Chapter 32: Kidnapping
◎Wait for jail time!◎
The noodle shop owner looked at the portrait that Shi Bisheng handed to her and said, "I'm sorry, I haven't seen it before."
[This girl... seems to have been seen somewhere before? Deng Xuefang brought back a southern girl in November. The girl wore a green dress and held a blue cloth bag. She ate a bowl of noodles in my shop. Her eyebrows and eyes were very similar to the girl in the painting, but her hair was not the same. It was shaved short, and she looked a little dazed.]
Zhao Xiangwan asked the hostess of the noodle shop: "Please take a closer look. Maybe she was hungry and ate noodles at your house?"
The middle-aged woman still shook her head: "No, no, no, I haven't seen it."
[Deng Xuefang has a bad temper and is a well-known hot-tempered person in Kuandian Village. Who dares to provoke her? We are from the same village. I run a business in the town, but I dare not mention her.]
Zhao Xiangwan: "Really never seen it?"
The middle-aged woman looked away with a guilty look in her eyes: "No."
Zhao Xiangwan's tone was very firm: "You have met her."
The middle-aged woman waved her hands hurriedly: "No, no."
Zhao Xiangwan's eyes were sharp as he watched her every move: "She is a little different from the portrait? What's the difference? Her hair is shorter? Very good. What color clothes are she wearing? Red, green, yellow, blue... Very good, it turns out to be green. How is she? Very lively? No, she is a little listless."
The middle-aged woman didn't say a word, but Zhao Xiangwan pointed out every word she said. Feeling that she was completely seen through, she took two steps back in fear and sat down on the bench.
Zhao Xiangwan suddenly raised his voice: "Tell me! You have clearly seen her, why are you hiding it? Did you hide her?"
The middle-aged woman's face turned pale and she cried out, "God, if I had hidden her, I would have died a miserable death."
Lao Zhirui listened to Xu Songling praising Zhao Xiangwan's abilities and stood aside to watch the excitement.
Shi Bisheng frowned and was about to speak, but Lao Zhirui pulled him back. Shi Bisheng glanced at him, and Lao Zhirui whispered, "This girl is very fierce. Let her ask."
Shi Bisheng shut up, folded his hands and stood at the door.
The middle-aged woman cast her eyes towards Shi Bisheng, who was wearing a uniform: "Director Shi, please take care of her. Where did this person come from? Why are you wrongly accusing someone?"
Shi Bisheng looked around and said, "It's really cold today."
Lao Ruizhi couldn't help laughing: "That's right, it's snowing so hard that there's not even a shadow of a person to be seen."
Zhao Xiangwan emphasized his tone: "If you don't tell the truth, then come back to the police station with us. Whether you admit it or not, don't think about having a good New Year this year!"
Ordinary people are afraid of the police, especially when the New Year is coming. Who wants to get into trouble and go to the police station? The middle-aged woman saw that she couldn't escape, so she could only sigh: "This girl! I really admire you. I saw the girl in the portrait once in November, but I'm not sure."
Zhao Changgeng rushed to her in a panic when he heard this: "It was the end of November, right? My sister Yao came out of the Shenzhen Electronics Factory in November. That's right, it was her, it was her! Where did you see her go?"
The middle-aged woman opened her mouth, then closed it again after a second thought. After hesitating for a long time, she looked at Zhao Changgeng sympathetically: "Well... she just ate a bowl of noodles. How would I know where she went?"
After running around for a few days, he finally found out where his daughter was. How could Zhao Changgeng let it go? He knelt down in front of the middle-aged woman and begged with tears in his eyes: "I, I only have this one daughter. She is usually timid and can't stand hardship. Please think carefully, who is she with and where is she?"
Shi Bisheng didn't expect that Zhao Xiangwan would actually ask for some clues, and he couldn't help but secretly marvel at it. He exchanged glances with Lao Zhirui, who raised his eyebrows and whispered in his ear: "This girl is Xu Heimian's apprentice, and she's very powerful. Even though she's still in college, she's a master at interrogation."
Xu Songling has outstanding criminal investigation ability and is impartial. He is nicknamed "Xu Black Face" by people in the industry and is well-known in the police force. Shi Bisheng nodded thoughtfully. He originally thought that this girl came with her parents to join in the fun, but she turned out to be Xu Songling's apprentice.
Shi Bisheng had led the team to look for someone just to save face, but he didn't take it seriously. But now he heard that Zhao Qingyao had really appeared in Guning Town, and it was very likely that he was abducted here. Thinking of this, he shouted: "If you have any clues, tell me quickly. If you delay official business, you can't bear the responsibility!"
Shi Bisheng's voice was loud to begin with, and this time he let out a loud voice, which gave the middle-aged woman a shudder. She lowered her voice and hesitantly said, "Well, if I tell you, you can't let anyone know that I said it."
