Every trade, another breakdown!

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"Bro! My dearest big brother! Just help your little sister out, please! Look how badly I've been bullied!" The girl's voice trembled with tears, sounding so pitiful that it made people want to comfort her.

"Just this one variety show. I'm counting on it to turn things around." She clutched the hem of the young man's shirt and shook it coaxingly, her eyes full of hope and pleading.

"Besides, can you really bear to see your little sister doing this badly?" She frowned slightly, her eyes reddening as tears pooled in their corners, as though they might spill at any moment.

Her chestnut curls fell loosely down her back like seaweed, cascading over her shoulders like a waterfall. Strands brushed softly against her fair skin, bringing a faint tickling sensation. Her delicate features were pretty and ethereal, her eyebrows slender as willow leaves, her eyes bright and clear as two dazzling gems. Beneath her high nose, her lips were rosy and full, their corners curving slightly upward with a hint of playfulness and charm.

She looked so fresh-faced and adorable, yet she was a female celebrity so "popular" that the entire internet hated her.

She was Chi Shuran, a widely acknowledged supporting actress who had struggled through the entertainment industry on the strength of her pretty face, yet was always jumping on every trending topic. Netizens mockingly called her "the ultimate clout-chasing actress."

That day, just as she always did, she plopped down onto the sofa, grabbed the arm of the young man beside her, and said in a heart-wrenching, tearful voice, "Boo-hoo... My life is so miserable!"

To anyone else, her crying would have sounded utterly pitiful. Yet the young man beside her barely seemed to react. He simply leaned back against the sofa with his head tilted up and a book covering his face, as though he cared nothing for anything around him.

Seeing no reaction, Chi Shuran shook his arm harder, trying to get his attention. Finally, growing a little impatient with all her shaking, he slowly removed the book from his face and sat upright, revealing his stunning features.

He frowned at Chi Shuran and drawled, "Chi Shuran, how many times has this been now? Every trade, another breakdown. What exactly do you want?"

"Mom and Dad agreed to let you stay here in the country, not cause trouble for me."

"If you really can't make a living, go find Mom and Dad."

Chi Shuran had refused to admit defeat ever since she was little, determined to give things a try no matter what difficulties she encountered. When she had just turned eighteen, she suddenly decided to set up a street stall selling starch sausages. Yet no one could have imagined that she would manage to overturn the pan just grilling a sausage.

After her stall failed, Chi Shuran did not lose heart. Instead, she decided to try another approach. This time, she chose to open a cake shop. But an entire month passed without her managing to make a single decent cake. In Chi An's words, those cakes looked like something excreted from a human body, enough to make anyone sick at the sight.

Yet this did not make Chi Shuran give up. Next, she tried selling candied hawthorn skewers, but because she did not know how to cook the sugar syrup, that plan ultimately failed too. Finally, she turned to selling balloons. Not only did she fail to make any money, but even the balloons flew away.

By now, Chi Shuran had struggled through the entertainment industry for years, yet she had still accomplished nothing and had even attracted plenty of negative comments.

It was no exaggeration to say that without their parents' financial support, he and Chi Shuran would probably have ended up on the streets long ago, begging for a living.

"Chi An! Mom and Dad told you to take good care of me! If you keep treating me like this, I'll call them right now and tell on you!" Chi Shuran shouted, none of her earlier pitiful look remaining.

As the son and daughter of the Chi family, they could have lived wealthy, carefree lives. Unfortunately, they had ended up with a pair of hopelessly lovestruck parents who were too busy romancing each other to spare their children any attention.

Since the Chi family's business interests were mainly outside the country, and their parents loved traveling, the siblings did not live with them, instead remaining in Z Country to pursue their careers.

"Bro, just say yes, please~ I'll give you half of whatever I earn!" Chi Shuran stood before Chi An, looking at him expectantly.

Chi An remained unmoved, looking down at his phone.

Chi Shuran gritted her teeth, raised three fingers, and solemnly declared, "If you don't believe me, I can swear! Seriously!"

Chi An finally looked up, lazily glanced at her, and said with the ghost of a smile, "Seventy percent for me, thirty for you."

Chi Shuran's eyes widened as she shouted in disbelief, "Chi An! I'm your little sister!"

The corners of Chi An's mouth lifted into a wicked grin. He laced his hands behind his head, leaned back against the sofa, and looked at her nonchalantly as he drawled, "Then go by yourself."

Take a step back, and the world opens up!

Take a step back, and the world opens up!

Comforting herself with those words, Chi Shuran took a deep breath, forced a smile, and said to Chi An, "Haha, then would my dearest big brother please go pack his bags? We have a flight to catch tomorrow."

Thinking of the variety show, Chi Shuran added, "Please do a good job of acting out our sibling bond on the show~"

"That depends on how you behave."

With that parting remark, Chi An stretched, rose, and strolled toward the stairs.

Watching Chi An walk away, Chi Shuran could not help rolling her eyes.

Damn Chi An! Stupid Chi An! All he ever did was fleece her!

When Chi An reached the foot of the stairs, he suddenly stopped and turned to look at Chi Shuran. His lips curved into a smug smile as he said, "Remember not to bad-mouth me too much." Then he continued upstairs.

Chi Shuran, who had been secretly cursing Chi An: (ლ `Д ́ )ლ

Chi An did feel sympathy for his little sister. After all, throughout her life, his most frequent assessment of her had been that it was a shame someone so young was not particularly bright.

Not only was she not bright, but she was also rather unfortunate.

Even as a child, Chi An had understood how deeply in love his parents were. It was a love that left no room for anyone else, not even their own son.

Compared with Chi An's childhood, Chi Shuran's life now could be considered happy. After all, what other three-year-old had to be responsible for keeping an eye on his mother when they went out to play?

Strictly speaking, Chi Shuran had been raised by Chi An. Of course, the butler deserved some credit too, but after they moved to Z Country, it had become entirely Chi An's responsibility.

He knew perfectly well how his little sister was doing in the entertainment industry. Originally, he had hoped she would recognize the difficulties and back out, obediently returning home to live as the wealthy young lady she was. Who knew she would be so persistent, staying in the industry despite all the abuse she received?

Sigh. Since that was how things were, he might as well give his poor little sister a proper hand. It was rare enough for her to stick with anything for this long.