Chapter 28 Zhao Jiagou
◎Hateful! The eight years I missed◎
Qian Shufen was a little confused, and looked at Zhao Chenyang blankly, as if asking: What's going on? Didn't you say you wouldn't expose this? Didn't you say Zhao Xiangwan wasn't liked by Zhao Qingyun and the others?
After meeting Zhao Xiangwan at the Four Seasons Hotel, Zhao Qingyun immediately blamed Zhao Chenyang. Zhao Chenyang knew that the truth would come out sooner or later, so he took the initiative to confess to Zhao Qingyun and Wei Meihua, and claimed that he was unaware of the matter and that it was Qian Shufen who was vain and swapped their identities.
For Zhao Chenyang, Qian Shufen took all the blame. She was very humble when she called Zhao Qingyun, crying and begging him not to blame Zhao Chenyang. She said that she had taken good care of Zhao Xiangwan and had worked hard to raise her into a college student, and she was worthy of Zhao Qingyun's trust.
After she finished crying, Qian Shufen said, "I have helped you raise your daughter for ten years, can't you help me raise her for eight years? I won't blame you for abandoning the child, but don't blame me for switching the child."
Zhao Qingyun gave birth to a daughter out of wedlock and sent her to the countryside for foster care when she was one month old. He only paid ten yuan a month for four years. This was not a fair thing to Zhao Qingyun. Facing Qian Shufen's ulterior motives, he was completely unable to stand up. In addition, Zhao Chenyang had raised her for eight years, and it was almost the harvest season, so Zhao Qingyun was reluctant to give up.
What Zhao Qingyun hoped for most was that Zhao Xiangwan and Zhao Chenyang would treat each other like sisters and be raised as daughters. After all, Zhao Xiangwan was already 18 years old and was attending college, so he didn't need to spend more energy on her. He just needed to prepare an extra dowry and arrange a good job for her.
However, after meeting Zhao Xiangwan, Zhao Qingyun knew that she was not easy to talk to. Zhao Chenyang had occupied her time and resources for eight years, and she must have resentment in her heart. If she did not make her attitude clear, Zhao Xiangwan might not recognize him as her father.
Zhao Qingyun hesitated and couldn't make up his mind.
On one side is Zhao Chenyang, who had been raised for eight years and married into the Xu family; on the other side is Zhao Xiangwan, who had no gratitude towards Ji Jinmao for raising him and had close ties with him. His inner balance has been wavering as to which is more important.
After experiencing the murder of Weng Pingfang, Zhao Qingyun truly realized the value of Zhao Xiangwan.
Zhao Xiangwan investigated a case that even Xu Songling found difficult in just one week. What does this show? This shows that Zhao Xiangwan has clear logic, careful thinking, and a strong character. Such a person is definitely not an ordinary person. With a little training, his future prospects are limitless.
In comparison, giving up Zhao Chenyang was nothing. As long as he had the support of Zhao Xiangwan and the Ji family behind her, Zhao Qingyun was confident that he could move up to the next level.
After much deliberation, Zhao Qingyun put aside his pride as a father and decided to send Zhao Chenyang back to Zhao Jiagou, acknowledge Zhao Xiangwan's identity in front of Qian Shufen and Zhao Erfu, and officially take her home. Perhaps only in this way can he win back Zhao Xiangwan's heart and make her willing to be close to him.
Seeing that Qian Shufen was still in a daze, Zhao Qingyun raised his voice and spoke again: "Our two children were mistaken, how about we switch them now?"
How? No!
Qian Shufen stared blankly at Zhao Chenyang, whose face turned pale, and she wanted to curse him in her heart. You raised Chenyang to be so charming, elegant and fashionable, and now she is back. How can she get used to living in our shabby house?
"Well, Leader Zhao, look, no matter Xiang Wan or Chen Yang, they have grown up and are now attending university in Xing City. Why would you talk about sending them back or taking them back home when they are so old? It's New Year's Day, come in and have some tea first, and we can discuss anything slowly."
Qian Shufen greeted them warmly and winked at her second son standing beside her: "Why don't you go to your eldest aunt's house and bring your third sister back!"
Hearing that Zhao Chenyang was his biological sister, Zhao Zhongwu was surprised for a moment, but he quickly accepted the fact.
He said that how could a sister like Zhao Xiangwan, who is so good at studying and has amazing gambling skills, be raised by his family? Only Zhao Chenyang, who is lazy and calls him "Er Gouzi" all day long, is like his real sister!
However, Zhao Zhongwu was somewhat reluctant to pick up Zhao Xiangwan.
To be honest, he was a little afraid of Zhao Xiangwan. He had just learned how to gamble in junior high school. At that time, he gambled by rolling the dice and guessing the size, which was simple and easy to play. Zhao Zhongwu stole money from home to go out and play, and was discovered by Zhao Xiangwan. Zhao Zhongwu clearly remembered that her face was as gloomy as a moonless night.
