- 8 hours ago
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00:00I went to the TV station for an inspection and happened to witness a female host scolding someone.
00:05You don't know how to position yourself? Don't you know how to look at the camera?
00:09Even a dog I trained would be better than you!
00:12I glanced at the monitor. She herself had missed her marks three times,
00:16but her lines twice, couldn't even lip-simp correctly.
00:19After coming off stage, she vented her anger on the prop team,
00:22splashing a cup of hot coffee onto a staff member.
00:25I stepped forward to stop her.
00:30Who the hell are you? What makes you think you can tell me what to do?
00:35What matters is that your professional ability is even worse than an intern's.
00:40The mocking smile on her face frozen.
00:45A few staff members around us gasped,
00:47and someone secretly tugged at my sleeve, signaling me to stop.
00:53You stumbled four times during a three-minute live segment.
00:56Your positioning was completely wrong, and even the teleprompter couldn't save you.
01:01Do you even know this show is live?
01:04With your level, broadcasting it would be a disaster.
01:08Her face flushed crimson, her chest heaving violently,
01:11clearly not expecting anyone to dare expose her flaws to her face.
01:14Her name was Vivian.
01:15The female host the station was heavily promoting this year.
01:20Word had it she had powerful connections, and no one dared to cross her.
01:24You ask me if I know this is live?
01:28Then do you know who I am?
01:30No.
01:31I only know that a host who lacks even the most basic professional ethics,
01:36and bullies others using her influence, is utterly disgraceful.
01:39The makeup artist behind her trembled,
01:42dropping a powder compact that shattered in two on the floor.
01:49I'll tell you who I am.
01:51My boyfriend invested in this show.
01:54He's the biggest sponsor.
01:56With just one word from him,
01:58all the ad slots for this show are mine.
02:01Professional ability?
02:02Professional ethics?
02:04I don't need any of that.
02:05Everyone on this show is just here to support me.
02:07My boyfriend said he's going to make me a star,
02:09a top-tier celebrity,
02:11a household name,
02:12and who do you think you are,
02:13some bumpette who crawl out of nowhere
02:15to come here and lecture me?
02:16I was taken aback.
02:18This show, with its 30 million investment,
02:21from production to promotion,
02:23from equipment to the team,
02:26all the funding came from a film and television company under my name.
02:30I personally negotiated the cooperation with the station director
02:34and signed the contract.
02:36You say your boyfriend invested in this show?
02:39Of course.
02:41Scared now?
02:43If you're scared,
02:45apologize to me
02:46and get the hell out.
02:48I didn't speak.
02:49She thought I was intimidated
02:51and laughed even more arrogantly.
02:57Weren't you pretty talkative just now?
02:59What's wrong?
03:00Cat got your tongue?
03:02I'm telling you,
03:03in this building,
03:04crossing me means crossing my boyfriend,
03:06and crossing my boyfriend means crossing the investor!
03:09I can make sure you don't last a day in this industry.
03:13Vivian, don't waste your breath on her.
03:14Just make her leave.
03:15She raised her hand
03:16and threw the entire bottle of water right in my face.
03:20The cold water dripped down my hair,
03:22soaking through my shirt collar.
03:25Everyone in the dressing room was watching me.
03:27Some eyes showed sympathy,
03:30some were eager for drama,
03:31but most were indifferent,
03:33as if it didn't concern them.
03:37Wide awake now?
03:38If you are,
03:39apologize to me and get out on your own.
03:44I invested in this show.
03:49You invested?
03:50You invested?
03:52That outfit you're wearing
03:54costs less than 500 bucks?
03:56You can afford to invest 30 million in a show?
03:59Vivian,
04:00this person must be crazy for fame!
04:05The one who invested in this show
04:07is Ethan Bennett,
04:08the second young master of the Bennett group,
04:11my boyfriend.
04:13What the hell are you?
04:14I took out my phone
04:16and pulled up a photo of me
04:17and the station director
04:18at the signing ceremony.
04:20In the photo,
04:21I stood side by side
04:22with the director,
04:22hold common track documents,
04:24with the station's logo behind us.
04:26I held the phone up in front of her.
04:28Vivian looked down at it.
04:32I've seen this photo before.
04:34It's from my boyfriend's social media feed.
04:38You're standing with him.
04:44You bitch!
04:46You're seducing my boyfriend?
04:48And you're keeping your photo together?
04:51I'm not.
04:53It was the signing ceremony.
04:59Still daring to lie?
05:01Someone like you
05:02could only attend an event like this
05:03if you were with my boyfriend!
05:05You shameless woman
05:06seducing my man
05:07and daring to come to my turf
05:09to teach me a lesson?
05:10I was about to lose my mind.
05:12Ethan Bennett is my younger brother.
05:14What the hell is this lunatic talking about?
05:17I told you.
05:18I invested in this show.
05:20I'm the CEO.
05:21You can go check.
05:22Check what?
05:24Security!
05:25Lock this crazy woman up for me!
05:31She's harassing the show recording
05:32and attempting to damage
05:34the live broadcast equipment.
05:39Lock her in the supply closet.
05:41I'll deal with her after I finish recording.
05:43Oh, and one more thing.
05:44Daring to take secret photos of my boyfriend,
05:47you're clearly a stalker.
05:50The two security guards
05:52grabbed my arms from both sides
05:53and dragged me out.
05:55Vivian!
05:55You'll regret this!
05:57Regret what?
05:59After I finish recording,
06:01I'll deal with you properly.
06:06Seducing my man
06:07and daring to come find me,
06:09you must be tired of living.
06:11Camera!
06:12Lights!
06:12Everyone in position!
06:14Vivian,
06:14don't get angry.
06:15It's not worth it for someone like her.
06:17Right.
06:18Master Bennett loves you so much.
06:21This kind of trash
06:21is just throwing herself at him.
06:24Master Bennett would never look twice at her.
06:27I was dragged into the supply closet
06:29at the end of the hallway.
06:31The door was locked from the outside.
06:33The cramped space was filled
06:35with discarded light stands
06:36and broken props.
06:37Not even a place to sit.
06:40It was cold and dark.
06:42I stood against the wall,
06:43touching my swollen cheek.
06:46The corner of my eye felt wet,
06:48probably blood.
06:50My phone was smashed,
06:51so I couldn't contact anyone outside.
06:55I closed my eyes and took a deep breath.
06:57Ethan had taken credit for my project
06:59in front of his girlfriend,
07:00pretending to be a big shot.
07:02And this girlfriend of his
07:03had locked the actual investor herself
07:05in a supply closet.
07:06I don't know how long
07:07I was locked in that supply closet.
07:09From outside came the sounds of wrapping up,
07:11someone shouting good work
07:13and people dragging equipment.
07:15Lights went out when I won,
07:17and the sounds gradually faded away.
07:19No one came to open the door.
07:21I shouted a few times,
07:23but no one answered.
07:26It wasn't until two in the morning
07:28that a night shift cleaner
07:30heard my voice
07:31and opened the door with a spare key.
