Chapter 1279 - Waiting

Compared to last year's music awards, the weather this time was quite pleasant. It was still a little cold but a jacket was enough to solve it. The countless fans waiting for their favourite stars flooded around the barricaded red carpet leading to the entrance of the music awards venue. 

Just like last year, there was a very noticeable group among the fans. They were very organized and wore their trademark suits. If not for the posters and lightsticks they were holding, others might think that they weren't fans but triad members instead. 

No matter if they were young or old or somewhere in between, they wore their suits with pride. Others found them cool while some thought they were tacky. The Black Stars didn't care. As long as they stood united to support their boss, then that was all it mattered to them.

The teenage Ming Li (a.k.a. LittlePhoenix) came with her father because it was the only way that her parents would allow her to go to the red-carpet event today. Her mother stayed at home to take care of her little brother who was still too young to go to crowded places like this. 

Ever since she was invited to attend Boss Iris and CEO Jin's private wedding as a guest, her parents became more accepting of her fan activities as a Black Star. In fact, her family had all become Black Stars especially after Iris offered Ming Li a conditional offer of college sponsorship in the future as long as she studied hard. The sponsorship would cover her tuition, mandatory expenses and allowance even if she chose to study abroad.

There were already a few college sponsorship recipients among the Black Stars including their founder and president, Zhou Mei'er (a.k.a. CaptainBlackStar).

This education sponsorship program was just another reason why the Black Stars loved their Boss Iris. Of course, not everyone qualified for the program. They also needed to show with their results and circumstances that they were deserving to benefit from the sponsorship program. This wasn't an issue for the Black Stars.

They were already grateful that such a life-changing program was available to them. As a matter of fact, all the current recipients were doing their best in their studies with the aim of working in one of their Boss Iris' companies after graduation. Even when their Boss Iris told them that she never expected them to return the favour by actually working for her, they still set working in her companies as their career goals.

Back to the red carpet event, Ming Li and her father were chatting with Zhou Mei'er and the other Black Stars. All of them were extremely organized with almost military-like precision. Nevertheless, their expressions were filled with excitement as they continued waiting for their beloved Boss Iris.

"I hope Boss Iris is feeling better," Ming Li commented about Dom the Beauty King's update last week regarding Boss Iris catching a cold and the possibility that she might miss the music awards this year if not healed in time. 

"There's a new update," Zhou Mei'er replied. "Boss Iris personally posted that she's all better now and will surely attend."

All the Black Stars cheered. Sightings of their Boss Iris had become increasingly rare in recent months. They missed her so much.

The celebrities arrived one after another. Their respective fans did their best to show support. The cameras flashed. [Read official chapters on W e b n o v e l (dot) com. Please stop supporting piracy. Also follow author on Instagram: @arriacross]

It was a big media event of glitz and glamour.

Finally, the hottest names in showbiz started arriving. 

"Comrades, get ready!" Zhou Mei'er announced. "Boss Iris should be arriving anytime soon."

About fifteen minutes later, probably the largest group of fans in the venue started screaming at the top of their lungs. The Black Stars glanced at the other group of fans and grinned at them. The two groups now considered each other as siblings-in-law.

"Prince Lin Lin!!!"

"You're so handsome, Prince Lin Lin! Please marry me!"

"I want to give birth to your baby!"

"KYAAAAAAAAH!!!!!!!!!"

Jin Chonglin's army of fans finally showed their might at their prince's arrival. The other fan groups earlier couldn't compare to them.

As usual, Jin Chonglin flashed everyone his killer smile, prompting another wave of deafening screams. He found his beloved army of fans and acknowledged them with a flirtatious wink.

The camera flashes intensified. Jin Chonglin was in his element. There was no hesitation in his movements as he posed here and there. He oozed confidence and charisma. When he appeared, all the other celebrities seemed to pale in comparison.

More celebrities arrived but he still didn't move from his original position by the starting point of the red carpet. As a result, those other celebrities got less attention than they expected. It was difficult competing with a superstar like Jin Chonglin.

Famous (or infamous depending on the perspective) music producer, JJ, and his close friend, radio host and music critic, DJ Song, arrived together. They immediately saw the conspicuous Jin Chonglin and headed straight to him. 

Although Jin Chonglin was a superstar, he still humbled himself and greeted JJ and DJ Song with great respect and politeness.

Before Iris and Jin Chonglin started their own entertainment company, LXC Studio, JJ had always treated him with barely concealed antagonism. JJ considered Iris to be his precious protégé and wanted her to beat Jin Chonglin's ass in the music industry. 

Well, to be honest, JJ still wanted Iris to beat and surpass Jin Chonglin even until now. But at least the music producer was friendlier to Jin Chonglin after Iris' marriage to Jin Liwei and the establishement of LXC Studio.

"Not going in yet, boy?" JJ asked.

"Let's go in together," DJ Song suggested.

"Please go ahead without me," Jin Chonglin replied. "I'm waiting for my big brother and Sister Xiulan."

"Ah, I see." DJ Song wasn't bothered and immediately accepted the reason.

"Then I'll stay here and wait for my protégé with you," JJ said and did just that.

DJ Song sighed but decided to join his friend. 

The trio caught everyone's attention. People wondered what the three men were doing just standing there and not entering the venue yet.

The official media reporters weren't stationed by this part of the red carpet.. Seeing the trio, the more quick-thinking ones decided to temporarily ditch their original spots to get first-hand interviews with the superstar, music producer and radio host.