Thirty years ago, Xu Lan, Ye Xuan's mother, had just given birth to her and lived a hard life. Ye Xuan later strived to become a famous actress, relying on herself through all difficulties.
An old photo of Ye Xuan’s mother, Xu Lan, taken more than 30 years ago, has recently sparked heated discussion online.In the photo, Xu Lan is 18 years old, wearing braids, with bright, clear eyes. At the time, she had just given birth to Ye Xuan and had no steady income. To avoid the neighbors’ gossip about her pregnancy out of wedlock, she repeatedly taught her young daughter, Ye Xuan, to call her “sister” in front of strangers, rather than “mom.”
During
those years, the mother and daughter struggled to get by under the disapproving glances of others. By the time Ye Xuan turned thirteen, she had never dared to call her mother “Mom” in public. Before long, her family arranged for her to travel to the United States with nothing but a one-way plane ticket. Upon arriving in a foreign country, Ye Xuan didn’t speak the language,had no spending money, and even had to figure out how to cook a hot meal by slowly following recipes. She had no one to rely on and had to shoulder everything on her own. Over time, she developed a reserved and determined personality, always striving to do her best in everything she did.
Later, through her own hard work, Ye Xuan won the Miss Chinese International pageant. Her portrayal of Meng Lijun resonated deeply with audiences, making her a household name in Hong Kong television, and she finally emerged from the hardships of her early years.However, the character traits shaped by her difficult circumstances in her youth were hard to shake off. Later, when she faced setbacks in her love life and, as her father lay gravely ill, the family’s housekeeper coveted the family’s assets, she endured those trying times just as she had back in the rented apartment in the U.S.—relying entirely on her own strength to grit her teeth and persevere.
After these old photos resurfaced, some netizens praised Xu Lan for her symmetrical features in her youth, while others reflected on the hardships Ye Xuan had endured along her journey. As people discussed the matter, they all agreed that in the end, relying on oneself is the most reliable path in life.Parents must not shirk their responsibilities; one should not covet what does not belong to them; the hardships endured in one’s early years are never in vain; and when rifts arise within the family, they must be addressed promptly—do not wait until conflicts have deepened before seeking a resolution.For ordinary people, life is all about weaving these simple truths into the mundane details of daily life. By moving forward steadily and with a down-to-earth attitude, there will be no obstacles that cannot be overcome.
