Chapter 1366
Please drink tea
Chapter 1366 Please drink tea
“We are reminding you,” Director Li said. “If you engage in any illegal activities in the country, or bring back grudges from overseas, we will not stand idly by. This is Dongda University’s territory, not a chessboard for you international players to gamble on.”
“I didn’t.” Song Heping’s tone hardened: “Is it illegal for me to go home to see my younger siblings and sweep my parents’ graves?”
"Then how do you explain these?"
The old man pushed over a few more photocopies of documents, the pages sliding across the table before stopping in front of Song Heping.
It contains screenshots of bank statements and a diagram of the shareholding structure.
The text is a mix of English and Spanish.
“The funds of Mexico’s largest drug cartel are laundered through offshore companies, and some of them flow into your account.”
The old man pointed to one of the lines.
"Last March, a sum of $50 million was transferred from a shell company in Panama to your account in the Virgin Islands. The actual controller of that shell company is the third-in-command of the Sinaloa Group. What is your relationship with them?"
Song Heping glanced at the document and was secretly alarmed.
The intelligence held by the National Security Bureau was more in-depth than he had imagined; they had even obtained financial intelligence at this level.
It seems that the domestic system is more powerful than he imagined.
But he remained calm and composed: "I don't know anything about these things. I have many accounts and a complex company structure; there may be transactions I'm unaware of. If you have evidence, you can arrest me."
"Song Heping."
Director Li's tone turned stern, and the mask of a kind-hearted person was removed, revealing the coldness beneath.
"Confess and you'll be treated leniently. What you do overseas, as long as it doesn't endanger national security or cross the line, we can leave it alone; that's Interpol's business. But if you try to bring that kind of thing back to China, or use domestic resources to serve your overseas business, then that's a different matter. That's endangering national security, and we can deal with that directly."
"I told you, I'm just going home to visit my family."
Song Heping repeated his previous words like a tape recorder.
“Last year, two people impersonating police officers came to your brother Song Hexie’s accounting firm to inquire about you.”
The young woman pulled up another document.
“We’ve already identified those two people. They’re employees of the American ‘Strategic Risk Consulting,’ a private intelligence agency masquerading as a consulting firm, with CIA connections. Why are they interested in you?”
“Business competition,” Song Heping said. “I snatched several projects from them in Iligo.”
"Just business competition?"
The older interrogator pressed him, his eyes narrowing behind his glasses.
“Song Heping, you are well aware of your situation. We cannot help but be wary of someone like you returning to China. Now, please confess the following truthfully: 1. Your actual business dealings overseas; 2. Which international organizations you have connections with; 3. The real purpose of your return to China; 4. Whether you have any accomplices or contacts in China.”
The room fell silent.
The slight hum of the air conditioner, and even the sound of my own heartbeat, became clearly audible.
The lights were glaring, reflecting a cold light onto the metal tabletop.
Song Heping could feel the three people's gazes shining on him like searchlights, scanning every change in his expression.
He knew the crucial moment had arrived.
The other party is exerting psychological pressure, using known information to force him to talk.
Once he admits to any of these points, a flood of subsequent problems will follow.
He also knew that the other party had no solid evidence.
Otherwise, it wouldn't have been a "talk," but an immediate arrest.
They are testing us, they are deceiving us.
But he couldn't stubbornly resist to the end.
Country A isn't a criminal organization; they have procedures, patience, and time.
They can legally detain him for 48 hours, and longer if they apply for an extension.
He could say nothing, but that would anger the other party and cause more trouble later.
Moreover, he had a vague feeling that there was another meaning behind this "conversation".
If you just want to warn him, there's no need to be so formal and send people of this rank.
He needs a way to break the deadlock.
Song Heping closed his eyes and took a deep breath.
This action is common during interrogations.
The suspect was organizing his thoughts or hesitating whether to speak.
He opened his eyes, looked at the three people opposite him, and finally his gaze fell on Director Li.
“I need to make a phone call,” he said.
The young woman frowned: "Okay, but we have to make it here, on speakerphone. We want to record it."
“No!” Song Heping shook his head. “You’re the ones who need to make the call. Call a number and say that Song Heping is here and you need to verify his identity.”
The three people exchanged glances and communicated with each other.
The old man was the first to object: "Nonsense! What do you think this is? Haggling at a vegetable market?"
The young woman sneered, "Song Heping, this trick is too old-fashioned. Trying to send a message? Trying to call for help? The signal here is blocked, you can't make a call."
Director Li raised his hand to stop them.
He stared at Song Heping for a few seconds, his gaze like a scalpel trying to cut through the surface calm and see the true intentions beneath.
Whose number is this?
