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

After saying that, she seemed to have completed the most difficult task, turned around and hurriedly went back into the house, leaving Fang Chu alone with the cold winter night and that difficult choice.

Fang Chu stood there, the moonlight casting an indistinct glow on his sharply defined face. He looked down at the letter in his hand, which seemed to weigh a ton, and for the first time clearly felt that a past he had never been a part of was standing between him and Zhi Xia in an undeniable way.

The cold air in the courtyard seemed to freeze.

Fang Chu held the letter tightly, a silent yet incredibly intense internal struggle raging within him.

One side is saying: Give it to her.

Perhaps it was just a normal greeting and small talk between old friends. After all, they were childhood sweethearts and shared such a profound past; it was only natural for them to inquire after each other's well-being. If he were to forcibly detain her, wouldn't he appear narrow-minded and lack even the most basic trust in Zhixia?

The other side was shouting at the top of their lungs: We can't give it! We absolutely can't give it!

Even now, Zhixia may not have truly fallen in love with him. She accepted him more because of the child, because of the current situation, and because of his persistent pursuit and ever-present "compensation."

This letter, like a key, could easily unlock the floodgates of her long-dormant emotions, awakening those beautiful childhood memories unrelated to Fang Chu. But what if... what if she reads the letter and wants to leave him?

They have children! Yes, for the sake of the children, for the sake of this newly formed family, he absolutely cannot give it up! He cannot take that risk!

Ultimately, the fear of loss overwhelmed the commitment to trust.

Yes, we can't give it to them.

Fang Chu clenched his fist tightly, finding the most plausible and irrefutable reason for his actions:

Xiaxia is physically weak and pregnant with twins; her emotions absolutely cannot fluctuate. What if reading this letter triggers memories and causes her to become agitated, potentially harming the baby? He can't afford to take that risk! Yes, it's for her health; he can't give in!

Having made up his mind, he no longer hesitated and turned to walk into the kitchen next door.

In the kitchen, only the flickering flame of a small kerosene lamp on the stove cast his shadow, making it appear and disappear intermittently.

He leaned closer to the lamplight, took a deep breath, as if to perform some solemn and secret ritual.

He desperately tried to reassure himself, searching for legitimacy in his impending invasion of his wife's privacy:

I'm her husband! It's my right to look at her things!

We are husband and wife, we are one, there should be no secrets between us!

Yes, I'm just checking it out for her first. If the letter is just a simple expression of concern, letting her know I'm safe, I'll show it to her immediately without delay. If it's something else…

His eyes turned cold and resolute in the flickering firelight.

If it were anything else, anything that might disturb her peace of mind or threaten the family... he would burn it immediately! Make it disappear completely! He would never let Zhixia see it!

With such conflicting yet resolute feelings, his fingers trembled but powerfully tore open the envelope that would decide his fate.

Under the dim light of a kerosene lamp, Fang Chu unfolded the letter with a judgmental feeling.

The first line of text that caught his eye, only four characters long, was like a red-hot dagger, carrying an undeniable intimacy and declaration that transcended time and space, stabbing fiercely into his eyes and piercing his heart—

My wife Xia Bao.

"boom--!"

Fang Chu felt a surge of violent blood rush to his head, and his vision instantly turned crimson! All reason and all self-comfort were shattered in the face of these four words!

My wife? !

His wife?!

Who admitted it?!

Overwhelmed by jealousy and rage at the invasion of his territory, he lost control. He crumpled the letter into a ball and slammed it against the wall like some filthy dung!

The crumpled paper rolled silently to the ground.

Fang Chu's chest heaved violently as he breathed heavily, like a trapped beast that had been provoked.

He closed his eyes, clenched his fists, and told himself over and over again:

Calm down! Fang Chu, calm down!

Xiaxia is now your wife, and she's carrying your child! She's yours! She has absolutely nothing to do with Zuoqi! A past title means nothing!

He repeatedly tried to mentally prepare himself until the overwhelming dizziness subsided, then slowly opened his eyes, his gaze dark and fixed on the crumpled piece of paper on the ground. He couldn't give up halfway; he had to know what this "old friend" still wanted to do.

He walked over, bent down, and with an almost masochistic determination, picked up the letter. He tried his best to ignore the jarring opening and forced himself to read on.

On the crumpled letter, the handwriting remained elegant, yet it seemed to carry endless sorrow and tenderness:

...Please allow me to call you that one last time, Xia Bao.

I don't know why you suddenly got married, but I know you must have had your own reasons. I don't blame you for not waiting for me; I just feel sorry for you. You must have suffered a great injustice, and I... am so far away, unable to help you. I feel so helpless; please forgive me.

If he treats you well in the future and you're willing, then live a good life with him.

If he treats you badly, you must tell me. I will definitely bring you back, whether you like it or not. I just want you to be happy.

Xia Bao, remember, you must make yourself happy and don't worry about others. The person who truly loves you will only be happy if you are doing well.

The letter ends abruptly here.

There was no signature.

But it made Fang Chu feel more suffocated and... panicked than any impassioned accusation.

This letter contained not a single accusation, not a trace of resentment, only unfathomable heartache, understanding, and a... almost obsessive vow of protection.

It was like the gentlest net, easily crossing all the barriers that Fang Chu had built with marriage and children, directly touching Zhi Xia's softest and most vulnerable spot.

Fang Chu's hand, which was holding the letter, began to tremble slightly uncontrollably.

He originally thought he would encounter entanglement or resentment, but he did not expect to encounter such a more advanced and difficult "enemy".

For the first time, he felt a strong sense of uncertainty and...ashamed of himself regarding his marriage, which he had obtained through "extraordinary means."

The flickering flame of the kerosene lamp became its best accomplice at this moment.

Fang Chu stared expressionlessly at the letter that carried such a huge threat, which curled up and charred in the flames, eventually turning into a small pile of ashes, as if the ghost called "Zuo Qi" was also briefly burned away along with it.

I absolutely cannot let Xiaxia see this.

This left-hand banner is fantastic.

It was better than he expected, so good that it sent a chill down his spine.

That unconditional affection, that selfless protection, was like a mirror, reflecting the mess and unbearable state of his marriage at its beginning.

For him, this "good" was a crisis more terrifying than any fierce competition.