In the vibrant heart of Metropolis, amidst skyscrapers that grazed the heavens and neon lights that painted the night sky, Sian Yoonjoon and Alexia Hemsworth formed an inseparable duo. Their bond, a fusion of contrasting yet complementary personalities, was forged in the crucible of shared experiences and unwavering camaraderie.

Alexia, with her effervescent charm and impeccable taste, reigned as the city's most sought-after brand manager. Renowned as the enchantress of love stories, she possessed a unique gift for transforming dreams into tangible realities. From opulent ballroom extravaganzas to intimate garden ceremonies, Alexia orchestrated each event with meticulous precision and boundless passion. Every detail bore the imprint of her magic touch, infusing gatherings with an ethereal charm that left hearts spellbound. Her genuine warmth and sincere affection for her clients endeared her to all who crossed her path, fostering a legion of loyal admirers and a thriving business that kept her perpetually in motion.

In stark contrast stood Sian Yoonjoon, a formidable presence in the realm of People's Culture. With her razor-sharp wit and indomitable resolve, Sian was a fearless seeker of truth, unafraid to challenge the entrenched norms and expose the hidden depths beneath Metropolis's glittering façade. Her pen, a weapon of unparalleled potency, was wielded with surgical precision, unravelling scandals, dissecting mysteries, and holding the powerful to account with each stroke. Behind her stoic exterior lay a fiercely loyal friend and a staunch advocate for justice, whose unwavering integrity commanded both respect and admiration.

As described in the pages of Finance Daily's insider news last Sunday, that was an exclusive partnership interview by Finance Daily. As we traversed our seemingly disparate worlds, we discovered within each other a sanctuary of solace and strength. Our friendship blossomed, a living testament to the transformative power of acceptance and mutual understanding. In Lexi, I found a confidante who embraced her imperfections with grace, celebrating her victories and offering unwavering support through every trial. In turn, Lexi discovered in me a kindred spirit whose unwavering convictions and fierce independence spurred her to explore new horizons and embrace her inner resilience.

Together, we weathered the tempests of life in Metropolis, sharing moments of joy and sorrow, triumphs and setbacks. In times of uncertainty, we became each other's steadfast anchors, navigating the ebb and flow of existence with unwavering solidarity. Through the crucible of our bond, we learned that true friendship transcends the boundaries of class, profession, and personality. It forged a connection as unbreakable as it was extraordinary, binding us together in a tapestry of shared experiences and mutual respect.

Interrupting my reverie, Alexia's voice broke through my thoughts. 

"Still dwelling on Finance Daily?" she inquired, her tone gentle yet knowing.

A wistful smile graced my lips as I nodded.

"Indeed, reminiscing about where we started five years ago and how far we've come."

Alexia's eyes sparkled with a mix of nostalgia and excitement. 

"Life has presented its challenges, but look at us now, living the dreams we once dared to envision."

Savouring the moment, I nodded in agreement, my thoughts drifting as I savoured the simple pleasure of breakfast toast shared with a cherished friend. 

"It's remarkable, isn't it?" Alexia mused, her gaze lingering on the panoramic view of the city skyline beyond the window. 

"To think of all the trials we've overcome, all the triumphs we've celebrated together."

I nodded, my heart swelling with gratitude for the bond we shared. 

"Indeed, it's been quite the journey," I replied, my voice soft with emotion. "But I wouldn't trade it for anything. Not when it brought me you."

A tender smile graced Alexia's lips as she reached across the table, her hand finding mine in a gesture of silent solidarity. 

"Nor would I," she whispered, her eyes shimmering with unspoken understanding.

"It's funny, isn't it?" I murmured between bites, the bitterness of my words tinged with a touch of melancholy. 

"We're taught to believe that education is the great equalizer, the key to unlocking a world of endless opportunities. But in reality, without the support and resources to back it up, it's nothing more than a fragile facade, destined to crumble beneath the weight of harsh realities."

Alexia's eyes softened with empathy as she reached across the table, her hand finding mine in a gesture of silent solidarity.

"You're right," she agreed, her voice gentle yet resolute. "But you know what, darling? Despite all the obstacles you've faced, you've remained steadfast in your resolve. You're one of the strongest, most resilient people I know."

A warm flush of gratitude spread through me at her words, dispelling some of the heaviness in my heart. 

"Thank you, Lexi," I replied, a hint of a smile gracing my lips, ''that means a lot coming from you."

With a playful glint in her eye, Alexia leaned forward, her expression brimming with genuine admiration.

 "You're not just strong, you're intelligent, beautiful, and kind," she declared, her words a beacon of affirmation in the dimly lit cafe. "In short, you're a goddess."

