Dating the Heartthrob Superstar-Chapter 54: Welcome Back

Chapter 54: Welcome Back

Meng Chao saw Lin Qin pulling goofy faces, and instantly felt his heart soften.

It was the first time he’d seen this side of Lin Qin—childlike, a little mischievous, but undeniably cute. Cute enough to make him want to pull Lin Qin into his arms and just hold him close.

Little Lin Qin had no idea what Meng Chao was thinking. He turned to look at him, suddenly uneasy, and asked, "Am I being rude by acting like this?"

Meng Chao couldn’t resist his feelings any longer. He reached out, pulled Lin Qin into his arms, tousled his hair gently, and said with a smile, "Not at all, I like you like this."

Lin Qin finally let out a sigh of relief and snuggled against Meng Chao, grinning ear to ear.

Chu Hong, standing outside the camera frame, observed everything. She even recorded Lin Qin’s goofy expressions and sent them to Lin Qin’s parents.

There was a time when Lin Qin was always like this—playful, cheerful, and full of mischief. If someone bullied him, he’d quietly find a way to get back at them.

But starting from high school, Lin Qin’s playful persona faded amidst the toxic swirl of bullying, parental neglect, and criticism from teachers. Slowly, he closed himself off and severed ties with the world.

Yet now, this version of Lin Qin was back.

Uncontrollably, Chu Hong began to cry. Tears slipped down her cheeks as she pressed her phone against her chest, murmuring softly, "Lin Qin, welcome back."

Even if your steps back into this world are slow, so very slow, you must believe—we’ve been waiting for you all along.

The video Chu Hong sent was quickly seen by Lin Qin’s parents.

At the time, Mr. Lin was in the middle of an important meeting at his company. Because Chu Hong was looking after Lin Qin, the messages she sent were something he always checked immediately. ƒгeewёbnovel.com

He opened the video to see Lin Qin pulling a goofy face, his eyes carrying a playful glint, full of spirit and charm.

Mr. Lin’s gaze couldn’t tear away from the screen. No matter what his subordinates were saying, he couldn’t take in a single word. Over and over, he replayed the short ten-second video, until finally, he buried his face in his hands and let out quiet muffled sobs.

His staff all turned to look, puzzled. The usually decisive, commanding boss was unexpectedly in tears.

His secretary stepped forward nervously and asked, "Boss, are you okay..."

Mr. Lin realized then that he’d lost control. Wiping his face, he waved off the meeting and dismissed the others.

He sent Chu Hong a message: "When does Lin Qin’s filming end?"

Chu Hong quickly replied, "Tomorrow."

"Send me the location," Mr. Lin instructed next.

After a moment, Chu Hong shared her location, but she also hesitated and followed up with a cautious question: "Uncle, are you planning to..."

"Yes, I’m planning to bring Lin Qin home," Mr. Lin replied.

Chu Hong wasn’t surprised to hear this.

But the next moment, another message appeared on her phone—it was from Lin Qin’s mother.

"Send me Qin’s schedule and location. I’m going to bring him home myself."

Chu Hong’s scalp prickled with nervousness. She thought about how Lin Qin’s divorced parents couldn’t meet without breaking into heated arguments, and the warm feelings she felt just minutes ago vanished completely.

What kind of mess is this?

Hopefully, for Lin Qin’s sake, they’d set aside their differences temporarily.

Honestly, it’s enough to make someone pull their hair out!

...

Fang Minghui and Yi Ran went out for a lunch together and didn’t return until late evening, leaving the production crew visibly annoyed. They were invited here to film the show—not to go sightseeing.

What’s more, they refused to let the producer follow along, leaving the crew with zero usable footage.

The director brought Fang Minghui aside to subtly express his frustration, but Fang Minghui responded with a smooth, smiling string of flattery, essentially ushering the director out the door.

What could the director do? Fang Minghui was, after all, a major investor who had brought his lover along on this trip. There was no way he could challenge them while disregarding their whims.

Faced with such a situation, the director had no choice but to put up with it.

After sending off the director with a grin, Fang Minghui went to knock on Lin Qin’s door.

Soon, Lin Qin opened the door. Upon seeing Fang Minghui outside, he was a little surprised. "What do you want?" He stiffened slightly, his tone dry and tense.

Fang Minghui casually glanced around the room, searching for signs of Meng Chao. Not spotting him, his lips curved into a cryptic smile. "Oh? Not seeing Meng Chao makes you disappointed?"

Lin Qin stiffened his neck and demanded, "What exactly do you want?"

Damn you, Fang Minghui thought to himself, in a crude and shameless impulse. Outwardly, he maintained a dignified expression. "Let’s have a chat?"

Lin Qin refused, "We have nothing to talk about."

"Oh, I wouldn’t say that, would you? Like, the dirty things you did back in high school?" Fang Minghui’s tone carried underlying menace, the kind that hinted he’d expose Lin Qin’s past should he refuse.

The events from high school had always been a painful thorn buried deep in Lin Qin’s heart. Whenever anyone brought them up, the pain stabbed him sharply, relentlessly.

Lin Qin’s voice trembled uncontrollably. "Fine, we’ll talk."

Fang Minghui responded with a triumphant smile. He began stepping into Lin Qin’s room.

Lin Qin blocked the doorway, stopping him. "Not here. Let’s go to the living room."

The room was too private a space; if Fang Minghui tried anything, Lin Qin wouldn’t be able to resist. In contrast, the living room—a semi-public space equipped with cameras for the show—would serve as a deterrent to prevent Fang Minghui from acting out.

Fang Minghui studied Lin Qin for a moment with an intent stare, making his skin crawl, before finally agreeing.

The two walked to the living room, Lin Qin deliberately keeping a safe distance behind Fang Minghui.

Once in the living room, Lin Qin reached to turn on the lights, but Fang Minghui stopped him. "There’s no need. I like the hazy, intimate feeling in the dark."

The streetlights outside streamed faintly through the window, creating dim lighting—not pitch darkness, but not bright either.

Lin Qin hesitated briefly before flicking the switch. The light came on.

"Sorry, I don’t like it," Lin Qin said firmly, then chose a seat far away from Fang Minghui. His expression was frosty. "Speak now, what do you want to talk about? It’s late, I need to sleep soon."

Fang Minghui moved closer to Lin Qin, only for Lin Qin to stand and change seats again. When Fang Minghui tried to approach yet again, Lin Qin warned, "If you have nothing to say, I’m leaving."

His demeanor remained chilly and detached, with an air of calmness that masked his true feelings. In reality, Lin Qin’s heart pounded like drums, his palms and back soaked in cold sweat from fear.

Fang Minghui knew that cornering Lin Qin too much wouldn’t work in his favor. He finally sat still but let his predatory gaze linger boldly on Lin Qin, slithering like a viper over his skin.

Lin Qin grabbed the blanket from the sofa and wrapped it around himself, feeling slightly safer.

Fang Minghui chuckled softly and finally revealed his intention. "Lin Qin, let me sponsor you. I can make you like Yi Ran—free to do whatever you want in showbiz, with every resource and opportunity landing right in your lap."

Then, as if sweetening the deal, he added, "It’s a good bargain, isn’t it?"