07:33She was a kind-faced woman
07:35in her fifties.
07:36Oh, dear miss.
07:38How did you end up like this?
07:42I'm sorry for troubling you.
07:46Do you want me to call the police?
07:49No, I'll handle it myself.
07:52I asked to borrow her phone.
07:54I dialed the number I knew by heart.
07:58It rang three times,
08:00then was hung up.
08:01I called again.
08:04This time, it was answered.
08:07Hello.
08:08Who's this?
08:10It's me.
08:11Sis?
08:13Why are you calling
08:13from a different number this late?
08:15What's up?
08:16I briefly told him
08:17what had happened today.
08:18There was a few seconds
08:19of silence on the other end.
08:21Sis, you're joking, right?
08:24Vivian isn't like that.
08:25She's just a bit short-temperly usually,
08:28but she's not a bad person.
08:30She slapped me twice.
08:32She locked me in a supply closet
08:34for five hours.
08:36She smashed my phone.
08:38I said each word clearly
08:40and deliberately.
08:42Sis,
08:43isn't there some misunderstanding here?
08:46Vivian was probably just
08:47jealous.
08:49Does she know you're my sister?
08:52She doesn't.
08:53Then it's a mid-standing.
08:57Sis, don't be mad.
08:58I'll explain it to her later
08:59and make her apologize to you.
09:01Where are you now?
09:04I...
09:05I'm at home,
09:07getting ready for bed.
09:08Who is it calling you so late?
09:12I recognize that voice.
09:14It was Vivian.
09:16You're at home.
09:18So Vivian is at your place too.
09:20Sis, let me explain.
09:22No need to explain.
09:26I returned the phone to the cleaner,
09:28thanked her,
09:30and walked out of the TV station.
09:33The streets were cold
09:35in the early morning hours.
09:37I bought a pack of wet wipes
09:38at a convenience store
09:40and cleaned the blood off my face.
09:46Then, I took a taxi back to my house.
09:48It was the villa I had bought
09:50for my brother Ethan Bennett
09:51to live in
09:51located in the city center
09:53worth $80 million.
09:54He had begged me for six months
09:56saying he needed a nice house
09:57to find a girlfriend
09:58from high society.
09:59I thought he was right at the time
10:01so I bought it.
10:02When I arrived,
10:03the villa was brightly lit.
10:04The music was blaring.
10:07I stood at the door
10:08and rang the bell.
10:09No one answered.
10:10I rang again.
10:12A young man with dyed red hair
10:14poked his head out.
10:15Who is it?
10:16I'm looking for Ethan Bennett.
10:22Who are you?
10:25Ethan Bennett's sister.
10:26Ethan, someone says
10:27she's your sister!
10:29How could my sister be here this late?
10:31Get rid of her!
10:32Get rid of her!
10:34Is that the crazy woman?
10:35Wasn't she locked up
10:37at the TV station?
10:38Impossible.
10:39Don't overthink it.
10:42Go out and check.
10:44What if she did come
10:45looking for you?
10:47I'm telling you,
10:48this woman is so shameless.
10:50She even showed me
10:51your photo today
10:52to provoke me.
10:58Hey, are you here
10:59to cause trouble?
11:02I ignored him.
11:03I pushed the door open
11:04and walked straight in.
11:05The living room was a mess.
11:08Bottles.
11:10Takeout boxes.
11:11Dice.
11:12Scattered playing cards.
11:14A dozen or so people
11:15were gathered around the sofa.
11:17Men and women
11:17surrounded by smoke.
11:19On the sofa in the center,
11:20Ethan Bennett had his arm
11:21around Vivian
11:22whispering something to her.
11:23Vivian was wearing
11:24silk pajamas,
11:25leaning against
11:26Ethan Bennett's wake,
11:27with B.O. tracks
11:27the corners of her eyes,
11:29looking pitiable and delicate.
11:30She said a lot of
11:30horrible things to me
11:31and even said she'd make sure
11:33I couldn't stay at the station.
11:35Ethan, I'm so scared.
11:37Don't be scared.
11:37Don't be scared.
11:38You have me.
11:39Who does she think she is?
11:42Tomorrow when I find her,
11:43I'll make her kneel
11:43and apologize to you.
11:45The group of fair-weather
11:46friends around them
11:47chimed in noisily.
11:48Yeah, sister-in-law,
11:49just say the word
11:50from Ethan
11:51and we'll all help you
11:52get back at her.
11:53Daring to bully
11:54our sister-in-law,
11:55she must have
11:56a death wish.
11:57Let her know
11:58who's in charge around here.
12:00I stood at the door
12:01and listened for a while.
12:04Then I walked in.
12:07You actually fucking came in?
12:10Vivian's face
12:10went pale instantly.
12:12It's her!
12:13Ethan, it's her!
12:15In the villa,
12:15Ethan Bennett saw me
12:16and his expression changed.
12:18He intinctively wanted
12:19to stand up,
12:19but sat back down again.
12:20His gaze swept over my face,
12:22taking in my swollen cheek
12:23and the dried blood
12:24at the corner of my eye.
12:25His eyes were complicated.
12:26There was surprise,
12:27a hint of distress,
12:28but more than anything,
12:29annoyaments and impatience.
12:30What are you doing here?
12:32Didn't I say
12:33we talk about it tomorrow?
12:35What you said on the phone
12:36was that you were at home,
12:38getting ready for bed.
12:40This is getting ready for bed?
12:41He looked a bit embarrassed,
12:43but quickly recovered.
12:44Sis, I was wrong today.
12:45I lied to you.
12:46But you going after Vivian
12:47at the TV station,
12:48wasn't that going too far?
12:49I went after her?
12:51She claimed my show
12:51was invested in by you.
12:52She slapped me twice.
12:53She locked me in a supply closet
12:54for five hours
12:55and you're telling me
12:56I'm the one who went after her?
12:57Vivian was stunned.
12:59She looked at me,
12:59then at Ethan Bennett.
13:02Ethan, what did she call you?
13:04Ethan Bennett didn't answer her.
13:06He stood up,
13:07pulled me aside.
13:08Sis, what exactly do you want?
13:09Can you please not make a scene here?
13:11Give me some face, all right?
13:12I'm making a scene?
13:14Ethan, what your girlfriend did,
13:15aren't you going to give me
13:16an explanation for it?
13:17Explanation for what?
13:18She didn't know you were my sister,
13:19did she?
13:19If she had known,
13:20she definitely wouldn't have acted that way.
13:22So?
13:22So this whole thing
13:23is just an understanding.
13:24Sis, don't dwell on it.
13:25You're a group CEO.
13:26Why are you bothering
13:27with a minor host like her?
13:28Let her apologize to you
13:30and this matter will be settled.
13:32I'll give her a good talking to later, okay?
13:34I looked into his eyes,
13:36this younger brother
13:37I had watched grow up
13:38since he was little.
