99: Chapter 99 Lin Jianjun's Promotion! A True Case of a Father's Status Rising with His Son

Qinglan City, at dusk.

The afterglow of the setting sun shone through the floor-to-ceiling windows, casting warm spots on the living room floor, and the aroma of dinner filled the air.

Lin Jianjun and Liu Hui were sitting around the dining table enjoying dinner.

The local evening news was playing on the TV, and the host's crisp, clear voice provided a familiar background noise.

"Next, we have a special report."

The news footage switched, first showing the iconic buildings of the Qiming Beast-Taming Academy, and then displaying 3D images of distinct pet beasts.

Neither Lin Jianjun nor Liu Hui had ever seen these two types of pet beasts before.

Liu Hui said, "This little cat is quite good-looking."

"Recently, a freshman who was admitted to the Qiming Beast-Taming Academy from our city independently researched two brand-new evolutionary forms for pet beasts. The relevant results have been certified by the Beast Tamer Association and officially entered into the Pet Beast Compendium database."

"It is reported that these two new forms have been named the Flame-Spine Tyrannosaur and the Radiant Moon Spirit Cat, sparking widespread attention and heated discussion in the academic community——"

Lin Jianjun picked up a mouthful of food with his chopsticks, looked up at the TV, and a smile of reflected glory appeared on his face: "Look at that, our Qinglan City is truly producing talented people this year. Not bad, not bad."

Liu Hui also glanced at the TV and asked casually, "Well, Old Lin, who do you think is more impressive, this student who researched the two new forms or our Xiao Chen?"

Lin Jianjun heard this and shook his head with a smile: "How can you compare them? The directions are completely different. The student on TV has made real academic contributions and researched new things that benefit some Beast Tamers; that is a great talent."

"As for our Xiao Chen, he has achieved some results in his personal field and on the path of a Beast Tamer, which is a personal achievement. Both are very impressive, but they shouldn't be compared together."

He paused, added some soup to his wife's bowl, and added: "Besides, let's not always compare our child to others. Xiao Chen is already very amazing; we as parents should just support him and not add pressure to him."

Liu Hui listened and thought it made sense: "That's true, Xiao Chen has his own path."

The host's report continued, and began to reveal more details: "It is understood that this university student who achieved important research results just graduated from Qinglan City No. 1 Middle School this year."

"According to his alma mater's teachers, the student was serious, hardworking, and studious during his middle school years, consistently ranking at the top of his class and showing extraordinary potential."

"During the summer after graduating from high school, the student served as a temporary assistant at the Qingyang Town Enforcement Station. He performed outstandingly during his work and received one commendation and one third-class merit medal. The following is the evaluation of the student by Bureau Chief Zhou Zhengping of the Qinglan City Management Bureau when interviewed by our reporter——"

Clang!

The soup spoon in Lin Jianjun's hand fell into the bowl, making a crisp clinking sound.

Liu Hui's hand, which was reaching out to pick up food, froze in mid-air.

The couple looked up almost simultaneously, both pairs of eyes fixed on the TV screen.

"Wait——"

Lin Jianjun's lips were a bit dry. He looked at the TV, then at his wife who was equally bewildered, his voice trembling with uncertainty: "Why do those things mentioned on the news just now sound so familiar?"

The couple looked at each other and saw the same shock in each other's eyes.

Their own child became famous again?

But isn't he a Beast Tamer?

The next morning, at the Heyang District Beast Control Bureau in Qinglan City.

Lin Jianjun arrived at work on time as usual. Just as he walked into the lobby, an old colleague he was familiar with came over: "Old Lin, you're here? The Bureau Chief was just looking for you and wants you to go to his office."

"The Bureau Chief is looking for me?"

Lin Jianjun was a bit confused but nodded, "Alright, I'll go right now."

Carrying a trace of confusion, Lin Jianjun arrived outside the Bureau Chief's office and knocked on the door.

"Come in." The Bureau Chief's steady voice came from inside.

Lin Jianjun pushed the door open and entered. He saw the Bureau Chief sitting behind a large desk with a rare, warm smile on his face. Seeing him enter, he actually stood up and walked around the desk to greet him.

"Old Lin is here? Quick, sit, sit." The Bureau Chief greeted him warmly and personally poured a cup of tea for Lin Jianjun.

Seeing the Bureau Chief's reaction, Lin Jianjun had a faint guess in his heart.

The two sat face to face on the sofa.

The Bureau Chief picked up his teacup, blew on the hot steam, and didn't speak immediately, seemingly weighing his words.

After a moment, he slowly opened his mouth, his tone filled with emotion: "Old Lin, in the blink of an eye, you've been working at our bureau for over twenty years. Through wind and rain, diligent and conscientious, working without complaint; your seriousness and hard work have been seen by the leaders and colleagues in the bureau, and kept in our hearts."

