A soft expression appeared on Iris' face. "Thank you."
"Can you tell us more about it? I really like it and would like to buy one for myself."
"What are you doing?" Director He's voice rebuked the female host through her earpiece.
However, the host ignored the director. Something was telling her that she should pursue this line of questioning. If nothing came out of it, she would just apologize to the director later. But if she was on to something, the show would surely thank her.
"Hmm… I didn't buy it," Iris replied.
"Oh? Then where did you get it? Was it given to you as a gift?"
"Yes, something like that."
Some of the people finally understood the host's purpose for asking these questions. The camera zoomed in on Iris' diamond ring. It sparkled under the lights. The design fit Iris extremely well. The people, be it the audience, the staff, the other performers and the viewers at home, stopped talking and listened intently to the interview, not wanting to miss even a single word.
"How nice! Who gave it to you?" The female host continued to ask. "Don't tell me it's an engagement ring. Ahaha!"
The male host also chuckled, including some of the people. They treated is as a good joke.
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The laughter stopped. Eyes widened.
"Camera #6 and #10, focus on Iris' face. Make sure not to miss any of her expression," Director He instructed. He almost rubbed his hands together. He had a feeling that this would drive up the ratings of tonight's episode.
"Iris, what did you say? You're engaged?" The male host asked this time.
"Yes, I am engaged," Iris answered with a soft smile.
Gasps everywhere.
Male host: "Uh…wow. What a surprise…er…congratulations, Iris…"
Female host: "Congratulations! That's wonderful!"
Iris: "Thank you."
Female host: "Can we know who your lucky fiancé is? Is he from showbiz as well? How long have you been engaged?"
Female host: "I see. Do you love your fiancé?"
"Of course. I love him very much," Iris answered, looking directly at the camera in front of her, knowing that Jin Liwei was watching. "I love you, darling."
Many people, especially the females, squealed when they heard her public declaration of love to her mystery man.
Unfortunately, Director He had to cut the interview at that point even when everyone wanted to hear more. Iris' manager and even a Bright Summit higher-up were already calling the show requesting him to put a stop to the interview. It seemed that Iris didn't inform her management that she would be revealing her relationship status in the show tonight. They were freaking out. As a courtesy to Bright Summit and to maintain a good relationship with them, he instructed the hosts to wrap up the interview. The show took a short commercial break.
Once Iris returned backstage, Jin Liwei embraced her. Many staff and other artists saw them.
"I love you, too," he whispered.
The way she looked at him was no doubt that of a woman in love.
Seeing that some people were taking photos and recording them on video with their phones, Jin Liwei was about to threaten them but Iris stopped him.
"Don't worry. I'll take care of them. No photo or video of us will be leaked to the public before we reveal it ourselves. When we reveal you and our relationship, it will be on our own terms," she assured him.
She would've done it herself, but the situation called for urgency because some people might upload the images or videos to the internet immediately after taking them.
Dom's phone was ringing nonstop. It was Tang Yiyi, but he didn't answer it in front of other people. Jiang Ying Yue and her male colleague went into protective mode, preventing others from getting near Iris' group, as they made their way back to her dressing room.
Jin Liwei made a quick call to his subordinates waiting outside the building to quickly gather, pick them up and escort them safely out of the building. He also called for additional back-up security from his mansion just in case the media started following them.
Once the group entered the dressing room, they locked the door. The make-up artist and hair stylist were watching the broadcast on TV. They were able to put two and two together. So the masked man must be Iris' fiancé. They hoped that he would uncover his face so that they could see what he looked like. However, they also knew that the two of them hadn't earned their new employer's trust yet to have that privilege.
Dom's phone started ringing again. He answered it.
"Hello, Big Sis Yi— Ah! My ear! Please calm down, Big Sis Yiyi. Please don't yell...."
Everyone in the room could hear the manager yelling even when the phone wasn't on speaker.
"Give me the phone," Iris said.
When she answered the phone, Tang Yiyi scolded her seriously for the first time since they started working together.
"Elder Sister Yiyi, you haven't seen my ring? I was wearing it the entire time."
"Of course I did, but I thought that it was just an accessory! There are many celebrities who wear diamond rings even though they're not engaged. You're still very young, so I never expected that you're already planning on marrying! Next time, tell me these things first so that I and Bright Summit can make plans on how to handle the press! I knew something like this will happen one day. You're too straightforward!"
Iris listened to her manager calmly. She sat beside Jin Liwei, feeling comforted when he wrapped his arm around her. She rested her head on the crook between his neck and shoulder.
The short gist of Tang Yiyi's complaint was that it wasn't the right time to reveal her engagement to the public yet, especially since she just returned to the limelight. This was a critical time for her to re-establish her foothold in showbiz. However, this kind of news might become a setback to her career instead.
"Some Bright Summit higher-ups are suggesting that I persuade you to retract your words."
Iris' eyes turned cold. "Elder Sister Yiyi, may I remind you that the 'no relationship' clause in my contract was removed when I signed it? If the company pressures me about my relationship with my fiancé, I'll terminate my contract with Bright Summit. I can afford any penalty fees. Not only that, I can even sue the company for violating our contract. If I do that and I win, perhaps I won't even have to pay any penalty at all. As for retracting my words, I will never do that. I am engaged and that is final."
Jin Liwei's arm tightened around her, showing his support. He also felt warm inside as his baby girl defended him and their relationship. If Bright Summit dared to suppress his baby girl, they needed to be ready to face his wrath.