Chapter 37: A Proactive Invitation to Apply to the Beijing Film Academy

"Mr. Chen, has your daughter ever considered applying to the Beijing Film Academy?"

A teacher standing beside Dean Wang asked with unconcealed excitement, his tone tinged with urgency.

"Jinsong, the young lady is probably only in middle school, isn't she? You're being a bit too impatient." Dean Wang teased his colleague, though it was clear they had a good rapport.

Chen Siyuan smiled and walked over to join them, shaking their hands. "Dean Wang, please forgive the intrusion. We came uninvited, but the Beijing Film Academy campus was simply too captivating for us to resist."

"That is the Beijing Film Academy's honor!"

Dean Wang lowered his guard. After Chen Siyuan and his group had finished their tour earlier, the Dean had made sure to gather detailed information about them. It was fair to say that the status Chen Siyuan had projected was formidable, leaving many stunned. The preliminary investment intentions of this group of Chinese-American investors, led by Chen Siyuan, had already reached billions of US dollars.

"By the way, Dean Wang, I would like to clarify one thing. Both middle and high schools in the United States operate on a credit system. My daughter, Liu Yifei, has already earned enough credits; she finished high school before we returned to China this time," Chen Siyuan added.

Dean Wang and his colleagues looked at Liu Yifei with surprise. This young girl was no ordinary child! One shouldn't assume the American credit system is easy; the vast majority of students have to diligently complete their full seven years to graduate.

"Mr. Chen, does your daughter have any thoughts of studying in China? Would she be interested in applying to the Beijing Film Academy? Her talent is truly exceptional!" The teacher named Jinsong’s eyes lit up, as if he saw a spark of hope.

"Dean Wang, may I ask who this is?"

"Mr. Chen, this is Wang Jinsong, a teacher at the Beijing Film Academy’s School of Performing Arts. He will also be the head teacher for the 2002 acting class."

"Hello, Teacher Wang. Do you think my daughter is qualified to apply to the Beijing Film Academy?" Chen Siyuan asked with a smile.

"Mr. Chen, your daughter is a US citizen, correct?"

Chen Siyuan nodded. Changing nationality was a prerequisite for applying to the Beijing Film Academy, as the policy was designed for international students.

"Then there is no problem at all. The state already has relevant policies in place, and the Beijing Film Academy’s admissions policy follows these national guidelines. Your daughter only needs to participate in the professional examinations organized by the Academy, and if she passes, she can enroll." Wang Jinsong explained impatiently, practically begging him to say yes, implying it would be little more than a formality.

Liu Yifei and her younger brother, Chen Zehan, exchanged glances and nearly burst into laughter. Their father was incredible; in just a few words, he had seized the initiative.

"Liu Yifei does indeed have the ambition to become an actress. When we were in New York, Nicole Kidman was her acting coach."

"Is that the Nicole Kidman who won the Golden Globe for Best Actress for *To Die For*?" Wang Jinsong was pleasantly surprised; the prospects were looking better and better.

"Yes. Nicole Kidman thinks very highly of Liu Yifei and even used her connections at USC to try to get her enrolled there."

Dean Wang sighed beside them. It was USC! While the Beijing Film Academy was undeniably top-tier in China, it lacked competitiveness compared to USC. However, Wang Jinsong clearly wasn't giving up yet.

"Mr. Chen, I admit that USC is a world-class arts institution, but Liu Yifei is, after all, a Chinese face..." Wang Jinsong stopped there, knowing some things were better left unsaid.

Chen Siyuan nodded. "In that regard, my thoughts align with yours, Teacher Wang. That is precisely why, to this day, Liu Yifei has not yet enrolled at USC."

At this, not only Wang Jinsong but even Dean Wang wore an expression of pleasant surprise. Was there a chance?

"Mr. Chen, then I strongly suggest that Miss Yifei apply to the Beijing Film Academy. Among domestic arts institutions, our faculty is the strongest, and the majority of China's most renowned directors are our alumni. This will be of immense benefit to Yifei's future..." Wang Jinsong rushed to describe the various advantages of applying to the Academy.

"Teacher Wang, would it be troublesome to apply?" Chen Siyuan asked with a smile.

Wang Jinsong and Dean Wang looked at each other. Wang Jinsong replied, "Not at all. The application channel for the 2002 class has just opened. I can add Miss Yifei's name right now. There are three rounds of professional exams, but based on her foundation, I am certain she will have no trouble at all!"

"Then I’ll trouble you, Teacher Wang," Chen Siyuan nodded.

"No trouble, no trouble at all! I'll go arrange it immediately!" Wang Jinsong was overjoyed; he had actually succeeded.

Chen Siyuan turned to Liu Yifei and said, "Xixi, go ahead with Teacher Wang and handle whatever paperwork is needed." As he spoke, he gestured to the distance, and the bodyguard, Stone, came running over.

"Thank you, Uncle Stone!" Liu Yifei flashed a sweet smile at him.

"I’m going with my sister, too!" Chen Zehan followed closely behind her.

"Mr. Chen, thank you for your recognition of the Beijing Film Academy." Dean Wang was genuinely surprised.

"Dean Wang, I intend to invest ten million US dollars into the Beijing Film Academy to establish a star scholarship, aimed at supporting outstanding talents who harbor artistic dreams!" Chen Siyuan’s next sentence stunned the Dean. He had offered ten million dollars just like that!

However, Dean Wang, being in a high position, quickly regained his composure. "Then, many thanks to you, Mr. Chen, for your support of the Academy. On behalf of the future outstanding students of the Beijing Film Academy, I thank you."

"Dean Wang, although I was born and raised in the United States, the blood of the descendants of Yan and Huang flows through my veins. I am more than happy to shear the wool of capitalism to support the socialist development of our motherland," Chen Siyuan joked.

Dean Wang bowed solemnly to Chen Siyuan. "Mr. Chen, your sense of righteousness is commendable!"

Unlike his predecessors, Dean Wang Fengsheng had graduated from Tsinghua University with a degree in architecture and hydropower engineering; he was not a professional filmmaker. However, his feelings for the Academy were profound. He felt fortunate to have met a patriotic Chinese like Chen Siyuan in the final year of his tenure. A ten-million-dollar scholarship could help so many talented students pursue their cinematic dreams!

Following this, Dean Wang Fengsheng discussed the future development plans of the Beijing Film Academy with Chen Siyuan. Neither of them were professional filmmakers. Wang had served as Dean for four years, while Chen possessed the foresight of his past life. As a result, the two of them found themselves in a spirited and pleasant conversation.

Not long after, Wang Jinsong returned with Liu Yifei and Chen Zehan.

"Is the registration complete?" Chen Siyuan asked with a smile, looking at the excited Liu Yifei.

"Yes, Teacher Wang has already helped me finish the registration."

"Thank you for your trouble, Teacher Wang," Chen Siyuan said, expressing his gratitude.

"It is my duty."

"Dean Wang, Teacher Wang, we shall take our leave now."