Mainland social media was engulfed by sorrow following the passing of Zhang Xuefeng, an esteemed education guru with over 30 million followers, in late March.
Meanwhile, another influential figure was capturing attention online. ZXMOTO founder Zhang Xue had just achieved a remarkable victory for his motorcycle brand on the world stage.
Though these two self-made icons treaded vastly different paths, they simultaneously resonated with the public mood.
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Their stories reveal a deeper unease in China regarding ambition, success, and social mobility, while simultaneously upholding the enduring belief that one’s starting point in life does not dictate their ultimate destination.
Hero rider
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Born into a humble family in rural Hunan province, southern China, Zhang Xue was raised alongside his younger sister following his parents’ divorce.
