He then gently picked up two envelopes and carefully folded the letters meant for his grandmother and uncle. He slid them slowly into one of the envelopes with an expression of intense focus, as if he were completing a sacred mission. Afterward, he took the second letter, intended for Du Xiaoye and his brothers, and tucked it into its respective envelope with the same solemnity.
He sat there, clutching the two envelopes, his mind racing as he planned his itinerary for the following day. He thought that as soon as the sky turned light, he would set off for the Post Office to personally mail these letters laden with longing. It felt as though once the letters were sent, the invisible tether between him and his distant family and friends could be drawn tight once more.
However, just as his eyes happened to sweep over the envelopes, his body suddenly stiffened, and he froze. His gaze locked onto the spot where the stamps were meant to go. That tiny, unremarkable area now seemed like an insurmountable barrier. After all, in this day and age, how could a letter be sent without a stamp? Yet behind this seemingly simple act lay a grave risk that could expose his whereabouts. Once a stamp was affixed, the mail would inevitably leave traces during the delivery process, and those tracking him in the shadows could easily follow the trail and pinpoint his location.
Chapter 410