Two weeks after Chinese actor Yu Menglong’s mysterious death, public outrage shows no sign of abating as new revelations continue to surface. Recently, well-known Canadian blogger “Lao Deng” claimed he had obtained permission from Yu’s mother to release her son’s final message. According to Lao Deng, the letter contains explosive details implicating money laundering, casting-couch practices, and power struggles among elite families—including mentions of a “Prince” and an “Australian little princess.”
On Sept. 11, Yu plunged to his death at Beijing’s Sunshine Upper East residential complex. Authorities quickly labeled it an “alcohol-related accidental fall,” but the case is riddled with questions. Leaked footage and insider accounts have only deepened public suspicions, fueling speculation that the actor’s death was far from accidental.
On Sept. 25, Lao Deng announced on YouTube that he had long possessed Yu’s final note but was waiting for the family’s consent. Now, with Yu’s mother’s approval, he published the full 2,000-character letter—a text message Yu sent her shortly before his fatal fall. The message, filled with despair, has left readers shaken.
Excerpts from Yu Menglong’s Final Message
“Mom, I’m now being held in an apartment. Outside the window it’s pitch dark, the air thick with suffocating oppression. I feel something terrible is about to happen. The shadows are closing in. I’m rushing to say goodbye because they could come in and kill me at any moment. This isn’t a joke or a hallucination—my heart is trembling. Every word I send carries the chill of despair. How did it come to this? How could a young man who only wanted to act end up here?
Mom, I’m so afraid—but more afraid I won’t have time to tell you this. If this is the last time, forgive your unfilial son for not staying by your side. I once told you my success as an actor was both lucky and unlucky. Back then I naively believed the entertainment industry was just a glamorous stage where I could fulfill my dreams and make you proud. I still remember the first time I landed a role, how happy you were, making dumplings to celebrate.
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But the darkness in this business is far beyond what I imagined. I used to think the real danger was for actresses—they’re vulnerable, facing sordid deals—while male actors at least have strength and dignity. Only after entering did I wake up: if you’re good-looking and marketable, you’re never safe, male or female. The casting couch is an invisible net trapping everyone. If you compromise, you get wealth, luxury, and stardom. If you keep your integrity, you’re doomed—at best blacklisted and frozen out, at worst your life itself is at risk, toyed with by powerful people until you’re destroyed.
Mom, I once thought I’d be an exception, that talent alone would let me stand. But reality cuts like a knife. Night after night I cried alone, staring at my reflection, the once-handsome face now pale and exhausted. Why is this world so cruel? Why must a simple dream exact such a price? I regret everything. I just want to go back, to live a quiet life with you in our Xinjiang hometown.
I resisted, and I was frozen out. I refused dirty threats and tried to prove myself with my work. But the monstrous power that harmed me can cover the sky with one hand. It reaches everywhere, so strong that no matter what I do I can’t escape that family’s grasp. They treated me as a pawn, used and abused me, turned me into their plaything while forcing me to act as a money-laundering accomplice…”
The astronomical sums of money, which I once wouldn’t have dared to even imagine, have seeped into my life like poison. Mother, do you know? Every time I see those bank transfer figures, I feel sick to my stomach. That isn’t my money — it’s filthy, it’s bloodstained. I tried to break free, I tried to seek help, but every time it was like slamming into an iron wall.
The days of being blacklisted were the hardest — no work, no exposure, only endless loneliness and fear. Each time my phone rang, my heart raced, terrified it was their summons.
Why are they doing this to me? Because of my looks? Because I refused their so‑called “offers”? My body has been violated, my spirit torn apart — but I want you to know, I have never surrendered. The tide of despair surges over me, drowning every glimmer of hope.
I’m just a minor entertainer, without ambitions for great wealth or cozying up to power. You taught me to live with integrity, and I have never forgotten. Yet that man who calls himself a “Prince” — his eyes are as greedy as a wolf’s; every time he approached, a chill ran down my spine. And there’s also that “Little Princess” in Australia. Their world feels distant, yet it coils around me so closely. The power struggles at the top are a dark abyss I dare not even touch.
I must tell you, Mother, I have never accepted a single benefit from that family — not even the luxury watch he forced on me today. If I have the chance, I will return it, even with my last strength.
Mother, my body may no longer be pure; the humiliation of those nights keeps me awake. But my soul remains untainted. It is like a fragile light flickering stubbornly in the darkness. I refused their temptations, refused to become their puppet — but what does that matter? In their eyes, I’m nothing but a disposable toy.
Thinking of this, my heart twists with pain, tears blur my vision. Why is fate so cruel? Why must an ordinary person be dragged into such a whirlpool? Mother, I’m so tired. I want to go home, to lie in your arms like when I was a child, and think of nothing at all.
The message continues:
“Recently, that family has run into trouble. Someone came to me investigating their money laundering activities in Australia. When the investigators approached me, my heart was in my throat — but I said nothing, because I was never involved that deeply. Yet that ‘Prince’ suspects I betrayed them. Tonight’s drinking session was all about this. His eyes were dark, his words full of threats. He even suspects I’ve kept incriminating evidence.
