In many people’s impressions, the appearance of celebrity couples has become a trendy phenomenon within the entertainment industry. For an individual to enter this circle, and for two to collaborate, it results in a doubling of earnings, which undoubtedly represents a win-win situation. However, there is one ultra-popular singer who, since entering the industry, has frequently climbed to the top of the trending search charts, while his wife has maintained an air of mystery.
Recently, the singer Li Jian and his wife Meng Xiaobei were invited to a friend’s gathering, and afterwards, the host shared a photo with them. This was the first time Meng Xiaobei clearly appeared on social media in a frontal photo. Dressed in a sky-blue top with her hair simply tied up, her face showed no signs of aging at 40 years old, radiating happiness and love from her life.
When we recall Gao Xiaosong’s comment about the couple, he once said: “Everyone around us has changed, but only Li Jian remains the same as he was back then, with the same Meng Xiaobei by his side.” After witnessing the frequent breakups and makeups in the entertainment circle, people yearn even more for Li Jian and his wife’s love story.
On Zhihu, there’s a question: “How can one marry Li Jian?” The top-liked answer is: “You need to understand how to brew tea, grow flowers, make coffee, excel in photography, be able to play instruments, paint, possess excellent culinary skills… and become a PhD from Tsinghua University, discovered on the street by a talent scout. And most importantly, you should have met him when you were five years old.” This isn’t just the plot of a fictional novel; this is precisely the love story of Li Jian and Meng Xiaobei.
Li Jian, born in 1974 in Harbin, had a father who was a martial artist in Peking opera. Li Jian was lively and versatile, shining among his peers since childhood. One time, the normally fearless boy became shy when he met the daughter of one of his father’s friends, a girl with large eyes, fair skin, and the look of a Russian young lady.
Photos of Meng Xiaobei’s childhood revealed a fascinating chemistry, intertwining two lives together. At that time, Li Jian was ten, and Meng Xiaobei was only five. Their childhood together was soon replaced by other memories, and Li Jian never expected that little girl to become his life partner.
Seven years after they first met, the story developed further. Li Jian attended a wedding with his parents during adolescence, at a time when he was also the top student at school. Among the guests, he encountered the “Russian young lady” who had turned into an elegant and graceful young girl, and Li Jian’s gaze could not be diverted. “Because I glanced at you one more time in the crowd, I can no longer forget your face.” This moment later inspired Li Jian to write the song “Legend.”
In 1993, Li Jian participated in a winter camp organized by Tsinghua University, and with the song “Say What’s in Your Heart,” he won the national first prize. During the college entrance examinations, he earned an additional 50 points, securing his admission into the Department of Electronic Engineering at Tsinghua University, thus becoming a truly favored child of the heavens.
That summer, on his parents’ request, Li Jian frequently tutored Meng Xiaobei and even gave her a nickname—”Little Shell.” During their study sessions, Li Jian would confidently pick up his beloved red cotton guitar, allowing his little sister to freely request songs to her heart’s content.
On a cozy evening twilight, a young girl softly and resolutely promised she would also gain admission to Tsinghua University. Faced with such words, Li Jian just smiled and nodded, for he had heard such declarations countless times before. Never had he imagined, however, that this little sister would not only fulfill her promise but also surpass himself, becoming a Tsinghua doctoral student with a higher degree. At that time, they were both immersed in the glow of the sunset on the concrete steps, with young boys and girls wearing smiles, the poetic beauty of youth flowing between them.
As time passed, Li Jian went to Beijing to further his studies, while little Beikei also toiled in her sea of learning. Even during the brief reunions of the holidays, the two spent most of their time discussing exam questions. Unbeknownst to them, their story had already been written in the stars.
After arriving in Beijing, Li Jian not only studied hard but also honed his musical talents, serving as an accompanist in a band and becoming a well-known figure on Tsinghua’s campus. Upon graduation, he only wished to live independently and settle down in Beijing. Meanwhile, little Beikei was also admitted to a university in Beijing, which brought great comfort to Li Jian, who was in the same city.
Li Jian still remembers the first time little Beikei appeared on the Tsinghua campus—walking side by side on the bustling path, with the surrounding noise as if it had nothing to do with them. Li Jian once described, “There was a magnetic force between them, you towards me, and I towards you.”
Despite securing a job that many would envy, Li Jian did not feel much joy, as life seemed like sugarcane without its sweetness. The occasional meetings with little Beikei became a sliver of happiness in his life. However, as time went on, the little girl of the past had transformed into a tall, beautiful, and charming young woman.
After working for two years in radio and television, Li Jian did not feel much joy, but his weight increased steadily, unbeknownst to him. At the end of 2001, Tsinghua senior Lu Gengxu invited him to form a band, and Li Jian resolutely joined, embracing the unknown future. Thus, the band “Shui Mu Nian Hua” was born. They quickly released their first album “Having You in My Life” and won the Best Golden Song award on the China Song Ranking with the title track of the same album.
