Pan Xiaoting, known as the "Empress of Nine-ball," has won numerous honors in the billiard arena with her remarkable skills. Despite amassing a fortune of 800 million at the age of 40, her love life has been tumultuous. It is rumored that her father's overprotectiveness and interference have become a stumbling block on her path to marriage.
Pan Xiaoting's journey in billiards began in a family filled with passion and dedication. Her father, Pan Jian, nicknamed "Pan the Cue," was a fervent billiard enthusiast who unknowingly passed his passion for the game to his daughter. In Pan Xiaoting's childhood memories, the billiard table was her playground. As a little girl, she had to stand on a stool to reach the edge of the table. However, those colorful balls seemed to possess a magical allure that captivated her.
At that time, Pan Xiaoting's father had many students around her age. In her view, a tiger father does not raise a dog of a daughter. Even if she couldn't sink a ball, she would at least maintain proper form and posture. Driven by a competitive spirit, she asked her father to teach her the skills within a week. Unexpectedly, after discovering her talent and interest, he began to cultivate her carefully. From basic training to participating in various small-scale competitions, she grew step by step under her father's companionship. Over the years, father and daughter traveled far and wide in pursuit of their billiard dreams. Despite the shabby billiard halls and long journeys, their enthusiasm never waned. Under her father's strict yet hopeful gaze, Pan Xiaoting honed her skills to perfection. Her eyes became sharp and focused, her shots precise and elegant, gradually emerging as a rising star in the billiard world.
In 1997, at the national "nine-ball" competition, 16-year-old Pan Xiaoting triumphed and claimed the championship. Logically, her potential and achievements should have proven her suitability for this career. However, her mother opposed the idea. Pan's mother believed that her daughter, who had always studied art, should continue down that path. Moreover, in the prevailing environment, playing billiards was seen as something only "vagrants" would do. Considering various factors, she did not want her daughter to take such risks. Despite her young age, Pan Xiaoting was very decisive. She reassured her mother, knowing that if she didn't achieve results in billiards, the greatest pressure would fall on her father. After ten years of hard work, as Pan Xiaoting's fame grew and she participated in more competitions, she also reached marriageable age.
However, at this point, she discovered that her love life seemed to be at an impasse. If we talk about the golden boy and girl in the billiard circle, it must be Ding Junhui and Pan Xiaoting. Their rumored relationship was once exposed by Ding Junhui's mother. "The two are not suitable in character; they wouldn't be happy living together. But I think they can be good friends because both have good character and understand and trust each other." In fact, Ding Junhui did not meet Pan Xiaoting's criteria for a partner. Pan Xiaoting saw Ding Junhui as a younger brother. Before Ding's mother passed away, he seemed like a child who hadn't grown up. Pan Xiaoting once declared: "I prefer mature and stable men, preferably older, with their own careers, ambition, responsibility, and filial piety. They must be family-oriented, kind, honest, and proactive. If he isn't proactive, no matter how much I like him, I'd rather miss out. Also, although looks aren't decisive, they're important; at least they should be pleasing to the eye and evoke feelings."
Unfortunately, meeting the right person at the wrong time has also made her regretful. Rewind to before Pan Xiaoting won her first WPBA tour championship in the United States. A romantic and considerate boy entered her life. As they became more familiar with each other, she developed feelings for him. However, when Pan Jian learned of this, he immediately conducted a "comprehensive" investigation into the man. From family background to work experience, from interpersonal relationships to living habits, Pan Jian meticulously understood everything. In his view, his daughter's happiness could not be taken lightly. Upon learning this, Pan Xiaoting felt great pain. She understood her father's intentions were for her own good, but she also yearned for her own love life and the freedom to choose her partner.
As Pan Xiaoting spent less and less time with the boy, about a year later, the relationship ended without incident. This experience created some subtle conflicts between her and her father. She began to try communicating with her father, expressing her thoughts and feelings. However, her father believed he was merely fulfilling his duty as a father, protecting his daughter from harm. Similar situations occurred several times afterward. Whenever a man showed interest in Pan Xiaoting, her father would inadvertently intervene. He would either imply his high standards through words or directly inquire about the man's various circumstances, causing those who were initially attracted to Pan Xiaoting to back off.
However, Pan Xiaoting understood that although her father's love sometimes suffocated her, it was also the most solid support in her growth. In 2013, at the CBSA American Pool Crown of Crowns Women's Elite Championship, Pan Xiaoting returned after a year and a half to win the championship again. Already in her thirties, she not only continued to sweat on the training ground but also managed more than thirty franchisees. Additionally, she not only crossed over to film but also transformed into a writer about to publish her second book.
Seeing her career flourish while her lifelong matters remained unresolved, Pan's parents inevitably became anxious. It is said that on Pan Jian's 60th birthday, his wish was for his "daughter to quickly resolve her personal issues." However, a year passed without any good news from Pan Xiaoting's mouth. Nonetheless, Pan Xiaoting's criteria for choosing a partner have changed significantly from before. Coinciding with the popularity of "Where Are We Going, Dad?", Pan Xiaoting was moved by the interaction between Jimmy Lin and his son in the show: "His image is very good. Responsible and especially attentive to his son." "My thoughts have changed; I will lean more towards responsible, family-oriented types of men."
Although the 42-year-old Pan Xiaoting is still single, she takes a broad view of marriage and romance. "Everything that belongs to you is yours; it won't go anywhere. I believe everything is the best arrangement. Outside voices cannot change; I am just being myself." On Pan Xiaoting, we see not only the love and helplessness of a daughter for her father but also her determination and persistence in pursuing happiness. Of course, the most ideal outcome in a relationship is to meet the right person at the right time. We wish Pan Xiaoting all the best in finding her destined match soon.
