Chapter Text
Chapter 1/3
The Kwong brothers were town royalty. Coming from a family of considerable wealth, they carried the weight of their legacy on surprisingly young shoulders. Alek, the eldest, a jovial and carefree spirit, now served as the town's mayor. Nadech, the middle child, took the reins of the family business after a tragic loss claimed their parents' lives, a burden they both shouldered while still in high school. Against all odds, they not only survived but thrived, transforming from boys to respected and successful men, beloved by the townspeople.
Even with families of their own, the Kwong brothers' focus remains laser-sharp: their sister, their princess, the lovely little girl they'll always adore. Despite the passage of time and the growth of their own broods, Lingling still holds a special place in their hearts, a cherished reminder of simpler times and a bond that nothing can break.
The brothers' overprotective nature stemmed from a deep-seated love and a promise they silently made after their parents' tragic passing. With their parents gone, Alek and Nadech's world narrowed, their focus solely fixed on raising Lingling, their little princess.
She became their everything – their reason for being, their shared responsibility, and the embodiment of their parents' legacy. Every scraped knee, every tear, every giggle was magnified, their concern amplified by the weight of their loss. They shielded her from the harsh realities of the world, creating a bubble of love and comfort, a sanctuary built on unwavering devotion.
This intense focus, while born of love, inadvertently stunted Lingling's independence. Unbeknownst to them, their overprotective embrace, meant to protect her heart, was the very thing keeping her from finding love on her own terms.
The realization hit them like a ton of bricks. Lingling, their baby sister, their princess, was turning thirty in a year. Thirty! The number echoed in their minds, a stark reminder of how quickly time had flown by.
A wave of guilt washed over Alek and Nadech. Had their overprotective tendencies, their constant hovering, their relentless vetting of any potential suitor, actually backfired? Had they, in their misguided attempt to shield her from heartbreak, inadvertently kept her from experiencing the joy of finding love?
The thought gnawed at them. They’d always envisioned Lingling with a wonderful man, a partner who would cherish her the way they did. But the reality was, at nearly thirty, their princess was still single, and they couldn't shake the feeling that they were at least partly to blame.
"Bro! I feel guilty," Nadech fanned himself dramatically, pacing the plush carpet of Alek's office. "Our baby is almost 30 and still single!"
Alek sighed, leaning back in his leather chair. The weight of their shared guilt pressed down on him. "I know, Nadech. I feel it too. We always thought we were doing what was best for her, protecting her. But… what if we were wrong? What if we actually pushed everyone away?"
Nadech stopped pacing and looked at Alek, his brow furrowed. "Remember that time she brought home… what was his name… that sweet guy from her university? The one who was studying to be a doctor?"
Alek winced. "Don't remind me. We practically interrogated the poor guy. I think I even asked him about his dental hygiene."
Nadech chuckled ruefully. "Yeah, and you scared him half to death with that 'older brother' speech. I thought he was going to faint."
"And then there was that artist," Alek continued, rubbing his temples. "Lingling seemed really interested in him, but we freaked out about the 'unstable artist lifestyle' and scared him off with our 'financial security' lecture."
Nadech nodded. "We even scared off the nice, rich guy their Auntie introduced. We told him that Lingling is not interested in marriage and she will focus on her career."
A heavy silence settled between them. "We messed up, didn't we?" Nadech finally said, the question hanging in the air.
Alek nodded slowly. "We did, Nadech. We really did. We were so busy trying to protect her from heartbreak that we forgot to let her experience the possibility of love." He looked at Nadech, a new determination in his eyes. "We need to fix this.”
_____________
A week of meticulous planning ensued. Alek and Nadech, fueled by guilt and a desperate desire to make amends, compiled a lengthy list of eligible bachelors in town. Successful businessmen, respected doctors, even a few politicians made the cut. They envisioned grand romantic gestures, carefully orchestrated meet-cutes, and maybe even a little matchmaking magic.
But their grand plans hit a snag: Lingling. Their "baby sis" was no longer a baby. She was a grown woman, capable of making her own decisions, and the brothers knew approaching her with a pre-approved list of potential husbands wouldn't go over well. The days of deciding her outfits and curfews were long gone.
Now, they had to navigate the delicate balance of wanting to help without overstepping, of expressing their love without suffocating her independence. How could they involve her in their matchmaking scheme without triggering a full-blown sisterly revolt? That was the million-dollar question.
Every Friday night, the Kwong family gathered for a meal, a tradition meant to honor the importance of family unity. This week, however, the air crackled with a different kind of energy.
