Apple Daily
29 November 1999

Among Hong Kong actors, Jackie Chan and Chow Yun Fat have both successfully broken into Hollywood as international stars. Both has a lot in common in terms of background -- both came from poverty, with minimal education, a wife who silently supports him. Toward the recent "Dragon Seed" storm, Jackie Chan with his "uneducated" defense is obviously different in terms of family, career, and media than the just as educated Chow Yun Fat.

Chow Yun Fat and Jasmine Chan Wui Lin has been married for ten years. After the wedding he never had any rumor. With Fat Jai's attractiveness, conceivably he would face a lot of temptation. His will power is indeed unbelievable.

Fat Jai days ago accepted an interview with his wife. Facing this problem, the couple smiled at each other, then Fat Jai lightly grabbed Fat Soh's hand and said, "She lonely came from Singapore to Hong Kong and followed me for so many years, gave up so much for me, so far, she is the best wife in my eyes. If I still screw around, I have to be the dumbest and the worst man on earth."

Fat Jai said with a smile, "After so many years, actually Lin Mui has given up so much for me. When she first came with me to Hong Kong, she has no identity (at the time they were just living together). You know living with my ma takes skill (grins), Lin Mui has done a great job. When we got married, my career started to get better and better, her role was no longer Chow Yun Fat's housewife, in my career, she is an ultimate good partner."

"I don't know how other men think, but a man with several women definitely must be up to his armpits in trouble. Everyone is fighting for his favor, everyday there is nothing but arguments at home, how can he enjoy it? Basically a man after marriage should bear the responsibility of the marriage. I have experienced a failed marriage, so for the second one, I found a woman who is very suitable for spending the rest of my life with. I feel I am required to respect her, to make her feel secure."

"Lin Mui is very innocent, she is very direct, very independent, strong. She is not the type of woman who would keep quiet and hide at home and cry when her husband is screwing around outside. If the husband is unfaithful, she definitely will leave and it will be very hard to get her back. However when she is confident that you are a good husband, naturally she will be loyal, she will even be willing to give her life for you." Fat Soh heard her husband's words and did not say a word. She only leaned against him. The warmth of love filled the air.

Fat Soh once said, "In this life, the Lord has given me the best present -- being Chow Yun Fat's wife, because this husband not only good to family, wife and friends, even to a fan he has never met, he would try his best to satisfy the fan's request."

Fat Jai continued, "Several years ago when I prepared to head for the American market, I was still uncertain because I lacked confident, I didn't know any English, what was I thinking? Yet Lin Mui said if I don't know I can learn! How would I know if I don't try? She really had patience when she taught me. Everyday she spoke English to me, and forced me to watch English television, read English books, English newspaper. At first when I spoke English to her because I couldn't understand, I was frustrated, but she still was very patient with me. She also helped an English tutor for me. Sometimes after I threw a tantrum at her, she would go to the kitchen and cook for me. I really was mad at myself, why am I treating my wife like that? So I would put more effort into studying, sometimes I waited until she was asleep then I would sneak into the study to study."

Though Fat Jai can already speak a mouthful of fluent English, Fat Soh is still his tutor. Once Fat Jai had to prepare an English speech, when he read it back, the reporter saw Fat Soh patiently correcting Fat Jai's pronunciation. Fat Jai behaved like a good student and listened to his tutor's instructions. Thus the credit for Fat Jai's quick English goes to Fat Soh.

Whenever Fat Jai works overseas, Fat Soh always follows. Is Fat Soh worried that her husband would cross the line while away, or is there another reason?

Fat Jai said, "We are such an old couple, how can she not trust me? Once I went to Japan for work, she had a high grade fever and couldn't go with me. When I arrived in Japan, I called her at night to check on her. Then she said when I am not by her side she couldn't sleep. Thus the next morning after work, I left for Hong Kong early. She is so dependent on me, and I am so dependent on her to care for my daily activities, naturally I really needed her by my side."

Fat Jai before marriage had plenty of energy and rumors. Besides Yu On On and Idy Chan Yuk Lin which everyone knows about, there was Cora Miao (Liu Hin Yun), Carol Cheng Yiu Ling, Cherie Chung Chor Hung and others. Among them naturally there were fact and there were fiction.

Fat Jai said, "Basically we have no secret, even my romances before marriage, I told her everything. Husband and wife should be honest and shouldn't hide anything from the other."

Fat Jai said, "In terms of my career, my wife and (Terence Chang) Cheung Ka Chun (Fat Jai's manager) have given a lot of effort to help me. Lin Mui told me to let my effort for onscreen performances and leave everything else to her. I see her getting up every morning at 6AM and contact the American film company, after that she would cook breakfast for me. Then she does her own Hong Kong company stuff until it is time to cook dinner. Though we have servants at home, but she likes to cook for me personally. After dinner she can finally rest and watch TV with me, maybe chat a little." The reporter said, "Seeing your wife like that, have you thought about retirement?"

Fat Jai lovingly looked at Fat Soh and said, "Of course! She has always been prone to illness, seeing her like that really hurts me. She once said she wasn't used to Hong Kong's lifestyle, so I asked her if she wanted to live in Singapore. I could try to live with her and live a peaceful life there so she could really get some rest."

Then Fat Soh immediately cut in, "My husband is so young, for him to retire early and move to Singapore for me, I know he might not be used to it. On top of that his mommy is in Hong Kong. He is doing that for me, but since I am his wife, I have to give on his behalf, so everything is worth it. I live for Chow Yun Fat. As long as he is happy, I am happy. Thus I don't want him to retire at such a young age with me in Singapore!"

Jackie Chan because of the "Dragon Seed" incident hates the press, and claims the media reports are 90% false. How does Fat Jai see Hong Kong media?

Fat Jai said, "Honestly, the Hong Kong press reporting method now is really different from before. You are like sharks, wherever is a wound you flock out and bite until there is nothing but bones left. However reporters are making a living too. I know it's not up to you. Which reporter enjoys standing outside someone else's home and freeze?"

"Within my ability, I try to collaborate with the media as much as I can, but at the same time I hope the press can respect me back. I say to the paparazzi, actually Chow Yun Fat is a boring person. Normally I go to the market, swim, bike, garden, drive my wife and ma around. There is not much rumor that you can follow me for."

Jackie Chan could not felt more troubled because of the "Dragon Seed". To Fat Jai and his wife, currently the only thing missing is the next generation. Since the last miscarriage (92), they no longer have plans for children.

Fat Jai said, "We have always let things take their natural courses when it comes to a baby, Ah Lin is already so busy with this big baby, if she has to take on the responsibility of a little one, I am really afraid that she couldn't take it. So I have never forced it. Actually in this day and age, having children or not is no big deal. It's not like I have to keep the family going. In the future even if I donate my life savings to charitable organizations to benefit the society it's no big deal!"

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