13:39Our parents passed away early
13:41and I raised him myself.
13:43From elementary school
13:45to university,
13:46from graduation
13:46to joining the company,
13:48I paved every path for him.
13:50If he wanted money,
13:51I gave him money.
13:52If he wanted a house,
13:53I bought him a house.
13:54If he wanted a car,
13:55I bought him a car.
13:56I looked at his face
13:56so full of entitlement
13:58and suddenly felt very tired.
14:03Ethan, she's your sister?
14:06Yes.
14:07My biological sister.
14:09Her face turned very ugly,
14:10slapping her boyfriend's sister twice,
14:12locking her in a supply closet
14:13and unspeakable things.
14:14No one would be able
14:15to handle this vision,
14:16but she quickly adjusted
14:17her oppression.
14:18Sister, I'm so sorry.
14:19I really didn't know.
14:20I thought you were some woman
14:21trying to seduce Ethan.
14:22I just care about him.
14:24You're a woman too.
14:25You should understand me, right?
14:27I apologize to you.
14:28It was my fault.
14:29You can hit me or scold me.
14:31I don't mind.
14:32I don't...
14:32Her attitude changed so quickly.
14:34It caught me off guard.
14:35Ethan Bennett felt terrible for her.
14:37All right, all right.
14:37As long as you know
14:38you were wrong.
14:39Sis, see?
14:40Vivian has apologized,
14:41so let's just forget about this.
14:43I knew you were the best, sis.
14:46Oh, sis.
14:47Since you're here,
14:48there's something I need to tell you.
14:51Vivian and I are planning
14:52to get engaged.
14:53She's the druca of Talking Star now,
14:55and I hope your support
14:56at ensure we talk to Jan 10 Finus
14:58will look good for both families.
15:00I looked at Vivian.
15:01She kept her head down,
15:02but the corners of her mouth
15:03were slightly updeaned.
15:05What did you say?
15:07I said I'm going to get engaged to Vivian.
15:10Sis,
15:10I know what happened today
15:12upset you,
15:13but Vivian really didn't mean it.
15:15She was only that nervous
15:16because she loves me too much.
15:19Besides,
15:20it's not like you were
15:21seriously hurt, right?
15:22Your face is a little swollen.
15:24It'll be fine in a couple of days.
15:26When we were kids
15:26and you chased me around
15:27hitting me.
15:28Wasn't it always worse than this?
15:29Sister,
15:30I truly regret what happened today.
15:31From now on,
15:32you'll be my own sister
15:33and I'll definitely
15:33take good care of Ethan.
15:35Sis, don't be mad anymore.
15:36Harmony brings wealth.
15:37Ethan found such a good life.
15:39You should be happy, sis.
15:40I scanned these people around me.
15:42They were all rich,
15:43second-generated kids
15:44who followed Ethan Bennett around
15:45eating,
15:46drink,
15:46and having fun.
15:47Living off their family's money.
15:48None of them doing anything serious.
15:50Her scared her so to poor
15:51and her professional levelies
15:53tacking too.
15:54You sure you want to marry her?
15:55Ethan Bennett's smile
15:56froze on his face.
15:58Sister,
15:58I know you look down on me,
16:00but my feelings for Ethan are real.
16:02What kind of talk is that?
16:03How is Vivian's pink call?
16:05It isn't just that today
16:06didn't recognize you.
16:07Is death getting this worked over?
16:09You're the CEO of a big group
16:10bickling with small fry like us,
16:11don't you think it's beneath you?
16:13And besides,
16:13I am the only heir of the Bennett family.
16:15I can marry whoever I want.
16:17The company will be mine
16:17to inherit eventually.
16:18What's wrong with me placing
16:19my own person at the TV station?
16:21Isn't that perfectly normal?
16:21Even if Vivian doesn't have
16:22professional abilities,
16:23so what I invested in the show,
16:24if my girlfriend want to be the Trooters,
16:26who dares to say no?
16:27I looked at him,
16:28just looking at him quietly.
16:30You say,
16:31the company will be yours
16:32to inherit in the future?
16:34Yes,
16:34I am the son of the Bennett family.
16:36You'll have to hand the company
16:37over to me sooner or later.
16:39Although dad gave you all the shares,
16:41that was only because
16:42I was young at the time.
16:43Now I'm 24.
16:44I'm an adult.
16:45Why can't I take over the company?
16:47Why should I have to listen
16:48to you for everything?
16:49I'm telling you, sis,
16:49whether you agree today or not,
16:51I am going to marry Vivian
16:52and you have to support her career.
16:53I want full controlling interest
16:54in the show, Talking Star.
16:55The 90% share you hold,
16:56transfer it to my name.
16:57Otherwise,
16:57when I take over the company
16:58in the future,
16:59don't expect things to go well
17:00for you as my sister.
17:00The living room was so quiet
17:02you could hear a pin drop.
17:03Vivian tugged at Ethan Bennett's sleeve,
17:05sobbing softly.
17:06But in her downcast eyes,
17:08there was clearly a glint of triumph.
17:10Ethan Bennett,
17:11there's something I've never told you,
17:13but today's occasion
17:14is perfect for saying it.
17:16What is it?
17:16You are not the son
17:17of the Bennett family.
17:18You are not my parents'
17:19bi-lucal son either.
17:21You are the child
17:21my father brought back
17:22from the orphanage
17:23after winning a donation slot
17:24at a charity gala.
17:25You have the surname Joe
17:26because my father gave it to you.
17:28You are not of his blood.
17:29You are merely an orphan.
17:30No!
17:32Impossible.
17:34You're lying to me.
17:35You're lying to me, right?
17:36Because you're angry
17:37that I want to marry Vivian
17:38so you're making up this lie
17:39to scare me, aren't you?
17:40I am Ethan Bennett.
17:42I am the young master
17:43of the Bennett family.
17:44How could I possibly-
17:45I opened my phone.
17:46It was fine.
17:47Vivian had only cracked
17:48the protective case
17:48and the tempered glass screen
17:49by Al Botham.
17:50It was a yellowed
17:51adoption certificate
17:51stamped with the official seal
17:53of the Civil Affairs Rebureau.
17:54Recognize this?
17:55His eyes stared
17:55faxically at the screen.
17:57The words on it
17:57seared into his eyes,
17:58Ethan.
17:58The date and autumn
17:59over 20 years ago.
18:00You came to our house
18:01when you were just
18:02over a year old.
18:03I had just started
18:04elementary school then.
18:05I came home one day
18:06and saw a timid little kid
18:08hiding behind the door.
18:09Dad said,
18:10this is your little brother.
18:11From now on,
18:12you have to be good to him.
18:14I agreed.
18:15So from elementary school
18:16through university,
18:17I protected you all along.
18:18When you got into fights,
18:19I took the blame.
18:20When you failed exams,
18:21I helped hide your grades.
18:22If you wanted to eat something,
18:23I bought it for you.
18:23If you wanted to go somewhere,
18:24I took you.
