Dating the Heartthrob Superstar-Chapter 41: School Violence

Chapter 41: Campus Violence

In truth, Meng Chao didn’t have time to think too much because he could feel the trembling and helplessness emanating from Lin Qin. He had no idea what this typhoon night had reminded Lin Qin of, but the one thing he knew was that right now, Lin Qin needed him.

Meng Chao tightly enveloped Lin Qin in his embrace, using his own heat to warm Lin Qin’s cold and fearful heart. At the same time, his firm lips and tongue took the lead, invading Lin Qin’s mouth, guiding him into experiencing a domineering yet deeply passionate kiss.

Lin Qin’s hands encircled Meng Chao’s lean waist, his head tilted upward, responding to the kiss in a shy and inexperienced manner. Under the fervent wave of emotion, the fear swirling in Lin Qin’s mind was chased away, leaving behind only tenderness.

No one knew how long the kiss lasted. When the two finally separated, their breaths had become somewhat erratic.

Lin Qin looked up at Meng Chao with unwavering eyes, his large gaze full of trust and dependence. It was this person who had guided him step by step out of the darkness, who had little by little dispelled the demons lingering in his heart.

"Meng Chao, let’s do it," Lin Qin said, no longer using the respectful term of Brother Chao. Yet this bold statement had exhausted all of Lin Qin’s courage.

Meng Chao leaned down, planting a kiss on Lin Qin’s swollen, reddened lips, his expression gentle, his brows and eyes filled with a smile.

In the end, Meng Chao didn’t go all the way with Lin Qin. Instead, he helped Lin Qin release, then went into the bathroom to take a cold shower.

Lin Qin asked him why. It was clearly him who had brought it up; Lin Qin could plainly see the desire Meng Chao had for him. Yet why hadn’t they gone to the end?

Meng Chao pulled Lin Qin into his arms, kissing him to quell the heat in his heart. But he explained, "I want you to fully and completely accept me, not like this—using this as a way to escape fear. This isn’t what I need, and it’s not what you truly want."

Lin Qin wanted to argue that it wasn’t true, but he couldn’t find the words to refute him. In the end, he huffed in frustration and burrowed into Meng Chao’s chest, falling asleep.

Meng Chao looked at Lin Qin’s sleeping face, unable to resist lowering his head to kiss him once more.

He thought to himself that he needed to understand Lin Qin’s past in order to prescribe the right remedy and help Lin Qin truly recover.

The hotel’s electricity was restored in the latter half of the night, but by then Lin Qin had already fallen into a deep sleep in Meng Chao’s arms.

The next morning, when Lin Qin woke up, he didn’t see Meng Chao and had no idea where he was. He couldn’t help but recall the events of the previous night. As the passion cooled with time, Lin Qin suddenly realized that Meng Chao’s words had been correct.

Yesterday, his suggestion to do it had indeed been nothing more than a momentary impulse. He hadn’t considered the consequences, nor had he entirely been ready to entrust himself to Meng Chao. To put it harshly, he had simply been using Meng Chao—using Meng Chao’s warmth to drive away the unspeakable darkness in his heart.

So while Lin Qin felt guilt, he was also overwhelmed with sweetness. He felt pure joy that he had encountered someone like Meng Chao, someone who understood him so deeply and respected him to the fullest extent.

After freshening up in the bathroom, Lin Qin immediately called Meng Chao to ask where he was. He realized that ever since being with Meng Chao, his reliance on him had grown day by day. He could no longer imagine a future without Meng Chao.

At that moment, Meng Chao was in a private room at the hotel’s downstairs restaurant, seated across from Lin Qin’s agent and cousin, Chu Hong.

"What brings you to me, Meng?" Chu Hong asked, slightly surprised. She hadn’t expected Meng Chao to seek her out.

Meng Chao got straight to the point, "I want to know about Qinqin’s past—why he developed social anxiety disorder."

Chu Hong took a sip of coffee, pondering for a long time before finally replying, "I don’t know all the details, but what I do know happened during Lin Qin’s high school years. It seems to have been related to campus violence."

"Campus violence?" Meng Chao frowned, unable to imagine Lin Qin being subjected to bullying given his personality.

"Yes." Chu Hong couldn’t help but feel a surge of anger, though it wasn’t clear whom it was directed at. "At that time, my aunt and uncle had just divorced. My aunt, disillusioned and heartbroken, left town and completely abandoned Lin Qin. Meanwhile, my uncle was in the middle of a career peak, so busy that his feet barely touched the ground. He couldn’t spare any time to care for Lin Qin. By the time they discovered Lin Qin’s condition, it was too late—he’d already shut himself off, terrified of interacting with the outside world. When I returned to the country and saw Lin Qin, I could hardly believe it. The Lin Qin I remembered was optimistic and full of life. But now..."

Chu Hong trailed off. A person once perfectly healthy had been worn down by parental abandonment and two years of unanswered cries for help during relentless school bullying, leaving him locked within himself and too frightened to face the world.

When she returned to the country, she stuck by Lin Qin for a painstaking six months before he began to thaw and accept her presence, even slightly.

As for exactly what Lin Qin endured in high school, besides Lin Qin himself, no one knows the full story. All that’s known is that he encountered campus violence and was bullied consistently for two years.

Chu Hong added, "Meng, that’s the extent of what I know." She paused briefly, her tone shifting to something profoundly earnest. "Over the years, you’re the first person Lin Qin has wanted to reach out to on his own. For the chance to be closer to you, he made the resolute decision to enter this industry, tearing open old wounds to face the world again. So..."

Chu Hong smiled awkwardly, "I don’t mean to emotionally coerce you, but from Lin Qin’s perspective, I hope you’ll treat him well and hold him close to your heart."

Because you’re the light of Lin Qin’s life—the deity releasing him from the darkness.

"I will," Meng Chao replied. "He deserves the best this world has to offer."

His eyes, hidden behind his glasses, radiated determination and tenderness, imbued with an indomitable strength.

Chu Hong could sense it, and she genuinely felt happy for Lin Qin. She looked at Meng Chao and sincerely said, "Thank you."

Thank you for loving Lin Qin, for allowing him to feel once again the beauty and preciousness that life has to offer.

For some reason, Chu Hong believed that as long as Meng Chao was by his side, Lin Qin would heal—that everything would get better.

At that moment, Meng Chao’s phone rang. Chu Hong saw his expression instantly soften. When he answered the call, his deep voice naturally carried an unmistakable affection.

Soon after, Meng Chao ended the call and apologized, "Lin Qin is awake. I must excuse myself."

Chu Hong smiled politely, "Go ahead, Meng."

Meng Chao stood up and left, his steps quickened by a sense of urgency, as though he couldn’t wait to see Lin Qin.

After Meng Chao left, Chu Hong finished her coffee, feeling an unparalleled lightness and joy.