Chapter 36: Showing Liu Yifei Around Beijing Film Academy

The Chinese government extended a very high level of courtesy to Chen Siyuan and his party upon their arrival. Comrades from the Ministry of Commerce, accompanied by representatives from relevant departments, personally greeted them at the airport. However, Chen Siyuan did not participate in the subsequent investment negotiations. Instead, escorted by officials, he visited the Beijing Film Academy (BFA).

"Dad, is this the Beijing Film Academy?" Standing at the gates of the BFA, a spark of anticipation shone in Liu Yifei's eyes.

For years, the debate over which school she should attend had never ceased. Liu Yifei’s mentor, Nicole Kidman, had consistently insisted that she apply to the University of Southern California (USC). She had even leveraged her connections, ensuring that if Yifei just gave the word, she could be admitted to the USC School of Dramatic Arts. Liu Xiaoli had been somewhat swayed by this prospect—after all, it was the very reason she had traveled across the ocean to the United States with Yifei.

Chen Siyuan, however, had strongly advocated for Yifei to return to China and apply to the BFA. It had become something of an obsession for him. Consequently, Yifei was filled with curiosity about the school. What kind of institution could possibly hold such a firm place in her father's heart?

Chen Siyuan’s status this time was far from ordinary. Because he intended to tour the BFA, relevant departments had notified the school's leadership in advance. Thus, when they arrived, the academy's heads were there to welcome them. Upon seeing that the visitors were Chen Siyuan and his family of four, some of the officials were privately surprised. Nevertheless, this was a political mission; there was no need to ask why, only to carry it out diligently.

The tour that followed was arranged by the school, naturally sticking to a "model" itinerary that highlighted the BFA's prestige and its status in the Chinese arts community. By the end of the visit, Liu Xiaoli was satisfied. Applying to the BFA was, after all, a viable option. With so many renowned directors emerging from the school, it would undoubtedly aid Yifei’s future acting career. Seeing Liu Xiaoli’s approval, Chen Siyuan felt relieved; everything was back on the right track.

After the tour, the family returned to their hotel. Liu Xiaoli, feeling tired, decided to rest, but Chen Siyuan changed his clothes and took Yifei and her younger brother, Chen Zehan, back out.

"Dad, where are we going?" Yifei asked curiously.

"To the BFA!" Chen Siyuan smiled.

"The BFA? Didn't we just come from there?" Yifei looked puzzled. Beside her, Chen Zehan’s eyes darted around. "Dad, are we going to sneak into the BFA?"

"Aren't you a clever one!" Chen Siyuan ruffled Chen Zehan’s hair.

"Dad, you're messing up my hair!" Chen Zehan complained, though he dared not resist.

"That's what makes you look cute!" Chen Siyuan said with blatant nonsense. Chen Zehan sighed in resignation, and Yifei covered her mouth to stifle a giggle.

The three hailed a taxi and returned to the BFA. After a brief conversation with the guard at the gate, Chen Siyuan managed to convince him to let them in. This time, they chose a different route—one that brought them closer to the daily lives of the students, passing by the places where they studied, socialized, and ate.

"Dad, why do you want me to apply to the BFA so much?" Yifei asked, tilting her head as they sat on the academy’s playground.

"The BFA is a cradle for stars. Since you want to enter this industry, I want you to become the brightest star of all," Chen Siyuan said, gently stroking her hair.

In the blink of an eye, Yifei had grown into a "fairy-like" beauty. Having practiced sword dancing for so many years, her temperament was even more ethereal than the "celestial" image she was known for. Yifei narrowed her eyes slightly and hugged Chen Siyuan. "Dad, it’s so good to have you here."

Yifei lacked a sense of security. Because of his work, her biological father had never spent much time with her. She grew up missing paternal love, and when her parents divorced and Liu Xiaoli took her across the ocean, her insecurity reached a breaking point. But then, Chen Siyuan appeared. For some reason, she felt an immediate, profound closeness to him from the moment they met. Perhaps it was destiny. The fact that she had encouraged her mother to enter into a sham marriage with Chen Siyuan had been a little scheme of hers, and it had proven to be the right choice. Chen Siyuan pampered her and her mother to the ends of the earth. In him, she found an overflow of fatherly love. After all, he was the only one who would think to have a younger brother specifically to protect his sister.

"Zehan," Chen Siyuan said, turning to the restless boy. "Your sister is going to be an actress. This industry is complicated, and there are many people with bad intentions. Your sister is too beautiful, and there will be many who covet her. You must protect her, do you understand?"

"Dad, you've said that a thousand times! Don't worry, I won't let anyone bully my sister even a little bit!" Chen Zehan stood up and patted his small chest.

"Good brother, but your sister is strong too. You don't need to protect me," Yifei said, her bright smile revealing her gums.

"That won't do! A man of his word never goes back on his promise! If I said I’d protect my sister, then I will!" Chen Zehan declared righteously, his spirit as a little man bursting forth.

"That's my boy! That's the spirit!" Chen Siyuan patted Chen Zehan’s small shoulder with satisfaction.

Yifei leaned against Chen Siyuan’s arm, watching her three-year-old brother with a squinty, happy smile. In that moment, her heart was full of bliss. She had a father who adored her and a little brother who had pledged to protect her from the moment he could remember. There could be no happier girl in the world.

"Dad, let me dance a sword dance for you!" Yifei stood up, releasing his arm.

"Yay! Sister’s sword dance is the best!" Chen Zehan sat down in anticipation.

"But you didn't bring a sword," Chen Siyuan said with a smile.

Chen Zehan looked around, then shouted, "I'll find one!" He darted into the nearby grove and snapped off a tree branch roughly the length of a sword. "Sister, here is your sword!" he said, handing it to her excitedly.

"Thank you, brother!" Yifei took the branch, weighed it in her hand, and struck a starting pose. Although it was just a branch, the moment it was in her hand, her temperament shifted. She moved with fluid grace, her clothes fluttering as she spun and leaped. She looked like a celestial being descended to the mortal realm.

As the dance concluded, applause erupted. Chen Siyuan turned to see Dean Wang of the BFA and his colleagues standing there. "Mr. Chen, I had no idea your daughter possessed such martial arts prowess!"