Singer Mao Amin. [Photo by Jiang Dong/China Daily]

Recalling the success she has achieved since then, Mao is grateful for both the quality of songs written for her and the loyalty of her fans.

But there were problems along the way. In 1996, she and her ex-boyfriend, who was also her agent back then, got involved in a tax scandal.

After that, she withdrew from the limelight and lived in Canada and the United Kingdom, where, she says, she found inner peace again and her current husband.

During the past 10 years, as a mother of two, Mao has lived a low-key life.

She released an album, Tune of Voice, in 2011 and starred in Chinese rock star Cui Jian's directorial debut film, Blue Sky Bones, in 2014.

She also participated in Hunan Satellite TV's reality show, Divas Hit the Road Season Two, in April.

When asked if she would release a new album, Mao says: "Now, listening to music and consuming music are quite different from what they were in the 1980s and '90s.

"I am not sure about my schedule of bringing out new songs, but one thing is for sure－when you have a happy family, singing becomes a pure pleasure, rather than something you have to do."