Chapter 288 - Battle of Popularity!!

The man clenched his fists upon remembering the embarrassing past. However, when he looked at Luo Dan, he was pleased to see her current state. The member of the most popular girl group was out and was shopping and there was no one to pick her up. 

Generally, their manager would have been following them around, keeping them protected and secured as if they're some precious treasures. And now...she was standing all alone, carrying heavy shopping bags, and was looking for a cab under the scorching heat.​​

How pitiful!!

He smirked and got out of the car. He slid his hands inside his pants pockets and looked around to check if anyone was around. Seeing that no one was around, he leaned against his car comfortably and looked at her with a smirk, " Ms. Luo, you're still proud and stubborn as before? Aren't you?"

" I tried to pursue you and followed you around, yet you avoided me every time we met." 

He clicked his tongue, "You pretend to be polite to others, but act fiercely in front of me? Well, guess what? I like feisty girls more than meek ones." He commented. 

Luo Dan sighed. Rather than feeling disgusted, she was speechless. 

" Mr. Zhu, you're the CEO of an entertainment company, you have so many idols and actors under your label, but sadly you don't even know how to pick up on girls. Who uses these kinds of cringe-filled pick-up lines these days? So outdated." she shook her head in disgust. 

He frowned. 

Although Luo Dan never complied with him, it was her first time talking back at him like this. It's been a few months and she has changed drastically? What happened that made her like this? 

As if reading his mind, she scoffed, " Shocked to see me talking back like this? Well, I am only nice to those who love and care for me, not for creeps."

" Moreover, at that time I was bound by the responsibilities. I was an idol at that time, a popular one at that. The media would have been all over me if I had said anything."

" It's not like I am scared of you, I just didn't want to do anything that will put my members in an unnecessary scandal. And more than that, I didn't want you to be benefitted from our popularity."

" After all, your company is nowhere when it comes to the popularity of 'The Queens'." she spatted the facts with a straight face. 

He gritted his teeth, " You!!"

He stepped closer and glared down at her. " Do you think you're some big shot? You're nothing now."

" Your group? It's shattered now. Luo Dan, think practically. Be sensible and come to me. I will give you everything, I will do anything in my reach to make you at the top again." His voice softened in but the rage was clear in his eyes. 

No girl has ever humiliated him this way, other than Jiang Yue and now her. She cannot look down on him, and he will teach her that after she comes to him. 

He will make her beg for his mercy. But for now, he will swallow his anger and will speak softly to her. 

Yet he is talking about making her reach the top. Stupid!

Before she could say anything, she heard someone say, " If that's the case, why don't you take me with you. I'll be happy to comply with your wishes." 

She turned around and found Han Liang walking towards them. He was wearing a white shirt, whose top buttons were undone, and black pants that were making him look more m.a.t.u.r.e and attractive. 

He generally wears colorful jackets that suit his bright personality, but seeing him in a white and black combination, he looked different than usual. 

He was holding a cup of iced americano and sipped on his drink as he made his way towards her. 

He stood by her side and glanced at her before turning to Zhu Zhang, " Mr. Zhu, what a surprise! I never thought that I would get to see you here." 

Zhu Zhang frowned when he saw Han Liang extending his hand for a handshake. He pursed his lips and unwillingly shook his hand lightly. " Well, it's a surprise indeed."

However, as he was about to take his hand back, he felt Han Liang's grip tightening around his hand. He frowned and could feel the hostility coming from his side. 

Luo Dan, who was standing on the side also noticed the change in Han Liang's expressions and was wondering what's going on between them. She should be the one getting angry at Zhu Zhang, why does Han Liang look angry instead? 

After shaking hands with him, Han Liang chuckled and said to him, " Mr. Zhu, I heard that you're saying that you can make Ms. Luo reach the top, if you're that capable, why don't you sign a contract with me?"

" You see, my contract with my company is soon going to end. I am active as an idol and I guess, I am more popular than Ms. Luo. It won't be a loss for you. What do you say? Should I cancel my contract with my company?"

" You will pay the compensation fees to my current company, right? I am sure you can do that much. You're a successful businessman, after all, who can make anyone reach to the 'top'." He said while emphasizing the word top. 

"Pfft", Luo Dan couldn't hold onto her laughter anymore and chuckled upon hearing his sarcastic words. 

Even though Zhu Zhang is popular as a 'handsome' CEO, his company is not that 'noticeable', compared to Han Liang's crazily large fanbase. 

That's why when they were still working as a group, they were always compared to Han Liang whose popularity was still high, even after leaving the group. He was on top when it comes to male soloists, meanwhile, they were holding the top position as the most popular female group. 

-

Zhu Zhang frowned and glared at Han Liang. However, there is no way that he will take the chance to argue with him just for a mere girl.

Because all the businessmen in the industry know the powerful background of Han Liang. He belongs to the Han family, who has been ruling the business industry for years now and after the appointment of Han Zihao as the President of the company, the company only climbed higher and higher in terms of status and popularity. 

He cleared his throat and chuckled, " Mr. Han, please don't joke like that. Your popularity is incomparable, I can never say anything like that to you." 

Han Liang raised his brows at him, " I am glad that you know that."

Zhu Zhuang pursed his lips and glanced at Luo Dan who was still giggling and was smiling as if they were making some jokes. 

He nodded and bit goodbye to both of them before leaving. However, he didn't forget to give a glance at Luo Dan before leaving in his car. 

-

After he left, Luo Dan sighed. However, upon remembering that they were standing in front of the mall where anyone can easily see them, she panicked.

Even though there were not many people outside and both of them were wearing masks to cover their faces, it's not safe for them to be seen together. 

" Mr. Han, what are you doing here? How can you walk around the mall as if it's normal for you?"

" If someone spots you, it will turn into a huge mess." She said worriedly. 

His lips curled in a smile to see her worrying for him. It's been quite a few days since he has seen her but never imagined that he will get to meet her here.

They were on their way for a meeting and stopped by the mall as he needed to buy some stuff. His manager went inside to buy a few things, meanwhile, he went to the cafe in the mall and got himself a coffee. 

" You're worried about me and yet you were standing here alone. Did you forget that you're no less popular than me? It's so dangerous for you to be standing here alone." 

" Well, I don't think I am that popular anymore." She laughed awkwardly. 

He frowned. " How can you make such remarks? Leaving the industry doesn't mean that you lost your charm. Your fans are still crazy as ever. Have you seen the comments under your videos? They keep weeping and are praying for you to make a comeback."

She nodded. She has seen those comments too. However, it still feels strange. It feels like she doesn't deserve it and she has let her fans down,

Wait a minute…..

She looked at him in confusion, " But...why were you watching our videos? Aren't you packed up with work already? Do you even have time to watch all that?" 

"..."

He pursed his lips. She is right. 

He is preparing for his upcoming music video and was busy as heck. Recording, practicing and costume deciding, everything is going on, that too at once. 

He doesn't even get to sleep properly these days. Yet he finds time to watch all of her videos. He has seen all of her music videos, concert clips, extra songs, and even the vlogs. Not only that, he watches her fancams every day without a miss.

But can he tell her that? No way!!

He cleared his throat and rubbed the back of his neck awkwardly, " I watched a few videos since they were in my search feed. I didn't search for them, not at all." 

" Oh." she nodded. 

Before she could ask another question, he looked around and frowned. Upon seeing people walking out of the mall, he grasped her wrist and said, " It's not safe to stand here like this. For now, let's go from here." 

" Ah?" Luo Dan was caught off guard but didn't get to say anything as he pulled her with him.