Chapter 17

Facing Li Yuhao's order to leave, Li Minzhe could only helplessly shake his head and leave the music studio without disturbing his creation. After leaving, Li Minzhe said dejectedly, "What? This is the first time in all these years since I became the president that someone has asked me to leave. Hahaha..." Li Minzhe ended up laughing at the situation, finding it quite amusing.

However, he could understand. Musicians often have their own quirks when working, and more importantly, they must not be disturbed during the creative process. Inspiration can vanish in an instant, perhaps just from a moment of interruption. So, Li Minzhe could only laugh helplessly and leave the music studio.

Inside, Li Yuhao began using the remaining time to record the lyrics for the three songs he still needed to complete on his computer: "Snow Flower," "Fate," "Stay by Your Side," plus the original "Like Being Shot" and "No Longer in Love," a total of five songs. Li Yuhao spent over an hour recording all the lyrics. He then set a password on his computer and checked the time; it was just five minutes before his alarm at 7 PM.

On the other side, Park Ji-yeon sat dejectedly on the floor of the practice room. "Unnie Injeong, didn't you say someone was taking you out to eat? Why haven't you called yet? Did they lie to you?"

Hearing Park Ji-yeon's words, Park So-yeon widened her eyes in defense of Li Yuhao. "How could that be? He... he wouldn't lie. Maybe... maybe he's busy... Are you very hungry?"

"Of course, Bora-ssi and the others have already gone to eat. I didn't eat much at lunch and came to practice. I'm very hungry. Your friend wouldn't... wouldn't have forgotten, right? You know, when you're busy, you might forget things you planned. Unnie, why don't you call and ask? If it doesn't work out today, we can eat by ourselves. The cafeteria hasn't closed yet."

Park So-yeon, feeling annoyed, took out her phone to call Li Yuhao, thinking he might have forgotten their dinner plans. Just as she was about to dial, her phone rang with the ringtone "Like Being Shot, no energy..."

Park So-yeon's phone ringtone was a recording she had set as her incoming call sound. Seeing the caller ID, she smiled and answered immediately, "I thought you had forgotten. I was about to go to the cafeteria."

"How could I forget? I promised you. It's only 7 o'clock. Why eat so early? If you eat too early, you'll be hungry later. If you're hungry, you'll eat late-night snacks, and if you eat late-night snacks, you'll gain weight." Li Yuhao's rapid-fire words made Park So-yeon feel extremely frustrated.

Park So-yeon, veins popping on her forehead, shouted, "Hey... why are you saying so much? Where are you?"

"I'm at the company entrance. Where do you want to eat? By the way, let's have Korean barbecue tonight. How about going to Jang Hoon-dong 678 Barbecue?"

"Korean barbecue?" Park So-yeon had planned to save some money and suggested a set meal or a soup. She didn't expect Li Yuhao to propose Korean barbecue. When she said "Korean barbecue," Park Ji-yeon immediately nodded and smiled, "Sure, sure, let's have Korean barbecue." Park So-yeon glared at her, feeling embarrassed. It made them look like they hadn't eaten meat in a long time...

On Li Yuhao's side, hearing the voice of the "foodie" he had expected, he couldn't help but break a cold sweat. He knew he would have to spend a lot today. Li Yuhao could only laugh and say, "Sure, Korean barbecue. I haven't had it in a long time. What do you think?"

"I don't mind, since you're treating. You decide where to go."

"Which restaurant? Jang Hoon-dong 678 Barbecue."

"Which one? I'm asking which branch."

"678 Barbecue, really, why do you keep asking which branch? I said Jang Hoon-dong 678 Barbecue." Li Yuhao said each word of the restaurant name with frustration.

"What? Of course, I know you mean Jang Hoon-dong 678 Barbecue. I'm asking which branch. Don't you know it's a chain? There are branches everywhere, in Myeongdong, Jongno, Seocho, Dongdaemun... I'm asking which branch you want to go to."

Hearing Park So-yeon's words, Li Yuhao's face turned red. "So embarrassing, so embarrassing..." Li Yuhao didn't know Jang Hoon-dong 678 Barbecue was a chain; he thought there was only one. He grumbled about the unseen Jang Hoon-dong, "Why did you make your side business so big? You've made me so embarrassed."

