The air conditioning in the police car was cranked up. Chen Mo pulled his shirt tighter around him; the dried blood on his face left dark red streaks. As he watched the street scenes speeding by outside the window, his heart was a jumble of emotions—he had just escaped from the jaws of death, and now he faced a tough battle that he didn't know if he could win.
Upon arriving at the police station, Chen Mo was taken to an interrogation room. The policeman in charge of recording was surnamed Li, in his thirties with sharp eyes, looking like a reliable man. He poured Chen Mo a cup of hot water: "Young man, don't be nervous. Speak slowly and tell us everything you know."
Chen Mo took a sip of hot water to calm his excitement. He pulled the cloth bag from his arms and laid out the drawings, jade pendant, photos, and access list one by one: "Officer Li, these are all the evidence. Zhou Hong uses this instrument to make fakes, replaces the authentic cultural relics in the museum, and then sells them abroad through underground dealers. This drawing is the operation manual for the instrument; this jade pendant is a fake he made of a Han Dynasty original, with a special mark on it. All the relics on the list have been replaced by him, and these photos are of the replacement scene I took."
Officer Li picked up the evidence and examined it carefully, his expression growing more solemn by the minute. He asked the technical staff to take the photos for identification, then told Chen Mo to detail the entire sequence of events—from time-traveling to becoming a security guard, to discovering Zhou Hong's conspiracy, and finally being chased.
"Time-traveling?" Officer Li frowned, clearly skeptical of this claim. "Are you sure you're not making up a story?"
Chen Mo forced a bitter smile: "Officer Li, if I were making up a story, could I produce so much evidence? I don't have my phone or ID, and I'm wearing clothes that are rare in the 1980s. These can all prove I'm not from this era. Moreover, that bronze pendant really has unknown energy reactions—you can go test it at the museum."
Officer Li nodded and didn't press further: "We will verify what you said and investigate that instrument at the museum. Rest at the police station tonight; we'll notify you if there's any news."
Chen Mo breathed a sigh of relief. At least the police hadn't directly thrown him out as a madman. He was arranged in a temporary rest room, lying on a hard wooden bed, tossing and turning, unable to sleep—he worried about Captain Wang's safety and feared that Zhou Hong would jump the gun and silence the old craftsman.
Sure enough, early the next morning, bad news arrived. Officer Li found him with a heavy expression: "Chen Mo, we investigated the museum. The instrument in the restoration room is gone. Zhou Hong said it was a cultural relic restoration equipment imported from abroad and has been sent for maintenance. Additionally, we went to the suburbs to find the old craftsman, but his house was burned down and he's missing—most likely silenced by Zhou Hong."
Chen Mo's heart sank. The old craftsman was gone after all. He clenched his fists: "Zhou Hong, you bastard!"
"Also, Captain Wang is missing," Officer Li continued. "We went to the museum to verify the situation with him, but his colleagues said he disappeared yesterday afternoon, leaving only a resignation letter."
Chen Mo's heart skipped a beat. Captain Wang must have been taken by Zhou Hong. He knew Zhou Hong's methods—Captain Wang was probably in great danger.
"But don't worry, we've launched an investigation into Zhou Hong and frozen his bank accounts," Officer Li comforted him. "We also found that Zhou Hong has close ties to an overseas cultural relic smuggling ring and have already obtained some clues."
Chen Mo nodded, but he felt uncertain. Zhou Hong had great power and deep roots locally; taking him down would be no easy task.
In the following days, Chen Mo stayed at the police station to cooperate with the investigation. He provided the contact information of Zhou Hong and the underground dealer "Old Ghost," as well as the addresses of the secret warehouses. Based on the clues, the police raided two secret warehouses, seizing more than a dozen fakes and several authentic relics that hadn't been smuggled out yet.
He thought the case would progress smoothly, but Zhou Hong quickly launched a counterattack.
A week later, Chen Mo was suddenly arrested by the police on charges of "theft of national first-class cultural relics." He was stunned: "Officer Li, what's going on? I'm the whistleblower—how did I become a suspect?"
Officer Li looked helpless: "Chen Mo, Zhou Hong turned the tables on you, accusing you of stealing relics and forging evidence. He produced your 'theft plan' and two witnesses who claim to have seen you steal the relics with their own eyes."
"A theft plan? Witnesses?" Chen Mo was so angry he laughed. "These are all forged by Zhou Hong! He must have bribed the witnesses!"
