Chapter 1778 - 1367: Please Have Some Tea (Part 2)

This person was exceedingly calm, unnaturally so.

A regular person taken by the National Security Agency would be nervous, scared, and eager to explain themselves.

But not Song Heping; he carried himself as if he were in a business negotiation, carefully evaluating his options and seeking a breakthrough.

Furthermore, he requested the NSA to make a phone call for him.

This was highly unusual.

Either he's mad, or...

This guy truly has confidence.

"The number," Director Li said.

Song Heping recited a string of digits.

It wasn't a mobile number, nor a landline—it was an eleven-digit number with a peculiar format.

The young woman quickly typed it into a tablet and then looked up, "This is... an internal number. An encrypted line."

The elder's face changed.

Director Li stared at Song Heping for a full ten seconds.

Then he told the other two there, "Watch him, I'm going out for a bit."

With that, he turned and left the room.

He wasn't gone long.

Five minutes later, he returned to the room, his entire demeanor changed.

The severity and coldness from before were now notably relaxed.

He went back to the table and told the young woman and the elder, "You two, go out for now."

"Director Li?" The young woman seemed puzzled.

"Out," Director Li's tone was indisputable, "This is an order."

The young woman and the elder exchanged a glance, full of confusion, but still stood, gathered their items, and left the room.

The door closed, the electronic lock clicked shut with a "beep."

Now, only Director Li and Song Heping remained in the room.

Director Li sat down again, looking at Song Heping with a complex expression.

There was scrutiny, doubt, a hint of incredulity.

"What's your relationship with Major General Lei from Unit 203?" he asked in a low voice.

"He's my instructor," Song Heping replied, "He confirmed my identity to you, didn't he? Can I leave now?"

Upon hearing Director Li's question, Song Heping felt reassured.

Previously assisting Country D in Unit 203's operation wasn't for nothing.

The homeland and the organization still remember my contributions...

Director Li was silent for a moment, then shook his head, "We still need to wait a while. Major General Lei said he's coming in person."

"He's here?"

This time it was Song Heping's turn to be surprised.

How coincidental?!

"He's almost here, said to be in City C, about a hundred kilometers away."

Director Li spoke with a subtle shift in his tone.

As if he were transforming from an interrogator to a host.

Suddenly, Song Heping understood.

Lei Ming had likely known he was in the country, perhaps even had someone watching him all along.

Unit 203 also has its own intelligence department, with their intel personnel too...

Today's visit from the NSA might have already been known to Lei Ming.

So, he showed up here.

Even if I didn't ask Director Li to make that call, Lei Ming would likely still appear.

Director Li suddenly gave a wry smile, "To have Major General Lei from Unit 203 come personally to get you... kid, you've hidden yourself well."

"Don't ask about what you shouldn't know."

Song Heping quipped with a laugh.

About an hour later, footsteps sounded outside the door.

More than one person.

The electronic lock clicked open with a "beep," and the door swung open.

But it wasn't the young woman or elder from before who entered—it was a short man in plain clothes.

How short? Approximately only about 168 cm.

At a glance, Song Heping recognized the newcomer as Lei Ming.

Except this time, he wasn't in a military uniform, but a plain gray jacket, dark pants, and black leather shoes.

Despite everything, Lei Ming's presence was strong, yet he had a look so ordinary that he'd blend inconspicuously into a crowd.

Upon seeing him, Director Li immediately stood up, straightened to attention, and saluted.

The movement was precise, almost tense.

"Sir!"

Lei Ming nodded, his gaze sweeping over the room, finally landing on Song Heping, before breaking into a grin, showing a set of healthy white teeth.

"Director Li, thank you for your effort."

Turning to Director Li, Lei Ming spoke, not loudly, but each word was clear, "I'm taking him with me."

Saying this, he pointed at Song Heping.

"But sir, he is involved in..." Director Li began to explain.

"The matters involved will be handled by our department."

Lei Ming interrupted, speaking in a calm yet unquestionable tone.

He flashed a credential, its black cover devoid of text, containing only a number and a military emblem.

The credential was a special version, differing from the standard military ID.

Upon seeing it, Director Li's expression instantly changed.

It was a mark of the highest authority.

Director Li, having been in the system for twenty years, had seen it only once before, from a deputy ministerial leader during an inspection.

