The woman in front of him seemed not to hear Song Qiao's words, her gaze fixed on him with curiosity.
Then, she broke into a radiant smile, "Sir, your eyes are indeed sharp. You saw through it instantly. Of course, I've applied makeup..."
"Haha, stop pretending. This isn't just makeup, it's disguise!" Song Qiao refuted her claim.
"You're really strange, insisting I'm disguised! Look closely, one of Asia's three great beauty secrets, makeup!" the woman insisted.
Song Qiao merely smiled, saying nothing more.
He opened the car door, got in, and then beckoned to the woman, "Coming up?"
The woman ceased her chatter, elegantly swayed her slender waist, and with a nimble step, entered the car.
Once seated, the woman smiled at Song Qiao, "I never expected your insight to be so keen that you could recognize me!" It turned out this woman was none other than Mo Ling.
She had indeed disguised herself.
Song Qiao grinned proudly, "Naturally. My insight is honed by countless encounters with women. Though your appearance, figure, and even your demeanor have changed, they couldn't fool my discerning eyes!"
As he spoke, he pointed two fingers at his own eyes.
"Why? Is my skill not good enough?" Mo Ling asked, full of curiosity, a hint of disbelief in her voice.
Even though Song Qiao had just complimented her disguise skills, being recognized by him indicated there was still room for improvement.
Seeing Mo Ling's slightly dejected expression, Song Qiao smiled faintly, "The main issue isn't your technique, but rather your attitude towards me. With even a sliver of doubt, coupled with logical deduction, it becomes easy to figure things out."
Mo Ling's interest was piqued, "Oh, elaborate?"
"Of course, no problem!"
"Hurry and tell me!" Mo Ling urged, looking at Song Qiao with eager anticipation.
Song Qiao stopped playing coy and stated directly, "My car isn't the best around, it's just a very ordinary one, yet you chose to stand right in front of it. That's a bit of a giveaway."
Mo Ling suddenly understood, "You mean conspicuousness?"
"Exactly! Furthermore, several people have walked past my car. They were more distinctive than me, and some were just as handsome, yet you paid them no particular attention. Instead, you looked at me at least three times. Isn't that hint obvious enough?"
Mo Ling chuckled, "Is it that obvious?"
"Of course. These things indicate that you are very familiar with me and harbor no hostility. Otherwise, you would have been extremely cautious. In the Security Department, you're the only person I'm familiar with in Shanghai. Combine that with the actual situation and make a guess. Boldly hypothesize, cautiously verify."
"Ha! You tricked me! I guess I'll have to be more careful in the future! I need to be cautious even when facing people I know."
"Indeed, the devil is in the details... Alright, let's get down to business. What do you need me for?" Song Qiao's expression turned serious as he asked with a hint of confusion.
"Can't I look for you if there's nothing?" Mo Ling said with a hint of dissatisfaction.
Song Qiao chuckled, "Of course you can, but with your current disguise, you must have a serious matter, even a major one!"
Mo Ling pouted, "Fine, you could be a detective..."
She adjusted her seating position before saying to Song Qiao, "Do you know, the Deng family has also stationed people in Shanghai. The one currently in charge here is a man named Deng Hui, Deng Yihan's younger brother."
"Something must have happened to him?" Song Qiao frowned.
"Heh, you guessed it! That's why I'm here, in disguise, to protect him." Mo Ling sounded a little dejected.
"But why come find me..." Song Qiao hesitated, finding it difficult to voice his thoughts. Did she not fear that her protection duties would be compromised by coming to him?
"Hmph, I know what you're thinking. But don't worry, my coming to you has been approved by higher-ups. It's not like I'm the only one protecting him." Mo Ling pouted slightly, indicating her displeasure.
Song Qiao raised his hands, "Alright, I misunderstood."
As the car pulled away, Song Qiao steered the wheel and voiced his confusion, "With the Deng family's influence, they shouldn't be afraid of the Guo family. Besides, the Guo family can't just act as they please."
Mo Ling shrugged, "Things are unpredictable. Which force remains at its peak all the time, or is dominant everywhere!"
"That's true!"
Mo Ling continued, "Recently, the situation in Southeast Asia has changed. The environment there was already complex, and it's become even more turbulent. And this chaos is partly due to the Deng family's efforts. They intend to further stir up the waters so they can fish in troubled seas."
"The Deng family's appetite is too large..."
"Naturally. Various forces in the world are involved there. Rivals, enemies, and even temporary allies, along with those who operate in the shadows, are all intertwined. Alliances shift, loyalties waver, and the situation is unpredictable. The Deng family's actions have also displeased many other families."
"So, someone wants to move against the Deng family?" Song Qiao interjected.
"Precisely. They've contacted the Guo family. That's why Deng Hui was detained on false charges and is being escorted to the capital. The specific charges are irrelevant. What matters is that if he reaches the capital and enters the Guo family's territory, it will be troublesome."
Song Qiao nodded. He was well aware of the Guo family's formidable power and tyrannical methods in the capital; they were practically above the law.
"Therefore, we must prevent their plan from succeeding."
"Of course, do I need to re-emphasize that?"
"Do I have to be the one to do it?" Song Qiao confirmed again.
"This was agreed upon by the higher echelons of the Security Department. Your strength is undeniable," Mo Ling stated.
Seeing Song Qiao still deep in thought, Mo Ling added, "The Deng family has significant interests in the country. Only by protecting Deng Hui can the Deng family's development direction be secured, and their recent plan, which you are aware of, is Deng Yihan's operation in Southeast Asia."
"I'm very clear about all this," Song Qiao replied, his expression growing grave.
"What's wrong? You look so troubled." Mo Ling was a little worried. Was the mission too difficult?
Song Qiao glanced at her again through the rearview mirror, "Your makeup is too ugly. I'm afraid I won't be able to sleep at night. Sigh, please put on your original makeup. I'm really not used to this."
Mo Ling snapped back to reality, realizing the man was finding a way to compliment her beauty! However, she chided him, "You pervert, drive properly and don't look around! Besides, I deliberately did my makeup this way, making myself look ordinary. How could you call it ugly?"
"I still prefer your original face!" Song Qiao emphasized again.
Mo Ling turned serious, "Alright. I must warn you, be careful. According to reliable intelligence, the Guo family has dispatched elite personnel for this escort mission – their legendary 'Shuǐ Shòu' (Water Beast) team!"