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

The next day, Fang Chu took some time to find Zheng Yunzhu, who was rehearsing.

He put his hands behind his back, with a "I have good news for you" expression on his face, and cleared his throat: "Yunyun, I've talked to Xiaxia, and she's agreed to let you go see her."

Upon hearing this, Zheng Yunzhu's face had just begun to smile when Fang Chu abruptly changed the subject, his tone utterly matter-of-fact: "But you can't go empty-handed, can you?"

Zheng Yunzhu was completely baffled by the second half of the sentence, blinking her eyes, not understanding: "...What does that mean?"

Fang Chu looked at her with a "How can you be so insensible?" gaze, and earnestly lectured, "When you visit a pregnant woman, you have to bring something! Nutritional supplements, fruit, baby fabric... the more the better!"

Zheng Yunzhu finally understood, and was so angry she almost laughed out loud. Pointing her finger at Fang Chu's nose, she said, "Fang Chu! When did you become so snobbish? Do I have to charge an entrance fee just to meet you?"

Fang Chu remained calm and composed, adopting the air of a seasoned expert: "You're not married, so you don't understand. I'm teaching you about social etiquette so you'll know what's good for you when you visit a pregnant woman in the future."

"Pah!" Zheng Yunzhu spat at him, rolling her eyes in annoyance. "No wonder Auntie said you've raised a 'money-spitting beast.' So you're not only sponging off your parents, but now you're even swindling money from me, huh?"

"How can you call this a trap?" Fang Chu corrected her righteously. "Isn't my son your nephew? They're about to be born! As their aunt, shouldn't you show your support in advance? I'm giving you an opportunity to shine!"

Zheng Yunzhu was so angry at his sophistry that she stomped her feet and pointed at his chest: "Fang Chu! I'm so glad I didn't marry you! Otherwise, with your scheming nature, you would have swindled all my family's wealth away sooner or later!"

Upon hearing this, Fang Chu immediately played the emotional card, her tone incredibly sincere: "Look at you, what kind of talk is that? You're my sister!"

Zheng Yunzhu bluntly exposed her: "Come on! Don't give me that crap! She's just my god-sister! We're not related by blood!"

The two of them chatted back and forth, bickering like they did when they were kids.

Although she was sharp-tongued, Zheng Yunzhu remembered it in her heart and thought that she should really buy something decent later. She couldn't let that "gold-spitting beast"... no, let that sister-in-law she had never met see her and make a fool of herself.

After the visit, Zheng Yunzhu finally found the time to see for herself what kind of woman was who could subdue Fang Chu, a proud person, and even go so far as to "scam and cheat" to find things for her.

To avoid the awkwardness of meeting alone, she specifically asked Li Yunxiao to come along.

When she appeared before Li Yunxiao, panting and carrying large bags—from malted milk powder and canned fruit to soft baby fabrics—he couldn't help but twitch his lips at her fuss, which resembled a New Year's shopping trip. He blurted out, "My dear young lady, anyone who didn't know better would think you were going to visit disaster victims!"

Zheng Yunzhu rolled her eyes at him, then lifted the things in her hands higher: "Do you think I want to? Fang Chu repeatedly told me that I absolutely couldn't show up empty-handed! How could I possibly go empty-handed?"

Upon hearing this, Li Yunxiao's face revealed a disgusted expression of "I knew it," and he clicked his tongue, saying, "Fang Chu... has become so shameless now? His behavior is utterly disgraceful!"

"What do you think?" Zheng Yunzhu retorted, as if she had found a kindred spirit. "Now, for the sake of his little family, his shamelessness has skyrocketed; he has absolutely no bottom line!"

As the two walked towards Fang Chu's house, Li Yunxiao remarked, "Since he got married, he's not only become more shameless, but his protectiveness towards his wife has also doubled!"

This piqued Zheng Yunzhu's interest even more, and she turned to Li Yunxiao and asked, "His wife...is she really that beautiful?"

"Beautiful!" Li Yunxiao answered without hesitation, his eyes still holding the amazement he felt when they first met. "It's the kind of striking beauty, with a beautiful face and figure, the kind of beauty that makes you unforgettable at first glance."

Zheng Yunzhu gave an "Oh," feeling a little uneasy, but mostly inquisitive, and continued to ask, "So... besides being pretty, what other advantages do you have? Like your personality? Your family background?"

Li Yunxiao shrugged and spread his hands, saying, "I really don't know about that. Fang Chu protects his wife like the apple of his eye; ordinary people can't get close at all. I've barely spoken a few words to his wife."

The more he said that, the more the cat named "curiosity" scratched inside Zheng Yunzhu's heart.

A woman whom Fang Chu cherishes and protects so much, a woman who seems to be shrouded in mystery in addition to her beauty... she must meet her.

She quickened her pace, eager to see the real person immediately.

When Zheng Yunzhu and Li Yunxiao arrived at Zhixia's house carrying large and small bags, Zhixia was leaning against the kang (a heated brick bed) by the window, intently sewing clothes for her unborn child in the bright light.

Chao Huaihua welcomed the two into the house.

As soon as Zheng Yunzhu entered the room, her gaze was fixed on Zhixia. She was wearing a loose cotton-padded coat, her belly was high and protruding, her face was round and fair, and her lowered neck revealed a gentle curve. The sunlight shone on her, and her whole body seemed to be wrapped in a soft halo.

Oh my God……

The first thought that popped into Zheng Yunzhu's mind was: If I were a man, I would marry her too!

Her appearance perfectly matches the elders' ideal of a "virtuous wife and loving mother"! Beautiful yet non-threatening, gentle as a spring pond. No wonder Fang Chu was bewitched, willing to live off his parents to raise her to be so plump and beautiful!

Zhi Xia looked up at the noise and saw the unfamiliar Zheng Yunzhu. She paused for a moment, then put down her needlework and gave a faint, questioning smile: "You are... Yunyun?"

Her voice was gentle and soft, like a feather brushing against the heart.

Zheng Yunzhu was instantly captivated by the smile and voice. She took a few steps forward, her tone sincere yet slightly exaggerated: "Yes! It's me! Sister-in-law, you're so beautiful! No wonder Brother Fang Chu hid you so well, afraid someone might see you!"

Zhi Xia was a little embarrassed by her straightforward praise. Before she could think of how to respond, Zheng Yunzhu had already taken her hand in a familiar manner, and her hand felt warm and smooth to the touch.

"Sister-in-law, your hands are so soft!" Zheng Yunzhu exclaimed, her eyes sparkling as if she had discovered a new continent. Suddenly, she uttered a surprising statement: "Sister-in-law, come back to Kyoto with me! It's much better there than this poor, remote place!"

Li Yunxiao, standing nearby, felt his eyelids twitch and quickly tugged at her arm, lowering his voice, "Hey, hey, hey! What are you doing! This is Fang Chu's wife! Not yours! Are you trying to kidnap her?"