Some have summarized the giants of Chinese kung fu movies as follows: “Bruce Lee is the groundbreaking pioneer, who also set the tone for later kung fu films. Jackie Chan’s kung fu comedy is a masterpiece in its own right, having long transcended national cultural boundaries to become a cinematic treasure shared by the world; but if one were to find a face that best represents traditional Chinese martial arts, there would be only one answer: Jet Li.”
In the field of traditional Chinese martial arts, he stands tall above others, elevating kung fu films to a realm that commands utmost respect, encompassing myriad manifestations. Compared to other highly successful careers and colorful personal lives, Jet Li’s marriage presents a paradoxical blend of division and unity. In 1990, Jet Li divorced Huang Qiuyan, yet over the subsequent thirty years, he remained unwaveringly devoted to Nina Li Chi.
Recently, during an interview, Jet Li expressed gratitude towards Nina Li Chi for sacrificing her career for the family and revealed his decision to entrust his $2 billion fortune entirely to her, solely to ensure his wife’s security. Many years later, reflecting on his initial love-at-first-sight encounter with Nina Li Chi and his decision to marry her, Jet Li still expressed unwavering determination:
“I could sacrifice what is commonly referred to as everything. Every day, my veins boil with passion. I know that is love.” To fulfill what he saw as a love without hesitation, his ex-wife, Huang Qiuyan, decisively disappeared from the life that had been intertwined with his for twenty years…..
It seems that in every legend, we often see the shadows of fate looming.At the age of two, Jet Li’s father died while on duty, leaving his mother to shoulder the heavy burden of raising five children and two elderly relatives. In 1971, at the age of 8, Jet Li was recognized by coach Wu Bin and began studying martial arts at the Beijing Shichahai Sports School.
That same year, Huang Qiuyan, two years his senior, also entered the same martial arts school, becoming Jet Li’s fellow student. In 1975, at the National Games, the 12-year-old Jet Li competed in the adult category and won the all-around championship. Four years later, at the National Games, Jet Li, despite being injured, displayed unprecedented combat prowess and ultimately won five gold medals. As for Huang Qiuyan, she was no less formidable, having previously won championships in Beijing in women’s snake boxing and swordsmanship.
Huang Qiuyan came from an artistic family; her father, Huang Boshou, was a director in the Beijing Military Region Art Troupe, while her mother, Chen Lianghuan, was a dance teacher at the Opera House. Despite their affluent background, Huang Qiuyan had a cheerful and straightforward personality. Originally, her father intended for her to pursue a career in dance, but due to unforeseen circumstances, Huang Qiuyan was sent by her parents to the Beijing Shichahai Sports School. At that time, although both were in their youth, Huang Qiuyan, who was older than Jet Li, had a kind heart and always took care of him as his senior.
“He wore the pants that his sister wore, then gave them to his brother after wearing them. He always tried to cover up the female pants pocket, afraid of people seeing. At a young age, he learned to win the teacher’s favor and make money for his family, wanting to prove his worth to the world.”
In the silence and endurance of youth, there is a stubbornness and pride bestowed by the weight of life. At that time, Huang Qiuyan often took Jet Li home to improve their meals. Faced with her parents’ questioning, Huang Qiuyan explained: “My little junior brother’s family is economically disadvantaged. His father passed away early, leaving only his mother to raise several siblings.” Perhaps the seeds of love quietly took root and sprouted in this kind of sympathy and affection.
Jet Li, who became famous, once mentioned the origin of their relationship in an interview: “She is two years older than me and often takes care of me. At that time, I didn’t understand what love was; it was just a mutual liking.”
Although Jet Li was the most outstanding talent in the national wushu team, in 1979, plagued by injuries, Jet Li bid a regretful farewell to the wushu team he loved.
