Chapter 40 Missing
◎We must expose the true face of that old witch!◎
Zhao Xiangwan sat in the shop listening to Gu Zhiguang explaining the details of the missing case. Outside the shop, Zhao Chenyang looked pale, staring at the lively table.
The shop owner came forward and greeted him enthusiastically: "Student, would you like to eat?"
Zhao Chenyang ignored the boss and walked in, going straight to Mei Qingxi's table, calling out with a trembling voice: "Brother Qingxi..."
The four of them looked up at the same time and looked at the uninvited guest.
Although Mei Qingxi acted honestly, he felt guilty as if he had been caught. He stood up and asked, "Why are you here?"
Zhao Chenyang was full of grievances at the moment, and wanted to ask why he had to meet Zhao Xiangwan in private, but he held back. Her biggest supporter was Zhou Jingrong, but Zhou Jingrong was taken to the police station; her greatest value was her engagement with Mei Qingxi. If their relationship went wrong again, I wonder if Zhao Qingyun and Wei Meihua would continue to recognize her as their daughter.
"Brother Qingxi, Aunt Zhou and Uncle Xu were taken away by the police. The people in the company are so worried and are looking for you everywhere. How are you..."
Mei Qingxi's expression turned colder: "I understand. You can go back first."
Zhao Chenyang clenched her hands and clenched her teeth. Her stiff facial muscles made her originally beautiful oval face turn into a square face, making her look somewhat similar to the gloomy Zhou Jingrong.
Zhao Chenyang tried hard to control his negative emotions and smiled softly: "Brother Qingxi, your father and his company are now under attack from all sides, and they all need you. If you have time, go home and have a look. After all, you are Uncle Xu's only son and the only heir to the company, right?"
Mei Qingxi pondered in silence.
Zhao Chenyang was afraid of Zhao Xiangwan, so he looked at her cautiously and said, "I don't know what others say about me behind my back, but Brother Qingxi, we have known each other for five or six years, and have been engaged for a year. In my heart... there is only you. Everything I do is for you. You have to believe me."
Gu Zhixing and Gu Zhiguang looked at each other and shook off the goosebumps on their bodies.
I don’t know why, although Zhao Chenyang had a gentle smile on his face, the Gu brothers would rather look at Zhao Xiangwan’s cold face.
At least, be sincere.
Mei Qingxi had a strong sense of responsibility. Thinking of his engagement with Zhao Chenyang, although he wanted to let go of the past and start over, he still had to explain to Zhao Chenyang. So he said softly, "Zhao Chenyang, you go back first. I'll come to see you tomorrow morning, and we can talk then if there's anything."
Zhao Chenyang didn't know why he started to panic when he heard this. Although Mei Qingxi didn't say he wanted to cancel the engagement, his attitude was distant and restrained, as if he would say something cruel in the next second. Zhao Chenyang was reborn with great difficulty and seized the opportunity to steal Zhao Xiangwan's life. He thought he could repeat Zhao Xiangwan's former happiness and glory. Unexpectedly, God seemed to be playing a joke. Everything changed after Zhao Xiangwan was admitted to the Public Security University.
Xu Juncai, who founded the Xu Group and successfully listed it, was actually investigated for bribery?
Zhou Jingrong, who originally had a happy family and a prosperous husband and wife, was arrested for poisoning?
Zhao Qingyun, who was originally in love and harmony with his wife and was rising in power, actually cheated on other women and was demoted and sent abroad?
If everything in the past could be changed, would Mei Qingxi's fate also change?
After graduating from Qingxi University, Mei married Zhao Xiangwan and started a business, which was very successful. He was a representative role model of the promising young people in Xing City. Zhao Xiangwan, who had been fighting side by side with him, became the wife of the president of Qingxi Group. She returned to her hometown and donated money to build roads and primary schools, and was praised by the villagers as a flower.
A terrifying thought occurred to Zhao Chenyang: Could it be that all of this was done by Zhao Xiangwan? Was it Zhao Xiangwan who was the hero behind Mei Qingxi's success and the development of Qingxi Group?
If Zhao Chenyang were to take over, it wouldn’t work at all!
