Return of the Antagonistic Lady Boss

In her past life, Qian had gone to the Roof of the World, but she went for tourism, and in that harsh, low-pressure, oxygen-deprived environment, she couldn’t stand it for half a day. Yet, there were people holding fort there for the country.

"I saw images of people there licking glaciers to quench their thirst, which really moved me. I thought, with the world so vast and emotions plentiful, why should I waste so much thought on the affairs of men and women? There are more things awaiting my discovery, and an unknown world waiting for me to explore. Seeing the outside world made me realize the cruelty I hadn’t seen before."

This is why Yu Mingxi’s singing is so versatile. Her talent wasn’t something that came by just sitting around; it came from a lot of experience and feeling. Her art isn’t a hydroponic flower but rather a crystal formed after enduring the storms. Regardless of how she handled her emotions, her artistic achievements were indeed astonishing.

"Up till now, the changes in your mental journey have been within the normal range. Leaving home rebelliously and stubbornly in your youth only to discover better sights and dreams to chase is inspirational—why not return home afterward?"

Qian analyzed professionally, saying this transition was quite normal. After leaving home, the young girl knew she had issues, so why stubbornly persist?

"I originally planned to return home when I turned 20, but just a few days before my planned return, I called home. My parents weren’t home, and it was Aunt who answered. She told me that a few years ago, a young man came looking for me, and my grandfather drove him away."

"Was it Sun Xia?"

"Yes. Something happened in his family; he quit his job and returned home. After handling everything, he came to find me, but my grandfather drove him off with some harsh words, something like comparing him to a toad lusting after a swan. I was eager to explain to Sun Xia, but I heard he went to the border, though I didn’t know where."

Over the years, Yu Mingxi kept going to difficult places, hoping to try her luck and see if she could find Sun Xia. She owed him an apology.

Sun Xia’s family said he was missing, possibly dead, but Yu Mingxi didn’t believe it. She firmly believed that her family had provoked Sun Xia, causing him to leave.

So whenever there was a performance at a difficult border, she would volunteer, earning quite a lot of honors, but she never found Sun Xia.

"Can you really trust Aunt’s words?" Qian had crossed paths with Yu Xiaogu, utterly crushing her and tempering her arrogant character. She’d heard that Aunt was particularly annoying in her youth.

Qian had only met Mr. Yu once during her engagement, stubborn but with the Yu Family’s spirit. This didn’t seem like something he would do; it seemed more like Aunt taking advantage of the house when her brother and sister-in-law were at work, making decisions on her own and blaming it on Grandfather afterward.

Yu Mingxi’s eyes lit up; Qian’s words reminded her—why hadn’t she thought about this all these years?

But thinking about it now, it’s too late.

She found Sun Xia four years later. She was a renowned singer, and he was a prisoner—serving a life sentence.

When Yu Minglang was 24, he met the love of his life, Chen Xiaoqian.

In the same year, his twin sister, Yu Mingxi, also found the person who would determine her artistic height. But a high wall separated her and Sun Xia.

"He was sentenced to life for selling what he shouldn’t have. In his first year in detention, I went to see him. He told me that it was because of my grandfather’s words that he felt the urge to make a name for himself. But what could a music teacher expelled from school do? With a tainted record, what could he achieve? Aunt said his expulsion was also my grandfather’s doing. Qian, weren’t you going to ask me why I restrict my emotions? Now you tell me, when a promising young man with a bright future is ruined because of me, what right do I have to love?"

Yu Mingxi didn’t like crying; she thought tears were alcohol’s fault.

"You’re overthinking it. He ended up this way, not necessarily your fault. Many people face desperate situations, but not every one of them resorts to extreme behaviors. Trying to make a name for himself while refusing to work steadily, always thinking about get-rich-quick schemes—can you really be blamed for his failure? Not to mention how reliable Aunt’s words are, even if Grandfather spoke harshly and was at fault, that’s his fault. What does it have to do with you?"

Qian, seeing from an outsider’s perspective, thought Yu Mingxi was carrying too much.

"To say something harsh, Hai Zhao has heard plenty of harsh words too. His entire family focuses on development, and currently, he’s the worst off. Has he given up on himself?"

If not for Yu Mingxi giving away the green diamond Hai Zhao gifted, Hai Zhao would still be a young man striving for a comeback.

"You can’t compare. Hai Zhao is excellent, while Sun Xia has nothing. Their starting points are completely different."

Mentioning Hai Zhao, Yu Mingxi had a moment of confusion in her eyes, but soon, she reverted to her usual self, thinking this should be how her life goes.

"Our dad said Grandfather can’t remember certain things anymore, at this age, it’s uncertain how long he will live." Qian spoke objectively.

Mr. Yu had been healthy before, but starting this year, he began to decline. Sometimes he couldn’t even recognize those around him, so delving into past events with him was out of the question, especially considering Aunt’s interference. The truth about the matter is uncertain. Qian decided that the next time she saw Aunt, she would try hypnosis on her to find out the real story.

"I don’t want to pursue this any further. All I want now is to live quietly. Why must a woman find an emotional harbor? I have a house, a car, a career, and a family that treats me well. Why should I find a man to bind myself? At my age, I no longer concern myself with matters of love. I just want to live my life. My love is my music; my husband is my art, and I am content this way."

Yu Mingxi had never spoken these words to anyone. Qian had been treating her for insomnia for years, and this emotional tipping point led Yu Mingxi to speak candidly to Qian.

"If you have no psychological barriers, I would support your choice. I agree with some of your views; some women indeed don’t need men. To be precise, a strong woman shouldn’t settle until she meets a suitable man. But Xiaoxi, have you really not met the right man for you?"

Thousands of years of male dominance left many unable to change their mindset. To many men, a woman’s primary role is to bear children and keep house. And male chauvinism has some men unable to bear it if their woman’s career surpasses theirs. So for a strong woman like Yu Mingxi, if she hasn’t met a suitable man, there’s no need to marry just to discomfort others and herself.

But with Hai Zhao around Yu Mingxi, everything is different.