Who was it, was it Jiang Sheng, or Jiang Si, or perhaps Jiang Wu?
I still remember, Father had mentioned during idle chatter in the past, as the eldest brother, I should lead by example, protect my younger siblings, and bear responsibility.
Fang Heng in his childhood had no younger brothers or sisters, so he didn't really understand.
Later the actions of Second Uncle's family covered his heart in dust, causing him to often doubt Father's words.
It wasn't until he met Jiang Sheng, met brothers who stepped up, met clever and lively younger brothers, that Fang Heng understood the meaning of "eldest brother".
He was Fang San, Jiang Sheng's third oldest brother. He could not die in the northern borderlands. He had to proudly return to Fengjing to avenge his father and mother, and hold up half the sky for his younger siblings.
His half kneeling body suddenly erupted, the sharp blade sweeping across the neck.
Fresh blood sprayed on the heroic and outstanding side of his face. Fang Heng stopped in that instant, and the whole world froze.
After a moment, two figures fell to the ground, dying painfully and resentfully.
But little braided girl would never again bounce around riding her broom, or laugh and call out "Brother".
A cold wind blew in October's northern borderlands, cold enough to make one shiver and shudder.
Fang Heng squatted down and picked up little braided girl's corpse, a tear flowing from the corner of his eye.
Abruptly, that sound like a dream or illusion of "Third brother" rang out by his ear again.
Fang Heng was shocked for a moment, wiped the corners of his eyes dry, and turned to see a carriage galloping over. On the shafts sat two monkeys, messy from head to toe.
And that "Third brother" was uttered by one of the monkeys.
Fang Heng put down little braided girl, while at the same time gripping the knife by his side.
Soon the carriage stopped, and the person on the shaft collapsed to the ground. The other crawled over on all fours, using his sleeve to wipe away the filth and reveal a familiar face.
"Jiang San?"
Fang Heng felt he must be going crazy. First he heard someone calling Third Brother, and now he saw Jiang San.
When did he become Jiang San's third brother?
At this time, Jiang San awkwardly pinched his throat and called out "Third Brother!" again.
Fang Heng almost lost control of his flying knife.
"Young master, don't get violent," Jiang San hurriedly reverted to normal and explained in his adolescent duck voice, "It was the young lady's request for me to call out 'third brother' for her.
To mimic Jiang Sheng, he deliberately pinched his voice.
Although young master Fang gnashed his teeth, Jiang San was still gleeful, feeling that he had completed the task assigned by the young lady.
"How did you get here?" Fang Heng still calmed down in the end, "Who else is here? Jiang Si?"
Jiang San shook his head, only then remembering Gao Yan, and hurriedly pulled him up from the ground to breathe.
This whole journey was simply too arduous. Jiang San who still had strength could endure, but Gao Yan almost died on the road.
"Jiang Si didn't come. He stayed behind to protect the young lady." Jiang San's mouth jabbered on ceaselessly, "The young masters aren't in Anshui Prefecture, they went to Fengjing and encountered many things. Eldest Young Master wrote you a letter. Young Lady brought you food, drink, clothes, supplies, all in the carriage."
"We made our way until we found the northern border army. Asked clearly about the young master's name, and learned of the young master's specific location, before hurrying all the way here. Fortunately we were able to see the young master, fortunately we didn't miss..."
Fang Heng really didn't have the patience to listen. He ran to the carriage and fished out Xu Mo's letter, reading it carefully.
So many things happened after he left.
It turned out his departure didn't mollify Wang Yuyao's hatred at all. She still forced his brothers and sisters to go to Fengjing.
It turned out his family went from prosperous to destitute again. It turned out Zhu Zhi was still alive and well. It turned out eldest brother still hated Zhu Zhi.
Fang Heng couldn't help but chuckle softly. As he laughed, his eyes again grew wet.
He didn't regret leaving home, but did regret not participating in their life.
But life was so long. Separation led to reunion.
Sooner or later, Fang San would return from the northern borderlands proper and prestigious, bringing honor and pride, to support his brothers and sisters.
Fang Heng put away the envelope.
Not because he finished reading it, but because the sound of hoofbeats rang out around him.
Before long, all the people from the Tenth Platoon were back. When they saw the messy scene, they were first shocked, then overjoyed when they saw Jiang San.
"Third brother!" someone called out, it was hard to say who.
Right after, Jiang Yi, Jiang Er, Jiang Wu, Jiang Liu, Jiang Qi, Jiang Ba all gathered around Jiang San, either circling around observing or whispering in his ear.
Fang Heng suddenly realized that Jiang San was also someone else's third brother.
In the world of these eight children, they were also the protagonists, possessing emotions and stories unique to the eight.
Fang Heng's heart softened. He sat on the carriage shaft, reading the letter while looking through the things in the carriage.
The letter was written by eldest brother himself, but there were many pauses in between, and some crooked brushstrokes mixed in, likely written by Jiang Sheng.
The scene of them writing the letter floated up in his mind.
Xu Mo solemnly unfolded the letter paper and respectfully lifted his brush: Third brother Fang Heng, seeing your writing is like seeing your face. I hope all is well in the northern borderlands, though the days are cold protect yourself against the chill. My five people have moved from Anshui Prefecture to Fengjing, all is very good, do not worry. Second brother has set up a workshop, our family income is adequate...
Jiang Sheng suddenly frolicked around to the side, "Eldest brother, it wasn't just second brother who set up the workshop, I also helped set up one, I also helped out."
Xu Mo's brush tip could only pause, arduously adding the sentence: Jiang Sheng also helped out, contributing greatly to the workshop. Third brother, do not worry, life is all good.
Only then was the little girl satisfied, picking up a peach pastry from the table and crunching off a big bite, but unexpectedly the flaky crust of the pastry crumbled everywhere.
Xu Mo helplessly shook his head, carefully brushing it away, but oil stains still remained. He could only lift his brush and write: Little sister greedily ate peach pastries, may the fragrance transmit longing.
Eldest brother's calligraphy was usually known for its neat and tidy style, with an immaculate presentation. Faced with a gluttonous little sister, he could only reluctantly send off a letter stained with oil.
But Fang Heng didn't mind at all. He deeply inhaled the peach pastry scent from the envelope, smelling the ardent affection across thousands of miles.
