On a variety show, my celebrity daughter claimed she felt like an outsider at home, saying, “They always tell me, ‘If you’re so capable, go fend for yourself.’” The internet rallied behind her, shoving a mic in my face, demanding an explanation. “Explain what?” I finally said. “That she gave me a snake necklace, cockroach earrings, and a toad music box? Or when she tried to eat mercury like candy? Or dug up the wrong grave at midnight?” Silence fell—then public opinion flipped. 【They only told you to leave? They should’ve beaten you. Kids remember wrongs, not the full story… When will her parents recover from her trauma?】 1 The phone rang while I was repotting an orchid. The caller ID read “Nora the Fearless,” my special nickname for my daughter, Nora. She’s been daring since she was a little girl, and that boldness eventually led her straight into the entertainment industry, where she became one of the few female action stars who does all her own stunts. “Mom, you busy? Come be on a variety show with me.” Nora’s voice was crisp and direct, just like her. I instinctively frowned, my hands pausing over the soil. “No, thanks.” “I can’t fight, and I definitely can’t scale a tree in ten seconds.” A weary sigh came through the phone. “Mom, what are you talking about? It’s not that kind of show.” She sounded exasperated. “It’s a family show that promotes career equality. They invite celebrities from different fields to bring their family members who have other professions. It’s to show people what different jobs are really like.” “Dad’s off studying a volcano in another country and won’t be back for a while,” she added. “Otherwise, we could have all gone together.” Hearing that, my heart softened a bit. My husband, Walter, is a geologist who spends his life chasing active volcanoes around the globe. We rarely get to be together as a family. But I was still wary. TV shows always have a gimmick. “Are you sure there’s no mortal danger? I don’t have to jump off a cliff or wrestle an alligator, do I?” “Mom!” Nora’s voice shot up half an octave before she reined it in, a note of exasperated amusement in her tone. “Can you just trust me for once? It’s just talking and playing some games. Totally safe.” To convince me, she did something she hadn’t done in years. She drew out the last word, her voice taking on an almost pleading, whiny quality. “Please, Mom?” I froze. The trowel in my hand clattered to the floor. Ever since Nora started her martial arts training, the word “cutesy” had been permanently erased from her vocabulary. She was tough, independent, and never showed a hint of weakness. I had teased her more than once, asking her to act cute for me, but she always stood her ground, saying, “Mom, I’m not a little girl anymore. That’s so cringey.” Now, that long-lost, slightly awkward plea felt like a warm current melting in my chest. I was secretly thrilled but decided to play it cool. “Just asking isn’t enough.” “Huh?” “How about this,” I said, clearing my throat to hide my smile. “You owe me one. The next time I ask you to act cute, you have to do it just like you did today. Then I’ll agree.” There was a full five seconds of silence on the other end, followed by a shouted, “Deal!” Then she hung up. Beaming, I wiped my hands and sent a text to my husband. Walt, I’ve got something amazing to show you when you get back. Our daughter knows how to be cute again! The message went out into the void. He was probably in some signal-dead zone near a volcano again. 2 On the day of the first recording, I arrived at the studio as promised. Nora’s team was waiting for me at the entrance and led me to a private dressing room backstage. The show was called The Other Side of the Job, and the theme was genuinely interesting. In today’s hyper-connected world, professional stereotypes have become more entrenched than ever. The show aimed to break those down by inviting celebrities and their family members from different professions to promote career equality. Nora, a rising action star, was at the peak of her popularity. Her fight scenes were clean and powerful, and she never used a stunt double or complained about the grueling work. That grit had earned her a solid place in the industry. But it also fueled all sorts of speculation about her family background. Many people just assumed that for a girl to be that tough, she must have come from a difficult home that forced her to be that way. I had just sat down in the dressing room when a young assistant handed me a tablet displaying the live comments from the stream. 【Nora’s mom is finally making an appearance? I’m so curious about her.】 【My guess? She’s from the countryside, probably favors sons over daughters, which is why Nora is so desperate to prove herself.】 【From the glimpse in the promo, she dresses pretty plainly. Probably just a housewife. Maybe she has a son to support too. Ugh, being the older sister is always the worst.】 【Stop making stuff up. But judging by Nora’s intensity, her family probably isn’t well-off.】 