Chapter 31 Home
◎His name is Ji Zhao, and he is a portrait artist in our municipal bureau◎
As soon as Zhao Xiangwan called the police, the entire Zhao family became busy.
Today is December 24th of the lunar calendar, the Minor New Year in the south. Zhao Changxing ran back to the village committee office and called the police. However, the police station in charge of Zhaojiagou said that Liaoning Province was too far away. There were many deep mountains and forests in Guning Town, Fengtai City, and the people were tough. If people were abducted there, it would be very difficult to rescue them. However, they would ask their superiors to cooperate with the Fengtai City Public Security Bureau to work hard to rescue the abducted women.
Zhao Changgeng didn't have the energy to wait for the police station to ask for instructions. He went home to pack his luggage, took his daughter's photo, called his three sons, and prepared to go to Liaoning Province to rescue people.
Zhao Changxing stopped him and said, "Fengtaicheng Guning Town is so big, how are you going to find someone?"
Zhao Xiangwan stepped forward and said, "Uncle Changxing, let me make a call."
Zhao Changxing trusted Zhao Xiangwan very much at this moment, and quickly said, "The phone is here, call it quickly."
Zhao Xiangwan called the City Bureau's Serious Crime Unit, found Xu Songling, briefly explained what happened, and pleaded.
"Zhao Qingyao is only 18 years old this year. She grew up with me. She was abducted to Guning Town, Fengtai City. It is not clear which village she was abducted to. Since the other party asked her to send this fake safety letter, it means that he is guilty and afraid, and worried that his family will find him. Since the other party is guilty, it means that there are traces of his trafficking. Since there are traces and he can send a letter, he must be not far from the town. As long as we act quickly, we can rescue Qingyao. Captain Xu, you have a great influence in the police force. Can you find a way to contact Fengtai City in Liaoning Province? I will go there with the villagers to look for her."
The last time his daughter was nearly abducted, Xu Songling pushed the province to launch an anti-trafficking campaign. As a policeman, Xu Songling hated criminals who abducted women, girls and children. Hearing Zhao Xiangwan's words, he said without hesitation: "Okay, I have a comrade in the Liaoning Provincial Department, I will help you contact him."
Zhao Changgeng heard the conversation between Zhao Xiangwan and Xu Songling, his eyes were full of gratitude: "Third sister, if Sister Yao comes home, I will let her kowtow to you!"
Zhao Changxing asked: "You are a little girl, so don't go with us. I heard that the north is freezing cold in winter, and your breath can freeze into ice. Just wait in the village, and I will take a few strong men with me."
Zhao Xiangwan's attitude was very firm: "Let me go, I can help."
She has the ability to read minds, so she can find people faster. Although she can't get much useful information from Zhao Chenyang, at least she can confirm that Zhao Qingyao was abducted to a village in the north and locked in a cellar. The other party is a man who can't get married.
The longer Zhao Qingyao stayed there, the more suffering he would suffer. He had to act quickly.
While the village committee was waiting for Xu Songling's reply, Zhao Zhongwu hurried over, waving his hands and shouting: "Third sister, third sister, there are guests at home——"
guest?
Look at the sky, it is almost dusk, and the orange sunset spreads out, diluting the winter cold.
Who will come to visit at this time?
Zhao Xiangwan stood up and asked, "Who?"
The village committee is located in the upper house yard of the village, about a few hundred meters away from the old house. Zhao Zhongwu did not ride a bike, but ran out of breath to call for help: "Cars, two luxury cars, many gifts, and the surname is Ji."
Zhao Xiangwan was stunned for a moment. Ji? Could it be Ji Jinmao?
It was really Ji Jinmao. He brought Ji Zhaobai here earlier.
Ji Jinmao tried his best to send Ji Zhao to the Municipal Bureau in order to allow Ji Zhao to have more contact with the outside world while ensuring his safety, and Zhao Xiangwan was the medium and bridge for Ji Zhao to communicate with the outside world.
Zhao Xiangwan returned home for the New Year. Ji Zhao had no one to talk to and seemed a little listless. He became more silent every day and spent more and more time in a daze.
As the Chinese New Year is approaching, the Ji family's luxurious villa is decorated with flowers and is full of joy, but Ji Zhao
I was always lacking in interest and often sat on the second-floor balcony, looking at the lush green trees in the distance, wondering what I was thinking about.
Ji Jinmao and his wife Luo Danfeng felt something was wrong and discussed it quietly.
