I Became an Internet Sensation After a Variety Show with My Top-Tier Brother

Wen Ruqiao is a brilliant but socially oblivious researcher who recently returned to Nan City after years abroad. Her personal life is complicated by an impulsive marriage to Fu Yuchuan, a renowned film emperor, which occurred during a drunken mistake in a foreign church. Despite the legal void of their union, Fu Yuchuan has become an persistent presence in her life, notably by purchasing the apartment directly across from hers and leaving intimate reminders of their encounter, such as sending her photos of her lost underwear. Wen Ruqiao, who views men primarily as distractions from her scientific work, attempts to maintain distance, though she is unaware that Fu Yuchuan is deeply invested in reclaiming her affection.

The narrative shifts when Wen Ruqiao’s best friend, Song Qingqing, a struggling talent agent, begs her to substitute for a no-show celebrity on the variety show Island Survival. Reluctantly agreeing to save her friend’s contract, Wen Ruqiao arrives at the island to find herself paired with He Huainan, a actor who previously orchestrated a cyberbullying campaign against her, and An Ruosu, a rival idol. The production team initially intends to use the female guests as decorative foils to generate gossip and conflict, but Wen Ruqiao’s blunt, unfiltered personality disrupts their plans. She dismantles He Huainan’s manipulative attempts to portray her as an uneducated social climber by revealing she brought suitcases full of books for the island’s children, a gesture that shifts public opinion in her favor.

A significant turning point occurs with the arrival of Lu Minglang, a top-tier idol known for his aloof demeanor. Contrary to industry expectations, Lu Minglang ignores the other celebrities and immediately gravitates toward Wen Ruqiao, addressing her with a nervous familiarity that suggests a hidden connection. It is revealed that Lu Minglang is actually Wen Ruqiao’s long-lost younger brother, separated from her family years ago. He joined the show specifically to reconnect with her, though he struggles to bridge the emotional gap caused by their past separation. His protective instincts are evident as he assists her with physical tasks, such as carrying her luggage and foraging for coconuts, while simultaneously battling the hostility of his own fanbase.

Wen Ruqiao’s competence on the island further isolates her from the show’s intended drama. When a ferocious goose threatens the group, she captures it effortlessly, solving the cast’s food crisis. Later, she discovers an elderly villager suffering a cardiac arrest and performs textbook-perfect CPR, saving his life. These actions earn her the gratitude of the local community, who shower her with fresh ingredients, creating a stark contrast to the starvation and hardship endured by He Huainan and An Ruosu during their fishing expedition. The disparity highlights Wen Ruqiao’s practical survival skills and genuine nature, which stand in opposition to the performative personas of her co-stars.

The story’s romantic tension intensifies as Fu Yuchuan’s influence looms over the events. While watching the show, Fu Yuchuan likes a video of Wen Ruqiao’s medical intervention, causing a surge in viewership and drawing attention from his management. It is disclosed that Fu Yuchuan is traveling to the island, driven by a mix of obsession and a desire to reconcile. Meanwhile, Wen Ruqiao remains largely oblivious to the romantic subtext, viewing Lu Minglang’s attentiveness as sibling concern and dismissing the advances of other male figures. The narrative sets the stage for a convergence of these forces, as Fu Yuchuan’s arrival threatens to upend the fragile peace Wen Ruqiao has found on the island and forces her to confront the man she attempted to leave behind.