The brothers saw this gathering as the perfect opportunity to broach the delicate subject of Lingling's love life. While Alek and Nadech stood by the gate, anxiously awaiting their sister's arrival, Yaya and Bow, their wives, busied themselves setting the table. Their conversation, however, was far from the usual Friday night chatter.
"You know what," Yaya said, shaking her head slightly, "this whole 'set-up' thing is crazy."
Bow chuckled, arranging a bowl of fruit. "I agree with you completely. Poor Lingling. She has two overprotective brothers, and now that she's… well, let's just say she's not getting any younger, those idiots are feeling guilty."
Yaya nodded. "They think they can just conjure up the perfect husband for her. As if it's that simple."
"They mean well," Bow conceded, though her tone suggested otherwise. "But they're going about this all wrong. Lingling is a strong, independent woman. She's not going to appreciate being paraded in front of a bunch of 'eligible bachelors'."
"Exactly!" Yaya exclaimed. "And what makes them think they even know what Lingling wants? They're so busy trying to recreate some fairytale romance, they haven't even stopped to ask her what she's looking for."
Bow sighed. "It's going to be an interesting Friday night, to say the least. I just hope Lingling doesn't completely lose it on them.”
"Hi, princess! Phi miss you!" Alek yelled, breaking into a run towards his sister as she approached. Lingling shook her head, a fond smile playing on her lips. Sometimes, it was hard to believe her older brother was the mayor of the town. He certainly didn't act like it.
"I miss you too—" Lingling began, but her words were cut short as Nadech, all muscle and enthusiasm, launched himself at the group. The three of them tumbled onto the grass in a flurry of laughter and hugs. Lingling groaned good-naturedly, even as she wrapped her arms around her brothers. It was chaotic, it was overbearing, it was utterly them. And despite the eye-rolls and the constant "babying," she wouldn't have it any other way.
Lingling's suspicion grew with each strategically placed dish. First, Nadech offered her the perfectly grilled shrimp. Then, Alek insisted she try the specially prepared papaya salad. The attentiveness was… unusual, even for them. Bow and Yaya, observing the scene from across the table, exchanged knowing glances and subtle shakes of their heads. They knew what was coming.
Lingling finally set down her spoon and fork, her gaze fixed on her two brothers. The playful smile she’d worn earlier had vanished, replaced by a look of polite but firm inquiry. "So?" she asked, her voice calm but with a hint of steel. "You two need something from me?”
Alek and Nadech suddenly found themselves locked in a silent, but intense, battle of wills. They shifted uncomfortably, avoiding Lingling's direct gaze. Each nudged the other, a silent plea to take the lead.
"You tell her," Alek hissed to Nadech, his voice low enough not to be overheard.
"No way! You're the older one," Nadech retorted, equally quiet."You tell her."
"Nuh-uh!" Alek insisted. "This was your idea, not mine, so you tell her first."
"You should be the one to tell her," Nadech whispered back, "since it's your friend you're trying to set her up with!”
"What do you guys mean by 'set up'?" Lingling asked, her eyebrows drawing together in a skeptical frown. The "hehe" that escaped both brothers was weak, unconvincing, and did nothing to alleviate the growing tension at the table. They both avoided her gaze, suddenly finding the intricately patterned tablecloth intensely fascinating.
"Seriously?" Lingling's voice was dangerously quiet. "No one's going to talk?"
Alek cleared his throat nervously, finally breaking the silence. "I… I set up a blind date for you. This Sunday." The words tumbled out in a rush, like ripping off a band-aid.
"A blind date?" Lingling's eyebrows shot up. "Are you serious, Phi? I don't need a blind date. What the hell?"
"Listen, baby sis," Nadech chimed in, trying to salvage the situation. "You could just… try it, you know? Get to know him."
"Drop that plan of yours," Lingling said, her tone leaving no room for argument. "I don't need a blind date. I'm busy.”
"Come on, Princess," Alek persisted, undeterred by the icy glare Lingling was now directing at him.
"You're already 29. You need someone who will love and protect you."
"So you're telling me I'm nearing my expiration date?" Lingling's brows furrowed even further. Nadech shot Alek a silent "you're making it worse" look and subtly kicked him under the table.
"No, no, no!" Nadech interjected quickly, trying to smooth things over. "It's not like that at all! Alek just means that you should start… you know… seeing someone, for good. And besides," he added, his voice dropping to a near whisper, "you've never been in a relationship since birth." Unfortunately for Nadech, Lingling heard every word.