I couldn't help but laugh at her bold proclamation, the sound echoing with a tinge of wistfulness.

"Right," I chuckled, though deep down, the echoes of my past struggles still lingered, casting a shadow over the present moment.

As we continued our conversation, laughter and lightness intermingled with the weight of unspoken memories. Despite Alexia's effervescent optimism, my mind wandered back to the trials and tribulations of five years ago, at the tender age of twenty, I found myself ensnared in a web of despair and desperation that threatened to suffocate every ounce of hope within me. It was a time when dreams collided with harsh realities, and the weight of the world bore down upon my shoulders with merciless cruelty. As a bright young student with dreams as vast as the sky, I had once believed that education held the key to unlocking a future brimming with promise and possibility. But fate, it seemed, had other plans in store for me.

My aspirations were dashed against the jagged rocks of financial ruin, as the landowner's menacing shadow loomed large over my fragile existence. Unable to afford the exorbitant loans my parents had taken to finance my education, I found myself teetering on the precipice of ruin, my dreams slipping through my fingers like grains of sand. I was intelligent, and driven, with a thirst for knowledge that burned brighter than the sun. Yet, despite my relentless efforts, I fell agonizingly short of the mark, denied the scholarship that could have been my lifeline to a brighter future. The bitter taste of betrayal lingered on my tongue, a cruel reminder that in a world where privilege reigned supreme, merit was but a fleeting illusion.

It was a devastating blow, a crushing blow to my spirit that threatened to extinguish the flickering flame of hope within me. I toiled day and night, my mind consumed by the relentless pursuit of academic excellence, but in the end, it was all for nought. The rich and powerful held sway over my destiny, their greed casting a long, dark shadow over my once-bright future. And then, as if fate relished in my suffering, tragedy struck with the merciless force of a thunderbolt. It was during the midst of my exams, my mind already stretched to its breaking point, that I received the devastating news. The dean's solemn words cut through the air like a knife, each syllable carving a deep, gaping wound in my already fractured heart.

My father, my pillar of strength, lay lifeless in our humble abode, his spirit extinguished in the cold embrace of death. And my mother, my beacon of hope, had vanished without a trace, leaving behind nothing but a void of unanswered questions and agonizing uncertainty. In that moment, as the world crumbled around me, I found myself consumed by a darkness so profound, it threatened to swallow me whole. I sought refuge in the sanctuary of the university library, my sanctuary of solitude, where I retreated into the depths of my despair, unwilling to face the harsh realities that awaited me outside its hallowed walls.

The weight of grief bore down upon me like a suffocating blanket, robbing me of breath, of hope, of the will to go on. I cowered in the shadows, consumed by fear and resentment, my once-bright future now shrouded in the murky depths of despair. But amidst the darkness, amidst the crushing weight of sorrow and loss, a flicker of light pierced the gloom. It was the echo of my mother's voice, 

''Follow your heart, your intuition will not misguide you. Fight back''

 Those precious words became my daily mantra, urging me to find strength in the face of adversity, to follow my heart and never lose sight of the fire that burned within me. 

And so, with her words as my guiding light, I resolved to fight back against the tide of despair, to defy the cruel hand fate had dealt me and forge a new path forward, one step at a time. It was in the pages of Kim. N. Ryu's books that I found solace, his words a balm for my wounded soul, a reminder that even in the darkest of times, hope still flickered, waiting to be reignited.

So I clung to that hope, that fragile ember of possibility, and with each passing day, I vowed to honour my parents' memory by rising from the ashes of despair and reclaiming my place in a world that had sought to break me. And though the road ahead was fraught with peril and uncertainty, I faced it with a newfound resolve, knowing that with faith, courage, and the unwavering belief in the power of the human spirit, anything was possible, even in the darkest of times.

As I reminisced about the pivotal figures who had shaped my journey, my thoughts turned to the profound impact of Kim. N. Ryu's words had served as a guiding light through the darkest of times. His writings had been a source of solace and inspiration, offering a comforting embrace when the world seemed cold and unforgiving. But perhaps most cherished of all was Lexi's halmoeni, the matriarch of her family whose warm smile and homemade Korean dishes had woven themselves into the fabric of my fondest memories.

 It had been three long years since I last set foot in Seoul, the bustling city that had once been my home. In that time, I had traversed vast distances and weathered countless trials, but the memories of halmoeni's Tteokbokki, Japchae, and Kimchi remained etched in my heart with an indelible permanence. As I savoured the memories of halmoeni's culinary creations, a sense of nostalgia washed over me, mingling with a longing for the familiar sights and sounds of the city I had once called home.