The expert read out the translation of the family letter, giving voice, word by word, to the sincere and moving familial love within it.
The brothers cared about each other. Though they were far apart, they constantly worried about each other's lives, occasionally offering advice and sending things.
The family letters Xie Huizhou and Fang Yuanke exchanged concealed nothing. They addressed each other as brothers, and such an intimate form of address provided solid proof of their relationship.
The letters explicitly stated that Xie Huizhou and Fang Yuanke were brothers related by blood.
Blood was thicker than water.
Before his death, Fang Yuanke had wanted to write another family letter to his brother far away, reassuring him that he need not grieve over his departure, telling him to take good care of himself, and saying that they would meet again someday.
In the end, he could not bear the thought of Xie Huizhou grieving over his death. He kept putting off sending the letter and took it with him to his grave.
Only thousands of years later, when the tomb was opened, did this family letter see the light of day again.
As Xie Huizhou listened to the contents of that final, unsent family letter, something seemed to lodge in his throat.
Only after a long while did he look toward Fang Yuanke's tomb and answer him.
"Brother, I received your letter. Take care of yourself."
Zhang Lanhe had been watching beside him all along. Seeing Xie Huizhou unable to hold back his tears, looking so heartbroken, made his own heart ache too.
Zhang Lanhe gathered Xie Huizhou into his arms and comforted him gently, not wanting him to remain so upset.
"Cry, Zhouzhou. You'll feel better once you let it out. Promise me you'll pull yourself together after you've