I read the comments with a small, amused smile. A son? One Nora the Fearless was more than enough to handle. Another one would probably tear this family apart. I put the tablet aside. Before long, there was a knock on the door, and the other two sets of guests arrived. The producers had arranged a common lounge area for everyone to get acquainted. The first pair to walk in was the popular singer-songwriter, Evan, and his girlfriend, Cobie. Cobie wrote the lyrics for almost all of Evan’s songs, and they were widely considered the industry’s golden couple. They certainly looked the part, whispering and smiling, their affection for each other impossible to hide. The other pair was the award-winning actress, Maya, and her younger sister, Stella. Maya was a household name, known for her humility. She greeted us warmly, her smile genuine. Nora responded politely. “Nora, it’s been a while! I saw your new movie. Your fighting was incredible,” Maya said with sincere admiration. “You’re too kind, Maya,” Nora replied. But the sister trailing behind her was a different story entirely. Stella’s chin was tilted high, her eyes scanning the room with undisguised disdain. She glanced at Evan and Cobie, a smirk playing on her lips. “A trashy songwriter, worthy of being on the same show as us?” Evan and Cobie’s faces fell, but they were too well-mannered to say anything. Then, Stella’s gaze shifted to Nora and me. She looked Nora’s casual, athletic wear up and down, her nose wrinkling in disgust. “You reek of sweat. So gross. All that fighting… you don’t look like a girl at all.” 3 The air in the room instantly turned to ice. Nora’s expression hardened, and her hands, resting on her knees, clenched into fists. I gently patted her hand, signaling her to stay calm. “Stella!” Maya’s face darkened, and she immediately reprimanded her. “That’s incredibly rude! Apologize to everyone, now!” But Stella clearly had no respect for her older sister. She just snorted dismissively. “Apologize for what? I’m just telling the truth. What’s so great about you, huh? You just got into the industry a few years before me and got lucky with an award. Just you wait. In a few years, I’ll be way more famous than you.” With that, she smoothed down her expensive designer dress and stormed out of the dressing room. Maya’s face flushed with embarrassment. She took a deep breath and turned to us, her expression full of apology. “I’m so sorry. My sister… she’s new to the industry and has been spoiled by our family. She can be arrogant and doesn’t think before she speaks. Please, forgive her.” Evan managed a tight smile and squeezed his girlfriend’s hand. “It’s fine, Maya. We don’t mind.” I also nodded with a smile. “It’s alright. Young people can be a bit fiery.” We all tacitly agreed to move on from the awkward moment. A staff member soon came to get us for the show. I glanced at the tablet the assistant had placed on the table. The comment section had exploded. 【OMG, who is this Stella? How can she talk like that in front of everyone?】 【She’s always been like this. She’s had good connections from the start, so it’s no surprise she’s arrogant.】 【To be fair, she’s a decent actress. Her supporting roles have been pretty good. What she’s like in private doesn’t matter to us viewers.】 【Are you kidding me? Rude is rude. It has nothing to do with her talent. I feel bad for Nora and Evan.】 The bright spotlights hit us, shutting out the backstage drama. The host’s enthusiastic voice filled the studio, and the show officially began. “Welcome, everyone, to The Other Side of the Job!” the host announced, holding a stack of cue cards. “Today, we have three very special sets of guests who will share with us the untold stories behind their careers and families.” The show proceeded as planned. The first segment was a warm-up, where the guests introduced themselves and their family members’ professions. The microphone was first passed to Maya. She was dressed in an elegant champagne-colored gown, her makeup flawless. As a celebrated actress, she hardly needed an introduction. The host showered her with praise, discussing everything from her classic roles to her recent international awards. The studio audience and the online comments were full of applause. “Maya, today you’ve brought your younger sister, Stella, is that right?” the host asked. “Stella is also a rising star in our industry. Welcome!” The host turned the microphone to Stella. She adjusted her dress and took the mic, a look of entitled pride on her face. “Hello, I’m Stella.” Her introduction was curt, as if any more words would be a waste of her breath. 4 The moment she finished speaking, I glanced at the tablet. The comments were already flying. 【Didn’t they say family members from other professions? Why did the actress bring her actress sister?】 【Isn’t that against the rules? What was the production team thinking?】 【What do you think? Connections, obviously. Look at her, so full of herself.】 【Her sister Maya is so nice, though. How can they be so different?】 