From Mother to Son:

Sitting in the living room with a months-old child in her lap, Cathy was contemplating recent events. How she became a widow because her husband could not have children or how Lin Xiao came into her life and left her with such a precious yet huge responsibility. Lin Xiao, who had died peacefully in her sleep a few days back, had taken a promise from Cathy to take care of her son after her death. The same night she died and left Lin Zhan in Cathy's care.

Cathy had taken a vacation from her work and completed the last rituals of Lin Xiao while taking care of Lin Zhan. She could never have a child but now that God has given her one, she wanted to try her best to not only fulfill the promise she made to Lin Xiao but also ensure that she raises the child as her own. Since she was working at the hospital and her recent promotion as a head nurse has made her eligible for the Hospital's accommodation for the staff, she applied to shift there and live with, now her son, Lin Zhao. This will help her in providing a good environment for the child instead of this Shanty Town area and she would be very close to home, in case, it is ever needed.

Cathy called the current landlord, informed them about the notice for vacating the house, and started packing. Even though it was still more than half a month remaining, she wanted to leave this place for fear of Lin's family, who might be wary of the child and want to finish the job once and for all. While she was packing the stuff, she also wanted to pack the little stuff Lin Xiao had left behind. When she took Lin Xiao's stuff out to pack, she found an envelope with Lin Zhan's name written on it. This raised her curiosity and took out the papers from within the envelope. These were the 18 letters that Lin Xiao had spoken to Cathy on her last night. In addition to 18 letters, there was another letter with Cathy's name on it. She took out the letter with 18 written on it and started reading it.

"My dearest Zhan,

I don't know if you will ever find this letter or not but if you are reading it, I wanted to tell you all the things that you should know. First, I your mother am very sorry for leaving you this early when you needed me the most. But we can't always go against God's plan. I left you in my sister's care because I knew she would take care of you like I would have done. Remember, me and your father, we have loved you more than anything in our life even before you were born.

Through this letter, I wanted to inform you about who you are and what you have to do in the future to ensure that your father's untimely death is avenged and all the hardships that both you and I have faced are paid with interest by those criminals. Your father was the famous "Lin Carter", who took the helm of the Lin Family at the age of 24 and took it to a new peak. He had the dream to make Lin's one of the biggest families in the world compared to Rothschild and others. He had worked very hard and became one of the top families in the country. Lin's business, under your father's directions, took place in many industries and provinces.

He married me, an orphan, out of love even when everyone was against it and gave me the whole world. His best present to me was of course you. When I told him that I was expecting to give birth to you, he was on top of the world and wanted to celebrate. Your uncle, "Lin Jack" was also informed. He invited us to have celebratory dinner at his place and while driving, we met with an accident that took your father's life. I was also hospitalized and when I asked your uncle, he dejected me and threw me away from not only the family but also the house your father had built for you and me.

I have no remorse for any of this except that you, the heir of Lin, will have to face all the hardships that you were never supposed to suffer. Your father wanted to set up a fund just for you to keep you supported for life and now you will have to earn your way in the world. Remember, this is a very harsh world, and you will be deceived on each step but you have to ensure that you remain steady. Always help the poor and needy without thinking of your advantage and try to forgive. But never let anyone look down on you or be disrespectful. You have to ensure that you keep your aunt Cathy like your mother and always listen to what she says. She also loves you like I would have done.

In the end, you have to investigate all the leads to your father's death and our downfall and ensure that you avenge his death by giving the same treatment to the culprits that they did to us. I and your father will always be there for you and looking at you from the heavens.

Yours' loving mother. "

Cathy's eyes were red, and tears were scrolling down her cheeks. She put the letter back with the rest of the 17 and took out the one addressed to her.

"My dear sister Cathy,

I want to take this opportunity to thank you for taking care of me as your sister. I guess I did do something good in the past or this life that I got to meet you. I also have to thank you for taking care of Lin Zhan for me. You might have read the letter for Zhao, but please keep it safe for him, and don't let him suffer in the wrath of enmity till you feel like he is ready to bear the burden of this responsibility.

Don't tell him that his parents have died. Raise him like your own and down to earth. Let him live a life of a commoner so he can be ready to take any challenge that comes his way. When you feel that he might be ready to know the reality, please tell him that I loved him a lot, but I didn't want him to know for the fear that this burden will crush him and take him on the wrong road. I have also left my card in the envelope with all the money inside for you. I know it is very less, but I hope you can keep it and use it whenever you deem fit.

Again, thank you for all the burdens I am putting you through.

Your loving sister,

Lin Xiao".

Cathy started sobbing like a little kid herself after reading both letters. She cleaned the tears from her eyes and decisiveness appeared on her face. She murmured to herself, clenching the letter in her hands, "Xiao'er, I promise you that I will always keep Zhan as my child and keep him safe from the harshness of this world. I will make sure that he is down to earth and gets properly educated. I will make sure that he makes you and your husband proud".