"Since my son started working at the city police station, he has been more responsive. When we call him to eat or take a walk, he will nod or shake his head. What happened now? He has returned to his old ways."
"Will someone say something unpleasant in his ear again?"
Ever since Feng Hongying told the story of the landlord's foolish son that irritated Ji Zhao, Ji Jinmao replaced everyone around Ji Zhao to ensure their loyalty. Logically, no one should say something similar again.
"Probably not. He doesn't look sad, but more like... Do you remember when my son was seven years old, my mother went away for something, and Ji Zhao squatted in the corner without saying a word?"
"Well, what you said is true. Could it be that my son is..."
The couple looked at each other and then at Ji Zhao at the same time. Ji Jinmao asked tentatively, "Shall I take you to find Zhao Xiangwan?"
Ji Zhao, who had been feeling a little depressed, suddenly turned around, looked at Ji Jinmao seriously, nodded heavily, and his dark eyes became sparkling.
Ji Jinmao felt both happy and sad.
The good news is that the son who was diagnosed with autism by the doctor finally has emotional ups and downs and can communicate with others normally; the sad thing is that the 21-year-old boy who she raised was only with Zhao Xiangwan for half a month, and his heart and eyes were filled with her.
Seeing their son's interest, Ji Jinmao and Luo Danfeng, who always responded to his requests, quickly prepared gifts and filled the trunk. Grandma Ji said, "Be polite and low-key when you are in the countryside. We are all from the countryside, so don't put on airs and bully others."
Ji Jinmao didn't know whether to laugh or cry: "Mom, I'm such a grown-up, don't you know this?"
The grandmother of the Ji family, Ms. Chen Fangxi, was a kind-hearted old lady. She glared at Ji Jinmao and said, "Don't I know you? You like to show off when you have a little money, and you can't keep your cool at all. Although I have never met this girl Zhao Xiangwan, she is a great noblewoman of Ji Zhao. If it weren't for her, I would have lost my good grandson. You must be polite and considerate when you go to pay New Year's greetings this time, and you can't neglect her. If you make her unhappy, don't come home!"
Ji Jinmao's father died early, and he was very filial to his mother who had worked hard to raise him. He nodded repeatedly: "Yes, yes, yes, I'll listen to you."
Xing City is more than 100 kilometers away from Zhaojiagou. We took the national highway and then the country road. It took some time to prepare the gifts, and we were not familiar with the road, so we arrived at dusk.
Ji Jinmao drove two cars, he took Ji Zhao in one, and the bodyguards and gifts in the other. It was thought that two luxury cars driving into Zhaojiagou would cause a commotion. Unexpectedly, after the cars stopped at the entrance of the village, the villagers were quite calm. Several children led them to the old house of the Zhao family and ran away with candies.
Seeing the villagers' attitude so dignified, Ji Jinmao sighed in his heart. No wonder Zhao Xiangwan was not surprised by honor or disgrace. It turned out that the people where she grew up were so simple and calm.
In fact, this is a beautiful misunderstanding.
The villagers loved to watch the excitement, but firstly, Zhaojiagou had just sent Zhao Qingyun away, so seeing the luxury car coming over was not that shocking; secondly, the most intense gossip in Zhaojiagou, the true and false daughter case of Zhao Chenyang and Zhao Xiangwan, had consumed too much of everyone's energy; thirdly, Zhao Qingyao's kidnapping had caught everyone's attention. It was evening, and every family was preparing for the New Year's Eve dinner, so who had the time to care about what kind of car Ji Jinmao was driving.
Ji Jinmao was also a child who grew up in the countryside. Ji Zhao lived with his grandmother in the countryside until he was six years old. The father and son felt very comfortable here. Leaving the bodyguard in the car, Ji Jinmao walked into the main hall with a driver carrying a lot of gifts. He smiled politely at Zhao Bowen and said, "Hello, is this Zhao Xiangwan's home?"
Regardless of whether it was the real daughter or the fake daughter, or whether Qingyao was kidnapped, the old house of Zhao Erfu was the center of the vortex. Now that it was finally quiet, Zhao Bowen and Zhao Zhongwu were tidying up the tables, chairs, benches, and leftover tea and melon seeds in the main room. When they saw Ji Jinmao and Ji Zhaomai walk into the room, they straightened up in confusion.
Zhao Bowen stepped forward and greeted him: "I am Zhao Xiangwan's elder brother. May I ask who you are?"
