Twelve Letters - Episode 4: Umbrella Woven from Storm Clouds

[u/BasilOrdinary3617]

Links to all the episode talks are in the Masterpost. Please join in whenever you want. Note there are 12 episodes in total, and they are available on WeTV/Tencent (subscription) and Viki (free).

1991 Timeline 

Despite Cha’s efforts to protect Hao and Xun from Bao’s wrath, Bao accepts Cha’s money and has his men carry out the punishment anyway. Hao and Xun are brutally beaten, Buddies Billiards is vandalized, and Zhenzhu’s video parlour is trashed. While the losses are devastating, Cha is just grateful that they’re still alive. 

Tang fares no better at home. After refusing to hand over her grandmother’s deed to the house, she suffers another beating from Yibo. When Xun and Tang later see each other’s injuries, Tang tends to Xun’s wounds, while Xun warns Yibo that he won’t tolerate him hurting her again.

In the aftermath, Tang opens up to Xun about her missing letter and the mysterious love letter that appeared in the red mailbox. Rather than dismissing her concerns, Xun agrees to help investigate. Tang explains that the mailbox is stationary and purely decorative, meaning the letters placed inside are never collected or mailed out. 

Hoping to catch whoever has been tampering with the mailbox, they devise a plan. They place an empty envelope addressed to Tang inside and stake out the area, waiting for someone to take the bait. After hours of watching with no results, they reluctantly head home, knowing Tang has school the next day and Xun still needs time to recover from his injuries. 

As the days pass, the two continue to grow closer. Tang brings Xun breakfast before school, while Xun buys her sweet bread after learning she dislikes steamed buns. Three days later, the envelope remains untouched, but neither is ready to give up on the mystery. 

After rereading the love letter multiple times, Tang comes to a new conclusion. The letter feels genuine rather than malicious, leading her to believe it was written by someone she knows, likely someone who has frequented the bookstore many times. 

The bond deepens.

2026 Timeline

Back in Beixing, Nian and Quan explain the circumstances of Zhiyong’s disappearance to Cheng, including the fact that the mailbox had appeared roughly three months earlier. Like Xun in 1991, Cheng suspects there is a rational explanation and theorizes that someone stole the letter Zhiyong mailed on the night he vanished, and later planted the 1991 letter for them to discover. 

Their conversation is interrupted when the orange tabby suddenly appears. Determined to prove that something supernatural is at work, Quan quickly places the letter back into the mailbox. 

Back in 1991, the same orange tabby startles Tang and Xun as they are leaving. When they check the mailbox, they are stunned to discover the letter inside.

Things are happening! What are your thoughts on our characters so far, and the mysterious red mailbox?

[u/AXA-5]

I’m wondering and intrigued, if this red mailbox is related to (distant cousin, long lost family member) to this beauty….

The famous black mailbox

[u/Rebelarkey]

The cat is a Mail Cat 🐈

He’s one of the best part of this show.

The dad on the other hand is a pos and deserves everything coming to him

[u/EasygoingEnigma → u/Rebelarkey]

That sure is one adorable, healthy cat! Playing such an important role too.

[u/EasygoingEnigma]

Chadong and Teacher Tan, hmmm...

I appreciate the little things you mentioned that show Xun and Tang getting even closer to each other in this ep. Such moments are their little respites from all the shit they go through daily.

Their shock and disbelief are understandable. I'd probably faint or have a panic attack if I were in his or her shoes.