The kitchen was even smaller, only big enough for one person to walk back and forth. Samuel Lincoln followed, still standing at the doorway, pointing out where the food was.

The convenience meals were yeast-based, with various flavors and textures added. They were placed in the chef’s box and could be eaten quickly. The chef’s box had many functions, but the most commonly used was quick heating.

Henry Lincoln chose the seafood flavor. Seeing his choice, Samuel Lincoln laughed while eating.

After the meal was ready, Henry Lincoln understood why Samuel Lincoln was laughing after just one bite. This stuff really didn’t taste good. It had some flavor at first, but after chewing two or three times, only an indescribable texture remained.

“Hurry up and eat, it’ll be better that way.” Samuel Lincoln demonstrated his eating method—taking small bites, chewing no more than three times before swallowing.

After finishing, Henry Lincoln said, “At least it’s nutritious.”

“So nutritious I want another serving.” Samuel Lincoln tossed his plate into the sink.

Henry Lincoln washed both their dishes clean. That was their mother’s rule—dirty bowls and plates were never allowed at home.

Samuel Lincoln ran to the living room window to look out again, then suddenly said angrily, “I really don’t want to be bait.”

Henry Lincoln sat down on the sofa. “You think the two of us are bait?”

“Aren’t we?” Samuel Lincoln turned around. “Old Lincoln, you must have figured something out. Tell me. We have to stick together now.”

“I think this is just a test, nothing major.” Henry Lincoln appeared very calm. “The organization cares about politics and business. They shouldn’t be interested in criminal matters.”

“A test for what? I’ve already… passed, haven’t I? If it’s a test for you, why am I included?”

“Probably to test self-control.” Henry Lincoln smiled.

As long as it wasn’t senseless killing, Henry Lincoln was always calmer than Samuel Lincoln.

“I have self-control.” Samuel Lincoln took a deep breath and didn’t bring up the barbershop again, but he kept pacing. He also noticed the car downstairs. “Old Charles’s car is still parked outside. Do you think he’ll come today?”

Henry Lincoln shook his head, indicating he didn’t know.

As noon approached, Samuel Lincoln got ready to cook. He went into the kitchen, picked up a pack of convenience meals, sighed deeply, and called out to the living room, “What flavor do you want?”

“I want… Actually, why don’t we eat out? I still have a bit of money.”

Samuel Lincoln came out, looking a bit excited and a bit nervous. “That’d be great, but if Old Charles comes and can’t find us…”

“He didn’t say we had to be on standby at all times. Let him wait a bit.”

“You said it.” Samuel Lincoln tossed the convenience meal back into the kitchen.

They didn’t dare go far, just found a small shop nearby. The food here was also machine-cooked, but the ingredients were real, not just flavored yeast.

They each ordered a set meal. While waiting, Samuel Lincoln whispered, “Things in the city are really expensive. If Old Charles comes again, he’d better talk about our salary, or we’ll starve to death.”

“Talk less.”

“Why? I can’t even talk now?”

“Talk less at ‘home.’”

Samuel Lincoln was stunned. “But Old Charles arranged this… Are you saying we’re being watched too?”

“Third Uncle said, never trust coincidences, so we have to be careful at all times.”

“What about here? Can we talk?”

The tiny shop was packed with customers, all eating and chatting, ignoring everyone else.

When the food arrived, Henry Lincoln said, “Now we can talk.”

“I just want to know, what do you think?” Samuel Lincoln immediately asked.

“There’s too little information to analyze.”

Samuel Lincoln slapped the table in frustration. “That’s the same answer as before.”

Henry Lincoln smiled, took a bite of food, and nodded. “Not as good as at home, but better than convenience meals. Eat up.”

After eating, they returned to their place. Downstairs, they both stopped at the same time and looked at the barbershop across the street. There was no one inside. Through the window, they could see the chairs and other equipment, all looking very tidy, as if they hadn’t been touched.

Henry Lincoln said, “May 11th, exactly three months ago, barber William Harper was killed. At that time, the news that he was the planetary heir hadn’t been announced yet. It would be spread online the next day, along with the news of his death.”

“Right, that’s how it was. Everyone knows.” Samuel Lincoln nodded, listening intently.

“According to rumors, about a month ago, around July 11th, Miss Bennett met Old Charles for the first time.”

“July 5th, I heard them mention that date.”

“Yesterday, August 13th, we arrived in the old district of Zhai Jing and moved in across from the barbershop.”

“Right.” Samuel Lincoln looked expectant, but when the other stopped talking, he was shocked. “That’s it?”

“I told you, there’s too little information. But these three points are important. Remember them well. When we have more information, maybe we’ll see a pattern.”

Samuel Lincoln was deeply disappointed, shook his head with a wry smile, and walked into the building, skipping a few steps at a time as he jumped up to the third floor.

Opening the door, Samuel Lincoln was about to loudly announce his victory, but saw Charles Griffin sitting on the sofa. He quickly swallowed his words. “I didn’t know you were coming. Old Lincoln suggested we eat out.”