Ji Jinmao briefly introduced himself and asked, "I wonder if your parents are home? I came here to pay New Year's greetings and also to get to know the family. We should visit each other more often in the future."
Hearing Ji Jinmao's words, Zhao Bowen immediately became alert. He and Zhao Zhongwu stood shoulder to shoulder and looked cautiously at Ji Zhao who was standing silently behind Ji Jinmao.
Zhao Zhongwu curled his lips and muttered in his heart: What's the point of a grown man being so beautiful? Can being beautiful be used to make a living?
Zhao Bowen's eyes darkened: He seems to have a bad temper and is not warm. Zhao Xiangwan is cold and taciturn. If they were together, wouldn't there be no warmth in the family?
It was no wonder that the two brothers thought Ji Jinmao was here to propose marriage. It was just that Ji Jinmao came at an unfortunate time.
During the Xiaonian Festival in Zhaojiagou, the family had to clean the house, offer sacrifices to the stove, and eat New Year's Eve dinner. It was a busy time for the family, and few people came to visit. Besides, the guests usually came in the morning. If it was not a particularly important matter, or if they were very familiar with each other, why would they come at dusk?
Ji Jinmao originally wanted to stay in the county town for one night and come over early the next morning, but Ji Zhao was unwilling to do so. He sat in the car with his lips pursed and refused to get out. Ji Zhao had no choice but to become a guest who came at dusk.
There was a silence for a second, then Zhao Bowen said, "My parents are not feeling well today, and they just went to bed to rest. I have to entertain the two distinguished guests today. Please wait a moment, I will ask Zhongwu to call Xiangwan back. Something happened in the village today, and she is on the phone at the village committee."