In 1980, during the nationwide casting for the kung fu film “The Shaolin Temple,” director Chang Hsin-yen wanted to find a young man with a martial arts background and extraordinary looks to play the lead role. Jet Li, who had long been renowned in the martial arts industry and had an imposing appearance, ultimately became Chang’s choice. In 1982, “The Shaolin Temple” was released. Against the backdrop of an era when movie tickets were only a few cents, it achieved an astonishing box office of 160 million yuan, a veritable miracle.
“The Shaolin Temple” not only became popular throughout the Chinese-speaking world but also sparked a craze for Chinese martial arts films across Asia and even in Europe and America. Jet Li, who played the role of the monk Jueyuan, skyrocketed to fame overnight. It was during this time that the relationship between Huang Qiuyan and Jet Li progressed further, solidifying into a romantic relationship.
Later, when filming the second installment of “The Shaolin Temple,” Jet Li recommended Huang Qiuyan to the director. Jet Li once revealed his inner thoughts: “I just thought if we had broken up back then, wouldn’t it be unfair to her? I was also afraid that everyone would misunderstand me at the time. So, I found Chang Hsin-yen, the director of ‘The Shaolin Temple,’ and shot the second part, introducing her as the female lead. This way, I felt at ease because I felt I had also done right by her. I succeeded, and I also hoped you would succeed! It’s not that I got famous and dumped you; it’s that you also succeeded.”
At that time, Jet Li’s thoughts seemed to have laid the groundwork for their future marital changes: he didn’t feel indispensable to her, nor was he so unwavering. Perhaps it was only at the age of his first love, where she, with the tenderness peculiar to women, unwittingly initiated him into love; perhaps her goodness made him feel he should “repay kindness with kindness.”
In 1984, Jet Li and Huang Qiuyan starred in “Kids From Shaolin.” In the film, Huang Qiuyan’s portrayal of “San Feng” was charming and left a deep impression on many people. Two years later, while filming “Martial Arts of Shaolin,” Jet Li had an accident during a fight scene, suffering a serious leg fracture. Doctors even said there was a risk of lifelong disability.
Upon hearing the news, Huang Qiuyan was extremely worried and almost went to the hospital every day, taking meticulous care of Jet Li. That period was the darkest moment in Jet Li’s life. Every day, he woke up, fearing that the rest of his life would be spent in a wheelchair. In order to accompany Jet Li, Huang Qiuyan eventually gave up all her work. During his most painful and desperate moments, she provided him with meticulous care and immense comfort. It was at that special moment that Jet Li decided to marry Huang Qiuyan.
Later, he personally admitted that in that pivotal life decision, a significant part of the reason was “repayment.” Undoubtedly, “repayment” is a kind of moral “sacrifice,” and love should not be a product of sympathy or gratitude. The tragedy arises sometimes from a single mistake or motives that cannot discern the true intention.
In 1987, the two registered for marriage without informing any relatives or friends, and there was no wedding ceremony. Previously, we considered the arrangement of many ceremonial rituals as a waste of wealth and spiritual consumption. In fact, it was a solemn commitment.
But in Huang Qiuyan’s heart, true happiness is a return to simplicity: “We practiced together for 20 years, and our relationship naturally developed. Life was plain and simple, not so romantic. I’m quite happy as long as I’m with him because he has a good temper and personality.”
After marriage, Jet Li’s career took a downturn. Several films encountered setbacks, and his career faced obstacles, prompting him to consider trying his luck overseas. In 1988, with Huang Qiuyan seven months pregnant, they came to the United States together for Jet Li to engage in some martial arts training and exchanges. After giving birth to their eldest daughter, Huang Qiuyan became a virtuous wife, responsible for taking care of his life.
Jet Li initially struggled after going abroad, with no roles to play. In 1989, Hong Kong kung fu film heavyweight Lo Wei invited him to film “Dragon Fight.”