Zhao Xiangwan nodded in agreement.
The middle-aged woman looked around until Shi Bisheng spoke impatiently: "I won't tell anyone, hurry up! Don't waste time!" Then she told the truth.
"The girl in the portrait was with Deng Xuefang from Kuandian Village. They ate a bowl of noodles and then left. Her hair was cut short and she looked a little dazed. I wonder if she was drugged."
Stunned, drugged? Shi Bisheng and Lao Zhirui's eyes became sharp.
Zhao Xiangwan asked: "Who is Deng Xuefang? How old is she?"
The middle-aged woman told Deng Xuefang everything. Kuandian Village is more than 60 miles away from the town. It is not a big village with more than 30 households. It is located in a remote area near the mountains with inconvenient transportation. The villagers are very poor, and the poorest one is called Deng Mangen.
Deng Mangen had only one son and one daughter. His wife died after giving birth to their son, and the family was supported by the eldest daughter, Deng Xuefang. Deng Xuefang had a hot temper and was very strong. She was a famous musketeer in the neighborhood. After marrying the third son of the Guo family in the town, she and her husband had fought several times because she often supported her parents. Her younger brother, Deng Xuemin, was in his twenties. When he was a child, he broke a leg after rolling down a mountain and became a cripple. He had never married. Deng Xuefang had a good relationship with her younger brother Deng Xuemin. She was anxious about his marriage and asked all the matchmakers in the town for help, but nothing worked out.
Zhao Changgeng was extremely anxious when he heard this. He grabbed Shi Bisheng's hand and shook it up and down: "Comrade Public Security, my sister Yao must have been abducted by Deng Xuefang to Kuandian Village! Hurry up and save her."
Shi Bisheng frowned and said, "Bring Deng Xuefang to the police station for questioning first."
Zhao Xiangwan looked up at him and said, "Let me ask." Deng Xuefang had a good relationship with Deng Xuemin, and she even quarreled with her husband for him, so she would never admit it. She only needed to say that she met Zhao Qingyao by chance, and saw that Zhao Qingyao was so pitiful that she took her to eat a bowl of noodles, and she didn't know where she went afterwards, and the interrogation would be deadlocked.
Facts have proved that Zhao Xiangwan's worries were justified.
Deng Xuefang behaved very arrogantly when she was taken to the police station.
She was in her thirties, skinny, loud, and easily angered. Facing Shi Bisheng's question, Deng Xuefang slammed the table and yelled back: "What? The police are so great? I have never seen this girl. Why did you bring me here?"
Zhao Xiangwan placed Zhao Qingyao's portrait in front of Deng Xuefang: "Look carefully."
Deng Xuefang's pupils suddenly shrank, and she turned away uncomfortably: "I don't recognize her."
Zhao Xiangwan sneered: "Not only do you recognize her, you also hate her!"
Deng Xuefang stiffened her neck, looking like a dead pig that was not afraid of boiling water: "I don't know what you are talking about."
[How did they find me here? What went wrong? I went to work in an electronics factory in Shenzhen and picked this silly girl. I coaxed her to quit her job and come with me to Mian City, just to find a wife for my brother. How did her family find their way here, from such a long distance?]
Zhao Xiangwan narrowed his eyes and said, "Deng Xuefang, you worked in an electronics factory in Shenzhen, so you should know Zhao Qingyao. Why are you lying?"
Deng Xuefang's heart began to panic and her eyes wandered.
Even Shi Bisheng could see the problem with this guilty look and shouted, "Deng Xuefang! Leniency for confession, severity for resistance. Trafficking in women is punishable by a prison sentence of five years or more. Think carefully."
Deng Xuefang lowered her head for a while, then suddenly raised her head and said firmly, "There are so many people in the electronics factory, and I don't know her well."
[In November, I lied to her that a professor at Mian University was looking for a nanny. She only needed to take care of the children and plant flowers, and she could also read books and study on the university campus. She was tempted. This girl is so deceitful. I said that the opportunity was rare and I couldn't let others know, lest it be snatched away by people from the same village. She didn't say hello to the two people from the same village, and directly followed me on the train. When we arrived in Mian City and had to change trains, I said I would introduce a person to her. Unexpectedly, she immediately turned hostile and almost fought with me. Fortunately, I prepared some drugs in advance, otherwise I really couldn't bring her to the town. ]
Zhao Xiangwan: "You and Zhao Qingyao set out from Shenzhen City, and Chunni from the same village knew about it. When you and she arrived in Guning Town, many people in the town saw you."
Deng Xuefang: "So what? The world is so big, can't I take the train with her, can't I appear in the town together? I just felt sorry for her and gave her a meal, so what? Can't I do good things as a good person?"