The host, a seasoned professional, clearly saw the feedback and quickly smoothed things over. “While both Stella and Maya are in the entertainment industry, one is an established, award-winning actress, and the other is a promising newcomer. They are at completely different stages of their careers, facing different challenges. In a way, they represent the ‘other side’ within the industry itself, don’t you think?” His explanation was flawless, temporarily quelling the online chatter. The microphone was then passed to Evan. He seemed a bit nervous, tightening his grip on Cobie’s hand. He briefly introduced himself as a singer and then looked lovingly at the girl beside him. “There’s been a lot of speculation about my personal life online, and I’ve never officially addressed it,” he began, his voice clear and steady. “Today, I want to take this opportunity to properly introduce someone. This is Cobie. Not only is she the brilliant lyricist behind many of my songs, but she’s also been my girlfriend for many years.” The studio erupted in cheers and applause. Cobie blushed but squeezed Evan’s hand and smiled at the camera. The comment section exploded. 【AHHHH! It’s official! My ship has sailed!】 【I KNEW IT! The lyrics were too sweet not to be written by a real couple!】 【Nooo, my man is taken… but I’m happy for them. They look so perfect together.】 【A real-life fairy tale. They’re meant to be!】 I watched them, a warmth spreading through my chest. It was a beautiful thing to see young people in love so openly. Finally, the host’s attention turned to Nora and me. “And last but not least, let’s welcome the incredibly popular action star, Nora, and her… very mysterious mother!” All eyes were on us. As the toughest and most daring actress of her generation, Nora had always been shrouded in mystery. She never spoke about her family, and her parents had never appeared in public. The speculation about us could fill a hundred-episode drama series. Nora took the microphone, her words as concise as ever. “Hello, everyone. I’m Nora. This is my mom, Sue.” The host smiled at me. “Hello, Sue. We are all so curious. With a daughter as amazing as Nora, we all want to know what kind of family raised her. What do you and Nora’s father do for a living?” I looked at the camera and spoke calmly. “Her father’s name is Walter. He’s a geologist who studies volcanic activity and is often abroad.” A small murmur of surprise went through the audience. Geologist—a profession that felt distant and foreign to most. I paused, then continued. “My name is Sue. I’m a craftsman. I create handmade items related to our country’s intangible cultural heritage.” 5 After I spoke, the studio was quiet for a few seconds. The live comments, however, went wild. 【A geologist? A cultural heritage craftsman? What kind of power couple is this?】 【One chases volcanoes, the other makes crafts… sounds like they’re never home.】 【No wonder Nora is so independent. She basically raised herself.】 【This is kind of sad. It’s like her parents live in their own worlds, and she had to fight her way through life alone. So tough.】 【So the rumors about her coming from a poor family are half-true? Not financially poor, but definitely lacking in parental love and attention.】 The host, a true pro, immediately seized on the emotional thread in the comments and moved to the next segment. “After hearing your introductions, I’ve noticed something interesting,” he said. “The influence of family on each person is so different. So, let’s talk about that. How has your family influenced your career path?” He once again gave the first question to Maya. Her story was well-known. She spoke candidly about growing up in a poor, single-parent household. She had entered the entertainment industry simply because a scout had noticed her looks, and it was a quick way to make money and improve their lives. “But it’s strange,” she said, her voice filled with nostalgia. “I started out just trying to survive, but when you truly immerse yourself in it, experiencing different lives and creating different characters, you slowly fall in love with it. Acting became the most important part of my life.” Her story was sincere and moving, and the comments were full of praise. 【A true self-made woman. She fought for everything she has.】 【Started for the money, but stayed for the love. That’s a career ‘marriage of convenience’ that turned into real love.】 【Her mom has remarried and is happy now, and Maya is successful. It’s a happy ending after a hard life.】 When it was Stella’s turn, the atmosphere shifted dramatically. She pouted, her tone dripping with superiority and resentment. “My sister had no choice back then. I’m different. I genuinely love acting. And I think I’m more talented than her. She just got an early start.” She lifted her chin and declared to the camera, “In the future, I’ll definitely be more successful than her. I’ll win more awards and become a true star.” The statement made the studio audience uncomfortable. Maya’s smile was strained. She patted her sister’s hand gently. “It’s good to have dreams. Just work hard.” The online comments were less forgiving. 【I can’t with her. What kind of thing is that to say?】 【She’s so ungrateful. Without her sister, she wouldn’t have any of the opportunities she has now.】 【Her emotional intelligence is zero. She’s embarrassing her sister on national television.】 【She really thinks she’s all that, completely oblivious to the fact that she’s standing on the shoulders of a giant.】 