Zhao Xiangwan asked Zhao Zhongwu: "Why do you gamble?"
Zhao Zhongwu immediately replied: "Use the small to defeat the big."
“But you will lose.”
“It’s possible to win.”
"Do you lose more often or win more often?"
“Although I lose a lot now, I will definitely win once I master my gambling skills!”
Zhao Xiangwan glanced at Zhao Zhongwu and said, "Shall we make a bet?"
Zhao Zhongwu became interested: "What bet?"
"I'll help you gamble and I guarantee you'll win every time. If I do, you'll stop gambling."
"Win every time? How is that possible?"
"Will you bet?"
Zhao Zhongwu was full of pride: "I bet!"
Then… then Zhao Zhongwu lost, and watched Zhao Xiangwan killing everyone. Zhao Damao, who started the gambling, was so shocked that his eyes almost fell out. In the end, Zhao Damao begged Zhao Xiangwan with tears and snot to stop gambling, and promised to drive Zhao Zhongwu away when he saw him, and never let him participate in any gambling.
Zhao Xiangwan cut off Zhao Zhongwu's escape route. Anyone who ran a gambling game near the village would treat Zhao Zhongwu as a plague god. Zhao Zhongwu was forced to fulfill his promise. It was not until he went out to work in the past two years and moved to a different place, far away from Zhao Xiangwan's sight, that he dared to gamble secretly.
What was the result? Zhao Zhongwu felt guilty because he didn't make any money from gambling and was fired by the restaurant. He didn't dare to face Zhao Xiangwan.
When Zhao Zhongwu heard Qian Shufen asking him to pick up Zhao Xiangwan, he refused: "I won't go. Zhao Xiangwan is not my sister anymore, why should I pick her up?"
Qian Shufen was furious. One by one, they ignored her words. It was too much! She held back her anger and took out twenty yuan from her pocket and stuffed it into Zhao Zhongwu's hand. She gritted her teeth and said, "Be obedient and hurry up! Bring the third sister back."
Seeing the money, Zhao Zhongwu's face looked better. He rolled his eyes and said, "Only twenty yuan? Mom, you are treating me like a beggar."
Qian Shufen pretended to take the money back: "You don't want to go? Forget it, I'll ask Zhuzi to go for me."
Zhao Zhongwu chuckled, quickly put the money into his cotton-padded jacket pocket, and rubbed his hands: "Okay, I'll go, I'll go."
Seeing Zhao Zhongwu riding away happily on his bicycle, Zhao Chenyang asked her mother in some confusion: "Where is my eldest brother?" In her impression, the person her mother liked to order around the most was the honest eldest brother, so why did she ask her second brother to run errands today?
Qian Shufen said happily, "After graduating from the Traditional Chinese Medicine School, your eldest brother was assigned to the County People's Hospital as a pharmacist. He is very busy with work and will not be able to go home for the holiday until New Year's Eve."
"What?!" Zhao Chenyang cried out in disbelief.
My eldest brother works in a hospital? With his ugly appearance, how could he work as a pharmacist in the People's Hospital? He has been a farmer at home all his life, and he is an honest man with no future.
Qian Shufen didn't notice her daughter's surprise, and added with a smile: "Your eldest brother took the adult college entrance examination in 1986 and was admitted to a junior college in Zhushi. He was guaranteed a job after graduation. He is the eldest son, so I let him go back to the county hospital to work."
Zhao Chenyang asked, "Where is the second brother?" The second brother is about 21 years old this year. He was a second-rate person in his previous life, gambling all day long. Later, he was caught by the police for gambling in a group. He was detained for several months before he was released. He has a very bad reputation in the village.
Qian Shufen sighed, "Your second brother is smart, but he can't stay in anything for long. After graduating from junior high school, he was sent out to learn bamboo weaving, but he came back after two months, saying that his fingers were all cut from splitting bamboo strips every day. Then he was sent to the city to work as a bricklayer, but he came back after less than half a year, saying that the construction site was too dirty, too tiring, and the food was not enough. Last year, he went to Guangzhou to learn cooking. He is a good cook, so he worked in a big restaurant for a year, but unfortunately... he didn't stay for long and came back again, alas!"
Zhao Xiangwan looked around and noticed that there had been changes in his home.
The originally gray loess walls were painted white, the originally damp and dark rammed earth floor was paved with thick tiles, and even the edge of the eaves in front of the door was covered with large bluestones. Although it is still rustic and simple, it looks much brighter and more refined than it was eight years ago.
Zhao Chenyang frowned: "After not seeing you for so many years, there have been quite a lot of changes at home."