The more he thought about it, the more scared he became. Zhao Chenyang looked at Zhao Xiangwan, his eyes full of jealousy, but he didn't dare to say anything harsh to Zhao Xiangwan. He was holding a lot of vicious curses in his heart, and he almost wanted to explode.
Zhao Xiangwan couldn't help but shake his head when he heard Zhao Chenyang's inner voice. Rebirth is a golden finger that many people beg for but cannot get, but Zhao Chenyang only knows how to snatch other people's lives. On the same road, Zhao Xiangwan can walk smoothly, but Zhao Chenyang may not be able to.
Zhao Xiangwan's leisurely attitude successfully angered Zhao Chenyang, who could no longer control himself and shouted, "Zhao Xiangwan, no matter what schemes you use, Brother Qingxi is mine, and can only be mine!"
Before Zhao Xiangwan could say anything, Mei Qingxi got angry first.
He stood up suddenly: "Zhao Chenyang, I, Mei Qingxi, have always been an independent individual and do not belong to anyone. Whether we are in love or engaged, these are matters between us. What does this have to do with Xiang Wan?"
Mei Qingxi had always been gentle and polite. The first time she got angry in public, the overwhelming momentum made Zhao Chenyang wilt instantly. Her tears rolled down, and she stared blankly at her fiancé in front of her. Her lips trembled for a long time before she squeezed out a sentence: "You, you scolded me..."
Gu Zhixing and Mei Qingxi had lived in the same dormitory for four years, and this was the first time he saw him get angry. He stared with his eyes wide open and dared not say a word. Gu Zhiguang picked up the salted peanuts on the table, peeled one, put it in his mouth and chewed it slowly, his eyes wandering between Mei Qingxi, Zhao Chenyang, and Zhao Xiangwan.
Zhao Xiangwan put down the teacup in his hand, and the bottom of the cup hit the table, making a slight "ding" sound.
Although the crisp sound was small, it seemed to be magnified a hundred times in Zhao Chenyang's ears, which made her startled.
Zhao Xiangwan waved to Zhao Chenyang: "Come."
"Do, do what?" Zhao Chenyang dodged, feeling guilty and timid. She had just finished her accusation, and immediately felt regretful. When the Zhao family was in trouble, Zhao Xiangwan grabbed her pigtail and asked her to answer Zhao Xiangwan's questions at any time. She agreed happily at the time, but then she realized that she had fallen into Zhao Xiangwan's trap. How could she admit it?
Why didn't he stay away from her and move forward? Was he crazy? The more Zhao Chenyang thought about it, the more he regretted it. However, facing Zhao Xiangwan's wave and seeing her majestic eyes, Zhao Chenyang had no intention of resisting. He could only take two steps forward reluctantly and get closer to Zhao Xiangwan.
Zhao Xiangwan asked calmly, "What do you think you can do to make money in the future?"
Zhao Chenyang looked around and lowered his voice: "How would I know?"
[In my previous life, I worked in Xing City and Zhu City for a few years, then returned to the village to get married. I was reborn at the age of 30, and I don’t have much experience. But fortunately, I loved watching TV in my previous life. I remember a movie called "Stock Mania", which taught me how to make money in stocks. There was also a movie called "Real Estate Tycoon", which taught me that building houses and real estate are both profitable. As for the rest... I don’t really understand.]
Zhao Xiangwan glanced at her and was very satisfied with what he heard. I remember when I first met Wei Meihua, Wei Meihua muttered in her heart, saying that she listened to Zhao Chenyang and bought the original shares of Shenzhen Development Bank and made a lot of money. At that time, I was wondering when Zhao Chenyang understood stocks. It turned out that... it was a movie that gave her inspiration.
Zhao Xiangwan raised an eyebrow: "Really don't know?"
Zhao Chenyang was suppressed by Zhao Xiangwan and smiled: "Stocks, I studied finance and have heard a little about stocks. I think that buying stocks is a win."
[Go buy it, and you will lose everything! At the end of 1997, the stock market crashed, and many people lost everything they had, and people lined up to jump off rooftops. If you think I will tell you the truth if I am reborn, then you are dreaming! ]
Zhao Xiangwan waved his hand and said, "Go back. Don't hang around in front of me if you have nothing to do."
