In a video posted on September 24th, Hong Kong showbiz magnate Tiffany Chen revealed an encounter with 14-year-old Liu Yifei and her mother, Liu Xiaoli. The pair had recently returned from the US, and Liu Yifei, with her mother's encouragement, was pursuing her acting dreams.

Chen noted that despite her young age, Liu Yifei's demeanor was polite and elegant. Chen was also impressed by Liu Yifei's talents in piano, horseback riding, and singing.

Liu Xiaoli in her youth and Liu Yifei. Photo: Sohu

Having followed Liu Yifei's career, Chen believes Liu Xiaoli played a crucial role in her daughter's success. Liu Xiaoli instilled in her daughter empathy and understanding. Both mother and daughter were always punctual and respectful on set. Even after achieving stardom, Liu Yifei maintained this professionalism.

According to Chen, Liu Yifei's enduring popularity stems from her inherent qualities. She is well-regarded in the entertainment industry, and Chen has never heard any complaints about her from producers, directors, or staff.

Chen revealed that Liu Xiaoli believed in “raising her daughter with wealth” by prioritizing her daughter’s education and personal development. This approach aimed to prevent Liu Yifei from being swayed by superficiality and losing herself in the trappings of fame.

Beyond financial investment, Liu Xiaoli dedicated significant time to supporting her daughter, especially during the early stages of her career. Chen expressed admiration for the single mother's dedication to raising such an accomplished daughter.

Born in 1987 in Wuhan, Liu Yifei's father, An Shaokang, was a French lecturer and later worked at the Chinese Consulate in France. Her mother, Liu Xiaoli, was a dancer. After her parents divorced when she was 10, Liu Yifei moved to the US with her mother, where she studied and became a US citizen. Five years later, she returned to China, adopted the name Liu Yifei given by her godfather, and entered the entertainment industry at 14 with her debut film, "The Story of a Noble Family".

Liu Yifei went on to star in major productions like "Demi-Gods and Semi-Devils" (2003), "Chinese Paladin" (2005), and "The Return of the Condor Heroes" (2006). More recently, she has gained acclaim for her roles in "A Dream of Splendor," "Go to a Windy Place," and "Rose Story."

Liu Yifei commands some of the highest endorsement fees among Chinese celebrities, earning around 25 million CNY (3.4 million USD) per contract. She is a global ambassador for brands like LV, Bvlgari, Tissot, Shiseido, and about 10 Chinese brands. Since last year, she has also served as the tourism ambassador for Abu Dhabi.

According to Yahoo Finance and St Headline, Liu Yifei's net worth exceeds 1.23 billion CNY (170 million USD). She owns a 5,000 m2 villa in Beijing and another in the US. Liu Yifei is private about her personal life. Since her breakup with South Korean actor Song Seung-heon in 2018, she has not publicly dated anyone.

Tiffany Chen and her husband, Charles Heung, are influential film producers in the Chinese entertainment industry. Charles Heung comes from a triad background. His father, Heung Chin (1907-1975), founded Sun Yee On, the largest triad in Hong Kong. In the 1980s and 1990s, Sun Yee On had nearly 100,000 members. After Heung Chin's death, his son, Heung Wah-Po, took over the triad. Later, Heung Wah-Po became disillusioned with the violence and turned to Buddhism, gradually withdrawing from the organization.

The Heungs have produced dozens of hit films, including "God of Gamblers" (1989), "All for the Winner," "King of Beggars," "The Heaven Sword and Dragon Sabre" (1993), and "Flirting Scholar."

By Nhu Anh (according to Yahoo, Douyin)