6: Chapter 6 Those Inconsiderate and Despicable Humans

"We're back."

A familiar voice came through the security door, accompanied by the soft sound of a key turning; Lin Chen's parents had returned home.

The sensor light in the entryway lit up, casting a soft glow on their slightly weary figures.

A faint clatter of pots and pans came from the kitchen, and Lin Chen emerged wearing a light gray apron and holding a spatula. With a smile on his face, he nodded to them.

"Dad, Mom, dinner will be ready soon."

It was currently summer vacation. As a Beast Breeder Assistant, Lin Chen's mother, Liu Hui, was incredibly busy at a private Beast Nursery, often working overtime to mix nutrient solutions and care for the beasts.

Lin Jianjun was on duty at the Beast Management Bureau, leaving early and returning late, sometimes having to handle sudden incidents involving low-level beasts disturbing the public.

Knowing how hard their work was, Lin Chen took it upon himself to cook dinner, making different home-cooked meals every day so they could have a hot meal when they got home.

"Chenchen, where is the beast you contracted?"

While changing her shoes, Liu Hui asked. Her gaze inadvertently swept over the Flame Claw Beast on the sofa, and she suddenly stopped in her tracks. "Eh? What kind of beast is this?"

Following her gaze, Lin Jianjun also stopped.

The Flame Claw Beast was sitting on the sofa, its body tense, feeling at a loss regarding their appearance.

Humans, two more humans.

But it soon realized they meant no harm. Liu Hui had a reassuring smile on her face, so it secretly breathed a sigh of relief while grinning and waving a paw. "Ga-gu~"

Lin Chen wasn't a bad guy, so these two weren't bad guys either.

Looking at the Flame Claw Beast, the two were stunned for a moment.

Once Liu Hui snapped out of it, she nudged Lin Jianjun beside her and whispered with a hint of urgency:

"Hurry up and say hello to this child, don't just stand there."

Lin Jianjun cleared his throat and took two steps forward. With his hands behind his back, he adopted the serious expression he usually wore on duty, carefully sizing up the Flame Claw Beast.

Why is it a Flame Claw Beast?

Didn't the boy plan to contract a Flame-Fire Dog long ago?

Facing the Flame Claw Beast, Lin Jianjun didn't know what to say for a moment. He opened his mouth, his throat moved, but ultimately, no sound came out.

For a moment, the living room fell into a brief silence.

The Flame Claw Beast's deep green eyes met Lin Jianjun's somewhat stiff gaze, and the atmosphere became slightly awkward.

It tilted its head, seemingly not understanding why the human in front of it was staring. So, it proactively stood up and walked toward Lin Jianjun, its grin widening:

"Ga-gu, ga-gu~"

Just then, Lin Chen came out of the kitchen carrying two plates of food. Seeing this scene, he couldn't help but laugh:

"Dad, Mom, this is a Flame Claw Beast..."

He briefly explained the Flame Claw Beast's origin while placing the dishes on the dining table.

"Anyway, it'll be my first beast from now on."

After hearing the story, the curiosity on Liu Hui's face instantly turned into heartache. She looked at the Flame Claw Beast in front of her, her voice growing soft:

"Coming all the way from the south to the north... you poor child, just stay comfortably in our home from now on."

Hearing these gentle words, the Flame Claw Beast's nose twitched for some reason, and its eyes reddened. It rubbed its eyes hard with its paw and turned its head away.

Beside her, Lin Jianjun's brow furrowed slightly. He cast a scrutinizing look at the Flame Claw Beast, hesitating to speak:

"But we know very little about Flame Claw Beasts. Unlike the Flame-Fire Dog, I could have provided you with some breeding experience..."

Before he could finish, Lin Jianjun saw the Flame Claw Beast proactively approach the naturally approachable Liu Hui, letting her gently stroke its head. He pursed his lips and fell silent.

But at that moment, the Flame Claw Beast's gaze involuntarily drifted to the dining table, its nose twitching—it smelled so good, so good, so good.

It was like a plump fish caught from a stream, roasted over a fire and seasoned with various spices to create an enticing aroma.

"Ga-gu, ga-gu..."

Lin Chen came out with the last dish and happened to see the Flame Claw Beast's greedy expression, making him laugh:

"Alright, alright, stop staring. Let's eat first."

Liu Hui and Lin Jianjun sat down at the table. Lin Chen turned to the kitchen to get a clean small bowl and took out the Basic Energy Liquid he had bought during the day from his backpack, slowly pouring it into the bowl:

"Flame Claw Beast, this is for you."

But the Flame Claw Beast only glanced at the energy liquid in the bowl before its gaze immediately fell back on the food on the table. Its mouth twitched, eyes full of longing.

Lin Chen felt helpless and amused: "Try this first; it's good for your body."

"Ga-gu!"

The Flame Claw Beast huffed and turned its head away from Lin Chen, crossing its paws over its chest and plopping down on the floor.

Tactless, despicable human!

You really are a bad guy!

Bad guy, bad guy, bad guy!

"Truly a child."

Lin Chen chuckled inwardly and said gently, coaxing it patiently, "Try the energy liquid first. If you don't like it, you can eat with us."

"Ga-gu~"

Only then did the Flame Claw Beast reluctantly nod and look down at the energy liquid in the bowl.

It doesn't look tasty, but I'll give it a reluctant taste.

So it lowered its head and cautiously took a lick of the energy liquid in the bowl.

The next second, its eyes instantly lit up: "Ga-gu?!"