Zhao Chenyang hesitated for a moment, feeling embarrassed to be summoned and dismissed by Zhao Xiangwan, so he said something extra: "I didn't steal your things. Everything was their choice, right?"
Zhao Chenyang thought that Zhao Xiangwan would be sad after he said this. But Zhao Xiangwan didn't care at all: "I don't mind their choice. I don't care about the things you took away."
This knife hit Zhao Chenyang right in the heart.
The former complacency was ruined by Zhao Xiangwan's words.
The secret joy and pride I once had were shattered by Zhao Xiangwan's smile!
After being reborn, Zhao Chenyang feels very good about himself.
Take away Zhao Xiangwan's biological parents, take away the resources that originally belonged to her, take away her life, and then when the time comes, I will appear in a glamorous manner and be compared with the rustic Zhao Xiangwan. Zhao Xiangwan will definitely feel lost and depressed. It makes me happy just thinking about it.
I didn't expect that after so many years, Zhao Xiangwan was getting better and better, while I was getting worse and worse.
What was snatched away really won't belong to me? Then what's the meaning of my rebirth? Zhao Chenyang was hit hard, and his heart was filled with anger and hatred. He couldn't breathe at all. After a long while, he finally said, "Well, I'm leaving." After saying that, he looked at Mei Qingxi with resentment and turned away.
Mei Qingxi blushed and wanted to apologize, but he was too ashamed to open his mouth. After a while, Mei Qingxi stammered, "Zhao Xiangwan, I'm sorry."
Gu Zhixing raised his hand and stroked his forehead: "Oh my God, Mei Qingxi, are you possessed by a calamity star? Your stepmother poisoned and murdered people, your biological father started a mess and then abandoned you, and your parents arranged a fiancée for you that was inexplicable."
