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

That evening, Fang Chu held the few red plum blossoms he had "requisitioned" in his hand as if they were priceless treasures, and walked home with the wind at his back.

Upon entering, one could see Zhixia reclining in a deck chair, while Chao Huaihua was doing needlework beside her.

"Qingqing! Look what I brought back for you!" Fang Chu couldn't hide his pride, like a big boy eager to show off a treasure, as he handed a cluster of bright red, fragrant plum blossoms to Zhixia.

Zhi Xia's eyes lit up instantly.

Being cooped up at home all day after getting pregnant, seeing such vibrant and bright colors always brightens my mood.

She took the flowers, lowered her head to gently inhale their cool, delicate fragrance, and a genuine smile appeared on her face: "Red plum blossoms! How beautiful!"

Chao Huaihua, standing to the side, looked at the flowers in her daughter's hand, then at her son-in-law's eager expression, and just as she muttered to herself, "Where did he get these in this freezing weather?", she heard Fang Chu's cloying address—

My love?

Chao Huaihua nearly pricked her finger with the needle. She looked up at Fang Chu with disbelief.

A kiss?! What the heck?! She'd been here for over two months and always thought that although Fang Chu was sometimes a bit scheming, he was generally a calm and steady person. She never expected... him to be such a flirtatious character at heart?!

Hearing this address made the old woman blush with embarrassment!

Fang Chu was completely oblivious to his mother-in-law's shocked gaze; his mind was entirely focused on Zhi Xia's happy expression as she held the flowers.

He quickly went to find a bottle, and finally grabbed a clean glass jar, filled it with water, and handed it over solicitously: "Here, use this to seal it, it will keep for many days."

Zhixia carefully placed the plum blossoms into a vase and put it on the table by the window, looking at it from left to right, reluctant to put it down.

Looking at her serene profile and gentle smile, Fang Chu felt a ticklish sensation in his heart, as if a feather had tickled it.

He leaned closer, lowered his voice, and said with a hint of overly eager anticipation, "Qingqing, the flowers are so beautiful, why don't you kiss me as a reward?"

Zhi Xia's face flushed red instantly. She glared at him, embarrassed and annoyed, and gently nudged him away with her elbow: "You're so annoying! You're so unserious!"

Fang Chu chuckled, undeterred, and quickly planted a kiss on her cheek, saying matter-of-factly, "If you're too shy, I'll kiss you too!"

"Oh!" Zhixia exclaimed softly, her face turning even redder. She instinctively looked towards her mother and said reproachfully, "My mom's here!"

Fang Chu belatedly remembered his mother-in-law's presence. He turned his head and saw Chao Huaihua holding a needle and thread, her eyes wide like copper bells, her mouth slightly open. She looked like she wanted to pretend she didn't see anything, but was really shocked. She stood there, seemingly hesitating whether to hide immediately or to remind the oblivious young couple to be mindful of their behavior.

The room was instantly filled with an extremely complex atmosphere, a mixture of the cool fragrance of plum blossoms, the sweet interaction between the young couple, and the elders' immense shock.

Chao Huaihua couldn't stand the overly affectionate atmosphere between the young couple, so she quickly made an excuse: "Well... I'm a little sleepy, I'm going back to sleep first. You two should also... get some rest." After saying that, she practically fled back to her room.

After closing the door, Chao Huaihua leaned against it, her mind still filled with Fang Chu's repeated calls of "my darling" and the image of him hugging and kissing her daughter passionately.

She just couldn't understand it!

How did the son-in-law who was so composed, reliable, and even a little too composed in front of her suddenly become so... so sassy and shameless, as if he had been replaced overnight?

Could it be... that he was really provoked by that letter from Zuoqi?

But what exactly did that kid from Zuoqi write in his letter that could have provoked Fang Chu to this extent?

Chao Huaihua guessed most of it correctly.

In fact, Fang Chu was really provoked by that letter from "My wife Xia Bao"!

Those four words, like a poisonous thorn, pierced deeply into his heart, which was already uneasy because of his "childhood sweetheart".

"Xia Bao"? Such an affectionate nickname belongs to Fang Chu's wife! Why does that kid named Zuo Qi have the right to call her that?!

A strong, childish competitive spirit and possessiveness instantly surged forth.

His left banner is called "Xiabao", right?

No way! He has to find someone even more cheesy and unique! Someone who surpasses him!

"Qingqing," "Baobao," "Baobei'er"... he'll use any sweet and affectionate term he can think of, he's determined to outdo that kid in how he addresses him!

Moreover, this is only the first step.

Fang Chu, deeply saddened by his past mistakes, reflected profoundly on them.

He was too concerned about his image and too proper, which is why there was always a distance between him and Zhixia.

Look at those childhood sweethearts, their letters are so warm and affectionate!

Therefore, he decided to change his strategy!

From now on, he wants to kiss, hug, and lift Zhixia up high every day!

He wanted to make these intimate gestures as natural as eating and drinking, so that she would become completely accustomed to his scent, his touch, and his presence.

Fang Chu gritted her teeth and made up her mind.

Isn't it just saying sweet words and doing some sweet things?

As long as Fang Chu is willing to go all out and put his pride aside, what is there that he can't say or do?!

He refused to believe it. He would just keep "boiling the frog in lukewarm water" every day, bombarding her with sweet words. Sooner or later, he would be able to completely squeeze out the shadow of "Zuoqi" from Zhixia's heart, make her get used to him, depend on him, and finally... never be able to leave him again!

Thinking this, Fang Chu straightened his collar in front of the mirror, a slightly wicked yet determined smile spreading across his face. He was going to fight this "battle for hearts" seriously, and by any means necessary!

Every evening, Fang Chu would bring hot water to Zhi Xia for a foot bath and massage, as always.

He massaged her with extra care and attention because she was experiencing swelling during her pregnancy.

After washing her feet, he gently wrapped them in a soft towel and carefully dried them.

Under the candlelight, Zhixia's feet were a pale pink from being soaked in hot water. Her toes were round and cute, and because she had gained some weight during her pregnancy, they looked white and tender, like two small glutinous rice balls.

Fang Chu looked at it and was so happy with it that, as if possessed, he lowered his head and quickly kissed the rounded instep.

"Ouch!" Zhi Xia reacted as if burned, quickly pulling her foot back. Her face instantly turned bright red, both embarrassed and annoyed. "What are you doing?!"

Fang Chu held her ankle tightly, preventing her from breaking free. He raised his head, looking at her with an indomitable spirit, his eyes surprisingly bright: "I'm kissing my own wife, so what?"

"That's a foot!" Zhixia was so embarrassed and indignant by his bizarre behavior that she tried to pull her foot back forcefully.

"I just washed you clean, you smell wonderful, even cleaner than my hands!" Fang Chu said confidently, even pulling her feet closer to his chest, looking as if he couldn't bear to part with them.

Seeing his shameless behavior, Zhixia knew that force wouldn't work, so she had to resort to her "trump card," threatening him with a flushed face, "You...you're not allowed to kiss me anymore! Do you hear me? Otherwise...otherwise I won't let you kiss me on the lips anymore!"