Lin Ching Hsia celebrated her 66th birthday on November 3, marking the occasion by releasing her third book. Days before its release, she posted unedited photos of herself hiking, which got netizens hoping once again that she's making her onscreen comeback.

Dressed in all-black outdoor gear, the screen legend only had light make-up on as she took a walk in the countryside. News outlets labeled her the icon of graceful aging, with one remarking that “time must work differently for Ching Hsia”.

Ching Hsia has revealed in previous interviews that she’s “very lazy” and hardly uses skincare. Although she doesn’t she watch her diet, she hikes every morning to stay healthy.

“I know it’s been decades since she last acted, but I’d really like to see her in just one more movie. Even if it’s just a small role, I’d be so happy to see her in her element once more,” one netizen commented. Others agreed, with one quipping that he would “watch the movie even if she’s playing an annoying mother-in-law.”

Once hailed as the greatest beauty in Taiwan, Ching Hsia bade goodbye to the limelight 26 years ago. Her last movie was Wong Kar Wai’s martial arts drama Ashes of Time.

She revealed why she quit acting in her previous book, writing: “When I was at the peak of my career, I filmed six movies at a go. I played so many different characters that I forgot who I was. I saw an unfamiliar face when I looked in the mirror one day. I asked myself, ‘Who am I? What do I like and dislike? Why am I unhappy?’ I couldn’t answer those questions, and I realised that I lost myself somewhere along the way.”

Since her retirement, she’s been spending her time with her husband Hongkong billionaire Michael Ying, their daughters Eileen and Melani, and her step-daughter Claudine.

Photos: PBE Media

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