Gu Zhiguang swallowed the peanuts he had chewed, took a big gulp of beer, and echoed his brother's words: "Yes, break up quickly. Marrying an unvirtuous wife will surely bring disaster."
Should he break off the engagement with Zhao Chenyang? In fact, Mei Qingxi had been a little hesitant, after all, he still had some sympathy for Zhao Chenyang. He always felt that Zhao Chenyang was only taken to live with her biological parents when she was ten years old, and then was sent to Zhou Jingrong as an adopted daughter. Her life was like a floating duckweed, and she was as pitiful as him.
正是這份憐惜，讓梅清溪順從地與趙晨陽訂親，盡量配合她，陪她出席各種場合，扮演一個合格的未婚夫角色。
可是今天，梅清溪決心與徐俊才決裂，獨立走自己的路，曾經禁锢在身上的那些東西漸漸消散，他有了新的想法。
梅清溪似乎是在自言自語，又仿佛是在向趙向晚解釋：“趙晨陽曾經是周荊容的養女，也算是在陌生環境裏讨生活，我看她可憐，所以同意和她訂婚。不過現在……我會正式提出退親。”
梅清溪終于下定決心要與趙晨陽分手，顧之星與顧之光舉雙手贊成。
趙向晚看一眼梅清溪，想到趙晨陽曾提及上輩子自己與他是夫妻，兩人一起創業打拼，成為富豪，不知道為什麽有些不自在，對梅清溪說：“你要去深市做房地産？”
梅清溪點頭：“對。”
趙向晚想到剛才聽到的話，微笑道：“挺好的，我覺得這個行業未來應該很有前途，你就認真做吧。”
梅清溪受到鼓勵，眼睛亮了起來：“真的？向晚你也看好嗎？那太好了！你放心，我會認真做的。”
趙向晚轉頭看向顧之光：“剛才你說的失蹤案，詳細說說吧。”
顧之光雖然讀的是建築學專業，但卻迷戀偵探小說，入校後在專業學習之餘，開了家小小的偵探社。
偵探社接受的委托任務五花八門，有水房鬧鬼案，有宿舍争執案，也有分手後男友糾纏、飯菜票不翼而飛……大多數都是些不痛不癢的小糾紛，上升不到刑事案件的程度。
可是最近遇到的一件事，卻讓顧之光感覺到很棘手——賈俊楠的女友失蹤了幾天，一點頭緒也沒有。
機械自動化專業大四學生賈俊楠住在顧之光宿舍隔壁，做了四年鄰居，平時總會在走廊遇到，見面頻率高，一來二去比普通同學關系更親近一些。今年賈俊楠即将畢業，已經分配到湘電器機械制造廠工作，只等畢業答辯結束，拿到畢業證、派遣證就能報到上班。
賈俊楠是農村人，家裏條件不好，讀書的學費都是找村裏人借的，因此平時生活很節儉。他在大三的時候談了個女朋友，兩人感情挺好。女友湛曉蘭也是農村人，高中沒有讀完就來星市打工，寄住在姑姑湛萍家裏。
湛曉蘭在一家鞋店做銷售，因為勤快、熱情，業績不錯，工資加提成每個月能拿到一百左右的收入。
聽到這裏，趙向晚擡起頭瞟了顧之光一眼。
顧之光接受到這個眼神，忙解釋：“賈俊楠不是那種吃軟飯的男人，在學校勤工儉學，上進努力，從來不用湛曉蘭的錢。”
趙向晚沒有說什麽，擡了擡下巴，示意顧之光繼續說下去。
兩人是在鞋店認識的，湛曉蘭仰慕賈俊楠是大學生、斯文有禮，賈俊楠喜歡她身上那股蓬勃向上、努力掙錢的勁頭，兩個人談了一年戀愛，約定等賈俊楠大學畢業之後就結婚，在星市共同經營一個小家。
