王士琴

Wang Shiqin, born in the early 20th century, her exact birth date is not known. Her father, Wang Hongjie, was a renowned Russian language expert who placed great importance on his children's education. He hired tutors at home to teach Russian and also learned English and Japanese himself. Wang Hongjie once stated that he left no property for his children, only hoping they would acquire a skill to make a living.

After graduating from high school, Wang Shiqin planned to study medicine in Japan. However, due to a reduction in family income, she decided to give up her study abroad plans. To take care of the family, she worked as a secretary at the Harbin Electric Power Bureau. In the summer of 1936, she met Zhou Enlai's younger brother, Zhou Enshou, in Harbin, and the two subsequently married. In 1937, Wang Shiqin gave birth to their eldest daughter, Zhou Bingde, becoming a housewife primarily responsible for domestic affairs.

In 1943, to avoid Japanese surveillance, Zhou Enshou led his entire family to move to Tianjin, where they lived with his stepmother, Yang. While in Tianjin, Wang Shiqin gave birth to their eldest daughter, Zhou Bingde, and their eldest son, Zhou Bingjun. After relocating to Tianjin, she also had their second daughter, Zhou Bingyi, and second son, Zhou Binghua.

In August 1947, Chiang Kai-shek ordered the Hu Zongnan army to attack Yan'an. Around the same time, Zhou Enshou was detained in Tianjin after being reported, and Wang Shiqin led her four children through three months of fear and hardship. Thanks to the intervention of Zhou Enlai’s colleagues, Zhou Enshou was released.

In the spring of 1949, Tianjin and Beiping (Beijing) were successively liberated. Wang Shiqin followed her husband to Beiping, reuniting with her family. Zhou Enlai did not give any special treatment to Zhou Enshou but arranged for him to study at the North China People's Revolutionary University to undergo a transformation of his worldview before being assigned a job. Wang Shiqin expressed her desire to participate in work, and with support from Zhou Enlai and Deng Yingchao, her children were sent to boarding schools, with tuition and living expenses covered by Zhou Enlai, alleviating the family’s burden.

In 1950, Wang Shiqin was employed as a Russian teacher at Beijing women’s No. 4 Middle School. She devoted herself to her work, earning deep respect for her attitude toward life and conduct.

In 1998, to commemorate the hundredth anniversary of Zhou Enlai’s birth, Wang Shiqin provided strong support for related memorial activities. In 1994, she traveled to Beijing and, facing officials seeking her opinions, upheld her modest and frugal principles, emphasizing saving expenses to ensure the success of the events.

On October 6, 2002, Wang Shiqin passed away in Beijing at an unspecified age. Her remains, along with the ashes of her husband Zhou Enshou, were later interred in Huai'an, in her hometown.