That day marked the school's anniversary celebration. Alumni, teachers, and students all gathered on the school field, laughter and chatter filling the air in a lively atmosphere. Everyone was eagerly anticipating the moment that would unveil a piece of history. Decades ago, the school had buried a time capsule, which was finally about to be unearthed. Inside were letters, photographs, and messages to the future from past students and teachers. Curiosity buzzed in the crowd—what surprises might these long-sealed items hold?
However, the moment the capsule was opened, an eerie aura spread through the air, shattering all expectations. Instead of paper and memorabilia, what lay inside was a corpse—silently resting in the sealed compartment. Everyone around fell into stunned silence as the atmosphere shifted instantly from joy to dread.
Su Wanqing rushed to the scene after receiving the emergency call. Standing beside the time capsule, a flicker of confusion crossed her eyes. Although the body had been placed in a sealed space, its preservation raised some questions. Typically, a body—even when enclosed—would still decay significantly. But this one showed far less decomposition than expected, suggesting it hadn't been dead for long.
"How long has she been dead?" Lu Chenzhou asked, his tone tinged with unease as he looked at Su Wanqing.
"Roughly three to five years," she replied after a pause, carefully examining the condition of the body. "Judging by the level of decomposition and surface markings, that's our best estimate. But the real question is—how did the body end up inside the time capsule? Its presence clearly wasn't part of the intended 'history.'"
Lu Chenzhou nodded, equally aware of how grave the situation had become. The time capsule was meant to symbolize hope and dreams for the future, not concealment of secrets and violence.
"We need to perform an autopsy, see if we can uncover any more clues," Su Wanqing decided.
Following a series of lab tests, Su confirmed the identity of the deceased—it was Li Zekai, a former student of the school. Records showed he had been a notorious bully—short-tempered and often harassing classmates, especially those less able to defend themselves. Though he had vanished from public view shortly after graduation, his reputation remained infamous among former students.
"Li Zekai…" Lu Chenzhou murmured the name. "He was feared by many. No wonder someone wanted him buried in the time capsule—as if it were a kind of curse."
"He definitely didn't go in there willingly," Su said, frowning. "If he died only three to five years ago, he would've still been active then. His death, and the fact he was hidden here, suggest deep resentment—and a clear motive."
Their investigation soon unearthed a long-forgotten clue from Li Zekai's past. He had severely bullied a fellow student named Jiang Hao—a quiet, introverted boy with excellent grades but few friends. Li Zekai had publicly humiliated Jiang Hao multiple times, physically assaulted him, and spread damaging rumors, isolating him socially.
It was rumored that after one class meeting, Li Zekai attacked Jiang Hao so violently that he was hospitalized with visible injuries. Yet, the school had downplayed the incident, and most people chose to forget. Over time, Jiang Hao became less visible at school until he eventually disappeared from the city altogether.
But Jiang Hao's disappearance didn't mean his desire for revenge had faded. As Lu and Su traced their history, they discovered a shocking truth—Jiang Hao had quietly returned to the city within the timeframe of Li Zekai's death. What was even more chilling was how Jiang Hao, once a withdrawn student, had amassed significant financial and social resources in just a few years—enough to orchestrate an elaborate revenge.
"He came back not for reconciliation, but for justice—his own kind of justice," Su Wanqing reflected.
Lu Chenzhou furrowed his brows. "So, Li Zekai was murdered by Jiang Hao. But why choose to reveal the body during the school anniversary? Why hide him in the time capsule?"
"He wanted to turn Li Zekai into part of history—make sure he'd be remembered, not for glory, but for his crimes," Su said softly. "This wasn't just about killing him. It was about making him pay—in front of everyone—for everything he did to his victims."
As the investigation deepened, they uncovered more of Jiang Hao's background. After leaving the city, he had enrolled in an arts institute in another province and later worked in a field related to history and artifact preservation. He had a strong interest in the concept of time capsules and often incorporated emotionally charged themes into his projects.
Using the knowledge and resources he had gained, Jiang Hao had retrieved Li Zekai's body from a hidden location and meticulously placed it in the capsule. What was originally meant to hold memories and dreams for the future had become a sealed vessel of revenge and guilt. By doing this, Jiang Hao made Li Zekai's crimes a permanent part of the school's history—and a haunting reminder for those who had suffered.
"Jiang Hao really did it," Lu Chenzhou said in awe. "He gave Li Zekai—and everyone else—a history that won't ever be erased."
Su Wanqing remained silent for a while, her heart heavy. "Revenge can't change the past, but it can preserve it—like a shadow that never fades."
In the final stages of the investigation, police confirmed Jiang Hao's identity and traced his last known whereabouts. But by then, he had already vanished—leaving no trace behind. The body in the capsule became the enduring evidence of his vengeance.
Though the case officially ended with Jiang Hao's disappearance, the murder of Li Zekai and the long-buried pain it represented were etched into the memories of all who had once been victims. Time moved on, but the scars—and the justice delivered in silence—remained.