When Li Ye first heard Lu Jingyao say that "no matter what nationality Lu Zixue held, he was a Chinese person born and raised in China," he had almost thought Lu Jingyao had completely evolved—into the sort of exquisitely selfish little fairy seen decades later.
During the mask years, China had provided free treatment to its own people. Those who had long since renounced Chinese nationality and fled abroad would return to the country, using similar excuses to fight for eligibility for free medical care.
"I may have given up Chinese nationality, but I'm still a Chinese person with yellow skin, black hair, and who speaks Chinese, aren't I? What right do you have not to treat me?"
"Treat you?"
How could they be so utterly justified in their indignation?
When their biological father struck it rich, he was their father; when he fell on hard times, he became merely their biological progenitor, was that it?
But when the embassy staff sternly questioned Lu Jingyao, "What nationality exactly is Lu Zixue?" Lu Jingyao did not resort to the same unreasonable wrangling as those people in later years.
She did not even seem to have the urge to argue. She merely apologized to the embassy staff in shame, then dragged her weary feet out in desolation.
Hmm, she had not fully evolved yet. At least she still knew shame.
Li Ye shook his head, greeted the embassy staffer, and prepared to leave as well.
But Comrade Wang called out to Li Ye and asked with a frown, "Comrade Li Ye, are you well acquainted with that Lu Jingyao?"
Li Ye did not hide much and answered truthfully, "We're both from the same county back home, but after she got into university in '81, we basically lost contact."
Comrade Wang thought for