1985, the year of the great writer, began with Infernal Affairs!

A complex mix of emotions welled up in Xie Lu's heart.

In his previous life, he stood here just like this, looking at the money she handed him, feeling embarrassed and ashamed.

Back then, as a naive young man, he felt that accepting money from a female classmate, especially from someone like Zhao Wanwan who was from a wealthy family, had good grades, and was beautiful, was an insult to him.

At the time, he stubbornly said "no need," as if that would preserve his last shred of dignity.

But now, looking at Zhao Wanwan's hands trembling slightly with nervousness, and at the undisguised concern and anxiety in her eyes, Xie Lu suddenly felt that he had been incredibly stupid in his previous life.

This is not charity, it is a gesture of goodwill.

It represents the purest and most innocent feelings of a young person.

Xie Lu's heart softened.

"Zhao Wanwan".

Xie Lu spoke, his voice even gentler than he had imagined: "Thank you."

Zhao Wanwan raised her head, her bright eyes sparkling with excitement.

Attorney Xie continued, "However, I've already received the acceptance letter."

Zhao Wanwan was taken aback: "Huh?"

"You got it? But I heard from Liu Zhenyu that..."

"Li Hanwen delivered it this morning." Xie Lu walked to the edge of the kang (a heated brick bed), pulled the rectangular envelope from under the pillow, and handed it to Zhao Wanwan: "Look."

Zhao Wanwan took the envelope, pulled out the notice inside, and looked at it carefully.

When she saw the words "Wuhan University" and the official seal in the lower right corner, she breathed a long sigh of relief and relaxed completely.

"That's wonderful," she murmured softly, a faint smile on her face. "I knew you'd get into university."

She carefully put the notification back into the envelope and handed it back to Lawyer Xie.

He was still clutching the money in his hand, unsure of what to do.

Looking at her like that, Xie Lu suddenly felt like teasing her.

Xie Lu deliberately ignored the money in her hand, instead tilting his head and asking, "However, I still want to know, are you planning to lend me this money?"

Zhao Wanwan nodded: "Okay. You can use it for now, and return it to me later when you graduate and start working."

As she said this, her gaze drifted to the window, avoiding Xie Lu's eyes.

"What if I can't pay it back?" Xie Lu leaned forward, lowered his voice, and said with a hint of teasing, "Although the tuition at Wushu University isn't high, the living expenses and book costs add up to quite a bit."

"If I'm broke throughout my four years of university and can't find a good job after graduation, I might not be able to pay back this money."

Zhao Wanwan was clearly taken aback by Xie Lu's words. She paused for a moment, and then her face turned even redder.

"No, you won't," she whispered. "You're so capable, you'll definitely amount to something in the future."

"What if?" Hearing Zhao Wanwan's soft mutterings, Xie Lu pressed on relentlessly, "There's always a 'what if' situation. What if I really can't pay it back? That hundred yuan isn't a small amount; you've been saving it for a long time, haven't you?"

Zhao Wanwan bit her lower lip, her fingers unconsciously twisting the handkerchief.

Sunlight streamed through the window and shone on her face, revealing the fine downy hairs.

Although Zhao Wanwan's eyelashes weren't very thick, their crescent-shaped curve made them look beautiful.

The room fell silent, save for the crowing of roosters and the barking of stray dogs from the village.

After a long while, Zhao Wanwan spoke in an almost inaudible voice:

"Then... then consider it a gift from me. Just remember me when you become famous and successful in the future."

These words were spoken softly, but with great seriousness.

Xie Lu's heart skipped a beat.

He looked at the girl in front of him, her face flushed, and her eyelashes trembling slightly with nervousness. He suddenly remembered what Liu Zhenyu had said in his previous life: "Wanwan is such a good girl. I wonder what she's waiting for."

Perhaps what she was waiting for was never some grand promise, but rather an afternoon like this, an opportunity, to deliver the feelings she had been holding back for so long to the boy who had always been ahead of her.

Xie Lu suddenly didn't want to tease her anymore.

He boldly reached out, not to take the money, but to gently grasp Zhao Wanwan's wrist, along with the wad of cash in her hand.

Zhao Wanwan trembled and suddenly looked up at him.

Xie looked at her and said seriously, "I'll accept the money, but it's not a loan, it's an investment."

You're right, I'm sure I'll amount to something in the future.

So this 100 yuan is considered your investment.

"When I finally make something of myself, I'll pay you back with interest."

After a pause, Xie Lu's lips curled into a mischievous smile:

"But then again, what if we really can't pay it back?"

Zhao Wanwan's wrist was directly held by Xie Lu, the heat passing through her skin, making her feel flustered.

She opened her mouth, but for a moment she didn't know what to say. Her face felt hot, and she felt that she must have a fever.

Xie Lu leaned closer and whispered in her ear in a roguish tone:

"How about I repay you with my body?"

Upon hearing this, Zhao Wanwan felt as if she had been set on fire, overwhelmed with shame and embarrassment…

"What nonsense are you spouting!" Zhao Wanwan abruptly pulled her hand back, taking two steps back, almost dropping the money in her hand.

Her face was already as red as it could possibly be, and even her eyes were a little wet. For a moment, she didn't know whether it was from anger or embarrassment.

Seeing Zhao Wanwan's shy expression, Xie Lu chuckled.

Xie Lu's laughter gradually subsided.

Sunlight streamed through the window paper onto Zhao Wanwan's face, revealing fine beads of sweat on the tip of her nose and her lips trembling slightly with shyness.

"Alright, I'll stop teasing you." Xie Lu stopped laughing, stood up straight, and held out his hand to her. "I'll take the money."

Zhao Wanwan was still reeling from the shock of those words and didn't immediately process what they meant.

She blinked, her eyelashes glistening with moisture.

"But it's not a loan," Xie Lu continued, his voice serious. "Consider it an investment in me because I'm talented and handsome. Once I make a name for myself at Wuhan University, I'll pay you back this hundred yuan with interest."

Zhao Wanwan finally came to her senses.

She looked at Xie Lu's outstretched hand. His fingers were long and slender, with distinct knuckles and neatly trimmed nails. It was the hand of a scholar, completely different from her father's calloused, large-knuckled hands.

Zhao Wanwan bit her lower lip, folded the handkerchief again, and solemnly placed it in Xie Lu's palm.

"I believe in you." Zhao Wanwan's voice wasn't loud, but she believed in Xie Lu and that he would definitely amount to something!

Xie Lu gripped the wad of cash in his hand.

It still carried Zhao Wanwan's body temperature, warm and cozy.

Xie Lu put the money in his pocket and patted it: "Then it's settled. I'll treat you to a meal after I report to Wuhan and get settled."

"Okay." Zhao Wanwan nodded, a smile finally appearing on her face.

When the two came out of the house, Wang Yufen was sitting under the jujube tree in the yard with a bowl of water in her hand.

Seeing them, he quickly stood up: "Girl... are you leaving already? Sit a little longer."

"No, Auntie, I should go home now. My parents will worry if I get home late."