Friday.
Iris arrived at the TV station building where the big studio for "MusicFest Tonight" was located.
Dom, her new manager Tang Yiyi, a make-up artist and a hair stylist provided by Bright Summit accompanied her.
She wore big, dark sunglasses and a mask, so the crowd of various fans of different artists outside the building wouldn't recognize her.
They were greeted by one of the show's assistant directors who led them to a dressing room. Fortunately, she didn't need to share it with other artists like before. Iris could feel the influence of both JJ and Bright Summit.
They were fifteen minutes early.
They first familiarized themselves with the dressing room. The make-up artist and the hair stylist took out and arranged their equipment. Finally, the two started working on Iris.
Tang Yiyi was busy speaking to someone on the phone.
A flat-screen TV hanging on a corner showed that tonight's episode already began airing. They watched the opening artists' performances and short interviews, while Iris was having her hair and make-up done.
Dom was pacing back and forth with an anxious expression on his face.
"But boss, I'm so nervous! I can't breathe! I feel like puking. I think I'm gonna have a heart attack!"
"Why are you nervous? I'm the one who's performing onstage, not you."
"Dominic Chua, stop spreading your nervousness!" Tang Yiyi rebuked him. "You should be encouraging Iris instead. Do your job as an assistant properly! If you can't calm down, get out of the room!"
"I…sorry, Sis Yiyi! Boss, just ignore me. I'll calm down." Dom took exaggerated inhalations and exhalations.
Tang Yiyi rolled her eyes before turning to her new artist. "Don't be nervous. Relax and perform your best. I know you can do it. I've seen how hard you worked making this album and rehearsing for this performance. Show everyone the new Iris Long. Show them that you deserve this comeback!"
Iris smiled at her. "Don't worry, Elder Sister Yiyi. I'm only feeling a little nervous. I'll be alright."
"Good. The symphony orchestra has arrived. Everything's in order."
"Thank you, Elder Sister Yiyi."
She changed into an elegant emerald dress similar to the one she wore at the end of the video she posted on her social media accounts. However, the style was slightly different. This dress had subtle sparkles that glittered when the light hit them.
Iris chuckled. She accommodated her assistant, striking classy poses which made Dom squeal in delight.
"You look beautiful." Tang Yiyi nodded her appreciation.
"Thank you. Elder Sister Yiyi, I need to go the washroom."
"Alright. I'll go with you. Dominic, stay here and guard our stuff."
"No problem, Sis Yiyi!"
When Iris and Tang Yiyi left the dressing room, Dom sent the photos he took of his boss to Jin Liwei.
"Ehehe."
Dom didn't feel guilty at all. He figured that it was only a matter of time before his boss and Mr. Jin Liwei officially became a couple. Dom was also a man. He knew when a man was interested in a woman.
His Momsy told him before that he had a fearsome intuition. That was why he insisted that he worked and lived in China, even though his beloved family was in the Philippines. He just felt deep within his bones that his fortune was in this country. Others called him reckless, but for him, it was just walking the path God destined for him.
"Ehehe."
###
Miles away.
Jin Corporation.
A cold-faced Jin Liwei was leaving his company building followed by his assistant, Xu Tian. His employees respectfully bowed and bid him goodbye as he walked past them.
As the car drove out of the underground parking lot, Jin Liwei's phone beeped. He took a look and saw that it was a message from the girl's assistant.
Moments later, a smile brightened the cold man's face. Xu Tian glanced at the rear-view mirror and just happened to see the President smiling.
He almost crashed the car.
"Xu Tian, drive to a florist. Order one hundred fresh red roses and send it to Long Xiulan's home tonight."
Jin Liwei spent almost the entire drive looking at the photos, a dangerous smile on his face.
###
Back at the TV station building.
Iris and Tang Yiyi left the washroom after they were done. They hadn't met other artists so far, only encountering some of the show's staff who they exchanged greetings with.
Iris could see the curiosity for her in their eyes when they recognized her. She just smiled at them, not speaking much.
However, they soon met a familiar face in the hallway while they were heading back to her dressing room.
"Eh? Is that you, Iris Long?" Jin Chonglin called out to her, his eyes widening in surprise upon seeing her.
Iris stiffened and stopped walking for about a second before putting a formal smile on her face. She gracefully walked towards Jin Chonglin. He was accompanied by his manager, Lin Dong.
She knew that he would also be performing tonight because she saw his Weibo post a few days ago saying so. She just didn't expect that she would meet him in the hallway like this.
Suddenly feeling annoyed, she pushed the arrogant man out of her mind as she greeted the damn man's younger brother in front of her.
"Greetings to Senior Jin Chonglin!"