A photo in the book shows one of the many death-defying stunts Chan performed in his movies. (Photo provided to China Daily)
Although fate brought the two to meet again in Taiwan and Hong Kong, their different personalities finally set them apart.
"Maybe that's the best decision," writes Chan. "Because we have two very different personalities and both of us wouldn't compromise for the other. In other words, she was too good for me."
Chan was born in Hong Kong in 1954, where his father worked in the US consulate as a chef and his mother as a domestic helper. Chan was a playful child and failed school in his first grade. When he turned 7, his parents followed the diplomat to work in Australia, and left him alone to practice martial arts at the China Drama Academy in Hong Kong.
After 10 years of training, Chan started his movie career from the bottom－working as a stuntman and an extra on different sets, earning as little as HK$5 (64 cents) a day. His first relationship ended because of his humble job back then.
Growing up among poor people shaped his initial dislike of the wealthy. This attitude has also been reflected in his roles－a small, ordinary man with a kind heart.
"He has friends all over the world, and wherever he goes, he goes with a bunch of people, and talks of his adventures once he's in good mood," writes Zhu Mo, the former PR director of Huayi Brothers Media Group who co-authored the book. "In 2013, I asked him if I could write his stories down and make it a book. He answered right away, 'You can give it a try'."
For the rest of the year, Zhu followed Chan, listened to his stories and noted them down. Chan would then double-check the draft. But because of Chan's tight schedule, and the fact Zhu moved to the UK in 2014, writing the book dragged on until January.
When Chan asked for recommendations for the book, more than 140 celebrities and stars responded warmly, including Chinese Nobel laureate Mo Yan, entrepreneur Jack Ma, former NBA star Yao Ming and world-acclaimed director Zhang Yimo.
"My life has always been boisterous... And at times I almost forgot who I am until Zhu started to write about me," writes Chan in the back of the book. "As I told my stories to her, I came to realize that this is the man I am."
"This man is not the one on the big screens, neither is he the one in the news. I want you to know him."