18:25Mom and dad passed away early.
18:26After they were gone,
18:27I was the one who held up
18:28the Bennett family alone.
18:29I supported the company alone.
18:31I raised you alone.
18:32I thought if I gave you
18:34all the best,
18:34you would at least learn
18:35to be grateful.
18:36Ethan Bennett,
18:37you are not on
18:38the Bennett family tree.
18:39You have no inheritance rights
18:40whatsoever.
18:41Every cent you've spent,
18:42every house you've lived in,
18:43every car you've driven
18:44these years,
18:44I gave them all to you.
18:45I don't owe you anything.
18:47It's you who owes me.
18:48His face was deathly pale,
18:50his lips quivering,
18:51unable to make a sound.
18:53Vivian was dungfound too.
18:55She looked at Ethan Bennett,
18:57then at me,
18:58completely bewildered.
18:59He's adopted?
19:02He's adopted?
19:03Ethan Bennett,
19:04you're adopted?
19:05So this company
19:07has nothing to do with you?
19:09This villa has nothing
19:10to do with you either?
19:13You lied to me?
19:15You're a fake young master?
19:17You're a fucking fake young master
19:18and you dared to brag to me?
19:20Going on about family business,
19:21about billions in assets,
19:23and after all that,
19:23not a single cent
19:24is actually yours?
19:25And I thought I was marrying
19:27into a wealthy family,
19:28but you're just
19:28an adopted porphid?
19:30What did you say?
19:31You're a fraud!
19:32You lied to me saying
19:33you were rich and powerful,
19:34made me sleep with you
19:35for half a year,
19:36thinking I was going to marry
19:36into high society as a lady?
19:38And what are you?
19:38You're nothing but a fart!
19:40You fraud!
19:41Bastard!
19:41Unwanted mongrel!
19:42Every word was like a knife,
19:44stabbing into Ethan Bennett's chest.
19:50You dare hit me?
19:52You unwanted piece of trash
19:53dare hit me?
19:57The two grappled with each other,
19:59scratching and clawing.
20:00I raised my hand slightly.
20:02The bodyguards waiting
20:03outside the door
20:03pushed it open and came in,
20:05pulling the two apart.
20:05Why are you pulling me?
20:06Let me go!
20:07I'm calling the police!
20:08This fraud cheated me
20:09out of money and sex!
20:10I'm gonna sue him!
20:11Ethan Bennett was pinned
20:11to the sofa by another bodyguard,
20:13his eyes bloodshut,
20:14his chest heaving violently.
20:19Mrs. Vivian,
20:21the intentional harm
20:22you inflicted on me
20:23this afternoon
20:23was fully audio
20:24and video recorded,
20:26plus your illegal confinement
20:27of me for five hours.
20:28I have already reported it
20:29to the Public Security Bureau.
20:31The police will be here
20:32any moment.
20:33No, you can't do this to me!
20:34I'm Ethan Bennett's fiancé!
20:36We're going to be family!
20:37You can make me kneel and beg,
20:38but you can't send me
20:39to the police station!
20:41Ethan Bennett,
20:41say something!
20:42Say something for me!
20:43Ethan Bennett didn't look at her.
20:44He knelt on the ground,
20:45crawled over to me,
20:46and grabbed the hem
20:47of my pants.
20:48Sis, I'm sorry.
20:49I know I was wrong.
20:51I let you down.
20:52I truly know I was wrong.
20:53I'll break up with her right now.
20:55I'll tell her to get lost.
20:56Right now!
20:56Please don't kick me out!
20:58I'm your brother.
20:58I've called you sister
20:59for over 20 years.
21:01Please, sis,
21:01don't send me away.
21:03He was sobbing so hard
21:04he could barely breathe.
21:05I looked down at him.
21:06This was the brother
21:07I had raised for over 20 years.
21:08For a woman who had
21:09just slapped me twice,
21:10he wanted me to apologize.
21:11For this inheritance,
21:12he could say things like,
21:12the company will be mine
21:13sooner, Slater.
21:14And now,
21:15after learning the truth,
21:16this was his reaction.
21:16What I raised was not a brother.
21:18It was an ungrateful wolf
21:19that could never be tamed.
21:20The doorbell rang.
21:21Four police officers walked in.
21:23The lead officer
21:24showed his credentials
21:25and a summons warrant.
21:26Mrs. Vivian,
21:26you are suspected
21:27of intentional injury
21:28and illegal confinement.
21:29You are hereby
21:30legally summoned
21:31for investigation.
21:32Please cooperate.
21:33I'm not going!
21:35I'm being wronged!
21:36Why are you arresting me?
21:38Do you know
21:38who my boyfriend is?
21:44You useless piece of garbage!
21:46Why don't you just die?
21:48If I had known
21:49you were an unwanted bastard,
21:50I wouldn't have even
21:51given you a second glance!
21:52The police quickly subdued her
21:53and escorted her out the door.
21:55Her screams faded
21:56into the distance,
21:57eventually swallowed
21:58by the night wind.
21:59The villa door closed again.
22:01In the living room,
22:02Ethan Bennett sat slumped
22:03on the carpet.
22:04His gaze was hollow,
22:06a trace of blood
22:07still at the corner
22:07of his mouth
22:08from Vivian's slap.
22:09Sis,
22:10I don't want that woman anymore.
22:12I'll do anything you ask.
22:14I'll start over from scratch.
22:15You can have me start
22:16at the bottom of the company.
22:17You can send me
22:17to a branch to train.
22:19I'm willing to do it all.
22:20Just please,
22:21don't kick me out.
22:22I have nowhere else to go.
22:24I looked at his face.
22:26Finally,
22:27I spoke.
22:28Ethan Bennett,
22:30what do you think I want?
22:32Whatever you want,
22:33I'll give it to you.
22:34Money,
22:35shares,
22:35the house.
22:37Those were always mine
22:38to begin with.
22:39After mom and dad passed,
22:40I held up the Bennett family alone.
22:42When the company was in turmoil,
22:43you were still in high school.
22:45I hid it from you,
22:46afraid it would affect your studies.
22:47The hardest year,
22:48I mortgaged my Gurren's assistant
22:50and from everywhere
22:50Jekwadetan the funds in gap.
22:52So you were throwing parties
22:53at school,
22:54spending $300,000
22:55one night
22:56I didn't show it to you.
22:57You thought the Bennett family
22:58was always wealthy.
22:59You thought the company
23:00was always this big.
23:01You thought you were born
23:02a young master,
23:04but it wasn't.
23:05It was me
23:06who weathered
23:06all the storms for you.
23:08I thought my sacrifices
23:09would earn me
23:10a sensible brother.
23:11But what happened?
23:12You brought your girlfriend
23:13to humiliate me.
23:14You let her slap me.
23:16You said in front of all your friends
23:18that the company
23:18would be yours
23:19sooner or later.
23:20You said you can place
23:21whoever you wanted
23:22at the TV station
23:23and it was none of my gearness.