Qian Shufen was excited when she heard her daughter say this: "The village is now implementing the responsibility contracting system, and life is much better than before. I have saved some money now, and I plan to renovate the old house. Fourth sister, you can stay here for a while before returning to the city. Mom will buy you some meat. Are you hungry? Mom will cook you some sweet wine and eggs first."
Qian Shufen was so happy that her adopted daughter came home that she lost herself a little. She took out a large earthenware pot and boiled brown sugar water, put a handful of red dates and longans in the pot, added a large spoonful of rice wine, and then beat two eggs and poured the egg liquid into the boiling brown sugar water. The main room was immediately filled with a sweet aroma mixed with the aroma of wine, dates, and eggs.
Qian Shufen poured out a tea bowl and handed it to Zhao Chenyang, her smile full of courtesy: "Fourth sister, you liked to drink sweet wine and eggs when you were a child. You haven't been home for so long, drink some to get rid of the cold."
The villagers of Zhaojiagou who were watching the excitement on the sidelines all laughed.
"Alas, Aunt Qian was so happy to see her sister come back that she was willing to spend money on it. Two eggs."
"That's right. Even after Xiangwan was admitted to university, she never saw Aunt Qian cook eggs for us."
"After all, they are my biological children. It's just different!"
村民的話裏帶着刺，錢淑芬、趙二福的笑容有些僵硬，只能打着哈哈：“這可是省城來的貴客，肯定要用最好的東西招待嘛。大家坐大家坐，我給你們煮茶喝。”
趙青雲坐下，鄉下粗糙的靠背椅比較矮，坐下之後雙腿被迫前伸。他擺手拒絕了錢淑芬遞過來的花瓷碗：“我喝不慣甜的。”
錢淑芬讪讪地縮回手，轉過身再倒了碗農家茶送到他面前：“鄉下沒什麽好招待的，領導你莫怪啊。”
農家茶茶葉梗子多，湯色偏黃，聞着有一股柴火氣息。趙青雲接過茶啜了一口，暖了暖喉嚨，這才擡頭觀察着堂屋的陳設。
青磚地面幹淨平整，正對着大門的北牆中央挂着一幅泛黃的仙鶴迎春圖，兩旁貼着春聯。
人興財旺家宅旺
富貴如春福滿堂
橫批——富貴吉祥
濃濃的鄉土氣息，讓趙青雲回想起自己的老家，鄂西北的小山村。可是他自從與魏美華相戀之後很少回去，已經将那裏的父老鄉親遺忘。
魏美華是城裏姑娘，家境優越，看不上農村人。先前老家人以他為傲，有同村人到星市都會先來探望趙青雲，慢慢地就來得少了，後來趙青雲父母去世之後連兄弟姐妹都少了來往，漸漸地斷了聯系。
身邊被村民圍繞，好奇的目光打量着他，趙青雲有些不自在地抿了抿唇，低頭假意喝茶，但思緒卻不知道跑到了哪裏。
此時此刻，另一個拼命奔跑的人是趙仲武。不過他跑的不是思緒，而是身體。
趙仲武拼命踩蹬着自行車，從鄉村小路奔到縣級公路，快速向羅縣縣城奔去。一掃剛才的不情願，現在的趙仲武滿臉興奮，迎着寒風邊笑邊叫。