Zhao Changxing pleaded with Shi Bisheng: "Director Shi, Zhao Qingyao was abducted by her. As long as we find her, we can convict her."
Deng Xuefang calmed down at this moment, pursed her lips into a line, and said nonchalantly: "Go find it, go find it, and then come and convict me if you find it."
Zhao Xiangwan wanted to hear what she was thinking, but he found that she had already prepared herself mentally, erected a thick mental barrier, and didn't reveal a word.
Zhao Xiangwan wanted to ask more, but Zhao Changgeng could no longer hold back and cried, "Go quickly, go quickly, let's go and rescue Sister Yao."
--
The wind and snow were blowing hard and the village near the mountain was completely silent except for the sound of snow falling to the ground.
"Woo--" The sound of a car roaring came, breaking the almost quiet scene.
雪大封山，寬甸屯子家家戶戶燒火炕，窩在暖和屋子裏準備過年。聽到屋外傳來的汽車喇叭聲，都豎起耳朵好奇地觀望着外面的動靜。
“這個時候誰會來我們屯子？”
“是啊，那麽大的雪，積雪足有半尺深。”
“我瞅一眼……媽哎，是兩輛警車，前面還有一臺鏟雪車開路咧。瞅着好像是往屯東頭去了。”
警車上的趙長庚心急如焚，看到那厚厚的積雪，感激地看向勞志銳：“公安同志，感謝你們，感謝你們！要是沒有你們，這麽大的雪，我們根本沒辦法進村子。”
如果不是有趙向晚找到她的警察師父，這北方天寒地凍的，哪怕公安同志再敬業，也不可能在這樣的大雪天開車進山。
勞志銳找來交通局的朋友幫忙，派出一輛鏟雪車在前面開路，這才順利開進屯子。即使是這樣，六十裏的山路，足足開了四個多小時！
勞志銳擺擺手，爽快一笑：“為人民服務嘛。”
施必勝白了他一眼，停好車快步下車，在屯子書記的帶領下敲開鄧滿根家的大門。
趙向晚呵了呵凍僵的雙手，緊跟着下了車。
她的判斷是準确的，對方讓趙清瑤寫信回家，透露出兩個非常重要的信息。
第一，郵寄方便，說明住所距離鎮上郵局不遠，不是窮鄉僻壤。
第二，主動寫信，說明對方拐賣過程中留下不少痕跡，害怕被發現。害怕的背後，代表的是當地買賣人口沒有形成風氣，群衆基礎好。
趙向晚接觸過一些婦女被拐案件，有的被拐賣到深山，那裏交通不便、民風彪悍，買來的婦女被全村人盯着，遇到警察進村，村民一起對抗，解救難度大。寬甸屯子不算偏僻，與鎮上聯系緊密，村委領導能夠主動配合警方，這讓解救趙清瑤變得相對容易一些。
從車上下來，一腳下去，腳陷進沒至膝蓋的雪地，趙向晚差點摔倒。勞志銳扶住她胳膊，笑着說：“南方姑娘，沒見過這麽大的雪吧？”
趙向晚點點頭，努力穩住身形，深一腳淺一腳走到鄧滿根家那扇破舊的大門前，看着門口貼着的鮮紅春聯，定了定神。
上聯：向陽門第春常在
下聯：積善人家慶有餘
橫批：春滿乾坤
積善人家？拐賣婦女的家庭，竟然有臉說自己是向陽門第、積善人家！趙向晚嘲諷一笑，擡眸看向前來應門的老漢。
老漢身形佝偻，幹瘦矮小，滿是皺紋的臉上，一雙渾濁的眼睛總像是含着淚水。他行動有些遲緩，視力不太好，眯着眼看了半天，才小心翼翼地問：“你們……找誰？”
書記鄧大谷好好在家裏窩冬，沒想到被施所長拖出來抓人，憋着一肚子的火，大聲道：“滿根，你家雪芳是不是領回家一個姑娘？趕緊帶出來吧！”大男人娶不到老婆，那就努力出去打工掙錢，有了錢還愁找不到媳婦？盡搞些歪門邪道，大冷的天警察上門，真他媽煩人！
聽到書記的聲音，鄧滿根吓了一跳，縮着脖子嗫嚅着：“書記，你說什麽吶？我家就我和雪民，哪來的姑娘。”
趙長興哪裏還能忍耐得住，擠開鄧滿根，沖進這個北地農家院子。
圍牆上的土磚斑斑駁駁，兩棵光禿禿的歪脖子樹讓這個不大的院子顯得有些凄涼。踩過積雪，掀開厚厚的棉布門簾，撲面而來的暖氣讓趙長興頓了頓。
“什麽人？出去！”
随着聲音，一個國字臉、紫膛面孔的年青男子穿着件破舊棉襖，一瘸一拐地沖過來，惡狠狠地将趙長興一推。
男子個子雖然不高，但胳膊粗壯有力，眼睛裏透着兇光，趙長興被他大力一推，踉跄着後退幾步。施必勝托住趙長興後背，厲聲道：“幹什麽！”
男子擡頭看到身穿公安制服的施必勝，眼神有一剎那的驚慌，但很快就鎮定下來：“公安同志，這是我家！”
