Huayu: Returned Overseas Chinese

Capital International Airport.

Chen Jingming stood at the arrival gate, glancing towards the exit from time to time. The crowd was bustling, and passengers were coming out of the arrival hall one after another. Only when two familiar figures walked towards him did a smile slowly spread across his face.

"Yifei, Aunt Liu, over here!"

He raised his arm high and waved it vigorously. Liu Yifei and Liu Xiaoli, hearing the sound, glanced around and saw him. Liu Yifei exclaimed in delighted joy:

"Brother Jingming!"

Chen Jingming nodded in acknowledgment, quickly stepped forward to take the two's luggage, and asked with a gentle smile:

"You must be tired from your journey. I've already booked the hotel for you."

"Jingming, it's been so long! You even came all the way to pick me up from the airport. Thank you so much."

Liu Xiaoli looked at Chen Jingming, whom she hadn't seen for two years, and felt quite emotional.

"Aunt Liu, you're too kind. It's only natural for me, as a junior, to pick you up at the airport when you return to China. There's no trouble at all."

Chen Jingming spoke in a friendly tone. Liu Xiaoli looked at him and felt that two years had passed, and the young man in front of her had become more and more composed and reserved, exuding a kind of sharp yet restrained demeanor.

"Jingming, now that I'm back, I'm also planning to apply to the Beijing Film Academy."

Liu Yifei whispered a word from the side. Hearing this, Chen Jingming turned to look at her, his smile deepening.

"I remember registration was in early March this year. So you'll have to focus on practicing your physique for the next two months and be prepared to work hard. Can you manage?"

"Mmm." Liu Yifei responded softly, but her eyes were incredibly determined. "I'm sure I can get in! Jingming, you have to wait for me at the Beijing Film Academy."

As soon as he finished speaking, Liu Xiaoli's gaze swept back and forth between the two of them, her eyes filled with scrutiny. Chen Jingming felt a chill run down his neck, his hair stood on end, and he felt an inexplicable sense of pressure, as if he were being "targeted" by a hunter.

Amidst laughter and conversation, the three got into the car. Inside, Liu Xiaoli gazed at the passing scenery outside the window and asked casually:

"Jingming, I heard that the cinema you invested in has already opened?"

"Yes, Aunt Liu," Chen Jingming replied with a smile. "If you want to watch a movie in the future, just come to my place."

Liu Xiaoli nodded slightly, then changed the subject and asked:

"Are you going to start filming right after the New Year? Yifei said you have a TV series that's about to start shooting?"

"Hmm." Chen Jingming responded softly, then explained, "Not only this drama, I also prepared a script, which I'll show you in a bit. If Aunt Liu thinks it's okay, we'll move on to the preparation stage."

Liu Xiaoli's face immediately showed astonishment, followed by a flash of worry in her eyes:

"Jingming, filming a TV series is no child's play. I know you and Yifei are close, but when casting, the most important thing is suitability. Yifei hasn't even had the most basic professional training yet, so it's too early for her to start acting."

Chen Jingming was slightly taken aback, not expecting her to refuse so directly. Seeing this, Liu Yifei immediately grabbed her mother's arm and said coquettishly:

"Mom, you haven't even let me try, how do you know I can't do it?"

Liu Xiaoli raised her hand and gently ruffled her daughter's hair, her tone gentle yet firm:

"Don't you know your own limitations? Although I haven't seen the script yet, judging from Jingming's attitude, he's definitely going to give you a lead role. Otherwise, he wouldn't have offered so easily. Think about it carefully, are you capable of shouldering this responsibility?"

Actually, Liu Xiaoli had some things she didn't say. A film set isn't home; no one will indulge anyone. On set, it's common for actors to be scolded to tears by the director; the pressure is immense. Although she comes from a dance background and has never acted, as a national first-class dancer, she knows better than anyone how much hardship she endured since entering the opera troupe at the age of eleven to achieve her current success.

Upon hearing this, Liu Yifei immediately lowered her head, her disappointment evident on her face. Chen Jingming noticed this and spoke softly:

"Not now, let's wait. We'll turn it on when you're ready."