Mother, how could I possibly have such scheming? I’m just an actor; all I ever wanted was to act. I tried everything to explain, to shout my innocence hoarse, but he refused to believe me. He openly said he would silence me for good. At that moment, I knew my end had come.
The lights at the dinner table were blinding, the laughter hollow. I sat there like a lamb waiting for slaughter, despair surging over me like a tide. Why won’t they believe me? Why must they destroy me? Is there no justice left in this world?
To serve a prince is to serve a tiger; to serve this prince is to serve a wolf. This family is capable of anything. Their power is overwhelming, their reach boundless, and ordinary people are no more than ants. If my life ends today, Mother, please do not grieve and do not seek justice for me. In this world, everything belongs to them. Where could you even appeal? The authorities, the media — all are under their control. Seeking justice would only endanger you further.
Mother, I cannot bear for you to suffer, nor can I drag you into this mire. Please forget your unworthy son and live your life well. Thinking this, my chest feels crushed by a giant stone, and I can hardly breathe. Life is so fragile; dreams so faint. I am deeply unwilling, yet utterly helpless.
You once proudly called me a ‘star.’ I joked with you that I was only a shooting star. If I truly go today, when you miss me, just look up at the night sky. If you see a shooting star streak past, that will be me.
Mother, I love you. Being your son has been the greatest honor of my life. If there is a next life, I still want to be your child — not to chase illusory stardom, but to stay by your side in peace. But now it is too late. The night grows deeper. Their footsteps seem to echo outside the door. I have to turn off my phone. Goodbye, Mother. This is farewell, forever.”
According to “Old Deng,” the Canadian blogger who released the message, the text is dense with information and he has urged readers to draw their own conclusions. He added that online information dating back to 2017 appears to corroborate parts of the message — specifically, records showing that a company was registered under Yu Menglong’s name, with business activities allegedly including arms trading. He speculated this might have been used to funnel funds to a woman named Yang Lanlan — rumored to be Xi Jinping’s illegitimate daughter — to help launder Chinese military funds in Australia.
Netizens sympathize with Yu Menglong, condemn CCP for reckless abuse of life
Following the exposure of Yu Menglong’s final message, netizens expressed deep sorrow and outrage:
“Oh my god! Reading this letter breaks my heart.”
“After reading the letter, I couldn’t help but cry. Yu’s mother had a son to be proud of, and it also serves as a warning for young people entering the entertainment industry.”
“The contents of the letter make me both angry and heartbroken. I hope justice prevails and these evil people are held accountable.
Many also leveled sharp criticism at the Chinese Communist Party (CCP)
“Under CCP rule, every individual lives like an ant and could meet the same fate as Yu Menglong — silenced or killed.”
“Today it’s Yu; tomorrow it could be any one of us ordinary people.”
“The CCP monopolizes power, manipulates lives, destroys evidence, and behaves tyrannically. It’s revolting.”
“The government is suppressing public opinion, deleting all traces of Yu Menglong, and covering up the truth. We demand justice, we demand the truth.”
Tang Jingyuan: Yu Menglong silenced By ‘Prince’ Xi Yuanping
Canadian political commentator Tang Jingyuan analyzed Yu’s messages and highlighted several key points:
- Confinement but Access to Phone: Yu Menglong was reportedly confined and had lost his freedom, yet he could still use his phone. This suggests that his captors may not have fully severed contact with him initially.
- The “Prince” and the Australian Princess: Yu mentioned a so-called “Prince” and a young woman in Australia. Tang notes that within CCP elite circles, the nickname “Prince” typically refers to two figures: the once-powerful “Prince of Celebration” Zeng Qinghong, and Xi Jinping’s brother, Xi Yuanping. Yu’s letter appears to point to the Xi family, implying the “Prince” is Xi Yuanping.
- Forced involvement in illicit activity: Yu alluded to his potential death resulting from his entanglement in a wealthy and powerful family’s illegal money laundering operations. He may have served as an unintentional intermediary in internal CCP factional struggles, which ultimately led to a decision to silence him. Tang explains that Yu indicated the entire world seemed under this family’s control, revealing the weight of their influence.
- High-level political risk: Yu’s letter also hinted at ongoing internal troubles for the “Prince” family. Investigations into the family were reportedly prompted by instability or challenges within the party, suggesting a factional struggle at the highest levels.
Tang concludes that, if Yu’s messages are genuine, his death may have been a byproduct of internal CCP power struggles during Xi Jinping’s consolidation of authority. He suggests Yu may not have sought to expose the family’s illicit operations, but was drawn into the investigation by another party. The “Prince” apparently did not trust Yu to maintain secrecy, interrogated him, and, receiving unsatisfactory answers, ultimately ordered his elimination.
Earlier reports had alleged that the Xi family misappropriated 2 trillion yuan in military funds. If true, such a vast sum would require laundering through overseas channels, allegedly facilitated by Yang Lanlan in Australia. While the authenticity of Yu Menglong’s letter cannot yet be independently verified, many observers consider it highly credible.
By Cai Siyun, Janet Huang
