Ten years ago, Liu Yanpeng dropped out of high school in order to give his younger brother Yanbo a shot at an education.

Now a decade later, as Yanbo prepares to graduate from Shanghai's prestigious Fudan University with a degree in political science, he is now returning his older brother's sacrifice, helping the now 30-year-old Yanpeng to finish high school and keep his own university dreams alive.

Brother's keeper

The oldest son of four children born of a poor farmer's family in Huangjiatai village, Hubei Province, Yanpeng was always at the top of his class. However, with their mother ill and father deaf, their family income was always limited. Even with the children helping in the fields, the family could only earn 3,000-4,000 yuan ($439- 586) a year.

"The fact is that my family could only support one child's schooling. I had to help and ease the burden on my parents," Yanpeng told the Global Times.

Despite all his hard work in school, Yanpeng gave up on his education and look for work in Wuhan, capital of Hubei Province in 2000. Only Yanbo, the youngest of his family, was able to continue studying.

All work, no contact

Finding a string of jobs in Wuhan, Yanpeng later moved to Shenzhen, Guangdong Province where he found a job at an electronics factory.

However, Yanpeng still barely made enough to send home for Yanbo's studies, who was then in the 7th grade. Without a mobile phone, Yanpeng could only keep up correspondence through letters.

"I feel hopeless and uncertain about my future," Yanpeng wrote to his brother. "In this kind of world, if I have an education, I believe I can change my destiny."

As he had no fixed address, Yanbo had no way to write back to his older brother. It was only when Yanpeng returned home during the Spring Festival in 2004 that he saw the over 40 letters written by Yanbo, most of which encouraged Yanpeng to keep a positive attitude.

"Seeing all those unsent letters, I was deeply touched," Yanpeng said.

Fruits of sacrifice

In 2007, Yanbo took first place in national college entrance exam (gaokao) and was admitted to the sociology department at Fudan University in Shanghai. As the first of their village to ever attend college, a relative of his family sent an old cell phone to him to congratulate him.

Upon hearing the good news while working his shift at the electronics factory in Shenzhen, Yanpeng burst into tears.

"I had mixed feelings. I'm really proud of Yanbo and all our hard work is finally rewarded. But, his admission also means a heavier economic burden on my family, " Yanpeng said.

So in order to save the 400 yuan it would cost to buy a round trip train ticket home, he stayed in Shenzhen working instead of celebrating with Yanbo.

As Yanbo brought honor to the village, the local government and enterprises sponsored Yanbo and secured him a student loan, which settled most of his tuition and reduced the burden on his family.

During the holidays, Yanbo stays on campus to work as a tutor, earning enough to buy a computer while having extra to send home. All the while encouraging his brother to continue working towards a university education.

Back to school

In autumn in 2008, Yanpeng wrote numerous letters to the principal of Yanbo's old high school, Deng Junsong, asking to be admitted once again. Moved by his sincerity and perseverance, Deng enrolled Yanpeng in the 10th grade at Wufeng No.1 High School.

Although Yanpeng is ecstatic to be back in school, he has to wake at 5:00 am and go to sleep at midnight everyday just to keep up with his classmates.

"There's also the pressure of competition. After all, I had been out of school for 8 years, " Yanpeng said.

Yanpeng is now ranked in top 20 in his class of 50 students. His aim is to continue on and go to a prestigious university. And as Yanpeng has used up all his savings, Yangbo is now providing his brother with financial support by working as a tutor eight times a week.

"My brother had postponed his dream for eight years, now it's time to do something for him," Yanbo said.

As a junior approaching graduation, Yanbo now has to choose between finding a job and continuing on to graduate school, a choice that has his brother Yanpeng equally torn.

"It's difficult for him to choose, because my family still needs our support," explains Yanpeng.

"In my heart, I want my brother to pursue advanced studies and find a better job. But it's all up to him."