Marriage in the 1970s: The Political Commissar's Contract Wife

Upon arriving at Fang Chu's door, Zhi Lin flung it open, his figure swift as the wind. He immediately saw Fang Chu standing in the yard, and all his anxiety, worry, and speculation instantly transformed into visceral rage. Without a word, he rushed forward and delivered a powerful punch to Fang Chu's face!

The dull thud of a fist striking flesh was exceptionally clear in the night. Fang Chu staggered back a step, blood instantly seeping from the corner of his mouth, but he didn't retaliate; he simply took the blow head-on.

"Stop hitting her!" Zhang Meili hurriedly slammed the door shut, rushed forward, and grabbed Zhilin's arm tightly. Her voice was extremely low and trembling with tears, "Get Xiaxia back first! Please!"

Zhi Lin's chest heaved violently, his bloodshot eyes glaring fiercely at Fang Chu as if trying to etch his image into his bones. He suddenly turned and rushed into the inner room.

When Zhilin saw his sister curled up in the corner of the bed, pale-faced and with empty eyes, he felt that murderous intent surge up to his head again, even more intense than before! His fists clenched so tightly they cracked, and he turned around, wanting to rush out again.

"Xiaxia is the priority!" Zhang Meili pulled him back forcefully, her voice urgent and clear.

These words were like a needle, piercing Zhi Lin's nerves, which were filled with anger. He took a deep breath, forcibly suppressing his surging rage, walked to the bedside, squatted down, and spoke in a voice that was more hoarse and gentle than ever before, completely different from before: "Xia Xia, your brother is here. Your brother will take you home."

"Brother..." When Zhixia saw him, tears finally rolled down her cheeks silently. This call contained endless grievances and lingering fear.

"Come on, I'll carry you back." Zhilin turned around, his broad back facing his sister, like a mountain she could lean on.

Zhi Xia weakly climbed onto his strong back, her arms gently encircling his neck. Zhi Lin steadily stood up, lifting his sister up slightly, as if carrying all his responsibilities and anger on his back.

Zhang Meili rushed to the door, carefully opened it a crack, and peeked out, nervously looking left and right. The family compound was quiet at night, save for the chirping of cicadas. She turned back and nodded vigorously to Zhilin.

Zhi Lin carried his younger sister tightly on his back and strode forward without stopping, heading straight for home. As he brushed past Fang Chu, who stood frozen in the courtyard, he didn't turn back, but his icy words, forced out between clenched teeth, were like a poisoned dagger, piercing straight into Fang Chu's heart:

"This isn't over. If you don't give me an explanation, I'll kill you."

The night swallowed their figures, but those words, on this summer night, began an irreversible prelude.

After Zhilin carried his sister away, the courtyard was deathly silent. Fang Chu raised his hand to wipe the blood from the corner of his mouth, the rusty taste spreading in his mouth. Without the slightest hesitation, and without even bothering to treat the wound on his face, he turned and rushed out of the house, his steps quick, heading straight for Commander Shen's residence.

"Bang, bang, bang!" The urgent knocking broke the silence of the night.

Division Commander Shen, still sleepy and wearing his coat, opened the door. He was taken aback when he saw Fang Chu, then his pupils contracted when he saw the bruises and bloodstains on Fang Chu's face. He blurted out, "Holy crap! Who did this?!"

Fang Chu stood ramrod straight, his breathing not yet fully calm, but his tone was exceptionally clear and calm, carrying an undeniable sense of urgency: "Commander, send me to the military hospital immediately. I need a blood test."

"A blood test?" Commander Shen frowned.

"Yes." Fang Chu's gaze was unwavering. "I was drugged."

Those two words struck like a thunderbolt. Commander Shen instantly snapped awake, all sleepiness vanishing. He gave Fang Chu a deep look, asked no more questions, and turned to call into the house, "Xiao Zhao! Come out right now! Go get the car! Quickly!"

The jeep sped through the night, heading unimpeded towards the military hospital. The atmosphere inside the silent van was heavy with tension.

Upon arriving at the hospital, Fang Chu immediately requested a blood test. The on-duty doctor recognized him and Commander Shen and, not daring to delay, arranged it promptly. As the cold needle pierced his vein and drew dark red blood, Commander Shen finally spoke in a deep voice: "Now, what exactly happened?"

Fang Chu watched as his blood was collected into the sampling bottle, as if he had obtained the most important evidence. He slowly exhaled and said, "Today was Company Commander Qu's wedding, and he insisted that I be the officiant. I haven't been here long, and I didn't want to refuse an old comrade, so I went. I had a few drinks at the banquet, but definitely not many." He paused, his eyes sharpening. "Later, I felt something was wrong. I felt hot all over and my head was spinning. I realized I might have been tricked, and I wanted to rush home and take a cold shower."

His voice lowered, filled with heavy regret: "As a result... on the way to the family compound, I ran into Commander Zhilin's sister, who had just come to visit. At that time... under the influence of the drugs, I completely lost control of myself and pulled her into my room."

Commander Shen gasped. He instantly understood why Zhi Lin had thrown that desperate punch, and why Fang Chu had rushed over overnight for a blood test—it wasn't just to prove his innocence, but also to fight for a chance to explain, the only factual weapon he could use before the thunderous retaliation fell.

"The test results will be available as early as tomorrow," the doctor said.

Fang Chu nodded and said to Commander Shen, "Commander, I will accept any isolation and investigation until the results are in. But please, you must temporarily keep the news under wraps and protect... the reputation of our female comrade."

His arrangements were so calm they were almost ruthless, yet they were the only rational rope to grasp in this tangled mess.

Zhilin carried Zhixia on his back as if he were carrying a fragile porcelain vase, and finally they arrived home.

The moment the door closed, Zhixia's carefully maintained strength crumbled completely. She slid off her brother's back, curled up on the edge of the kang (a heated brick bed), and tears streamed down her face silently like a broken string of pearls, her thin shoulders trembling uncontrollably. It was a cry of relief, a cry mixed with immense humiliation and fear.

Seeing his sister like this, Zhilin felt as if his heart was being torn apart by a dull knife. He stepped forward and hugged her tightly. This tough man on the training field now choked with emotion, his voice breaking, "Xiaxia, don't be afraid, I'm here... I'm here." He repeated, his arms tightening, as if that could pull her back from this nightmare. "I will definitely avenge you! I swear!"

After a while, Zhang Meili carefully walked in carrying a bowl of freshly steamed egg custard. The tender yellow custard trembled slightly, steaming hot, a gentle comfort in that era of scarcity.

"Xiaxia," she said, handing the bowl to Zhixia in a voice as soft as a feather, "Listen to your sister-in-law, eat something first, okay?"

Zhi Xia shook her head, tears welling in her eyes, her throat choked with emotion: "Sister-in-law... I can't eat..."

"No, you have to eat something." Zhang Meili's tone was gentle but carried an undeniable insistence. "An empty stomach is even more uncomfortable. Eat something, then get a good night's sleep. We can deal with anything else tomorrow."