In 2023, former Chinese actor Li Yapeng, the ex-husband of pop diva Faye Wong, admitted to being more than 40mil yuan (RM23.5mil) in debt after a failed investment.

Although two years have passed since then, the 53-year-old is still struggling to recover financially, with his current wife Haiha Jinxi sharing the burden.

According to China Press, Li has been actively working to generate income to pay off his debts.

The publication also reported that rumours of a divorce between him and Haiha, who’s 19 years his junior, have been circulating lately.

While the actor has remained silent, his wife posted a video to deny the speculation.

She clarified that they’re only living apart now due to work commitments in separate locations.

“It’s true that we haven’t been together for a while, but it’s not what everyone thinks. Just because we’ve been apart for some time doesn’t mean something’s wrong or we’re getting a divorce,” she said.

Haiha, who’s currently working as a livestreamer, added that she relocated to be closer to her company for convenience.

She also revealed that both she and Li have downsized to a smaller apartment due to significant financial pressure.

“Everyone knows about our situation, right? We’re facing challenges head-on, working hard and prioritising debt repayment,” she said.

Responding to a netizen who questioned her decision to marry someone much older, Haiha simply replied that it was fate.

She also reiterated that she’ll continue standing by Li and work with him to settle his debts.

Li and Wong married in 2005 and divorced in 2013. The former announced his exit from the entertainment scene a year later to focus on his business.

The source of Li's financial burden dates back to 2012, when he and his brother forged a partnership with Taihe Youlian Investment to develop leisure tourism in Yunnan, China.

The Chinese company later sued the two brothers in 2015 after they failed to repay the agreed-upon investment amount.

Li and Haiha married in 2022. The couple shares a daughter named Li Xia.