Chapter 26

Today, standing at the company entrance, Li Yuhao felt elated as dozens of fans shouted his name. He felt a surge of excitement, imagining the grandeur of standing on a stage in the future, with tens of thousands of people screaming and calling out his name.

Thinking about that scene, Li Yuhao felt he had made the right choice to become a star. Of course, there was another important reason: being a star made it easier to meet more female celebrities and idols. This was also one of Li Yuhao's personal desires. Meeting more female celebrities would give him a chance to date them.

Li Yuhao entered the company with a radiant smile and walked to the president's office. "Uncle Li, where is my studio?"

President Li Minzhe was also very pleased. Li Yuhao's achievements from the previous night brought him, as the president, a great deal of pride. It was the first time he had held his head high in the music industry. Smiling, he said, "The studios are on the third floor. You're in room 310, the largest studio in the company. Come, I'll show you around."

Li Yuhao also smiled and went downstairs with Li Minzhe. As they rode the elevator, Li Yuhao asked, "Uncle Li, is Lee Ji-eun at the company today?"

"Yes, she came to my office this morning to ask about you. I told her you hadn't arrived yet and asked her to start practicing. But from her demeanor, I could tell that in just one day, her passion for music seemed to have grown even stronger."

Li Yuhao smiled and said, "That's good, that's good. I was worried she might be discouraged and give up on music."

When they arrived at Li Yuhao's studio, the employees inside, who had been resting and waiting for him, greeted them, "President."

President Li Minzhe smiled and nodded at everyone, then said to Li Yuhao, "All the equipment is new. Tell them how you want it arranged." He then pointed to two doors in the room and said, "You like to rest in the studio, so I specially prepared a bedroom for you. It's convenient for you to rest when you're tired. That side is the bathroom. We'll get you a fridge and other things once you've set up the equipment. How do you like your studio?"

Indeed, Li Minzhe had arranged everything very thoughtfully. Li Yuhao nodded in satisfaction, "Thank you, President. Now I can create freely here."

"Ha ha, I hope you create even better songs. By the way, this afternoon, have Zhang Ruimin take you to register with the Composers' Association and the Heartbreakers' Association."

Li Minzhe's words left Li Yuhao completely puzzled. He awkwardly scratched his head and said, "Uncle... President, I know what the Composers' Association is, but what is the Heartbreakers' Association?"

"Ha ha ha... The Heartbreakers' Association is an association for singers. Every time someone sings one of your songs in a karaoke room, the original singer gets a certain percentage, similar to the royalties for songwriters, but this is for singers."

Li Yuhao laughed when he heard Li Minzhe's explanation, his eyes sparkling with excitement. "So I can get double the royalties? By the way, will the company take a cut of this money?"

"Ha ha ha... No, the company won't take a cut. This money is a benefit for the singers themselves. Are you short on money?"

Li Yuhao immediately started complaining, "You have no idea. I just got a lecture from Uncle Zhang about how wearing sportswear is cheap, and he insisted I wear jeans. I only have a few clothes, so I have to go shopping at Dongdaemun this afternoon."

Hearing "Dongdaemun," Li Minzhe was speechless. "Well, Li Yuhao, I'll get a stylist for you tomorrow. She'll arrange for clothing sponsorships. Don't go to Dongdaemun. You're a star now, and going to Dongdaemun is a bit..."

"The sponsored clothes are just loans, and I have to return them the next day. Besides, I don't have any events coming up, so I don't need to wear sponsored clothes. I'll just go to Dongdaemun and find some outfits myself."

Li Minzhe was at a loss for words. "Forget it, forget it. Don't go to Dongdaemun. Wait for the stylist tomorrow, and I'll have her buy you some clothes from a department store for everyday wear."

"Department store clothes? I can't afford them. I only have 20 million won, and I need to live on it."

Li Minzhe laughed. "I've never met a star as frugal as you. The company will reimburse you, okay?"