"We know it might be forged, but the evidence is against you," Officer Li sighed. "The two witnesses are Xiao Li, a museum security guard, and Lao Zhang, the warehouse manager. They insist you stole the relics and tried to sell them to underground dealers. Additionally, Zhou Hong produced your attendance records at the museum, showing you often stayed alone in the exhibition hall late at night—you had the time to commit the crime."
Chen Mo cursed inwardly: "Xiao Li and Lao Zhang, those lackeys, actually helped Zhou Hong perjure themselves!" He finally understood—Zhou Hong had kept a backup plan from the very beginning, ready to turn on him at the critical moment.
The moment he was taken to the detention center, Chen Mo truly felt the despair of "crying out to heaven and earth for help but getting no response." The conditions in the detention center were worse than he imagined: the room was overcrowded, and the air was filled with an unpleasant stench. He huddled in the corner, feeling anxious and angry—evidence destroyed, witnesses bribed, now he was a prisoner. How could he expose Zhou Hong now?
Before long, the trial date was set. On the day of the trial, Chen Mo, wearing a prison uniform, was escorted into the courtroom. The courtroom was solemn, with the public gallery packed. Zhou Hong sat in the front row, wearing a straight Zhongshan suit with a fake smile on his face, looking like a victim.
The judge struck the gavel, and the trial officially began.
The prosecutor first read the indictment, listing the evidence of Chen Mo's "theft of cultural relics": "Defendant Chen Mo, of unknown identity, took advantage of his night patrol on November 5, 1985, to steal multiple national first-class cultural relics from the Jiangsu Provincial Museum, including a Shang Dynasty bronze tripod and a Song Dynasty blue and white porcelain, which are invaluable. Evidence includes the defendant's 'theft plan,' testimonies from witnesses Xiao Li and Lao Zhang, and the museum's attendance records. We request the court to sentence the defendant to death in accordance with the law."
Chen Mo trembled with anger: "Your Honor, this is all fake! The theft plan was forged by Zhou Hong, and Xiao Li and Lao Zhang were bribed by him! I'm innocent!"
"Defendant, please remain quiet!" The judge struck the gavel. "You may speak during the defense phase."
Zhou Hong's lawyer stood up, holding the so-called "theft plan," and spoke eloquently: "Your Honor, members of the jury, this theft plan was found at the defendant's residence, with his handwriting on it, detailing the time, route, and fencing channels for stealing the cultural relics. Additionally, the testimonies of Xiao Li and Lao Zhang—they both saw the defendant sneak into the warehouse late at night, stealing the relics. This evidence is sufficient to prove the defendant's guilt; we request the court to render a judgment in accordance with the law."
Xiao Li and Lao Zhang sat in the witness stand, testifying in turn. Xiao Li said: "Your Honor, I personally saw Chen Mo sneak into the warehouse late at night, holding cultural relics, and threatening me not to tell anyone." Lao Zhang added: "I saw Chen Mo put the relics into wooden boxes, preparing to transport them out and sell them to underground dealers."
They spoke in vivid detail, as if they had truly witnessed it. Chen Mo looked at them, cursing inwardly: "You bastards, lying through your teeth for money!"
When it was Chen Mo's turn to defend himself, he took out the drawings and jade pendant left by the old craftsman: "Your Honor, these are evidence of Zhou Hong's fake-making! This drawing is the operation manual for the instrument; this jade pendant is a fake he made of a Han Dynasty original, with a special mark on it. Zhou Hong uses this instrument to make fakes, replace authentic relics, and smuggle them for profit. When I discovered his conspiracy, he forged evidence to frame me!"
Zhou Hong's lawyer immediately retorted: "Your Honor, the origin of this drawing is unknown; it cannot prove it's the instrument manual of Zhou Hong. This jade pendant also cannot prove it was faked by Zhou Hong—it might be a fake bought by the defendant to confuse the public. Moreover, the defendant claims to have traveled through time and space, which is simply absurd and not credible!"
The judge picked up the drawings and jade pendant, examined them carefully, then glanced at Zhou Hong, and finally shook his head: "The evidence provided by the defendant is unconvincing and cannot be used as valid evidence. On the contrary, the prosecution's evidence is conclusive, and the witnesses' testimonies are consistent and highly credible."
"Your Honor, I have more evidence!" Chen Mo panicked. "The police have already raided Zhou Hong's secret warehouses and seized fakes and authentic relics—isn't that enough to prove his guilt?"
