'That young boy is indeed annoying!' she told herself.

She didn't even notice that she had ran so fast in order to get out of the place. She tried to pacify herself and to make her emotions stable.

 'Oh, how old is he? He looks like he's older. And those eyes.... oohh, so cold! How dare him!' she grunted as she held her painting materials tightly.

She was really not in a good mood as she cleaned her brushes and kept her painting materials in the box.

To release her frustrations, Xu Jia Li sang with gusto. Singing always had a calming effect on her.

Her vocals vibrated as they released a beautiful sound perfect for the opera.  One who listened would really admire her voice and would really fall in love with how pleasant it was to the ears.

"Xu Jia Li?!"

She was startled upon hearing Xu Huifen's angry voice. She forgot that singing and any other form of activities regarding the entertainment industry were not allowed in their home.

Xu Huifen as a mother naturally pampered Xu Jia Li with love but when she heard her sing or saw her dance, she would transform from a loving mother to a cold and indifferent person. It was never a secret that she abhorred the entertainment industry with all forms of arts related to it.

She didn't want to see her mother acting so cold, that's why she vowed not to sing and dance whenever she was around.

Today became an exemption. Due to what happened, she vented her frustrations and had totally forgotten her mother's bottom line.

"Mom.. I-ah- ahm.. I-"

"You never listen, do you?! Singing will lead you nowhere! Even dancing is a waste of time! Why do you have to be so stubborn, Jia Li?!" Her mother's cold gaze focused on her. Her voice was loud and clear; telling her she had reached her bottom line.

She s.h.i.+vered and her eyes began to water. She bowed her head and nodded continuously.

"I-I am sorry, mom." was all that came out of her mouth.

Seeing her like that, Huifen's voice became gentler as she said, "Xiao Li, mother only wants what is best for you. I never want you to waste your life with that dream of yours. I will never let you. Don't even dream of entering the entertainment industry."

Xu Jia Li only nodded. She did not dare answer her mother back. Even if, her heart broke upon knowing that her dream of becoming the Most Popular Artist in China would never come true. Even if, in her young mind, there were questions she wanted to ask. Even if, she really never understood her mother's resentment towards the industry.

'I just want to reach my dream, mother. I just want to know who my father is... yet you never wanted both.'

Warm liquid found its way out of her eyes as it came pouring down like a broken dam. She blinked fast trying to prevent the tears from falling.

Xu Huifen hugged her for a while and whispered, "Xiao Li, my *baobao, I only want what's best for you. I know, the industry is very dirty. You will understand when you grow old. Don't cry... I hope I made my point clear. You are not to enter the entertainment industry. I am doing this for you."

Xu Jia Li moved her head up and looked directly at her mother's eyes. They were emotionless and distant, she couldn't fathom Xu Huifen's emotions at that time.

She wanted to ask her a lot of questions but she just didn't know where to start...

a/n: *baobao is a Chinese term for baby. It is used by moms to refer to their (actual) babies, but as is the case in English, these terms are also commonly used by romantic couples.