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Chinese actress Liu Xiaoqing, once a dominant force in the entertainment industry, recently opened up in an interview about her time in prison and the struggles she faced upon re-entering society. Her candid recounting of these experiences has inspired millions of Chinese netizens, offering a lesson in resilience and self-reliance.
Liu revealed that before her imprisonment in 2002, she owned 28 properties. However, 27 of them were confiscated and auctioned to repay debts resulting from her tax evasion scandal. “I never shed a single tear,” she stated. “I told myself that I would rebuild my empire from scratch. The only thing I could trust was the future I built with my own hands.”
The scandal that rocked Liu’s life began in the late 1990s, when authorities discovered her companies had evaded taxes through false reporting and under-declaration of income. In total, Liu owed over 20 million yuan in taxes and penalties. Arrested on July 24, 2002, Liu spent 422 days in detention. While rumors at the time speculated she might face severe punishment, including a death sentence, Liu remained steadfast. "I knew I wouldn't die, so I focused on surviving," she recalled.
For over a year, Liu adapted to prison life by creating her own routines. “I took cold showers every day, no matter how freezing it was,” she said. To stay active, she ran 8,000 steps daily within the limited space available, often requiring other inmates to press against the walls as she passed. She also delved into self-education, learning English and reading best-selling novels. Despite the constraints, she viewed her time in prison as an opportunity for growth: “I wouldn’t have had such a long break to focus on myself otherwise.”
Her self-discipline extended to emotional resilience. Liu emphasized, “Tears no longer have meaning for me. Everything I experienced - both good and bad - has become a treasure trove of life lessons.”
After her release, Liu faced a dramatically altered entertainment landscape. Industry elites and directors she once collaborated with were replaced by unfamiliar faces. To make a living, she took on minor roles, earning as little as 50 yuan per day. Reflecting on this phase, Liu expressed no bitterness: “This is life. What matters is how you face each moment. I poured my heart into every line, every role, no matter how small.”
Her resilience paid off. Liu eventually regained her place in the entertainment world and even authored a memoir, Life Is Not Afraid of Starting Over. The book details her time in prison and her journey back to success.
Liu’s story struck a chord with netizens, sparking widespread discussions online.
One netizen praised her perseverance: “Not many people can rebuild their lives after losing everything. Liu Xiaoqing is a role model for all of us.”
Another commenter noted the life lessons embedded in her experience: “Her words remind me that no matter how tough life gets, the only way forward is to rely on yourself.”
However, some were more skeptical. A user questioned, “Would she have faced such a lenient punishment if she weren’t a celebrity? Ordinary people wouldn’t have the same chance to start over.”
Others reflected on the nature of her downfall: “Her success and her fall both came from ambition. It’s a double-edged sword.”
Today, Liu Xiaoqing continues to work as an actress and writer, living proof of her philosophy that “everything except life and death is trivial.” Her story serves as a testament to the human spirit's ability to endure, adapt, and thrive even in the face of overwhelming adversity.
As one netizen aptly put it, “Her past is a lesson, her present is an inspiration, and her future is a reminder that it’s never too late to start anew.”
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