He asked, his voice soft, but every word was heavy.
“You’ll know once you call,” Song Heping said. “Or, you can choose not to call and keep asking me. But I won’t say anything. You can detain me for 48 hours, 72 hours, or even longer. But I guarantee you won’t get any useful information. But remember, even though you’re a security agency, I guarantee you’ll bear the consequences if you do something wrong.”
This is a threat, and it is also a negotiation.
Director Li's expression changed.
He realized that Song Heping was not bluffing.
This person is too calm, abnormally calm.
When ordinary people are taken away by the State A (a government agency), they will feel nervous, scared, and will try to defend themselves.
But Song Heping didn't. He acted as if he were participating in a business negotiation, assessing his bargaining chips and looking for a breakthrough.
Moreover, he asked the National Security Bureau to make the call for him.
This is so abnormal.
Either he's crazy, or
This guy really has the confidence.
"The number," Director Li said.
Song Heping recited a series of numbers.
It's neither a mobile phone number nor a landline number; it's an eleven-digit number with a special format.
The young woman quickly typed on the tablet, then looked up: "This is an internal number. Encrypted line."
The old man's expression changed.
Director Li stared at Song Heping for a full ten seconds.
Then he said to the other two, "Watch him, I'm going out for a bit."
After saying that, he turned and left the room.
not long time.
Five minutes later, he returned to the room, his expression completely different.
The previous sternness and coldness softened slightly.
He walked back to the table and said to the young woman and the old man, "You two go out first."
"Director Li?" the young woman asked, puzzled.
"Get out." Director Li's tone left no room for argument: "That's an order."
The young woman and the old man exchanged a glance. Although they were full of doubts, they still stood up, packed their things, and left the room.
The door closed, and the electronic lock beeped as it locked.
Now only Director Li and Song Heping remain in the room.
Director Li sat down again, looking at Song Heping with a complicated expression.
There was scrutiny, doubt, and a hint of disbelief.
"What is your relationship with Colonel Lei of Unit 203?" he asked, his voice very low.
“He’s my instructor,” Song Heping said. “He confirmed my identity for you, right? Can you let me go now?”
Hearing Director Li ask this question, Song Heping felt reassured.
It seems my previous assistance to Country 203 in Country D was worthwhile.
The motherland and the organization still remember their contributions...
Director Li was silent for a moment, then shook his head and said, "We'll have to wait. Colonel Lei said he's coming in person." "Is he here?"
Now it was Song Heping's turn to be surprised.
What a coincidence!
"We're almost there. They said it's in City C, about a hundred kilometers away."
Director Li said, with a subtle change in his tone.
It seems they've gone from being interrogators to being receptionists.
Suddenly, Song Heping understood.
Lei Ming knew he was in the country long ago, and may even have been keeping an eye on him.
203 also has an intelligence department, and there are intelligence personnel there too...
Lei Ming probably already knows that the national A team contacted him today.
That's why he's here.
Even if I hadn't told Director Li to make that call, Lei Ming would probably have shown up anyway.
Director Li suddenly smiled bitterly: "You've kept this well hidden, managing to get Colonel Lei from Unit 203 to come and bail out this kid personally."
"Don't ask what you shouldn't ask."
Song Heping said with a smile, jokingly.
About an hour later, footsteps were heard outside the door.
More than one person.
The electronic lock beeped as it unlocked, and the door opened.
But the person who came in was not the young woman or the old man from before, but a short man dressed in casual clothes.
How short?
She's probably only about 1.68 meters tall.
Upon looking, Song Heping saw that the person who had come was Lei Ming.
This time, however, he wasn't wearing a military uniform; instead, he was dressed in a regular gray jacket, dark trousers, and black leather shoes.
To be honest, Lei Ming has a strong aura, but his appearance is ordinary; you wouldn't notice him in a crowd.
When Director Li saw him, he immediately stood up, stood at attention, and saluted.
The movements were precise, even a little tense.
"Chief!"
Lei Ming nodded, his gaze sweeping across the room before finally settling on Song Heping. He then grinned, revealing a set of healthy white teeth.
"Director Li, thank you for your hard work."
Lei Ming turned to Director Li, his voice low but each word clear: "I'm taking him away."
As he spoke, he pointed at Song Heping.
“But sir, he’s involved,” Director Li tried to explain.
"The matter will be handled by our department."
Lei Ming interrupted him, his tone calm but unquestionable.
He showed a badge, black with no text, only a serial number and military insignia.
The identification is a special version, with markings different from those on a regular military officer's ID card.
When Director Li saw it, his expression changed instantly.
That's the identifier for the highest level of authority.
