The infinite heavens begin with American horror.

Chapter 237 The truth back then

At first, progress was exceptionally slow, but Andy did not get discouraged. He knew that learning required time and effort, especially for someone like Tommy who had no prior knowledge.

Over time, Tommy gradually mastered some basic vocabulary and reading skills.

Although progress was slow, Andy felt gratified with every small step forward.

During this process, Andy also discovered that Tommy was indeed quite talented at learning.

......

In the fall of 1965, under Andy's careful guidance, Tommy made remarkable progress. Not only was he able to study independently in the library while Andy was helping Warden Norton deal with dirty money, but he was also able to apply what he learned to other situations.

However, as they spent more time together, Tommy became increasingly curious about Andy.

Andy is knowledgeable and kind, but he is imprisoned in Shaunshoker Prison, a situation Tommy can't understand.

During several conversations, Tommy couldn't contain his doubts and asked Andy directly, "How could someone as smart as you end up locked up in a place like Shawshank?"

This question was quite abrupt, as if asking a respectable woman why she would fall into prostitution.

Andy, of course, wouldn't respond to such a presumptuous question, always simply smiling slightly before subtly changing the subject. But the more Andy avoided it, the more curious Tommy became; the question lingered in his mind, refusing to leave.

......

One day, Tommy, who worked in the laundry room, looked at Red, who also worked in the laundry room, in the distance. Over the past few months, he realized that Red was Andy's best friend in the prison, and Tommy felt that Red must know the reason why Andy was imprisoned.

While the washing machine was running, Tommy sat down next to Reed.

Tommy patted Red on the shoulder and whispered in Red's ear, "Red, do you know what crime Andy committed that got him in jail?"

Hearing this, Reed paused, turned around, looked at Tommy, and said, "Didn't Andy tell you this?"

“I asked Andy several times, but he just wouldn’t tell me, so I thought I’d come and ask you.”

“He killed his wife and her lover,” Reed said in a low voice.

Tommy stared wide-eyed at Reid in disbelief. "This...how is this possible?"

Reed sighed. "I didn't believe it at first either, but it's true. However, Andy has always maintained his innocence, saying he didn't shoot anyone."

Tommy was silent for a moment, then said, "Maybe he really was wronged..."

“Who knows?” Reed shook his head. “Andy’s murder case caused quite a stir back then. It was even published in the newspapers with the headline: ‘Young and promising bank president murders his wife and her lover, a golf coach, out of love turned to hate.’”

A golf coach who murdered his wife and her lover?

Tommy was stunned when he heard this, his eyes widening as he stood there dumbfounded.

Seeing Tommy's stunned expression, Reed was also a little puzzled. "What's wrong? Why are you so surprised to hear about Andy's murder?"

"You don't understand, some things..."

Before Tommy could finish speaking, a burly, stern-looking guard approached them. Without a word, the guard raised his baton and slammed it down on Tommy.

"What are you two whispering about here? Don't you know it's working hours? Get back to your workstations and get back to work!" The guard's tone was stern as he glared fiercely at Tommy and Reid, his baton raised high as if it might come down at any moment.

Tommy was stunned by the sudden attack, but his anger flared up instantly. He was about to argue with the guard when Reed shoved him hard.

Tommy looked at Reed with a puzzled expression, only to see him repeatedly giving him meaningful glances, his eyes conveying a warning. Although Tommy was still dissatisfied, he understood Reed's intention, gritted his teeth, and turned to run back to his workstation.

After Tommy left, Reed breathed a sigh of relief, a fawning smile spreading across his face. He looked at the guard in front of him and said, "I'm sorry, sir, Tommy is new here and doesn't know the rules yet... Please be magnanimous and don't take it to heart."

As he spoke, Reed quickly pulled a pack of cigarettes from his pocket, stuffed it into the guard's hand, and said with a smile, "This is just a small token of my appreciation, please accept it, sir."

The guard glanced at the cigarette Reed offered him, and his expression softened slightly.

"I'll let it go this time for Reed's sake, but be more careful next time!" The guard put away his baton and turned to leave.

Reed watched the guard's departing figure and shook his head helplessly.

"What bad luck! I just lost a pack of cigarettes for nothing..."

......

During the break, Tommy approached Red again, his face filled with urgency. "Red! Andy might really have been framed..."

Red was also dumbfounded as he listened to Tommy's bizarre account of the case.

......

Inside the library, after a busy morning of work, Andy stretched and yawned, looking a little tired.

He stood up, stretched his limbs, and then walked to the window, gazing at the clear blue sky outside. A rumbling sound came from his stomach, as if reminding him that it was time for lunch.

Suddenly, a series of urgent and sharp shouts came from the library entrance.

"Andy!"

Tommy and Red rushed into the library in a hurry, their steps unsteady and flustered as they ran to Andy.

Seeing the two of them like this, Andy showed a look of surprise, clearly not expecting Tommy and Red to rush in so frantically.

"What happened? Why are you in such a hurry?" Andy asked curiously.

After a while, the two finally calmed down. Red looked at Andy with a mixture of joy and sorrow in his eyes.

Tommy looked at Andy with a complicated expression, his eyes filled with hesitation and entanglement, as if he was struggling with something inside.

Seeing that no one else was in the library, Tommy quietly walked to a chair and sat down after a while. He took a deep breath before slowly saying, "Andy, four years ago, I was imprisoned in another jail for stealing a car. With six months left on my sentence, a new roommate moved in named Ulmore Blatche. Ulmore was sentenced to six to twelve years in prison for armed burglary..."

Tommy's voice was low and slow, as if every word carried a heavy burden. Andy listened quietly without interrupting him, and as Tommy spoke, a story about Andy's past cases gradually unfolded before them.

"I have never seen such a neurotic person. Anyone who would be his roommate would be scared."