“吼吼，哈哈！趙向晚，你可要争氣啊，別被趙晨陽打倒！”
眼前閃過趙向晚才十二歲就橫掃趙家溝大小賭局的神勇模樣，趙仲武一個激靈，不知道怎樣表達內心的幸災樂禍，神經病一樣猛按鈴铛。
叮鈴……叮鈴鈴……
有好戲看喽~有好戲看喽~
閑極無聊，看戲不怕臺高的趙仲武半點都沒有親妹子趙晨陽回家的喜悅，更多的卻是——爸媽調換了趙晨陽、趙向晚，現在謊言揭穿，趙向晚還不把趙晨陽的皮給揭了、把家裏的老房子拆了？
生來就不甘于平凡、喜歡在變動中尋求機遇的趙仲武松開左手，在空中劃下一個弧線，大吼一聲：“趙向晚，加油！”
趙家溝距離縣城二十多裏路，騎車大約三、四十分鐘。
趙仲武竄進縣城老巷子，遠遠看到趙大翠那間平房，便開始扯着嗓子喊起來：“大姑，大姑——”
時間已經是正午，趙大翠剛把飯菜做好，指揮着範秋寒倒飲料呢。聽到這熟悉的聲音，不由得撲哧一笑：“向晚，這人真經不起念叨，你剛說要把仲武送給我當徒弟，人就來了。”
趙伯文搶着站起來，打開門，看到弟弟騎着車飛奔而來，忙叫了一聲：“仲武，你小心點，別把人東西撞了。”
巷子窄小，各家門前都擺着不少雜物，桶、盆、晾曬的衣服、挂着的臘魚、臘肉……趙仲武一路奔來，差點把別人的曬衣架帶翻，看得人眼皮直跳。
趙仲武玩着把式，在滿是雜物的小巷飛速穿行，大笑着說：“大哥，我來了！三妹子，三妹子，快出來。”
聽到趙仲武的大呼小叫，趙向晚、範秋寒、趙大翠都走出屋來。
一看到趙向晚，趙仲武眼睛一亮，将自行車停在她面前，揚了揚下巴：“三妹子，走，二哥帶你回家去。”
趙伯文皺了皺眉：“大姑還在這裏呢，你怎麽不先給大姑問個好？”
趙仲武一只腳擱在地面維持平衡，另一腳踩在腳踏板上，笑嘻嘻一拱手：“大姑好！”
趙大翠知道他就是這麽個德性，也不在意，溫柔地笑着說：“仲武來了啊，來來來，進屋吃飯。”
趙仲武擺了擺手：“不吃飯了，我是家裏專門派過來接三妹子的。”
趙伯文有些奇怪：“這都十二點了，你不餓嗎？我們今天在大姑家過小年，你也先吃了飯再走吧。”
範秋寒撇了撇嘴：“今天有雞湯、紅燒鲫魚、臘肉炒大蒜、辣椒炒肉，味道好得很，你真不吃？”這麽多好菜，我就不信好吃鬼趙仲武不肯留下來吃飯。
趙仲武悄悄咽了一口口水。
【要不，先吃飯吧？這個點回去差不多快一點鐘了，誰知道他們會不會先吃？看趙晨陽那個得瑟勁，好像在城裏混過幾年就成了上等人，就讓她乖乖等着。還有那個趙向晚的親爸，沒想到城裏人也這麽傻，連自己的親生女兒都能搞錯，還是省裏的大領導呢，切！讓他好好等一下，活該他等！】
趙向晚看了趙仲武一眼。
趙晨陽和趙青雲過來了？他們竟然把真相揭穿了？是趙青雲轉變了想法，還是覺得趙晨陽無用了？
趙向晚這一眼看得趙仲武心驚肉跳，頓時老實了下來，讨好地笑着說：“三妹子，你上大學我都沒送呢，這次我來接你回家。”
趙向晚直接轉身回屋。
趙仲武不知道她怎麽想的，趕緊停好自行車，跟着一起進了屋，嘴裏嘀嘀咕咕：“三妹子，三妹子，家裏都盼着你回去。”
趙向晚穩穩坐在桌邊：“趕緊吃飯吧，等下都涼了。”
趙大翠忙加了一副碗筷擺在桌上：“仲武有口福，今天過小年有好菜。來來來，趕緊吃吧，忙乎了一上午，大家都餓了吧。”
桌上五菜一湯香氣撲鼻，趙仲武一邊誇着大姑手藝好，一邊開動起來。有了多話的趙仲武，飯桌上頓時熱鬧許多。
“大姑你說忙乎一上午，你們都在忙什麽？”
“隔壁鄰居有個女大學生被拐，好不容易找回來，爸媽卻嫌丢臉，今天早上割腕差點死掉，我們幫着送到醫院，秋妹子和向晚跟着跑前跑後的。”
趙仲武張大了嘴：“啊，讀到大學了還能被拐？這腦子是怎麽長的？”
範秋寒狠狠地瞪了他一眼：“喂！你怎麽不罵拐子，反過來罵被拐的女孩子？”
趙大翠也有些不滿：“就因為有你這樣的人說閑話，所以汀蘭爸媽才會嫌她丢臉。”
趙向晚嗤笑一聲：“沒腦子的人是你吧。”
趙仲武拿着筷子舉手投降：“好好好，我沒腦子，我說錯話了，行吧？”
趙伯文同情地問：“那個自殺的女孩救回來了吧？她爸媽後悔了沒有？如果她爸媽還是覺得丢臉，将來她的日子不好過啊。”
趙大翠嘆了一口氣：“救是救回來了，可是人遭了老大的罪。汀蘭她爸媽……唉！也不知道是怎麽想的，就一個姑娘還逼着她去死，有空讓居委會的人教育教育他們。”
範秋寒沖母親豎了個大拇指：“媽，你這個想法真好，讓喬大媽去教育陸姨，免得汀蘭又想不開。”
一家人邊聊邊吃，話題一直圍着汀蘭的事情打轉轉。
“天下無不是的父母，我看也不見得。”
“孩子最脆弱的時候，父母不停地罵她丢臉，硬是把她逼得自殺，這樣的父母難道沒錯嗎？”
“可不是？範有德當年把我打得頭破血流，這樣的人也配當爸？”
聽範秋寒直呼她爸的名字，趙伯文有些不适應。趙仲武卻非常佩服範秋寒的幹脆利索，贊了一句：“拿得起放得下，表妹爽快！”
範秋寒瞟了趙仲武一眼：“舅媽重男輕女，對向晚不好，今年她在我家過年，不回趙家溝了。”
趙仲武一聽，嘴裏的臘肉都不香了。他想了想，加快了吃飯的動作，扒完一碗飯之後，放下筷子，看着桌上的四個人。
