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

These words were like a reassuring pill, instantly putting Chao Huaihua and Fang Chu's anxieties back on track. Zhi Xia also breathed a sigh of relief, her tightly furrowed brows relaxing slightly, though her face remained somewhat pale.

The old doctor turned his gaze to Fang Chu, who stood ramrod straight to the side, her face filled with lingering fear and self-reproach. His tone was stern and reproachful: "You're her husband, right? She's almost seven months pregnant, and twins are already a heavy burden. You need to be careful! Forget about sex for now. Just hold back. It's all for the baby's sake. Too much movement or getting too emotional could affect the fetus's development and even cause premature birth, understand?"

These words were so blunt that the ward fell silent instantly.

Zhi Xia's face flushed bright red, even the tips of her ears turned blood red. She was so ashamed that she wanted to bury her face in the quilt and didn't dare to look at anyone. Her fingers unconsciously twisted the corner of the quilt.

Fang Chu was so embarrassed that she wanted to disappear. Her ears turned bright red, and she stood there, not knowing what to do with her hands and feet. She could only nod repeatedly, her throat dry: "I understand, doctor. I'll remember. I'll be careful."

Seeing her daughter and son-in-law in this state, Chao Huaihua felt both heartache and anger. Forgetting they were in the hospital, she interrupted Fang Chu, her tone leaving no room for argument: "Did you hear what the doctor said? When you get home, you two sleep separately! Don't squeeze into one bed! Talk things out during the day! Even if you have a good relationship, you have to take care of the child first!"

"Mom..." Zhixia called softly, her face turning even redder. The dependence she had developed on her mother because of the fall was instantly overshadowed by her embarrassment. She couldn't help but raise her eyes and glare fiercely at Fang Chu, the one who started it all.

Fang Chu received Zhi Xia's embarrassed and reproachful look, and the embarrassment in her heart was instantly replaced by deeper regret.

Looking at the lingering blush on her pale face, and her wet, aggrieved, and accusing eyes, he felt his heart clench.

He took a small step forward, leaned slightly over the bedside, and spoke in a voice so low that only a few people nearby could hear it, filled with sincere apology:

"Qingqing, I'm sorry... It's all my fault. I was wrong, I promise I'll never bother you again or make you angry." His gaze fell on Zhixia's abdomen, which she was clutching, his eyes gentle yet firm. "Your safety is the most important thing."

Looking at his humble and sincere apology, Zhi Xia recalled how he had rushed out to call a car, disheveled, and carefully carried her all the way. Her feelings of shame, anger, and grievance were intertwined, and she didn't know what to say for a moment. She simply turned her face away, but her tense shoulders seemed to relax a little.

Chao Huaihua snorted, "It's good that you know you're wrong! We'll see how you behave when we get back!" Then she turned to Zhixia and said softly, "Xiaxia, the doctor said it's nothing serious, so we can relax. Let's observe for a while longer, and if everything's fine, we'll go home. Mom will make you some calming soup."

As night deepened, the lights in the hospital corridor quietly shone down.

The scare seemed to have passed for the time being, but the doctor's and Chao Huaihua's words drew a clear line between Fang Chu and Zhi Xia.

Fang Chu knew that in the coming months, he would need to be more restrained and careful than before to protect this hard-won peace and the two little lives that were about to be born.

Since returning from the hospital, Fang Chu has entered an unprecedentedly cautious mode. Tonight's unexpected event was like a bucket of ice water, completely extinguishing the budding romantic feelings that had quietly grown due to the improved relationship, leaving not even a spark.

If Fang Chu could occasionally take advantage of Zhi Xia's softened attitude and "push his luck" a little before, now these "unreasonable thoughts" have completely disappeared.

He is now completely "a bird startled by the mere twang of a bow".

Zhi Xia also completely grasped this point.

She discovered that she didn't even need to say anything harsh. Just a slight frown or a soft hiss would immediately make Fang Chu rush over anxiously, asking repeatedly, "What's wrong? Are you feeling unwell? Should we go to the hospital?" Her expression made it seem as if she were a fragile glass cup that could be broken at the slightest touch.

Chao Huaihua also tried her best to make delicious nourishing meals for her daughter. After the initial shock, the atmosphere at home became unusually quiet and cautious.

That afternoon, Zhixia felt much better and leaned against the headboard, knitting a small sweater. Chao Huaihua was busy in the kitchen, while Fang Chu was summoned to the regimental headquarters by an urgent phone call.

A gentle knock came at the gate; it was Zhang Meili. She carried a small basket of eggs, her face showing concern and a hint of barely concealed inquiry.

"Xiaxia, are you feeling better? You scared your brother and me to death." Zhang Meili sat down by the bed and took Zhixia's hand to carefully examine her complexion.

"Sister-in-law, I'm fine now, it was just a false alarm." Zhixia put down the yarn and smiled, but there was still a hint of fatigue in her smile.

Zhang Meili lowered her voice, her eyes full of inquiry: "Tell your sister-in-law the truth, what exactly happened last night? How did you fall? Was it Fang Chu...?" She didn't finish her sentence, but her meaning was clear.

Zhi Xia's face flushed slightly. She lowered her eyelashes and said in a soft voice, "It's really nothing serious... Fang Chu and I were just playing around. I wasn't paying attention and I accidentally fell off the bed."

"A joke?" Zhang Meili's voice rose slightly, then she quickly lowered it, her tone filled with disbelief and a hint of dissatisfaction. "You're seven months pregnant! Twins! How could Fang Chu be so careless as to joke with you? What does he want? Doesn't he want the children anymore?" The more she spoke, the more she felt something was wrong.

"Sister-in-law..." Zhi Xia quickly interrupted her, her cheeks flushing even more, but her tone carried a hint of protectiveness that she herself didn't realize, "It's not entirely his fault... I insisted on kicking him, and I fell down because I missed."

Zhang Meili stared at Zhixia for a few seconds, then suddenly sighed and tapped her forehead. "You! I haven't even said anything to him yet, and you're already protecting him!" She leaned closer, her voice even softer, but earnest. "Xiaxia, tell your sister-in-law honestly, what are you really thinking? Are you really planning to... live a good life with him like this?"

Caught off guard by the question, Zhixia froze. She instinctively touched her prominently pregnant belly, where two tiny lives, connected to her by blood, were growing. She remained silent for a long while, the sunlight streaming through the window casting soft shadows on her face.

"He..." Zhixia began, her voice very soft, as if she were talking to herself, "He... is very good to me."

She looked up at Zhang Meili, her eyes less fearful and sharp than before, replaced by a complex calm: "He always gave me the best of everything – the fine grains, meat, eggs, anything good. He himself ate only coarse flour buns and pickled vegetables every day, and still had to train and work, without ever complaining. When I said I wanted to read, he would search everywhere for books for me; when I was cold, he would warm my blankets for me..."

She paused, her fingers unconsciously twirling the yarn. "Sister-in-law, everyone has a heart. I used to hate him, despise him, and feel like he ruined my life. But these days... I've seen everything he's done. I really can't bring myself to say he's bad."

Zhang Meili listened without saying anything, but gently patted the back of her hand.