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

Here, have some.

Xie Lu also sat up, took the lunchbox, and opened the lid.

On top are many pieces of braised pork, then scrambled eggs with tomatoes and green vegetables, and at the bottom is a plate of white rice.

The top layer of grease looks very appetizing.

The two of them sat on the upper bunk, hunched over, with their lunchboxes on their laps, and began to eat.

The space was small, so they had to be very careful, otherwise the lunchbox would tip over, but they were both used to it. They ate slowly but steadily.

Xie Lu picked up a piece of braised pork, which was stewed until very tender, fatty but not greasy, and very delicious.

"Your mom's cooking is really good."

Hearing Xie Lu praise her mother's cooking skills, Zhao Wanwan didn't hold back in bragging about her mother's skills either: "That's right, my mother's cooking skills are number one."

The two ate and chatted in hushed tones, afraid of disturbing others.

The conversation was very trivial, about high school classmates, the streets of the county town, and Zhao Wanwan's imagination of Wuhan.

They also talked about the future, with Zhao Wanwan becoming a teacher after graduation.

After finishing her meal, Zhao Wanwan put away the lunchbox, wiped it clean with a cloth, and put it back in the mesh bag.

Attorney Xie accepted it.

The two lay down again.

The lights in the carriage dimmed a bit; most people were already asleep, with only a few berths still dimly lit, where people were reading.

Zhao Wanwan yawned.

"Tired?"

"Yeah, a little. The train's swaying makes me sleepy."

"Then go to sleep."

"Mmm." Zhao Wanwan closed her eyes. With Xie Lu by her side, she felt very safe.

After a while, Zhao Wanwan suddenly opened her eyes, turned her head slightly to peek at Xie Lu, but was quickly noticed by Xie Lu. Her face turned slightly red, and she stammered, "Xie Lu."

"Um?"

"After we arrive in Wuhan, will we still be able to see each other often?"

"Of course you can. Wuhan University and Huazhong Normal University aren't far apart; it's just a few bus stops away."

"That's good." Zhao Wanwan was relieved, closed her eyes again, and had a smile on her lips.

This time she really fell asleep, her breathing became even and long, and she quickly drifted off to sleep.

After seeing that Zhao Wanwan had fallen asleep, Xie Lu also quickly went to sleep.

It was the middle of the night.

The carriage was pitch black.

The lights on the ceiling of the aisle were all off, except for a small light at the connection between the carriages, which emitted a faint, dim yellow glow.

The sound of the train was exceptionally clear in the darkness, clanging rhythmically.

Occasionally, when passing by a small station, a few lights would flash by outside the window, only to quickly disappear into the night.

Zhao Wanwan woke up.

She was woken up by the urge to urinate.

I ate dinner and drank water, and now my lower abdomen feels bloated and uncomfortable.

She opened her eyes. It was pitch black all around, with only a sliver of light coming through the edge of her berth. She listened carefully; the carriage was quiet, with only the sounds of snoring and breathing.

Zhao Wanwan gently turned over, facing outwards. On the opposite bunk, Xie Lu was fast asleep, his face turned inwards, and only a blurry outline could be seen.

Zhao Wanwan bit her lip.

She needed to use the restroom, but it was located at the junction of the carriages, requiring her to walk a considerable distance down a corridor. Everyone was asleep, and the corridor was dark, so she was a little scared.

But I can't not go.

She hesitated for a moment, then decided not to wake Xie Lu.

Xie Lu had ridden such a long way during the day and had been through so much trouble; he must be very tired. She didn't want to wake him.

Zhao Wanwan carefully sat up.

The upper bunk was very low, so she had to bend over and slowly move to the edge of the bunk, holding onto the railing with her hand and tentatively stepping down with one foot.

The iron ladder was narrow, and the steps were icy cold. She stepped firmly, and then followed with her other foot.

The movements were very light and slow, as if afraid of making a sound.

I had just gone down two steps when I heard a noise from the bunk opposite.

Xie Lu turned over and woke up.

"Wanwan?" Xie Lu's voice was slightly sleepy, but very clear.

Zhao Wanwan froze on the ladder: "I...I'm going to the toilet."

Xie Lu sat up, glanced at Zhao Wanwan, then at the dark aisle, said nothing, and began to descend to his lower bunk.

"I'll go with you."

"No need, no need, you go to sleep, I can manage on my own."

Zhao Wanwan quickly waved her hand to refuse.

Xie Lu didn't care about any of that; he had already started talking while getting into the lower bunk.

Zhao Wanwan's face felt a little hot, but she couldn't help feeling much more at ease.

Seeing that Xie Lu had already taken the lower bunk, she stopped refusing and followed him to the connecting area between the carriages.

The aisle was very dark, with only a little light at both ends of the connecting area between the carriages; the middle section was almost pitch black.

Xie Lu walked in front, and Zhao Wanwan followed behind, the two of them very close together.

Occasionally, as I pass by a bunk, I can hear the sound of someone turning over or snoring inside.

As you walk to the connecting area between the carriages, a small light is on.

The light was dim; I could barely make out the toilet door.

The door is green, with the word "Toilet" painted on it in white.

Xie Lu stopped outside the door: "You can go in. I'll wait here."

Zhao Wanwan nodded and pushed the door open to go inside.

The toilet was small and very basic.

A squat toilet, a faucet, and a roll of rough toilet paper hanging on the wall.

The train was shaking violently, and Zhao Wanwan had to hold onto the wall to keep her balance.

After she finished, she rinsed the water, washed her hands, and went out the door.

Xie Lu was still standing there, leaning against the carriage wall, his eyes looking towards the aisle.

"Is it done?" he asked.

"Mm." Zhao Wanwan nodded.

The two walked back.

Xie Lu was in front, followed by Zhao Wanwan.

As soon as Xie Lu entered the sleeper area, he suddenly stopped.

Zhao Wanwan almost bumped into his back.

"What's wrong?" she asked softly.

Xie Lu didn't speak, he just stared ahead.

Zhao Wanwan followed his gaze.

In the middle of the carriage, near their berths, there was a figure crouching there.

The man had his back to them and was reaching under a lower bunk, groping for something.

The movements were very light and careful.

It was the back of a man, not very tall, wearing dark clothes and a hat.

Zhao Wanwan's heart jumped.

She looked at that berth.

Those were two lower bunks, side by side.

Two people were sleeping soundly on the bunk, one facing inwards and the other facing outwards.

Half of the luggage under the berth had been pulled out, and the person was reaching into a travel bag and rummaging around.

Thief, pickpocket.

The word immediately popped into Zhao Wanwan's mind.

She grabbed Xie Lu's arm, her hand trembling slightly.

Xie Lu did not move.

He watched that figure silently from behind.

At that moment, the man seemed to have touched something. He took out a small cloth bag from his bag, squeezed it, and a satisfied look appeared on his face. Then he put the cloth bag into his arms and pushed the travel bag back under the berth.

Then he stood up, preparing to leave.

He turned around and saw Xie Lu and Zhao Wanwan.

Six eyes met.

The man was stunned for a moment, clearly not expecting anyone to still be awake at this hour.

He looked closely at Xie Lu and Zhao Wanwan, two young people, a boy and a girl, who both looked to be under eighteen or nineteen years old.

Seeing how young Xie Lu and his companion are, aren't they just greenhorns?

The tension on his face vanished instantly, replaced by a fierce expression.