“那個，你們吃完了嗎？要是吃完了，我有件事情要宣布。”
他的語氣太嚴肅，趙伯文有點緊張：“怎麽了？爸媽身體出問題了？”
趙仲武搖搖頭：“他們身體好得很。”
趙大翠趕緊喝完雞湯，将碗放下，問：“什麽事？不會是你爸媽吵架了吧？”
趙仲武再次搖了搖頭：“他們哪有空吵架。”
範秋寒是個急性子，一邊吃着最後幾口飯，一邊催促：“快說，少磨叽。”
趙仲武把衆人胃口掉得高高的，心裏得意萬分，轉過頭看到趙向晚淡定地吃着大姑分給她的雞腿，有些受挫，咳嗽一聲，開口說話。
“今天家裏來人了，你們猜是誰？”
“誰？”
“四妹子趙晨陽回來了。”
趙伯文一聽，不敢置信地站起身來：“她回來了？她不是到城裏享福去了嗎？還舍得回來？”
範秋寒撇了撇嘴：“她終于良心發現肯回來了？一走八年什麽消息都沒有，我以為她找到當官的親生父母就嫌棄農村了呢。”
趙大翠也有些好奇：“這麽多年沒見到晨陽了，長變了沒？還是跟小時候一樣……”
範秋寒接了一句：“好吃懶做？”
說完這一句，範秋寒實在沒繃住，笑得前仰後合，一邊笑一邊說：“說實話，趙晨陽能夠回來我真的是沒有想到。我小時候手上長了凍瘡，開春天一暖和就癢得鑽心，老是撓，撓得膿水和血水糊在一塊。到你家玩的時候，向晚給我倒熱水清洗，晨陽就在旁邊捂着鼻子說我惡心、髒死了。”
說到後來，範秋寒收住笑，哼了一聲：“她回來就回來呗，幹嘛非要向晚回去襯托她？我看她是在城裏得了勢，覺得高人一等，所以想回來顯擺吧？”
趙仲武發現了，趙晨陽人緣是真不行。她回家除了爸媽高興，根本就沒有人歡迎。
“接下來的消息最為勁爆，保證讓你們大吃一驚！”
趙仲武看一眼趙向晚：“趙晨陽是我親妹妹，趙向晚才是城裏姑娘。可是我爸媽不知道怎麽抽了風，把她們倆身份調換，讓趙晨陽進城當了千金小姐，把趙向晚留下鄉下當燒火丫頭。”
“什麽？”
“什麽！”
“你說什麽？！”
趙伯文、趙大翠、範秋寒全都一拍桌子站了起來。
趙晨陽才是錢淑芬、趙二福的親生女兒，趙向晚是城裏知青寄養的孩子，十歲的時候趙向晚親生父親過來領人的時候，錢淑芬、趙二福竟然卻了歪念，把趙晨陽送進城裏？
趙大翠的一顆心揪了起來，轉過身一把抱住趙向晚，眼淚撲簌簌地往下落：“我的向晚，你……你被他們害了啊！”
範秋寒氣得渾身哆嗦，一把抓住趙仲武的領口将他拎了起來：“你在說什麽？”
趙伯文茫然四顧，心裏又酸又苦。爸媽做的這是什麽事？再疼趙晨陽，再想讓趙晨陽進城，也不能做出這樣喪良心的事啊。輕飄飄一個念頭，就改變了趙向晚的命運，他們怎麽這狠的心！
趙仲武沒想到大家的反應這麽激烈，一邊努力掙紮甩開範秋寒一邊叫：“三妹子的親爸過來了，他說要把她領回去。所以讓我過來，接三妹子回趙家溝。”
他轉過頭看着趙向晚：“三妹子，你親爸來了，他一看就是個大人物，聽說是省裏的大領導。你将來發達了，可不要忘了二哥啊。”
趙伯文實在沒有忍住，擡手狠狠地拍在趙仲武的後腦：“你這個砍腦殼的二狗子！這個時候了還說什麽将來發達了別忘了你？向晚從小到大吃了那麽多苦，爸媽對她有多不好，你不知道嗎？她不找你算賬，你就阿彌陀佛吧！”
趙向晚被趙大翠抱了個滿懷，不知道為什麽有點想哭。
想到趙向晚不喜歡與人身體接觸，趙大翠趕緊松開手，抹着淚水罵錢淑芬
“我可憐的向晚啊，錢淑芬的良心被狗吃了啊，怎麽就舍得這麽磋磨向晚！她把自己姑娘送到城裏享福，卻不肯好好待向晚，她要天打雷劈啊……”
趙仲武掙脫開範秋寒的魔爪，摸着被大哥打疼了的後腦勺，委屈地說：“你們打我做什麽？我只是個傳話的。爸媽這事做的不地道，你們見到他們了再罵嘛，在這裏罵他們又聽不到。”
趙大翠咬牙道：“走！我們回去，我罵死他們！”
趙向晚卻搖了搖頭：“我不去。”
範秋寒說：“做什麽不去？他們這樣對你，你必須回去，狠狠地罵他們，讓他們把這些年欠你的都還回來！你親爸來了，有人撐腰，你怕什麽。”
趙向晚擡眸看着大家：“大姑，你還認我這個侄女？表姐、大哥、二哥，你們還認我這個妹妹？”
趙大翠一拍大腿：“你這孩子，我從小看着你長大，就算不是親生的又怎麽樣？只要你還叫我一聲大姑，你就是我最疼的侄姑娘！”
範秋寒嘆了一口氣：“向晚，我認的是你這個人，不是那什麽血緣。要是我看重血緣關系，範有德找上門的時候我就不會一盆冷水潑過去了，是不是？”
趙伯文與趙仲武對視一眼，異口同聲地說：“你當然是我妹妹！”趙仲武添了一句：“只怕你不認我這個哥。”
親人暖心的話語，仿佛暖流一般在心中流淌，趙向晚目光閃動，看向趙仲武：“要我回去，也行，二哥你得答應我一個條件。”
見向來倔強的趙向晚知道真相後還願意喚自己一聲“二哥”，趙仲武感動不已，恨不得把心掏出來哄得她展顏一笑，連連點頭：“你說！別說一個條件，十個、一百個我都答應。”
“留在縣城，給大姑當徒弟，開一家米粉店。”
趙仲武愣了一下，腦子有點轉不過彎來。不是在說趙向晚的身世嗎？不是說要回家讨回公道嗎？怎麽突然話題偏到開店了？
