Dating the Heartthrob Superstar
Chapter 97: Both Shortlisted

Chapter 97: Chapter 97: Both Shortlisted

Chapter 97: Both Nominated

Lin Qin’s eyes were fixed unwaveringly on the exit passage. As the crowd spilled out, his gaze swept over each person, searching for the figure etched into the depths of his soul.

Not here, not here, still not here!

Although just seconds passed, Lin Qin felt as though it were an eternity.

Finally, amidst the darkness, a tall figure emerged. In Lin Qin’s line of sight, everyone else seemed to vanish—leaving only that solitary silhouette.

Closer, closer.

When the light illuminated Meng Chao entirely, Lin Qin felt an urge to rush and hold him tightly.

Meng Chao spotted Lin Qin too, flashing a knowing smile as his steps quickened.

As soon as Meng Chao stepped out, Lin Qin darted forward to embrace him. Yet, just before he reached Meng Chao, Lin Qin hesitated, suddenly thinking about how exhausted Meng Chao must be after the past two days. If he pounced on him, could Meng Chao even hold him?

If Meng Chao knew what Lin Qin was thinking, he’d surely wear that helplessly amused expression of his.

But Meng Chao didn’t know. Before Lin Qin could decide whether to leap into his arms, Meng Chao had already pulled Lin Qin into an embrace.

"I’m back." Meng Chao kissed Lin Qin’s ear as he spoke.

Upon hearing those three words with his own ears, Lin Qin’s anxious heart finally settled.

Both of them were public figures, and to avoid drawing attention, they restrained themselves, embracing briefly before heading home.

As soon as they returned home, Meng Chao pressed Lin Qin against the door and kissed him.

Lin Qin pushed at him, saying, "You haven’t showered yet."

Meng Chao lifted Lin Qin’s bottom, carrying him, and gave him a quick kiss with a mischievous glint in his eye, "Shall we shower together?"

Wrapping his legs around Meng Chao’s waist, Lin Qin teased provocatively, "You think you’re up for it?"

A man’s ego can’t resist such challenges. Meng Chao bumped Lin Qin’s hips suggestively and murmured with intent, "What do you think?"

After that, Meng Chao proved his point with undeniable action, leaving Lin Qin utterly overwhelmed and in tears.

Back in bed, Lin Qin still couldn’t fall asleep. Thinking about how he hadn’t seen Meng Ke and Han Zhi at the airport earlier, he asked, "Did they take the VIP route?"

"Yes." Meng Chao leisurely stroked Lin Qin’s back and replied, "To avoid fans and paparazzi, they went through VIP."

Lin Qin continued, "Earlier you mentioned Brother Meng could return to the country. Does that mean they’ve made it official? Han Zhi agreed to be with Brother Meng?"

"That’s right." Meng Chao’s tone was relaxed. Meng Ke had finally achieved his wish, and as his younger brother, Meng Chao couldn’t be happier for him.

Yawning, Lin Qin felt drowsy but stubbornly kept his eyes open, asking, "Did something extraordinary happen between them? Some earth-shaking, soul-stirring love story?"

He was incredibly curious.

Meng Chao gently tapped Lin Qin’s forehead. "If you’re sleepy, go to bed."

Lin Qin really wanted to hear the story, but the fatigue took over. As he pestered Meng Chao for answers, he drifted off unwittingly.

Meng Chao pulled the blanket higher, tucking Lin Qin in securely before cuddling up to sleep alongside him.

As for Meng Ke and Han Zhi, their story wasn’t some earth-shaking epic. It was simply an encounter with life-and-death moments that made Han Zhi realize his true feelings, leading to their union.

Every love story is unique in its own way, but as long as the outcome is good, nothing else matters.

The next day, Han Zhi made another public appearance. Though he looked a bit weary, there were no serious injuries, which finally eased the fans’ worries.

With the rescue efforts underway, the terrorist attack in K City ultimately came to an end.

The departed are gone, and those who remain must cherish life even more.

...

In the blink of an eye, a year passed. Throughout this year, Lin Qin and Meng Chao didn’t accept any new film projects. Unlike before, when they’d go months without updating their social media, they now posted quite frequently—about once a month.

Their posts offered glimpses of their current whereabouts. Since last year’s terror attack incident, Lin Qin and Meng Chao began their travel adventure.

They went everywhere without fixed plans, acting whimsically—throwing darts at a map and heading wherever the arrow landed.

Fans often commented under their posts, grumbling that they’d had enough of their ’dog food’ (public displays of affection). Yet, if Lin Qin and Meng Chao went over ten days without posting, those same fans would obediently return and start begging for updates.

Thus, Lin Qin and Meng Chao wandered and traveled for over half a year before finally returning to the country.

Their unpredictability left their studios in zen-like inactivity. Without competition or promotion, their studios simply waited for their masters to check in and review the stacked scripts from various regions.

Feeling slightly guilty for abandoning their responsibilities, Lin Qin and Meng Chao settled back into diligent script selection upon their return.

To everyone’s surprise, Meng Chao chose a script featuring a villainous role. While others expressed surprise, Lin Qin remained unfazed. Meng Chao had long expressed a desire to play antagonists or supporting roles during their time on the show "We Are Together." This was simply the realization of his earlier aspiration.

Lin Qin, on the other hand, chose a script about the struggles and growth of an ordinary person. It wasn’t a revenge or face-slapping narrative. Rather, it depicted the journey of a small-time individual who rises from obscurity, experiences countless challenges in starting their own business, and ultimately achieves success after a life of ups and downs.

Though it didn’t feel particularly satisfying, the story’s readability and relatability were high, making it resonate with many people. Most importantly, Lin Qin genuinely liked the script.

With their scripts set, the two entered their respective film crews a month later. This time, one was based in the southwest, the other in the northeast—separated by the entire breadth of the country.

This marked the farthest and longest separation Lin Qin and Meng Chao experienced since becoming a couple. Initially, both felt somewhat unaccustomed to it. But as they plunged into their film production, time unknowingly passed. Only during their nightly video calls did the buried longing surface.

No matter how much they missed each other, work had to go on. Their lives weren’t limited to one another—they each loved their careers deeply. Shooting one film per year remained their most comfortable rhythm.

Because of longing, their love only grew richer and deeper, becoming an intoxicating bond neither could escape.

They thought they’d have to wait until their respective films were completed to reunite, but unexpectedly, an opportunity for a meeting presented itself.

February is a significant month in the film industry, with the Berlin International Film Festival and Cannes International Film Festival taking place consecutively. Celebrities, regardless of whether they have featured works, compete for attention on the red carpet.

Domestically, Director Xiang Dongpeng’s "Silent Battle" emerged as the biggest winner of modern Chinese cinema.

Lin Qin and Meng Chao both earned nominations for Best Actor at the Berlin International Film Festival, while the film’s score received a nomination for Best Original Score, and Xiang Dongpeng secured a Best Director nomination.

As leading actors, Lin Qin and Meng Chao had to request leave from their respective crews and head to West Berlin to attend the Berlin International Film Festival.