I’m on a family reality show with my pop-star brother, and the producers want us to “open our hearts” and resolve our deepest issues on camera. Suddenly, my brother, who’s usually a literal ray of sunshine, buries his face in his hands and starts sobbing, accusing me of being cold and distant our entire childhood. As the cameras zoom in and I can feel the tidal wave of online hate about to crash over me, I try to explain, my face a mask of pure exasperation. “You spent your days setting off firecrackers in cow pies with Jay-Jay from next door, then came home wanting to cuddle. How exactly was I supposed to get close to you?!” My brother blinks, stunned for a second. “But you gave away Snowflake, my favorite dog…” That leaves me even more speechless. “You used to French-kiss that dog! You insisted she was a girl and that you were going to marry her. What, does every female on the planet have to marry you?” Leo: “…” The A-list star beside me is doubled over with laughter. I shoot him a glare. “Don’t act like you weren’t part of it, Jay-Jay.” 1 I was in the middle of signing a multi-million dollar contract when my brother’s frantic call came through. “Vivian!” “What is it?” A nerve in my temple twitched. Anytime Leo actually called me by my name instead of some ridiculous nickname, it meant trouble. His voice turned syrupy sweet. “So, next week I’m supposed to be on this reality show about family bonds, but Mom and Dad are off on their European tour, so I was hoping my favorite big sister could fill in…” After Leo started college, he was scouted by an agency and became a pop star. I never expected the little brat who used to drive me insane would actually carve out a niche for himself in the entertainment industry with some serious talent. I gestured for my assistant to close the office door and shut him down flat. “No. I’m busy.” “Wait, wait, wait! Viv, you remember Everett, right? Everett Song?” “Everett?” “Yeah. He’s the main investor behind the show, and he’s also a special guest. They only asked me to join last minute because another guest dropped out. Come on, Viv, can’t you just spare a few days? For old times’ sake? He’s helped me out a few times in the industry, you know.” Everett Song was our neighbor when we were kids. We lost touch after he moved abroad for school, only keeping up with the occasional text. All I knew was that he was now an A-list star. Listening to Leo’s relentless pleading, I realized I wasn’t getting out of this. My eyes drifted to the file on my desk. I raised an eyebrow. “Fine, I’ll do it. On one condition. You get me Everett Song for my company’s new product launch.” “What? You want Everett to be the face of a new lipstick line?” A small smile played on my lips. “We’re not exactly close anymore. If I ask him, he could say no. So, I’m leaving it to you.” Leo went quiet for a moment before muttering under his breath, “He’d probably be more likely to say yes if you asked him…” “What was that?” “I said, ‘Consider it done!’” His voice was dripping with fake enthusiasm. “See you at the show, Viv!” After he hung up, I tapped my fingers on the tabletop. A few days on a reality show in exchange for an endorsement from an A-list star? That was a hell of a deal. 2 When the day came, I cleared my schedule and headed straight for the studio. The show was a live broadcast featuring three pairs of family members, plus Everett as a special guest. The premise was simple: play some games, do some activities, and strengthen their bonds. With an A-lister like Everett on board, the online hype was through the roof. [OMG, Everett’s first solo project as a producer! I’m so here for it!] [I heard Leo Wen is bringing his sister. Is this the one he said used to beat him up all the time? LOL.] [Evan Chen, the award-winning actor, is bringing his daughter on a show for the first time! I can’t wait!] The studio was massive, and I couldn’t find Leo anywhere. “Ms. Wen?” a sugary voice called out. I turned. Oh, Meagen Kane. Another one of the guests. Her eyes curved into a crescent shape. “I can’t believe I’m running into you here. What a coincidence.” “Hmm,” I said, sliding off my sunglasses. “My name is Vivian. And yes, quite the coincidence.” “I heard Vivida Cosmetics is looking for a new face for your latest campaign,” she said, her smile never wavering as she pulled a delicate-looking boy to her side. “This is my brother, Caleb. He’s a rising pop star too. If you have an opportunity, you should really keep us in