Chapter 268: Refusing Foreign-Nationality Artists

The morning sunlight spilled across the front of Fei Min Entertainment's building. Xiang Fei, a briefcase containing the final film reel of *Avatar* in hand, strode toward the parking lot. His phone buzzed nonstop—Han Shanping's incoming call flashing on the screen.

"Uncle Han, I'm on my way to China Film Group," Xiang Fei said into the phone while pulling open the car door. "The reel is ready."

Just as he was about to start the car, a slender figure suddenly stepped in front of it.

Xiang Fei frowned and rolled down the window. "Something you need?"

The girl standing before the car was about sixteen or seventeen, delicate features, long hair draped over her shoulders, a resume clutched tightly in her hand. She drew a deep breath, her voice a little nervous: "Hello, President Xiang. I'm Liu Yifei. I'd like to..."

Xiang Fei glanced at his watch—time was tight—but out of politeness, he still reached out and took the resume. "Give me the resume. Whatever it is, we'll talk later."

Liu Yifei hurriedly handed it over, eyes full of hope: "President Xiang, I really want to act. I..."

Xiang Fei flipped open the resume, his gaze pausing on the line for "Nationality"—United States.

His eyes instantly went cold.

"Miss Liu," Xiang Fei closed the resume, his voice calm but brooking no argument, "Fei Min Entertainment does not sign foreign-nationality Huaxia artists."

Liu Yifei froze, then hurriedly explained: "President Xiang, even though I'm a U. S. citizen, I was born in Huaxia. I..."

Xiang Fei raised a hand to cut her off: "Nationality isn't a joke. Someone who won't even acknowledge their own country—what right do they have to ask an audience to accept them?"

Liu Yifei went deathly pale, her eyes instantly reddening: "President Xiang, it's not like that. My mother..."

"No need to explain." Xiang Fei handed the resume back to her. "My position won't change."

With that, he raised the car window, pressed the gas pedal, and the car slowly pulled away.

In the rearview mirror, Liu Yifei stood rooted to the spot, the resume in her hands crumpled and creased, tears sliding silently down her face.

Liu Yifei had no idea how she made it back home.

When she pushed open the door, Liu Xiaoli was in the living room sorting through paperwork. Seeing her come in, she immediately went over: "Qianqian, how did it go? Did you meet Xiang Fei?"

Liu Yifei didn't answer, walked straight to the sofa, and slammed the resume heavily onto the coffee table.

Liu Xiaoli sensed something was wrong and asked carefully: "What did... Xiang Fei say?"

"He said..." Liu Yifei's voice trembled, "Fei Min doesn't sign foreign-nationality Huaxia artists."

Liu Xiaoli's face changed: "Didn't you explain? The reason we changed nationality back then was because..."

"What's the use of explaining!" Liu Yifei suddenly raised her voice, tears spilling over. "He doesn't care about the reason at all! All he sees is that I'm American!"

Liu Xiaoli panicked: "Qianqian, don't be upset. Mommy will think of another way..."

"Another way? What other way is there!" Liu Yifei shot to her feet. "It's all your fault! Why did you change our nationality! Why!"

With that, she turned and dashed into her room, slamming the door shut with a "bang."

In the living room, Liu Xiaoli stood dumbfounded on the spot.

She slowly picked up the crumpled resume, her gaze falling on the line "Nationality: United States," her fingers tightening unconsciously.

"Never thought... it'd be ruined by nationality," she murmured to herself.

Her memory flashed back a few years—when she had taken the young Liu Yifei far away to America, for a better life, and also to escape certain things. When she changed their nationality, she had never imagined that one day it would become an obstacle for her daughter.

"If only we hadn't left back then..." Liu Xiaoli gave a bitter smile. "But what's the point of saying that now?"

She walked to her daughter's door and knocked gently: "Qianqian, Mommy was wrong. Mommy will think of a way..."

There was no response from inside the room, only the sound of suppressed sobs.