Zhang Xuefeng, known as "China's Most Popular Teacher," passed away from a heart attack! From a struggling lecturer in Beijing to a guide for underprivileged students, he influenced 1.4 billion people in filling out their college application forms.

In the early spring of 2026 , shocking news shattered the tranquility of the night in China's education circle. On the evening of March 24, Suzhou Fengxue Weilai Education Technology Co., Ltd. released a black-and-white obituary, confirming that "Teacher Zhang" in the hearts of countless parents and students—Zhang Xuefeng—had passed away in Suzhou due to sudden cardiac arrest, his life forever frozen at the age of 41.

That very morning, news of his sudden cardiac arrest while exercising spread online. People initially thought it was just another rumor, until he changed his social media profile picture to black and white, and that familiar Northeastern accent became his final whisper.

A promising young man from humble beginnings: From a member of the "ant tribe" in Liulangzhuang to a renowned teacher in Suzhou

Zhang Xuefeng's story is itself a contemporary tale of a poor family rising to prominence. Born in 1984 into an ordinary family in Qiqihar, Heilongjiang Province, he deeply experienced the hardships of life from a young age. Although he was assigned to the uninteresting Department of Water Supply and Drainage at Zhengzhou University through the university entrance exam, he unexpectedly discovered his talent in educational consulting while helping his roommate collect graduate school exam materials.

After graduating from university, he resolutely chose to become a "Beijing drifter." In Liulangzhuang, Haidian District, Beijing, a gathering place for the "ant tribe," he earned a monthly salary of 2,500 yuan, squeezed into a cramped cubicle, and spoke for ten years. During that time, he shuttled between various cram schools, witnessing firsthand how countless ordinary college students suffered setbacks in the job market due to the "information gap." This became his greatest motivation to "speak the truth" in the future.

The key to its viral success: using a "comedy-style" approach to break down educational barriers.

In 2016, a video titled "A Comprehensive Seven-Minute Guide to 34 985 Universities" went viral online. Zhang Xuefeng, in the video, used a humorous, stand-up comedy style to make the otherwise dry topic of university distribution lively and interesting, quickly garnering over ten million views. He thus transformed from an ordinary tutor into a top-tier educational influencer with tens of millions of followers.

Subsequently, he moved south to Suzhou to start his own business, founding "Fengxue Weilai," and his business empire expanded rapidly. However, what remains most memorable for him is his straightforward and powerful statement during a live stream: "If you come from an ordinary family, don't pursue unrealistic academic majors!"

Controversy and Brilliance: Controversial Figures Who Unveil "Social Reality"

Zhang Xuefeng's career has been met with polarized opinions. Supporters see him as a "savior," bridging the information gap between class groups and helping students from ordinary backgrounds avoid "landmine" majors with no job prospects. Opponents criticize him for being "too pragmatic," arguing that he reduces education to job-seeking training, and that his sharp comments on humanities and journalism have repeatedly embroiled him in public controversy.

However, just as his repeated donations to support underprivileged students in his hometown demonstrate, Zhang Xuefeng always prioritizes "employment stability." He deeply understands that for most ordinary families, education is not a luxury to cultivate character, but rather the last straw to change their destiny.

The final frame: the run 48 hours ago

Ironically, this man who taught countless people how to "make choices" ultimately failed to make the choice to relax for his own body. After 2025, Zhang Xuefeng's workload remained consistently high, with live streaming, speeches, and company management filling his life. His last update on WeChat Moments was a running check-in on March 22, seemingly still striving to maintain his physical fitness to cope with the high-pressure consulting season.

Zhang Xuefeng's passing shocked countless Chinese netizens. The comment section below the trending topic was filled with sincere thanks such as, "Teacher, thank you for helping me choose my major."

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