68: Chapter 68 Three Major Departments Come to Snatch People

The next morning, the sun was warm and gentle.

When Lin Chen walked out of his bedroom with bleary eyes, he saw his parents cleaning the house.

They were cleaning with such diligence—exceeding even the deep cleaning done before the New Year—that the house looked almost brand new.

Lin Chen was stunned. "Mom, Dad, did you receive the news last night too?"

Lin Jianjun, who was mopping the floor, looked up at Lin Chen with an unprecedentedly complex expression and said in a deep voice, "Yes. You've gone and done something big again without a word."

Lin Chen chuckled. "I originally wanted to wait until it was confirmed to tell you, to give you a surprise."

Recalling the Director's solemn tone from last night, Lin Jianjun sighed with emotion. "It certainly was a surprise. Your mother and I never expected it."

As the family of three was chatting in the living room, the doorbell rang.

So early?

Lin Jianjun glanced at his wife and son, straightened his collar, took a deep breath, and opened the door.

Standing outside was not Bureau Chief Zhou Zhengping as expected, but a strange woman with short hair, wearing a well-tailored business suit and a smile.

Lin Jianjun was taken aback. "You are…?"

Lu Zheng's gaze passed over Lin Jianjun and landed on the young man with the youthful face behind him. Her smile became even more enthusiastic. "Hello, are you Lin Chen? Sorry to bother you. I am Lu Zheng, who contacted you last night. First of all, congratulations on becoming a Primary Beastmaster."

Lin Chen nodded in response. "Hello, Supervisor Lu."

His parents, standing to the side, were bewildered.

What happened to Bureau Chief Zhou Zhengping?

And what did she mean by becoming a Primary Beastmaster?

But at that moment, a burst of lively gongs and drums drifted in from the still-open door, and the four people in the room looked over in unison.

There stood Bureau Chief Zhou Zhengping of the Beast Management Bureau, his figure upright, appearing at the corner of the staircase. Behind him were two staff members holding a banner. The red banner with gold lettering was particularly striking in the slightly narrow hallway: [Warmly Celebrating Comrade Lin Chen for Receiving the Third-Class Medal].

This time, it was Lin Chen's turn to be bewildered.

Why are there more people?

Lin Jianjun looked at the confused Lin Chen, then at Lu Zheng and Bureau Chief Zhou Zhengping standing at the door, and suddenly understood something.

Bureau Chief Zhou Zhengping looked around. When he saw Lu Zheng, his eyes narrowed slightly, but when he looked at Lin Chen, a smile appeared on his face. "Comrade Lin Jianjun, you have a good son."

After saying this, the two staff members adjusting the banner positioned it directly facing the open door, and thus at Lin Chen inside the house.

Bureau Chief Zhou Zhengping said, "Let's begin the ceremony."

With the accompanying staff filming the event, Bureau Chief Zhou Zhengping took the Third-Class Medal. Facing Lin Chen with a solemn expression, he read the brief commendation decision, then personally pinned the Third-Class Medal—symbolizing honor and recognition—onto Lin Chen's chest.

The medal refracted dazzling light under the morning sun, reflecting Lin Chen's youthful yet calm face.

The stairwell had long been crowded with curious neighbors, and the sound of mobile phones taking pictures was constant. Lin Jianjun came back to his senses, subconsciously straightened his back, and held his head high. Liu Hui was so nervous that she was tugging at the corner of her shirt, not knowing where to look.

At this moment, looking at the Third-Class Medal in his son's hand, Lin Jianjun recalled Lu Zheng's earlier congratulations and Director Li Haotian's words: "Old Lin, you have a good son. If you work a few more years, your position might even be promoted thanks to Xiao Chen."

What a joke. He was a man of steel, having worked diligently for decades; how could he rely on his son for his own status?

But meeting the envious gazes of his neighbors, Lin Jianjun felt that this feeling was actually not bad.

After the simple award ceremony and photo session, Bureau Chief Zhou Zhengping and Lu Zheng came into the living room and sat down.

The atmosphere in the living room was inexplicably subtle.

Lu Zheng was the first to break the subtle atmosphere. She looked directly at Lin Chen, took out the prepared agreement, and placed it on the coffee table in front of Lin Chen with both hands.