23:25So now tell me
23:26what makes you think you can?
23:28Tears streamed down his cheeks.
23:29He had nothing to say
23:31in his defense.
23:32Freeze all bank accounts
23:33under Ethan Bennett's name.
23:34All properties and vehicles
23:36under his name
23:36are to be repossessed
23:37within today.
23:38Change the locks
23:38on this villa immediately,
23:39clear out his belongings
23:40and leave them at the door.
23:41From today onward,
23:42Ethan no longer an employee
23:43of the Talking Star Group
23:44and is no longer my family.
23:45I hung up.
23:46The living room
23:47was terrifyingly quiet.
23:49The group of fair
23:49weather-weather friends
23:50had already smartly slipped away.
23:52Only Ethan Bennett
23:53and my bodyguards remained.
23:54Sis, are you really
23:56abandoning me?
23:58I don't need
23:59an ungrateful wolf
23:59as my brother.
24:00I had someone transfer
24:0150,000 US dollars
24:02to your new bank card.
24:05Over 20 years,
24:06the Bennett family raised you.
24:08This 50,000
24:08is the last of our good lists.
24:10From now on,
24:11between you and me,
24:12there is no relationship.
24:14Take care of yourself.
24:15I pushed the door open.
24:17The early morning wind
24:17was a bit cold.
24:18In the distance,
24:19a faint light
24:20appeared on the horizon.
24:21I walked out of the villa.
24:23Behind me came
24:24Ethan Bennett's voice
24:25shouting my name,
24:26shrill and desperate.
24:27I did not look back.
24:29I would never look back again.
24:31The day Vivian was summoned
24:32by the Public Security Bureau,
24:34I was also there.
24:35She had hired a lawyer,
24:37which seemed to have
24:38cost her a lot.
24:39Rumor had it
24:40she sold some of her bags
24:41to afford it.
24:41But the evidence
24:42was overwhelming.
24:44The hallway outside
24:45the TV station's dressing room
24:47had surveillance cameras
24:48that captured
24:49the entire process
24:50of her slapping me
24:52and the guards
24:53dragging me away.
24:55There was also surveillance
24:56outside the supply closet.
24:58Showing the time
24:59I was locked in
25:00was 3.17 PM.
25:02And the time
25:03I was released
25:03was 8.43 PM.
25:07Over 5 hours.
25:09Plus the injuries
25:10on my face,
25:11the medical report
25:12from the hospital,
25:13and the cleaner's
25:14witness testimony.
25:16Charges of intentional injury
25:17and illegal confinement.
25:19Each one was enough
25:20to get her
25:21into serious trouble.
25:23In the interrogation room,
25:25she maintained
25:26the same attitude,
25:27claiming she didn't
25:28know my identity,
25:29thinking I was a woman
25:31trying to seduce
25:32her boyfriend,
25:33and that her actions
25:34were due to
25:35emotional distress.
25:36She cried,
25:37saying she was
25:38also a victim.
25:42Deceived emotionally
25:43by Ethan Bennett,
25:44the investigating officers
25:45were unmoved.
25:46When I walked out
25:48of the public security
25:49Beho,
25:49the sunlight
25:50was staring.
25:53My assistant
25:54was waiting at the door,
25:56handing me
25:57a hot Americo.
25:58CEO,
25:59the matters at the TV station
26:00have been handled.
26:02Hmm.
26:03Vivian has been
26:03formally terminated
26:04from all hosting duties.
26:06Talking star
26:07will be taken over
26:08by Daisy,
26:09who was previously
26:10suppressed by Vivian.
26:11Daisy.
26:12I remember that name.
26:14She was the junior host
26:15that Vivian had pointed at
26:17and scolded that day.
26:18Her stage presence
26:19was steady.
26:20Her professional skills
26:21solid.
26:22She just lacked
26:23an opportunity.
26:24Now,
26:24that opportunity
26:25had been given to her.
26:33back to the office.
26:35The car started moving,
26:36watching the passing
26:37street scenes
26:38outside the window.
26:39I thought of things
26:41from many years ago.
26:43When Ethan Bennett
26:44first came to
26:45the Bennett family,
26:46he was skinny
26:46and small,
26:47didn't talk much,
26:48and always hid in corners.
26:50At that time,
26:51our parents
26:51were still alive.
26:52The family finances
26:54were decent,
26:55but far from being
26:56extremely wealthy.
26:58I was in elementary school
27:00then.
27:00There was a popular
27:01fruit candy at school,
27:03costing 50 cents each.
27:05I saved up my allowance
27:06for a week
27:07and bought a box,
27:08placing it under
27:09his little pillow.
27:10He found it that night,
27:11ran over and hugged me,
27:14and said in a childish voice,
27:16thank you, sis.
27:17That was the first time
27:19he called me sister.
27:20Later,
27:21when I went to university,
27:22dad's company
27:23started to grow.
27:25But both he and mom
27:26were in poor health.
27:28Mom went first.
27:30From liver cancer.
27:32Dad held on
27:33for two more years,
27:35then died of a heart attack,
27:36despite efforts
27:37to save him.
27:38Before he passed,
27:40he held my hand
27:41and said he was sorry
27:43that the Bennett family
27:44would depend on me
27:45from now on.
27:47He also told me
27:48to take good care of Ethan.
27:50Saying that although
27:50he wasn't Bailabualibetit,
27:52he had still called
27:53to stands related.
27:56Ligolbing me sister
27:57for all these years.
27:58I agreed.
27:59I shouldered a dying company,
28:01managing it while
28:02pursuing my graduate studies.
28:03At the hardest time,
28:05there was only
28:06two million left
28:07in the accounts,
28:08not even enough
28:09to pay the employees'
28:10salaries for the next month.
28:11I sold the only apartment
28:12left under my hame,
28:14scrapping together
28:15thirty million
28:15to inject into the company.
28:17During that period,
28:18I slept only
28:19three hours a day
28:20and my hair
28:21fell out in clumps,
28:22but I never said
28:24a single word
28:25to Ethan Bennett about it.
28:27He just needed
28:27to focus on his studies.
28:29He said without
28:30a nice house,
28:30he couldn't make friends
28:32in high society.
28:33So I bought him
28:34the most expensive villa
28:35in the city.
28:36He said he wanted
28:37to show off
28:38to his new girlfriend,
28:40so I agreed
28:41to let him brag
28:41about my projects.
28:42I thought
28:44everything I gave
28:45was love.
28:46In the end,
28:47what I had raised
28:48was a wolf,
28:50coveting my family's wealth.
28:52CEO,
28:53we've arrived.
28:55My assistant's voice
28:57interrupted my thoughts.
28:59I snapped back
29:00to reality
29:01and realized
29:02we had arrived
29:03at the company building.
29:05Call a meeting
29:06with all department heads
29:07at 2 p.m.
29:10I need to readjust
29:12the group's
29:12investment strategy.
29:15Yes, ma'am.
