"An 'unnecessary' favour," Jin Liwei blocked his brother's claim in a cold voice. "If people discover my relationship with Xiulan on their own, then so be it. We are hiding our relationship for now because it's not the right time to announce it yet, but we have no intentions of denying it if we're discovered. Don't interfere next time."
At the moment, Jin Chonglin really wanted to cry. Wuwuwu! He did so much for the lovers, but they didn't even appreciate his effort!
But Jin Liwei wasn't finished yet.
"You should be thankful that we're brothers. I almost lost control earlier. If not because I don't want Mother to be heartbroken, I would've already beaten you up in a pulp. Xiulan is mine."
'How brutal! Am I still your brother?' Jin Chonglin cried inside.
He was now regretting what he did. He shouldn't have thrown the bouquet to Iris during his performance. He really thought that he was doing them a favour but look! No appreciation at all!
"Fine," he muttered and then began to sulk.
Jin Liwei glanced at his brother before returning his line of sight back to the stage. "Great job on your performance," he suddenly told him.
"Thanks," Jin Chonglin replied, feeling a bit better.
Jin Liwei nodded and then added, "But my wife's performance is still the best."
Then he remembered. His older brother told him something similar when he and Iris performed their new songs at "MusicFest Tonight" earlier in the year.
"I get it already," he said through gritted teeth. "Your wife will always be your number 1. You don't have to rub it in my face every single time."
"En." Jin Liwei nodded, satisfied that his brother finally understood.
If not for the fact that people were watching them right now, Jin Chonglin would've already cried at being abandoned by his own brother. However, he didn't resent them. Not at all. Thinking about the beautiful and talented Iris Long, he understood why his older brother was so in love with her.
It was a pity that she was a troublemaker and nuisance when he personally met her years ago. Now that she had matured and changed for the better, he had to find out that his own brother already snatched her up for himself. Sighing, he felt a little envious of their relationship.
Jin Chonglin's thoughts were interrupted when the show resumed. He was able to quickly recover from his brother's brutal abandonment by immersing himself in the next performances.
Finally, it was time for the most important portion of the evening—the presentation of awards.
Everyone was excited. This was the moment that they had all been waiting for. The nominees began to feel nervous.
Female host: "The voting polls for the people's choice awards are now closed. Thank you everyone for casting your votes!"
Male host: "We will now announce the winners and present the awards."
The people's choice awards ceremony began. The minor categories went up first. After several speeches, applause and loud cheering from the fans who voted, the last two and the most important categories in the people's choice awards were finally up next.
Female host: "The Most Popular Female Artist Award goes to—"
Both: "Iris Long!!!"
Everyone rose to their feet and started clapping and cheering.
Iris nodded at JJ and DJ Song beside her before walking amidst the congratulations to the stage. The male host helped her up the steps, not knowing that a certain man drowning in vinegar was already mentally decapitating him for touching his baby girl.
An official of the Harmony Music Awards handed her the heavy golden award which was shaped like a treble. The noise lowered as she walked in front of the microphone.
"Thank you so much!" Iris' voice reverberated throughout the entire arena. "Wow. This is very heavy," she said, waving the award with her two hands. "But it's nowhere near as heavy as the overwhelming support you've given me. I dedicate this award to my fans, the Black Stars! I would not be standing here today and receiving this award if not for your love and loyalty. All I can do to repay you is to continue to work hard. Thank you, Black Stars! Thank you, Harmony Music Awards! And thank you to all who voted for me!"
Iris kept her speech short. She didn't want to bog it down by thanking too many people. Besides, it was indeed the Black Stars who allowed her to win the Most Popular Female Artist Award. They deserved the dedication and recognition for their support of her. She was truly grateful to them.
As she headed back to her seat, the ceremony was interrupted by an impressively loud cheering chant. Iris stopped halfway the steps as she looked at where it was coming from.
The Black Stars chanted these words at the top of their lungs. They even choreographed some cheering moves to go along with it. It was actually secretly taught to them by Iris' assistant, Dominic Chua.
Touched, Iris gave her fans a deep curtsy bow to show her gratitude. Then she hurried down the steps to Feng Wan and her three friends. Since they were the closest Black Stars to her at the moment, she gave them a hug each, thanking them for supporting her. The four posh ladies wiped tears from their eyes, looking very proud of Iris.
Iris turned her head towards her darling. They shared a quick intimate look before she returned to her seat beside JJ and DJ Song.
The final people's choice award was for the Most Popular Male Artist. There was no suspense. Jin Chonglin was the undisputed winner. Like Iris, he also thanked his army of fans and dedicated the award to them.
Then as he headed down the stage, another chant took over the entire arena.
"LinRis! LinRis! LinRis!"
The LinRis shippers once again became excited because their favourite couple just won the two most important people's choice awards together. They believed that it was destiny and further proof that their Prince Lin Lin and Boss Iris belonged together forever and ever.
Despite Iris' insistence that her fiancé was not from showbiz, they still hoped that she was just lying to hide the truth that she and Jin Chonglin were really engaged. Their belief was cemented when Jin Chonglin threw the bouquet of red roses to Iris earlier during his performance.
Jin Chonglin only gave a careless wave at them before hurrying back to his seat. He was praying for the people to stop chanting "LinRis" because his older brother might just explode.