In the past, Qian Shufen was the one who greeted and saw off guests at home. Now, she was hurt by Zhao Chenyang and hid in the house and refused to come out. Zhao Bowen had to try his best to act like the head of the family, serving tea and water, and arranging for Zhao Zhongwu to call Zhao Xiangwan back.
錢淑芬與趙二福在裏屋聽得清清楚楚，但一點也不想出去。
嬌養了十年、處心積慮送到城裏享福的親生女兒趙晨陽，絕情地拒絕了他們，毫不猶豫地跟着趙青雲離開，這對他們是致命的打擊。
他們無論如何也不願意承認，掏心掏肺為了趙晨陽，到頭來卻養了一頭白眼狼。
他們更不願意承認，處處打壓、苛待的趙向晚，莫名其妙地成長起來，成為一個連趙青雲都想讨好的厲害人。
村裏人罵他們喪良心，兒子怪他們欠考量，将來向晚出嫁他們一分錢彩禮收不到，過完年還得掏錢出力為三妹子蓋間屋。
弄到現在裏外不是人，錢淑芬想死的心都有。
報應啊，真是報應！
錢淑芬腦袋上裹了條毛巾，躺在被窩裏哼哼唧唧，趙二福坐在床榻板上抽旱煙，發出啪嗒啪嗒的聲響。堂屋裏人來人往，不管是讨論瑤妹子被拐，還是季錦茂上門，他倆都沒有放在心上。
反正季錦茂找的是趙向晚，和他們又有什麽關系？這麽一想，錢淑芬、趙二福連面都不想露。
季錦茂指揮司機将大包小包提到堂屋放好，笑着說：“今天是小年，我特地帶兒子過來拜個早年。按老禮呢，應該是上午過來，但因為準備禮物花了點時間，再加上路況不熟悉，邊走邊問，所以到得晚了。”
遠來是客，季錦茂的解釋讓趙伯文放下心裏那一分不滿，客氣地回應：“你們路上辛苦了，請坐請坐。帶這麽多東西……”
一句話沒有說完，趙伯文的目光被季錦茂不斷拿上來的禮物閃瞎了眼。
禮物擺在堂屋，把一個角落塞得滿滿當當。從來沒有見過的新奇水果，包裝精美的煙酒、堅果、餅幹，用高檔木盒裝着的面料、服裝，幾個港城金鋪專用的紅色紙袋，裏面裝着的只怕是昂貴的黃金首飾！
趙伯文額頭有些冒汗。
哪怕是做大官的趙青雲，上門認親都沒有帶這麽貴重的禮物，季錦茂送這麽多東西過來，到底是什麽意思？趙向晚從哪裏認得這樣大方的有錢人？
季錦茂看出來趙伯文的不自在，笑着解釋：“趙向晚是我兒子季昭的救命恩人，這些只是我們的一點小小心意，謝謝你們把趙向晚培養得那麽優秀。”
趙伯文聽他誇趙向晚，自豪感頓生，笑容滿面：“向晚在家裏排行老三，我們都叫她三妹子。她從小就喜歡讀書，是我們村裏這幾年唯一一個考上大學的呢。”
一來二去，季錦茂成功地讓趙伯文放下戒心，兩人愉快地交流。
季昭坐在竹椅上，長腿規規矩矩地屈在身前，安靜傾聽，一言不發。他模樣實在生得好，皮膚白得像細瓷，頭發眼睛黑得像墨玉，漂亮得不似真人。趙伯文說話的時候不自覺地放低了聲音，就怕呼吸聲大了把他給吹跑了、暖化了。
等到趙向晚回來，趙伯文如釋重負：“三妹子，你終于來了。”
季昭站了起來。
他個子高，穿一件長款淺灰大衣更顯得身材修長挺拔，再加上容貌出衆，站在那裏真是讓老屋蓬荜生輝。
趙向晚微笑：“你來了？”
季昭點了點頭，一雙烏溜溜的眼睛專注地看着她，仿佛在說：這麽久沒看到你，你到哪裏去了？
一步步走近，季昭心中世界再一次展現在趙向晚腦海中。
曠野上方多了一抹淺淺的陽光，柔和的米黃讓整個畫面多了暖意。雲雀站在樹枝之上，啾啾地叫着，歪着腦袋盯着那道陽光。
陽光安靜地灑在雲雀頭頂，畫面溫馨而寧靜。
看到這只小雲雀，趙向晚的嘴角漸漸上揚。
有了陽光，雪就會化，小草也該冒出頭了。
【你不在，太陽就不會出來。】
季昭的聲音裏帶着淡淡的委屈。
趙向晚說：“你可以畫一個太陽。”