29:16At that afternoon's meeting,
29:18in front of all
29:18the senior executives,
29:20I announced
29:20the Talking Star group
29:22would,
29:23effective immediately,
29:24make comprehensive
29:25adjustments
29:25to its investment strategy
29:27in the film
29:28and television industry.
29:30After the meeting adjourned,
29:31my assistant told me
29:33Ethan Bennett
29:33was in the lobby
29:34downstairs.
29:40How long has he been waiting?
29:43Almost three hours now.
29:44Let him wait.
29:45I didn't think go down.
29:47Ethan Bennett
29:47waited in the lobby
29:48for an entire day.
29:50When I came down
29:51from upstairs
29:51at 8 p.m.,
29:52he was still there.
29:55He was curled
29:56on a chair
29:57in the corner,
29:58his designer hoodie
29:59wrinkled,
30:00his hair dissembled.
30:01He looked a lot
30:02more haggard.
30:04Seeing me,
30:05he immediately stood up
30:06and quickly walked over.
30:11Sis.
30:12Sis.
30:13I truly know
30:14I was wrong.
30:16I've thought a lot
30:17these past few days.
30:20I'm really something
30:21like Tehelating.
30:23The things I did
30:24and said before
30:25were awful.
30:25I'm sorry.
30:27You can hit me
30:28or scold me
30:29or scold me.
30:29Just please
30:30don't ignore me.
30:36Sis.
30:39I'll do anything
30:40you ask.
30:41Please forgive me.
30:43I walked into the elevator
30:45expressionless.
30:46The doors slowly closed,
30:48his face disappearing
30:49behind the metal panels.
30:51After that,
30:53he came every day.
30:55Sometimes he waited
30:56in the lobby,
30:57sometimes outside
30:58the company building.
31:00A few days earlier,
31:02he had even tried
31:03to barge into my office,
31:04but security
31:05directly carried him out.
31:07A week later,
31:08he stopped coming.
31:11My assistant said
31:13he had gone
31:13to borrow money
31:14from those
31:15fair-weather friends.
31:16The result
31:17was predictable.
31:18Those people
31:19had flocked
31:20to him back then
31:20for the sake
31:21of the Bennett family
31:22young master's title,
31:23for the free drinks
31:24and reserved VIP tables.
31:26Now that they knew
31:27he was a fake
31:28who had been kicked out,
31:29who would still
31:30bother with him?
31:31I heard he waited
31:32over three hours
31:33at a friend's
31:34villa entrance,
31:35only for the guy
31:36to leave
31:37through the side door.
31:38Another one
31:39was even more ruthless.
31:41Agreed to help
31:42to his face,
31:42then blocked him
31:43on all platforms
31:45right after.
31:46As for Vivian,
31:48the case was
31:48adjudicated quickly.
31:50Intentional injury
31:51was established
31:52and illegal confinement
31:53was established.
31:55Sentenced to one year
31:56and six months imprisonment,
31:58suspended for two years.
32:00At the same time,
32:01she was fired
32:01from the TV station
32:03and placed on
32:03the industry blacklist,
32:05permanently barred
32:06from hosting work.
32:07On the day,
32:08the verdict was handed down.
32:09She was rounded
32:10by a group of reporters
32:11at the courthouse entrance.
32:13She wore sunglasses
32:14and a mask,
32:16lowering mitted,
32:17lowering her head
32:18as she tried
32:18to push her way out.
32:20Miss Vivian,
32:21what are your thoughts
32:21on the verdict?
32:23She said nothing.
32:24As she was about
32:25to get in the car,
32:26she suddenly looked up
32:27and glanced at the crowd,
32:29probably looking
32:29for Ethan Bennett,
32:31but he wasn't there.
32:32From beginning to end,
32:33he never showed up.
32:35Vivian was helped
32:35into the car
32:36and the moment
32:37the door closed,
32:38she cried.
32:40Not fake crying,
32:42but the kind
32:43that came from real sorrow.
32:44I wasn't sure
32:45if she was crying
32:46over having squandered
32:47a good hand
32:48or over the man
32:49who had never shown
32:50his face
32:50from start to finish.
32:52But it didn't matter anymore.
32:54Two months later,
32:55the second season
32:56of Talking Star
32:56officially premiered.
32:58On the night
32:59of the premiere,
32:59I sat in my office
33:01on the top floor
33:02of the company building,
33:03watching the real-time
33:04ratings data on the wall.
33:06Less than three minutes
33:07of Daisy's opening,
33:08she had already brought up
33:09the live atmosphere.
33:11Her stage control ability
33:13was very strong.
33:14She threw and caught jokes
33:16naturally
33:16and interacted
33:17back and forth
33:18with the guests.
33:20The ratings curve
33:21climbed steadily throughout,
33:23from 0.8% at the start
33:24to 3.2%
33:25by the end of the show.
33:26For a talk show
33:27to reach that number
33:28was already phenomenal.
33:29My phone kept buzzing
33:30with congratulatory messages
33:31from industry peers.
33:34Scarlet,
33:35our show
33:35is a sure hit.
33:37It's all thanks
33:38to Daisy
33:38and the other colleagues.
33:40After hanging up,
33:41I walked over
33:42to the floor-to-clearing window.
33:43The city's night skein
33:45unfolded before me,
33:47brightly lit
33:47with interlacing
33:48neon lights.
33:51CEO,
33:52someone sent
33:52a bouquet of flowers
33:53saying they're for you.
33:54A bouquet of white
33:55lisinofa.
33:56Tucked inside
33:57was a card.
33:59I opened it.
34:00It was a line
34:01of scrubbed handwriting.
34:03Sis,
34:04I'm sorry.
34:05Wishing you success
34:06in your career,
34:07Ethan.
34:12Throw it away.
34:19The next time
34:21I saw Ethan Bennett
34:22was over three months later.
34:24I had worked overtime
34:25until quite late that night.
34:27It was past 11pm
34:28when I left the company.
34:30The driver pulled the car
34:32out of the garage.
34:33As we turned,
34:34I saw a familiar figure
34:36standing across the street.
34:38It was Ethan Bennett.
34:39He was wearing
34:39a somewhat faded
34:40dark blue work uniform,
34:42holding a takeout delivery box
34:43in his hands.
34:44His hair was cut short,
34:46he had lost weight,
34:47and his skin was darker.
34:49His face no longer
34:50had that pampered,
34:51fair-skinned look,
34:52but instead bore marks
34:54of a hard life.
34:55He was looking down
34:56at his phone
34:56under the street light,
34:58probably waiting
34:58for a delivery order.
35:00Our car drove
35:00right past him.
35:02He didn't see me.
35:03Or rather,
35:04he no longer had
35:05the right to stand
35:06before me.
35:07The driver glanced
35:08at me in the rear-view mirror,
35:10seemingly wanting
35:11to say something,
35:12but holding back.
35:13Closing my eyes,
35:14images from many years ago
35:16suddenly flashed
35:17through my mind.
