What kind of song was this? Happiness and sadness combined in harmony within their hearts. It was such a strange feeling. However, one thing was for certain. This song, "Rebirth", was indeed special.
They could feel its heart and spirit. It was as if it was alive with its own unique aura. They doubt that another person could sing it the way Iris Long sang it, like she and the song were one being.
The applause for this final performance of the evening was of awe and of congratulations. Awe at the astounding performance, and congratulations at Iris' achievements for this album.
The neutral fans remaining in the audience were all completely won over. They were sold by Iris' sincerity, artistry, and skill in her music.
After the performance was another short break, while the staff quickly prepared the venue for the signing session. The people were divided into groups, and when their groups were called out, they would line up to receive autographs. This way, everyone was orderly.
Iris signed copies of her album, merchandise, personal notebooks, and even weird places on people's bodies. The ones who requested for her to sign on their bodies proudly told her that they would turn her signature into permanent tattoos. She was amused and very touched. She also took quick pictures and chatted with them.
"People keep on saying that she's a b*tch and all that sh*t, but just look at her. Will a b*tch have the patience to sign autographs and chat with 5,000 people? How many hours until she's done with everyone?"
"Yeah. My thoughts exactly."
"Hmph! Those people are just jealous because our boss is so talented. Can they even do what she did earlier?"
"I know, right? Damn! I will never forget those whistle notes. Uwah!"
It was during this signing session that Iris finally met the officers of the Black Stars fan club. The first people she recognized were Feng Wan and her three friends. The four posh middle-aged ladies looked proudly at Iris like she was their beloved niece.
"Madam Feng." Iris stood up and walked to the group, a smile on her face. She also greeted the other three ladies. "It's a pleasure to see all of you again. Thank you for coming today."
Feng Wan took Iris' hands and held them. "Iris…may I call you Iris?"
"Of course."
"Thank you." Feng Wan's eyes watered. "Thank you for your music. Thank you for letting me see you perform 'The Phantom of Your Love' again."
"Madam, it is my pleasure."
Then Feng Wan revealed that she and her friends were members of the newly-established Black Stars fan club. She introduced the others.
First was the small young woman who valiantly hollered and led her comrades to battle earlier when Feifei was insulting Iris. She looked more like a kid but was actually a 20-year old university student already.
"Hello, Iris! I can't believe that I'm meeting you right now! I'm a big fan of yours! My name is Zhou Mei'er and I'm the President of the Black Stars. I go by the username CaptainBlackStar online."
Iris shook Zhou Mei'er's hand and smiled. "Thank you very much, Miss Zhou. You've worked very hard. Your support means so much to me."
Zhou Mei'er teared up. Iris patted her shoulder.
Feng Wan was about to introduce the next person, but the man already stepped forward before she could say anything.
"Boss! To be honest, I didn't really like you before because I thought that you were a fake person and a factory-produced unoriginal pop idol like so many others who only knew how to act pretty and sexy. Your braindead songs didn't help either. Ah, they were so terrible that just thinking about them is making me want to burn all my precious slippers―"
Zhou Mei'er: "Aiyaya! Bro, what are you doing?"
"―but then you suddenly made a comeback. I still didn't like you. I thought that you were just fishing for fame and attention like before. So I continued to bash you on the internet because I'm a troll. Not ashamed to admit that! Hah! Trolls are awesome, if we're on your side! But then you constantly slapped my face so many times with your awesomeness that I had no choice but to convert into your number 1 fan―"
When the surrounding people heard his claim of being Iris' number 1 fan, they booed.
The grumpy-looking man looked even grumpier. He glared at the booing people and waved an actual slipper at them. "What? Wanna fight against my mighty slippers? Come at me! I'll whack you all!"
Everyone laughed. They didn't take him seriously, as he was already quite famous in their web circle. In fact, he was the most famous among the officers of the Black Stars fan club.
"Boo!"
"Ah? Come at me and get a taste of my slippers!"
Feng Wan chuckled. "Alright, boy. That's enough. How long do you need until you properly introduce yourself to our dear Iris? I can do it for you, if you want. I don't mind."
The man's grumpy-looking face flushed red. "Ah, Madam Feng. No need, no need." He cleared his throat and once again turned to Iris. "Boss Iris, my name is Wu Chen, a simple office worker from a simple company. But on the web, I hold great influence as the heroic iEatSlippers, fighting with my mighty slippers under your banner, to protect boss' name against evil-doers!"
"Boo!"
"What?! You got a problem with what I said?! Come at me if you have slippers mightier than mine! Ah?!"
Iris laughed, amused at the man's antics. She extended her hand. "Mr. Wu, glad to finally meet you. I was actually looking forward to meeting the famous iEatSlippers. I'm a fan of your many online trolling feats."
Wu Chen, a.k.a. iEatSlippers, shook her hand with gusto. "Same here, same here. Nice to meet you too…eh? What? You're a fan?! Of ME?!"
