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In 2014, BuzzFeed writer Matt Stopper had his phone stolen from a bar in New York City. A year later, photos of storefronts and a man standing by an orange tree mysteriously appeared in his iPhoto stream. Matt wrote about them, and it went viral overnight in China, where netizens identified the man as “Brother Orange.” Invited to China, Matt became an instant celebrity, and with the media following their every move, a deep friendship developed with Brother Orange that transcended cultural and language barriers. When Brother Orange visited Matt in the United States, Matt felt compelled to open up to his new friend. Years later, after surviving the pandemic, Brother Orange recorded a hopeful video message expressing his desire to be reunited with Matt.