鄧大谷帶着另外幾個派出所的公安幹警，在鄧滿根緊張的眼神中将房門一間一間地推開。鄧滿根家裏窮，哪怕女兒嫁到鎮上時常救濟，依然家徒四壁，屋裏除了土炕就是幾口箱子，根本沒有能夠藏人的地方。
不過幾分鐘時間，所有公安幹警都失望而歸，對施必勝彙報着。
“沒有！”
“報告所長，沒有發現。”
“沒有看到趙清瑤。”
“地窖呢？找了沒？”
“都屯着菜，沒人。”
趙長庚原本以為只是一到鄧滿根家就能找到女兒，沒想到一無所獲，一顆心空落落的，悶着喘不上氣來，只能用求助的眼光看着趙向晚。
趙向晚站在施必勝身旁，安靜地觀察着兇悍的鄧雪民。
鄧雪民的眼皮松弛，眼角向下耷拉，形成典型的“三角眼”，他眉毛濃密，尾部散開，像一把掃帚，面相看上去就不是和善之輩。
面對公安幹警突然闖入，推門查看，他不急不忙，雙手交叉而立，似乎早有準備。
“她在哪？”施必勝将趙清瑤的肖像取出，豎在鄧雪民眼前。
鄧雪民的眼睛一眯，瞳孔陡然放大，呼吸也變得粗重許多。
【他們怎麽找到這裏的？我姐不是說，人是從兩千多公裏以外的南方拐來的，不會有人知道？年前怕她家裏人找過來，我還特地讓清瑤寫了封信回家，怎麽警察會找過來！】
鄧雪民緊緊抿着唇，硬着脖子，搖了搖頭。
鄧滿根不知道警察闖進來做什麽，惶急地拉住書記的手：“大谷啊，雪民小時候摔斷了腿走路不利索，沒辦法幹地裏的活計，也沒法子到城裏打工，一輩子就在這屯子裏過活，我這老寒腿一到冬天就沒辦法下炕。你說……你說說，我們到哪裏去找外面的姑娘？你們是不是搞錯了？”
【老天爺啊，這可真是人在天上坐，禍從天上來！我天天窩在炕上，吃喝拉撒都恨不得在一個屋裏解決，眼瞅着就要過年了，怎麽忽然就闖進來一堆公安？我這是什麽命啊。】
聽到鄧滿根的哀嘆，趙向晚将目光轉向內心一片死寂的鄧雪民。
或許是因為從小殘疾，鄧雪民聽過太多嘲諷與挖苦，他性情偏執。和鄧雪芳一樣，一旦做出決定，內心便似蚌殼一般緊閉，根本撬不開。
鄧家老屋用厚厚的夯土磚牆砌成，一進三開，兩間卧室，一間廚房。兩間卧室分別由鄧滿根、鄧雪民居住，全都盤着火炕，屋子裏暖暖的。
牆角擺着兩口樟木舊箱子，裏邊裝着舊衣服，沒有藏人。
廚房竈膛裏燃着木材，一張刷着黑色油漆的小桌、一個碗櫃、兩張條凳、一口水缸，除此之後，什麽也沒有。
鄧滿根家是屯子裏最窮的人家，就這麽大地方，要想藏人實在是為難了點。
施必勝的臉沉了下來，繼續問鄧雪民：“你姐說，這姑娘是她從南方帶來的。說！你把她藏哪裏去了？”
鄧雪民的聲音帶着絲低啞：“是我姐帶來的，你管她要去。”
事情進入膠着狀态。
趙清瑤是鄧雪芳從南方帶到北地，兩人一起吃面的時候被人看到。可是鄧雪芳嘴硬，只承認與趙清瑤吃過面，卻不肯承認将她拐到了自己家。
原以為一到寬甸屯子就能找到趙清瑤。只要找到她，一切水落石出，所有參與拐賣事件的人就能繩之以法。
可是，趙清瑤并沒有找到。
鄧雪民的意志相當堅定，絲毫不亂，就連趙向晚都聽不到一絲心聲，不知道他到底把趙清瑤藏到了哪裏。
趙向晚上前一步，與鄧雪民只一臂之遙。少女的淡淡馨香襲來，鄧雪民有一剎那分神。
【真香！真他娘的香。】
鄧雪民的心門透出一絲縫隙。
趙向晚擡起眸子，利光閃過。
“屯子裏，比你年紀小的男人，都娶上媳婦了吧？”
鄧雪民的牙槽咬緊，一聲不吭，但眼睛卻眯了起來。
趙向晚冷笑：“你的腿不利索，是不是比旁人細瘦，夏天根本就不敢露出來？莊稼活沒辦法做，體力活幹不了，北方漢子高大健壯，像你這樣的人，屯子裏的姑娘有誰會正眼看你？”
鄧滿根聽到趙向晚的話，臉脹得通紅，一陣猛烈的咳嗽之後，他結結巴巴地說：“你，你這個姑娘怎，怎麽說話的！太……刻薄！太，太刻薄！”
施必勝真沒想到趙向晚如此生猛，瞪大了眼睛，望向勞志銳，用眼神詢問：這姑娘這麽虎的嗎？
勞志銳知道趙向晚故意用言語刺激鄧雪民，卻不知道她用意何在。他忽然想到許嵩嶺曾提過，酒店謀殺案中重案組成員拿着翁萍芳的日記本故意刺激魏國慶。他若有所悟地沖施必勝做了個手勢，示意他安心在一旁看着就好。
鄧大谷書記有點看不過眼，插了一句：“嗯，那個……”
趙向晚沒有理會旁人，繼續刺激鄧雪民：“正常渠道找不到老婆，便求你姐從南方拐一個過來。像你這樣無能、無用、無恥的男人，漂亮的清瑤哪裏看得上？哪怕你像條狗一樣懇求，她也不會理睬！”
鄧雪民的呼吸越來越粗重，眼睛開始泛紅，宛如一頭兇獸。
憤怒，讓他緊閉的心門陡然打開。火一般的情緒噴湧而出，讓趙向晚感受到了沉重的壓力。
【胡說！胡說！她一個女人懂得什麽？我一個大男人，除了一條腿不靈活，什麽比旁人差？睡到夜裏那團邪火上來，恨不得撲到鎮上搶個姑娘就回來幹死她，要不是怕挨槍子，老子早就這麽幹了。
還是我姐有本事，從南邊拐了個趙清瑤來，這丫頭野得很，喂了藥才肯乖乖聽話。終于做了一回堂堂正正的男人，老子心裏這團邪火終于消了。只是，費盡心機哄着她，她卻又是踢又是咬，在胳膊上咬出那麽大個口子。要不是老子力氣大，還真制不住她！】
趙向晚心中一凜，趙清瑤果然在他手上！
“強扭的瓜不甜，清瑤性子烈，你遭了不少罪吧？你胳膊上是不是有個牙印？”
鄧雪民被她戳中心事，下意識地将左胳膊往身後一藏。
趙向晚哪裏容得他退讓，跨前一步，牢牢扣住他胳膊。
鄧雪民猛地擡手，将趙向晚一把推開。
“砰！”
趙向晚摔在地上，尾椎骨一陣疼痛襲來，令她皺眉悶哼一聲。
勞志銳大怒，與施必勝一左一右，同時出手。