Upon learning of this, Huang Qiuyan encouraged her husband to seize the opportunity and bravely face the challenge. That same year, Jet Li was invited by Tsui Hark to film the “Once Upon a Time in China” series. Collaborating with the new martial arts master Tsui Hark, Jet Li made a comeback, reaching another peak in his performing career and naturally ascending to the throne of a generation’s “kung fu superstar.” In the Hong Kong film industry, he displayed his talents, showcasing his martial arts skills, and opportunities came flooding in, along with romantic encounters.
In the third year after Jet Li and Huang Qiuyan got married, while filming “Dragon Fight,” he fell in love at first sight with his co-star, Nina Li Chi. In 1986, while studying abroad at the University of San Francisco, Nina Li Chi returned to Hong Kong to participate in the second “Miss Asia” pageant. With her devilish figure and angelic face, she became the center of attention across the city and was praised by one of the judges, Ni Kuang, one of the “Four Great Talents of Hong Kong,” as a rare beauty seen once in 50 years. Ni Kuang even declared, “If she doesn’t win the competition, I’ll burn down the TV station!” In the end, Nina Li Chi indeed outshone everyone and won the title of “Miss Asia.”
At that time, she exuded charm on the dance floor, dancing gracefully with Stanley Ho, the gambling king, who was also captivated by her at first sight. Jet Li was not a frivolous person, but upon seeing her, he couldn’t control his feelings and fell for her. It was the most destitute time in his life, while Nina Li Chi was flourishing.
He once expressed his feelings for Nina Li Chi: “After meeting Nina Li Chi, I realized that my love for her could make me give up everything: fame, status, and even my life. There was a sense of willingness to sacrifice everything, but for the previous relationship, I didn’t have that feeling. At that time, I still didn’t understand what love truly was.”
Soon after, Jet Li proposed a divorce to Huang Qiuyan. Mark Twain once wrote, “Sometimes reality is more absurd than fiction because fiction is based on logic, while reality often lacks logic.”
Twenty years of companionship couldn’t compare to the moment of love at first sight. In this world, some respect the logic of reality, some adhere to the principles of morality, and some listen to the call of their own hearts.
Jet Li confessed that with Li Chi, there was a magical sense of destiny: “Suddenly meeting someone in life, Li Chi understands what I want in my heart better than my mother, better than my siblings. My wishes, my worries.” Because “meeting once is better than countless encounters in the world,” he would rather “risk death regardless.”
Tang Dynasty poet Lu Guimeng wrote in “Midnight Change Song”: “People talk about joys and sorrows in love, but I have never seen them. When I open the door at midnight, I realize that midnight has changed.” Midnight has changed, and she couldn’t hold onto him, who wanted to leave the dust, because in Huang Qiuyan’s eyes, “The person you love isn’t happy because you’re by their side.” Letting go became her most dignified choice at the time. Jet Li left all his property to Huang Qiuyan and left with nothing.
After divorcing Huang Qiuyan, Jet Li, now single again, didn’t immediately marry Li Chi. Because he was afraid he was acting on impulse and feared Li Chi, who pursued him like a swarm of bees, was just playing along.
So Jet Li and Li Chi made a 10-year pact: if after 10 years, they still deeply loved each other, they would choose to marry. During these 10 years, Jet Li continued to focus on making films, while Li Chi chose to step back from acting and ventured into business. However, her business endeavors didn’t go smoothly at the beginning. She encountered an economic bubble, and Li Chi lost all her investments and ended up owing millions.
Jet Li sold himself to Wong Jing’s Movie Impact Company to help Li Chi repay her debts, signing a contract for six films over two years, each offering 12 million yuan. When the debts were paid off, Jet Li fulfilled the 10-year promise. In 1999, Jet Li married Li Chi in Los Angeles.
In 2002, Ang Lee directed “Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon” and invited Jet Li to play the role of Li Mu Bai, but he politely declined because at the time, he wanted to accompany Li Chi, who was experiencing strong physical reactions due to pregnancy. Years later, when talking about this long-standing matter, Jet Li said it was his promise to a woman, and at the same time, he expressed regret for not being able to appear in the film that later won several Oscars. But he never regretted his sacrifices for Li Chi. He, who was always poor with words, even told the media, “Li Chi is my everything.”
