed Dasom's arm, her eyes sparkled with excitement. "Daisy."
Dasom already knew that look. "Oh no."
Bee pointed dramatically toward the endless rows of food stalls. "We're eating everything."
Jean gasped. "Finally."
Asher sighed.
Storm laughed.
Oscar adjusted his glasses.
Yixing's lips curved upward ever so slightly.
And the seven young adults disappeared into the crowd of Moon Alley, ready to make another memory together.
-
After wandering through Moon Alley for several minutes, the group finally spotted a public table that had just become free.
As though they had collectively sensed an opportunity, all seven of them made a beeline for it.
Jean slid into a seat dramatically. "Victory."
Bee looked equally relieved. "My feet were beginning to file complaints."
"You wore heels to a night market," Asher pointed out.
"And I looked fabulous doing it."
No one argued with that.
Once everyone settled in, Oscar looked around the table. "How about we take turns?"
The others turned to him.
He adjusted his glasses. "The first group gets whatever they're craving, then we swap."
Everyone nodded in agreement.
That sounded efficient.
And more importantly, it meant they could try a little bit of everything.
Jean's eyes lit up almost immediately. "Ramen."
Yixing nodded. "There was a stall I saw near the entrance."
Oscar agreed. "I noticed it too."
The three men had somehow reached a unanimous decision in under ten seconds.
Truly remarkable.
Meanwhile Bee had already latched onto Asher's arm.
"Bánh mì."
Asher smiled faintly. "I figured."
She gasped dramatically. "You know me so well."
Jean gagged from across the table.
Dasom looked around thoughtfully.
Her eyes landed on a row of sizzling food stalls nearby.
Her face brightened immediately. "Skewers."
Storm followed her gaze.
The charcoal smoke rose into the night air.
The scent alone was enough to make anyone hungry.
He smiled. "I could go for skewers."
Dasom looked at him. "Really?"
Storm nodded. "Really."
That settled it.
Bee's smile immediately turned mischievous.
Of course it did.
Jean looked equally entertained.
Suspiciously entertained.
Dasom pretended not to notice.
"You guys go ahead," she said. "I'll wait with Storm, we'll hold our table."
Everyone stood from the table.
Yixing paused and looked toward Dasom.
"Do you want something to drink?" The question was simple.
Casual.
But somehow his attention remained entirely on her.
Dasom smiled politely. "It's okay."
She glanced toward Storm. "I'll wait with Storm."
For reasons he couldn't quite explain, Yixing hesitated.
Only briefly.
Then he nodded. "Alright."
With that, the group split off.
Jean, Oscar, and Yixing headed toward the ramen stalls.
Bee dragged Asher in the direction of bánh mì before he had any real say in the matter.
Leaving Storm and Dasom alone.
Well, as alone as one could be in a crowded night market.
They sat side by side at the table.
Moon Alley buzzed around them.
People laughed.
Stall owners shouted out specials.
Steam rose from fresh dishes.
And somewhere in the distance, live music drifted through the winter air.
Dasom rested her chin lightly in her palm. "I didn't expect tonight to turn out like this."
Storm glanced at her. "Badly?"
She laughed. "No."
Her smile softened. "Actually… really well."
His expression grew gentler. "I'm glad."
Dasom looked at him curiously. "So."
She tilted her head. "How long have you been planning to ask me out?"
Storm nearly choked. "What?"
Her eyes widened innocently.
"What?" He stared at her in disbelief.
She was actually teasing him. And somehow that was more dangerous than anything else she'd done all night.
Storm rubbed the back of his neck. "Not long."
"Liar."
His brows rose.
"Liar?" he repeated.
She nodded seriously. "Nobody asks someone out that smoothly without preparation."
He laughed a real laugh this time. "You give me too much credit."
"Mm." Dasom looked unconvinced. "I don't think I do."
For a brief moment, they simply smiled at one another.
Comfortable.
Easy.
Natural.
From across Moon Alley, Bee had just accepted her bánh mì when she suddenly froze.
Her eyes widened, she grabbed Asher's sleeve. "Look!"
Asher looked over obediently.
Then followed her gaze.
Toward their table.
At Dasom and Storm. The two sat side by side beneath the warm glow of hanging lanterns.
Talking.
Laughing.
Smiling.
Bee immediately clutched her chest.
"Oh my gosh." Her voice dropped to a whisper. "Look at them."
Asher's gaze softened. He watched his best friend laugh.
Really laugh.
The kind of laugh that came easily.
The kind they hadn't heard enough of after the accident.
He smiled faintly. "They look good together."
Bee looked at him in surprise. "Oh?"
Asher calmly took a bite of his bánh mì. "I'm just making an observation."
Bee narrowed her eyes. Sure, an observation, of course.