鄧雪民雙肩被兩人控制住，雙手反扣在身後，一邊大叫一邊奮力掙紮起來：“啊——啊——”
他的叫聲裏浸着屈辱與不甘，鄧滿根聽着心痛欲裂，撲過來想要拉扯，卻被鄧大谷拖住。鄧滿根身體虛，根本甩不開鄧大谷，氣得直跺腳：“大谷，大谷，你就讓他們這樣欺負我家雪民？”
趙向晚坐在地面，忍着痛說：“施所長，你檢查一下他的左胳膊。”
施必勝将鄧雪民的衣袖向上一捊，赫然是一個青紫牙印！
還沒等人問，鄧雪民頸脖間青筋暴露，大叫道：“我咬的！是我自己咬的！老子喜歡咬自己，不行嗎？！”
施必勝腦中閃過一個不好的念頭：不會是強奸不成，鄧雪民殺人滅口了吧？如果是這樣，那估計屍體已經處理好，也就難怪屋裏找不到人！
施必勝厲聲問：“誰咬的？人在哪裏？”
鄧雪民咬着牙，脖子一梗，一臉的不配合。
【死娘們，敢咬人，老子把你悶死在地洞裏，看你還能硬到什麽時候！】
地洞！
不是日常屯菜的地窖。
終于撬開鄧雪民的心門，透出這個關鍵線索。
趙向晚以手撐地，目光掃過鄧雪民的卧室地面。夯土地面，鋪上厚厚地磚，看不出半點端倪。
趙向晚眸光閃動，一寸一寸地在地面搜尋。
眼睛的餘光，留意着鄧雪民的細微舉動。
鄧雪民察覺到趙向晚的動作，心髒一陣狂跳。
【她發現了什麽？這丫頭發現了什麽？她是不是有毒，怎麽什麽都知道！她為什麽我胳膊被咬傷，為什麽會知道？難道……難道真有神靈不成！】
施必勝是經驗豐富的警察，看到鄧雪民的反應便知道不對，板着臉将鄧雪民按住，喝斥道：“老實點兒！”
鄧雪民視線游離，不自覺地往牆角的樟木箱子那邊睃。
趙向晚從地上站起，一步步向角落走去。
鄧雪民的心跳越來越快。有心想要阻止吧，他現在整個人被施必勝架着，胳膊反擰着一動就痛，根本沒辦法移動身體。
趙向晚當着衆人的面，将木箱掀開。
勞志銳不明所以，剛剛這口箱子他已經打開檢查過，只有幾件舊衣服，一股子潮氣，根本藏不了人。既然趙清瑤不可能藏在箱子裏，趙向晚現在過去打開又是為了什麽？
趙向晚一件一件的衣服從櫃子裏取出來，她的動作緩慢而從容。
【不要，不要再往下扒！不要！】
終于等到這句心聲，趙向晚加快手中速度，将衣服甩在一旁。她留意到有兩件衣服的邊角帶着泥土，箱子裏散發着濃濃的土腥味。
箱子底板露出。
趙向晚探身而下，雙臂一伸，将那塊木板輕輕一揭。
一股腥味撲面而來。
一個黑乎乎的洞口出現在所有人面前。
“啊——”一聲慘叫傳來。
鄧雪民面色煞白，完好的那條腿篩糠一般地抖動起來，如果不是施必勝扭住他胳膊，恐怕他已經癱倒在地。
鄧滿根也沒有想到，自家兒子竟然在屋子挖了個地洞，他雙手顫抖，一屁股坐在炕沿，面無人色，喃喃自語：“老天爺，我的老天爺啊……”
趙向晚對着洞口彎下腰，試探着呼喚：“瑤妹子？瑤妹子？”
趙長庚與趙長興也反應過來，合力将那口擋住洞口的箱子搬開，跪在地面大喊起來：“瑤妹子……瑤妹子……”
順着洞口內部的木梯下到底，洞中一切映入眼簾，就連見多了凄慘場面的施必勝都不忍地轉過頭去。
土壁坑坑窪窪，昏暗的地窖裏只有一張土炕，上面胡亂鋪着床上用品。趙清瑤裹在一床厚棉被裏，面色慘白、骨瘦如柴。被面上血跡斑斑，污穢不堪，牆角一個馬桶，體液氣息、血腥味與屎尿臭混合在一起，讓人聞之欲嘔。
趙長庚趴在洞口慌着喊：“瑤妹子，瑤妹子！你還好嗎？”
施必勝将手伸到趙清瑤鼻子底下，松了一口氣：“放心，還活着。”
聽到這一句“還活着”，趙長庚軟倒在地，喜極而泣：“活着就好，活着就好。謝謝公安同志，謝謝你們，謝謝三妹子，謝謝，謝謝！”
趙長庚不停地說着謝謝，眼淚止不住地往下流。
等到施必勝将人包在棉被裏扛上來，看到趙清瑤昏迷不醒，整個人輕飄飄的沒幾兩重，趙長興怒不可遏，沖到鄧雪民跟前就是兩腳：“畜生！”
鄧雪民見地窖被發現，知道自己罪不可恕，心裏又是悔又是怕，不敢反抗，垂頭喪氣地承受着趙長興的踢踹。半晌方才擡起頭，為自己辯解：“我，我只是喜歡她。”
“啪！”趙長興擡手狠狠地抽了他一巴掌。
“啐——”一口濃痰正中他面門，趙長興猶不解恨，“等着吃牢飯吧！”
趙清瑤被送到縣城醫院救治，連醫生看了都倒抽一口涼氣。
因為長期不見陽光、營養不良，再加上恐懼與憤怒，趙清瑤五髒六腑不同程度遭受到損害，一米六的個子，體重竟然只有七十多斤，原本十八歲的健康少女，現在瘦得只剩下一把骨頭，讓人看着揪心。
下體撕裂，有小産痕跡，嚴重的婦科炎症，伴随高熱、昏迷，如果不是趙向晚一行人來得及時，再耽誤幾天，就算救回來，也要留下終身殘疾。
趙長庚聽到這個消息，吓得魂不附體，像打擺子一般抖了起來。顧不得人在醫院，五十多歲的農村漢子，撲通一聲就在走廊跪了下來，沖着趙向晚磕起頭來。
“三妹子，三妹子，叔謝謝你！要不是你說那封信有問題，要不是你的朋友畫了瑤妹子的像，要不是你帶着我們找到公安同志，要不是你發現有地窖……我們家瑤妹子就沒命了！”
趙向晚心裏發酸，忙彎腰上前想要将趙長庚扶起來。這可是她的長輩，是看着她長大的鄉親，她受不住這樣的跪拜。
趙長庚卻死活不肯起來。他此刻既難過，又慶幸，又喜又悲，激動的情緒如果不發洩出來，他覺得自己會瘋掉。
“三妹子，你是個好人，你是個好人啊。瑤妹子能夠和你當同學，和你一起長大，是她命好。以後……以後只要你一句話，你長庚叔什麽都聽你的。等瑤妹子好起來，我們全家來給你磕頭，我們幫你起屋！你爸媽要是為難你，我跟他們拼命！”