"So whose fault is it that I'm still single right now?" she asked, her voice dangerously low.
"We know!" Alek blurted out, the guilt finally spilling over. "It's our fault. But… you can erase our worries about you. You're our princess.”
"That's why we're doing anything for you to find the right guy," Nadech added, trying to sound encouraging. "Just one try with this blind date. If you don't like him, it's totally up to you if you continue seeing him or not."
"No," Lingling said firmly. "I don't have time for that, and I'm not interested. If you don't have anything else to say, can we please go back to eating? My dessert is getting cold.”
A heavy silence descended upon the table. Yaya and Bow exchanged another look, this one filled with a mixture of amusement and pity for the brothers. They knew Lingling’s resolve was ironclad. Once she’d made up her mind, there was little anyone could do to sway her.
Alek and Nadech, however, seemed to be struggling with the concept of "no." They glanced at each other, a silent conversation passing between them. Nadech opened his mouth as if to speak, but a warning glare from Yaya stopped him.
Lingling, meanwhile, calmly picked up her now-slightly-chilled dessert and took a bite. She savored the flavor, pointedly ignoring the tension radiating from her brothers. The clinking of silverware and the quiet hum of the refrigerator filled the void left by the abruptly halted conversation.
Finally, Alek cleared his throat. "Okay, fine," he conceded, though his tone suggested anything but. "No blind date. But… can we at least talk about what you're looking for in a… partner?"
Lingling sighed, setting down her dessert again. "Seriously? We're back to this?" She looked at her brothers, her expression a mix of exasperation and affection.
"Look, I appreciate your concern, I really do. But I'm not a damsel in distress waiting for Prince Charming. I can take care of myself."
"We know that, princess," Nadech said quickly. "But it's not about that. We just want you to be happy."
"I am happy," Lingling replied. "I have a great family, a fulfilling career, and wonderful friends. I don't need a relationship to complete me."
"But…" Alek started, but Lingling held up a hand, silencing him.
"And," she continued, a mischievous glint appearing in her eyes, "if I did decide I wanted to be in a relationship, I’d choose who I wanted to be with, and it wouldn't be someone handpicked by you two." She paused, letting her words sink in. "Now, can we please just finish dinner? Before my dessert gets any colder.”
____________
Lingling had hoped that the blind date debacle was settled. She truly believed that after dinner, her brothers would drop the subject and they could all move on with their lives. But as she sat across from Jake, Alek's friend, in a fancy restaurant, she realized just how wrong she was. And she was furious.
"Can I invite you on another date?" Jake asked, his eyes full of hope. He seemed nice enough, but Lingling was in no mood to be anyone's blind date, especially not one orchestrated by her meddling brothers.
The worst part was, she'd walked right into it. Nadech had asked her to meet with one of his clients on his behalf, claiming he had to take Yaya to the hospital for an ultrasound appointment. Lingling, ever the dutiful sister, had agreed without hesitation. She hadn't suspected a thing. Now, here she was, trapped in a manufactured "chance encounter" that was anything but.
Lingling's mind raced. She could feel her blood pressure rising. She wanted to scream, to throw her drink in Jake's face, to storm out of the restaurant and never look back. But she took a deep breath, reminding herself that Jake was just an innocent pawn in her brothers' misguided game.
"I appreciate the offer," she said calmly, forcing a smile. "But I'm not really interested in dating right now."
Jake looked disappointed, but he recovered quickly. "No problem, I understand. Maybe we can just be friends?"
Lingling nodded politely. "Sure, friends." She finished her drink in one long gulp, then stood up. "I should get going. It was nice meeting you, Jake."
She practically ran out of the restaurant, her phone buzzing with a message from Alek. "So? How did it go?" it read. Lingling ignored it, hailing in her car and heading straight home. She needed a long, hot shower and maybe a stiff drink. And then, she was going to have a very serious conversation with her brothers.
__________
Three weeks had passed since the disastrous blind date with Jake, three weeks of simmering resentment and carefully controlled fury on Lingling's part. She'd hoped, perhaps naively, that her firm rejection and hasty exit would have sent a clear message to her brothers. But no. They were relentless.
They hadn't stopped pestering her, their guilt-ridden concern manifesting as a constant barrage of inquiries about her "love life" and thinly veiled attempts to set her up again. Every family gathering, every phone call, every casual encounter was laced with their matchmaking agenda.
The thought of another blind date, arranged behind her back, made her blood boil. She could practically feel the steam rising from her ears. How could they be so dense? Didn't they understand that she was a grown woman, perfectly capable of managing her own romantic life.
