Back to the 60s: The Struggle Career of a Charmed Wife
Chapter 1188: Confirmation Received 3

Chapter 1188: Chapter 1188: Confirmation Received 3

Qiao Desheng heaved a sigh, "Since sister-in-law has heard about it, I won’t hide it from you two any longer. Actually, there’s not much to say, and no one can help. My parents ran into some trouble in the Capital and were sent down to Shanbei. The reason I requested this leave to visit relatives is to go see them. Under the name Qiao Desheng, no one suspects our relationship."

"Under the name Qiao Desheng? Do you have another name?" Lu Jiang interrupted.

Qiao Desheng sheepishly said, "My original name is Zhou Wenbin, signifying refinement and literacy. Both my parents are old revolutionaries with a position in the Capital. I didn’t want to rely on my parents’ reputation when I enlisted, so I adopted a pseudonym. I’ve been using the name Qiao Desheng for over a decade, and there’s not much difference from my given name. I figured that few people outside know of it, so it would be less likely to draw attention if I visit my parents as Qiao Desheng. Since sister-in-law is aware of our family situation, I presume you knew about me using a pseudonym, right?"

Feng Qingxue nodded, "Now that you’ve admitted it, we have something we’d like to confirm with you."

"What’s the matter? Sister-in-law, please speak. I’ll hide nothing," Qiao Desheng hurriedly said.

"What is your mother’s true name? We’ve been looking for a comrade named Wang Xiangxue, and we were told that it’s an alias used by Lingtang, but we’re not sure if she’s the person we are looking for."

Upon hearing Feng Qingxue’s words, a flash of surprise crossed Qiao Desheng’s eyes, "Sister-in-law, what do you want with this information?"

Lu Jiang answered, "Just tell us whether it’s true or not, and whether Lingtang is a Shanghainese, and the daughter of a capitalist."

Qiao Desheng didn’t deny it, "Indeed, my mother’s original name was Wang Xiangxue, later she changed it to Wang Xuehai, following the meaning ’boundless as the sea is academic learning, and hard is the way,’ which also emulates the importance of my father’s name selection; my father is named Zhou Xuekui. My mother truly does come from a wealthy capitalist family. She once studied at St. John’s University and also attended Jinling Women’s College. Their being sent down is not unrelated to my mother’s origins."

"Did Lingtang ever mention her family?" Feng Qingxue asked.

"Family?" Qiao Desheng thought for a moment, "Over a decade ago, my maternal grandfather’s household experienced a change. On top of that, during the time when my aunt cut ties with them, she turned around and accused them of exploiting the laboring people’s hard-earned money. My grandparents passed away one after another, sick at heart. Subsequently, my eldest and second uncles, along with my youngest uncle, emigrated to Hong Kong, taking their families with them. As for the property, it was turned over to the state treasury long before they left. Looking at the current situation, we’re extremely relieved that they left; otherwise, had they stayed here, who knows what tribulations they might have faced."

Recalling this matter, Qiao Desheng sighed heavily, his gaze somewhat vacant, "I just don’t understand why now it’s always about lineage determining one’s origins, and origins determining loyalty and treachery? The reasons my parents had me change my name were not without this concern."

Lu Jiang’s response was to pat his shoulder.

"Alas, let’s not talk about it anymore. The more we talk, the less we see where the road ahead leads." Qiao Desheng paused, then asked, "Sister-in-law, you still haven’t said why you’re asking about my mother. It wouldn’t be without reason, right? After all, there aren’t many who know my mother’s birth name."

Feng Qingxue pointed at Guan Cheng, who was sitting below them pouring drinks and serving dishes, "This nephew of mine is named Guan Cheng, ’Guan’ of the paired mandarin ducks, ’Cheng’ of the Great Wall. However, I guess you’ve never heard of him, but you might have heard of his parents. His father was named Guan Zhixuan, who passed away fifteen years ago, and his birth mother is named Wang Xiangmei, rumored to be the daughter of a wealthy capitalist from Shanghai, with a sister named Xiangxue."