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

Xie Lu, this kid, has always seemed different from other kids. He's calm, decisive, and able to snatch back a university spot that was almost out of his reach. That in itself shows that he's no ordinary kid.

Perhaps he knows someone behind the scenes, or perhaps he has some opportunity.

In short, in Secretary Wang's view, Li Hanwen's downfall this time is probably inseparable from Xie Lv.

"This kid," Secretary Wang muttered, tapping his cigarette ash. "He's got some skills."

Li Cui brought over a bowl of porridge, heard him muttering, and asked, "Who are you saying is capable?"

Party Secretary Wang shook his head, not elaborating, but simply took the bowl of porridge, slurped down a large mouthful, and felt warm and cozy after the hot porridge went down his throat.

In the future, Shuangshui Village might really have to rely on this talented kid.

This thought inexplicably popped into his mind.

The news also grew wings and flew into the Xie family's courtyard.

Xie Youshan was sweeping the yard, the broom making a rustling sound as it swept across the ground.

Neighbor Aunt Sun burst in, without even knocking, her face flushed, as if she had discovered some incredible news.

"Youshan! Yufen! Have you heard?" Aunt Sun's voice was sharp and loud.

Xie Youshan stopped sweeping and straightened up: "What did you hear?"

"Li Hanwen! He's been arrested by the county police! They handcuffed him and took him away in the middle of the night last night! His wife too!"

Aunt Sun was talking so much that her spittle was practically flying out of her mouth.

"It's all over the village! They say it came in a jeep, with several policemen!"

Wang Yufen was just coming out of the house with a rag in her hand when she heard this. She was stunned and didn't even notice that the rag had fallen to the ground.

"Arrested? Arrested?" Her voice trembled slightly, in disbelief.

"It's absolutely true!" Aunt Sun slapped her thigh. "Lots of people saw it! The silver handcuffs snapped on! Oh, that felt so satisfying!"

Xie Youshan tightened his grip on the broom handle, then loosened it again.

He wasn't as excited as Aunt Sun; his lips just slowly twitched upwards, eventually turning into a genuine smile.

A smile spread from the corners of her mouth, reaching into the deep wrinkles around her eyes.

Wang Yufen bent down to pick up the rag, her fingers trembling slightly.

She looked up at her husband, then at the excited Aunt Sun, and her eyes suddenly welled up with tears.

She quickly turned her back and vigorously wiped her eyes with her sleeve.

"Serves him right!" She turned around, her voice choked with sobs but unusually loud. "He deserved it! He was so shameless! He withheld our son's admission notice! He bullied people! Karma! This is karma!"

Aunt Sun chimed in, saying that Li Hanwen had offended many people over the years by relying on his brother-in-law's connections in the county, and now that he'd been arrested, it was a relief to appease public anger: "That's right! Evil has its retribution! It's not that retribution won't come, it's just that the time hasn't arrived yet! Now the time has come!"

Xie Youshan didn't say anything more. He picked up the broom again and continued sweeping the yard, sweeping each stroke with extra care and strength.

The heavy stone that had been weighing on Xie Youshan's heart for so long seemed to be swept away bit by bit with each sweep, and he gradually felt lighter.

Li Hanwen is finished.

He's really finished.

This wasn't meant to scare anyone or bluff; it was the real deal—he was handcuffed and taken away by people from the county.

He and his brother-in-law, who was an official in the county, were both finished.

Xie Youshan didn't understand many grand principles, but he knew that there was ultimately justice and the law in this world.

Just because someone has connections doesn't mean they can always ride roughshod over others.

My son is safe now, and no one can threaten or scheme against him with the admission notice anymore.

My son can now focus on his university studies in Wuhan.

Thinking of this, Xie Youshan felt relaxed all over, and even the air he breathed in had a sweet smell.

Wang Yufen didn't even bother wiping the table. She rushed into the kitchen, muttering, "We're so happy today! We have to make something good! Youshan, go to the village entrance and buy some meat! A good mix of lean and fat! Let's make dumplings! To celebrate!"

Xie Youshan sighed, put down the broom, and turned to walk out, his steps lighter than usual.

Looking at the couple, Aunt Sun was happy for them. She said a few more words before leaving satisfied, eager to spread the "heartening" news to other houses.

The courtyard fell silent for a moment.

Wang Yufen stood by the stove, watching the steam gradually rise from the pot. Tears finally broke free and streamed down her face. These were tears of joy. She lifted her apron to wipe them away and couldn't help but smile.

"Xiao Lu, your parents are useless and can't help you much... But you see, evil people will be punished by heaven. While you're out there, just study hard and don't be afraid of anything."

She decided that once the dumplings were ready, she would make a lot more.

That evening, I wrote a letter to my husband, Xie Lu, to tell him about it.

Let Xie Lu be happy, let him know that everything is fine at home, that the wicked have been punished, and that there is hope for the future.

Wuhan University.

It has been a month since He Chongshan traveled from Kyoto to Wuhan to find Xie Lu.

As October arrived, the morning and evening breezes carried a noticeable chill. The edges of the sycamore leaves began to turn yellow, and occasionally a few that had fallen early were swept up by the wind and swirled on the concrete ground.

This was the day the latest issue of "Contemporary" was released.

Actually, you don't even need to look at the calendar; the atmosphere on campus already gives it away.

A few days ago, some well-informed students were talking about it in the dormitories, cafeteria, and classrooms, saying that the second half of "Infernal Affairs" would be published in this issue.

These words were like a pebble thrown into a lake, causing ripples to spread outwards. The closer the day got, the more turbulent the water became.

Before dawn, small groups of people had already gathered outside several regular newsstands around Wuhan University.

Most of them were students, wrapped in coats of varying thicknesses, rubbing their hands, stamping their feet, and glancing at the tightly closed green tin window from time to time.

There were also a few older people, who looked like local residents or teachers, holding old teacups, sipping their tea quietly as they waited.

Xie Lu and his dorm were woken up by Chu Yunfei at 6:30 in the morning.

"Get up! Get up, everyone!" Chu Yunfei leaned halfway down from the top bunk and reached out to pat the edge of Xie Lu's bed on the lower bunk opposite him. "Fourth brother, wake up! Have you forgotten what day it is today?"

Xie Lu was actually awake, but he was resting with his eyes closed. He grunted and slowly sat up.

Chen Xiangdong woke up too, and yawned: "What day is it? Saturday."

"Saturday my foot!" Chu Yunfei jumped out of bed, shuffling in his slippers to turn on the light. "Contemporary Magazine is out today! The second half of Infernal Affairs! If you're late, you won't get a single thing!"

Zhou Wenbin poked his head out from under the covers, his glasses askew, and mumbled sleepily, "So early? The newsstand isn't open yet, is it?"

"It'll be too late if we wait until they open! Hurry up!" Chu Yunfei was already putting on his signature plaid shirt. "I heard several dorms planned to take turns sending people to stake out the area last night! We in 308 can't fall behind!"