Chapter 22: Suspected of Stirring Up the Kids' Nest

"Practice proves truth; this saying really holds."

"Big Bumblebee, go check what Dad is up to!"

With a command given, in the blink of an eye, "Big Bumblebee" disappeared from sight.

The view synced to Lin Binbin's panel showed their shabby little hut — the walls blackened and corners rotted — but considering this was the Exile Zone, it was still one of the better conditions.

As "Big Bumblebee" moved forward, the view finally reached the mining area.

All the adult men there worked shirtless, the sun beating down on their reddened arms, but the hardest lot were those deep inside the mine.

Oppressive and suffocating — that was Lin Binbin's only intuitive feeling about this place. The cramped, dark spaces seemed filled only with blackness.

There was no communication among the people here; the only sounds were the pickaxes striking stone. Under the dim mining lamps, their faces looked dull and weary. Just a glance was enough to make Lin Binbin want to flee.

Compared to the mining area, the breeding camp felt like heaven.

After a long while, Lin Binbin finally recognized his father among the uniformly dressed crowd. Watching his father stooped over, swinging a pickaxe to hammer the ground, an inexplicable ache rose in Lin Binbin's heart.

"Dad…"

Lin Binbin called softly, thinking it too far for his father to notice, but the moment the words fell, Lin Qin's eyes locked quickly onto the "Big Bumblebee"'s view.

Lin Qin's cold gaze radiated an aura of hostility that filled the space.

He stopped his work and strode toward the camera, his tall figure blocking the scant light in the scene.

The intense pressure made Lin Binbin's heart skip a beat. Without time to think, he quickly ordered "Big Bumblebee" to return.

"What's going on? Why can Dad sense it?"

Frowning, Lin Binbin thought hard but couldn't figure it out. He silently complained in his mind but showed no outward reaction, instead packing up and rushing home.

Back at home, it was still early. After feeding the little chicken, Lin Binbin took Cheng Mo to register at the Registry Office. When Xiao An learned they came to register as Beast Tamers and noticed Cheng Mo's young age, his brow furrowed even deeper.

"What's going on these days? Why are so many talented kids suddenly popping up in the Exile Zone?"

Xiao An even suspected he'd poked the kids' nest.

"Remember to pick up a task. Once completed, you'll officially become a Beast Tamer."

Lin Binbin was familiar with the process. After picking a simple F-rank task, he happily left with Cheng Mo.

At home, Lin Xiao had already finished work and started cooking.

Not long after, Lin Qin came back, washed up simply, and sat down.

Lin Binbin dutifully poured him a cup of hot tea, his small eyes darting nervously.

Before he could say anything, Lin Qin slammed down the cup and glared.

"You little brat, not helping your brother work, what are you staring at here for?"

"Speak up. Don't give me that dumb look; it annoys me."

Lin Binbin straightened and cautiously asked, "Dad, did anything strange happen in the mine this afternoon?"

"What strange thing? What mischief have you been up to now?"

Seeing his father's displeasure, Lin Binbin shrank back and clarified, "I mean, like seeing something weird or hearing some unusual noises."

"Come on, just tell me if there was anything."

Lin Qin looked at his son suspiciously, squinting. After a moment, he shook his head.

"Nope."

"Alright, don't bother me with childish questions about the mine. Go help your brother."

Lin Binbin exhaled in relief.

No sign of anything strange; looks like he was worrying over nothing.

Halfway through dinner, Lin Binbin's second brother, Lin Binhong, returned home. Seeing everyone's surprised looks, his face showed some unease.

"You're back. Sit down and eat."

Lin Qin spoke calmly, expression normal.

Lin Xiao glanced around, stood up, and said, "I saved some for you. Now that you're back, sit and eat. I'll get the other dishes."

Though just some vegetables, the dishes for Lin Binhong were clearly better—fresh, firm, even including his favorite dish, which Lin Qin hadn't let anyone touch.

After setting the food, Lin Xiao pushed the favorite dish in front of Lin Binhong.

"Where've you been these days?"

Lin Qin asked casually, but his eyes kept flickering toward Lin Binhong. The youngest son was hard to manage for his wild nature, but the one who worried him most was this second son.

"Helping a friend who was sick," Lin Binhong replied with a low snort, muttering, "I thought you all wouldn't save me any food."

Not sure if everyone heard the last part, an awkward silence fell.

Lin Xiao nudged Lin Binbin under the table, signaling him to speak.

Lin Binbin's smile grew helpless as he forced down his food. Then he glanced at Lin Binhong.

"Second brother, won't you eat? It'll get cold. Dad specially saved this for you."

Lin Binhong's face remained indifferent.

He asked simply, "Did you beat those people up?"

Lin Binbin froze mid-bite, his hand reaching to steal some food from Lin Binhong's plate stopped. Lin Qin lifted his head sharply, and even Lin Xiao sat straighter.

All eyes locked on Lin Binhong.

The heavy atmosphere made the air freeze.

"Why did you do that?"

Lin Binhong's suspicion was confirmed. These past days at work, people looked at him strangely and kept their distance. Those who bullied him before hadn't shown up anymore.

Later, he found out their legs had been broken, and the man who once protected them—Liu Kui Gong—was dead.

That man was one of Teng Yan's subordinates; they dared not provoke him.

Lin Binbin smiled casually, "Those people bullied many others for a long time. It's only normal someone took revenge."

Lin Binhong frowned deeply, disbelief written all over his youthful face.

He seemed to have caught Lin Binbin in a lie, immediately saying, "Nonsense! I heard you were the one who provoked them first."