【畫出來的太陽不會發光。】
季昭往前走了一步，與趙向晚只一臂之隔，像那只雲雀一樣微微歪頭，優美的下颌線在喉結處突起，再收自胸骨窩。
喉嚨是一個人的命門，只有面對充分信任的人才會展露這個部位。因此歪頭傳遞出一種順從的态度，還有絕對的信任。
——意識到這一點時，趙向晚的心口暖暖的。
季昭眼裏有笑意，整個人似乎活了過來。看到這個畫面，季錦茂終于放下心來，咧開嘴笑得歡樂無比：“趙向晚，你一回家，季昭沒人說話有些孤單，所以就帶他過來了。”
趙向晚笑了笑，态度沉靜。
季錦茂越看她越喜歡，笑得像個彌勒佛：“見到你就好，見到你就好，你跟季昭說幾句話，讓他在家安心待着，等你開學回星市就能再見面了。”
确認過眼前人是趙向晚之後，季昭便坐回竹椅，像在市局上班一樣，看似相隔甚遠，但卻注意力高度集中，随時聽候她的指令。
季昭的模樣讓趙伯文、趙仲武內心犯起了嘀咕。
這個年青人到底是怎麽回事？要說喜歡趙向晚吧，眼神清澈，一絲邪念也沒有，招呼不打就坐了回去；要說不喜歡趙向晚吧，見到她之後眉眼帶笑，高冷氣場消失不見。
趙向晚很習慣與季昭的這種相處模式，輕聲道：“出太陽的時候飛一飛，陰天了就在窩裏歇一歇。”
季昭聽懂了，沉默片刻，點了點頭。
門外趙長興扯開嗓子喊：“趙向晚，趙向晚，市局那邊回電話，已經聯系好了，我們可以出發了！”
趙向晚快步走出屋和趙長興商量。
“有沒有瑤妹子的照片？”
“有有有，剛剛長庚找了幾張。”
趙向晚接過趙長興遞過來的照片，眼眸暗了暗。
趙長興也在一旁嘆氣：“照片就這幾張。只是臉太小，不知道認不認得出來。”
趙向晚搖頭：“難。”
農村人很少照相，只有特別重要的時候才會鄭重其事地到縣城照相館拍照。趙長庚剛剛翻箱倒櫃找出來的全家合影中，趙清瑤的臉只有兩厘米大小，根本看不清臉。
唯一的兩張半寸小照，分別是初中、高中畢業時學校組織拍的證件照，一張面相稚嫩，另一張表情呆板。
想要靠這幾張小小照片，從從茫茫人海裏把趙清瑤找出來，難度太大。
季昭耳朵尖，聽到趙向晚說話，忽然插了一句話進來。
【我來畫】
趙向晚心中一喜，對啊，這不是現成的畫像師嗎？
趙向晚對季昭畫像的本事非常認可，超寫實派天才畫家，能夠根據酒店服務員口述還原趙青雲的肖像，現在有照片參考、有這麽多親人描述，畫一幅還原度高的趙清瑤面容小像絕對不是問題。
将照片送到季昭面前，趙向晚問：“你的畫夾呢？”
季昭轉頭看向季錦茂，一雙眸子亮閃閃的。
季錦茂最服兒子這個表情，立馬屁颠颠地回車裏拿過來畫夾、素描紙和炭筆。
趙向晚的描述簡潔清晰。
“比我矮半個頭。”
“比我胖一點。”
“有兩個小酒窩。”
“頭發不多，紮辮子。”
和趙清瑤一起打工的姑娘糾正她：“不，瑤妹子愛俏，到城裏就燙了頭發，劉海卷卷的，大波浪，到耳朵這裏。”
叽叽喳喳聲中，季昭右手輕擡。
一拿起畫筆，他的眼眸便變得專注無比，在夕陽映照之下更顯幽深。
眼睛掃過趙向晚手中的幾張黑白照片，季昭手腕輕動，鉛筆一勾一劃，在白紙上快速掠過。
不過寥寥幾筆，一個靈動、俏皮，帶着幾分野性美的姑娘便躍然紙上。
趙長興喜得張大了嘴：“啊，對對對，就是這個樣子！”
趙長庚死死地盯着畫中人，眼中含淚，哽咽着說：“我的瑤妹子，我的瑤妹子啊……”
堂屋門口不知不覺圍過來一群人，都是打算跟着趙長庚去東北救人的鄉親們。看到這副肖像畫，都啧啧稱奇。
“這人是個畫家吧？畫得這麽好！”
“這漂亮小夥以前也沒見過瑤妹子啊，怎麽只看一眼照片就能畫得這麽像！”
“奇怪，也只畫了幾筆吧，怎麽就一眼能認得出來是瑤妹子咧？”
“感覺就像是瑤妹子自己跳到畫上去了一樣。”
趙向晚确認過憑這張線描圖能夠認出人來之後，對季昭說：“很好，再畫兩幅。”
季昭與她配合非常默契，點了點頭，從畫夾裏取出兩張素描紙，刷刷刷地畫起來。他的動作很快，後面畫的兩張和前面畫的宛如複制一般，又引來衆人誇贊。
“趙向晚從哪裏找來的畫家啊？畫得又快又好。”
“有了這個畫像，只要瑤妹子在那裏露過面，肯定能找得出來。”
“這個小夥子真厲害！”
“可不是？不光長得俊，畫畫還畫得好。趙向晚很優秀，朋友也這麽優秀。”
季昭雖然自閉，但繪畫天賦驚人，只需要看過一眼，就能将場景、人物完美還原，被譽為超寫實派的開創者。季錦茂曾經聽過無數人誇贊兒子是“天才畫家”、“藝術界未來新星”，他深知兒子異于常人，不管是來自媒體還是藝術界的美譽都沒有讓他迷失。
