"Here, take this," the woman pulled a phone out of her bag and handed it to Eric.
Eric looked at the phone, a Nokia 7650—one of the most advanced phones of the time, with an excellent camera.
He carefully observed the women. The expensive phone indicated they certainly weren't ordinary employees.
"Do you know how to use it? I can show you how…"
The woman noticed Eric looking over the phone and thought he didn't understand how to operate it.
"Don't worry, ma'am, I know how to use this phone. Go ahead and pose."
The mother and daughter stood side by side, tilting their heads toward each other in a cute pose.
Eric frowned. Why take a photo while wearing masks and glasses? Without a signature, not even their own mother would recognize them in the picture.
After finishing the shot, he returned the phone and was about to continue exploring when he heard the older woman's voice again.
"Sorry, could you take another one?"
Eric chuckled to himself. "Looks like they realize how odd it looked."
Displaying gentlemanly manners, he agreed to help again.
The woman removed her mask, revealing a beautiful face in her thirties, with large, expressive eyes.
"Feifei, there's no one around, take off your mask, it's more comfortable," the woman said to her daughter.
The daughter obediently removed her mask. Her face, still carrying a slight youthful fullness, had not yet fully matured, but it was clear she would grow into a beauty, though perhaps not as striking as her mother.
Eric took another photo of them, and this time, as he looked at their faces, he couldn't help but note how small Beijing felt. Just yesterday, he had seen them on TV, and now he understood why they were so carefully disguised.
Noble Family Story had just made her famous, and she was at the height of her popularity. These were Liu Yifei and her mother.
Eric wasn't as much of a fan as many. Being part of the film industry, he saw actors more as colleagues than celebrities. In show business, there are no truly pure people. Those kinds of people don't choose this profession.
In this world, if you belong to showbiz, sooner or later, you'll have to compromise with morality and the law for profit. It's just a matter of how low you're willing to go. Even moments like this had happened with him, so he found it hard to judge others from a high moral ground.
After taking the second picture, Eric returned the phone to Liu Xiaoli and added with a smile, "Your daughter is very beautiful, and so are you."
Receiving a compliment from a foreigner, Liu Xiaoli beamed, "Of course! My daughter is a star, and soon she'll go to Hollywood to become a world-famous actress, like Audrey Hepburn."
Liu Yifei, pointing at Eric, exclaimed in surprise, "You speak Chinese!"
Liu Xiaoli was momentarily taken aback, then asked, "You speak Chinese, so why were you using English?"
Eric laughed, "Look at my face. Isn't it natural for me, an American, to speak English?"
The women fell silent, realizing his logic was flawless. How could they have expected otherwise?
"Ma'am, I don't know if your daughter will become the next Audrey Hepburn, but I'm certain that Hollywood isn't right for her."
Recalling his past life, Eric remembered how this mother and daughter had dreamed of Hollywood. It was understandable—almost every star aspires to go there, and Liu Yifei, being an American citizen, had the right to pursue that dream.
But she was merely a pretty face, and Hollywood had plenty of those. Beauty is relative. Charlize Theron, Kristen Stewart—each was no less attractive, and Miss Watson, before her injury, was at her peak.
As for acting skills, Hollywood's standards were higher, especially among the younger generation. Neither her figure nor her sex appeal would be the path for her. And purity? How many films relied on the pure image of their leading lady? Very few. Even in films like Lolita, the purity of the character underscores a hidden passion.
In 2008, after the release of The Forbidden Kingdom, Liu Yifei decided to leave China and try her luck in Hollywood by signing with the William Morris Agency. Her move was publicized as a step toward international fame.
But in reality, any actor could apply to such an agency by submitting a photo and filling out an application. It wasn't that complicated. The next three years, she remained jobless, unable to establish herself in Hollywood.
The Forbidden Kingdom had been successful thanks to Jackie Chan and Jet Li. The other roles meant little. By 2010, after failing to make it, she returned to China. Her breakthrough role in Mulan ended up being a disappointment, and the film flopped.
In China, she had a protector, her godfather Chen Jinfei, but in Hollywood, no one was waiting for her.
"Why am I not suited for Hollywood?" Liu Yifei protested.
"Yes, why are you so sure my daughter won't make it there?" Liu Xiaoli chimed in.
Eric smiled, "You can go if you want. But Hollywood only seeks a specific type of Chinese actor."
"What kind?" they asked, intrigued.
"Martial arts. If you want to succeed in Hollywood, learn from Lucy Liu and Michelle Yeoh. Master martial arts and improve your acting."
"If I learn how to fight, I can act in Hollywood? Are you sure?" Liu Yifei asked.
"Martial arts is your ticket in. Without it, it'll be difficult to break through."
The women wanted to say more, but Eric, waving them off, continued on: "I need to explore the Forbidden City. Goodbye!"
"Wait! What's your name? Where are you from? If I make it to Hollywood, I'll send you a postcard!" Liu Yifei shouted, not hiding her irritation. She had decided that if she ever made it without martial arts, she would prove this man wrong.
------
You can read up to 10+ advanced chapters and support me at patreon.com/raaaaven