Recently, Xin Zhilei has been on a roll. After gaining countless fans on a variety show, she won the Best Actress award at the Venice Film Festival for her role in “Daylight at Noon,” becoming the first post-85 Chinese actress to achieve this honor, which is quite impressive. However, what has garnered even more attention than her award is her recent visit back to her hometown in Hegang, Heilongjiang, after becoming a star.
This time, Xin Zhilei returned to Hegang to promote her new movie and reunite with family and friends. Once the news reached her old classmates, they organized a group to watch her film together. Just imagining the scene is heartwarming: a group of old friends waiting at the cinema, shouting her name upon seeing her, with no sense of distance due to her stardom, just the warmth of a long-awaited reunion.
Xin Zhilei at her class reunion in Hegang, standing confidently in the spotlight, looking vibrant among her peers.
The most remarkable aspect is Xin Zhilei’s attitude; she showed no signs of being a star. She approached everyone to chat casually, and when the conversation got lively, she effortlessly switched to her native Hegang dialect, instantly bringing everyone back to their school days. When classmates asked for her autograph, she patiently signed for each one, her smile genuine and warm, completely different from the aloofness often seen in front of the camera.
Xin Zhilei at her class reunion in Hegang, standing confidently in the spotlight, looking vibrant among her peers.
After watching the movie, the group photo became a hot topic among netizens. Xin Zhilei stood in the center, dressed simply, without heavy makeup, yet radiating a glowing presence. Her classmates, who are of the same age, were compared by many netizens to look like they belonged to two different generations—not because of a significant difference in looks, but due to the years of maintenance and refinement that stars undergo, which indeed sets them apart.
Xin Zhilei at her class reunion in Hegang, standing confidently in the spotlight, looking vibrant among her peers.
However, what is even more touching than her appearance is her genuine nature. There was an uncle present who was smiling throughout, his face full of pride. Xin Zhilei occasionally turned to chat with him, her eyes filled with warmth. It’s a remarkable journey from Hegang to the international stage, and now being able to return to her roots and sit with her old classmates shows a rare humility.
In fact, many stars return to their hometowns, but few do it as naturally as Xin Zhilei. There was no extravagant entourage, no deliberately polished appearance; it felt like an ordinary girl returning home to hang out with friends. The way her classmates called her name and the familiarity in her conversations revealed the most authentic friendships.
Xin Zhilei at her class reunion in Hegang, standing confidently in the spotlight, looking vibrant among her peers.
Some people said that seeing her standing among her classmates in the group photo suddenly made them understand the meaning of “after hardship comes happiness.” She worked hard to reach the international stage and gain recognition worldwide, yet she can still set aside all her accolades and return to being that girl from Hegang. This attitude of remaining grounded and not forgetting her roots after becoming famous is even more admirable than winning the Best Actress award.
In today’s entertainment industry, there is no shortage of stars with looks and acting skills, but what is lacking is this sincere commitment to their origins. Xin Zhilei’s recent class reunion in Hegang not only showcased her down-to-earth nature as a Best Actress but also reminded everyone of the loyal and heartfelt girl who emerged from Hegang. It’s no wonder she continues to thrive.