Chapter 10: Year-End Event
"Brother Chao, breakfast is ready." Lin Qin placed the sandwich on the table and poured two cups of warmed milk for them.
Meng Chao pulled out a chair and sat down. Whether it was due to his mindset or Lin Qin's exceptional cooking skills, Meng Chao found the sandwich incredibly delicious.
While eating, he asked, "Lin Qin, how did you learn to cook?"
Meng Chao was one of the few people who knew Lin Qin's family background. Lin Qin's father was the chairman of the Lin Group, and the New Art Entertainment company Lin Qin was currently part of was one of the Lin Group's subsidiaries.
Lin Qin could be considered a young master, someone who, logically, wouldn't even lift a finger to do menial tasks, yet he somehow took the initiative to cook.
Lin Qin paused in the middle of sipping his milk. Why had he learned to cook?
He had watched an exclusive interview with Meng Chao, where the host asked what kind of partner Meng Chao preferred. Meng Chao had replied that it depended on chemistry, but ideally, the person would know how to cook.
Lin Qin had remembered those words. He wasn't the type to enroll in a culinary school, so instead, he downloaded cooking tutorials online and pushed himself to learn, figuring things out on his own.
Of course, Lin Qin couldn't possibly tell Meng Chao the real reason. He took another sip of milk to mask his nervousness, then set the cup down and quietly said, "I guess I find it interesting."
Meng Chao didn't press further, but his gaze landed on Lin Qin's lips, which had a thin circle of milk froth on them, making him seem unexpectedly cute.
"Brother Chao, why are you staring at me?" Lin Qin noticed the gaze, his body instinctively tensing, yet unconsciously, he lifted his pink tongue and gently licked the edge of his lips.
Meng Chao's throat moved as he pulled a napkin over. Leaning slightly forward, he wiped away the spots of milk that Lin Qin's tongue hadn't reached.
Lin Qin froze due to Meng Chao's action. Meng Chao's presence wrapped around him, enveloping him in a powerful aura.
Thankfully, as with previous occasions, Meng Chao's touch was fleeting. Yet, what lingered for Lin Qin was a heat that scorched his heart—a blaze that wouldn't fade.
"How can you drink milk like such a child?" Meng Chao teased with a smile, his eyes radiating charm and elegance.
Lin Qin found himself at a loss for words and responded with a silly grin.
Meng Chao laughed along, his gaze incredibly tender.
...
Lin Qin pushed his suitcase out of the villa, the sound of waves rushing in his ears, while his heart was filled with reluctance.
Three days had flown by in an instant, and now he was about to part ways with Meng Chao.
The recording was for the pilot episode of "We're Together," and the official shoots wouldn't begin for another half month. This meant that after separating today, it would be another fifteen days before he could see Meng Chao again.
Having handled the aftermath, Chu Hong walked up to Lin Qin's side. "Let's head out."
Lin Qin took one last wistful glance at the villa and scanned the crowd for any trace of Meng Chao.
"Stop searching. Meng left early this morning because of work obligations. Didn't he tell you?" Chu Hong grabbed Lin Qin's suitcase and loaded it into the trunk.
"I knew already," Lin Qin replied. He did know, but he couldn't help wanting to take one last look at the place where he and Meng Chao had spent their days together, even if it was only for a brief three days.
Chu Hong sighed with exasperation. "Oh, you!" She then handed Lin Qin a slip of paper.
"This is Meng's personal number. He gave it to me when he left this morning. If you really can't stop thinking about him, just call him now."
Lin Qin's face lit up with surprise.
He had just been regretting not exchanging contact information with Meng Chao during the three days. Now, as though the heavens had heard him, Chu Hong delivered the solution right into his hands.
"Thanks, cousin." Lin Qin expressed his gratitude.
Chu Hong opened the car door. "Let's talk more inside."
After getting into the car, Lin Qin turned and watched as the villa shrank outside his window, growing smaller and smaller until it blurred out of sight. Only then did he look away.
But he didn't remain idle. Staring at the contact information in his hand, he felt deeply conflicted. A strong urge to call Meng Chao wrestled with his naturally reserved character, preventing him from dialing the number.
Seated in the passenger seat, Chu Hong glanced at Lin Qin's distressed expression through the rearview mirror. "If you're thinking about him, just call, will you? Since when did you get so nervous even from a distance?"
Being nervous about face-to-face meetings—that Chu Hong could understand. But getting jittery over a phone call? Truly…
"He's working. Wouldn't calling him interrupt him?" Lin Qin tried to defend himself.
"Alright, alright. Call whenever you feel comfortable. Just don't end up distancing yourselves and then come crying to me later," Chu Hong teased.
Lin Qin didn't respond. His pale fingers rubbed over the paper with Meng Chao's number, but he still lacked the courage to press the buttons.
Why am I this timid? Lin Qin berated himself.
Then suddenly, his phone rang.
The caller ID displayed a number he hadn't saved in his contacts, but Lin Qin instantly recognized it—it was Meng Chao's number, which he had memorized earlier.
For a moment, Lin Qin stared blankly at the screen.
Chu Hong immediately realized who the caller was based on Lin Qin's reaction. "Pick it up, quick! If Meng is calling, then you certainly aren't disturbing his work now, are you?"
With his face flushed red, Lin Qin carefully swiped to answer the call.
The moment the phone reached his ear, Meng Chao's magnetic, deep voice flowed through, "Did you make it back safely?"
Just hearing Meng Chao's voice threw Lin Qin's heart into chaos, beating wildly in his chest. His free hand clawed at the fabric of the car seat beneath him.
It felt like a long time before he managed to find his voice, replying softly, "Mm-hmm. I'm in the car now."
Meng Chao responded, "Safe travels."
Lin Qin opened his mouth as if to say something, but then hesitated. He was reluctant to end the call, yet unsure of what else to say.
After some stuttering, he finally asked, "Brother Chao, be careful on the road too."
"Alright," Meng Chao chuckled quietly at the airport, his eyes unknowingly filled with warmth.
Lin Qin grew anxious. When he lifted his head, he saw Chu Hong typing the words "Year-End Event" into her phone. Without thinking it through, he blurted out, "Brother Chao, will you attend the Year-End Event?"
Having successfully maneuvered the situation with her subtle assist, Chu Hong smiled and gestured for Lin Qin to keep up the good work.
Lin Qin's face flushed deeply, but he nervously awaited Meng Chao's reply.
The next moment, Meng Chao's apologetic voice came through. "Lin Qin, I'm sorry. I won't have time that day."
"Oh…" Disappointment spread through Lin Qin's chest, and his fingers scratched hard enough on the leather seat to leave a noticeable mark.
Just when Lin Qin thought all hope was lost, Meng Chao added, "But I'll watch the livestream. Make sure you do your best."
Lin Qin's eyes immediately lit up, and he nodded firmly. "I will!"
Even if he couldn't meet Meng Chao, having Meng Chao watch him was enough to make Lin Qin's heart full.