In the early morning, the sea was calm as a mirror, with sunlight filtering through the layers of waves, illuminating the sparkling surface. However, within this seemingly tranquil sea, a chilling tragedy occurred.
A diving enthusiast discovered a floating corpse while diving. The body sank beneath the water, untouched by the sea, maintaining a strange, silent, and solemn stillness. The diver quickly alerted the authorities, and the coast guard immediately mobilized, equipped with diving gear to reach the scene.
Upon receiving the notification, Su Wanqing arrived at the scene promptly. She knew well that corpses found in the sea often lose typical body characteristics and require more detailed analysis and judgment. After an initial examination, Su Wanqing found that the deceased had significant pressure injuries to the lungs—wounds typically caused by human interference during diving. Under normal circumstances, a diver's pressure and respiratory system adjust automatically with changes in depth. However, if the mask's pressure is forcibly altered, it can result in a severe pressure imbalance, causing harm.
"The cause of death isn't natural drowning; it was human-induced," Su Wanqing frowned, her eyes scanning the body as she analyzed the possible perpetrator.
"The victim might have had their mask intentionally deflated during descent. This would disrupt the oxygen supply system, leading to drowning," Su Wanqing observed, quickly piecing together the scenario.
"This isn't an area suitable for diving—the depth is complex, with many currents. We need to understand the deceased's diving activities here," Lu Chenzhou added, "Perhaps we should start by investigating the diving club to see if the deceased participated in any unusual diving activities."
Su Wanqing nodded, and they both headed to a nearby diving club. The club wasn't very large but appeared highly professional, with orderly staff and complete equipment. The owner, Yang Jie, a middle-aged man, had a cold and impatient expression. He seemed displeased by the investigation.
"Are you here to investigate the body found at the bottom of the sea?" Yang Jie asked, his expression tense but trying to remain composed. "Our club follows all the rules. All diving activities go through strict safety checks."
"We know your club is legitimate, but the death wasn't due to natural drowning. We suspect it involves the intentional deflation of the mask or equipment issues," Su Wanqing said sternly. "We need to know who the deceased was and whether they had any disputes with the club."
Yang Jie's face changed slightly but quickly regained composure. He picked up a file from the table and handed it to Su Wanqing. "The deceased was Li Ming, a regular customer here. Recently, he had some financial disagreements with the club, but I don't know the details."
Su Wanqing and Lu Chenzhou reviewed the file and confirmed Li Ming's background. He was an experienced diving enthusiast who had been diving at the club for over three years. He had participated in several club activities and purchased expensive private diving services. It seemed that he and the club had once been on good terms, but recently, issues had arisen. The file mentioned that Li Ming had some intense financial disputes with Yang Jie regarding the high fees charged by the club.
"What kind of financial dispute did he have with you?" Lu Chenzhou asked directly. "Could it have led to his death?"
Yang Jie became somewhat impatient. "He was unhappy with the club's price increase, yes. But we offer the best diving services on the market, and the prices are reasonable. If he wasn't satisfied, he could have chosen not to come. We can't satisfy everyone's demands."
"Has there been any unusual diving activity at your club recently?" Su Wanqing continued to question. "Has anyone participated in high-risk diving projects without permission?"
Yang Jie hesitated for a moment, clearly surprised, but quickly covered it up and shook his head. "No, all our diving activities are carried out according to the regulations with no problems."
However, Su Wanqing wasn't convinced by his words. She grew suspicious of the club and requested further investigation into their financial records and the specifics of their diving activities. After several days of detailed research, the police uncovered some unsettling details.
It turned out that the club had some "unspoken rules" not known to outsiders. Yang Jie and a few senior diving instructors organized high-risk private diving activities to earn extra income, and these activities often lacked proper safety measures. Even more shocking was the fact that Li Ming had discovered these improper diving activities and clashed with Yang Jie. Li Ming believed that Yang Jie and his instructors deliberately cut corners on equipment checks and maintenance to maximize profits, even allowing inexperienced clients to participate in dangerous deep-sea dives.
According to the leads, the police learned that Li Ming had confided to friends just days before his death that he planned to expose Yang Jie and the club's violations. He had even found a diving equipment supplier and was preparing to replace the club's outdated equipment with safer alternatives. This plan evidently triggered a strong reaction from Yang Jie.
During one diving activity, Li Ming had an intense argument with Yang Jie's private instructor. In a fit of rage, the instructor decided to "eliminate" Li Ming. That day, while Li Ming was diving, the instructor secretly tampered with his mask's air supply line, causing Li Ming to suffocate and drown.
The truth behind the case gradually surfaced. Yang Jie and his instructor had placed extra profits above their clients' safety, and Li Ming's death was the most severe tragedy in this conflict over interests.
The case ended with the arrest of Yang Jie and the instructor. Su Wanqing stood by the sea, gazing at the once peaceful waters, her heart filled with complex emotions. Every wave seemed to tell a secret story, and all she could do was continue to uncover the truths hidden beneath the water's surface.
"Danger in this world often lurks beneath the calmest surfaces," Su Wanqing whispered.
Lu Chenzhou nodded. "Just like this sea, it seems calm, but there's always an undercurrent."
"We've only uncovered the tip of the iceberg. The real darkness still lies beneath the water," Su Wanqing's gaze was deep, as if she were peering through the surface of the sea, looking into a far-off future.