Liu Yifei suddenly looked up, her eyes instantly sparkling. Beside her, Liu Xiaoli glared at Chen Jingming and said irritably:

"Keep spoiling her, you'll regret it someday."

A hint of embarrassment crossed Chen Jingming's face. He coughed lightly and turned to look out the window. Liu Yifei's cheeks flushed instantly, like a ripe apple. She buried her face in Liu Xiaoli's arms and refused to look up.

The atmosphere inside the car became somewhat awkward. Xu Hu gripped the steering wheel firmly, slowly pressed the accelerator, and the car smoothly drove away from the airport, soon stopping in front of the New Century Hotel.

After getting out of the car, the three stood in front of the hotel. Chen Jingming smiled and said to the two men:

"Yifei, Aunt Liu, you can just go in and check in. I've already paid the room fee. I'll come back to pick you up for dinner tonight."

"Okay, see you tonight."

Liu Xiaoli nodded and pulled her daughter along. Liu Yifei looked up at Chen Jingming, a hint of reluctance flashing in her eyes, a subtle expression that Liu Xiaoli naturally noticed.

After saying goodbye, they went their separate ways. Chen Jingming drove to the company, while Liu Xiaoli helped Liu Yifei register and then went upstairs to their room together.

Inside the room, Liu Xiaoli pulled Liu Yifei to sit down on the sofa, gently putting her arm around her shoulder, her voice extremely soft:

"Yifei, tell Mommy, do you like Jingming?"

Liu Yifei froze, abruptly raising her head to look at her mother with a pleading gaze. Seeing this, Liu Xiaoli gently patted her forehead, laughing and scolding:

"What are you thinking in that little head of yours? Mom isn't trying to stop you. I've been your age once too. It's normal for a girl to meet someone she likes. But Mom wants to remind you that you're still young, and there are some things you can't do. As for liking someone... wait a couple of years. When you're an adult, if you still like Jingming, Mom won't stop you."

"Really?" Liu Yifei's eyes lit up with surprise.

The moment she finished speaking, Liu Xiaoli gently pinched her ear. Her expression instantly changed from surprise to grievance, and she cried out softly in pain:

"Mom! Mom, let go!"

Liu Xiaoli released her grip and said irritably:

"See? The trick was exposed as soon as it was pulled."

Liu Yifei rubbed her reddened ears and then hugged her mother's arm affectionately.

"Mom, how can you lie to your own daughter like this?"

"Don't give me that. I know your temperament and personality. Remember my words, if you dare to do anything out of line, see how I deal with you."

Liu Xiaoli wasn't buying it and spoke bluntly. After saying that, she got up to pack her clothes and prepare to wash up and adjust to the time difference.

Liu Yifei nodded obediently, hugged the pillow and buried her face in it, her ear tips were so red they were almost bleeding, and she was probably thinking about some sweet thoughts.

Meanwhile, Chen Jingming had already arrived at the China World Trade Center. The elevator went straight to the eighteenth floor, and as soon as he stepped out, the door to the large conference room was right in front of him. Many people were already waiting outside, and when they saw Chen Jingming walk in, they all smiled and nodded in greeting.

"Teachers, please wait a moment, we will begin shortly."

Chen Jingming cupped his hands in greeting to everyone and said with a smile.

Pushing open the conference room door, Zhang Jiandong was already seated at the head of the table, with Lin Dan beside him and a clerk nearby. Although the actors had been discussed beforehand, an audition was still essential to finalize their performance.

"President Lin, Director Zhang, I'm sorry we're late."

Chen Jingming said with a slight apology.

Lin Dan and Zhang Jiandong both waved their hands, indicating that it was alright. There were still twenty minutes before the official start.

Then, the actors filed in. Zhang Jiandong would hand them a line, sometimes having them perform without props, and sometimes personally joining in the scene to carefully observe the actors' emotional expression. To be honest, Chen Jingming had a truly eye-opening day, witnessing the rigor and standards of professional instructors.

After the actors finished their auditions, Lin Dan and Zhang Jiandong walked out of the conference room together. Chen Jingming was still immersed in the atmosphere of the auditions when his train of thought was abruptly interrupted.

"Alright, stop daydreaming, we need to recast the actors."

Zhang Jiandong's serious voice rang out.