When it comes to Li Xiaoran, audiences often remember her as an extraordinary and sensual actress whose love life was full of suffering, one heartbreak after another. Yet few realize that beauty has been praised for its role Joy of life she was not only a victim of love, but also someone who ultimately caused deep pain to another woman. Despite knowing firsthand the agony of toxic relationships, Li Xiaoran was later accused of cheating on a close friend, leaving netizens shaking their heads in disappointment.
Blessed with striking beauty and a curvaceous figure, Li Xiaoran has never lacked admirers. Yet, for reasons that many still question, she found herself repeatedly involved with deeply troubled men…the so-called “red flags”– leading to years of physical and psychological torment and even alleged threats to his life.
The most shocking chapter in her romantic history concerns Sun Donghai, a Singapore-based tycoon, 12 years her senior, said to have ties to organized crime and previously linked to Cecilia Cheung. The two reportedly met in 2005 while filming Paris fairy talea project in which Sun had invested. He is said to have fallen in love with Li Xiaoran at first sight, aggressively pursued her, divorced his wife, showered her with luxury gifts, supercars and career opportunities, and helped elevate her from a minor actress to an A-list star.
Moved by his devotion, Li Xiaoran accepted the relationship, only to see his true nature emerge just three months later. According to reports that later emerged, Sun began obsessively checking, monitoring his social media, daily schedule and even examining his scripts. He allegedly prohibited her from shooting intimate scenes with male co-stars and tried to dominate every aspect of her life.
When Li Xiaoran attempted to reason with him and eventually asked to leave him, the situation reportedly degenerated into terror. She later claimed that Sun had threatened her with an HIV-contaminated syringe, warning her that if she dared to leave or be unfaithful, he would destroy her life. His family was also allegedly involved in the threats. Overcome with fear, the actress is said to have begged for mercy.
From then on, Li Xiaoran would notice that she was constantly followed, with a black car following her every time she went to work. He suspected that his phone was being tapped and that surveillance cameras had been installed in his house. To avoid danger, he took film jobs far from home and avoided seeing his family for years.
Believing that she had finally escaped, Li Xiaoran subsequently began a relationship with the famous director Yan Po, who had divorced. However, when Sun Donghai allegedly learned of the romance, Yan Po was violently attacked in a parking lot by suspected gang members and was seriously injured, reportedly close to death.
At that point, Li Xiaoran went public, denouncing Sun Donghai online and calling for police intervention. Although Sun ultimately avoided legal punishment – reportedly by having others take responsibility – public pressure forced him to back down, allowing Li Xiaoran to finally go free.
Li Xiaoran stood by Yan Po during his hospitalization and even stated that she would stay with him for life if he remained in a vegetative state. Many believed that they would eventually get married. Instead, after Li had two miscarriages, the couple separated. Not long after, Yan Po married a woman from outside the entertainment industry who was 15 years younger, leaving Li devastated.
During her lowest point, Li Xiaoran found comfort in Xu Jianing, a businessman six years her senior who she had known for years. The two married in 2014 and had a lavish wedding in 2015, which reportedly included a bride price of 500 million yuan and a 12-carat diamond ring.
However, what could have been romantic “Friendszone success story” took a darker turn when it was revealed that Xu Jianing was not single at the time. He was in a five-year relationship with actress Xu Fanxi, who had already met his family and lived with him as his partner. Xu Fanxi, ironically, was also a close friend of Li Xiaoran.
While Li was emotionally destroyed after Yan Po’s injury, Xu Fanxi reportedly consoled her, invited her to his home, and even urged Xu Jianing to help her recover. Ultimately, Xu Fanxi would be betrayed by both her boyfriend and her trusted friend. After the scandal, she temporarily disappeared from the industry and later quietly returned to acting, remaining unmarried to this day.
Li Xiaoran, meanwhile, seemed to enjoy years of marital happiness and professional success, starring in major productions such as Three bodies AND The joy of living seasons 1 and 2. However, in 2025, her public image took another hit after her appearance on the variety show The flowery journey. She has been widely criticized for being domineering, emotionally tone deaf and disrespectful towards senior celebrities. Viral keywords like “Li Xiaoran openly unpleasant” AND “The Collapse of Li Xiaoran’s Image” accumulated tens of millions of views.
Adding to the controversy, reports emerged of tax issues involving her husband’s company, raising concerns about the potential impact on her career. Rumors that Xu Jianing was spotted with young models in nightclubs have further fueled speculation that Li Xiaoran’s marriage may not be as idyllic as it seems.
Once a symbol of beauty marked by love, Li Xiaoran’s story has evolved into something much more complex, one that continues to divide public opinion and spark restless reflections on the cycle of pain, love and responsibility.
Sources: Netizenbuzz
