What exactly makes someone a "millennial" or a member of "Generation Y"? Some of the defining characteristics of people born between 1980-1995, are that they're independent, optimistic, and unwilling to follow traditional life milestones, such as marriage. Some have even deemed them the "me" generation. 

In the city of Xi’an in northwest China’s Shaanxi Province, CGTN met two self-made millionaires: Tang Ling and Xuan Songtao, who were born in the 1990s. They helped us explain how their generation works and their attitudes to controlling their own fate.

Their starting place: the football field. They described finding the right life path as being similar to scoring goals on the football field – both require timing, courage, perseverance, setting clear goals, and having the ambition to pursue success. And for 23-year-old entrepreneur Tang Ling, the definition of success is not what we expected.

“Success is not a result, it's a process, and for me success is to fight something. I can do something for culture and the creative industry. If you really do what you want to do, you can reach happiness,” said Tang.

It all started with a movie. “We saw the movie ‘The Pursuit of Happyness.’ We saw the characters get the happiness and life they wanted through their hard work. So I started thinking about what’s my dream, and what kind of person I can be,” said Tang. 

The two ambitious young men decided to take a couple years off from studying English Literature at Xi’an Jiaotong University. The decision didn't come easily, as pressure to stay in college came from both parents and peers. But they were determined to take this path. 

“I don’t want to have the same life and the same rules as my peers, I want to do something different. So when (Tang) talked to me about creating a business to protect copyright, and how to get involved in the creative industry, I thought it was a very interesting idea,” said Xuan Songtao.

The typical Chinese family believes that earning a university degree is vital to a better future. Xuan’s mother thought the same, but after quite a bit of struggling with the idea, she gave her son the go-ahead to pursue entrepreneurship. 

“I didn't give much leeway, his next step should be going overseas for his master and doctoral degrees. Back then he had offers from very good universities in Australia. But I thought about my own experience, I created my own business in the '90s in Shenzhen. I thought it's the time for my son to live his own life,” said Xuan’s mother.

Professor Ma Zhiguo from Xi’an Jiaotong University said when Tang Ling first began to talk about starting his own business and quitting his studies, he was surprised by the young man’s determination. 

“I agreed Tang should start his business and take a break from his studies. It was simply a change in the learning environment and way of learning. Many students face a conflict between learning and entrepreneurship. Opportunities to start your own business are not always available. But the opportunity to learn is always available,” Professor Ma said. 

In 2016, the two young entrepreneurs created the  company Ziggurat Tech. It provides blockchain technology for protecting and reshaping the value of copyrights. They began with an initial investment of one million yuan in 2016. Now the company has attracted 50 million yuan from various organizations and it has grown into a multinational Internet enterprise with global operating teams, and young talent from prestigious universities around the world. 

Experts say that millennials still take the standard path – unlike Tang Ling and Xuan Songtao. Yet, they are more independent, optimistic, and unlikely to be dictated to by their parents. They believe they are the drivers of their own lives. 

Both of their parents at the very beginning were strongly against the idea, but now they fully support their children’s decision. As Xuan Songtao’s mother said – Generation Y have their own awareness, and consciousness of their historical mission. They believe they have to take responsibility for the country's development in this new era. Both of the young entrepreneurs say they believe their decision to leave school was right. They hope one day, they will build a business that will change the world.

Their pressures now come from investors and employees, in keeping the company running, and realizing their dream.