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

Zhi Xia took her arm and led her outside, reassuring her in a relaxed tone: "What's there to be nervous about? Just treat that place like your own home. Sweep the floor when you need to, wash your hair when you need to, be observant and quick."

She paused, then used the most "practical" calculation method to "cool down" Wang Chun:

"Besides, do the math, you only earn fifty cents a day. Is it worth being so anxious about fifty cents?"

The words "five cents" were like a bucket of just the right amount of cool water, instantly extinguishing most of the anxiety in Wang Chun's heart. She paused for a moment, then seemed to realize something, straightening her back a little and her tone becoming more relaxed:

"Yeah, it's only fifty cents a day! What's there to be nervous about! Let's go!"

The two smiled at each other, linked arms, and walked briskly towards the bus stop. The morning light shone on them, casting long shadows. One was about to take her first steps in independently earning "five cents," while the other, with her companionship, searched for the next direction in her life.

After seeing off the anxious and expectant Wang Chun, Zhi Xia practically ran home. Her heart was already set on that red and yellow floral fabric, and she couldn't wait to put on her new dress.

She spent the entire morning engrossed in her sewing machine, meticulously piecing together each piece of fabric, copying the latest fashion designs. When the last thread was cut, a dress with a slightly wavy hem was finally finished. She carefully smoothed out the wrinkles on the skirt, her heart filled with the joy of creation.

Around noon, Zhixia changed into this brand-new red dress and stood in front of the mirror.

The girl in the mirror was tall and fair-skinned. The bright red dress with yellow flowers seemed tailor-made for her, sweeping away the gloom of the past few days and making her glow. The waist of the dress was perfectly fitted, and the hem flared out slightly, exuding a rare charm and vitality for that era. She turned from side to side, unable to suppress the upward curve of her lips—she felt incredibly beautiful, like a completely different person.

In a great mood, she was too lazy to cook and decided to go to the cafeteria to get food, and also... let her new dress see the sun.

When she entered the cafeteria, she indeed caused a small commotion. Amidst the greenery, her red dress stood out like a suddenly blooming, dazzling red flower, instantly catching everyone's attention. She was already strikingly beautiful, but the dress made her even more radiant.

At the entrance of the cafeteria, Fang Chu and Li Yunxiao were talking as they walked out. Suddenly, his gaze was drawn to a bright color in the distance, and his steps unconsciously slowed down.

It is known as summer.

She wore a red dress with yellow flowers, like a peony suddenly blooming, vibrant and bright, almost dazzling in the scorching summer sun. She was talking to a woman next to her, a relaxed and genuine smile on her face, a smile even more radiant than her dress. Already tall and fair-skinned, she seemed to glow in the dress, a stark contrast to the pale, frightened girl who had been filled with hatred for him earlier.

Looking at her like this, Fang Chu felt as if a very fine feather was gently scratching his heart, causing a strange yet intense itch. This was followed by an even stranger, almost instinctive, sense of alertness and displeasure.

He felt an overwhelming irritation as he saw the gazes directed at her, some open, some subtle, filled with admiration and wonder. A strong, unthinking thought surfaced within him: she should have been mine… yet now, she was being watched and coveted by so many people.

Just then, Li Yunxiao, who was standing next to Fang Chu, also noticed the sight. He nudged Fang Chu with his elbow, lowered his voice, and said with a tone full of amazement and teasing, "Holy crap... Fang Chu, I didn't realize! When did such a beautiful girl start hiding in our residential compound? Her looks and figure are amazing!"

Fang Chu's face instantly darkened. Without thinking, a cold, harsh rebuke slipped out, carrying a strong possessiveness he himself was unaware of:

"Get lost! She's not someone you can even dream of!"

The hostility and possessiveness in those words were too obvious. Li Yunxiao, being a shrewd man, immediately sensed something unusual in this unusual attitude. He raised an eyebrow in surprise, leaned closer to Fang Chu, and wore a playful, inquisitive smile:

"Oh? Such a big reaction? Something's up... Do you know them?"

Fang Chu snapped back to reality, realizing his lapse in composure. He withdrew his gaze from Zhi Xia, his expression returning to its usual coldness, yet he couldn't hide the unnatural unease of being seen through. He said nothing, only glaring fiercely at Li Yunxiao before striding straight ahead, answering all questions with a silent and stiff back view.

Seeing his obvious attempt to cover up his blunder, Li Yunxiao's gossip-loving spirit was completely ignited. He glanced back at the striking red figure, stroked his chin, and smiled meaningfully:

"Hey...you really know each other. And it's not a small matter."

On her way back, Zhixia ran into Aunt Wang, whose eyes lit up. She couldn't help but exclaim, "Oh my, Zhixia! A new dress? The color is so bright! It looks so good on you!"

Zhi Xia was a little embarrassed, but mostly happy, and replied gracefully, "Thank you, Auntie!"

"No need to thank me, this is how a young girl should dress! It looks so smart!" Aunt Wang said with a smile as she walked away.

She hadn't walked far when she bumped into Xu Guihua again. Xu Guihua clapped her hands dramatically, her voice so loud it could be heard halfway down the street: "My goodness! Zhixia! You're... a fairy descended from heaven! You're so beautiful!"

Zhi Xia blushed at her words and quickly waved her hand, "Sister-in-law, what you're saying is too exaggerated."

"What's exaggerated? It's the absolute truth!" Xu Guihua circled around Zhixia, praising her. "This dress, this look, it's the best in our compound! I'll get a red dress for my daughter too!"

Wearing a red dress, Zhi Xia walked in the summer sun, listening to the praises around her, some direct and some subtle, and feeling the admiring glances. The place in her heart that had been suppressed for so long seemed to be bathed in sunlight, becoming light and warm.

This dress is not just a new piece of clothing, but also her declaration of bidding farewell to her dark past and bravely stepping into a new life.

As evening approached, the summer heat subsided slightly, and the sky was just beginning to darken. Wang Chun returned from get off work, not even bothering to drink a sip of water, before carrying a washbasin to find Zhi Xia.

"Zhixia, come on, let's go wash clothes by the pond!"

"I finished washing my clothes this afternoon," Zhixia poked her head out of the house, holding a half-finished shoe sole in her hand.

"Then you have to stay here and chat with me!" Wang Chun pulled her along without further ado, "It's no fun going by myself."

Zhi Xia smiled and shook her head, put down the shoe sole in her hand, and followed Wang Chun out the door.