The latest attempt involved a "chance" meeting at a charity gala, where Alek had conveniently "bumped into" a "charming and eligible" bachelor. Lingling had seen through the charade instantly, excusing herself to the restroom and escaping through a side exit before the introductions could be made. She was starting to feel like a fugitive, constantly dodging her own brothers.
One of Lingling's favorite escapes from the pressures of her brothers' matchmaking schemes was the local orphanage. She found solace in spending time with the children, bringing them gifts, playing games, and simply offering a listening ear. It was a place where she could be herself, without the weight of expectations or the constant scrutiny of her overprotective siblings.
Alek and Nadech, however, were baffled by her frequent visits. They couldn't understand why she would choose to spend her free time with a bunch of kids instead of, say, going on a date with one of the many eligible bachelors they'd lined up for her. Their curiosity, fueled by their unwavering determination to see her "settled down," finally got the better of them.
"Are you sure about this, bro?" Nadech asked, his voice laced with hesitation. He and Alek were parked across the street from the orphanage, watching as Lingling unloaded bags of toys and snacks from her car.
"Of course, I'm sure," Alek replied, though his tone lacked conviction. "We need to understand why she's always here. Maybe she's met someone here. A nice, single volunteer, perhaps?"
Nadech frowned. "But what if she sees us? We're going to be in so much trouble."
"She won't see us," Alek assured him, though he sounded less than certain. "We'll be discreet. Besides, we're doing this for her own good. We need to know what's going on in her life."
"I guess," Nadech mumbled, still not entirely convinced. He adjusted his sunglasses and peered through the windshield.
"But if she catches us, you're taking the fall for this."
Alek rolled his eyes. "Oh, come on, Nadech. Don't be such a scaredy-cat. It's not like we're committing a crime."
"It feels like we are," Nadech muttered under his breath. "This is borderline stalking."
"It's not stalking," Alek insisted. "It's called being a concerned brother."
"Right," Nadech said sarcastically. "That's what all the stalkers say."
Alek ignored him, his attention focused on Lingling as she disappeared into the orphanage. "Come on," he said, opening the car door. "Let's go."
Nadech sighed, reluctantly following his brother. "This is a bad idea," he grumbled. "I have a bad feeling about this.”
"Bad idea about what, Nadech?" Alek asked, his brow furrowing in confusion.
"What if…?" Nadech trailed off, a look of deep contemplation on his face..
"What if what?" Alek pressed, his patience wearing thin.
Nadech took a deep breath, his expression grave. He glanced back at the orphanage, where Lingling was now engaged in an animated conversation with a nun. "What if," he began, his voice hushed, "what if our baby sis realizes that being a doctor isn't really what she's meant to be?"
Alek blinked. "What are you talking about? She's a successful doctor. She loves her job."
Nadech shook his head solemnly. "But what if… what if she's been suppressing her true calling all this time?"
Alek stared at him, bewildered. "And what would that be?"
Nadech's eyes widened. "What if… what if she realizes she wants to be a nun?"
Alek's jaw dropped. He looked from Nadech to the orphanage and back again, his mind struggling to process this unexpected twist. "A nun?" he finally spluttered. "Lingling? A nun? Nadech, where do you come up with these things?"
Nadech shrugged, as if it were the most obvious thing in the world. "I'm just saying, bro. She's always here, surrounded by nuns. She clearly loves children. It all adds up."
Alek rubbed his temples, his head starting to ache.
"It does not add up. Lingling? A nun? She's… she's… she's our princess! She's supposed to get married, have kids, and live in a big house with a white picket fence. Not… not… wear a habit!"
Nadech frowned. "Well, maybe she doesn't want a big house with a white picket fence. Maybe she wants a quiet life of prayer and contemplation."
Alek gasped. "Prayer and contemplation? Nadech, she can barely sit still for five minutes, let alone dedicate her life to prayer and contemplation!"
Nadech held up his hands defensively. "I'm just throwing it out there, bro. It's a possibility. And if it's true, we've really messed up this matchmaking thing."
Alek groaned. "You're right. We've really messed up. First, we scare off all her potential boyfriends, and now, we've driven her into a convent! Mom and Dad are going to kill us!"
Nadech nodded grimly. "They're going to haunt us for the rest of our lives."
They both stared at the orphanage, their faces etched with worry. The image of Lingling in a nun's habit loomed large in their imaginations, a terrifying prospect that threatened to derail all their carefully laid plans.