趙大翠與範秋寒聽到這裏，不知道為什麽更加心疼起趙向晚來。她剛剛知道自己不是親生的，一般孩子早就傷心、憤怒、失去理智了，沒想到她态度這麽淡定，還記得剛才要給趙大翠送個小徒弟的事。
趙大翠想要勸趙向晚暫時不要考慮這個問題，先解決了眼下最要緊的身世問題再說，可是剛一張嘴，趙向晚便給了她一個眼神，示意她不要開口，趙大翠馬上閉上了嘴。
趙仲武說：“我前兩天還跟媽磨呢，我在羊城學廚，想在羅縣開一家飯館，就是沒有錢。大姑要是有開米粉店的錢，不如資助我開飯館吧？”
趙向晚瞥了他一眼：“你同意，我就去，讓你看一場熱鬧戲。你不同意，我就不去，随便趙晨陽搗什麽鬼。”
趙仲武有些猶豫。
趙向晚擡起一根手指頭：“一年，你要是能幹滿一年，我帶你到星市找個大廚拜師，等你出師了，我給你投資開飯館。”
趙仲武的眼睛亮了：“媽呀，三妹子你還有這本事？”
趙向晚眉毛皺了皺。
趙仲武立馬擡起頭：“同意同意，我聽你的！”
趙向晚臉一板：“聽說，你因為賭錢被辭退？”
趙仲武最怕趙向晚板臉，吓得趕緊讨好一笑：“我錯了，我錯了！保證以後絕對不賭。”
趙向晚冷笑道：“我在市局實習的時候，查封過幾個賭場。如果你想嘗嘗被拘留的滋味，我可以安排一下。”
趙仲武其實內心早已後悔。
見識過趙向晚逢賭必贏的水平之後，趙仲武已經明白賭場貓膩多。這一回再次賭錢又吃了虧，恨不得剁了自己的手。
再次聽到三妹子熟悉的教訓，有點受虐傾向的趙仲武不怒反喜，笑嘻嘻地點頭：“放心、放心，我不會再賭錢。如果我再賭，你讓警察把我抓起來。”
趙大翠在一旁看趙向晚訓哥哥，又好笑又心酸。別家都是哥哥護着妹妹，就趙仲武這不争氣的，一天到晚要妹妹操心。
範秋寒撸起袖子，比劃了一下拳頭：“你要是敢上賭桌，信不信我揍你？！”
趙仲武縮了縮脖子，嘟囔了一句：“現在的女人，都這麽厲害的嗎？”
範秋寒撲哧一笑，飯桌上的氛圍頓時就輕松下來。
趙仲武腦子靈活，轉過頭沖着趙大翠抱了抱拳：“師父在上，徒弟給你作個揖。”
趙大翠看趙仲武身體健壯、眉眼讨喜，整個人透着股機靈勁，想着自己要是開店，還真缺個跑腿幹活的小夥。他為人仗義說話算數，又是自己親侄兒，難道不比那些不知根知底的人強？
趙大翠笑着拍了拍他肩膀：“好好好，大姑相信你。”
趙仲武轉過頭看着趙向晚：“三妹子，回不回？”
趙向晚點了點頭：“回。”
回！當然要回，趙晨陽有臉來，趙青雲有臉來，難道她不敢面對？
趙仲武歡呼一聲，擡手一揮：“坐我車，走！”
趙大翠戴上趙向晚送的紅圍巾，對範秋寒說：“跟你邱姨借輛自行車，我們也去。”
趙伯文有點發急：“你們等一下我，我找同事借輛車。”
範秋寒“诶”了一聲，“得，我幫你再借一輛。”
範秋寒在這個小巷子人緣非常好，只要喊一聲，借兩輛自行車不過是分分鐘的事情。
五個人、三輛車，飛速朝着趙家溝而去。
今天是小年，趙家溝的村民都忙着過年，在錢淑芬家看了一會熱鬧各自回家，只留下幾個德高望重的老人陪着趙青雲。
趙仲武沒有猜錯，錢淑芬到點就安排了一桌豐盛的午餐，根本沒有等他。農家小年的飯菜有魚有肉有蛋，色香味俱全，可是趙青雲、趙晨陽卻食不知味。
時隔八年多，再回到老屋的趙晨陽感覺很多事都和上輩子不一樣。
上輩子老實無用的大哥和父親一樣，埋頭在田間地頭插秧、割稻，結果八年不見，他讀了大專當上藥劑師。
上輩子懶惰好賭的二哥是個在村裏到處亂晃的二流子，現在他老老實實在大城市打工學藝；
上輩子懦弱無能的大姑那個充滿嫌棄與暴力的家庭裏蹉跎一生，現在她勇敢地與姑父離婚，帶着範秋寒在縣城裏生活。
After Zhao Chenyang left Zhao Jiagou, everyone worked hard and their lives became better and better.
On the contrary, although I became a city dweller, I was always trembling with fear and not at ease. Like now, Zhao Qingyun said one word and I had to go back to the countryside.
Living a new life doesn't seem to be any better.
An inexplicable fear surged up in Zhao Chenyang, and she counted the grains of rice and stuffed them into her mouth. Her throat seemed to be blocked by something, making it very difficult for her to swallow each grain of rice.