So you see, this is the irony of love: misfortune and deep affection can coexist in one person’s life.
After the divorce in 1990, although Jet Li left the house he bought in the United States to Huang Qiuyan, because the house was purchased with a loan and Huang Qiuyan, who had no job at the time, couldn’t afford to pay off the loan, leading to the house being foreclosed by the bank. With nowhere to go, with the help of Zheng Mingming, she became a beautician in a beauty salon. Diligent in her work, she worked tirelessly for ten years.
Later, she established herself and opened a barber shop. During this time, Huang Qiuyan’s friends introduced many eligible suitors to her, but she remained unmoved. “Once the sea was difficult, water becomes insipid except for the Wushan Mountain.” Faced with that catastrophic marriage, only radical measures could rebuild a happy home on the ruins of life.
Later, she met Mr. Wang. Mr. Wang was from Shandong and happened to be from the same hometown as her father. Years ago, Mr. Wang immigrated to the United States from Korea and opened a restaurant with unique flavors in San Francisco. The restaurant was close to Huang Qiuyan’s barbershop, and she often dined there, gradually getting to know Mr. Wang. Because of their mutual affection, after more than two years of courtship, they married in 2005.
Huang Qiuyan told her parents, “Marriage is not for fame or fortune. As long as my loved one has a good character and sincerely loves me, that’s enough.” Not chasing after wealth, nor longing for the grandeur of life’s ups and downs, one can discover the preciousness of the ordinary. When they got married, Jet Li, in the name of his two daughters, gave Huang Qiuyan $50,000 in cash and blessings.
In 2015, the movie “The Shaolin Temple” held a reunion in Beijing for its 33rd anniversary.
Most of the cast and crew from the past were present except for those who had passed away. Over thirty years have passed like flowing water, and at that time, the young people who were once in their prime have now aged. Jet Li and Huang Qiuyan also attended the reunion, coincidentally. Huang Qiuyan was 54 years old that year, with short hair and a slightly fuller figure, always wearing a faint smile on her face. However, in many cheerful group photos, she and Jet Li were not in the same frame, except in one collective photo where Jet Li stood in the middle, and Huang Qiuyan was four people away from him, as if separated by an insurmountable barrier. Close as mountains and rivers, yet worlds apart.
In the song “The Most Familiar Stranger” by Elva Hsiao, it goes: “We’ve become the most familiar strangers in the world; in the future, we’ll each have our own twists and turns, our own sorrows.”
In 2004, Jet Li experienced an unprecedented tsunami in Indonesia. When the waves hit, he desperately held his 4-year-old daughter above his head. The nanny, holding Jet Li’s 1-year-old daughter, was rescued by passersby just before the disaster struck, and they struggled to shore. After reaching safety, “looking back at the sea, there was nothing left on the beach.”
Filming action scenes had once brought Jet Li to the brink of death; in the Indonesian tsunami, he narrowly escaped death again. The impermanence of life made him see through the emptiness of fame and fortune. After the tsunami, he, who had already become a lay disciple of Buddhism, founded the “One Foundation.”
Assisting the needy became his greatest mission in the latter part of his life. Although Li Chi, who was once stunningly beautiful, has aged, she is still the woman he is willing to protect with all his might. Now, Huang Qiuyan, in her sixties, and her husband live a simple life together, spending their remaining years. Her demeanor is as gentle as it was in the past. Finally, the scars of the past have become the vermilion of time.
Dr. Ocean Blue once said, “Your task in this life is not to find love, but to discover your inherent beauty.” Therefore, after traversing the rivers and lakes of life, when we no longer rely on the kindness of fate, we will discover that self-redemption brings us healing and dignity, which is the best fulfillment for ourselves.