"Lin Chen, this is the 'Rising Star Training Program' letter of intent that our Association has tailored for top-tier geniuses like you."

"Before coming here, we only knew that your talent was astonishing—becoming a Primary Beastmaster in just forty-four days—but we didn't know you had also performed so excellently at the Beast Management Bureau and received a Third-Class Medal."

"In view of the talents you have currently demonstrated, we can adjust the training content in the letter of intent according to actual circumstances and needs…"

But before Lu Zheng could finish, Bureau Chief Zhou Zhengping stared straight at Lin Chen, his burning gaze as if he had just spotted a Dark Species. "You became a Primary Beastmaster?"

Lin Chen nodded. "Yes, I just applied yesterday. I didn't expect the certification to be successful so quickly."

Lu Zheng took over the conversation. "That's only natural. In the records of the Qinglan City Beast Tamer Association, your speed in becoming a Primary Beastmaster ranks in the top five."

On the sofa.

Upon knowing that Lin Chen had become a Primary Beastmaster, Bureau Chief Zhou Zhengping subconsciously straightened his back, his expression serious. "Comrade Lin Chen, this is our dereliction of duty. We should have grasped this information immediately."

As he spoke, he took out a pre-prepared agreement from his briefcase and placed it on the table. "This is the training plan we originally formulated."

Lin Chen looked down at it.

The conditions offered in this agreement were indeed generous: over the next four years, the Bureau would provide fixed special training funds and sufficient resource allocation, and there was even a preliminary plan for Lin Chen's placement and starting position after graduation.

If Lin Chen could become an Advanced Beast Tamer before graduation, he could enter the management level directly upon graduation.

If he became an Elite Level Beast Tamer before the age of twenty-five, he could even ascend to a high position directly, becoming one of the successors the Bureau focused on cultivating.

For a young man from an ordinary background, this agreement was a ladder to the sky, enough to make countless people fight tooth and nail for it.

But then, Bureau Chief Zhou Zhengping picked up the agreement and, without hesitation, tore it in half.

Lu Zheng's eyes narrowed suddenly, staring fixedly at Bureau Chief Zhou Zhengping.

After tearing the agreement, Bureau Chief Zhou Zhengping looked up and stared intently at Lin Chen. "This training plan is not worthy of you now."

He leaned forward, his gaze burning. "We will immediately reformulate the plan and increase the intensity of your training."

"All resources the Bureau can mobilize will be tilted toward you, allowing you to grow at the fastest speed."

"Xiao Chen."

Bureau Chief Zhou Zhengping's voice softened, his eyes fixed on Lin Chen. "If you are willing, as long as the Bureau has it, we will not be stingy. If we don't have it, we will find a way to find it for you, to fight for it for you."

Lin Jianjun was greatly shocked.

Was this still the stern and serious Bureau Chief in his impression?

He had worked diligently in the unit for decades and had never heard of such treatment.

Lu Zheng reacted quickly.

"Bureau Chief Zhou Zhengping's determination and boldness are admirable."

Lu Zheng spoke quickly, her voice still clear and steady, but her speed was noticeably faster. "Our Beast Tamer Association also holds the highest expectations for a genius Beast Tamer like Lin Chen, and we can provide the same level, or even more professional, training intensity!"

She stopped beating around the bush and revealed her trump card directly. "In addition to what Bureau Chief Zhou Zhengping mentioned, we will also do everything in our power to mold you into the undisputed leader of the young generation of Beast Tamers in Qinglan City."

Lin Jianjun and Liu Hui were completely dazed.

Liu Hui stared blankly at Lin Jianjun and tugged at the corner of her shirt.

What should they do now?

Lin Jianjun was equally bewildered.

He had never seen such a situation in his life; how would he know how to handle it?

Lin Chen, however, was very calm.

Frankly speaking, both Bureau Chief Zhou Zhengping's and Lu Zheng's training plans were extremely attractive and could provide him with huge help right now.

But both had a common limiting condition: he had to return to Qinglan City to work for several years after graduation.

This was essentially a targeted training plan, where the Beast Management Bureau and the Association exchanged initial investment for Lin Chen's future contributions.

In this way, his future development would be greatly restricted.

The living room fell into a brief silence.

