Hong Kong media recently stirred public emotion by revealing a poignant essay titled “The Absent Father”, written by Lucas Tse, the eldest son of Cecilia Cheung and Nicholas Tse, during his studies in the UK. In the essay, Lucas shared heartfelt reflections on his complicated family situation.
“Every year on my birthday, I receive luxurious, expensive gifts but the person who sent them never shows up. My father has never been there to blow out the candles with me,” Lucas wrote.
He also recalled a deeply emotional moment: not long ago, when Nicholas sent someone to pick up his younger brother Quintus, Cecilia locked herself in the bathroom and cried for three hours. According to Lucas, she covered the mirror with a towel and repeatedly asked herself, “Am I a bad mother?” a moment that marked one of her lowest emotional points.
Lavish Gifts, But Lingering Distance
Insiders claim Nicholas Tse is seeking custody of his sons and has increased monthly child support from 500,000 HKD to 2 million HKD (approx. to 258,000 USD). He recently arranged for Quintus to stay with his paternal family, which reportedly left Cecilia feeling helpless.
Lucas also revealed that on his 16th birthday, his father gifted him a luxury sports car worth 3 million HKD (approx. 387,000 USD). However, the keys remain untouched in Cecilia’s closet. Meanwhile, Quintus receives a Rolex watch every year from their grandfather Patrick Tse, joking to Lucas, “By 18, I’ll have 12, enough for an exhibition.”
Despite the wealth and opportunities, both boys have grown up with little paternal presence. Lucas once admitted that even though Nicholas taught him to ski over a period of three years, their actual time together totaled less than 24 hours.
According to Sohu, Nicholas Tse has missed Lucas’s birthday seven years in a row, sparking criticism for neglecting his fatherly duties. Some netizens, however, defend the actor, noting that he expresses love in his own way, financially supporting his sons and investing in their futures.
A Fortune, With Conditions?
Unverified reports claim Nicholas Tse has established a 948 million CNY trust fund (~ 130 million USD) for Lucas and Quintus, with one unusual clause: they must not initiate contact with him before turning 18 if they wish to receive the inheritance. While not confirmed by official sources, the rumor has added fuel to an ongoing debate about his parenting.
A Family of Achievers, Raised Apart
Both sons are considered prodigies. Lucas, now 18, has reportedly been accepted into Cambridge University and has spoken at international academic forums. Quintus, 15, excels in music and recently ranked in the top 3 of a global invention competition for teens.
Nicholas has spared no expense in supporting their passions, reportedly using his network to connect them with leading professors and mentors. While Cecilia provides full-time emotional and day-to-day care, Nicholas ensures they have the resources to thrive academically.
A Love That Couldn’t Be Repaired
Cecilia Cheung and Nicholas Tse, once the golden couple of Hong Kong entertainment, were married for six years before their highly publicized divorce. Since then, Cecilia has focused on raising her sons and even gave birth to a third child, whose father’s identity remains undisclosed. Nicholas, meanwhile, has rekindled his relationship with pop queen Faye Wong.
Despite their parents’ separation, Lucas once tried to reunite them, pretending to be sick so they might meet. He even gifted his mother a mango cake made by Nicholas, sweetly saying, “Dad said this is your favorite flavor.” But the effort failed to repair what time and distance had broken. Now grown, Lucas accepts the reality: “Maybe it’s better this way,” he said quietly.