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

Fang Chu helped Zhi Xia into the car first, then Chao Huaihua. Zheng Qin then went around to the other side and got into the passenger seat. Fang Chu got in last, sat next to Zhi Xia, and closed the door.

The black sedan smoothly drove away from the bustling train station and merged into the wide streets of Kyoto. Outside the car window were towering buildings, bicycles, and pedestrians, all in stark contrast to the quiet military compound.

Inside the carriage, Zheng Qin turned around, smiling as she chatted with Zhi Xia and Chao Huaihua, introducing the scenery along the way with a warm and attentive tone. Zhi Xia responded softly, snuggling close to Fang Chu, her hand unconsciously protecting her stomach. Fang Chu held her hand the whole time, offering silent support.

As Zheng Qin spoke, she couldn't help but secretly glance at Zhi Xia's exposed eyes through the rearview mirror, eyes that felt strangely familiar to her.

Where did that sense of familiarity come from? She frowned slightly, unable to make sense of it for a moment.

The car drove into a quiet and heavily guarded compound, and finally stopped in front of a two-story building that looked a bit old but was very well maintained.

Zheng Qin, who had been so warm and attentive all the way, seemed somewhat distracted at this moment, unable to shake the familiar feeling brought back by those eyes. After the car came to a stop, she took a deep breath, suppressed her chaotic thoughts, got out of the car first, and helped open the door.

"We're here, this is home. Take your time getting off." A polite smile returned to her face.

Fang Chu got out of the car first, then carefully helped Zhi Xia out. Chao Huaihua also got out of the car. In early spring in Kyoto, the wind was still a bit chilly, but the sun was shining brightly.

Xiao Zhou carried the luggage into the house. Zheng Qin led them inside, saying as they walked, "The room is all ready. It's the sunny one on the second floor, quiet and warm. Xiao Chu, help Xia Xia upstairs to rest and catch her breath. In-laws, please go upstairs and see if you need anything or if anything is missing."

With Fang Chu's help, Zhi Xia slowly walked into the warm and bright living room. The room was heated, a stark contrast to the chilly spring air outside.

She then realized that the heavy clothes she was wearing were a bit stuffy, and with her tense nerves relaxing slightly, she subconsciously raised her hand, untied the thick scarf that was tightly wrapped around her, and took off the woolen hat that almost covered half of her face.

As she moved, her face, which had been completely covered up, was fully revealed. Because of her pregnancy, her cheeks were fuller than before, her skin was fair, and she carried a slight weariness from her long journey.

Her eyebrows and eyes were clear, her nose was straight and delicate, and her lips were pale but beautifully shaped. Having shed the bulky clothing, her belly was prominent, but she exuded a gentle and serene beauty.

Zheng Qin, who was busy pouring hot water, turned around unintentionally and her gaze fell on Zhi Xia's face.

Time seemed to freeze at that moment.

The kettle in Zheng Qin's hand fell to the carpeted floor with a "clatter." The kettle rolled twice, spilling hot water and creating a cloud of steam.

She seemed oblivious, her eyes fixed on Zhixia's face, her pupils suddenly contracting, her face turning pale instantly, and her lips trembling uncontrollably.

A gasp of disbelief escaped his lips:

"Xiao...Xiao Zhi?!"

The sharp and abrupt sound shattered the warm atmosphere that had just begun to rise in the living room.

Fang Chu was helping Zhi Xia sit down on the sofa when he heard the sound and looked up in surprise: "Mom? What's wrong?" He frowned, looking at his mother's distraught appearance, and then asked again in confusion, "Xiao Zhi? Who is Xiao Zhi?"

Zhi Xia was also startled by this sudden change. She looked at her distraught mother-in-law with a blank and uneasy expression, and instinctively grabbed Fang Chu's sleeve.

Chao Huaihua was also stunned. She looked at Zheng Qin, then at her daughter, completely bewildered.

Zheng Qin seemed to be startled awake by her own exclamation. She suddenly came to her senses and hurriedly looked away from Zhi Xia's face, but couldn't help glancing at her again. The more she looked, the paler her face became, and her breathing became rapid.

It's so similar... How can it be so similar? The eyebrows, the contours, especially the expression in those eyes...

"No...nothing!" Zheng Qin abruptly interrupted Fang Chu's questioning, her voice trembling. She bent down to pick up the kettle, but her hands were shaking so badly that she had to try twice before finally managing to lift it. She haphazardly placed the kettle on the nearby cabinet, avoiding everyone's gaze, especially Zhi Xia's, and said rapidly, "I...I'm going out for a bit! I remembered something urgent! Xiao Chu, please help Xia Xia to her room to rest! In-law, please...please make yourself at home!"

After saying that, she practically fled, grabbing the coat draped over the back of the sofa and rushing out of the house without even putting it on properly, almost knocking over the leather shoes next to the shoe cabinet.

"Mom?!" Fang Chu chased after her to the gate, only to see his mother's flustered figure disappear beyond the gate. He frowned, filled with doubt. "What happened to her? Who is Xiao Zhi?"

He turned to look at Zhixia on the sofa. Zhixia also looked bewildered and uneasy, and shook her head.

Chao Huaihua walked over, looking at the doorway with concern: "My dear in-law, are you... feeling unwell?"

Fang Chu suppressed her doubts and comforted her, "Maybe...maybe something really urgent has happened. My mom is like that sometimes, all flustered. Let's ignore her for now. Xiaxia, you're exhausted, let me help you upstairs to rest. Mom, your room is next door, you should go and rest there too."

Zhi Xia nodded and stood up with Fang Chu's help. However, her heart was still clouded by her mother-in-law's panicked cry of "Xiao Zhi" and her out-of-control reaction.

Who is "Xiao Zhi"? Why did my mother-in-law call me by that name when she saw me?

At that moment, Zheng Qin, who had rushed out of her house and was in a state of utter confusion, was walking briskly along the quiet path of the compound, her mind a jumble of thoughts.

How could... how could they look so alike?

That face, especially those eyes...it's exactly the same as Fang Zhi in the photo when she was young!

Fang Zhi, Fang Chu's aunt, and Fang Zheng's only sister. That talented and proud military medical student, who went to the front line of the Korean War against her family's wishes, later... sacrificed her life. Her remains were never found, leaving only a few yellowed photos and an eternal pain in her family's hearts.

So many years have passed, and Fang Zhi has become a taboo topic in the Fang family that cannot be easily touched upon. In Fang Zheng's study, there has always been a black and white photo of his younger sister wearing a white coat, smiling radiantly with youthful energy.

Just now, the moment Zhixia took off her scarf, Zheng Qin seemed to see the smile in that black and white photo appear vividly in front of her!