Its eyes shone as if it had found a treasure. The Flame Claw Beast immediately lowered its head and began to gulp it down, making satisfied purring sounds from time to time.

Seeing it eating happily, Lin Chen finally felt at ease and returned to the table to sit down.

Just as he took a bite of food, Liu Hui's voice reached his ears:

"Chenchen, since you've contracted the Flame Claw Beast, treat it well from now on and consider it your best companion."

Lin Chen smiled and nodded: "Of course."

Lin Jianjun looked at the Flame Claw Beast, which was focused on drinking the energy liquid, then at the smiling Lin Chen, and remained silent.

Words of discouragement were stuck in his throat, and he couldn't bring himself to say them for the moment.

After a while, he put down his chopsticks with a serious expression: "I'll go to the Bureau tomorrow to inquire about this beast and ask for their breeding advice."

He paused and sighed slightly: "After all, breeding an unfamiliar beast is too difficult, and this is your initial beast..."

"If it were a Flame-Fire Dog, I could still help you..."

Lin Chen did not refuse his father's kindness.

After a while, Lin Chen said softly: "By the way, I have fifteen thousand yuan left. You should take it back."

Lin Jianjun put down his chopsticks and waved his hand:

"Keep that money for yourself. You're an official Beast Tamer now; training and breeding the Flame Claw Beast will cost money in the future. Having the money will give you some peace of mind."

Liu Hui's wrinkles smoothed out as she took over the conversation:

"The family still has money now, so don't worry about it. Your sister has also gone for an internship; her room and board are covered there, so she doesn't need family money for now. Keep this money, save it up, and use it when you need it later."

Seeing his parents' firm gazes, Lin Chen knew it was useless to refuse further, so he nodded silently.

His path as a Beast Tamer was just beginning, and he was short of money in every aspect—a lot of money.

He looked up and asked softly: "By the way, Mom, when can Sis come home?"

At the mention of her daughter Lin Yue, Liu Hui's eyes softened a bit, and she sighed gently:

"It'll probably be a while. Your sister said the internship location is far from Qinglan City, and the work intensity is quite high, so she barely has time to call."

"But she said this internship is a rare opportunity with great benefits, and there might be a chance to become a full-time employee later."

"Sigh, it's just too exhausting..."

Lin Chen fell silent for a moment.

His sister, Lin Yue, got into a very good Beast Taming Academy three years ago and is currently an Intermediate Beastmaster.

Entering her senior year soon, she found a very good internship a few days ago, partly to ease the family's financial pressure and partly to plan for graduation.

Dinner ended in a warm atmosphere. After finishing their meal, Liu Hui and Lin Jianjun exchanged a look.

Lin Jianjun coughed lightly and took an exquisite box out of his pocket, placing it in front of Lin Chen.

Lin Chen was puzzled: "Dad, what's this?"

Lin Jianjun kept a straight face: "Open it and see for yourself."

Liu Hui smiled broadly, her voice gentle: "Chenchen, hurry and open it. This is a gift we prepared for you."

"Congratulations on becoming an official Beast Tamer."

Lin Chen didn't rush to open the box. Instead, he looked at his parents seriously, a smile blooming on his face: "Dad, Mom, thank you."

Liu Hui smiled gently, and Lin Jianjun cleared his throat.

Subsequently, Lin Chen opened the box, and what met his eyes was a fruit.

The fruit was red all over, emitting a faint warm aura, with a layer of fine luster flowing on its surface.

"Is this... a Crimson Flame Seed?" Lin Chen's eyes lit up.

The Crimson Flame Seed was a Level 1 fire-type resource. It contained pure fire-attribute energy and was highly beneficial for the development and growth of fire-type beasts.

Don't be fooled by its small size; its market price was at least three thousand.

Lin Chen looked up at them: "Mom, Dad..."

Before he could finish his sentence, Lin Jianjun waved his hand: "I exchanged it for Contribution Points from the Bureau; it didn't cost any money."

After a slight pause, Lin Jianjun added, "Your sister had a gift when she became a Beast Tamer, so you should have one too."

Lin Chen said no more and just nodded.

Then, he handed the Crimson Flame Seed to the Flame Claw Beast: "Flame Claw Beast, eat this."

"This is a Crimson Flame Seed; it's good for your body."

It was well known that being a Beast Tamer was a "pay-to-win" profession; the growth of beasts was inseparable from the nourishment of various resources.

If the Flame Claw Beast wanted to evolve quickly and become stronger, it had to have enough resources for support.

The Flame Claw Beast looked up and held the Crimson Flame Seed with its paws. It brought it to its nose and sniffed; a faint, warm fragrance wafted into its nostrils, making it close its eyes involuntarily.

It curiously examined the Crimson Flame Seed, then looked at Lin Chen, before opening its mouth and swallowing it in one gulp.

Not long after swallowing it, the Flame Claw Beast felt a warm current surge within its body. It slid down its throat and slowly spread to every corner of its body, making it feel warm all over and so comfortable that it couldn't help but squint its eyes.

Then, it raised its eyes, which were shining: "Ga-gu!"

More, I want more!

Lin Chen spread his hands and smiled helplessly: "Just this one."

The Flame Claw Beast looked disappointed and had no choice but to close its eyes and quietly feel the surge of the warm current.

Just then, a cold system notification sounded abruptly:

[Ding! Flame Claw Beast used a Level 1 resource, evolution exp +10]

Lin Chen's eyes lit up: "So using breeding resources can also grant evolution experience points."