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Fran Lu

The Chinese motorcycle brand ZXMOTO and its founder Zhang Xue have become one of the most-mentioned topics online in April following their unprecedented victory in a world-class race.
Zhang’s wife, who has been with him since she was a teenager, has also become famous.
Chen Xingyi, 38, was Zhang’s junior secondary school classmate.
She began dating him when they were both poor youngsters and was by his side when he quit school, became a motorcycle repair shop apprentice, and a mechanic at a racing team.

In March, French rider Valentin Debise won two races in the WorldSSP class of the Superbike World Championship riding on ZXMOTO’s 820RR-RS model, marking a Chinese motorcycle maker’s first victory in the road racing series.
Social media was on fire about the unprecedented achievement, together with Zhang Xue’s overnight fame, people also flowed to Chen’s social media account, admiring her sharp eye for talent and “good luck.”
To this comment, Chen responded that she had “never given good luck, but had a good mindset”.
Zhang was born into a poor rural family in central China’s Hunan province. His parents divorced when he was little and Zhang was brought up by his grandmother.

He dropped out of school after graduating from junior secondary school, and became a motorcycle repair shop’s apprentice.
Chen said her family’s condition was better than that of Zhang’s and she secretly dated him, fearing that her family would not approve.
As a teenager, Chen was obsessed with the Hong Kong film Young and Dangerous, which depicts brotherhood and loyalty among young triad gangsters. She said she saw that in Zhang.
She complained sweetly that Zhang was an “annoying” boy at school, often naughtily messing with her. But when they were preparing for a new year class party, she had a crush on him due to his leadership qualities.

In 2006, at the age of 19, Zhang chased a local television crew for 100 km to be featured in a programme seen by professional motorcycle teams, thereby being able to realise his dream of being a motorcycle rider.
Zhang’s fighting spirit successfully moved him into a professional team and he became a stunt rider and a mechanic with the team.
Then Zhang became a vehicle developer first in Zhejiang province in the southwestern Chinese municipality Chongqing, where ZXMOTO is now based.
From when they were together through to 2017, when Zhang co-founded KOVE MOTO, Chen lived with him.
They got married in 2011 at the age of 24 and have two children.

Chen managed the housework and household budget, so that Zhang could focus on his start-up business free from worries.
Chen also took on debt together with Zhang. They borrowed money from family and friends. She kept a record of all the debts and repayments in a notebook.
They reportedly borrowed millions of yuan and spent 11 years repaying the debts.
In 2018, Zhang began receiving a monthly salary of 10,000 yuan (US$1,400). Chen remembered thinking that was “a huge sum of money”.

When Debise rode ZXMOTO to the winner’s podium, Chen said she witnessed Zhang’s excitement and could not sleep that night.
On her social media account @xingjie0543, Chen said: “I am a dreamless person, but my life is seen by more people because of his dream. I am not a great person, just a person who wants to live their life well.”
Chen posted many old photos of her with motorbikes. Now as ZXMOTO has gone viral and secured its fifth victory at WorldSSP, she also kept promoting the brand on her account, which has 410,000 followers.
Chen’s handwritten account book went viral. Many flowed to her account, praising her as “China’s best angel investor.” They were also moved by her unwavering loyalty to Zhang.
“Zhang Xue’s success is not just because of his hard work, but also that of Chen Xingyi,” said one online observer.
“People say her gamble paid off, but she was never gambling. She would stay with him no matter what,” said another.


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‘Best angel investor’ stays by side of ‘annoying’ childhood friend who has become a motorsports legend


‘Best angel investor’ stays by side of ‘annoying’ childhood friend who has become a motorsports legend.


Wife of China motorcycle tycoon becomes loyalty symbol after handwritten account book goes viral

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}‘Best angel investor’ stays by side of ‘annoying’ childhood friend who has become a motorsports legend

‘Best angel investor’ stays by side of ‘annoying’ childhood friend who has become a motorsports legend