Zhao Qingyun, who was sitting in the main seat and being toasted by the elders, had no happy expression on his face at this moment.
According to his rank, how could he have the chance to sit at the same table and eat and drink with these farmers? At the age of 40, he became a deputy department-level cadre. Zhao Qingyun's career was smooth sailing. If it weren't for the need to keep his own daughter, Zhao Xiangwan, under his control, he would never have stooped to this poor mountain valley.
The chairs were too low, the tabletops were greasy, the farmhouse dishes were extremely coarse, and the home-brewed wine was hard to swallow. Zhao Qingyun waved his hands and politely said to the toasting person, "Sorry, I can't drink."
Village committee director Zhao Changxing was a little reserved when he saw the provincial leader. He didn't offer a toast, but only complimented him, saying, "Leader Zhao is so lucky. Xiangwan is a hardworking child. He was admitted to the Public Security University last year. Chenyang has lived in the city for eight years. He has been well taken care of. He must have been admitted to the university, too, right?"
Zhao Chenyang's face changed. What a joke! She took up all of Zhao Xiangwan's resources, but she only got a junior college score in the college entrance examination. If it weren't for Zhao Qingyun's relationship, she wouldn't have been able to go to Hunan Finance and Trade School for a junior college.
Ding ding ding ding ding ding…
A series of crisp bicycle bell sounds once again broke the tranquility of Zhaojiagou.
The villagers who had finished lunch put down their chopsticks, stood up excitedly, and rushed to the door, where they saw Zhao Zhongwu running on the dirt road in the village with Zhao Xiangwan like a charging warrior. Behind him were Zhao Dacui, Fan Qiuhan, and Zhao Bowen.
"Hey, Xiang Wan is back!"
"All the members of Zhao Erfu's family are here."
"The hot nurse is back too? This is going to be exciting."
"Hurry, hurry, pack up and let's go to Zhao Erfu's house to see what's going on."
