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

Upon hearing this, Fang Zheng frowned slightly and shook his head: "I haven't told him yet. It's hard to explain over the phone. I'm thinking of going over tomorrow when I have some free time to tell him in person." He knew that this matter might have a greater impact on his older brother than on his father, so he had to handle it carefully.

Fang Hua's worried expression deepened, and her voice lowered slightly: "We all know about Uncle and Aunt's relationship. It's even deeper than Grandpa's and Aunt's. Uncle practically raised Aunt; he's like a father to her. If Uncle finds out that Xiaxia looks exactly like Aunt and married Xiao Chu... I really don't know what he'll do..."

She didn't finish her sentence, but her meaning was clear. Fang Xiang's feelings for her younger sister were too special. The impact of that face and the complex emotions that might follow would probably be harder for her to process than for the rest of the Fang family, and her reactions might be even more unpredictable.

Fang Yuzhao leaned back on the sofa, listening to his granddaughter's words with his eyes closed as if resting. He slowly opened his eyes, his tone surprisingly calm, even with a hint of certainty: "If Fang Xiang meets Xia Xia, he will definitely like her very much."

Fang Hua was taken aback and looked at his grandfather with confusion.

Grandpa Fang continued, his voice filled with understanding of his eldest son: "Your uncle is the most sentimental and nostalgic man. Xiaozhi is the softest spot in his heart. When he sees Xiaxia's face, he will definitely be unable to bear it at first, and he will think of Xiaozhi and feel sad. But precisely because of this, he will also put the love and guilt he felt for Xiaozhi that could not continue onto Xiaxia. He will want to protect Xiaxia more than any of us and make sure she lives a good life."

He paused, then added, "After all, looking at that face is like looking at Xiaozhi still alive, living a peaceful and happy life. For your uncle, perhaps... it's a kind of comfort."

Fang Hua listened thoughtfully. His grandfather's words made sense. Given his uncle's personality, after such a strong shock, he might indeed transfer his emotions, turning his longing for his sister into care for his niece-in-law.

Fang Zheng nodded, but the seriousness between his brows had not completely disappeared: "That's true. But if my eldest brother's family sees Xiaxia tomorrow, the scene... I'm afraid we need to be prepared. Especially Fang Chen, he was closest to Xiao Zhi when he was little."

Fang Hua immediately chimed in, her tone certain: "Uncle and cousin will definitely admit their mistake! My cousin was so attached to my aunt when he was little. I remember Mom saying that when the news of my aunt's sacrifice came, my cousin cried so hard he fainted several times and didn't speak for a long time. When he saw Xia Xia..." She simply couldn't imagine what that scene would be like.

A brief silence fell over the living room once again.

The ripples caused by Fang Zhi's face are clearly expanding and are about to affect another important branch of the Fang family. Tomorrow, when the Fang family meets Zhi Xia, the shock and confusion stemming from blood ties and deep emotions will likely be even more intense than today.

Zheng Qin sighed softly, her voice filled with deep worry: "It seems I need to talk to Xiaxia and her mother-in-law tomorrow so they can be prepared. And Xiao Chu... I also need to talk to him and tell him to protect Xiaxia and not let her get scared."

Fang Zheng hummed in agreement.

This incident, like a pebble thrown into a lake, has created ripples that spread outwards, affecting the emotional memories of two generations of the Fang family. How to handle this chain reaction triggered by a similar face, and how to balance remembrance of the deceased with acceptance of the living, will be a delicate and complex issue that this family will need to face together for a long time to come.

Tomorrow's meeting with my elder brother's family will undoubtedly be the first real test.

In the stillness of the night, only a dim wall lamp was lit in the master bedroom on the second floor.

After washing up, Zhi Xia, wearing loose cotton pajamas, awkwardly lay on her side on the bed. Fang Chu, after washing up, also got into bed and, as usual, gently pulled her into his arms from behind. His broad, warm chest pressed against her back, and one hand habitually rested on her swollen belly, feeling the occasional slight movements of the two little ones inside.

The room was quiet, with only the soft breathing of the two people.

But Zhixia didn't relax as quickly as usual.

She stared with her eyes open at the warm yellow halo of light on the wall. Everything that had happened during the day, especially the shock and excitement of the Fang family when they saw her, even her grandfather's uncontrollable crying, and the fragments about "Xiao Zhi" being "reincarnated," all swirled in her mind like a revolving lantern.

Her mind was in turmoil, filled with an inexplicable sense of fear and confusion. She felt like an intruder, or perhaps a...substitute?

She tried to hold back, but she couldn't help herself. She shifted slightly in Fang Chu's arms, her voice soft, carrying uncertainty and a hint of vulnerability: "Fang Chu..."

"Hmm?" Fang Chu responded immediately, nuzzling her head with his chin. "What's wrong? Are you feeling unwell?"

"No..." Zhixia hesitated for a moment, but still asked, "Have you...have you met your aunt?"

Fang Chu tightened his arms around her slightly, remained silent for a few seconds, and then answered in a low voice, "No. When I was born, my aunt... was already on the Korean battlefield. Later... she never came back." His voice was calm, but Zhi Xia could feel the heaviness beneath that calm.

"Oh..." Zhixia responded, her strange feeling intensifying. A person she had never met before had caused such a stir in her entire family simply because they looked alike.

She remained silent for a while, then finally voiced the thought that had been lingering deep within her heart—a thought that even she herself found absurd yet couldn't help but ponder. Her voice was even softer, tinged with hesitation and self-doubt:

"Do you think... I might really be your aunt's... reincarnation?"

As soon as she asked the question, she felt her face burning. She thought the idea was too bizarre, too...superstitious. But the coincidences were too astonishing—birthday, birthmark, and this face...she couldn't help but think about it.

Fang Chu's body visibly stiffened for a moment.

He then loosened his grip on her slightly, allowing her to slowly turn around and face him. In the dim light, his gaze was deep and earnest, devoid of mockery or perfunctoriness.

He cupped her face in his hands, his thumbs gently tracing her cheeks, his tone more resolute than ever before: "No."

He looked directly into her eyes, speaking each word clearly and forcefully: "Qingqing, listen carefully, you are not anyone's reincarnation. Those were all coincidences, just... extremely rare coincidences."

He looked into her somewhat bewildered eyes, his tone softening further, yet carrying an undeniable certainty: "You are you, Zhixia, my wife, the mother of my child. You have your own parents, your own place of growth, your own likes and dislikes, your own temper, your own little thoughts... These are all unique to you, Zhixia, and have nothing to do with anyone else, nor can they replace anyone else."