Stella clearly saw the live feedback. Her face flushed, and she opened her mouth to argue. Just as a sisterly fight was about to break out on live TV, the host deftly cut her off, swiftly turning the microphone to Nora, who had been silent all this time. The cameras followed, focusing on my daughter. “Nora!” the host’s voice was leading. “After hearing your mother’s introduction, everyone is even more curious about your upbringing. We all know that being an action star is incredibly difficult. Injuries are common, and many male actors can’t handle it, let alone a young woman. So, we’re all wondering, why did you choose this path?” He paused, his gaze sharp, and threw the question that had been brewing online for ages directly at her. “Many people believe that for a girl to be so tough, so willing to endure hardship, she must have come from a very difficult family, or lacked love and care growing up, forcing her onto this path as a way to prove herself. What do you have to say about that?” 6 In an instant, the air in the studio seemed to freeze. All the lights, all the cameras, all the gazes—sympathetic, speculative, curious—formed an invisible net around my daughter. Nora held the microphone, silent for a moment. Then she lifted her head, her eyes meeting the camera directly. There was no trace of self-pity, only a straightforward honesty. “Yes, the host is right,” she began, her voice clear and strong. “My choice to take this path is definitely related to my family.” A wave of murmurs swept through the audience. The live comments ignited. “Even though I’m their biological child,” she continued, her words deliberate and clear, “I always felt like an outsider in my own home.” “They were always telling me to get out, saying, ‘If you’re so capable, go fend for yourself.’” My eyelid twitched. This child… her memory was bad enough, but did she have to take everything so literally? Her words, however, were like a drop of water in a hot skillet. The comments exploded. The screen was flooded with messages like “I feel so bad for Nora,” “Hugs, queen,” and “What kind of garbage parents are these?” A flicker of excitement crossed the host’s face. He had found the show’s dramatic high point. He pushed the microphone closer to Nora, encouraging her to continue. And she didn't disappoint. Seeming to gain momentum from his encouragement, she nodded eagerly. “Exactly! When I was a kid, I watched Jackie Chan Adventures, and I thought Jade was so cool—smart and a great fighter. I wanted to be just like her. I figured someone that awesome could definitely fend for herself and wouldn’t have to put up with anyone’s crap.” She started rambling, recounting what sounded like an inspiring backstory. “So I decided to find a master and learn real skills. Then no one could bully me or kick me out ever again. Now I’ve succeeded. I can support myself. Looking back, I don’t really hold any grudges.” She finished with a magnanimous smile, as if she were a queen who had risen above her past. The sympathy for her in the comments reached its peak. She was hailed as “a clear-headed queen” and “the epitome of an independent woman.” At the same time, the criticism aimed at my husband and me was relentless. 【They had a kid but didn’t raise her, or raised her poorly.】 【How do parents like that deserve such an amazing daughter?】 【I say cut them off. The queen should reign alone!】 The host turned the microphone to me at the perfect moment, his face a mask of concern and curiosity. “Sue, do you have anything to say in response to what Nora has shared? We all want to know what really happened.” I was at a loss for words. I looked at my daughter, who wore an expression that said, “I’m just telling the truth,” and couldn't help but ask her, “Have you really forgotten?” Nora blinked, confused. “Forgotten what?” “The host is asking if there’s some hidden story,” I said, taking the microphone but ignoring his question. I looked directly at my daughter. “There’s no hidden story. I just want to help you remember why we told you to get out.” I paused, then delivered the first piece of evidence. “Do you remember the birthday present you gave me when you were eight? A bright green snake you said I could wear as a necklace. A pair of shiny cockroaches you said could be dried and worn as earrings. And a croaking toad you claimed was a singing music box.” A collective gasp went through the studio. Nora’s mouth hung slightly open as she tried to recall the memory. “When we told you to get out,” I continued, “we meant for you to get out with those ‘presents’ and not bring them in the house.” “And as for us telling you to ‘fend for yourself’… that was because you broke a mercury thermometer and were holding the mercury in your mouth like it was candy. When we caught you, you argued that you’d read in a book that mercury was a heavy metal, so it would keep you full. When we scolded you, you got upset and threatened to starve yourself. That’s when we said, ‘If you’re so capable, go fend for yourself.’” The atmosphere in the studio started to shift. I could hear suppressed laughter from the audience. “And then there was the time you said you missed your grandpa, so you went to dig up his grave in the middle of the night…” Before I could finish, Nora’s face turned bright red. “Mom!” So she did feel embarrassed. I ignored her and continued into the microphone. “We understood that you missed your grandpa. But you dug up the wrong grave. It was our neighbor, Mr. Henderson’s. When we found you, you were digging alongside the family dog. And you were digging faster than he was.”
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