Zhang Yimou and Chen Ting's bizarre relationship
A pair of lovers with a huge age difference
In Beijing in 2000, a love affair with a 31-year age difference quietly sprouted in a corner of the city. 19-year-old Chen Ting is a freshman at Beijing Film Academy, and her immature face is full of longing and dreams for the future. The other protagonist is the popular director Zhang Yimou, who is 50 years old and has worked hard in the film industry for many years, directing popular masterpieces such as "Alive" and "Jiashen 360 Lines".
The story of the two acquaintances is quite legendary. According to Chen Ting's recollection, she was photographed by Zhang Yimou at an event at school and was impressed by the master's talent and wisdom. And Zhang Yimou was also attracted by Chen Ting's innocent enthusiasm. In this way, a love affair spanning three ages quietly began in the ancient and modern city of Beijing.
An unplanned pregnancy triggers a life decision
The honeymoon period of love is soon broken by a sudden news. Soon after, Chen Ting found out that she was pregnant. As a young college student, she suddenly fell into unprecedented anxiety and confusion. After going through some psychological struggle, she finally mustered up the courage to dial Zhang Yimou's phone.
"Brother, I'm pregnant" Chen Ting's tone revealed a hint of unease.
Zhang Yimou on the other end of the phone was obviously shocked by the news. After a long time, he finally spoke up and gave two choices: one is to kill the child, Chen Ting can continue to study in school, and the other is to give birth to a child, he will fulfill the responsibility of a father and provide financial support and care for the mother and son.
An atypical family of three children
Faced with this major choice in life, Chen Ting finally chose to give birth to a child. And just like that, an atypical family of three was born. Zhang Yimou did what he said, providing Chen Ting and her children with considerable living expenses, and allowing them to live in his private villa in Beijing.
A few years later, Chen Ting gave birth to another child for Zhang Yimou. In this way, a family of five depends on each other for their lives, working hard in Beijing, a metropolis full of opportunities and challenges. From the outside, this is an ordinary family, but the age gap between the parents is a little eye-catching.
Like all families, they have experienced countless laughs and tears. Some media have hinted that Zhang Yimou's feelings for Chen Ting began to fade, and the contradictions between the two gradually surfaced. But this family has always been a safe haven for Zhang Yimou and Chen Ting, a small world that they have gathered with love and responsibility.
Years of secrecy have finally come to light
This relationship lasted secretly for 11 years, and it was not until 2011 that it was finally exposed. That year, Zhang Yimou finally carried the pressure of society, made his relationship with Chen Ting public, and paid a fine of up to 75,000 yuan for overbirth.
In order to prove his sincerity to the world, Zhang Yimou held a grand wedding for Chen Ting, and invited countless friends in the film industry to witness the marriage of this couple with a disparity in age. On the wedding day, Chen Ting wore a white gauze and smiled, while Zhang Yimou was dressed in a straight suit with a calm expression. The three lovely children have become the most beautiful scenery in the audience.
In this way, the life of this supposedly low-key couple was finally pushed into the spotlight. Some questioned their age gap, others applauded their courage. But it is undeniable that Zhang Yimou and Chen Ting have interpreted a moving story of love, responsibility and persistence in their own way.