In his twenty years in the system, Director Li had only met him once, when a vice-ministerial-level leader came to inspect the area.
That level of authority allows them to mobilize all local resources, access all files, and even act first and ask for permission later.
“We have the highest authority,” Lei Ming said. “If there are any problems, your superior can contact us. You know the number.”
Li Chuli stood at attention: "Okay! I'll process the formalities immediately."
"No formalities needed," Lei Ming said. "I'm taking him away now. Today's events are to be handled as top secret. All records are to be sealed, and all attendees must sign confidentiality agreements. Understand?"
"Yes!" Director Li's voice was loud and clear.
Lei Ming looked at Song Heping: "What are you still sitting here for? The tea here is good, isn't it? Let's go."
Song Heping stood up with a grin, stretched, and then followed Lei Ming out of the room. In the corridor stood the young woman and the old man from before, as well as several other people from National A.
They seemed completely unaware of what had happened, staring blankly as Song Heping walked past them with a smile.
Stepping out of the small building, there was an ordinary domestic SUV parked in the yard, black in color, with a regular civilian license plate.
However, Song Heping noticed that the car windows were bulletproof, the tires were reinforced, and the chassis was noticeably thicker.
Lei Ming drove, and Song Heping sat in the passenger seat.
The car drove out of the compound, and the iron gate slowly closed behind us.
Once on the highway, I merged into the sparse traffic of the night.
Song Heping rubbed his wrist.
Although I wasn't handcuffed in the interrogation room, I was restrained with straps for a long time, and there are faint red marks on my wrists.
“Instructor Lei,” he asked, “you must have been watching me nearby all along, right? You knew I would be taken away.”
Lei Ming drove the car, his eyes fixed on the road ahead.
The streetlights outside the car window rushed past, casting alternating light and shadow on his face.
“We knew from the moment you entered the country.”
Lei Ming's voice was calm, as if he were talking about what he had eaten that day: "Baiyun Airport, the system identified you the moment you got off the plane. We also knew that the security department was watching you. I originally planned to talk to you in the next few days, but they made their move first."
"What do you want to talk to me about?"
"No rush," Lei Ming said. "Let's find a place to sit down and have some Pu'er tea to help you digest."
Song Heping rubbed his stomach, recalling the tea in the interrogation room earlier, and chuckled, "Tea again?"
"What else would you drink if not tea? Do you want to drink alcohol?" Lei Ming glanced at him. "You've been doing quite well these past few years. You've become a guest of honor for the CIA and the Iraqi government. I was soft-hearted back then and thought your family needed you to go back and support them, so I didn't force you to stay in 203. I really regret it now."
Instead of driving back to the city, the car traveled along the riverside road and finally stopped at a secluded teahouse.
The teahouse is a traditional Chinese building situated by the river. It was almost midnight, yet its lights were still on. Lanterns hung at the entrance, each bearing the character for "tea."
Lei Ming was clearly a regular customer. The owner, an old man in his sixties, nodded when he saw him, said nothing, and led them directly to the innermost private room on the second floor.
The private room wasn't large, but it was elegant.
The river-facing side is made entirely of glass windows, offering views of the river at night.
The lights on the opposite bank were reflected on the river, scattering into shimmering golden light. Inside the room, there was a mahogany tea table, purple clay teaware, and ink wash landscape paintings on the walls.
The owner brewed a pot of tea, quietly slipped out, and closed the door.
The tea is Pu'er, aged ripe Pu'er, with a bright, deep red liquor.
Lei Ming poured two glasses and pushed one towards Song Heping.
"We haven't seen each other for several years, have we?"
Lei Ming took a sip of tea and looked at Song Heping.
You've changed a lot.
"The instructors haven't changed much either."
Song Heping said that this was not a compliment.
Lei Ming does indeed look much the same as before.
Perhaps it's because short people age more slowly; I only have a few more fine lines around my eyes and my temples are a bit grayer, but otherwise, I haven't changed much.
He was still so energetic and agile.
"old."
Lei Ming smiled and reached for the teapot.
Song Heping, however, snatched the tea away first, saying, "How can I let the instructor pour me tea? That would be going against the natural order! I'll do it, I'll do it!"
"You've become more tactful, huh?" Lei Ming teased, then his smile faded. "Let's get down to business."
The first teacup was gently placed in front of Lei Ming.
Lei Ming picked up the teacup, stared at the golden tea inside, pondered for a moment, and said with emotion, "You did a good job in Iligo, even better than I expected."
Song Heping did not respond, waiting for what would follow.
He knew that Lei Ming was not looking for him to reminisce.
First update! Continuing with 10,000 words a day, please vote with monthly tickets!
(End of this chapter)