Lin Jianjun quickly said: "Bureau Chief, you are overstating it. It's all part of my duties, as it should be."

The Bureau Chief waved his hand and continued: "Everyone recognizes your ability and contributions, so the bureau has decided to give you more responsibility."

He put down the teacup and stared at Lin Jianjun: "After careful consideration, it has been decided that starting next month, you will serve as the captain of the Third Action Team. Old Lin, that jurisdiction and the young men on the team will be in your hands from now on."

"Cap-Captain?" Even though he had been somewhat prepared, Lin Jianjun was still a bit dazed for a moment.

An Action Team captain was a mid-level position with real power in the bureau. Not only would his benefits improve, but his jurisdiction and responsibilities would also be much greater.

Seeing Lin Jianjun's reaction, the Bureau Chief smiled, leaned forward slightly, and lowered his voice: "Old Lin, don't feel pressured. Work hard; this was specifically instructed by Bureau Chief Zhou Zhengping."

Lin Jianjun, who had left the office, was still dazed, as if walking on clouds.

When he was young, he might have had the passion and expectation to climb higher, but as he grew older, he had long accepted his fate of working in this position until retirement.

This was fine too; at least it would be a stable life.

But ever since his child became a Beast Tamer, everything had changed.

He stood there, silent for a long time.

Finally, he shook his head helplessly, but the corners of his mouth curled up uncontrollably: "Director Li, you were really right."

"In the end, I really did benefit from my son's success."

Then I'll just work honestly as a captain until I retire; that will be living up to Xiao Chen's efforts.

As for higher positions, he didn't dare to hope for them.

Qiming Beast-Taming Academy, South Campus dormitory.

Lin Chen had just finished his morning meditation when he received a call from Zhang Zhi.

"Hello, Brother Zhang." Lin Chen answered.

"A-Chen! Hahaha!"

Zhang Zhi's loud and cheerful laughter came from the other end of the phone, and his excitement could be felt through the receiver: "It's all thanks to you! I never thought that in my lifetime, I, Zhang Zhi, would be able to properly accept an interview from a TV station."

"And Old Liu too."

Zhang Zhi continued excitedly: "You know how unkempt Old Liu usually is, with his scruffy beard. Yesterday, as soon as he heard that a TV station was coming to interview about you, oh boy, he ran to the barbershop two hours early to clean himself up!"

"By the way, Director Li hasn't stopped smiling since yesterday. He's been grinning at everyone he sees, and during the interview, he praised you endlessly, saying you are the pride of our Qinglan City and a role model for young people."

Lin Chen smiled slightly.

He had underestimated the value of independently researching two new evolutionary forms at the age of 18, and even more so, he had underestimated Professor Li's influence.

Since yesterday, various interviews had been coming one after another.

Moreover, these interviews were not just directed at him, but also went directly to Qinglan City No. 1 Middle School and the Qingyang Town Enforcement Station to interview his former teachers and former colleagues at the Enforcement Station.

This matter was originally only spreading in the academic community and on online platforms for young people, but because of this, he became famous in Qinglan City and was even hyped up to the skies by various media outlets in Qinglan City.

Calling him the "leading figure of the young generation of researchers in Donghuang" and the "brightest academic rising star of the contemporary era," these media outlets dared to praise him like this, but Lin Chen didn't dare to look.

He was clearly a gifted Beast Tamer!

Please, all media outlets, distinguish the primary and secondary roles of his identity.

He had just put down his phone and hadn't even caught his breath when the ringtone sounded again. The caller ID showed Senior Agent Zeng Chuan.

"Student Lin Chen." Senior Agent Zeng Chuan's voice was as gentle as ever, "The headquarters already knows about your situation. Being able to independently research two brand-new evolutionary forms, you are even more outstanding than we imagined."

Speaking of this, he teased: "Student Lin Chen, I remember you are a gifted Beast Tamer, right? How did you suddenly..."

Lin Chen replied: "Actually, all of this was an accident."

"Is that so? Then I hope there are more such accidents." Senior Agent Zeng Chuan paused and got to the point, "The headquarters attaches great importance to this. After evaluation, they believe that given the potential and value you have currently shown, staying in the Rift Investigation Department is a bit of a waste of your talents."

Lin Chen listened quietly without interrupting.

"Therefore, the headquarters hopes that you can transfer your organizational affiliation to the Special Talent Reserve and Research Institute directly under the headquarters. This means that after graduation, you can directly enter the headquarters to work and come into contact with the most cutting-edge projects and secrets."

"Of course, this requires seeking your own wishes. The headquarters respects the choices of talents."

