Zhu entered the Chinese senior national volleyball team for the first time in 2013, having been handpicked by Lang Ping, widely regarded as one of the best coaches in professional volleyball, who returned as the head coach of the team that year. Zhu participated in her first tournament in 2013 Montreux Volley Masters. Although the Chinese team finished in sixth place, Zhu was awarded the Best Scorer of the tournament. She then rose to prominence at the 2013 FIVB U20 World Championship, where she helped the Chinese U20 team to win the title without losing a set. Zhu was rewarded MVP and Best Outside Spiker in the tournament. Playing her first Grand Prix at the 2013 FIVB Volleyball World Grand Prix, she helped the team win the silver medal, the first for the team in six years. Zhu was rewarded Best Outside Spiker of the tournament on her first appearance for the senior team. Following which, she participated in the 2013 Club World Championship with Guangdong Evergrande winning the bronze medal after defeating Voléro Zürich.