可是今天，坐在這粗陋的村屋，聽到村民們的議論，季錦茂有點沉醉。
這麽多村民，發自內心地誇他家兒子畫得好！他們說兒子是個厲害的小夥子！他們沒有看出來季昭和旁人不同！他們說季昭很優秀！
被大衆接納的感覺太過美好，季錦茂這一顆為兒子操碎了的心仿佛泡在溫泉水裏，暖暖的、軟軟的，還有點飄飄蕩蕩。
季昭并不知道父親在這裏飄飄然，他只要一開始畫畫，眼裏便只有眼前畫筆與畫紙。畫了三幅之後，炭筆一收，他将肖像畫交給趙向晚。
趙向晚嘴角微翹，笑容很明媚。
季昭內心世界裏的一抹陽光更加燦爛，雲雀在歡快地鳴叫。
【有點餓。】
季昭的聲音有一種青澀的少年感，讓趙向晚聽着很放松，沒有一絲壓迫感。
趙向晚将肖像畫交給趙長興保管，高高興興地撸起袖子：“我給你煮甜酒沖蛋喝。”
做慣了家務活的趙向晚比大哥能幹，她拿出瓦罐煨在煤爐上，丢一把紅棗、桂圓，再加上紅糖，待糖水煮開之後再加上米酒和打散的雞蛋液，一罐甜絲絲、營養豐富的甜酒沖蛋便成了。
甜茶裏飄着被滾水沖開的蛋花，黃澄澄、金燦燦、香噴噴，季昭接過茶碗，眉眼彎彎。
趙向晚囑咐他：“先吹一下再喝，小心燙嘴。”
季昭依言吹了吹，湊近碗邊輕輕啜了一小口，發出“絲——”的一聲。
聽到這個聲音，季錦茂忽然眼眶一紅，差點落下淚來。
這麽多年，不知道找過多少專家、醫生、教授，都說季昭這是發育障礙性疾病，沒辦法根治，只能通過适當的幹預減輕症狀。他原本已經絕望，認命，沒想到老天爺送來趙向晚，讓季昭越來越正常。
季昭現在能夠正确理解趙向晚的話語，準确執行她的命令，并在行動間給予正向回饋——這要是放在以前，季錦茂連想都不敢想。
季昭的表現贏得了村民的尊敬，趙長興接過趙向晚遞過來的茶碗，坐下來與他說話：“你是畫家嗎？”
季昭眼風都不給他一個，低頭喝甜茶，不理不睬。
趙長興有點尴尬，趙向晚介紹道：“他叫季昭，是我們市局的畫像師，他性格比較內向，不愛說話。”
“哦！”
趙長興一聽更加肅然起敬，季昭的冷淡也被他演繹成為天才獨有的高傲，“原來是公安局的警察啊，厲害、厲害。”
聽到他們的對話，季錦茂內心充滿對趙向晚的感激。她知道怎麽在外面保護季昭，她知道怎樣讓旁人接受季昭的存在。在這裏，沒有人覺得季昭是地主家的傻兒子，也沒有人用異樣的眼光看着他。
聞到甜酒的香味，聽到外面的熱鬧，錢淑芬終于扛不住，從床上爬了起來。剛剛走到堂屋，目光便被角落禮物所吸引，不由得倒抽了一口涼氣：這人是誰？怎麽送這麽貴重的禮物？
讪笑着走近，錢淑芬彎腰想要拿起放在最上面的紅色紙袋，心裏嘀咕着：看着有點像縣城那家老鳳祥金鋪的包裝，不會真是金子吧？
趙伯文咳嗽一聲，用目光制止母親的舉動。趙仲武反應更快，快步上前一只手扶住她胳膊，另一只将紙袋子奪下，低聲道：“這是三妹子的東西，你別動！”
季錦茂看錢淑芬裹着條毛巾從裏屋出來，估摸着應該是趙向晚的母親，正要起身打招呼，卻被趙向晚叫住：“不用管她。”
季錦茂有點糊塗，不過他反應快，屁股剛剛離開椅子，馬上又貼了回去。
趙長興現在對趙向晚十分信服，自然不會讓錢淑芬再占她的便宜，提高音量說：“錢嫂子，你別忘了剛才村裏的決定。”
錢淑芬嘿嘿幹笑兩聲：“我，我就是看看，你們忙，你們忙。”看着那堆成小山的禮物，錢淑芬一顆心仿佛在油鍋裏煎熬。如果自己對三妹子稍微好一點，這些東西都是自己的！
錢淑芬的到來讓原本熱鬧的場面突然沉悶下來。
趙仲武把她送回屋，咬着牙教訓了幾句：“既然你心裏只有四妹子那個沒良心的，那就別再占三妹子的便宜。來客人了你裝死，拿禮物的時候倒是挺積極，媽，你不要臉，我們做兒子還要臉呢。”
錢淑芬一張臉漲得通紅，往床沿上一坐，氣得半天沒有言語。
趙仲武又轉過頭對悶聲不響的父親說：“瑤妹子被拐，村裏人都在想辦法，你和媽躲在屋裏不出來就算了，只是有一點，別出來添亂。”
因為偷換了趙向晚和趙晨陽，趙二福在村裏臉面盡失，兒子的強勢讓他不得不承認——兒子長大了，翅膀硬了！他也老了。他嘟哝了兩句，低下頭沒有再說。
堂屋裏的人都在讨論趙清瑤失蹤的事情，季錦茂問趙向晚：“你要跟着去？”
趙向晚“嗯”了一聲。
