Veteran actor He Zhengjun often speaks of his wife Fan Yu’s decades-long devotion through his early, struggling years in showbiz, long before he rose to fame with *Bright Sword*.
During an interview, He Zhengjun, now in his sixties, suddenly recalled old times in front of the camera, saying that during the years before he became famous, his wife, Fan Yu, lived with him in a tiny 9-square-meter apartment, and they endured ten years of financial hardship.
As a National First-Class Actor with a career spanning more than 40 years, He Zhengjun has always been known in the industry for having never been involved in any scandals; this story from the past, buried in the passage of time, is a heartfelt confession he rarely shares with the public.
In 1986, He Zhengjun graduated from the Central Academy of Drama. At the time, he had just turned twenty-eight and had almost no savings. He was assigned to Yunnan to work on a film production, where he first met Fan Yu—who was six years his junior—on set.He was short on cash at the time; even treating her to a decent bowl of noodles required a great deal of deliberation. Still, blushing and steeled his resolve, he approached her and asked if she was hungry, saying he’d like to treat her to a bowl of noodles.
Back then, he was constantly working as an extra on film sets, and his elders didn’t think much of his pursuit of a career in entertainment; they urged him to find a stable job as soon as possible, but he was determined to persevere in this industry.To his surprise, Fan Yu didn’t mind his poverty or lack of fame at all; she married him in 1992 without any dowry. Their wedding home was nothing more than a tiny nine-square-meter dormitory assigned by his workplace—so small that there wasn’t even room for a proper wardrobe, and turning around in the room would cause him to bump into the corner of the table.
During those most trying times when his career showed no signs of taking off, Fan Yu quietly brought him back to their hometown in Yunnan so he could settle down and hone his acting skills. She shouldered all the household chores and took care of the family’s every need, big and small, all on her own. Throughout nearly two decades of his life as a bit player, she never once complained to him about the hardships she faced.
He managed to hang in there until 2005, when the World War II drama *Liang Jian* aired. The character of Zhao Gang, played by He Zhengjun, captured the attention of audiences across the country, and he finally became widely recognized thanks to this role.
If anyone else had suddenly become a sensation, they’d likely be rushing around taking on commercial gigs to make a quick buck and busy maintaining their popularity and managing their public image. He Zhengjun, however, hasn’t let it go to his head in the slightest.Ever since he became famous, the first thing he does every time he gets home from work is curl up on the couch to knit sweaters for his wife and daughter. He always asks Fan Yu’s opinion before accepting any script,Later, when his daughter was preparing for her college entrance exams, he turned down all work to stay home and support her throughout the entire process. Paparazzi have been following him for over a decade, yet they’ve never managed to dig up a single piece of gossip.
Many people say he’s a rare breath of fresh air in the entertainment industry. When he hears this, he just gives a shy smile and waves his hand, saying that people should always have a conscience—since others stuck by him through the toughest times, he can’t just turn around and forget where he came from.
In the blink of an eye, the two have walked hand in hand for more than thirty years. While their lives haven’t been marked by great wealth or luxury, they’re filled with a down-to-earth warmth in every aspect.
People have seen plenty of examples of those close to them changing their ways once they come into money, and they’ve heard many disheartening stories of people who shared hardships but couldn’t share prosperity,After years of ups and downs in the entertainment industry, how many people have lost sight of their original intentions once they became famous? It’s truly rare to find someone like He Zhengjun, who has always remembered those who stood by him through hard times and has remained true to the most basic principles of integrity.
That’s just how life is—peace of mind is priceless. To truly live life to the fullest is to remember the kindness of others and cherish the people close to you.