mind.” I looked Meagen up and down, tucking my sunglasses into the collar of my blouse. The irony was almost suffocating. Three years ago, I had just spun off from my family’s corporation to launch Vivida Cosmetics. The face I wanted for my brand, more than anyone, was the up-and-coming starlet Meagen Kane. She had an innocent look, a sweet-girl-next-door vibe. Her fame wasn’t at its peak, but I believed the brand and the ambassador could grow together. To show how serious I was, I went to meet her myself, armed with a detailed brand proposal and a full set of samples. She’d taken one look at them and tossed the samples on the floor, her face twisted in a sneer. “Are you kidding me? Every no-name brand thinks they can get an endorsement now? Who knows if this junk will make my face break out. Get lost. Don’t waste my time.” Three years later, Vivida went from an unknown startup to a household name in cosmetics. Meagen Kane? Still a B-list starlet, treading water. But I had to give her credit for her nerve. A small laugh escaped me. “A no-name brand like ours couldn’t possibly afford stars of your caliber.” Meagen’s smile froze. Before I could turn to leave, she grabbed my arm, her eyes welling up. “You might have misunderstood me back then. I never meant to—” “Vivian.” A cool, magnetic voice cut her off. Everett Song was standing there in a loose white button-down, his broad shoulders tapering to a narrow waist. His handsome, almost aloof features were softened by a hint of a smile. “There you are.” For a second, my mind went blank. He was so much more striking in person than on screen. I found my voice. “I just got here. I was looking for—” “Mr. Song,” Meagen interrupted, a single tear clinging to her lashes. “I’m so happy to be a part of your show. Thank you so much for this opportunity.” I resisted the urge to roll my eyes. Everett glanced at her and gave a curt nod. “The dressing rooms are over there. The AC is on if you need to cool down.” “Oh?” He ignored her, his eyes finding mine again, a genuine warmth in them. “Long time no see.” 3 Everett led me to where Leo was waiting, and after a few brief pleasantries, the show began. The lineup was set: Leo and me, Meagen and Caleb Kane, and the veteran actor Evan Chen with his four-year-old daughter, Lily. And, of course, our special guest, Everett. The host kicked things off with a beaming smile. “Welcome to our first segment—‘The Unspoken Word’! This is a chance for our families to open their hearts and share things they’ve never been able to say.” “First up, let’s welcome Meagen and Caleb Kane!” It was a classic, tear-jerking setup. Meagen and Caleb held hands, gazing at each other with tear-filled eyes as they recounted their journey from a difficult childhood to their careers. One moment, the brother was talking about his sister’s sacrifices; the next, the sister was weeping over the hardships he’d endured. The sentimental background music swelled, and they broke into full-blown sobs. I propped my chin on my hand, stifling a yawn. Leo, munching on a bag of sunflower seeds beside me, whispered, “So fake.” I nodded in agreement. “They’re really laying it on thick. I bet she beat the crap out of him when they were kids.” Leo choked on a seed. The live comments, however, were a waterfall of emotion. [I’m crying. Seriously, their bond is so touching. They’ve had it so tough in this industry, always supporting each other…] [Did you see the camera pan to Vivian and Leo? Their expressions are priceless, lol.] [Forget them, has anyone noticed Everett? Why does he keep looking to his right? Who’s sitting there?] A poke on my left arm. I turned to meet Everett’s clear, light-brown eyes. “What?” A corner of his mouth lifted. He leaned in, his voice a low murmur. “I heard you want me to be the face of your new product line.” On stage, Meagen was still in the middle of a dramatic, tear-stained monologue. I blinked, caught off guard by the question. Recovering quickly, I leaned closer too. “That’s right. It’s a new lipstick collection called ‘First Love.’ I think you’d be perfect for it.” “And why is that?” He was so close I could see the natural curve of his eyelashes. “You’ve got the star power, and your public image is basically America’s sweetheart,” I said, all business. “But most importantly, you’re incredibly handsome. You’re the perfect fit.” And your fans have incredible purchasing power. He let out a soft chuckle, the sound vibrating in his chest. “Then why not ask me to be the brand ambassador for the whole company?” I was momentarily speechless. “Can’t afford you.” There were better ways to spend that kind of money, like on R&D. “I’ll give you a discount.” “What?” As I stared, stunned, his hand, all long fingers and elegant knuckles, reached for my collar. For a split second I froze, then instinctively flinched away. The stool I was on wobbled, and I felt myself tipping backward, but his hand shot out and grabbed my arm, steadying me. Everett held up the sunglasses he’d plucked from my collar. “These were about to fall.” “…” I’d forgotten they were even there. “Thanks,” I mumbled, reaching for them. “I’ll hold on to them for you,” he said, smoothly tucking them into the pocket of his shirt. “You’re up next.” “Huh?” 4 I glanced at the stage and saw Meagen and Caleb back in their seats. Leo was already up there, microphone in hand. He had just finished introducing himself and was now introducing me. “My sister is three years older than me. She runs her own company and is usually swamped with work. We actually haven’t seen each other in three months, so I’m grateful to this show for giving us a chance to finally talk.” I watched him on stage—so confident and bright, a far cry from the goofy kid I grew up with. A small smile touched my lips as I focused on what he was saying. “When we were little, our parents were always busy, so my sister and I spent most of our childhood at our grandparents’ house. We were together for eight or nine years… I really miss those days.” “I love my sister so, so much. Even if…” His voice cracked, and his eyes instantly reddened. “Even if she doesn’t love me that much, I’ll always love her.” A hush fell over the set. I was dumbfounded. I turned to Everett. “Is this… part of the show? His acting is pretty convincing.” Everett looked just as surprised. “No. This show is completely unscripted.” Me: “???” The host guided me onto the stage. By now, Leo had gone through several tissues, his eyes puffy and red. He looked like a kicked puppy. The online comments were flooded with messages of sympathy. And I just stood there, completely lost. “What is going on?” “I didn’t want to say any of this, but once that sappy music started playing…” Leo’s crying escalated into a high-pitched wail. “I just couldn’t hold it in!” “I feel like I’ve been the only one putting in any effort our whole lives! You never wanted to be close to me, and I was always chasing after you like a lost puppy, but you couldn’t stand me! You didn’t like me, you ignored me…” The host rushed over with a whole box of tissues, and Leo grabbed it, letting out a series of heart-wrenching sobs. The viewers online were in an uproar. [My heart is breaking for Leo! I wish I were his sister!] [What kind of sister is she?! If my brother were Leo Wen, I’d spoil him rotten!] [So what if she owns a company?! Just cut ties with her! A sister like that is worse than no sister at all!] I was speechless. Seriously? Leo sniffled a few more times. “But I never blamed you, Vivian. Really.” I looked at him, my expression a mixture of confusion and pity. Yep, my brother was a certified idiot. “You know, I think your memory might be a little fuzzy. Why don’t I jog it for you?” My brows knitted together in disgust. “When you were a kid, you spent all day with Jay-Jay from next door, setting off firecrackers in cow pies. Then you’d come home, not even showered, and try to hug me. How exactly was I supposed to get close to you?!” “What?” Leo’s tears stopped mid-stream. I continued without mercy. “You chased me around like a maniac every single day. Was I not allowed to run away?” The sentimental music screeched to a halt. The live chat froze. Leo, momentarily stunned, tried to defend himself. “But… you gave away Snowflake, my favorite dog! I raised her from a puppy!” That just made me even more exasperated. “You used to French-kiss that dog! And you kept insisting she was a girl and that you were going to marry her. What, does every female on the planet have to marry you?” “Snowflake would take off running the second she saw you. You didn’t just chase me; you chased the dog too.” “Have you forgotten about the three rounds of rabies shots?!” At that, Leo fell completely silent, his face blank. The memories were clearly flooding back. Meanwhile, thinking about our childhood was just making me angrier. He was nothing but trouble! Just as I was about to really let him have it, a low chuckle cut through the tension, clear as a bell. 5 