趙向晚見他不肯起來，長嘆一聲，伸出手阻止住他磕頭，輕聲道：“長庚叔，您的感謝我收到了。您這樣的大禮，我一個小輩受不住啊。”
趙長興此刻內心也在念阿彌陀佛。
他是黨員、無神論者，可是這幾天發生的一切讓他覺得似乎冥冥之中有一種天意，在引導着他們把趙清瑤解救出來。
趙長庚拿到信在村裏炫耀，為女兒能夠出國而得意，如果不是趙向晚細心地發現郵戳不對勁，趙長興哪怕心中存疑，也不敢在大過年的時候說不吉利的話。
It was such a coincidence that Ji Zhao, a portrait artist from the Municipal Bureau, happened to be visiting the village and painted a portrait of Zhao Qingyao based on some photos; Ji Jinmao drove over in two cars and took them to Xing City for a plane; comrades from the Liaoning Provincial Public Security Department personally led them to the town police station; Director Shi personally led a team to search for people; leaders of the Engineering Bureau sent a snowplow to escort the whole way - it would have taken a week or even longer to reach Kuandian Village, but with the help of these kind people, it only took two days.
If Zhao Xiangwan had not been careful and smart, the noodle shop owner might not have told the truth; if Zhao Xiangwan and Deng Xuemin had not been confronting each other and pressing step by step, I am afraid that no one would have discovered the cellar.
If we delay for three or four days, Yao will not be saved.
The more Zhao Changxing thought about it, the more scared he became, and there was a hint of admiration in his eyes when he looked at Zhao Xiangwan: Zhao Jiagou's third sister is still studying at the People's Public Security University, and she was able to find the abducted Yao sister in just a few days. She will definitely have a bright future!
Thinking of this, Zhao Changxing walked up to Zhao Xiangwan and said in a deep voice: "Third sister, you are not afraid of hardship or fatigue, and you have tried your best to save Sister Yao. I will remember this kindness in my heart. Don't worry, no matter what happens to you in the future, Zhao Jiagou will protect you! Whatever you want, I will do my best to get it for you!"
Although it is cold in the north, the wind and snow have stopped and warmth has returned thanks to the villagers' heartfelt gratitude.
When Yao finally woke up, it was already New Year's Eve.
There were sounds of firecrackers outside the window, but inside the hospital, every word was shocking.