"Zhou Hong has explained those fakes and authentic relics as his personal collection, which he plans to donate to the museum," the judge said. "Furthermore, there is no evidence proving those fakes were made by Zhou Hong."
Chen Mo was completely dumbfounded. He didn't expect Zhou Hong to be so cunning that he could even explain away the evidence seized by the police. He looked at Officer Li, who also looked helpless—obviously pressured by Zhou Hong's network of connections.
"I'm doomed no matter what I do!" Chen Mo thought despairingly. He watched Zhou Hong sneer in the public gallery, saw the triumphant expressions of Xiao Li and Lao Zhang, and the serious face of the judge, suddenly feeling powerless.
Just then, there was a commotion at the courtroom door—Captain Wang was brought in by the police. Chen Mo's heart skipped a beat with joy. Captain Wang was here; he would definitely prove his innocence!
Captain Wang walked to the witness stand, his face pale. He looked at Chen Mo, then at Zhou Hong, his lips moving, but finally said: "Your Honor, I... I did not see Curator Zhou make fakes, nor did I see him smuggle cultural relics. I was threatened by Chen Mo earlier to say those things."
"What?" Chen Mo couldn't believe his ears. "Captain Wang, how could you say that? Didn't you promise to testify for me?"
Captain Wang hung his head, not daring to look at him: "I never promised you—those were all forced out of me by you."
Chen Mo instantly understood. Captain Wang must have been threatened by Zhou Hong. He looked at Captain Wang's trembling hands, feeling a surge of sorrow—even his last potential witness had been bribed by Zhou Hong.
Zhou Hong's lawyer took the opportunity to say: "Your Honor, this sufficiently proves the defendant is lying. He not only stole cultural relics but also threatened witnesses, which is extremely malicious. We request the court to punish him severely in accordance with the law!"
The judge struck the gavel, his expression serious: "After deliberation by the collegial panel, the prosecution's evidence is conclusive. The defendant's defense lacks valid evidence support, and the defendant's identity is unknown, with major suspicion of committing the crime. Now, the judgment is as follows: Defendant Chen Mo is guilty of stealing national first-class cultural relics and is sentenced to death with a two-year reprieve!"
"No! I'm innocent!" Chen Mo roared, trying to rush forward, but was stopped by court police.
After the trial, Chen Mo was escorted back to the detention center. He sat on the cold floor, his eyes empty. He couldn't understand why he had ended up like this for doing the right thing, why a criminal like Zhou Hong could go unpunished.
"Is this the justice system of the 1980s? A network of connections denser than a spider's web, where money and power let you do whatever you want?" Chen Mo muttered inwardly, helpless.
In the following days, Chen Mo was locked in the detention center, each day feeling like a year. He thought about escaping, but the detention center was heavily guarded—it was impossible. He thought about contacting Officer Li, but had no chance. He could only look at the sky outside the window every day, missing his modern life, the unfinished milk tea, and the bronze pendant that could travel through time and space.
He touched the mini notepad in his pocket, which still had the patterns of the bronze pendant drawn on it. He remembered the bright light when he first touched the pendant, the dizziness of time-traveling, and suddenly a glimmer of hope ignited in his heart—if he could find the bronze pendant, maybe he could travel back and escape this terrible place.
But the bronze pendant was in Zhou Hong's hands, and he was locked in the detention center. How could he get it?
Just as Chen Mo fell into despair, Zhou Hong came to visit him.
Zhou Hong was wearing an expensive suit, playing with the bronze pendant in his hand, a mocking smile on his face: "Chen Mo, didn't expect it? You lost in the end."
"Zhou Hong, you bastard!" Chen Mo roared, trying to rush forward, but was stopped by the iron railings.
"Don't waste your energy," Zhou Hong sneered, holding the bronze pendant up to the iron railings. "You want this bronze pendant, don't you? Want to travel back? Unfortunately, you have no chance. This bronze pendant is my treasure, the energy source for my replication technology. Tomorrow, it will send you to your grave."
Chen Mo stared at the bronze pendant, his eyes turning red. This was his only hope, his only way back to the modern era. He had to get it!
"Zhou Hong, let me go, and I can help you make more fakes, earn more money," Chen Mo pretended to compromise, trying to lull Zhou Hong into a false sense of security.
"Oh? You're willing to help me?" Zhou Hong raised an eyebrow, feigning interest.
"Yes, I am," Chen Mo nodded. "I understand cultural relics and modern technology. I can help you improve the instrument, make more realistic fakes, and let you earn even more money."