Bureau Chief Zhou Zhengping and Lu Zheng were both staring closely at Lin Chen, waiting for a response.

Lin Jianjun and Liu Hui held their breath, not daring to interrupt their son's thinking.

Knock, knock, knock.

Just then, a knock on the door sounded abruptly, breaking the almost solidified air in the living room.

Lin Jianjun was the first to react and got up to open it.

Senior Agent Zeng Chuan was wearing a simple but exquisitely textured light gray casual suit and a pair of gold-rimmed glasses.

He had a refined appearance and nodded slightly to Lin Jianjun with a smile. "Hello, sorry to bother you. May I ask if Lin Chen lives here?"

Lin Jianjun replied, "Yes, who are you?"

The smile on Senior Agent Zeng Chuan's face grew wider. He took out a black ID folder from his suit's inner pocket and opened it to reveal his credentials. "I am a Senior Agent of the Special Defense Bureau, Zeng Chuan."

"I am making this presumptuous visit specifically to call on Lin Chen."

At the same moment, Bureau Chief Zhou Zhengping and Lu Zheng looked up sharply at Senior Agent Zeng Chuan standing at the door.

Alarm bells rang in both of their hearts simultaneously, and a thought that they both found somewhat troublesome emerged uncontrollably: Another expert?

Senior Agent Zeng Chuan walked into the living room, his gaze sweeping over the slightly crowded room. Seeing Bureau Chief Zhou Zhengping and Lu Zheng with their different expressions, he smiled. "Bureau Chief Zhou Zhengping, Supervisor Lu, so you are here too. It really is lively."

"Senior Agent Zeng Chuan, I've heard much about you."

Bureau Chief Zhou Zhengping spoke first, his voice steady. "I didn't expect the Special Defense Bureau to be interested in Xiao Chen as well."

"Senior Agent Zeng Chuan, nice to meet you."

Lu Zheng quickly regained her composure and put a smile back on her face.

As high-level figures in Qinglan City, they were no strangers to the core figure of this newly established department.

Senior Agent Zeng Chuan nodded in greeting, then sat on the sofa, facing Lin Chen directly. "Lin Chen, long time no see."

His smile was gentle, and his tone was like casual conversation. "I just saw your data update today and learned that you have successfully promoted to a Primary Beastmaster, so I came over specifically to congratulate you."

"Becoming a Primary Beastmaster in forty-four days is an amazing speed throughout the entire Donghuang."

He paused, then naturally changed the subject. "I wonder what thoughts Lin Chen has regarding his future development?"

It's here!

Bureau Chief Zhou Zhengping and Lu Zheng's hearts tightened at the same time.

Under their gaze, Senior Agent Zeng Chuan took out a document and placed it on the table. "This is the training plan we have preliminarily formulated for you."

Senior Agent Zeng Chuan pointed to the document, his tone as objective as if stating experimental data. "Initially, that is, before you officially become one of us, the treatment is relatively basic."

"There is a monthly special training fund of 50,000 yuan, and you will also enjoy some welfare benefits."

"However."

Senior Agent Zeng Chuan's gaze was deep, looking at Lin Chen, saying each word clearly. "As long as you can promote to an Intermediate Beastmaster within half a year, you can skip the internship stage and become a full-fledged field agent."

He leaned forward slightly, his voice filled with an indescribable temptation. "At that time, the treatment, authority, and resource allocation you enjoy will take a qualitative leap."

"I don't know what conditions the Association and the Beast Management Bureau have offered, but our department is backed by the Special Defense Bureau, and the conditions we offer are definitely more generous than you imagine. You can take a look."

After quickly browsing through this concise plan, Lin Chen looked up at Senior Agent Zeng Chuan and asked a question. "If I join you, does it mean I will be able to deal with those things often?"

Through his experience with the two Dark Species incidents, Lin Chen knew well that the department Senior Agent Zeng Chuan belonged to was specifically responsible for dealing with events related to Dark Species.

For him, it was exactly the right fit.

Hearing this, a trace of surprise flashed in Senior Agent Zeng Chuan's eyes, but he reacted quickly and nodded with a smile. "Of course, that is our work content."

Upon hearing this, a smile appeared on Lin Chen's face.