Dating the Heartthrob Superstar
Chapter 84: Grandfather Meng Chao

Chapter 84: Chapter 84: Grandfather Meng Chao

Chapter 84: Grandpa Meng Chao

Faced with Meng Zhao Kang’s questioning, Meng Chao remained extremely calm and said, "Yes, I’m in a relationship."

"It’s with a man?" Meng Zhao Kang’s voice dropped even lower. "I agreed when you said you wanted to join the entertainment industry. You even promised me you’d never fall into the industry’s hedonistic habits. So what is this now? You’re actually with a man? This is absolutely disgraceful, an affront to morality! I’m ordering you to break up with him immediately!"

Meng Chao’s stance was firm. "Not a chance! I love him!"

Meng Zhao Kang picked up the ink stone on his desk and hurled it at Meng Chao. "Let’s see if your so-called love can protect him!"

"That’s where you’re wrong, Grandpa." Meng Chao leaned aside to deftly dodge the flying ink stone and chuckled lightly. "Love is about mutual protection. I believe I can protect him, and he can protect himself too. So let me give you a heads-up, Grandpa—don’t let anyone manipulate and use you."

"What do you mean by that, Meng Chao?" Meng Zhao Kang furrowed his brows, catching a subtle hint from Meng Chao’s words. "What’s this about being used? Are you suggesting someone has falsely accused you?"

Meng Chao shrugged nonchalantly and said, "Grandpa, you should know my personality. Back when I wanted to enter the entertainment industry, you couldn’t stop me. And now, Grandpa, who I choose to be with—you won’t be able to stop that either."

Over the years, Meng Chao hadn’t just developed his career in the entertainment industry; he had built a thriving business of his own. Determined to break free from the Meng Family’s control, Meng Chao had long harbored a desire for independence. He and his brother Meng Ke had joined forces, managing the family enterprises passed down by Meng Zhao Kang while also carving out their own path.

That business was now strong enough to no longer fear any sanctions from the Meng Family.

As a result, Meng Chao stood confidently before Meng Zhao Kang. He considered himself an independent person first and a member of the Meng Family second. He felt no obligation to sacrifice his happiness or life for the family.

But this was something Meng Zhao Kang seemed incapable of understanding. To him, every descendant of the Meng Family was just a tool to be utilized. As long as they could bring value to the Meng Family, they were his cherished treasures.

Meng Chao, however, was an exception. His innate abilities, evident from a young age, had caught Meng Zhao Kang’s attention. Meng Zhao Kang had almost treated Meng Chao as an heir in training, holding him to incredibly high standards.

But that wasn’t the life Meng Chao wanted. Ever since high school, he had wanted to break free from this puppet-like education. He worked hard to enrich himself and ultimately applied to a film academy in line with his own wishes.

Meng Chao could be said to be the first truly rebellious member of the Meng Family. When the acceptance letter arrived at the Meng household, sparks flew as Meng Chao and Meng Zhao Kang erupted into a heated argument.

In the end, Meng Chao convinced Meng Zhao Kang and successfully entered the film academy. During his freshman year, he starred in a film, marking the beginning of a legendary career in the industry.

Having already lost control over Meng Chao’s career, Meng Zhao Kang extended his controlling tendencies to Meng Chao’s love life. The person Meng Chao would marry, in Meng Zhao Kang’s view, had to be someone chosen by him—someone who could bring unprecedented commercial benefit to the Meng Family.

So when he discovered that Meng Chao had secretly entered a romantic relationship, Meng Zhao Kang exploded with rage. Sure enough, the moment Meng Chao returned home today, Meng Zhao Kang confronted him immediately.

Yet, just as he had been unable to control Meng Chao in the past, he could no longer control him now.

Seething with anger from Meng Chao’s words, Meng Zhao Kang trembled all over. Meng Chao remained composed and calmly said, "Grandpa, after the New Year, I’ll bring him home for you to meet. I think you’ll like him." At the mention of Lin Qin, Meng Chao’s tone and expression suddenly softened, a clear sign that he was deeply in love.

"You dare?" Meng Zhao Kang pointed angrily at Meng Chao and roared.

Without responding further, Meng Chao turned to leave. Just as he reached the door, he paused, looked back with a bright smile, and added, "Grandpa, remember to prepare a big red envelope. It’s his first time visiting, after all, and it should be properly ceremonious."

"Get out!" Meng Zhao Kang grabbed a book and flung it at Meng Chao. Once again, Meng Chao deftly dodged before calmly closing the study’s door behind him as he left.

As soon as the study door shut, the smile on Meng Chao’s face disappeared entirely. He took out his phone and made a call to his agent.

The call connected quickly, and the agent sounded a bit excited. "Meng Chao."

Meng Chao got straight to the point. "Tomorrow, we’re going to the studio to terminate the contract."

To put it bluntly, that meant: you’re fired!

The agent was baffled. "Why? What did I do wrong? How can you just fire me like that?"

"Our values don’t align. I’ve tolerated you because you’ve worked hard over the years," Meng Chao said expressionlessly. "But you took my paycheck and worked for someone else. That, I won’t tolerate."

There was no doubt in Meng Chao’s mind that someone had tipped his grandfather off about his relationship with Lin Qin. This betrayal confirmed that the agent had overstepped. Meng Chao hadn’t kept this agent around for their exceptional skills but because they were a pawn placed by Meng Zhao Kang—a spy disguised as his agent.

But now this spy had crossed the line, and Meng Chao had no intention of keeping them around any longer.

He had immediately caught on to the agent’s schemes. The agent was aware of Lin Qin’s background, at least that Lin was a child of the Lin family—a family on equal footing with the Meng family. And yet, the agent had deliberately withheld this crucial detail, likely hoping Meng Zhao Kang would take action against Lin Qin.

This was precisely why Meng Chao had hinted earlier about someone using his grandfather as a tool.

Allowing someone with ill intentions toward Lin Qin to remain by his side was simply unacceptable to Meng Chao.

The agent, realizing that Meng Chao had seen through everything, didn’t bother to defend themselves. Instead, they responded calmly, "Alright, see you tomorrow."

Meng Chao didn’t let the agent say anything further and hung up the call immediately.

After taking care of everything, Meng Chao returned to his room and sent Meng Ke a text message.

Meng Chao: "I just came out to Grandpa."

Meng Ke was thrilled, glad there was finally a trailblazer in the family. "Congratulations, congratulations! Wishing you and your partner a speedy trip to the marriage registry."

Meng Chao: "I’ll be going back to the family mansion the day after tomorrow."

Meng Ke: "Why?"

Meng Chao: "I’m bringing Qinqin to meet the family."

Meng Ke: "Oh wow, efficiency really is your strong suit. Don’t worry, I’ll make sure to prepare a huge red envelope for my new brother-in-law."

Meng Chao: "I’ll thank you on Qinqin’s behalf then."

Meng Ke: "There’s something else I want to discuss with you."

Meng Chao: "Just say it."

Meng Ke: "After the New Year, come to the company to cover for half a month. Han Zhi is heading to Europe to shoot an ad, and I plan to take this chance to win him over."

Meng Chao was ice-cold. "Oh."

Meng Chao: "So you’re not together yet? Your speed is seriously lacking."

Meng Ke: "..."

That stung, little brother.