Zhou Hong laughed loudly: "Chen Mo, do you think I'll believe you? Someone like you is born with a sense of justice—how could you collude with me? Stop dreaming; you'll die tomorrow."
He put away the bronze pendant and turned to leave.
"Zhou Hong, stop!" Chen Mo shouted. "Do you think you can get away with it forever? One day, someone will expose your crimes, and you will face retribution!"
Zhou Hong turned back, sneering: "Retribution? I have money and power now, everything I want—that's my retribution. As for you, you'll just have to wait for me in hell."
Watching Zhou Hong's departing figure, Chen Mo felt the depths of despair. He knew Zhou Hong was right—if he couldn't get the bronze pendant, he would really die tomorrow.
But he didn't give up. He sat on the cold floor, recalling the patterns of the bronze pendant, the feeling when he first touched it. He thought, maybe as long as he touched the bronze pendant again, he could trigger its energy and travel back.
But he was locked in the detention center, and would be executed tomorrow. How could he touch the bronze pendant?
Chen Mo closed his eyes and began to think of a plan. He remembered the execution location tomorrow—according to Zhou Hong's request, it would be in the abandoned warehouse of the museum, where he had been imprisoned before. Zhou Hong would definitely be there, and he would definitely be holding the bronze pendant.
"Only one chance—I must seize it!" Chen Mo swore silently. He began to recall the layout of the museum, the structure of the abandoned warehouse, looking for opportunities to escape and seize the pendant.
Night fell, and the detention center was quiet. Chen Mo lay on the cold floor, unable to sleep. He opened his eyes, staring at the ceiling, replaying tomorrow's plan in his mind over and over again.
He knew this was a gamble. If he won, he could return to the modern era and expose Zhou Hong's crimes; if he lost, he would die on the spot.
But he had no choice—he had to take the risk.
Early the next morning, Chen Mo was woken up by the prison guards. He changed into a clean prison uniform and was escorted onto a prison van. Outside the window, the sun was shining brightly, but Chen Mo's heart was dark.
The prison van soon arrived at the museum and stopped at the entrance of the abandoned warehouse. Zhou Hong was already there, holding the bronze pendant, with Lao Zhang and several of his men standing beside him.
"Chen Mo, we meet again," Zhou Hong said with a smile. "This is the last time you'll see the sun—enjoy it."
Chen Mo didn't speak, only staring fixedly at the bronze pendant in Zhou Hong's hand. His heart was pounding, his palms soaked with sweat.
The prison guards opened the door, pulled Chen Mo out, and led him into the abandoned warehouse. The warehouse was the same as before—dark, damp, stacked with broken showcases and wooden boxes.
"Alright, let's begin," Zhou Hong waved his hand, signaling the prison guards to act.
The prison guard raised his gun, aiming at Chen Mo.
At this critical moment, Chen Mo suddenly erupted with brute force, breaking free from the prison guard's grip. He rushed toward Zhou Hong, his only target—the bronze pendant!
"Stop him!" Zhou Hong roared, his face changing drastically.
Lao Zhang and several men immediately rushed forward, trying to stop Chen Mo. But Chen Mo had only one thought now: to get the bronze pendant. He burst out with unprecedented strength, pushing Lao Zhang and the others aside, pouncing toward Zhou Hong.
"Shoot him!" Zhou Hong stepped back in fright, shouting loudly.
The prison guard hesitated for a moment, then finally pulled the trigger.
"Bang!" The gunshot rang out.
Chen Mo felt a sharp pain in his shoulder, and blood gushed out instantly. But he didn't stop, continuing to pounce toward Zhou Hong. He stretched out his hand, trying to grab the bronze pendant in Zhou Hong's hand.
Zhou Hong turned pale with fear, trying to dodge, but it was too late. Chen Mo grabbed the bronze pendant, clutching it tightly in his hand.
At that moment, the bronze pendant suddenly emitted a dazzling blue-white light, as intense as when he first traveled through time. Chen Mo only felt a white light in front of his eyes, his body wrapped in the light, and Zhou Hong's roars and gunshots echoed in his ears.
"Zhou Hong, just you wait—I'll be back!" These were Chen Mo's last words in the 1980s.
The light grew brighter and brighter, swallowing Chen Mo's figure. In the abandoned warehouse, Zhou Hong, Lao Zhang, and the others stared dumbfounded at the scene, their guns falling to the ground.
They didn't know—Chen Mo wasn't dead. He had traveled back to the modern era. A cross-time revenge had only just begun...