The good news: I, Lu Hai, have a genius older brother.
The bad news: To protect me, he made up a sister-in-law named “Jiang Tang” and forced the whole family to play along for fifteen years.
At first, I thought it was love.
Scene one:
I come top of the class, and my brother hides my certificate without changing his expression.
He says, “Jiang Tang doesn’t like it when I’m worse than you.”
I smile and nod. “You’re right, big brother.” (Inner thoughts: Why should I put up with this?)
Scene two:
I fall for a girl, and the very next day my brother makes her transfer schools.
He says, “Jiang Tang wouldn’t be happy.”
I push up my glasses and thank him gently. “Thanks for looking out for me, big brother.” (Inner thoughts: I hate you.)
Scene three:
For fifteen years, every family photo of me has been edited into a solo portrait.
He says, “Jiang Tang doesn’t like group photos.”
I look at my reflection, at the “compassionate and resolute” expression that looks more and more like our mother’s, and feel my blood freeze inch by inch.
Finally, when he gives me another order because of “Jiang Tang,” I smile.
I brace myself against his hospital bed and pull out his tubes.
“Big brother, the game console broke twenty years ago. It’s time to wake up.”
He stares at me in shock, but I calmly say, “Now it’s my turn.”
Nice looking, a bit scary 😱