Recently, a missing person notice searching for a Chinese People's Volunteers (CPV) army soldier has touched many netizens on Chinese social media platforms. Tang Chuyang, an 76-year-old granny, released the notice. And it unfolded a friendship that survived time and distance in the era of war.

In 1953, during the War to Resist U.S. Aggression and Aid Korea, 9-year-old Tang was a third-grade elementary school student. One day, her teacher assigned them an essay titled "A Letter to the CPV soldier." Encouraged by the teacher, Tang posted the letter from her hometown of south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region to the soldiers fighting on the frontline in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK). 

The letter was randomly distributed to CPV troops then.

A fortnight later, Tang unexpectedly received a letter in reply from a CPV soldier on the frontline! The soldier wrote his name, Chen Jingsheng, and also mentioned that he is also from Guangxi. In this way, Tang and Chen began their correspondence.

Chen also sent two photos of himself taken on the battlefield, with his greetings scribbled on it, "Dear Tang Chuyang, I wish you make progress in your studies." In reply, Tang also sent photos of her and her brother along with a letter to Chen.

The letters helped the little girl forge a friendship with the young CPV soldier. The correspondence lasted for only half-a-year until a letter written by Tang was sent back, and she was told that the post office could not contact Chen's troops. The two have since lost contact.

On October 23, China held a ceremony to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the CPV army entering the DPRK in the War to Resist U.S. Aggression and Aid Korea. Tang watched the live TV, which made her recall Chen again, "If he is still alive, he should be over 90 years old."

After Tang's story was reported by local media, many netizens began to help granny Tang find CPV soldier Chen.

In less than a day, with the joint efforts of people from all walks of life, Tang found Chen's family members, and received a sad message that Chen has died.

Tang was surprised and grateful for getting the information so speedily. Although it was a little regrettable that she could not meet Chen, Tang was relieved to know that he had safely returned from the battlefield and lived his old age happily.

"Thank you netizens for helping me fulfill my biggest wish," said Tang.

Chen Lei, Chen's grandson, also found the photo that Tang sent to Chen during the wartime. Chen brought the photos from the battlefield to his motherland, and kept it until he left this world.

Granny Tang's missing person notice, which was released nearly 70 years late, has a complete ending. The little girl back then did not forget the young soldier, nor did the Chinese people forget every CPV heroes and martyrs.