35:18A small,
35:19skinny boy
35:19hiding behind a door,
35:21timidly looking at me
35:22as I came home
35:23from school.
35:25I walked over,
35:27crouched down,
35:28and asked him,
35:29What's your name?
35:31He was too afraid
35:32to speak.
35:33I put my favorite
35:34lollipop into his palm.
35:36Don't be scared.
35:37This is your home now.
35:38I'm your sister.
35:41Over 20 years later,
35:43that boy had grown up.
35:45He told me everything
35:47in the family was his,
35:50that I wasn't worthy
35:51of managing him.
35:55And then he lost everything.
36:00CEO,
36:01I've revised the sponsorship plan
36:03for the second season.
36:04I'll email it to you
36:05tomorrow morning.
36:07Okay.
36:08Then I opened WeChat
36:10and scrolled through
36:11the dense list of chat windows
36:12to find the name
36:13Ethan Bennett.
36:15He had long been blocked by me.
36:18Along with the adoption
36:20lie certificate from back then,
36:21buried deep in my memories.
36:24Back home,
36:25I poured myself a glass
36:27of red wine
36:27and sank into the sofa.
36:30My phone rang.
36:35It was my mother's close friend
36:37from before she passed.
36:38Scarlet, dear.
36:39Scarlet, I heard about
36:40what happened with your brother.
36:44You child,
36:45you're just too soft-hearted.
36:49Back then,
36:50when your father wanted
36:51to adopt that child,
36:52I didn't agree.
36:53An outsider.
36:55No matter how well
36:56you raise them,
36:57they'll never truly
36:57be one of the family.
36:59Raise them or not,
37:00it doesn't matter now.
37:05It's better this way now.
37:06Do you regret it?
37:10No regrets.
37:13I just think it's a pity.
37:16Over 20 years of time
37:18wasted on a dog.
37:19You girl,
37:20still just as sharp-tongued.
37:24After hanging up,
37:25I pulled up
37:26an old photo
37:26in my album.
37:28It was my graduation photo
37:30from university,
37:31wearing a cap and gown,
37:33holding my diploma.
37:35Ethan Bennett was still
37:36in his first year
37:37of high school then,
37:38wearing his white shirt
37:39school uniform,
37:40standing beside me
37:41with a goofy grin.
37:43He had his arm
37:44around my shoulder,
37:45flashing a peace sign.
37:47I tapped the screen.
37:50Three options popped up.
37:52Delete.
37:53Share.
37:54Cancel.
37:55I pressed delete.
37:57A pop-up appeared
37:58on the screen.
37:59Are you sure you want
38:00to delete this photo?
38:02I stared at the words
38:03for a while,
38:04but in the end,
38:05I pressed cancel.
38:10Forget it.
38:11I'll keep it.
38:14Consider it a reminder.
38:16A year passed quickly.
38:18Talking Star reached
38:19its third season,
38:20with its reputation
38:21and ratings
38:22continuing climb,
38:23when in all the
38:24major and four no words,
38:26Daisy had even grown
38:27from a nobody bullied
38:28her seniors
38:29to the station's
38:30Thea Nugent.
38:31At the awards ceremony,
38:32she stood on stage
38:33holding the trophy,
38:34her gaze sweeping over
38:35the crowd
38:36and landing on me.
38:37I sat in the VIP seat
38:38in the front row,
38:39met her eyes,
38:40and gave a slight nod.
38:41Her eyes were a little red,
38:43but she smiled radiantly.
38:44After the ceremony,
38:46I walked out of the studio,
38:47passing by small groups
38:49of guests and reporters.
38:51Suddenly,
38:52someone called out
38:53to me from behind.
38:54I turned around.
38:57Daisy had rushed out,
38:58till holding a glass
39:00of champagne
39:00she hadn't finished yet.
39:03Thank me for what?
39:05Thank you for keeping
39:06this show back then.
39:08Thank you for giving me
39:08this chance.
39:11If you hadn't stepped in
39:12to stop Vivian that day,
39:14if you hadn't lifted me up
39:15afterward,
39:16I probably would have
39:18left this industry
39:19long ago.
39:20The opportunity
39:21was something
39:22you seized yourself,
39:23not something
39:24I gave you.
39:26If you want to
39:27thank someone,
39:29thank your own ability.
39:30If you didn't have
39:32the capability,
39:33even if I forced
39:34this position on you,
39:35you wouldn't be able
39:36to hold.
39:38CEO,
39:39I have a request.
39:41What is it?
39:42For my next season's
39:44contract,
39:44could I
39:46sign with your company?
39:50I want to follow you.
39:52I looked into her eyes.
39:54Inside them
39:55were aspirations
39:55for the future
39:56and a seriousness
39:57about her career.
39:59Okay.
40:00Have the legal department
40:02discuss the detailed
40:02terms with you later.
40:05Thank you, CEO!
40:07She was as happy
40:08as a child,
40:10nearly spilling
40:10her champ champagne.
40:12I waved my hand
40:13and turned to leave.
40:15Walking out of the
40:15TV station door,
40:17the night wind
40:17blew against my face,
40:19a little cool.
40:20I looked up
40:21at the sky.
40:22In the city's
40:23night sky,
40:24no stars could be seen,
40:25only neon lights
40:26and streams of traffic.
40:28I thought to myself,
40:30I'm still young,
40:31with plenty of days ahead.
40:33There are still
40:34many thing-things
40:35in this world
40:36worth doing,
40:37and many people
40:39worth supporting.
40:40That younger brother
40:41I raised for over
40:4220 years
40:42who turned and bit me,
40:44that failed relationship,
40:45they were just
40:46a chapter in my life.
40:48There are still
40:49many scenes ahead.
40:50I won't let those
40:51unworthy people behind me
40:53hold me back again.
40:54It was winter again.
40:56I was in a meeting room
40:58discussing next year's
40:59strategic plan
41:00with several executives
41:01when my secretary
41:02knocked and came in,
41:03saying someone
41:04had left a letter
41:05at the front desk
41:06addressed to me.
41:07I opened it.
41:10Sis,
41:11today is mom
41:12and dad's
41:12death anniversary.
41:13I waited at the
41:14cemetery gate
41:15until dark,
41:16but you didn't come.
41:18I know you won't
41:19come to see me anymore.
41:20I'm now delivering
41:21packages at a
41:22courier station,
41:23my monthly salary
41:24is just enough
41:25for rent and food.
41:26Last month,
41:27while delivering packages,
41:28I passed by the
41:29villa we used to live in.
41:30The security guard
41:31downstairs had been
41:32replaced and didn't
41:33recognize me.
41:33I stood at the gate
41:34for a while,
41:35then left.
41:36Sis,
41:37I don't blame you.
41:38I blame the person
41:39I was a year ago.
41:41I took your kindness
41:42for granted,
41:43mistooked your
41:44fordations for weakness,
41:45and considered an
41:47outsider more
41:47important than you.
41:48I knelt before
41:49that woman's vanity,
41:50but forgot the one
41:51who truly raised me.
