By the second day, the video posted on all of Iris Long's social media accounts already accumulated a combined total of more than 10 million views. And the amount was still climbing every hour.
A big part of this was because her name was repeatedly mentioned alongside a superstar like Jin Chonglin.
Not mentioning Jin Chonglin's massive army of fans, there were also a lot of bored netizens who only wanted to discuss something exciting. The rumoured love triangle between Iris Long, Jin Chonglin and Fan Luo definitely counted as an exciting topic.
Adding to the rumour of Iris Long's secret pregnancy with Jin Chonglin as the father of their love child, it was a recipe for a potential scandal. Something that these bored netizens were always eager to sink their bloodthirsty fangs on.
There was less than two weeks remaining until Iris Long's comeback album "Rebirth" would be released.
JJ's record label and Bright Summit Entertainment Company heavily promoted her upcoming comeback album online, on TV and radio commercials, newspapers and public advertisements.
This hinted to everyone the confidence JJ and Bright Summit had for Iris Long. People were baffled but also curious as to why.
Was Iris Long really talented to garner this kind of excellent treatment from these bigshots?
Wasn't she only a second-rate teen pop idol who was just lucky to have viral songs?
What poison did she feed JJ and Bright Summit to sign someone like her under their companies?
Even though she was already popular before her abrupt retirement, her previous record label and talent management company never promoted her as hard as this.
She managed to enjoy decent fame before because many of her songs were catchy and went viral. However, her songs were like shooting stars. They would shine brilliantly for a short period of time before disappearing amidst the sea of other brighter stars.
JJ's record label released previews of some of her music videos online. Iris and Bright Summit actively shared them to their own respective online followers.
These previews topped the search and view rankings in various websites. After people watched them, they were shocked by Iris' drastic change in style.
"Wow. Is this even Iris Long? She looks completely different from before. I'm not saying that her face changed or anything like that. Her face looks the same as before but looks…different. Am I even making sense? Do people understand what I'm trying to say?"
"Poster above. Yes, we know what you mean."
"Oh my God. It's just a preview but I already cried watching 'Phantom of Your Love'."
"The credits say that Iris Long is also the composer of these songs. Are you kidding me? Does she even know how to compose songs?"
"Poster above. Answer: ghost composer."
"The song 'Black Star' gave me goosebumps! I can't wait to hear the whole song!"
"What sorcery is this? This is not Iris Long! I don't believe it. It must be an impostor!"
"I didn't know that Iris Long could play the piano."
"What playing the piano? It must be a camera trick or CG. Who'll believe that she can play the piano? If she really can, she would've bragged about it and showed it off for everyone to see a long time ago. Why wait until now?"
The reactions were mixed. Many of the fans of her previous musical style of dance pop didn't know how to feel about this drastic change.
A few of them were dismayed, accusing Iris Long of being a traitor, even becoming her anti-fans.
Some of them were very excited and thought that this style suited her voice better.
The majority were neutral, withholding their verdicts until the album was officially released.
An announcement was posted on all of Iris Long's social media accounts. She would be performing on "MusicFest Tonight" this coming Friday, a week before the official release of her album "Rebirth".
"MusicFest Tonight" was a popular concert TV program aired live every Friday night from 7:30 PM to 9:30 PM, where singers, bands, idol groups, and musicians perform in front of a large audience.
The previous Iris Long was a frequent guest performer in this program because many of her songs were quite popular that time. It would be more than two years since she performed on this stage.
"MusicFest Tonight" would mark her official comeback performance since her disappearance and abrupt retirement two years ago.
Many were looking forward to this coming Friday's "MusicFest Tonight" episode for different reasons.
Her haters couldn't wait for her to mess up her comeback performance, humiliate herself, and become a laughingstock.
It was a fact, however, that people were curious about Iris Long. She disappeared for so long after all.
How would she perform?
Was the hype surrounding her upcoming comeback album "Rebirth" worth it?
Was she really changing her musical style?
Would this change in style be successful?
What really happened to her during her absence?
All sorts of questions popped into people's minds. They were hoping that Iris Long would provide them with answers this coming Friday.
Double release again today! Enjoy!
Friday.
Iris arrived at the TV station building where the big studio for "MusicFest Tonight" was located.
Dom, her new manager Tang Yiyi, a makeup 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 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 makeup artist and the hair stylist started arranging 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 makeup done.
Dom was pacing back and forth with an anxious expression on his face.
"Dom, can you stop? You're making me dizzy." Iris finally couldn't stand his nonstop pacing anymore.
"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 on the stage, 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, Big 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.
"Oh my God, boss! You're gorgeous! Let me take pictures of you!" Dom excitedly snapped some photos of her from different angles.
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, Big 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.
If things went according to Dom's predictions, then Mr. Jin Liwei would marry his boss. Then wouldn't Mr. Jin eventually become his boss as well? It wouldn't hurt to start presenting a good impression to his future sir boss now.
"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 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."
"Understood, President."
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 blog post a few days ago saying so. She just didn't expect that she would meet him in the hallway like this.
An image of Jin Liwei rose in her mind, warning her to stay away from his brother.
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!"
Double chapter today! Enjoy!
This will be the last bonus chapter until the mass release on the holidays. We'll return to the usual 1 ch/day starting tomorrow. Please be patient. Only a week left until the mass release.
Please continue to spare power stones for Iris.
Thank you!
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