遼省峰泰城固寧鎮距離趙家溝兩千公裏路程，從江南到東北，跨越幾乎半個華國，北地正值寒冷之季，室外溫度零下十幾、二十度，趙向晚一個小姑娘，為了營救同村姑娘，不畏艱險，這讓在生意場上見多了投機分子的季錦茂十分欽佩。
“我來幫你。”季錦茂主動站了出來，“我開了兩輛車過來，可以帶三個人去星市，我幫你們買機票，明天一早出發，中午就能到達遼省。再讓那邊派車來接，你們下午應該就能到地方。”
有了季錦茂的幫助，趙向晚、趙長興、趙長庚三人順利到達遼省。
一下飛機，撲面而來的刺骨寒風、鵝毛大雪讓趙向晚将外衣和圍巾裹得更緊了一些。
季錦茂為她準備了防寒衣物，在小棉襖外面套厚絨長款的羽絨服，戴一頂貂毛帽子，再穿上厚底高幫雪地靴。先前覺得臃腫累贅，現在整個人在零下十六度的室外縮成一團，才知道這都是必備的。
趙向晚擡起戴着棉手套的雙手，捂在鼻子前面，看着眼睫毛上一層冰霜，嘆了一口氣。
——還是低估了北方的冷！
來接他們的遼省刑警勞銳志趕緊制止：“別呵氣，小心鼻子凍住。”北地嚴寒，呵氣成冰，不是鬧着玩的。
勞銳志是許嵩嶺的戰友，一個戰壕裏扛過槍，過命的交情。難得許嵩嶺打電話拜托他幫忙，勞銳志對趙向晚三人非常熱情。簡單介紹過之後，勞銳志開車将三人送到泰城固寧鎮派出所。
哪怕只是一封可疑家信，哪怕沒有其他失蹤或者被拐的證據，因為有勞銳志出面，固寧鎮派出所的出警速度非常快，由施必武所長親自帶隊，立即組織了趙清瑤失蹤專案組，全力投入對她的搜尋。
趙向晚拿出季昭畫的畫像。
畫像唯妙唯肖、生動形象，施必勝接過來一看，眼睛瞪得老大：“你們這是哪個畫的？畫得太傳神了！”
趙長興帶來的照片他也看了，根本就看不清楚臉。拿着這樣的照片找人，那真是大海撈針。季昭的畫像就不一樣了，圓臉、小酒窩、一雙活潑的杏眼，生動的靈動之氣透過紙面撲面而來，只要是見過這個姑娘的人，一定能認得出來。
勞銳志湊過來一看，“嚯！”地一聲，看趙向晚的眼神變得不一樣，“這是你們市局的畫像師畫的？老許終于找到人了？”
趙向晚點了點頭。
勞銳志越看越心驚：“這個畫像師……不像是一般人啊，這線條、這逼真程度、這表現力，都快趕上遼省美院的教授了。”
季昭被譽為天才畫家，開創繪圖新流派，十五歲舉辦個人畫展，水平本來就比一般的美院教授更強，在市局當個編外的畫像師，完全是大材小用。趙向晚笑了笑，忽然有點小驕傲。
勞銳志問：“畫像師叫什麽名字？以後我們要是遇到需要，就來找你們支援，這水平……不得了不得了。”
趙向晚說：“他叫季昭。如果你們有需要，就找我們許隊。”
季昭的超寫實繪畫能力如果用在協助破案上，的确有奇效。她也想看看，季昭從純藝術領域走出來，未來能夠走多遠。
人像圖一共帶來三張，趙向晚留了一張，其餘兩張交給派出所同志。三隊人馬手執畫像，開始地毯式詢問。
勞志銳、施必勝帶着趙向晚，第一站殺往固寧鎮郵政局。
郵政局門口有一個大大的綠色郵筒，頂面被雪蓋了厚厚一層，側面開口微張，将來往信件吞沒。
Zhao Xiangwan walked around the mailbox and came to the post office counter to hand over the letter sent by Zhao Qingyao to the staff. The staff looked at the postmark and nodded, saying, "Yes, it was sent from us."
Shi Bisheng was a tall, sturdy man with a loud voice: "Do you remember the letter I sent ten days ago?"
The staff shook their heads and said they had no recollection. Every day, they took the letters out of the mailbox, stamped them and distributed them to all parts of the country. How could he pay attention to such a small letter?