平時兩人每天都會電話聯系，周末約着一起吃飯。這個星期四因為一件小事兩人有了争執，賈俊楠沒有接到湛曉蘭的電話，先前還以為她在耍脾氣，再加上正是畢業設計的關鍵時候，賈俊楠也沒心思去哄她。
轉眼到了星期天，湛曉蘭依然卻沒有任何消息。賈俊楠不放心，放下畢業設計找到鞋店，這才發現店員換了人，湛曉蘭不知所蹤。
鞋店老板告訴他，湛曉蘭從周五下午五點半之後就沒有來上班，招呼都沒有打。賈俊楠心中不安，顧不得湛曉蘭不讓他上門的禁令，根據記憶中的信息找到她姑姑湛萍家。
湛萍是個離異中年女性，因為經歷過丈夫出軌，變得有些偏激，并不同意湛曉蘭談戀愛，因此賈俊楠與湛曉蘭談戀愛一直不敢讓她知道。
賈俊楠來到電信局宿舍區，一路問過來，終于找到湛萍。卻沒想到湛萍一見到他，聽說是湛曉蘭的男朋友，頓時就炸了，非說是賈俊楠把自己侄女拐走，揪着他的頸脖，不停追問曉蘭的下落。
湛萍住的是五十年代初建的老式五層磚混樓，因為紅磚牆、紅瓦屋面而被當地人稱之為“紅房子”。
宿舍區不算大，湛萍住的是一樓，動靜鬧得大，驚動了左鄰右舍，最後報了警，警察把兩人帶回去調查。細細一問，周五湛萍六點下班回家，發現家中失竊，放在床頭櫃裏的七百塊錢現金不翼而飛，同時消失不見的，還有原本應該早早到家做飯的湛曉蘭。
湛曉蘭工作的鞋店距離姑姑家不遠，因為借住的緣故，曉蘭承擔了大部分家務。鞋店早上九點開門，晚上九點關門，一共有兩個店員，輪換着吃飯。湛曉蘭每天早上買菜、洗衣、打掃房間，然後上班。到了下午5：30，湛曉蘭匆匆趕回家，做好飯菜等湛萍回來一起吃飯，六點半再回到鞋店繼續上班。
可是兩天前，周五湛萍準時六點到家，發現湛曉蘭不在，屋裏冷鍋冷竈，氣得罵了幾句，等到快七點了依然沒有見到人，就沖到鞋店去。
鞋店的另一個店員柴娜也在找湛曉蘭，很不高興地說：“她五點半就離開了，現在都七點多了還沒回來，耽誤我吃飯了呢。”
湛萍和柴娜争執起來，柴娜沒好氣地回應：“曉蘭攀上了一個大學生，據說馬上畢業，兩人打算結婚呢。她不會是不想幹了吧？真是的！就算不想幹了也要說一聲嘛，突然不來算幾個意思？”
湛萍從別人嘴裏聽說侄女談了戀愛，心裏很不是滋味。回家之後再上上下下查了一遍，發現自己卧室的床頭櫃被打開，裏面放着的七百塊錢不見了。
房門沒有被撬開的痕跡，肯定是被湛曉蘭偷走了！
湛萍氣得七竅生煙，可是想到自己只有一個哥哥，湛曉蘭住在這裏也有快四年，平時任勞任怨，不忍心毀她前途，于是把這件事悶在心裏，沒有報警。只想着等見到她和她男友，一定要好好罵一頓。
賈俊楠聽到這裏慌了，忙說：“我也有三天沒有聯系到她，她不會出什麽事吧？”
湛萍惡狠狠地瞪了他一眼：“曉蘭向來乖巧，肯定都是你把她帶壞了！”
賈俊楠懷疑湛萍把曉蘭趕走，湛萍指責是賈俊楠唆使曉蘭偷錢出走，兩人在派出所争執不休。警察詢問取證之後，排除兩人作案的可能，便以湛曉蘭失蹤立案，讓兩人回去等消息。
故事講到這裏，顧之星先開口說話：“警察都已經立案調查，還需要你這個偵探社的社長做什麽？”
顧之光的表情很嚴肅：“賈俊楠主動找我，請我幫忙查一下。他說湛曉蘭和他感情很好，兩人去城東看過房子，還計劃一起存錢結婚，好好過日子，不可能招呼不打就離開。曉蘭為人正直，在鞋店工作那麽長時間，從不占一點小便宜，絕對不會偷她姑姑的錢。他懷疑是湛萍知道湛曉蘭談了戀愛，在家中發生口角，将她趕走。”
梅清溪聽到這裏，皺起眉毛：“趕走？就算是趕走，湛曉蘭也應該第一時間給賈俊楠打電話啊。”
顧之光腦洞比較大：“可能湛萍把湛曉蘭強行送上火車，然後故意隐瞞事實，逼他們分手呢？”
梅清溪搖頭：“沒道理。家長不同意的戀愛多的是，沒見誰搞出個失竊現場出來，冤枉人偷錢的。”
顧之光一拍大腿：“就是這點可疑！分手就分手嘛，賈俊楠又不是那種死纏爛打的人，為什麽湛萍要費這個勁？”
趙向晚問：“湛曉蘭五點半之後從鞋店出來後，确認是回了家？”
顧之光張了張嘴，擡手搔了搔腦袋：“好像是。”
好像是？
趙向晚繼續追問：“廚房有沒有備餐痕跡？”
顧之光：“沒有，說是回家做晚飯，但廚房裏什麽準備都沒有。砧板沒有拿出來，早上買的韭菜也沒有摘。”
趙向晚：“鞋店和電信局家屬區很近，五點半從鞋店出發，七、八分鐘應該就能到家吧？這個時間點有沒人看見湛曉蘭？”
