Chapter 280: Dong Xiaoming's Mockery

On the night the wrap party for "Demi-Gods and Semi-Devils" was held, the crew threw a grand celebration banquet at the Hengdian Hotel.

Liu Xiaoli stood in a corner, her gaze fixed tightly on her daughter not far away—Liu Yifei, in a white dress with delicate makeup, was surrounded by Huang Xiaoming and Zeng Li as they toasted her.

"Xixi, congratulations! From now on you're one of Fei Min's people!" Huang Xiaoming said with a smile, raising his glass.

"That's right, we'll be colleagues from now on. After joining Fei Min, you're definitely going to be a huge star!" Zeng Li chimed in.

Liu Yifei smiled and nodded.

Liu Xiaoli frowned. She had been observing lately and noticed something off about her daughter—she had become taciturn.

Liu Xiaoli walked over and gently took her daughter's wrist: "Xixi, Mom has something to ask you."

Liu Yifei's body stiffened, then she forced a smile: "Mom, what's wrong?"

"Recently… have you run into something?" Liu Xiaoli lowered her voice.

Liu Yifei shook her head: "No, it's just that filming was too exhausting."

Liu Xiaoli didn't believe it, but with everyone around, she couldn't press further, so she could only say softly: "The matter about changing nationality you mentioned before—Mom is already handling it."

Liu Yifei nodded: "Mm, the sooner the better."

After saying that, she gently pulled free of her mother's hand and turned toward another banquet table.

Liu Xiaoli stood in place, an inexplicable panic rising in her heart.

After three rounds of drinks, Dong Xiaoming was clinking cups and chatting merrily with Zhang Jizhong, Zhao Jian, and others.

Liu Xiaoli hesitated again and again, but still walked over, a smile plastered on her face: "President Dong, Director Zhang, Director Zhao, congratulations on wrapping 'Demi-Gods and Semi-Devils'!"

Dong Xiaoming glanced at her, a half-smile on his face: "Oh, Auntie Liu, something you need?"

Liu Xiaoli rubbed her hands together and said softly: "President Dong, Xixi has signed with Fei Min now. Do you think… could I still be her manager? After all, I'm her mother, I know her best…"

Dong Xiaoming let out a snort of laughter and swirled his wine glass: "Auntie Liu, the rules at Fei Min are that once an artist signs, all management matters are arranged uniformly by the company."

He paused, his tone carrying a mocking edge: "You should just go home and retire, stop worrying about it."

Zhang Jizhong and Zhao Jian laughed when they heard that.

Liu Xiaoli's face flushed red instantly. She stood awkwardly in place, her fingers gripping the hem of her clothes tightly.

"I… I was just making a suggestion…" her voice grew smaller and smaller.

Dong Xiaoming couldn't be bothered to deal with her any longer and turned back to continue drinking with Zhang Jizhong.

Liu Xiaoli could only slink away, feeling both ashamed and angry inside.

She looked back at her daughter, only to find Liu Yifei with her head lowered, biting her lip hard, as if struggling to endure something.

The wrap banquet ended late at night.

Liu Yifei had just returned to her room when her phone rang.

It was Dong Xiaoming.

"Xixi, I miss you, come to my room." His voice carried an unquestionable command.

Liu Yifei's fingers trembled as she said softly: "Okay… I'll be right over."

After hanging up, she stood in front of the mirror, looking at her pale face, tears sliding down silently.

But soon, she wiped her tears, took out her cosmetics, reapplied her makeup, and sprayed on some perfume, making sure she looked "perfect."

Then, she gently pushed open her door, confirmed the hallway was empty, and hurried toward Dong Xiaoming's suite.

Dong Xiaoming's room was dimly lit, the air thick with the smell of alcohol and tobacco.

He was in a bathrobe, lounging lazily on the sofa. Seeing Liu Yifei come in, the corner of his mouth curled into a smug smile: "You're here?"

Liu Yifei lowered her head and said softly: "President Dong…"

Dong Xiaoming patted the seat beside him: "Sit."

She walked over stiffly. The moment she sat down, Dong Xiaoming pulled her into his arms.

"Did you miss me?" His breath sprayed against her ear, carrying a nauseating smell of alcohol.

Liu Yifei bore the discomfort and said softly: "I did…"

Dong Xiaoming smiled with satisfaction, his fingers tracing her cheek: "Good girl, I like how obedient you are."

After saying that, he pushed her down onto the sofa.

Liu Yifei closed her eyes and let him do as he pleased, her nails digging deep into her palms, not daring to resist.

At four in the morning, before dawn, Liu Yifei gently pushed away Dong Xiaoming's hand resting on her waist and carefully got up.

Her body ached as if it had been crushed, but she didn't dare linger. She quickly got dressed and tiptoed toward the door.

"Leaving already?" Dong Xiaoming suddenly spoke, his voice carrying a sated laziness.

Liu Yifei's body stiffened, and she said softly: "Mm… afraid my mom will wake up and not find me."

Dong Xiaoming gave a hum of laughter: "Fine then, come again tomorrow night."

Liu Yifei didn't answer, gently closed the door, and fled back to her own room.

The next morning, when Liu Xiaoli woke up, she found her daughter's door tightly shut.

She knocked: "Xixi? Are you up?"

Liu Yifei's hoarse voice came from inside: "Mom, I'll sleep a bit more…"

Liu Xiaoli frowned, always feeling something was off about her daughter's voice, but unable to pinpoint it.

She sighed and turned to prepare breakfast.

In the room, Liu Yifei curled up on the bed, burying her face deep into the pillow, crying silently.

She knew that from the moment she signed that contract, there was no turning back.