Li Yuhao also laughed, thinking, 'I was waiting for you to say that.' He flattered, "Thanks, President. Ha ha... I'll get them to start setting up. You go back to work. I won't keep you. Oh, and call Lee Ji-eun here."

The staff nearby laughed at Li Yuhao's 'shamelessness.'

Seeing Li Yuhao's expression, Li Minzhe laughed heartily. "Ha ha ha... You little rascal... I knew you were waiting for me to say that. Fine, arrange the setup. I'll go back to work. Next time, I'll be more cautious around you, you sly fox." Li Minzhe then left, shaking his head with a smile.

After Li Minzhe left, Li Yuhao and the staff started setting up the equipment and computers. Plugging in cables and such didn't take long, but the most time-consuming part was the equipment calibration.

Just as they finished setting up, Lee Ji-eun arrived. Seeing Li Yuhao and the staff busy setting up the studio, she called out, "Senior Li Yuhao."

"Oh, Ji-eun, you're here. Wait a moment. I'll plug in the cables and then talk to you. Oh, go buy some ice cream for me." Li Yuhao took out 20,000 won and gave it to Lee Ji-eun, who ran off to get the ice cream.

As soon as Lee Ji-eun left, Li Yuhao's phone beeped with a message. He took out his phone and saw it was from Pani: "Congratulations, 'Doctor.' I didn't expect you to become a star. Please take care of me in the future."

Li Yuhao smiled but didn't reply, putting his phone back in his bag. He had a lot to do.

Soon, the setup was almost complete, and Lee Ji-eun returned with the ice cream. "Senior Li Yuhao, I've brought the ice cream and your change." Li Yuhao took the ice cream and gave one to Lee Ji-eun. "Here, have some. It's hot outside."

Li Yuhao then held up the bag and said to the staff, "Thanks for your help today. Everyone, have an ice cream before we continue."

The staff smiled and each took one. "Thanks, Senior Li Yuhao."

The weather in June was cool in the shade but felt warm when you moved around. Eating ice cream was the best way to cool off.

After eating the ice cream, everyone continued working, plugging in cables and installing speakers. It took about half an hour to finish, and the rest was just calibration. The staff left after helping Li Yuhao clean up, leaving the calibration to him.

Li Yuhao pointed to the sofa by the door and said to Lee Ji-eun, "Sit down. Why are you standing?"

Earlier, Lee Ji-eun had seen everyone busy and didn't want to sit and watch, so she stood aside watching them work.

Hearing Li Yuhao's invitation, Lee Ji-eun sat down and looked at him. Li Yuhao was satisfied with her behavior today; at least she wasn't as timid and could look him in the eye.

Li Yuhao smiled and said, "Lee Ji-eun, do you have an answer to my question from yesterday? Did you stand on this stage to make money, or..."

Before he finished, Lee Ji-eun answered, "I love singing and want to sing for many, many people. Every time I sing, I feel very happy and joyful. So I stand on the stage to share my music and sing for everyone." Her answer was firm and without hesitation.

"Ha ha, to sing for everyone. Then let me ask you, what if you're on stage and the audience doesn't like your songs, and they even tell you to 'get off the stage'? What would you do?"

Lee Ji-eun answered firmly, "I would stay on the stage and finish the song before leaving. Even if I have only one fan or no one likes my singing, I will finish the song because I love singing."

"Very good, I'm satisfied with your answer. The cafeteria opens for lunch from 12:30 to 1:30. We'll go down at 1:00, and you'll stand at the front of the cafeteria and sing a song for everyone. Don't worry about what others think; just focus on your singing."

Hearing Li Yuhao's words, Lee Ji-eun was stunned. She thought, "What? Sing in the cafeteria? And during the busiest lunchtime? Everyone will be eating, and I'll be singing. Won't they think I'm crazy?"

Seeing Lee Ji-eun's stunned expression, Li Yuhao guessed what she was thinking. He smiled and said, "Don't worry about what others think..."