Dating the Heartthrob Superstar
Chapter 88: Incurable

Chapter 88: Chapter 88: Incurable

Chapter 88: Stubbornness

As soon as Meng Zhao Kang appeared, he made his stance clear. He didn’t even glance at Lin Qin and went straight to sit upright in the center of the sofa.

Time had etched deep marks on his face, these marks transforming into an aura of authority that spread throughout the living room. The atmosphere became stiflingly oppressive, so much so that everyone kept their heads low, not daring to even breathe heavily.

It was Meng Chao’s mother who broke the silence with her bell-like laughter, soothing Lin Qin, "Dad’s just joking; don’t take it to heart."

Lin Qin had already anticipated Meng Zhao Kang’s attitude before coming, so he felt little emotional disappointment now. In response to Meng Chao’s mother’s reassurance, Lin Qin gave her a grateful smile.

Lin Qin stepped forward to Meng Zhao Kang and, with calm dignity, said, "Grandpa, I’m Meng Chao’s boyfriend, Lin Qin."

Meng Zhao Kang let out a snort, still refusing to look at Lin Qin, acting as if he didn’t exist.

His cold disregard was a clear attempt to embarrass Lin Qin. As the gaze of everyone in the living room fell on Lin Qin, Lin Qing indeed felt nervous and a bit afraid. He kept silently encouraging himself, repeatedly reminding himself he could handle the situation.

He mustered another smile and handed the gift he’d prepared to Meng Zhao Kang, saying, "Grandpa Meng, this is an authentic work by Master Wang. I heard from Brother Chao that you enjoy collecting landscape paintings, especially Master Wang’s works. So I sought someone out to find this piece—I hope you’ll like it."

Meng Zhao Kang’s eyebrows shifted slightly. What Lin Qin had just mentioned—this painting—had stirred some emotion in his heart. He had a lifelong passion for Chinese paintings, and Master Wang was one of his favorite modern artists. However, Master Wang had stopped creating pieces years ago, and authentic works of his were now exceedingly rare, with each fetching astronomical prices at auctions.

It was evident that Lin Qin had put considerable effort into acquiring this painting.

This gave Meng Zhao Kang a sense of being respected, softening his expression somewhat. He finally looked at Lin Qin, took the painting with both hands, and begrudgingly offered a rare compliment: "Thoughtful of you."

Meng Chao’s mother raised her eyebrows in surprise at this development, entirely unexpecting Lin Qin to have softened Meng Zhao Kang’s attitude so quickly.

She turned to Meng Chao, leaning closer to whisper in his ear, "Did you prepare this painting?"

Meng Chao shook his head and quietly replied, "I didn’t even tell him Grandpa’s preferences—it was all his own doing. I was surprised too when I saw it."

Today, Meng Chao had only intended to bring Lin Qin home to meet his family; there was no suggestion whatsoever that Lin Qin needed to curry favor with anyone, therefore he hadn’t told Lin Qin about Grandpa’s likes. But Lin Qin had taken it upon himself to learn about them and utterly nailed it, winning over Grandpa so swiftly—it was no wonder his attitude shifted.

A warm surge of emotion washed through Meng Chao’s heart. Lin Qin didn’t have to try to please anyone. Yet, to ease Meng Chao’s burden, he did his utmost to take care of things himself, even if it meant tackling things he was least experienced at.

This respect and diligence—it was probably the key to touching Grandpa’s heart. Meng Chao thought to himself.

Still, Meng Chao understood that the matter wasn’t so simple. Grandpa might soften his heart for a painting he loved, but he wouldn’t truly relent and accept Lin Qin who had "no background or status." If Grandpa compromised, it would mean sacrificing significant gains for the Meng Family. To Meng Zhao Kang, Meng Chao’s marriage represented an opportunity to secure great benefits for the family.

Thus, no matter how well Lin Qin performed, it all held zero meaning to Meng Zhao Kang. The inability to bring any financial or business benefit to the Meng Family was Lin Qin’s unforgivable "original sin."

Precisely because of this, when Meng Chao brought Lin Qin home, it was more of a notice to his family—a declaration that he had a lover and intended to walk his life with this person. Of course, gaining his family’s blessings along the way would be ideal.

While Grandpa’s attitude softened slightly, he remained staunchly firm toward Lin Qin. If it hadn’t been for Lin Qin bringing Master Wang’s painting, he likely would have already had the butler eject Lin Qin.

After Lin Qin’s initial earnestness, he, upon realizing Meng Zhao Kang’s blatant coldness and disapproval, stopped trying to ingratiate himself. He had done what he could, leaving no room for criticism. Regarding Meng Zhao Kang’s attitude—it wasn’t something he could control. Getting hung up on it would only mean chasing humiliation for himself.

Having moved past the verbal abuse, Lin Qin found the world around him opening up noticeably. From this ordeal, Lin Qin learned the most critical lesson: to let nothing weigh too heavily on him. The more deeply you care, the more agony you inflict upon yourself.

Even though Lin Qin was still learning to adapt to this mentality and could still be affected by external forces, he trusted himself. Someday, he would grow incredibly strong, unmoved by joy nor sorrow.

Meng Ke returned around lunchtime. Upon arriving, he went out of his way to observe Grandpa’s expression. The moment Grandpa turned to glare at him, Meng Ke withdrew his gaze, shooting a meaningful look at Meng Chao instead.

Meng Ke: "Grandpa didn’t agree, huh?"

Meng Chao shook his head.

Meng Ke pursed his lips—unsurprised by the rejection.

From Meng Chao and Lin Qin’s situation, Meng Ke could already foresee his own future with Han Zhi—likely another clash with Grandpa’s resistance.

Ah, Meng Ke sighed silently, lamenting internally: Grandpa sure was the biggest obstacle and roadblock in their path to love.

The lunch spread was lavishly prepared by Meng Zhao Kang, a blatant display of Meng Family’s wealth power. Much like the opulent red-carpet reception earlier, it was meant for Lin Qin to grasp the "clouds versus mud" gulf in status between himself and Meng Chao—nudging Lin Qin to give up and abandon any lofty ambitions of climbing the mountain that was Meng Chao.

Of course, to Lin Qin, it mattered not at all—he simply found himself treated to an abundant meal.

After the meal, Lin Qin even smiled and expressed gratitude toward Meng Zhao Kang: "Thank you, Grandpa Meng, for the hospitality."

Meng Zhao Kang couldn’t perceive a shred of inferiority in Lin Qin’s demeanor, concluding that Lin Qin was a vain, materialistic man. Why else wouldn’t he feel self-conscious in the face of Meng Family’s immense wealth? Surely it was out of envy for the Meng Family, an aspiration to join its ranks, that Lin Qin hid all traces of insecurity.

Of course—it made perfect sense. Lin Qin was an actor, after all, so adeptly hiding emotions must be second nature to him. Meng Zhao Kang assured himself thus.

As the luncheon concluded, the butler supported Meng Zhao Kang as he headed upstairs to rest. Before leaving, Meng Zhao Kang stood and noted, "Oh yes, Meng Chao. A guest will be coming over shortly. Make sure to entertain them well and don’t neglect them."

Once Grandpa ascended the stairs, Meng Chao’s mother turned to him and advised, "It’s probably a daughter from some family—Grandpa’s likely invited her for you to meet. Stay away and spare Lin Qin from any hurt feelings."

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