Dating the Heartthrob Superstar-Chapter 22: A Hug

Chapter 22: An Embrace

However, the knocking at the door didn’t last long, and silence returned outside.

Lin Qin buried his head in his knees, feeling an indescribable sense of loss, alongside the growing fear that made it hard to breathe.

But it was his own lack of response to Meng Chao that made Meng Chao leave.

He could only blame himself, Lin Qin thought.

He hugged himself tighter, the chill seeping from his bones making him shiver uncontrollably.

Until there was another sound from outside the door, this time Meng Chao didn’t wait for a response; he just came in.

Hearing Meng Chao again, Lin Qin couldn’t hold back any longer, the emotions hidden in his heart burst forth like a beast breaking free. Tears welled up in his eyes.

There was only one thought in his mind, he couldn’t let Meng Chao see him like this.

So when Meng Chao was about to turn on the light, he stopped him. But as soon as he spoke, he regretted it; Meng Chao was worried about him, that’s why he came in to check on him, yet his attitude was so poor.

Lin Qin sniffed and was about to apologize to Meng Chao when he heard the footsteps approaching and a gentle voice followed, "Alright, I won’t turn on the light, but can I sit next to you?"

Although it was a question, it was just a notice, Meng Chao didn’t wait for Lin Qin’s answer and sat on the bed. There was still a domineering trait in his bones.

Lin Qin felt a corner of the bed sink, knowing Meng Chao was sitting beside him, and the fear and dread in his heart gradually faded.

In the next moment, Lin Qin didn’t know where the courage came from, and with a sobbing voice, he said, "Brother Chao, can you hug me?"

Even though his voice was hoarse, it was soft, sounding like he was acting spoiled, and because it came through the quilt, it sounded a bit muffled.

But Meng Chao softened at the sound of Lin Qin’s voice, his voice unexpectedly gentle and tender, "Alright."

With that, Meng Chao reached out to embrace Lin Qin in the moonlight streaming through the window.

He could feel that when he touched Lin Qin, his whole body stiffened, clearly unused to and resistant to his touch, even sensing the trembling from Lin Qin.

To avoid making Lin Qin uncomfortable, Meng Chao intended to withdraw his hand, but was stopped by Lin Qin.

"Brother Chao, don’t!"

Even Lin Qin’s voice was shaking, his mind craving Meng Chao’s touch, yet his body resisted it. So he told himself over and over, this was Meng Chao, the person he liked the most, Meng Chao.

Meng Chao understood Lin Qin’s current anxiety, but he didn’t expose it, just held him and said, "I’m here, I’ll always be here." ƒreeωebnovel.ƈom

Perhaps it was self-hypnosis taking effect, or perhaps those words "I’m here" from Meng Chao touched something deep in Lin Qin’s heart, and he slowly accepted Meng Chao’s embrace, his body gradually relaxing.

Noticing the change in Lin Qin’s mood, Meng Chao’s movements became firmer, and he patiently repeated "I’m here, I’ll always be here."

Facing fear alone before, Lin Qin never realized his own fragility; he always thought he could push through.

But now, having someone to face it with him, to drive away the darkness and distress, Lin Qin realized how weak his fears were in front of Meng Chao.

At least with Meng Chao here now, he gradually felt no fear. The darkness and chill were shattered with each of Meng Chao’s words, leaving only a sense of peace and joy.

"Brother Chao..." Lin Qin murmured with a smile, his breathing gradually becoming steady in Meng Chao’s embrace.

By the time Meng Chao noticed Lin Qin had fallen asleep, two minutes had already passed.

He gently laid Lin Qin back onto the bed, lifted the duvet, and looked at Lin Qin’s tear-stained face, lips pale and fragile, feeling a tugging pain in his heart, as if something was gripping it.

After that, Meng Chao went to the bathroom, twisted a towel, and gently washed Lin Qin’s face as if tending to a rare treasure.

He didn’t leave immediately but sat by the bed, watching Lin Qin for a long time, finally bending down to kiss his forehead, "Qinqin, goodnight."

Meng Chao got up, tucked Lin Qin in, and then turned to leave.

The moment he turned, all the tenderness vanished, eyes deep as an abyss, a coldness spreading.

As he reached the door, Chu Hong arrived hurriedly having just received the news, exactly as Meng Chao closed Lin Qin’s room door.

Chu Hong glanced worriedly at the closed door and asked anxiously, "How’s Lin Qin?"

"Asleep," Meng Chao had already collected all his negative emotions, reverting to his usual gentle demeanor.

Chu Hong finally breathed a sigh of relief, surprised by how quickly Lin Qin fell asleep, yet understanding why.

In the past, when Lin Qin was troubled by negative emotions, medicine was necessary to calm him, and he still took a long time to fall asleep. But now, from the moment she heard the news to getting there was just over ten minutes, and Lin Qin was already pacified by Meng Chao. It was unprecedented, likely only Meng Chao could do this.

Lin Qin was ill; only Meng Chao was the cure.

Thinking of this, Chu Hong looked sincerely at Meng Chao, saying hoarsely, "Thank you, Meng."

Meng Chao slightly raised the corners of his lips, "No need to thank me, everything comes from my heart, beginning from sincerity."

"You..." Chu Hong seemed to hear something different, staring at Meng Chao, wanting a confirmatory answer from him.

But Meng Chao just touched upon it, saying no more, only, "You should go rest. I’ll keep an eye here."

Seeing Meng Chao was unwilling to say more, Chu Hong changed the topic, "What do you plan to do?"

Strictly speaking, Lin Qin suffered inexplicably this time, but Jin Feiyun’s actions did harm Lin Qin, she certainly wouldn’t let Jin Feiyun off easily here.

Meng Chao sneered, "Someone has to pay for their consequences."

His voice was still low and rich, but Chu Hong couldn’t help but feel a chill, her back shivering.

Meng Chao was far from being as gentle and harmless as he appeared, but then again, who in the Meng Family was simple?

"Then I’ll entrust Lin Qin to Mr. Meng," Chu Hong said before turning to leave. There were still many matters waiting for her to handle, no one could harm Lin Qin and get away with it.

Meng Chao watched Chu Hong leave, made a few phone calls, and returned to Lin Qin’s room.

Lin Qin wasn’t sleeping well, his brows tightly knitted, fingers clutching the bedding, trapped in a nightmare. "Brother Chao..." Between parted lips, he called out Meng Chao’s name.

Meng Chao stepped forward, holding Lin Qin’s hand, "Qinqin, I’m here."

Hearing Meng Chao’s voice, Lin Qin’s struggling gradually subsided, falling back into slumber.

That night, Meng Chao stayed by Lin Qin’s side until dawn.