Chapter 90: The Truth Unveiled

With a single nonchalant remark, Zhong Xiao instantly brought clarity to everyone present. Yes, among all those gathered—aside from Qin Dezheng—not even Song Qingfeng or Zuo Lan knew the name of Zhong Xiao’s grandfather.

The Zhong family held significant standing in Yue City. Zhong Qingyang’s ancestors had once been high-ranking officials, and the family’s foundations were substantial. But later, in order to avoid suspicion, everyone in the Zhong family changed their names.

Especially Zhong Qingyang.

Moreover, the family always maintained a low profile. Outsiders referred to him as Master Zhong or the Head of the Zhong Family; few ever learned his real name. All the family’s donations and charitable acts had been made under the names “Zhong Family,” “Zhong Rui,” or “Zhong Xiao”—never Zhong Qingyang’s own.

Therefore, those who knew the name “Zhong Qingyang” were exceedingly few.

So how did Yuan Tianqing—who had always lived on Taizhou Island, spent years stationed at the military district there—know Zhong Xiao’s grandfather’s actual name?

After these tense minutes of confrontation, everyone present gradually pieced together the truth. After all, they were all battle-hardened veterans, sharp and perceptive by nature. What had previously clouded their judgment was Yuan Tianqing’s head start and their instinctive trust in the person they knew better.

Now, with Zhong Xiao’s pointed reminder, everyone snapped to attention.

Their eyes became wary and turned on Yuan Tianqing, as if all were waiting for her explanation.

Yuan Tianqing was clearly caught off guard by Zhong Xiao’s question. She hesitated for a long while before stammering,

“M-my friend… My friend told me.”

“Who is your friend?” Zhong Xiao pressed relentlessly. “Anyone who knows my grandfather’s real name must not be an ordinary person. Why don’t you tell us the name?”

Yuan Tianqing pressed her lips together and said nothing.

Hou Manling, standing beside her and noticing everyone’s suspicious looks, became anxious as well. She shook Yuan Tianqing’s arm.

“Tianqing, just tell her. What’s there to hide?”

But Yuan Tianqing only frowned more deeply and remained silent.

Zhong Xiao let out a cold laugh.

“Of course she doesn’t dare,” Zhong Xiao said. “Because the person who told her this wasn’t a friend at all, but someone from an intelligence agency.”

“Isn’t that right, Comrade Yuan Tianqing?”

At Zhong Xiao’s question, Yuan Tianqing’s expression changed.

A hush fell over the room. At that moment, there seemed to be some commotion at the doorway.

It was Yang Ping, Song Tingshen’s orderly, delivering a file to Song Tingshen.

Song Tingshen glanced down at it, his expression grave.

Yuan Tianqing had no time to notice, still making her final struggle.

“Zhong Xiao, what are you talking about? What intelligence agency? I’m the head surgical nurse at the Taizhou Island Military Hospital. How could I possibly have any connection to an intelligence agency? I—”

“You’re not.”

A quiet voice interrupted her.

Everyone turned, their gazes settling on Song Tingshen’s face.

Song Tingshen’s eyes were deep and cold as he looked at Yuan Tianqing. His words were icy as he spoke:

“Or rather, you are not only Yuan Tianqing, the head surgical nurse at the Taizhou Island Military Hospital. We should address you by your real name—Yuka Mariko.”

—

Everyone in the office gasped, but none were more shocked than Hou Manling.

She blurted out, even before Yuan Tianqing could respond,

“Tingshen, what are you saying? How could this be? How could Tianqing be that… that Yuka… that Mariko… Impossible!”

Hou Manling grabbed Yuan Tianqing’s hand, looking desperately at the increasingly suspicious eyes around her.

“I’ve known Tianqing for so many years. I know her better than anyone. Anyone else could be a spy, but Tianqing—never!”

With that, she glared furiously at Zhong Xiao.

“Zhong Xiao, stop sowing discord. If you have a problem, come at me—leave Tianqing out of this. I swear on my life—”

But before she could finish, she felt her wrist seized, a sharp pain shooting up her arm. Hou Manling let out a scream as a hand snaked around her neck and her body was wrenched backward, immobilized.

She opened her mouth to speak, but something cold pressed against her throat.

“Stand back! If any of you come closer, I’ll kill her!”

Yuan Tianqing’s voice was icy as it rang in Hou Manling’s ear.

Hou Manling’s eyes went wide with terror and disbelief.

“T-Tianqing…”

“Shut up!” Yuan Tianqing, her true identity revealed, rasped out in fury. “All of you, back away! Move, and I’ll take this stupid woman with me!”