In 2014, BuzzFeed writer Matt Stoperaβs phone was stolen from a bar in New York City. A year later, storefronts and a man by an orange tree mysteriously appeared in his iPhoto stream. Matt wrote an article about it, and it went viral overnight in China, where internet users identified the man as βBrother Orange.β Matt was invited to China and became an instant celebrity. Although the media followed their every move, he and Brother Orange developed a deep friendship that transcended cultural and language barriers. When Brother Orange visited Matt in the United States, Matt felt compelled to reveal his true self to his new friend. Years later, after living apart during the pandemic, Brother Orange recorded a hopeful video message expressing his desire to be reunited with Matt.



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