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

Looking at Zhao Wanwan, Xie Lu felt as if he were seeing himself in his previous life. Back then, he was just like that, a newcomer to Wuhan, finding everything very novel.

"Yes, East China Normal University is on Luoyu Road, not far from here."

After about twenty minutes of driving, we finally arrived at East China Normal University.

The school gate is very large, an old-fashioned archway-style building with the six large characters "Huazhong Normal University" written on it.

Inside the gate is a tree-lined path with tall plane trees on both sides.

The entrance was bustling with activity, with a banner that read: "Welcome new students."

There were people who looked like students greeting people, and there were signs on the table with the names of the various departments.

Xie Lu paid the fare and got out of the car with Zhao Wanwan.

Zhao Wanwan stood at the school gate, looking at the crowds coming and going inside, then at Xie Lu, and suddenly felt a little lost.

"Go ahead and find your department's reception area to complete the formalities."

"and you."

"I have to go to Wuhan University to register. I'll come see you again in a couple of days after I've settled in."

Zhao Wanwan nodded. Seeing that Xie Lu was about to leave, she bit her lip and whispered, "You...you be careful on the way."

"I know, go quickly."

Zhao Wanwan glanced at him again, then turned around, picked up her luggage, and walked into the school gate. After a few steps, she turned back.

Xie Lu remained standing there, watching her.

She waved.

Xie Lu also waved.

Zhao Wanwan turned around and walked into the school gate.

Xie stood at the door for a while, then picked up his luggage and walked across the street.

There was a bus stop sign there. The sign was made of iron and painted green, with the station name written in white paint. Xie Lu looked at it and found the route to Wuhan University: Route 15.

After waiting for a while, the car arrived.

The car was green, with mottled rust marks on it. The door opened, and Xie Lu carried his luggage inside.

The bus was crowded, mostly with students and parents. These past two days have been the registration days for freshmen at most universities in Wuhan, and freshmen from all over the country have come, so there are naturally many more people. Xie Lu squeezed to the back, put his luggage at his feet, and grabbed the handrail.

The car started moving.

Staggering along, stopping and starting, passing streets, shops, and schools, the scenery outside the window constantly changed, but Xie Lu knew it all; this was the place where he had lived for four years.

After about half an hour, the bus arrived at the station.

"We've arrived at Wuhan University," the ticket seller called out.

Xie Lu got off the bus carrying his luggage.

The gate of Wuhan University is right in front of us.

Just as I remembered, there was a gate in the style of a traditional Chinese archway, with the four large characters "Wuhan University" written by a great man.

Inside the gate is the famous cherry blossom avenue. Although it's not the blooming season now, the plane trees on both sides still provide ample shade.

The school gate was even more bustling than East China Normal University, with banners, colorful flags, reception tables, and a throng of people.

The new students wore expressions of excitement and trepidation, while their parents were busy giving instructions and helping them carry their luggage.

Xie Lu watched for a while, but did not go in immediately.

He walked to a small shop next to the school gate.

The store is small, with cigarettes, alcohol, snacks, and daily necessities displayed on the counter.

The shop owner, a man in his fifties, was sitting behind the counter listening to the radio.

"Boss, a pack of cigarettes, please."

"What kind of cigarettes?" The boss poked his head out and glanced at Xie Lu.

Xie Lu glanced at the various kinds of cigarettes displayed in the counter.

Cheap cigarettes include Red Flower, Urban and Rural, Alliance, Big Rooster, and Wanshan, while more expensive ones include Xinhua, Swimming, Spark, Oriental, and Yangtze.

"Give me a pack of Changjiang cigarettes."

Xie Lu glanced around and finally had the boss take a bag of Changjiang cigarettes.

The shopkeeper took out a pack of Yangtze cigarettes from the counter. The packaging was white with red lettering and featured a picture of the Yangtze River Bridge. He placed the cigarettes on the counter and said, "34 cents."

Xie Lu took out his money, counted out forty cents, and handed it over.

The shopkeeper gave him six cents in change.

Xie Lu picked up a cigarette and put it in his pocket.

This cigarette was considered pretty good in 85; it wasn't the most expensive, but it was presentable.

He bought these cigarettes for his three "animalistic" roommates.

In his past life, he had three roommates: the eldest, Chen Jianguo; the second, Li Weiguo; and the youngest, Zhang Xiangqian.

Their names all bear the mark of their times, and they are all straightforward and righteous. The four of them lived together for four years and got along like brothers.

After graduation, we went our separate ways, but we stayed in touch.

Chen Jianguo went to Beijing and got a job in a government agency, but because of his straightforward and righteous personality, he remained in the position of deputy section chief and couldn't get promoted.

Li Weiguo returned to Shandong and became a teacher.

Zhang Xiangqian stayed in Wuhan and started a business, which was quite successful.

Xie Lu picked up his luggage and walked into the school gate.

People come and go on the cherry blossom avenue, and the leaves of the plane trees rustle in the wind, casting dappled shadows.

In the distance is Luojia Mountain, lush and green, glistening in the sunlight.

Xie Lu took a deep breath.

This is Wuhan University.

He's back.

He walked along the cherry blossom avenue, looking for the reception area of ​​the School of Humanities. He passed the library, the teaching buildings, and the dormitories along the way; everything was so familiar.

Finally, he saw the sign for the School of Arts.

A long table, with several students sitting behind it, wearing badges that read "Welcome Volunteers".

A line of freshmen stood in front of the table, each holding their admission notice.

Xie Lu walked over and joined the queue.

Ahead of him was a short boy wearing glasses, carrying a large backpack. He turned around, glanced at Xie Lu, and smiled kindly: "A freshman?"

"Yes." Xie Lu nodded.

"Me too, I majored in Chinese literature."

"Me too."

"Then we might be classmates. My name is Zhou Ming, Zhou as in thoughtful and Ming as in bright." Zhou Ming took the initiative to extend his hand to introduce himself to Xie Lu.

"Attorney Xie, the 'Xie' as in 'thank you' and the 'Law' as in 'law'," Attorney Xie responded.

The two chatted briefly.

Zhou Ming is from Hunan and speaks with an accent, but he is very talkative.

The line moved forward slowly.

When it was Xie Lv's turn, he walked to the table and took out his admission notice.

The receptionist was a young woman with a ponytail, looking very capable. She took the notification letter, glanced at it, and then looked at Lawyer Xie: "Lawyer Xie? From Liaobei?"

"right."

The girl found his name in a notebook, checked it off, and then took out a form: "Fill in your name, gender, place of origin, major..."

Xie Lu took the form, picked up the pen on the table, and began to fill it out, his handwriting neat and clear.

After he finished filling it out, the girl handed him an envelope: "This is your dormitory assignment form, the key is inside."

The dormitory is in Guiyuan Dormitory 3, Room 308.

"This is my student ID, this is my meal ticket, this is my class schedule..."

As she spoke, she handed the items to Xie Lu one by one.

Xie Lu took it and put it in his bag.

"Okay, you can go to your dorm now. Do you need any help with your luggage?"

"No need, thank you." Xie Lu politely declined. He didn't have much luggage and could carry it himself.

Xie picked up his luggage and left the reception area.

Guiyuan No. 3 Dormitory is located next to the Cherry Blossom Avenue. It is an old-fashioned red brick building with six floors.

There are several osmanthus trees planted in front of the building, but they haven't bloomed yet. They will be in full bloom in September or October.