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

Fang Chu grabbed her hand that was pushing her away, held it tightly in his palm, and asked earnestly, "Then I'm leaving. You're not allowed to be angry anymore, okay? I'll be worried about you if you get sick from being angry."

Zhi Xia was so annoyed by his nagging that she just wanted him to disappear quickly. She said irritably, "I'm not angry anymore, just go!"

Upon receiving this assurance, Fang Chu's face immediately brightened, and she smiled like a cat that had just stolen some fish.

He leaned down and gave her a loud kiss on the forehead, his tone light and cheerful: "My sweet baby Qingqing! I'm leaving now, I'll bring you something delicious when I come back tonight!"

After saying that, he finally walked towards the door, satisfied, turning back every few steps.

Zhixia watched his departing figure and let out a long, helpless sigh, feeling as if she had fought a battle that left her physically and mentally exhausted.

She slumped back onto the bed, rubbing her arms, which were still tingling from his mushy nicknames, and muttered under her breath, "What a jerk..."

Outside the window, Fang Chu's footsteps seemed unusually light, as if the little disturbance just now was merely a playful way for the couple to enhance their relationship.

After Fang Chu left, the room became quiet.

Zhixia was exhausted from his commotion all morning, and drifted off to sleep again. When she woke up, the sunlight was already filling most of the room.

Chao Huaihua walked in carrying a bowl of pale yellow steamed egg custard. Looking at her sleepy eyes, she said softly, "Awake? Quick, eat the steamed egg custard while it's hot."

Zhixia leaned against the headboard, took the bowl, and ate in small bites.

After a moment of silence, she suddenly asked softly, "Mom, has Zuoqi's family... all gone back to the city?"

Chao Huaihua paused, surprised that her daughter would suddenly ask about this. She nodded, "Yes, they all came back last month. His father got back to work, and he also went to work at the machine factory." Looking at her daughter's calm profile, she hesitated for a moment before asking, "Fang Chu...gave you the letter?"

Zhixia paused, her hand holding the spoon still, then shook her head, her tone flat: "No. He burned it."

Upon hearing this, Chao Huaihua was even more puzzled. Since it had already been burned, why did he specifically tell Xiaxia, needlessly upsetting her? This son-in-law's actions were sometimes truly baffling.

Zhi Xia didn't dwell on the letter. She looked up at her mother, her eyes clear and calm, and asked a more crucial question: "Mom, does Zuo Qi... know about my marriage?"

"He should...know," Chao Huaihua said carefully, choosing her words. "Your second brother has always had a good relationship with him. He should...tell him about your marriage."

"Oh." Zhixia lowered her head, slowly stirring the steamed egg custard in her bowl with a spoon. Her voice was soft, yet carried a resolute clarity. "Regardless of whether it was a twist of fate or some other reason, in the eyes of outsiders, it was ultimately me who abandoned him first and married someone else."

She looked up at her mother earnestly: "Mom, next time I write home, please have my second brother... pass on a message to him for me, just say... 'I'm sorry'."

Looking at her daughter, Chao Huaihua felt a pang of sorrow: "You...won't you write him a reply yourself?"

"No," Zhixia answered without hesitation, gently stroking her protruding belly where two tiny lives were growing vigorously. "It's not appropriate. Fang Chu will be angry, she'll overthink it. And..."

She paused, her gaze drifting to the window, a hint of wistfulness for the past mixed with a resolute determination to face reality.

"There's no future for us anymore. And... I probably won't see him again. Let's just leave it at that. Let's pretend we never met, be strangers. It's better for everyone."

After saying that, she lowered her head and silently ate her steamed egg custard. As she swallowed that mouthful of custard, it seemed as if she had buried that bittersweet past, along with the unspoken apology, deep into her heart.

From then on, her life and her future would be closely linked to the man named Fang Chu beside her and their child.

Looking at her daughter's calm profile, Chao Huaihua was filled with mixed emotions. She understood that her daughter had truly let go of the past and chosen the path before her, even if it started out of helplessness, she was determined to walk it well.

It's the 28th day of the twelfth lunar month, and there are only two days left until the Lunar New

The military base was decorated with lanterns and colorful decorations, exuding a festive atmosphere.

As the political commissar, Fang Chu was highly educated and had excellent calligraphy skills. He personally reviewed all kinds of propaganda posters, Spring Festival couplets, and "Fu" characters in the camp.

But looking at the crooked and unsightly handwriting of his rough and unrefined subordinates, Director Fang frowned so deeply that he could have trapped a fly in his brow.

"Forget it, I'll do it myself." He rolled up his sleeves and decided to take charge, wielding his brush and ink.

Just as he was busy with his work, he looked up and saw Company Commander Qu, who had gotten married at the same time as him, walking in from outside, beaming with joy, carrying several budding red plum blossoms.

The plum blossoms, with their strong branches and bright red buds, stood out strikingly in the gray winter camp, looking incredibly beautiful.

Company Commander Qu is a local. His wife is pregnant, but they don't meet the requirements for him to accompany her to the military base. He gets a few days off each month to go back and be with his wife.

It was almost Chinese New Year, and he happened to be on leave. He specially found this wild plum tree blooming alone in a secluded corner outside the camp. He carefully picked out a few of the prettiest branches, wanting to bring them home to surprise his wife. Red plum blossoms herald the arrival of spring, and he hoped for a prosperous and auspicious start to the year.

He was imagining how happy his wife would be when she saw the flowers when he was spotted by Fang Chu before he even left the camp.

Looking at the few vibrant red plum blossoms, Fang Chu instantly pictured the smile Zhi Xia might have had when she saw the flowers. Without a second thought, she stepped forward, stretched out her hand, and declared in a matter-of-fact tone, "Confiscate them!"

"Qu Feng, these plum blossoms are quite nice. They'll be perfect for decorating the battalion headquarters meeting room. Take them."

Qu Feng's smile froze instantly, and the hand holding the plum blossoms subconsciously pulled back, trying to plead, "Political Commissar, this... this is something I picked especially for my wife... she's pregnant, and she likes flowers and plants..."

Fang Chu's gaze swept over his few plum blossoms, and then he thought of his wife, who was staying at home all day to rest because her twins were so big. The guilt he felt about "requisitioning" her was immediately suppressed by the thought that "my wife needs her more."

He patted Qu Feng on the shoulder, his tone carrying an undeniable "consideration": "I accept your kind gesture on behalf of the organization. As for your wife, I'll have your sister-in-law make an extra batch of dumplings and send them over later. These plum blossoms will better reflect their value at the camp headquarters, so everyone can share in the joy."

After saying that, she almost forcibly took the few red plum blossoms from Qu Feng, who was on the verge of tears.

Watching Fang Chu leave with the plum blossoms, Qu Feng stood there, rubbing his empty hands in frustration, and sighed inwardly: These days, if you want to give your wife a bouquet of flowers, you have to get past the political commissar's "requisition hurdle" first!