Chapter 66

Li Yuhao had already thought of two strategies on his way to the company and decided to use the first one when he arrived. "The Disciple" is a film that was released in HK in 2007, and Li Yuhao himself is of Chinese descent. Watching HK films is a very normal thing, especially since Li Yuhao said he wrote this song after watching the film to warn everyone. This might even earn him a good reputation.

It might even make him a drug prevention ambassador, establishing Li Yuhao's image as a righteous person.

Li Yuhao smiled and entered the meeting room. Seeing the company executives sitting inside, he said with a smile, "President, you're still working so late?"

The head of the online department said gloomily, "Working late? The internet is in an uproar over your song, and many netizens are demanding an explanation on the official website. How can we have the mood to go home? Li Yuhao, can you please not cause such a mess next time? Last week, it was the scandal with you, Taeyeon, and Panee. This week, it's the rumor that you're a drug addict. What about next week? What kind of trouble will you cause next week? You're giving us a headache."

The head of the online department continued, "Lee Ji-eun's debut was just one news story: 'Lee Yuhao's junior debuted and flopped.' But you, you dominated the music charts, search rankings, and news headlines for a whole month after your debut. I really don't know what to say... Our workload was ten times lighter before Li Yuhao joined LOEN, which is why the online department is suffering."

Li Yuhao also smiled and said, "May I ask you, Director Jin, do you mean I shouldn't be in the news? Alright, then don't arrange any programs for me. It would be best if you didn't even release my albums. I'll go back to my school and ask my mentor to arrange a job for me at a bank, so I won't be in the news. Even working at a bank can make the news; what if the bank gets robbed and the reporters interview me?"

The head of the online department didn't dare to say those things, but he never expected Li Yuhao to talk back. However, he didn't dare to react in front of the president and could only say, "That's not what I meant."

"What do you mean then? Please explain clearly. Other artists are happy to be reported on to increase their exposure. But our company doesn't want me to be in the news? I might as well find a job at a securities company, which has a 9-to-5 schedule. I wouldn't have to wake up at 5 or 6 in the morning and come home at 2 or 3 in the morning."

Lee Min-jae saw Li Yuhao arguing with the online department as soon as he arrived and coughed to interrupt their argument. "Cough... Yuhao, I understand what Director Jin means. He means that while being in the news increases exposure, it shouldn't be negative news like today's."

Li Yuhao also said不满地, "Did I cause this news? I don't understand. It's just a song I wrote. Why do people have to guess so much? And they even say I'm a drug addict? That's completely ridiculous. When I was in school, I couldn't even afford to eat, let alone do that stuff. I have to say, these netizens are all a bunch of pigs who don't consider the actual situation. They say whatever comes to mind, and since there's no legal responsibility on the internet, it has bred a group of ANTIs."

Lee Min-jae also shook his head with a smile, "Yuhao, you should know the speculation outside, right? Many people are waiting for your explanation. Look..."

"There's nothing to guess about. President, this song is based on a HK film I watched last year called 'The Disciple.' It tells the story of drug dealers and the tragic lives of drug users. After watching the film, I was deeply moved and wrote this song 'Hotel California.' I originally planned to perform it at our school's music club to warn young people to stay away from drugs. That stuff is demonic and should never be touched. Later, because I was too busy working, the song was put on hold. Until the day of the program, they brought out a guitar, and I performed the song."

Hearing Li Yuhao's explanation, the people from the planning department were enlightened. One of them clapped his hands and said, "That's great! This song is a good thing. Li Yuhao, you should get this song produced as soon as possible." Not just the planning department, but everyone present felt that this song would greatly enhance Li Yuhao's positive image.

Li Yuhao, ignoring the group, took out his phone to check the time. "Ah... 7:40? The cafeteria is closed... Oh, I thought I could save some money on a meal today. President, I'll leave now."

Lee Min-jae looked at Li Yuhao speechlessly and said, "You can go. Director Jin, please make an explanation on the official website. The follow-up will be handled by the planning department. Alright, everyone, you can go."

As soon as Li Yuhao left the meeting room, he called Park In-jeong because he had said he would treat the future 'T-ARA' members to a meal yesterday. Today, he had some free time, and once he got busy, he wouldn't know when he would have time again. Otherwise, the promise to treat them to a meal would just be a formality.