Zhao Changgeng placed the portrait on the counter with trembling hands and asked hopefully, "Have you seen this girl?"
The staff still shook their heads.
Zhao Changgeng's face turned pale and he began to shiver like a sieve of chaff. Firstly, he was too cold to bear it, and secondly, he was panicking.
Zhao Changxing supported his cousin and comforted him, "Don't worry, just ask slowly. We just got here, how can we get results so quickly? Don't panic, stay calm, Sister Yao is still waiting for us."
Zhao Changxing's words gradually calmed Zhao Changgeng's trembling. He tried to cheer himself up: "Okay, I won't panic and won't cause trouble for the police comrades."
Zhao Xiangwan asked, "Is this the only post office in town?"
Shi Bisheng's voice was so loud that it made my eardrums buzz: "Yes! This is the one."
[The big bosses were looking for someone and brought a little girl. Isn't this a joke? Just based on a letter without a mailing address, they said that the person was abducted to our Guning Town. If Officer Lao hadn't brought the girl here in person, who would have filed a case to look for the person? On this New Year's Day, all the police from the police station were mobilized. I am really impressed! ]
Hearing Shi Bisheng's thoughts, Zhao Xiangwan's eyes flashed.
If Zhao Xiangwan had not heard Zhao Chenyang's thoughts in time, he might have ignored the letter in Zhao Changgeng's hand.
If Zhao Changgeng had waited a year until he realized something was wrong and then went to look for it, it would probably have been nothing but a pile of withered bones.
Zhao Chenyang, the reborn man, was useful in this case, so let's keep him. If you don't use the golden finger that comes to your door, you'll lose it.
Once you know the result, it will be much easier to look for clues.
The letter was written under duress. The handwriting was soaked with tears, and the last horizontal stroke of the word "good" tore through the paper, which shows that Zhao Qingyao was sad and had a very resistant attitude when writing the letter.
The letter was written in the dark. A lit candle was placed on the upper right side of the letter paper. Because it was too dark, she had to write close to the candlelight. Wax dripped onto the paper, leaving deep and shallow marks. Why didn't she write the letter during the day? There are only two possibilities. One is that she had to avoid people; the other is that she was imprisoned in the dark and could not see the light.
However, whether it is the inconsistency between the postmark address and the mailing address, or the tears and wax marks on Zhao Qingyao's paper, or the fatigue and tension expressed in the handwriting, these cannot serve as direct evidence.
Although Zhao Changxing was the director of the village committee, he was unfamiliar with the place and had no idea what to do. Seeing Director Shi speaking loudly and angrily, he felt a little uneasy and looked at Zhao Xiangwan nervously.
Zhao Xiangwan sorted out his thoughts, met Shi Bisheng's gaze, and continued to ask: "What villages are nearby? What are the roads to the town post office?"
Although Shi Bisheng was unhappy with the search, he was still very cooperative. He listed the names of dozens of nearby villages and pointed to the post office entrance: "There are only these two roads."
The Guning Town Post Office is located on the inner side of a crossroads. There are four directions in front of the door: east, south, west and north, leading to different villages.
Zhao Xiangwan was the first to push open the door of the post office, and the wind and snow hit his face.
Shi Bisheng shook his head and followed them out.
A group of five people started knocking on doors and asking questions from house to house along the two roads in front of the post office.
It was the coldest season in Northeast China, and every family stayed indoors. Heavy snow fell, and Zhao Changxing and Zhao Changgeng looked miserable, thinking that there was little hope of finding Zhao Qingyao. There was no one to be found when they went out, so where could they go to find her?
Zhao Xiangwan walked ahead with big strides: "Don't be discouraged, knock on every door, you will always be able to find out something!"
Braving the blizzard, a group of five people went to the town to inquire.
I asked from morning to afternoon, but there was no response at all. They basically just shook their heads and said, "I've never seen it" or "I don't know."
The wind and snow were blowing hard and the group of people turned into snowmen, with frost hanging on their eyebrows and eyelashes.
Finally, when he knocked on the door of a shop, Zhao Xiangwan noticed something strange.
This is a noodle shop, doing business on the street, with a small courtyard and two rooms in the back. The person who opened the door was a sister-in-law in her forties, who looked simple and honest. She looked at the portrait and her eyes unconsciously glanced to the upper right.
Seeing her unconscious little movement, Zhao Xiangwan immediately became alert.