顧之光：“湛萍住一樓，南面帶個小院子，但院子沒有改裝，沒有增設對外的鐵門，平時湛曉蘭、湛萍進出都是走進樓梯間拿鑰匙開門。住二樓的阿婆說，好像聽見了關門的聲音，還有咕嚕咕嚕的聲響，不知道是什麽。”
他停頓了一下，又補充道，“湛曉蘭失蹤那天是周五，警察啓動調查是周日周一，時隔兩、三天，有些記憶會産生偏差或模糊。鄰居們說好像聽見，那就真的只是好像。也許是前幾天聽到，也許是那天聽到。”
“幾個人回來的？”
“幾個人？能有幾個人？當然是湛曉蘭一個人啊。湛曉蘭一個人回來，這個場景大家看熟了，所以沒有在意。如果她身邊跟着個陌生人，鄰居們肯定就會好奇、記住。”
顧之光這個推理是對的。
所謂“燈下黑”，開燈時會發現，由于燈具的遮擋，在燈下會産生陰暗區域。同樣的，人們對發生在身邊、習以為常的事物或事件沒有看見和察覺。
顧之星思維比較直接：“小偷就是小偷，也許錢不是湛曉蘭偷的呢？會不會湛曉蘭那天回到家，正遇上小偷，兩人一番搏鬥之後小偷把她殺了？”
顧之光搖頭：“不不不，警察上門勘察過，現場沒有血跡、沒有打鬥痕跡，門鎖也沒有被撬，應該不是小偷。”
這也不對，那也不是，的确無解。
梅清溪問：“你找趙向晚做什麽？”
顧之光嘻嘻一笑：“這不是正好聽你和我哥聊天提起趙向晚嗎？我聽人提起過公安大學有個趙向晚，她的推理能力非常強，又是刑偵專業的學生，她肯定幫得上忙嘛。”
趙向晚低頭沉思。
不能排除賈俊楠說謊。
雖然顧之光說賈俊楠不是吃軟飯的人，但他一個大學貧困生，與鞋店打工妹談戀愛，誰知道有幾分真心實意，誰知道他有沒有用曉蘭的錢？接受她的資助讀完書，找到工作之後将她一腳踢開，這種可能性并不是沒有。
直接分手怕被人說沒良心，也怕湛曉蘭不依不饒，将她殺害，再故布疑陣，将衆人的關注點引到湛萍身上。
如果是這種情況，必須見見賈俊楠。
他是忠是奸，讀心便知。
想到這裏，趙向晚擡起頭：“我要見見賈俊楠。”
顧之光一聽，立馬站起：“好，那我這就給他打電話，讓他過來。”
湘省大學與湘省公安大學相距不算遠，顧之光打公用電話聯系上正在宿舍的賈俊楠，不到半個小時他就出現在飯館門口。
賈俊楠個子不高，身形消瘦，戴一幅黑框眼鏡，面容有些憔悴，眼睛裏滿是血絲。他一進到飯館裏，就抓住顧之光的胳膊，急切地詢問：“怎麽樣？有什麽消息沒？”
【曉蘭到底去了哪裏？為什麽她會失蹤？會不會是被她姑姑趕走了？她為什麽不來找我？好不容易找到一個關心我、心疼我的好姑娘，原以為我的苦日子終于要結束，可是老天爺為什麽要跟我過不去？】
賈俊楠的內心單純而直接，根本沒有對外設防，趙向晚把他心中所想聽得一清二楚。
眼神焦灼、舉止慌亂，他的微表情反應與內心一致。
排除掉他的嫌疑，趙向晚繼續觀察賈俊楠的反應。
顧之光拉着賈俊楠坐下，又讓店老板送來餐具，在他的杯子裏倒上啤酒，安慰道：“我們正在幫你想辦法，你別急，先坐下來吃點東西。”
賈俊楠也沒和他客氣，順勢坐下。
顧之光介紹各位，賈俊楠心不在焉地打着招呼，顯然沒有心思結識新朋友。聽到說趙向晚是公安大學刑偵專業的學生，這才來了點精神，眼睛裏透出希冀的光。
趙向晚直截了當詢問：“你們因為什麽争吵？”
賈俊楠有些忸怩：“我，我想和她親近，她不願意。”
【電器機械制造廠的住宿條件一般，像我這樣剛畢業的大學生，報到之後能分配到兩人一間的集體宿舍。如果結了婚，就能申請單間。我，我就是想着反正要結婚的，先租個房子住在一起，偏偏她不願意，非要先見過雙方父母之後才能讓我近她的身。戀愛談了一年多了，她一直不讓我親近，親吻、擁抱……她都不肯讓我摸摸那裏，我真的很懷疑，她到底愛不愛我？】
聽到這裏，趙向晚明白了。賈俊楠年青沖動，想和心愛之人有親密舉止，但湛曉蘭明顯排斥男女之間的身體接觸，于是兩人産生誤會。
趙向晚眉頭微皺。男女戀愛，情到濃處，情難自控很正常。談了一年時間，竟然連親吻、擁抱都沒有，湛曉蘭的反應似乎有些過激。
趙向晚同樣不喜歡與人身體接觸，所以懂得湛曉蘭這種反應是不對的，或許她有一段不堪回首的往事吧。
趙向晚沉默的時間有點長，賈俊楠面紅耳赤地為自己辯解：“我，我只是臉上挂不住，并沒有生氣。平時都是曉蘭晚上九點下班之後，在電信局宿舍區那裏的公用電話亭給我打電話，她不打電話過來，我沒辦法拔過去的。周五、周六我們那一組的畢業設計正是關鍵時候，天天都在實驗室，走不開，所以沒有去找她，周日有了空我就去鞋店找她了。你，你們別那樣看我，我不是那種人……”
