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

After seeing off the lively Zheng Yunzhu and the onlooker Li Yunxiao, the house finally returned to peace. Fang Chu and Zhi Xia exchanged a glance and decided to strike while the iron was hot and discuss the trip to Kyoto with Chao Huaihua.

Fang Chu helped Zhi Xia sit down, then sat opposite his mother-in-law, his tone earnest yet pleading: "Mom, after the New Year, I'd like to trouble you to accompany Xia Xia to Kyoto for her prenatal care. What do you think... is that alright?"

Chao Huaihua continued knitting small clothes without stopping, then looked up at them and asked the most practical question: "Is it easy to arrange? If I go with you, it will be a long trip. Won't people gossip? Will it affect you?" She was mainly worried about bringing a bad influence to her son-in-law.

"No, Mom." Fang Chu immediately dispelled her concerns, giving a sufficient and considerate reason: "Xiaxia is pregnant with twins, which is a special situation, and she definitely needs someone to take care of her. My mom has a job and can't watch over her 24/7. You are Xiaxia's biological mother, so it's perfectly legitimate for you to take care of her, and no one can say anything about it."

Chao Huaihua found his words reasonable and felt somewhat reassured, but then another question came to mind: "Do you... have a place to stay at your home? Would it be too crowded for me?"

"Don't worry, I have a place to stay." Fang Chu had already thought it through. "I have a spare room at home. But... I was thinking of having you sleep with Xiaxia. She has trouble turning over at night, and sometimes she gets leg cramps. With you by her side to take care of her, I'll feel more at ease here."

His words were sincere, entirely for Zhixia's sake. Seeing how thoughtful her son-in-law was, Chao Huaihua's hesitation vanished completely, and a relieved smile appeared on her face.

She put down her work and nodded: "Okay, you've thought of everything so thoroughly. We'll discuss the specific arrangements later."

Fang Chu knew that his mother-in-law had agreed, and a huge weight was lifted from his heart. He smiled with relief and said, "Okay!"

After discussing and finalizing the important matter of going to Kyoto, Chao Huaihua looked at her daughter's large belly and a new layer of worry rose in her heart.

She counted the days, her brows furrowing slightly: "Xiaxia's belly... will be six months along after the New Year. When we take the train, the bumpy and tiring journey, will it... cause premature birth? Twins are more likely to be born early."

This is the most practical problem, and it's what Fang Chu is most concerned about.

He had clearly considered this beforehand, and immediately offered a solution in a calm and reassuring tone: "Mom, don't worry about that. I've already thought it through. I'll contact them in advance and arrange for a reliable obstetrician to accompany us on the journey and take care of us the whole time. I'll make sure everything goes smoothly."

Upon hearing this, Chao Huaihua's eyes lit up, and a relieved smile appeared on her face: "Oh! That's great! With a doctor with me, I can finally relax! You're so thoughtful."

Having addressed this core concern, Fang Chu then turned his attention to his mother-in-law's family: "Mom, the New Year is almost here, aren't you going back... Is everything alright with my father-in-law's family?"

Chao Huaihua waved her hand, her tone cheerful: "It's alright! Your second brother and sister-in-law are at home, they can take good care of your father-in-law, I'm not worried. The most important thing now is that Xiaxia can give birth to the baby safely."

Fang Chu nodded, feeling grateful for his mother-in-law's efforts. Thinking about the follow-up arrangements, he said, "When Xiaxia gives birth and the baby turns one month old, I will send someone to pick up my second brother and sister-in-law to attend the one-month celebration and let them see their nephew."

Chao Huaihua felt warm inside upon hearing this, but considering the distance and her children's busy schedules, she pragmatically said, "Let's talk about it later. It's too far away, and it's not easy for them to come and go. Let's not make a big fuss."

"Okay, I'll do as you say." Fang Chu readily agreed and didn't insist anymore. He knew that his mother-in-law was just trying to avoid causing him trouble.

-

When Zheng Yunzhu returned to her home in Kyoto from her post, her mind was still filled with Zhi Xia's stunning beauty.

As soon as I entered the door, without even taking off my coat, I couldn't wait to share this beautiful woman with my parents.

"Dad! Mom! Do you know what? I met Fang Chu's wife during my recent trip to the grassroots!"

Zheng's father, Zheng Ji'an, was reading the newspaper while wearing his reading glasses. Hearing this, he looked up from above his lenses, his eyes showing the concern and curiosity typical of an elder: "Oh? How is he?"

"Beautiful!" Zheng Yunzhu blurted out, her eyes shining. Then, feeling that word wasn't enough, she emphasized, "I love her so much!"

Zheng Ji'an was taken aback by his daughter's overly enthusiastic reaction. He put down his newspaper and frowned slightly: "...What do you mean?" He was a little confused. Why did this evaluation sound a bit strange?

It was Zhou Mudan, the mother, who understood her daughter's temperament. She knew that her daughter had always been powerless against beautiful people and things. Seeing her daughter's excitement, she guessed that she really had a very good impression of that girl.

She smiled and tugged at her husband's sleeve, signaling him to stop interrupting, then gently asked her daughter, "Look how much you like it. Tell Mom, how beautiful is it? How is it beautiful?"

With her mother's support, Zheng Yunzhu immediately perked up, sat on the sofa between her parents, and gestured to describe the famous scene:

"She's... way prettier than me!" Her candid admission showed she was genuinely impressed. "Not the flamboyant kind of beauty, but the kind that's incredibly gentle and comfortable! Sitting there so quietly, she's like... like a refined lady straight out of an ancient painting, with such an elegant demeanor! Mom, you'll definitely like her when you see her! I guarantee it!"

Seeing her proud expression and eagerness to immediately make Zhixia her confidante, Zheng Ji'an and Zhou Mudan exchanged a glance and couldn't help but laugh.

To receive such praise from their proud and arrogant daughter, they genuinely felt a surge of curiosity and goodwill towards Fang Chu's new wife.

Seeing her daughter's genuine and unadulterated affection for Zhixia, Zhou Mudan's doubts about her and Fang Chu deepened. She couldn't help but tease her, "Didn't you always hang out with Fang Chu before? Now that he's married such a beautiful wife, aren't you at all bothered? Aren't you angry that she 'stole' your childhood sweetheart?"

"Oh my god!" Upon hearing this, Zheng Yunzhu immediately grabbed her mother's arm exaggeratedly and shook it. "I've told you and godmother a million times already! I don't like Fang Chu, and Fang Chu doesn't like me either! It's purely your and godmother's wishful thinking that forces us to be together!"

Zhou Mudan smiled and tapped her forehead: "Still being stubborn! You two grew up together, inseparable since childhood. Whenever you had a holiday, you would always get together and whisper sweet nothings. If you didn't like each other, would you be so close?"

"Mom—!" Zheng Yunzhu drawled, her face full of helplessness, as if to say, "Why don't you understand?" "If we really liked each other, would we have dragged it out until we were twenty-five or twenty-six and still not gotten married? That doesn't make sense! We're...we're revolutionary friends! We're strategic partners!"