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Tang Xunhua

July 1, 1984

Dear Younger Brother:

Greetings!

I’m writing this letter to ask you to forgive me: I’ve lied to you for the last five years.

Each day of the last five years I was being tortured by the feeling of guilt and wanted to write and tell you the truth, but was forced to keep the lie alive again and again thanks to the hard life we led and to your sister-in-law being bedridden with paralysis. I am not a worthy brother! Remember the 10 yuan a month you have been sending to support our father out of filial love for him? The truth is: our father passed away five years ago!

Now, for reasons known to you, our life has turned around and your sister-in-law has been cured completely. It’s high time to tell you the truth!

It is with heartfelt gratitude that I am sending you the 600 yuan you earned with your toil and sweat, which I took from you through lies and in the name of our dead father.

Could you forgive me? Could your wife, the sister-in-law I haven’t had the pleasure of meeting, forgive me?

Best wishes!

Your elder brother

July 7, 1984

Dear Elder Brother:

Greetings!

I was saddened by the news that my father-in-law has long passed away and regret that as a daughter-in-law I have never had a chance to show him my filial love. How can I face my father-in-law when I meet him in my next life?

You were forced to lie by hard life, so I can fully understand. But could you forgive me for the lie I have told? In order not to devastate my father-in-law and to disturb your life, I did not tell you the news that your brother had laid down his life during the border war with Vietnam.

The money sent to you was taken from your brother’s compensations. Since I am not hard-pressed financially, I am returning to you the 600 yuan. Please accept it.

I’d be so happy if Elder Brother could kindly forgive me, too. Please give my hearty congratulations to my sister-in-law on her complete recovery!

Best wishes!

Your younger sister-in-law

(1986)