Zhao Qingyao is a simple country girl who loves to laugh, make noises, and dress up. Once she arrived in Shenzhen, she was immediately attracted by the bustling city and learned how to perm her hair, dance disco, and wear short sleeves and short skirts. There were many girls in the electronics factory, and Zhao Qingyao, who had just graduated from junior high school, looked down on the workers who only knew how to work hard. She didn't get along with the two girls from the same village, but was closer to the caring and gentle Deng Xuefang.
Zhao Qingyao loves literature and is very yearning for the world of "northern scenery and thousands of miles of ice". When he heard Deng Xuefang describe the beautiful scenery of the Mian University campus, with white poplars standing tall, young men and women running on the playground and dancing waltzes on the ice rink, his heart flew far away.
Encouraged by Deng Xuefang, she resigned from the electronics factory and packed her bags with Deng Xuefang to go north, preparing to work as a nanny in a university professor's home.
After arriving at the Mian Railway Station, the two got off the train. Deng Xuefang pretended to be homesick and took Zhao Qingyao to the long-distance bus station, asking her to accompany her back to her hometown first. Zhao Qingyao began to be alert and resolutely refused to go with Deng Xuefang.
Deng Xuefang drugged her, cut her hair short with an old pair of scissors, and forcibly took her to Guning Town. Then she asked her brother Deng Xuemin to bring two baskets from home and secretly carried her and her luggage to Kuandian Village.
Deng Xuemin is a sturdy man with a lot of energy. He has been thirsty for nearly 30 years. He can't control himself when he gets close to a woman and tortures her day and night. Zhao Qingyao is confused and keeps resisting, making a lot of noise, which attracts the attention of Deng Mangen.
Deng Mangen had been bedridden due to health reasons. Hearing a woman's voice in his son's room next door, he asked his son in fear. Deng Xuemin was fed up with his father's nagging, so he simply dug a hole and locked Zhao Qingyao underground, hoping to let her out after she had given birth to a son and married and settled down in the village.
