There's always a way forward, remember the name Ye Xunzhi

At Ye Lan's insistence, Ye Xunzhi went and changed into a new outfit after all.

[There's just no reasoning with you. My second brother is so unreasonable. Why doesn't a school uniform count as formal wear? I demand justice for school uniforms!]

Ye Lan: Don't think I can't tell. You just can't be bothered to look for clothes.

He was utterly speechless. If slacking off was a state of being, Ye Xunzhi had already transcended godhood.

After packing their luggage and handing it over to the production team, the guests gathered as instructed and boarded a bus to the first filming location.

On the bus, the guests came together for the first time. Director Mi stood at the front, smiling as he held his megaphone:

"Hello, everyone! Welcome to 'Burn Bright, Family Bonds!' Today is our first meeting, so let's start with introductions."

The lineup used a four-versus-four format, all prominent figures in the entertainment industry. The live comments erupted in celebration.

Introductions went in order of star status, putting Ye Lan first.

Director Mi said, "Here, we'll start with you. Pass it along."

Ye Lan took the microphone and kept it very brief: "Ye Lan."

If anyone else had introduced themselves like that, people would have called them pretentious, but Ye Lan was different.

He had debuted as a child and appeared on many kinds of shows, enjoying immense recognition among everyone from five-year-old children to eighty-year-old seniors.

What looked pretentious on anyone else made him an aloof heartthrob, cool and restrained. Every fan turned into a screaming fighter jet, ready to charge into battle for their idol at any moment.

In their eyes, Ye Lan was so perfect it was as though he never even took a dump.

[Best actor Ye, I love you! My love for you is like peeing my pants: everyone can see it, but only I know how warm it feels. (Finger heart)]

[Why isn't Ye Xunzhi saying anything? These siblings seem so fake. Could they actually not get along behind the scenes? Guys, does anyone get me? Our idol got stuck with a sister like this.]

Ye Xunzhi took the microphone passed to her, let it hover beneath her lips for an instant, then promptly passed it onward. "Very well said. Next."

Ye Lan: Who asked you to critique me?

In the livestream-

[What was that? Was there even a name in there?]

[Are you Dove? That was silky smooth.]

[Something weird seems to have slipped through.]

After being reborn so many times, Ye Xunzhi had long since learned to take things in stride. Whether fans loved her or not didn't matter.

In the entertainment industry, people treated you like treasure when they loved you and like weeds when they resented you. They might even stomp on you.

They were going bankrupt in the end anyway. She could leave once she had put in enough hours and collected her pay. If she saved more money now, she could sleep in a little longer when she had to scavenge for scrap later.

Shi Che, sitting beside her, took the microphone with a thoroughly bewildered expression. The handsome, broad-chested man smiled sheepishly, still unused to livestreaming and a little stiff:

"Hello, everyone. I'm Shi Che, and this is my younger sister, Shi Yao."

"Don't be so nervous, big brother. Everyone here is nice." The little girl in a princess dress sitting beside him took the microphone from his hand.

"Hello, I'm Shi Yao. This is the big brother I brought onto the show. He's handsome, right? He's actually really innocent, too. Let's see if we can find my future sister-in-law by the time the show ends."

Shi Che's whole face turned red, and he looked ready to suffocate at any moment.

The livestream audience burst into laughter.

[What is this socially anxious brother and social butterfly sister combo?]

[Shi Che, pant, pant! Those pecs are huge, and that inverted triangle, damn! Why can't I pull my husband out of my phone? At least let me cop a feel!!!]

[Other families bring their younger siblings onto variety shows. Little Princess Shi brings her big brother.]

The music superstar Jiang Mingzhi greeted them with a smile. "Hello, I'm singer Jiang Mingzhi, and this is my younger brother, Jiang Qi."

[Superstar Jiang, please hurry up and abandon your shame and marry me! (Screaming wildly)]

Jiang Qi put on a show of chiming in with a couple of remarks.

The microphone reached Bai Zhao, and a gentle smile spread across her face. "Hello, everyone. I'm Bai Zhao, and this is my younger cousin, Lin Ranran."

[Aaaah, gorgeous Bai Zhao! Don't try to seduce me with your beauty, or I'll play right into your hands!]

Lin Ranran's expression had been sour ever since she saw Ye Xunzhi appear with Ye Lan. Her brain was practically turning to mush.

