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

Zhi Lin was held tightly by his wife. He struggled a few times, his bloodshot eyes almost bleeding. He pointed at Fang Chu, his voice trembling with extreme anger and fear: "Do you know...do you know she might die! She bled so much last time, and it hasn't even been that long?! Her body can't take it! You're taking her life!"

"What's the point of saying all this now?!" Zhang Meili's voice trembled with tears, but she was more clear-headed than the enraged Zhi Lin, and knew better what was most important right now. "What's done is done! The most important thing now is Xiaxia's baby, her life! She needs the best doctors to watch over her, she needs to rest and recuperate without suffering any mistreatment, and she needs the best food and drink to strengthen her body so that she can save the baby and herself! What problem will killing him solve?!"

Her words were like a bucket of cold water poured on Zhilin's raging flames.

He was panting heavily, his fists clenched tightly, but in the end they fell limply to his sides.

He closed his eyes in anguish. Yes, even if Fang Chu were torn to pieces, it wouldn't change the fact that his sister was pregnant again and in danger.

The cool moonlight spilled into the courtyard, illuminating the tense profiles of the two men.

Zhilin suppressed his surging anger, forced himself to calm down, and asked the most crucial question: "What are your plans?" He had to secure the most secure protection for his sister.

Fang Chu had clearly given it considerable thought, and replied calmly, "Once Xiaxia is three months pregnant and the pregnancy is stable, I'll take her to the military hospital for a full checkup. If everything goes well, I'll send her back to Kyoto to prepare for childbirth. I've already contacted the best obstetrics and gynecology professor there to ensure that she and the baby receive the best medical care."

"Kyoto?" Zhilin frowned. This was his biggest worry. "Will your family... take good care of her?" He had doubts about the Fang family, a wealthy and powerful family, and was afraid that his sister would be mistreated there.

"Yes, she will," Fang Chu answered resolutely. "My parents may have some reservations at first, but they will never mistreat her. I will also ask my childhood friend and his mother to take good care of her. I will not let her suffer any injustice." This was his promise as a husband and future father.

Zhilin felt a little relieved, but immediately offered a more practical solution: "Relying on others won't work. You should rent a place for her to live alone in Kyoto, somewhere quieter. I'll have my mother go there to take care of her personally; that way I'll feel more at ease."

"Okay." Fang Chu agreed immediately without the slightest hesitation. As long as Zhi Xia's safety could be ensured, he was willing to accept any arrangement.

A moment of silence fell over the air. Zhi Lin raised his head, his gaze sharp and fixed on Fang Chu, and asked the question that had been lingering in his mind, a question that had been stuck in his throat:

"Fang Chu, tell me honestly, this time... was Xiaxia's participation voluntary?"

Fang Chu's Adam's apple bobbed, avoiding Zhi Lin's sharp gaze, and his voice lowered: "She...didn't resist."

This vague answer made Zhilin instantly understand everything. He clenched his fist and squeezed out the conclusion through gritted teeth: "She got pregnant on our wedding night, right?!"

"...Yes." Fang Chu couldn't deny it.

"You fucking beast!" Zhi Lin roared, his anger, which had just been suppressed, erupting again. "She was so drunk that day! You took advantage of her!"

Fang Chu was stung by the word "beast" and looked up, his face showing suppressed irritation and a stubborn, defiant attitude. His voice involuntarily rose:

"What do you mean by taking advantage of someone in distress?! We're a legally married couple now! We're legally married! What's wrong with sleeping together?! It's perfectly natural!"

"What utter nonsense about it being a matter of course!" Zhi Lin stepped forward, almost nose to nose with him, her eyes filled with utter disappointment and anger. "You know perfectly well! Your marriage was a marriage of convenience, what kind of certificate do you have! It was agreed that it was fake! Just to shut outsiders up! What you're doing is a betrayal! You're bullying her!"

"Agreement..." Fang Chu seemed to be burned by the word, her eyes flickered, but in the end she just turned her head away and said curtly, "Anyway, now she's my wife, and she's carrying my child. I will take full responsibility."

This conversation could not mend the rift between the two. One remained steadfast in protecting his sister and upholding their initial promise, while the other had become complacent with the fait accompli and his distorted sense of "ownership."

At night, Fang Chu was finally "allowed" to go to bed and no longer had to sleep on the floor. He carefully lay down on the outside of the bed, keeping a polite distance from Zhi Xia.

Zhi Xia curled up on the inside of the bed, her back to him. After a moment of silence, she suddenly spoke in a low voice, with a slightly unnatural commanding tone: "Lie down on the outside and hold the blanket up so I don't fall off."

This lame excuse startled Fang Chu slightly, and then a wave of tenderness washed over him. He understood that it wasn't fear of falling, but rather a subconscious search for a sense of security after experiencing the terror of the day.

"Okay." He responded softly, obediently moving his body outwards and tucking the blankets around the edge of the bed.

The room fell silent, with only the soft breathing of the two of them.

After a while, Fang Chu felt a rustling sound beside her. Zhi Xia gently turned over and lay flat on her back. She carefully placed her hand on her still flat stomach and stroked it very gently, one stroke at a time.

After a moment, with a hint of hesitation and shyness, she spoke again, her voice as soft as a feather: "Tell your son... tell him to behave and not to bother me." It was as if she was conveying her unease and prayers to that unknown little life through him.

Fang Chu's heart was instantly filled with an indescribable emotion, softening completely. He immediately leaned closer, facing her lower abdomen, and said solemnly in an extremely gentle tone that he himself didn't realize, "Son, do you hear me? Be good and don't bother your mother. Daddy's here watching you."

This childish yet earnest conversation eased the tense atmosphere somewhat. Zhixia seemed to relax a little, but when silence returned, her deep-seated fear resurfaced.

She lay there in the darkness, eyes open, staring at the blurry roof, her voice trembling almost imperceptibly:

"Fang Chu... I really want to live a good life. I'm afraid of dying."

These words were like a needle, precisely piercing the softest and most guilty spot in Fang Chu's heart.

He could no longer resist. He turned to the side, reached out, and tentatively and gently pulled her into his arms.

Zhi Xia's body stiffened for a moment, but she did not break free.