Bright Summit scheduled a major interview for Iris to answer all the questions and rumours surrounding her once and for all. Originally, Bright Summit wanted to hold a press conference for Iris but Tang Yiyi fought for a one-to-one interview instead. It would be a safer bet especially for someone as straightforward as Iris because at least they could choose the interviewer, unlike a press conference which was free-for-all.
Before the interview, Iris invited Tang Yiyi to Dragon Palace Home #10.
"Iris, you bought a new mansion?" The manager asked when she arrived. She took off her coat and handed it to the butler.
"No. This is my fiancé's, but it's our home now," Iris replied while stroking the plump Ice Cream in her arms. Popcorn was sniffing Tang Yiyi's feet.
They were at the grand foyer. Tang Yiyi had seen a fair share of luxurious and palatial residences especially since she worked in showbiz, but this mansion was on another level. After the redecoration, the mansion was now warm and welcoming compared to its previous cold and crypt-like atmosphere. There were monograms with the letters LX everywhere from the pillowcases to the curtains and other decorations.
"LX? Sounds familiar…hmmm…" Tang Yiyi murmured. "Iris, your fiancé is rich."
"I know."
Iris led her manager further inside the grand foyer. Popcorn trotted beside them while Ice Cream enjoyed her Mommy's embrace.
"Oh!" Tang Yiyi stopped. Her eyes widened as she looked up at the top of the twin staircases. There was a huge portrait of Iris and a cold handsome man together with the two cats. "Iris, is that your fiancé?"
"Yes."
Iris didn't reply, leading her manager to the drawing room instead. A tall man was sitting on one of the sofas reading a newspaper. Popcorn immediately ran to the man and rubbed himself against him, meowing loudly, asking to be petted. Ice Cream also wiggled in Iris' arms, asking to be put down so that she could also go to the man.
"Darling, my manager is here," Iris said as she walked towards him.
The tall man stood up after petting the two cats. Then he gave Iris a quick nuzzle before facing the manager.
Tang Yiyi was struck by the beautiful couple in front of her. She just stood there like a stupid idiot, her eyes goggling at them. They looked so perfect together that they didn't seem real. When she finally regained her senses, Tang Yiyi had the strongest feeling that she knew this man. She just couldn't remember who he was at the moment.
"Hello, my name is Tang Yiyi of Bright Summit Entertainment Company. I'm your fiancée Iris Long's manager. It's nice to meet you, Mister?"
The man stepped forward and shook hands with her. "Hello. Welcome to our home, Miss Tang. Thank you for taking care of my fiancé. My name is Jin Liwei. It's also nice to meet you."
"J-jin Liwei?!!!"
Tang Yiyi's heart stopped for a few seconds. Her eyes felt like they were going to pop out of her head while her jaw felt like it was going to dislocate from her shock. Of course she recognized the President-CEO of Jin Corporation! Not to mention that he was also the elder brother of Jin Chonglin who was one of Bright Summit's biggest prides.
"Y-you…Iris…you're engaged to J-jin Liwei?! The Jin Liwei?!!" She asked in disbelief.
"Yes! Yes, I need to sit down…oh…" The manager dropped on the sofa like a heavy rock. Her wide eyes stared at the couple like they were extinct creatures brought back to life.
The butler wheeled in some hot Da Hong Pao tea and biscuits. Tang Yiyi shoved biscuits into her mouth. She gradually recovered from her shock only to discover that she already finished the entire plate of biscuits. She gulped down tea.
Then they began to talk. Tang Yiyi was excited after knowing the identity of Iris' fiancé. She suggested revealing his identity to the public to stop all the rumours saying that Iris was lovers with Enrique Valdez and Maestro De Luca. However, Iris rejected the idea.
"Hmm. You're right. Now is not a good time to reveal that your fiancé is Jin Liwei. You still haven't stabilized your foothold in the industry yet. People will think that you used him to advance your career."
The three talked about the engagement and Iris' upcoming interview. They thought about the best ways to answer some questions that were sure to be asked.
When Tang Yiyi was about to leave, she finally realized the meaning of the LX monograms around the mansion.
"How sweet and romantic using your initials together all over your home. Maybe it's just a coincidence, but the company that is co-producing the film 'Strong Yet Broken' which Iris is involved in is also called LX Productions."
"En. It's my company," Jin Liwei told her.
The poor manager was once again shocked out of her wits.
The day of the interview.
Iris and her people arrived at a TV station building. It was different from the TV station of "MusicFest Tonight". As expected, a horde of fans and paparazzi waited outside the building for Iris. When she arrived, they swarmed to her. Jiang Ying Yue and Dom stuck close to her while several bodyguards encircled them.
"We love you, Boss Iris!"
A group wearing suits indicated that they were Black Stars. Iris spent some time interacting with them, signing autographs and taking pictures.
Then suddenly, tomatoes started raining down on Iris and her group. Iris calmly took the umbrella from Dom's bag and opened it over their heads. Tomatoes splattered on the umbrella, making Iris' hands shake from the force but the important thing was that they weren't hit. Some of the bodyguards were hit, though.
"I don't accept your engagement, Iris Long! Break up with your fiancé and I'll forget about my anger and return to being a Black Star!"
Iris' eyes turned cold.
The Black Stars present were enraged.
"Who wants you back? The Black Stars don't need you! Even if you want to return, you're not welcome anymore! Go away and don't bother our boss!"
Iris nodded. Then she turned to her true fans. "Everyone, please hold your temper. I don't want anyone getting hurt because of me. Thank you very much for your support. Please know that I always appreciate you."
"Boss Iris, we're always here for you! We're not like these fake fans! We'll follow you forever and ever!"
With a last smile and a wave, Iris was led inside the building. The tomatoes and the hateful shouts continued to rain, but Iris' determination to not back down was way stronger than the umbrella she was holding. Her hands tightened around the umbrella. She felt angry that someone dared to order her around to break up with Jin Liwei.
The building's security finally responded and controlled the anti-fan who threw the tomatoes.
An assistant director welcomed Iris and her group inside and apologized for allowing such an incident to happen to her. She waved it off, not wanting to make it into a big deal. Relieved, the AD smiled and led them to the studio where the interview would be held.
The studio housed the long-time talk show "A Closer Look with Feng Jiu", hosted by the well-respected Madam Feng Jiu. She was a vivacious middle-aged lady who had interviewed countless personalities throughout her long career. She had interviewed some of the most famous figures not only in the country but also around the world. Not much was known about her personal life. She preferred to live a low-key lifestyle despite her celebrity status.
Inside Madam Feng Jiu's dressing room, she reviewed her list of questions while having her hair and make-up done.
"Sister Jiujiu, take care of dear Iris, alright?" A posh middle-aged lady asked beside her.
Feng Jiu sighed. "I know, but I still have to do a proper job as an interviewer. I just can't not ask her some juicy questions."
"Fine, I get it. You're my cousin so I'll give you face in this matter. I'll be nice to her," Feng Jiu promised the posh lady.