Lin Chen almost didn't think too much and asked directly: "If I transfer to the headquarters, what changes will there be in my work content?"

The other end of the phone was silent for a moment. Senior Agent Zeng Chuan didn't seem to expect Lin Chen to ask this first: "According to the headquarters' preliminary intentions, if you agree to the transfer, you might initially be arranged to enter the Pet Beast Evolution and Potential Development Research Institute to conduct a series of related research."

Lin Chen suddenly understood.

"Sorry." Lin Chen shook his head decisively, "I appreciate the headquarters' invitation, but I still hope to stay in our department."

Senior Agent Zeng Chuan was silent for a moment, and when he spoke again, his voice was mixed with obvious laughter: "Okay, I understand. I will truthfully convey your wishes to the headquarters."

After a slight pause, he finally said: "For a genius like you, we will not treat you unfairly."

After hanging up the phone, Senior Agent Zeng Chuan stood in front of the window, looking out at the city's skyline in the distance, the corners of his mouth curling into an arc.

He muttered to himself, his voice echoing gently in the empty office: "What a surprise."

"Even if you can't become an Intermediate Beastmaster within half a year, based on this achievement alone, I will make you a formal member."

A series of news reports about Lin Chen continued on the internet for two days, and new hot topics and gossip soon filled the public's attention, pushing the name "Lin Chen" off the trending search list and the center of discussion.

Lin Chen was happy to see this happen.

The storm subsided, and life returned to its normal track.

But Lin Chen keenly noticed that his life had undergone subtle changes.

Walking on campus, the number of students who recognized him grew geometrically.

Many students were no longer limited to just coming up to say hello; they would even directly request photos or autographs, letting him experience the feeling of being a campus celebrity.

Fortunately, the overall quality of the students was high; most were just expressing their liking and curiosity, with few instances of persistent pestering or extreme behavior.

In addition, a group of leaders from the Research Department tried to contact Lin Chen through various channels, but they were all blocked by Zhao Honggang.

It is said that Zhao Honggang's mood during this time was not good; he clearly did not want Lin Chen to be exposed to the public eye in this capacity.

But for Lin Chen, a truly peaceful life had begun.

Every morning, it was time for fixed physical training and meditation.

The daytime was for class time, and the evening was for pet beast training time.

Besides this, Lin Chen began to actively learn theoretical knowledge related to pet beast evolution.

Lin Chen knew clearly in his heart that in the future, he would inevitably research more brand-new evolutionary forms.

Instead of using vague words like talent, inspiration, or coincidence every time to deal with it, leaving countless loopholes for people to investigate, it was better to master sufficiently solid theoretical knowledge.

In this way, when someone questioned his research results in the future, he could at least provide a certain degree of explanation and defense from a theoretical level.

After all, he was now, at least, an officially certified junior researcher.

He even had a faint idea that perhaps he could really research a Digimon that didn't need system support.

Time passed quietly in such a peaceful life, and in the blink of an eye, two weeks had passed.

Inside the School Team training ground, at dusk.

"Roar——!!!"

The Flame-Spine Tyrannosaur let out a heavy roar. The high temperature naturally radiating from its body made the surrounding air slightly distorted. It stepped forward, and a strong sense of oppression erupted instantly.

Lin Chen stood at the edge of the training ground, watching this scene, his eyes flickering slightly: "Finally, it's about to break through."

During this time, he had been busy learning theoretical knowledge related to pet beast evolution and training the newly evolved Radiant Moon Spirit Cat, so he basically stayed in the academy and rarely went out.

As a result, the speed at which the Flame-Spine Tyrannosaur gained experience points was slower compared to before.

Despite this, after day-after-day of serious training, the Flame-Spine Tyrannosaur was only one step away from breaking through to the Third Rank.

Once it stepped into the Third Rank, the pet beast's strength would undergo a qualitative leap.

Skill power, physical strength, and the understanding and control of its own attributes would all step onto a new level.

More importantly, this was almost the domain belonging to an Intermediate Beastmaster.

"Do you think our progress speed is too scary?" Lin Chen asked the Flame-Spine Tyrannosaur that was walking over.

Hearing this question, the Flame-Spine Tyrannosaur lowered its head, its scarlet round pupils staring at the seriously thinking Lin Chen.

The next moment, the Flame-Spine Tyrannosaur tilted its head, and its large mouth curled outward: "Yagu!!!"

How could those mundane creatures understand the world of a genius???

As a genius, it was meant to improve its strength at the most incredible, most inconceivable, most unbelievable speed, until it became the strongest, and finally... wash away the shame of the broken engagement!

Lin Chen laughed dumbfoundedly.

"Fine, in order to wash away the shame, let's go to the wilderness again tonight."

"To let you break through to the Third Rank."