The life of "Tang Monk": Calling his wife "chairman," living by his own rules.

The nearly 40-year marriage between "Tang Monk" Chi Chongshui and billionaire Chen Lihua has been the subject of much controversy due to their age and social status differences. However, they have remained steadfastly together, overcoming prejudice and building a life that many admire.

The nearly 40-year marriage between "Tang Monk" Chi Chongshui and billionaire Chen Lihua has been a subject of much debate in Chinese public opinion. However, despite the criticism surrounding their age difference and social status, the couple has remained steadfastly together for decades.

According to several sources, Chi Chongshui and Chen Lihua first met in the winter of 1988. At that time, the businesswoman and her friends went to the theater to watch a Peking Opera performance and coincidentally recognized the actor who played Tang Sanzang in her favorite drama. After being introduced by friends, the two began chatting and gradually developed feelings for each other.

The actor once shared that he was attracted by this woman's intelligence, strength of character, and talent. However, their relationship quickly became a topic of discussion due to the age difference and disparity in social status. At that time, Chen Lihua was already a famous businesswoman in the real estate field, known by many as the "Queen of Real Estate".

It was the pressure from public opinion that made Chi Trong Thuy hesitate many times. He admitted that he had refused Tran Le Hoa's marriage proposal three times because he was afraid of what people would say.

A turning point in their relationship occurred when Chi Zhongshui's mother fell seriously ill. At that time, Chen Lihua leveraged her connections and financial resources to invite the best doctors to treat her. Thanks to this help, the actor's mother was able to prolong her life for more than six months.

When they announced their marriage, many predicted that their union would not last. However, nearly 40 years have passed, and the couple remains together, becoming a testament to the enduring power of love that overcomes prejudice.

After getting married, Chi Chongshui proactively withdrew from the entertainment industry. He chose to become a supportive partner for his wife, often accompanying her to business activities and events. The actor said he always felt grateful to the woman who helped his family, so sacrificing his career was a voluntary decision.

In her family life, Tran Le Hoa played the decisive role. From the moment she got married, she made it clear that she would not have any more children to ensure the inheritance rights of her three children from her previous marriage.

In addition, the family maintained some rather strict rules. When she spoke, Chi Zhongshui was not allowed to interrupt. During meals, everyone had to wait for her to sit down and pick up her chopsticks before they could begin eating.

After getting married, Chi Chongshui maintained a rather disciplined lifestyle. He always slept lying straight and paid attention to his behavior within the family. Notably, the actor kept his head shaved for many years. There were rumors that he had hair problems, but some sources revealed that shaving his head was at the suggestion of his son, Chen Lihua.

In their daily lives, their way of addressing each other is also quite unique. Chi Trong Thuy often calls his wife "Chairman," while Tran Le Hoa calls her husband "Brother Chi," instead of the usual husband-wife terms.

According to Forbes' 2019 statistics, Tran Le Hoa's net worth was estimated at approximately $5.6 billion. By 2023, Chinese media reported that the billionaire had drawn up a will dividing her assets among her family, with the majority of her wealth – nearly $4 billion – left to her husband.

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