41:53That's all I have to say.
41:54Wishing you good health.
41:55The letter was signed
41:57with his current
41:57address and phone number.
41:59After reading it,
42:01I folded the letter,
42:02put it back in the
42:03envelope,
42:03and handed it to
42:04my secretary.
42:06File it.
42:07I didn't say
42:08anything more.
42:09I poured all my
42:11energy into my career,
42:12making the company
42:13bigger and bigger.
42:15My new shows
42:16produced the second
42:17Daisy,
42:18the third Daisy.
42:20I became a prominent
42:21name in the industry.
42:23As for Ethan of Bennett,
42:24I didn't occasionally
42:25heard it from Sue Ayi.
42:26They said he'd become
42:27the querier ninby leader
42:29and his ciliary
42:29at upbleb 1001 doll.
42:31They said he'd moved,
42:32living before
42:33a where the winder.
42:34They said he was
42:35dating a girlfriend.
42:36Aunt Sue asked
42:37if I wanted to call him.
42:39I said no.
42:41It's not that I can't
42:42let go,
42:43it's that there's no need.
42:46After some wounds
42:47have healed,
42:48the best way to
42:49treat them
42:49is to never
42:50touch them again.
42:51The letter was signed
42:52with his current
42:53address and phone number.
42:55After reading it,
42:56I folded the letter,
42:57put it back in the
42:58envelope,
42:59and handed it
42:59to my secretary.
43:01File it.
43:03I didn't say
43:04anything more.
43:05I poured all my
43:06energy into my
43:07career,
43:07making the company
43:08bigger and bigger.
43:10My new shows
43:11produced the second
43:12Daisy,
43:13the third Daisy,
43:15I became a
43:16prominent name
43:17in the industry.
43:18As for Ethan of
43:19Bennett,
43:20I didn't occasionally
43:20heard it from
43:21Sue Ayi.
43:22They said he'd
43:22become the
43:23Quarrier Ninbi
43:24leader and his
43:24ciliary at
43:25Upleb 1001 doll.
43:26They said he'd
43:27moved,
43:28living before
43:28a where the winder.
43:29They said he was
43:30dating a girlfriend.
43:32Aunt Sue asked
43:32if I wanted to
43:33call him.
43:34I said no.
43:36It's not that
43:37I can't let go,
43:38it's that there's
43:39no need.
43:41After some wounds
43:42have healed,
43:43the best way
43:44to treat them
43:44is to never
43:45touch them
43:46again.
43:46It had been a
43:47long time since
43:49I last thought
43:49of Ethan Bennett,
43:51until that day.
43:54I went to the
43:55TV station's
43:56New Year's Gala,
43:57where Daisy
43:58performed on stage
43:59as the host
44:00of the year.
44:01She sang a song
44:02about family love.
44:04Many people in
44:05the audience
44:05wiped away tears.
44:07I didn't cry.
44:09I just looked at
44:10the lights on stage
44:11and remembered,
44:13many years ago,
44:15a boy standing
44:16at the villa gate,
44:18waving at me.
44:19Sis!
44:20Come back early!
44:22I saved some food
44:24for you.
44:25That food,
44:26I never actually
44:27got to eat.
44:28He forgot every time.
44:31He would just
44:32dump the leftovers
44:33together,
44:34bring them to my room,
44:36and say they were
44:37still warm.
44:39Back then,
44:40I thought,
44:40he's still young,
44:41he doesn't understand.
44:43When he grows up,
44:44it'll be better.
44:45I waited for him
44:46to grow up,
44:47over 20 years.
44:48What I got in return
44:50was him trampling
44:51on me for a woman.
44:53What I got was him
44:54saying everything
44:55in the family
44:56was his.
44:57What I got
44:58was him saying
44:59I had no right
44:59to manage him.
45:01Now he has grown up,
45:02at the courier station,
45:03delivering packages,
45:05living in a rental,
45:06living the life
45:07of an ordinary person.
45:09He has finally
45:10learned to cook
45:11for himself,
45:12learned to live alone,
45:15learned to cherish
45:17the kindness
45:17others show him.
45:19But none of that
45:20has anything to do
45:21with me anymore.
45:23This Christmas,
45:24I went back
45:24to the estate.
45:26The house
45:26had been empty
45:27for a long time,
45:28only cleaned periodically
45:29by a part-time worker.
45:33I went upstairs
45:34and pushed open
45:34the door to the room
45:35Ethan Bennett
45:36once lived in.
45:37The room had been
45:38cleared out,
45:39leaving only an empty
45:40bed frame and a desk.
45:41A small box
45:42sat on the window side.
45:43I opened it.
45:45Inside were some
45:46odds and ends,
45:47an eraser,
45:47a pen,
45:48half of a broken
45:49watch strap,
45:50and a few fruit candies
45:51that had become sticky.
45:52At the bottom
45:53was a yellowed note
45:54with a line
45:54scrilled in crayon,
45:56the writing crooked.
45:57Sister is the best.
46:00I recognized
46:01the handwriting.
46:02It was from
46:03when he had just
46:04started first grade.
46:06Sis,
46:06in the future
46:07I will make
46:08lots of money
46:09and buy you
46:09a big house.
46:11Sis,
46:12do not always
46:13work overtime.
46:14You need to eat more.
46:17Sis,
46:18when I grow up,
46:19I will protect you.
46:20Later,
46:21he really did grow up.
46:24He did not
46:25protect me.
46:26He brought others
46:27to bully me.
46:29I looked at the box
46:30for a long,
46:31long time.
46:32Then I closed it
46:33and put it back
46:34on the windowsill.
46:35Some bonds,
46:36once broken,
46:37are broken.
46:38Just like these
46:39fruit candies,
46:40left for over 20 years,
46:42they are no longer
46:42edible.
46:43No matter how well
46:44they are preserved,
46:45they can never regain
46:46their original sweetness.
46:48I got up
46:48and left the room.
46:51As I closed the door,
46:53a draft swept
46:54through the hallway,
46:55lifting the curtains up
46:56and letting them
46:57fall back down.
46:58I walked downstairs
46:59and out of the estate.
47:00Sunlight filled
47:01the entire yard.
47:03The old osmanoth tree
47:04by the gate
47:05was still there,
47:06its branches bare
47:07in winter
47:07without any leaves.
47:09I got in the car.
47:11Daisy's voice
47:12came through
47:12the car radio.
47:13She was hosting
47:14a New Year's special program
47:15with the theme
47:16starting over.
47:16If you could go back
47:18in time,
47:18what would you most
47:19want to say
47:19to your younger self?
47:21I would tell her,
47:22do not be afraid.
47:23You deserve better.
47:25Back to the office.
47:26The car drove
47:27out of the yard
47:28and the estate
47:29grew smaller
47:30and smaller
47:30in the rearview mirror.
47:32I did not look back.
47:34The sky was very blue,
47:36the road very long.
47:38Every day from now on
47:40is a new one.
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