The infinite heavens begin with American horror.

Chapter 235 Years in the Blink of an Eye

Andy and Red gently tried to persuade Old Brooks, telling him that doing this wouldn't solve the problem. Old Brooks was torn; he knew he didn't want to hurt Herwood, but he didn't know how to face the outside world.

Finally, with Andy and Red's patient persuasion, Old Brooks slowly put down the knife and released Herwood.

At that moment, he seemed to have used up all his strength, and he collapsed to the ground.

Red quickly helped Old Brooks up. He understood that for this old man who had spent most of his life in prison, readjusting to society would be an incredibly difficult thing.

Old Bu was too old and had arthritis. After spending fifty years in prison, he simply couldn't adapt to the outside world.

Before leaving the prison, Old Brooks released Jack the crow he had raised for eight years, and then walked unsteadily out of Shawshank Prison.

Reid watched Old Brooks' departing figure, his eyes filled with a complex expression.

He understood Old Bu's feelings best. He had been in prison for more than ten years and had gotten used to prison life. He had even thought about what he would do after he got out of prison.

In the prison sports field, Andy sat on a bench, full of doubt.

When Andy expressed his doubts, Red simply told him that Old Brooks had been incorporated into the prison system...

......

On the Shawshank Prison sports field, Andy, Red, and others were sitting together.

A slight commotion broke the silence as a guard approached and handed Andy a letter.

Andy took the letter, looked at the sender's name on the envelope, and his hand trembled slightly.

Andy carefully opened the envelope, took out the letter inside, and silently read the words. Every word struck their hearts like a heavy hammer.

This letter was sent by Old Brooks, and it was his final farewell letter.

Andy's face turned pale, and his voice trembled with emotion: "Old Brooks... he couldn't adapt to the outside world and chose to leave us..."

This news was like a bombshell, causing a huge uproar among everyone.

They remembered Old Brooks, the kind and loyal old man who had spent most of his life in Shawshank Prison, but who, unable to adapt to life outside, had ultimately taken his own life.

.......

In a dilapidated rental room with peeling walls, a ray of warm sunlight shines gently through the dusty window onto the floor.

On the mottled wall, a line of writing is faintly visible: "Old Bu came here for a visit".

These words are deeply engraved on the wall, as if they were proof that Old Bu once existed in this world, and this is also Old Bu's way of telling future generations that he once came here.

.......

Time flies like an arrow, and in the blink of an eye, it was 1957.

This year was significant for Andy, marking his tenth year in Shawshank Prison. It also held special meaning for Red—his twentieth year in Shawshank, and the year he was granted his second parole.

When Red stood before the parole officer, his heart was filled with anticipation and hope.

When questioned by the parole officer, Red answered each question earnestly and sincerely, expressing without reservation his longing for freedom and his determination to reform.

Unfortunately, despite Red's sincere efforts, the parole officer ultimately rejected his parole application.

......

Reed walked out of the room dejectedly, his heart heavy with sorrow.

Back in prison, Red lay in bed, tossing and turning, unable to fall asleep.

He didn't understand why, despite his sincerity, he couldn't get parole. His future seemed bleak, but he didn't want to give up.

......

Humans are often insatiable, like a snake trying to swallow an elephant.

Having tasted the sweetness of success, Norton became even more insatiable. His greedy heart was like a bottomless pit, never to be filled.

This greedy guy has set his sights on the foreign service project again.

All the prisoners were gathered in the spacious exercise yard of Shawshank Prison.

The prisoners were either standing or sitting, looking around or lost in thought, each with a different expression on their face.

Standing before this group of prisoners was Warden Norton, who wore gold-rimmed glasses, a sharp suit, and gleaming leather shoes. He appeared refined and elegant, but who could have imagined the greedy heart hidden beneath that respectable exterior?

Under the close protection of a group of guards, Warden Norton stood on the high platform, looking down at all the prisoners below.

His sharp, hawk-like gaze was filled with undisguised contempt and disdain, as if the prisoners before him were nothing more than insignificant ants, not worthy of his attention.

The prisoners below, under the oppressive weight of this powerful aura, appeared exceptionally small and helpless. They hung their heads, avoiding Warden Norton's gaze, their hearts filled with fear and awe. Before this warden who held the power of life and death, they were utterly powerless to resist, forced to silently endure all forms of injustice and exploitation.

To Warden Norton, these prisoners were nothing more than pawns he could manipulate at will, tools for his own gain.

“Sinners! You who have committed countless sins, listen up! From this day forward, you will go out into the world under the supervision of guards to work, perform public works, and serve the community.”

"You must use your own hands and sweat to cleanse your filthy souls through arduous physical labor, in order to atone for the sins you have committed!"

"Only in this way can you possibly be saved! And all of this will be bestowed by the great Lord himself! He will give you the opportunity to repent and start anew! So, do not continue to sink into depravity, seize this rare opportunity!"

The prisoners below listened to this nonsense with disdainful smiles. They knew exactly what Norton, who was spouting righteousness and morality, was up to.

The prisoners murmured amongst themselves, full of doubt about Norton's words.

Norton watched the prisoners whispering among themselves, unconcerned. What could these prisoners do even if they were dissatisfied?

Inside Shawshank Prison, he was the king!

......

Soon after, the prisoners were escorted by guards to the construction site outside.

Of course, it's impossible for the construction company to provide free labor without paying a price.

......