Trouble often comes with success, and due to differences in the development direction of the band, Li Jian chose to leave, leaving the band’s name and works to Lu Gengxu. After going solo, Li Jian’s life took a sharp downturn, and he fell into financial trouble. When his father fell gravely ill, he couldn’t even muster the funds for treatment. In 2005, after his father passed away, Li Jian was heartbroken. It was the most difficult time for him, and Meng Xiaobei chose to spend the rest of her life with him. Without the need for a grand wedding, the two souls came together humbly.
Seeing his beloved by his side all this time, Li Jian felt guilty. He hesitated whether he should give up music and find a stable job. However, Meng Xiaobei always stood by him firmly, telling him, “You don’t need to worry about me, follow the wishes of your heart.”
In the cold winter days, Meng Xiaobei became Li Jian’s solid fortress emotionally and spiritually. They lived together in a secluded courtyard in Beijing, witnessing Li Jian’s obscure and tireless efforts for as long as seven years. The bungalow was cold and without heating facilities; even buying gloves seemed a bit extravagant for Li Jian to save on expenses. Thus, Meng Xiaobei personally knitted him a pair of warm gloves.
In this dilapidated house, Li Jian composed many classic songs that touched people’s hearts, such as “Legend,” “The Wind Blows the Wheat Waves,” and “Lake Baikal” among others, and gradually released his own music albums. However, despite his efforts, he did not immediately attract public attention. During these unknown years, Meng Xiaobei was not only his strong support but also became the economic pillar of the family. It was these silent years that laid a solid foundation for Li Jian’s later career success.
In 2010, Faye Wong caught people’s attention again with the song “Legend,” her ethereal singing voice spread across cities and countryside. Li Jian’s talent could no longer be concealed, and people gradually started to notice this original songwriter. After 7 years of obscurity, 36-year-old Li Jian finally gained widespread fame.
The growing popularity followed the exposure of Li Jian’s works and his background stories, while his personal life remained somewhat mysterious. He seldom discussed his partner, Xiao Beike, and gave great protection to her privacy. It was not until their photo together was discovered that Li Jian publicly admitted that this lady was his wife, and in a few years, their life photos together were gradually shown to the public.
People were curious about this talented couple, and when they discovered Xiao Beike’s Weibo, they understood that this was an enviable marriage. Li Jian once said, “A high-quality marriage can make a person as powerful as adding wings to a tiger, and I am now that tiger.” The leisurely and sweet life details recorded by his wife on Weibo revealed the ordinariness and touching nature of their lives together.
Li Jian and his wife did not buy a house in Beijing, and even when developers wanted to give them property, they declined. They chose to rent a thoughtfully decorated minimalist residence, filled with their unique taste, from the living room to the study brimming with books and music. Both share a hobby of making tea and have a special tea room in their home.
Li Jian and Meng Xiaobei chose to keep a distance from materialism and the outside world, preferring the role of “leisure clouds and wild cranes” in life. After busy days, they would rather enjoy peaceful times at home, one creating music, the other engaging in academia, reading, tasting tea… Each busy with their own activities, occasionally conversing, but knowing that the other is nearby is enough to feel secure and happy. They choose to enjoy life, rather than be slaves to it.
Li Jian and his wife share a common philosophy about life—they both do not favor hiring housekeeping services. In their daily lives, his wife takes care of the kitchen, while Li Jian handles the housework. He particularly loves the moment when he goes out to throw away the trash, pushing the door open to feel the sunlight’s bliss.
Moreover, Li Jian invests in and manages a small restaurant in Beijing, where he and his wife go to enjoy a meal when no one at home feels like cooking. Sometimes they don’t eat all day and only have dinner. For Li Jian, cooking and cleaning are pleasures of life. While there wasn’t much choice when finances were tight, now that conditions are better, enjoyment is naturally the priority.
Li Jian and his wife still have no children after many years of marriage, and they choose to invest their time and energy into their own lives to enrich their life experiences. Facing external inquiries, Li Jian candidly expresses his view: “Against the backdrop of numerous societal problems today, he does not want a child to be born only to repeat his own steps. Besides, his genes are not at a point where they must be passed on to descendants, considering humans are far from being an endangered species.”
The couple has known each other for more than thirty years, and their marriage has lasted for twenty years. In this era, it is extremely rare to find a partner with whom one can grow old together. Li Jian, when discussing his views on love, points out that although love in one’s youth is wonderful, people often overlook how to manage life that might span several decades after love, especially when physical appearances change or even when health deteriorates, how to face and maintain the feelings between each other.
Li Jian and Meng Xiaobei have maintained a distance from commercial fame and fortunes in their married life, valuing mutual respect between each other. They support each other through the ups and downs of their careers and walk side by side through applause and acclaim. They turn daily trivialities into poems of life, whether it’s shopping or answering reporters’ questions, “Where did you honeymoon?” Li Jian always answers with a smile: “I’m honeymooning for my whole life.”
