At long last, Iris finally finished composing the entire film score that she had been working on. All that was left was to record them. JJ was personally involved in the recording process, since his record label would be the one releasing the film's soundtrack album.
As usual, he and Iris argued like two evil dragons as to how the music should sound. The staff and the musicians working with them were already used to their arguments, so they didn't think much about them anymore. All they knew was that after the two reached a compromise, the final music they came up with would be amazing.
However, the film's representative who was sent to observe the recording process was shocked. She bought the "Rebirth" album, so she had watched the "making of" footage of Iris and JJ quarreling but she always thought that it was staged and scripted. After all, this was THE JJ they were talking about. He was notorious for reducing his artists to tears, even the veterans, with his extremely high standards and demands. Who had the guts to argue against someone like him?
Iris Long, apparently.
'So it's true,' she thought. 'Iris is actually so amazing!'
She was doubtful about the authenticity of Iris' skills before but at that moment, she converted into a true Iris Long fan.
Holding a video camera, she filmed Iris and JJ's arguments and the entire recording process. The video recordings would be used as part of the film's own special "making of" footage.
As a new college graduate, she originally treated this indie film as a necessary stepping stone to advance her career. She had no hopes of it becoming a hit, especially with the limited production budget. But when the director and the producer pulled Iris Long into the film, good fortune started raining down on them. They even obtained a production partner. LX Productions was just a newly established company, but it was very generous and professional in its assistance to the film.
Watching Iris Long and JJ record the film score, her initial low expectations for the film disappeared. She had not heard the entire score yet but from what she heard so far, she knew that it would sound phenomenal. Excitement and anticipation bubbled within her.
This film would be a dark horse, she bet.
The appointed day finally arrived. Iris and Jin Liwei would be visiting the Long ancestral residence for dinner. This would be their first visit as a couple.
They rode a large 3-row luxury SUV. Jin Liwei's two subordinates were at the front; one driving and the other one sitting beside his colleague. Iris and Jin Liwei sat behind them. Jin Liwei was a little displeased because there was a space between their seats. He wanted to feel her body close to him. Unfortunately, this was the best seat arrangement for the current occasion because behind them sat Dom, Little Jun and Jiang Ying Yue.
When Long Hui heard that Iris would be formally introducing her boyfriend to the family during dinner, he called Iris and requested that they bring his son as well. He finally wanted to introduce his son to Long Tengfei.
Iris was amused. "So you wanted to piggyback on me introducing my boyfriend to lessen the pressure on you when you introduce Little Jun to Father. What a scaredy-cat."
"You!" Long Hui sounded enraged but couldn't retort because she was right.
"Well, I don't mind," Iris said. "However, you need to speak to your child's mother first."
"Can you—"
"No. I already told you, Elder Brother. Your relationship with Ying Yue is none of my business. All I care about is my nephew. I'm not going to interfere with the relationship between the two of you. You're a grown man. Don't ask your little sister to solve your problems."
"I really hate your poison tongue."
"That's why I hate it." He sighed. "Fine. I'll talk to Ying Yue first, then I'll call you."
In the end, Jiang Ying Yue reluctantly agreed. At first, Long Hui wanted to introduce her and their son together to Long Tengfei but she quickly rejected his suggestion. She now understood that she shouldn't deprive her son of his connection to his paternal side of the family but as for her, she personally didn't want to have anything to do with the Longs. They hurt her too much.
That was why she would only be accompanying them in the vehicle. She trusted Iris. She felt assured that her son would be safe in her care while they introduced Little Jun to his grandfather. Despite this, Jiang Ying Yue still couldn't help but feel anxious.
What if Long Tengfei didn't acknowledge Little Jun?
Jiang Ying Yue told herself that she didn't care, that she didn't need the Longs to raise her child. But just thinking about the possibility that her son would be forsaken by his own grandfather was heartbreaking for her.
"Mommi!" Little Jun called and then smiled at her. He sat in a car seat between Jiang Ying Yue and Dom.
Dom translated, "Junie boy said, 'Don't worry, Mommy! I'll be okay! Mama Xiulan, Papa Liwei and my super-duper handsome and gorgeous Uncle Dom will take care of me. Grandpa will surely love me!' Ehehe."
Little Jun squealed and started giggling. Everyone laughed, except for Jin Liwei and his two stoic subordinates. But their mouths curved up a bit.
"Thank you," Jiang Ying Yue said. She kissed her son's forehead. "Please take care of Little Jun."
"Anko!" Little Jun said, pointing at Dom.
He looked shocked. "W-what?"
The others also froze.
"What did you say, Junie boy?"
"Anko!" Little Jun repeated, clapping his tiny hands.
"Uwah! He called me Uncle! He just called my Uncle!" Dom started sobbing. "Wuwuwu! I'm so happy! I love you so much, Junie boy! Wuwuwu!"
Little Jun was shocked to see his Uncle Dom crying. His little face scrunched up and he started crying as well.