Li Yuhao awkwardly said, "Oh, oh, I thought there was a problem with the call and you didn't hear me clearly. Myeongdong branch. After eating, we can also go shopping in Myeongdong."

"Myeongdong? It might be crowded at this time." It was peak dining hours, and Myeongdong, a popular spot for young people and a representative shopping street in Korea, was always bustling. With various clothing, shoes, accessories, and cosmetics stores, as well as numerous dining options, it was a favorite destination for young people. With so many people, it was easy to be full during meal times.

Especially for a celebrity-owned restaurant like Jang Hoon-dong 678 Barbecue, the Myeongdong branch was almost always full.

"Queuing is fine. The main thing is that we can walk around and have fun in Myeongdong after eating."

"What's fun in Myeongdong? Besides shopping and eating, it's just watching people."

Park So-yeon didn't know that Li Yuhao, in his current state, had never been to the iconic "Myeongdong." He had seen images of Myeongdong in his predecessor's memories, but he had never been there in person. It was like going to Shanghai and not visiting Nanjing Road, or going to Beijing and not visiting Wangfujing.

Li Yuhao knew that if he didn't seize the opportunity to visit places he wanted to go now, he wouldn't have the chance once he debuted. He said resolutely, "Let's go to Myeongdong. I want to experience the hustle and bustle. Otherwise, I feel so empty going home alone every day."

Since Li Yuhao had said that, Park So-yeon couldn't say anything more. "Okay, let's meet at Myeongdong Station, Exit 6."

"Alright, see you then." Li Yuhao hung up and headed to Myeongdong.

Half an hour later, Li Yuhao and Park So-yeon met in Myeongdong. Li Yuhao smiled at Park So-yeon, "Let's go. I'm sure you're hungry. By the way, Injeong, aren't you going to introduce your 'younger sister'?" Li Yuhao emphasized the word "younger sister." Park So-yeon then remembered that the first time she met Li Yuhao, he clearly knew that she and Park Hyo-min were both part of CCM's pre-debut girl group.

So, how could Li Yuhao not know about Park Ji-yeon, who was also a member of the pre-debut girl group? Park So-yeon said awkwardly, "This is our group's maknae, Park Ji-yeon."

Park Ji-yeon bowed and greeted Li Yuhao, "Hello, I'm Park Ji-yeon, a trainee at CCM."

Li Yuhao smiled, "I know, you're Park Ji-yeon, and you're known as the 'Little Kim Tae-hee' in your company. But you are really beautiful. I'm Li Yuhao from LOEN. Let's go and see if we need to queue first." At that moment, Park Ji-yeon wasn't wearing eye shadow, and her big eyes and high nose made her look very similar to Kim Tae-hee, indeed very beautiful. However, Kim Tae-hee had a mature charm, while Park Ji-yeon exuded a youthful and innocent aura.

The three of them went to the barbecue restaurant, and Li Yuhao asked the server, "Do you have any tables available?" "How many of you?" Li Yuhao held up three fingers, "Three."

"There's a small two-person table. If you don't mind squeezing a bit..."

Before the server could finish, Li Yuhao immediately said, "We don't mind, please take us there." Everyone was hungry, so a little squeezing wasn't a problem. Besides, it would definitely be Park So-yeon and Park Ji-yeon squeezing together, while he would sit alone. It wouldn't be possible for a woman to squeeze with Li Yuhao, and if that were the case, he wouldn't mind at all.

The server smiled and led Li Yuhao and the others to the two-person table, which they could use without waiting. Fortunately, both women were slim, so sitting squeezed together wasn't uncomfortable.

Li Yuhao picked up the menu on the table. The first page showed prices that shocked him: "Wagyu Ribeye 52,000 won/120g," "Ribeye 43,000 won/150g," and the cheapest was "Beef Brisket 29,000 won/120g." Seeing this, Li Yuhao couldn't help but start sweating. The next page showed "Pork Neck 13,000 won/150g," "Pork Leg 15,000 won/150g," and "Spicy Pork Belly 13,000 won/150g."

Li Yuhao couldn't stop cursing in his mind, "My God, is this gold? It's so expensive. Two ounces of Wagyu costs 300 RMB, and three ounces of pork belly costs 75 RMB? This 75 RMB pork belly... in China, it could make you full."

PS: New book, please recommend! Please collect!