"Park In-jeong, have you eaten yet?"

"We were just about to. What's up? Are you planning to have me come over to apply medicine again?"

"No... no, why would I? I said I would treat you all to a meal yesterday. I planned to do it when I wasn't busy, but I was unexpectedly called to the company today and have been busy until now. I haven't eaten yet, so I thought I'd call you all out for a meal. It would also clear one of my worries."

"Oh, about that news? I saw it. Those people just like to stir up trouble. Don't pay too much attention. Let them guess whatever they want."

"Um... I've already told the company. Are you at the company? I'll come and pick you up. Call everyone together. Got it?"

"Okay, I'll tell them. Call me when you get here."

Park In-jeong hung up and said to the members walking ahead, "We're not eating at the cafeteria today. Someone is treating us." As she spoke, she shook her phone to show that the caller was treating them.

Kwon Bo-ah also asked Park In-jeong, "Who? Who's treating us? It can't be Li Yuhao, right?"

Park In-jeong looked at Kwon Bo-ah in surprise, "How did you guess it was Li Yuhao so quickly?"

"Ha ha... Besides Li Yuhao, who else can get you to agree so easily with just a phone call?"

Hearing this, Park In-jeong blushed and said, "Unnie... Didn't everyone chip in some money to send Li Yuhao a fruit basket yesterday?"

"Yes, you brought it back and we ate it."

"Li Yuhao said he wanted to treat us to a meal to thank us for the fruit basket."

"Oh? Treat us to a meal? It's not a cover for... hehe." Kwon Bo-ah smiled and raised her eyebrows at Park In-jeong, hinting that Li Yuhao was using the meal as a pretext to date her.

Han Eun-jung then added, "I think Li Yuhao is really treating us to a meal. If he wanted to see you... a phone call and you'd run over immediately. No need to go through such a roundabout way."

Everyone laughed at Han Eun-jung's words. "Ha ha ha..." Lee Ji-hyeon also smiled and said, "Seriously, what's your relationship with Li Yuhao?"

"We're just... friends. Don't guess so much."

Han Eun-jung laughed, "Ha ha ha, really just friends? Haven't you fallen for Li Yuhao? Don't fool yourself. Everyone in our dorm can see it. You search for Li Yuhao's news every chance you get, right? Your computer wallpaper is Li Yuhao, and your phone is full of pictures of you and Li Yuhao, right? Even in your dreams, you call out Li Yuhao's name."

Kwon Bo-ah laughed, "Alright, stop it. This isn't the time for dating. Our top priority is to debut." Hearing Kwon Bo-ah's words, everyone nodded.

Park Ji-yeon also smiled and asked Park In-jeong, "In-jeong Unnie, what did Li Yuhao OPPA say he would treat us to? Where are we meeting him?"

"I haven't asked what we're eating. Let's wait for him at the company entrance. He said he'll come and pick us up."

"Li Yuhao is coming to pick us up? Can he drive?" Although they didn't know if Li Yuhao could drive, they still went to the CCM company entrance to wait for him.

After waiting for a while, Park Ji-yeon called out, "I'm so hungry, Li Yuhao OPPA hasn't come yet?"

As soon as Park Ji-yeon finished speaking, a Chevrolet minivan appeared. The minivan stopped in front of them, and Li Yuhao, sitting in the passenger seat, rolled down the window and said to Park In-jeong and the others, "Get in."

Park In-jeong and the others didn't expect Li Yuhao to come in his own minivan. They opened the doors and squeezed in, but there were only five seats. Li Yuhao said, "Squeeze a bit."

Park Ji-yeon tried to sit in the independent seat, but Li Yuhao immediately said, "Park Ji-yeon, sit in the back. Let your sisters sit in the front." Kwon Bo-ah and Lee Kyu-ri, the two seniors, naturally sat in the middle independent seats without having to squeeze with everyone else.

Park Ji-yeon, who had never been in a minivan before, was very curious about Li Yuhao's minivan, especially the rear part, which was filled with Li Yuhao's clothes and shoes.

After everyone was in the car, Li Yuhao explained, "This is my manager. You can just call him Uncle..."

PS: Please recommend! Please collect!