I froze, my gaze snapping over to Everett. His lips were curved into a wide, unrestrained grin. I’d almost forgotten. He was the real mastermind behind all of it! He was the one who supplied my brother with firecrackers for the cow pies, acting as his military strategist. He was the one who encouraged Leo to bring home tadpoles, which turned into a house full of toads just to scare me. He’d corrupted my brother, then conveniently disappeared overseas. It took me years to beat some sense back into Leo. And now Everett had the nerve to laugh? I shot him a look, mouthing silently, “As if I wasn’t talking about you, Jay-Jay?” His smile faltered. He cleared his throat, raising a fist to his lips to cover a cough. The sound drew everyone’s attention, and a camera swiveled right to him. Everett put on his best official smile and delivered a summary. “It just goes to show, no childhood punishment is ever wasted.” The live comments exploded. [I am on my KNEES! I’m so sorry, I completely misjudged Vivian!] [LMAO, Vivian is literally me. I couldn’t stand my little brother when we were kids, and he was so clingy!] [Compared to this, the Kanes’ whole teary-eyed act feels so scripted now…] Leo and I returned to our seats, his eyes now shining with a newfound innocence. “Hehe, Viv, I really thought you hated me all this time…” “You’re an idiot.” Next up were Evan Chen and his daughter. Little Lily, in her sweet, piping voice, asked if she could watch an extra thirty minutes of cartoons every day. Evan lovingly agreed, telling her all he wanted was for her to grow up happy. The heartwarming scene melted everyone’s hearts. “And now, for our second segment—‘A Change of Heart’!” the host announced. “Each guest will draw a colored card. Those with matching colors will become a new ‘family’ for this challenge and complete a task together!” Now that sounded interesting. I drew a blue card and scanned the room to see who my partner would be. Suddenly, Leo grabbed my arm, holding up a rainbow-colored card like it was a bomb. “Vivian! Help me!” I saw Caleb Kane holding a matching rainbow card and looked back at my brother, confused. “Isn’t Caleb from your agency? You already know him. What’s the big deal?” “No, no, no,” Leo whispered frantically, shaking his head. “He’s gay.” Me: “???” 6 My eyes widened as I looked from the delicate-featured Caleb back to my goofy brother. Gay?! Leo ducked behind me, hiding his card. “You don’t follow the gossip, Viv, you wouldn’t know. He’s always trying to queerbait with me for the cameras, and I want no part of it.” “The agency sent us on a travel show together once, and it was a nightmare. He’d ‘accidentally’ fall into my arms or ‘unintentionally’ brush his hand against my butt. At first, I just thought he was being friendly…” “Then I saw the fan edits of us online.” Leo’s face contorted in disgust. “The way they cut those clips… I almost thought we were actually dating.” “The man is a menace!” I was shocked, but also a little amused. I gave Leo a long, scrutinizing look. “And you’re…?” “A hundred percent straight! I can’t be on a team with him again. My reputation will never recover!” Seeing my brother so genuinely repulsed was actually kind of hilarious. Poor guy. Leo started wheedling again. “Please, Viv, switch with me. Please, please, please…” Sighing, I gave in. “Fine, give me your card—” Before I could finish, I felt a tug on my sleeve. I looked down to see a small hand holding up a blue card. Lily Chen blinked her big, innocent eyes up at me. “Aunty, I want to be on your team. Can you please not switch with that uncle?” Leo froze, offended. “Uncle? Me? And she’s ‘Aunty’?” Lily just blinked again and hid behind me. “I just want to be with this aunty. Uncle, can you please let me?” On one hand, my own flesh and blood. On the other, a completely adorable little girl I’d just met. The choice was obvious. The adorable little girl, of course! I couldn’t hide my grin as I scooped Lily into my arms. “Of course, sweetie. I’d love to be on your team. Sorry, Leo. You’re on your own.” Leo: “???” Another card appeared in front of me, this one also blue, followed by Everett’s handsome face. He raised an eyebrow. “Looks like I drew blue too. Mind if I join?” I stared for a moment, momentarily captivated. That face was truly flawless. Everett patted Leo’s shoulder. “Good luck.” Leo turned away, his voice filled with despair. “That’s it, I’m disowning all of you.”
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