Qian Shufen heard the noise and hurried out of the house, standing under the eaves and looking around. To be honest, she was a little nervous. She would definitely be scolded if she told others about the baby swap. She just hoped that Zhao Xiangwan would say less and follow Zhao Qingyun back to the city as soon as possible.
Zhao Erfu took out a cigarette stick, stuffed some homemade tobacco into it, squatted at the door and started puffing. This is not easy to do, oh!
Zhao Qingyun slowly stood up and stood at the door waiting quietly.
Zhao Xiangwan jumped off his bike and walked towards the old house with Fan Qiuhan. The brothers Zhao Bowen and Zhao Zhongwu, who were not tall but very strong, followed closely behind him and looked at Zhao Qingyun with unfriendly eyes.
The one walking in front is Zhao Dacui.
She quickly stepped onto the veranda, picked up Zhao Erfu who was squatting on the ground, and angrily scolded: "If my parents were still alive, they would be mad at you! How dare you replace the prince with a cat? Are you worthy of Xiang Wan by preventing the reunion of other people's flesh and blood?"
Zhao Erfu's parents died young. It was his eldest sister who raised him and helped him get married and have children. Therefore, the brother and sister had a good relationship. Being scolded by his eldest sister, Zhao Erfu shrank his neck and said nothing, and did not dare to pick up the cigarette rod if it fell on the ground.
Seeing Zhao Dacui scolding right away, Qian Shufen said unhappily, "Sister, why are you so arrogant? The third sister hasn't even said anything yet, but you're the first to come and defend her. Are you too free?"
Zhao Dacui pulled Zhao Xiangwan over and said loudly, "Xiangwan, you go and ask them if their consciences have been eaten by dogs! Eight years ago, you should have gone to the city, but the two of them let Chenyang take your place. Ask them if they are worthy of you calling them dad and mom!"
More and more people gathered around, all eyes fixed on Zhao Xiangwan.
Zhao Xiangwan never speaks or smiles, but he has a power that moves people.
Facing the child she had raised for 18 years, Qian Shufen, who was scolded by Zhao Dacui and could not raise her head, blushed redly. For the first time in her life, she lowered her posture in front of Zhao Xiangwan.
"Third sister, you came to Zhaojiagou just a few days after you were born. I nursed you and Chenyang together. I have no credit but I have worked hard, right? Even if I am a little harsh when I talk to you in the future, it is to discipline you, right? I admit that I was greedy at the time and let Chenyang go to the city instead of you. It was all my fault. You can beat me or scold me. Even after beating and scolding, we are still a family."
Zhao Erfu stood firmly, straightened his collar, coughed a few times, and smiled naively.
"Third sister, your biological father came from the provincial capital because he wanted you and fourth sister to go back to your own homes. As for the things that happened in the past, no matter who was right or wrong, it has already happened and there is no way to go back to the past, so don't mention it again. You are in college now, you have knowledge and culture, you should understand that the grace of raising a child is greater than the grace of giving birth to him, right?"
Zhao Chenyang hid in the house and refused to come out, listening to the noise outside with his ears perked up.
Zhao Qingyun heard this and walked out with a cold face. He said to Zhao Xiangwan, "Xiangwan, I sent Chenyang to the countryside and came to pick you up today. You don't have to worry about the people and things here anymore. Our family is reunited, and from now on I will only recognize you as my daughter."
Zhao Qingyun and Zhao Xiangwan were in the same frame. They were both tall, with red eyes and high nose bridges. Their demeanor was indescribably noble and generous. When the villagers of Zhaojiagou saw this, they suddenly realized something.
"I told you, Erfu and his wife are both short, how could they have given birth to Xiangwan with long arms and legs?"
"Yes, yes, yes. Look at Zhao Xiangwan. He is so good at studying. He always ranks first every year. How can we, the Zhao family, keep such a golden phoenix?"
"I don't know if Zhao Xiangwanhui will be angry. Logically, she should have left the countryside to study in the city when she was ten years old. A smart child like her would have been able to get into the best university in the country if she studied in the city!"
"Yes, even someone like Chen Yang, who failed the third grade math exam in elementary school, was able to go to college by studying in the city. If Xiang Wan hadn't been replaced, would he have become a top talent by now?"
Zhao Qingyun heard the discussion and couldn't help but look at his own daughter. It turned out that in the eyes of the villagers, Zhao Xiangwan was so outstanding. If he had been more careful and not been deceived by Zhao Erfu and his wife, and had brought Zhao Xiangwan back to the city directly, she would have become his greatest wealth.
Damn! Those eight years I missed.
The more he thought about it, the more he hated Qian Shufen and Zhao Erfu for their greed and shamelessness. Then he saw Zhao Chenyang hiding in the back room and refusing to come out. Zhao Qingyun frowned and raised his voice and shouted, "Zhao Chenyang, come out!"