On the Shawshank prison yard.
It was recreation ti again.
Andy wasn't his usual relaxed self today, he sat in a corner, eyes fixed on the distant crowd, He had been worried ever since he received the news yesterday that soone wanted to kill him.
The cigarette vendor's started wandering around the yard again, selling cigarettes, and made his way to Andy.
"Want a cigarette?"
Andy thought, I've already told you I don't smoke, why keep offering?
At that mont, the vendor lowered his voice and said, "Your problem has been solved, you're quite sothing."
He patted Andy on the shoulder and walked away.
Andy was stunned.
Yesterday, this sa lackey told him soone wanted to harm him, and today he ca to tell him the matter was settled.
Andy was puzzled.
Solved, who helped him solve it?
Andy reviewed the whole situation and felt that the most likely person to have resolved this matter was Mr. Henry or rather, Mr. Hardy, his boss behind the scenes.
Although he had never t him, Andy had already felt the imnse power of Mr. Hardy.
Why did Mr. Hardy help him?
He couldn't figure it out.
Five days passed in a blur.
On this day, Andy received notice that he would be transferred to the state court detention center to prepare for the upcoming trial.
Upon receiving this news, Andy was so excited that he couldn't sleep all night.
Finally, he could leave this place.
He quietly told Old Red the news, and the two sat together, chatting in low voices.
"I don't know what my feelings are right now. I'm excited but also a bit lancholic. I loved my wife back then, I just wasn't good at expressing it. She always complained that I spent too little ti with her. In a way, I ruined her, my temper ruined her. The only difference is that I wasn't the one who pulled the trigger.
Actually, during my ti in prison, besides feeling wronged, I also had a slight sense of redemption. Spending seven years here was a punishnt for my mistakes in that marriage."
Old Red shook his head slightly.
"I don't think your wife's actions were right. Enjoying the money and benefits your work brought while seeking solace in a lover is a disgraceful act."
"You're not a murderer. Maybe you weren't the best husband, and you can regret that, but you're not guilty. You shouldn't be here."
Andy was silent, then turned to look at Old Red. "If there's a chance, would you like to help you get parole?"
This ti it was Old Red who fell silent.
He wasn't as excited as one might imagine about the prospect of leaving.
There was even a trace of worry.
"Unlike you, I have actually killed soone. I don't feel wronged. I've been here for over twenty years and am no longer suited to life outside. I'm afraid I couldn't survive out there. You know, a bird kept in a cage for too long can no longer adapt to the sky outside, nor does it have the courage to soar."
"If you did have the chance to leave, what kind of life would you want?" Andy asked.
Old Red thought for a mont.
"Open a small hotel, keep a dog. The hotel doesn't need to have too much business. Just et guests coming and going every day, sit idly by the door when there's nothing to do, and let the dog lie beside . Perhaps that would be the life I long for the most."
...
Andy left. He left Shawshank Prison.
When he left the cell block with his luggage, many inmates watched him from behind the bars.
They watched him leave.
The warden stood at the window, watching Andy being taken away by the state court police car, not sure what he felt at that mont.
Finally, he no longer had to agonize over whether to get rid of Andy.
But the tornt would continue.
The sword of Damocles was in soone else's hand, ready to fall at any mont. He had no idea what his fate would be next.
This constant fear was unbearable.
Perhaps he wasn't as happy as those inmates lying in the prison yard.
The conditions at the state court detention center were much better than at Shawshank Prison: double rooms with private bathrooms, softer beds, and als that were a notch above those at Shawshank.
Lawyer Bob and Henry ca to see him again.
Lawyer Bob smiled and said, "There will be a process, but I can tell you that the evidence in your case is sufficient. Unless sothing unexpected happens, you'll be released in court next month."
Henry added, "Mr. Andy, just wait patiently during this ti. If you need anything, just let know."
Andy thought for a mont. "Could I get so newspapers and books? I've been isolated from the outside world for too long and would like to catch up on what's happening outside."
"No problem."
Andy thought again and said "Mr. Henry, can I talk to you alone?"
Lawyer Bob smiled and stood up. "I'll go outside for a smoke."
After the lawyer left, Andy looked at Henry and asked, "Mr. Henry, I want to ask, was the thief who confessed arranged by you?"
Henry paused.
Then he understood what Andy ant.
"Yes, his confession was arranged by us. But that man is indeed the one who killed your wife and her lover. My boss learned about this incident and arranged for to et you and then had that thief confess."
Andy finally felt relieved.
If the thief had been fake, he would have felt extrely guilty.
"Mr. Henry, may I ask about Mr. Hardy? I've been curious why Mr. Hardy helped all this ti."
Henry shrugged.
"I don't know either. Maybe it's just a sense of justice."
...
The next day
A large number of books and newspapers were moved into the cell. There were about thirty to forty books, all requested by Andy, including a significant number of economics books.
Andy read through all the books in the prison, including the ones that arrived later. Among them were several economics books, which were his specialty. This ti, he compiled a long list of books for Henry to purchase.
Reviews
All reviews (0)