Not long ago, she had finally managed to accept that Ye Xunzhi's eldest brother was the president of the Ye Group, only to return to school and, before long,

receive word that Ye Xiao was her brother too.

She had finally gotten onto a show, only to discover that the award-winning actor was also Ye Xunzhi's brother. Lin Ranran felt rather dazed.

Could all those brothers of hers whom she had never met be big shots?!

Impossible. Lin Ranran refused to accept that possibility. If that were true, how much had she missed out on before?!

Only when Bai Zhao looked at her with concern and asked, "Ranran, what's wrong? Are you feeling unwell?"

did Lin Ranran finally come to her senses and offer a sweet smile. "No, I'm just a little nervous."

After speaking, she greeted the camera with poise. "Hello, everyone. I'm Lin Ranran. Please take good care of me from now on."

The two cousins leaned close together, making an exceptionally harmonious picture that had fans exclaiming-so beautiful!

Meanwhile, fans shipping a couple quietly began to emerge.

[Pretty little Lin Ranran and young master Jiang Qi look so good sitting together!]

The microphone went from left to right, then back from right to left. Just as Ye Xunzhi was about to pass it on, the director grabbed it.

Director Mi wore a positively nuclear-friendly smile. "Little Xun, you haven't introduced yourself

yet."

Behind his back, he secretly made a money gesture: no work, docked pay.

[Directors who exploit child labor are scum.]

Ye Xunzhi gave him an accusing look and was forced to get to work,

planting her little hand on her hip and hooking the microphone in place:

"There's always a way forward, remember the name Ye Xunzhi. I'm fairly introverted; I never dare rob anyone when I go out. I'm honest and kind, and that statement was a lie. Over."

At those words, everyone fell silent.

Ye Xunzhi calmly handed the microphone to the dumbstruck director.

In the livestream-

[Over? I'm open! No wonder this sister barely talks. She must be holding back her primordial powers!]

[Rediscovering myself: I'm very introverted. When I go out, I only walk along utility poles.]

[Good news: I found the future wife I've never met. Bad

news: she has a mouth. (Laughing through tears)]

[That introduction had a triple rhyme. Little sister, the rap scene needs you!]

After the bus ride, they still had to take a plane. Following a long journey, the group traveled from Magic City to Capital City.

The production team had prepared a courtyard house for the guests this time, with one room each to the east, west, south, and north, assigned by drawing lots.

Ye Xunzhi considered her luck pretty lousy, so Ye Lan stood out among the younger siblings. But as long as he had no shame, nothing could defeat him.

The two of them drew the room on the north side.

Director Mi said, "Your luggage has already been brought over and placed in the vans. Just follow the staff's instructions to collect it."

Everyone went to get their luggage.

Ye Xunzhi said, "Second brother, I want some jelly. Can you open that blue suitcase of yours in a bit?"

"Huh? When did you stuff your jelly into my suitcase?" Ye Lan was utterly baffled.

When had she put it in? Why hadn't he known?

With an innocent expression, Ye Xunzhi answered honestly:

"Actually, the snacks are only a tiny part of my luggage. There's also my charging cable, tablet, playing cards, pillow..."

The main thing was that she could go without food, but absolutely could not leave home without electronics.

Ye Lan: ???

"What the hell? Is that why you only brought a ratty cloth bag?" Ye Lan's gaze landed on the cloth bag in Ye Xunzhi's hand that she called luggage.

To think he had been wondering earlier-even though filming "Burn Bright, Family Bonds!" required neither wilderness survival nor a trip to the countryside, surely she shouldn't be traveling that light.

Well, would you look at that. It was all in his suitcase, and he hadn't even known?!

Ye Xunzhi raised both hands high and made a big heart for him.

Rule three of her slacker code: accomplish more with less effort, accomplish things without any effort, and preferably use other people's effort to accomplish her own things.

Ye Lan looked utterly indifferent and mercilessly waved a hand, breaking her heart gesture. "That won't work. I'm confiscating your tablet later."

After speaking, he pulled open the van door, revealing Old Master Ye's stern face.

"Is this how you look after your sister when you're away from home?"

Bang! Ye Lan abruptly slammed the door shut, spun around, and pressed his back firmly against it.

He sucked in a breath. "I must have opened it the wrong way."

Ye Lan was filled with regret now. Why had he been so stubborn earlier?

Little sister, where are you? I need you!