趙向晚：“你找顧之光幫忙調查，是懷疑她姑姑嗎？”
賈俊楠點頭：“是！根本就沒有七百塊錢被偷，我懷疑這都是曉蘭的姑姑編出來的。我聽曉蘭說過，她姑姑脾氣不好，年青時受過男人的欺負，從此不再相信愛情，也不信任男人，經常把‘男人沒一個好東西’挂在嘴邊。她姑姑将曉蘭養在身邊，本來就是指望她養老，非常反對她談戀愛。曉蘭和我談了一年的戀愛，卻絲毫口風都不敢透出來，說怕她姑姑生氣，會把她趕回老家農村去。”
趙向晚目光微斂，陷入沉思。
一個受過情傷、憎恨世間所有男人的強勢姑姑，會對準備結婚的侄女表達出惡意嗎？
如果財物丢失是真，為什麽不報警？
湛萍的回答是對侄女有感情，害怕報警壞了她的名聲。
如果有感情，為什麽不信任她？
如果湛萍信任湛曉蘭，她的第一反應就應該是：家裏進賊了！趕緊報警。侄女失蹤了！趕緊找人。
可是她沒有，湛萍的第一反應是：曉蘭偷了我的錢，跟野男人跑了。
所以，很矛盾。
湛曉蘭周四與賈俊楠發生誤會沒有聯系，但她依然正常上下班，鞋店職員也沒有發現異常。第二天，也就是周五，下午五點半湛曉蘭離開鞋店，六點湛萍下班，這些行為都有人證，真實可信。
現在有幾個疑問無法證實。
1、湛曉蘭5：30從鞋店出來，有沒有回家？
2、老房子隔聲效果不好，但如果是正常開關門，聲音并不大，應該很難留意到。為什麽樓上阿婆會聽到關門的聲音？還有那咕嚕咕嚕聲是什麽？是記憶偏差，還是的确有人重重關門，拖重物出門？
3、床頭櫃的七百塊是不是真的丢失？如果沒有，湛萍為什麽說謊？如果是真的，到底是誰拿走？
太多的疑問，因為湛萍沒有在第一時間報警，令調查取證非常困難。
顧之光問賈俊楠：“你懷疑湛萍編造失竊假象，污蔑湛曉蘭偷錢，為什麽？”
賈俊楠是典型的理工男，邏輯思維清晰無比：“可能因為我過去尋人，事情鬧開了，她擔心自己逼侄女離開的事情暴露，所以編了個理由，想讓旁人認為，曉蘭拿着錢跑了。是曉蘭不仁在前，休怪她無義在後。這樣……不管是誰來找，哪怕是曉蘭爸媽，她有理由推脫。”
說到激動處，賈俊楠臉上開始冒汗，他擡起右手托了托下滑的眼鏡架：“反正那是她的家，她說丢了錢就是丢了錢，誰知道是真是假！”
顧之光看向趙向晚。
趙向晚問：“湛曉蘭5：30準時離開鞋店，行為舉止正常，可見在此之前與湛萍并沒有有激烈沖突。如果你的懷疑是真的，那兩人只可能在六點至七點這個時間段發生争執，然後曉蘭憤而離家，湛萍擔心哥嫂埋怨，于是誣陷她偷錢。可是，警察調查過吧？這個時間段并沒有異常。五十年代的老房子，隔音效果都不好，如果姑侄兩人吵架，鄰居們一定聽得到。”
顧之光忽然猛地站了起來：“如果，根本沒有争吵，湛萍直接把湛曉蘭殺了呢？這就能解釋為什麽湛曉蘭沒有和賈俊楠聯系！”
賈俊楠一擡眼看到顧之光驚恐的表情，說話變得結結巴巴起來：“不，不能吧？做什麽要殺人？”
顧之光說：“湛曉蘭和我們年齡相仿，身材健康，頭腦清醒，和你感情也不錯，要是受了委屈，一定會來找你。如果不是出了意外，為什麽會突然失蹤？”
賈俊楠先前只覺得是湛萍把湛曉蘭藏起來，或者說偷偷趕她回鄉下，氣憤憤地想借助顧之光的力量把人找出來。可是現在聽他這一分析，不由得毛骨悚然。
“不……不會吧？曉蘭父母生了五個，她是老三，學習成績最好。可是家裏窮，讀到高一母親生病要錢用，不得已才出來打工。
Aunt Xiaolan was the most promising girl in the village. After getting married, she followed her uncle to Xing City and worked in the Telecommunications Bureau. Later, her husband had another woman outside and abandoned her. She had a daughter who was hit and killed by a train when she was six years old. Since then, she has become cynical and frowns when she sees a man.
