Zong Fuli's Mother: The Real Power Behind the Scenes

On July 20, 2025, at 15:56 Beijing Time, a revealing story about the family dynamics of Wahaha’s late founder, Zong Qinghou, has resurfaced, shedding light on the quiet strength of his wife, Shi Youzhen—mother of his only acknowledged heir, Zong Fuli.

Following the exposure of Zong Qinghou’s alleged “illegitimate children,” an old interview with Shi Youzhen went viral. In it, she spoke with poignant restraint:

• “He (Zong Qinghou) was no longer just a member of our family—he belonged to Wahaha.”
• “As the eldest son, his family neglected him. I always felt he deserved more care, so I gave it to him.”
• “We argued often over the years, but remembering his loneliness softened my heart.”
• “No matter what, I’ll never stop pitying him.”

When Zong Qinghou watched this interview later, he was moved to tears.

Now, as the scandal unfolds, many criticize him with the phrase: “A virtuous wife lifts her husband to greatness, only for him to repay her with secret children.” But Shi Youzhen’s words reveal a deeper truth—her strategic compassion ensured her daughter’s unchallenged succession.

The Unseen Battle of a “Shadow Empress”

For 30 years, Shi Youzhen and Zong Fuli kept Zong’s alleged illegitimate children out of the public eye. Yet now, with lawsuits filed in Hong Kong and Hangzhou by these children, the hidden conflict has erupted.

Shi Youzhen’s forbearance was never weakness—it was a long game.

The Four Tactics of a Silent Strategist

1. Endurance with Purpose

• She shielded Wahaha’s reputation and Zong Qinghou’s legacy, knowing that exposing the truth prematurely would weaken her daughter’s position.

1. Defending the Throne

• By upholding Zong’s public image as a devoted family man, she made it impossible for his other children to claim legitimacy—until now.

1. The Art of “Killing with Kindness”

• Zong Fuli’s effusive praise for her father wasn’t just filial piety—it was psychological containment, boxing him into a role where acknowledging other children would betray his own myth.

1. Turning Rivals into Pawns

• Du Jianying, Zong’s alleged mistress and mother of his other children, was a talented executive. Instead of forcing her out, Shi Youzhen allowed her to serve Wahaha, leveraging her skills while keeping her influence in check.

The Final Reckoning

After Zong Qinghou’s death, Zong Fuli swiftly dismantled Du Jianying’s power bases within Wahaha. The lawsuits now are Du’s desperate counterattack—but public sentiment favors the “rightful heir.”

The Irony of Legacy

Shi Youzhen’s story isn’t just about a wronged wife—it’s about a mother who sacrificed personal pride to secure her child’s future. Du Jianying, too, fought for her children, but in the court of public opinion, the first wife still holds the crown.

Final Thought:
The greatest mothers play the longest games. Whether through love or strategy, their endurance shapes empires.

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(Adapted from an original article by Liu Na, Xianshihuakai. Cover image: Visual China.)

Reader Reactions (Selected)

• Chen (Zhejiang): “We support Zong Fuli because we’re not the secret children.”
• Peng Yu (Henan): “No sympathy for the mistress—greed doesn’t deserve reward.”
• Maizi (Sichuan): “Now we understand why Zong Fuli never married.”
• Hong Han (Hebei): “Traditional ‘legitimacy’ clashes with modern law, but Wahaha must remain in Chinese hands.”

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