Deng Xuemin originally thought that Zhao Qingyao was a country girl, and that she would become obedient and get married with him after being locked up for a few days. However, he did not expect that Zhao Qingyao was stubborn and wild, and would rather die than yield. As long as she had a little consciousness, she would continue to resist. After three months, Zhao Qingyao's health became worse and worse after giving birth. Seeing that something was wrong, Deng Xuemin began to panic and consulted his sister Deng Xuefang.
No matter how secretive Deng Xuefang and Deng Xuemin were, they still left many traces.
——Acquaintance with Shenzhen electronics factories;
——The quarrel at the Mian City Bus Station;
——Noodle shop in Guning Town;
—Occasionally women’s clothes hung out to dry;
——Sudden increase in food expenses.
…
Deng Xuefang thought about it and came up with the part about forcing Zhao Qingyao to write a letter. As the New Year was approaching, the siblings thought that as long as they could deceive Zhao Qingyao's family and make them not go to the Shenzhen Electronics Factory to look for him, they would not be able to find him. After two years, all traces would be erased, and it would not matter whether Zhao Qingyao was dead or alive.
But who knew that the net of justice is vast and wide, and it was the letter that gave away the secret.
The arrest of Deng Xuefang and Deng Xuemin caused a sensation in Guning Town.
Deng Xuefang's husband, Guo Laosan, slapped her twice viciously, said in a decisive tone, "Divorce!" and turned and left.
Deng Xuemin dragged his crippled leg and heard the people in the town talking about how a crippled man like him was so crazy about women that he did such a shameless thing. He felt ashamed and angry.
Zhao Xiangwan stood far away, watching the brother and sister being taken into the police car. They would probably not be out for at least ten years, so let them reflect and reform in prison!
Lao Zhirui asked her curiously, "Student Zhao, how did you know that the noodle shop owner was lying?"
Zhao Xiangwan: "The eyes unconsciously move to the upper right, which means she is lying."
Shi Bisheng found it a little strange: "I can understand that the other party's avoidance of gaze means that he is guilty. But it is really hard to see that the gaze is moving to the upper right. How did you find out?"
Zhao Xiangwan glanced at him and said, "Practice makes perfect."
Shi Bisheng felt that the little girl looked down upon him. His face turned red and he said awkwardly, "Well, then why did you deliberately provoke Deng Xuemin when you met him?"
Zhao Xiangwan: "Because he has been disabled since childhood, his mentality is distorted and he is very tight-lipped. Only by constantly provoking him can we find the flaws and make him tell us where Zhao Qingyao is."
Recalling the situation at that time, Shi Bisheng was somewhat awed: "But Deng Xuemin didn't say anything. How did you know that he had a bite wound on his arm?"
"When he saw the portrait, his pupils were obviously dilated, which means that he had not only seen her before, but also liked her very much. When I mentioned that a forced melon is not sweet, he hid his left arm behind his body, which means that he had been resisted by Zhao Qingyao. As for the bite... I guessed."
Thinking of Deng Xuemin's reaction at the time, there was indeed a clue. Shi Bisheng's attitude became more humble: "One more question, how did you know that the old box was the entrance to the cellar?"
Zhao Xiangwan: "I was pushed to the ground by Deng Xuemin. My palms were on the rammed earth ground and I could feel a breeze with a smell of earth, which made me suspect that there was a cellar in the house. I noticed from the corner of my eye that Deng Xuemin's eyes were wandering and he would occasionally look towards the camphorwood box in the corner. As I slowly approached, his breathing became heavier, which showed that I was looking in the right direction."
Shi Bisheng and Lao Zhirui suddenly realized what was going on and shouted in unison: "So that's how it is!"
Lao Zhirui asked her: "Is this the micro-expression behavior study that Lao Xu mentioned? Awesome!"
Shi Bisheng's eyes lit up: "What is micro-expression behavior? Has our public security system come up with something new?"
Zhao Xiangwan explained: "Micro-expression behaviorism is the study of people's inner thoughts through their subtle facial expressions and actions. It is similar to the criminal psychology we have studied before, but because the subtle changes in facial expressions on people's faces often only last for a few tenths of a second, it is very short and difficult to capture, so it cannot be promoted."
Shi Bisheng felt dazzled. Could she capture micro-expressions of a few tenths of a second? And infer the inner changes based on these fleeting information? Are the students of the People's Public Security University so amazing now?
"No... I, an old policeman, couldn't see the change in Deng Xuemin's expression. How did you find out?"
This question is a bit difficult to answer.
Zhao Xiangwan hesitated for a moment and answered sincerely, "I don't know."
Hearing this answer, Shi Bisheng choked for a moment, then burst into laughter and gave her a thumbs up: "Okay, okay, you are gifted and different, you are awesome!"