That level of authority could mobilize all local resources, access any archives, and even act decisively without prior report.

"We have the highest level of clearance," Lei Ming said, "If there are any issues, your superiors can contact us; you know the number."

Director Li stood at attention, "Very well, I'll handle the formalities immediately."

"No formalities are needed," Lei Ming said, "I'll take him now. Today's events should be treated as top secret, all records sealed, and all participants sign confidentiality agreements. Understand?"

"Yes!" Director Li replied loudly.

Lei Ming turned to Song Heping, "What are you still sitting there for? Is it because the tea here is good? Let's go."

With a smile, Song Heping stood up lazily, stretching before following Lei Ming out of the room, passing the young woman and the elder, along with several other NSA personnel in the corridor.

They all appeared bewildered, watching as Song Heping walked past them with a grin.

Outside the small building, a standard domestic SUV was parked, black with a regular civilian license plate.

However, Song Heping noticed the vehicle had bulletproof glass, reinforced tires, and an obviously thicker chassis.

Lei Ming drove, while Song Heping sat in the passenger seat.

The car left the compound, the iron gate slowly shutting behind them.

Onto the road, blending into the sparse nighttime traffic.

Song Heping rubbed his wrists.

Although he wasn't handcuffed in the interrogation room, the restraints had held them for a long time, leaving shallow red marks.

"Instructor Lei," he spoke up, "You've probably been keeping an eye on me since long ago, knowing I'd be brought in."

Lei Ming drove, eyes on the road ahead.

Streetlights whizzed by outside the window, casting alternating lights and shadows on his face.

"We knew from the moment you entered the country,"

Lei Ming's voice was calm, as if discussing today's meal, "Baiyun Airport, when you got off the plane, the system recognized you. The security department flagged you, and we knew it too. I was originally planning to contact you within the next few days, but they acted first."

"What were you planning to talk to me about?"

"No rush," Lei Ming said, "First, let's find a place to sit down, have some Pu'er tea and help you digest."

Song Heping rubbed his belly, recalling the tea from the interrogation room, and laughed, "Tea again?"

"What else to drink? You want alcohol?" Lei Ming glanced at him, "You've been doing quite well these years outside, become a guest of both the CIA and the Illigo Government. Back then, I was soft, believing your family needed support which is why I didn't insist on keeping you in Unit 203; now I somewhat regret it."

The car didn't head back to the city but followed a riverside road, eventually stopping at a secluded teahouse.

The teahouse was built in a Chinese architectural style, situated by the river. It was nearly midnight but still lit. Lanterns hung by the entrance with the character "tea" written on them.

Lei Ming was obviously a regular; the boss, a gentleman in his sixties, nodded in recognition without many words, leading them directly upstairs to the innermost private room.

The room was small but elegant.

One side faced the river with a full glass window, overlooking the nighttime Yangtze River.

The lights from the opposite shore reflected on the river, shimmering like specks of gold. Inside, a mahogany tea table, purple clay tea sets, and a hanging ink landscape painting adorned the room.

The boss brewed a pot of tea and quietly exited, closing the door behind him.

The tea was Pu'er, aged, richly colored, and brilliantly bright.

Lei Ming poured two cups, pushing one to Song Heping.

"It's been several years since we last met, right?"

Lei Ming took a sip of tea, looking at Song Heping.

"You've changed a lot."

"Instructor hasn't changed much either,"

Song Heping said, not intending to flatter.

Indeed, Lei Ming looked much the same as before.

Perhaps due to shorter stature resisting the age-appearance effect, only a few fine lines and a bit of white at the temples marked significant change.

Still so spirited and agile.

"Getting old."

Lei Ming chuckled, reaching for the teapot.

But Song Heping quickly took the teapot, insisting, "How can I let my instructor pour tea? That would be upturning the heavens! Let me do it!"

"Getting more slick, eh?" Lei Ming teased, then sobered up, "Let's talk about the main issue."

The first cup was placed lightly before Lei Ming.

Lei Ming picked up the cup, gazing at the golden tea inside, pondering for a moment, and remarked, "You've done well in Illiguo, better than I imagined."

Song Heping didn't respond, waiting to hear more.

He knew Lei Ming didn't find him just to reminisce.