However, her aunt took good care of Xiaolan. Xiaolan told me that when she first came to Xing City, she had nothing, and her aunt took care of everything for her. Apart from the restriction that Xiaolan was not allowed to fall in love, there was nothing wrong with her aunt.
At this point, Jia Junnan looked up at the people in front of him, his eyes somewhat bewildered: "No way? No way? Xiaolan is just in love with me, and we plan to meet both parents after graduation and discuss marriage. I didn't play with her feelings, we are truly in love and want to live together. Is this not okay? Could it be that her aunt wants to harm Xiaolan because of this?"
Thinking of the detective novels he had read before, Gu Zhiguang gave full play to his imagination.
"You don't understand! Women like Zhan Ping who have been hurt by men and suffered the pain of losing their children are all somewhat mentally abnormal. They can't bear to see their nieces being loved by men, and they hate her for having her own happiness. Is it possible that Zhan Xiaolan told Zhan Ping about your affairs, and the two had a quarrel, and Zhan Ping imprisoned her in order to prevent her niece from leaving... and even accidentally hurt her?"
Gu Zhiguang didn't dare to say more terrifying words, but in fact he had more terrifying thoughts in his mind.
[Jia Junnan said that Zhan Ping lived on the first floor, with a small yard outside. Zhan Ping killed Zhan Xiaolan, waited until midnight when no one was around, and quietly buried her in the yard, then lied to the outside world that Zhan Xiaolan had stolen money and ran away. This could explain why Zhan Xiaolan disappeared, and it could also be used as an excuse when her brother and sister-in-law came to her to ask for her. But she didn't expect Jia Junnan to come and disrupt her plot to kill and bury the body. No... I have to find a way to get to her house and check if there are any traces of loose soil in the yard. ]
Even though Gu Zhiguang didn't say it, Jia Junnan heard his hidden message. Her hands began to tremble nervously, and she kept saying, "No way? It can't be? This is a living person, her own niece. Xiaolan is usually so good to her. Knowing that she has stomach problems, she tries to cook soft and light meals. She also helps her knit sweaters and scarves, for fear that she will catch a cold. How can this be? No way? It can't be..."
Zhao Xiangwan interrupted the two people's thoughts: "Zhan Xiaolan is younger and stronger than Zhan Ping. How can she kill someone without any hesitation? Moreover, the police investigated the scene and found no traces of blood or fighting."
Gu Zhiguang has read too many novels, and once he has a suspicion, he will follow his own path to the end: "Poisoning, but you can't tell whether it was poisoning, and there are no signs of fighting."
Zhao Xiangwan: "What kind of poison can be colorless, odorless and leave no trace? The police should have taken samples from the cups and utensils in the kitchen and living room, right? Since they say they can rule out Zhan Ping's motive, we should trust the police."
Gu Zhiguang was very stubborn: "If it was poisoned, it would have been cleaned up long ago, and the police would definitely not be able to find it."
"What about the body?"
Gu Zhiguang gave his own judgment: "The yard can be used to bury the body. Zhan Ping can wait until night and quietly dig a hole and bury the body in it. Then plant some flowers and plants, and no one will know."
Jia Junnan's forehead was sweating and the lenses of his glasses began to fog up.
Gu Zhiguang said, "There is no time to waste. Let's go there together tomorrow morning. There is strength in numbers. We must expose the true face of that old witch!"