Chapter 1284 - Competing Against Herself

The major awards in other categories were given out one after another interspersed between varieties of performances.

JJ lost the Best Producer Award this year. It was clear from his scowling expression that he was displeased by the results.

Pandemonium rocked the entire place. Although the song that they performed was released before they became LXC Studio artists, they decided to rearrange it for tonight's performance following Iris Long's advice when they happened to meet at LXC Studio. The result was a more fine-tuned emotional and soulful head-banger. 

Iris was pleased by their performance. There was still a lot of room for improvement but the guys always showed their desire to learn new things. She was looking forward at how much they would improve in the future as LXC Studio artists.

Afterwards, it was time for another category to which Iris received a nomination. This time, however, she shared it with another person.

Male host: "Here are the nominees for Best Song by a Duo or Group!"

Two other nominees were introduced first.

Female host: "'Shining Eyes' by Iris Long and Jin Chonglin!"

Iris and Jin Chonglin were showed on the same camera frame together.

Male host: "Oh what do we have here? The final nominees are…"

Female host: "'Passionate Flames' by Iris Long and Jin Chonglin!"

Indeed, their two songs were competing against each other. Actually, it wasn't only that. 

Another song performed by another duo was originally written by Iris Long. Technically speaking, she had three songs nominated in the same category. She wrote and performed 'Shining Eyes', performed in Jin Chonglin's 'Passionate Flames', and wrote the other duet song that they were competing against right now.

Male host: "The Golden Treble for Best Song by a Duo or Group goes to…."

Both hosts: "'Shining Eyes' by Iris Long and Jin Chonglin!"

Loud applause and an outpouring of congratulations. [Read official chapters on W e b n o v e l (dot) com. Please stop supporting piracy. Also follow author on Instagram: @arriacross]

Iris and Jin Chonglin stood together. 

"Dammit," Jin Chonglin muttered even as he showed an ecstatic smile to the camera. "I thought that my song got this in the bag."

"Better luck next time, Brother Chonglin," Iris replied while smiling.

Jin Liwei also stood up and proceeded to escort his wife despite the presence of his younger brother. Then he told Jin Chonglin, "Face it. My wife is the best."

"Big Bro, I also won this award, you know."

"My wife can win even if she didn't sing this song with you."

"Tsk."

This short exchange went unnoticed by other people as Jin Liwei didn't go up the stage and just watched his wife and younger brother receive the award together. 

His eyes were only for his wife. Everyone seemed to be blurred out, even completely erased from his vision, including his younger brother. Only his beautiful and breathtaking wife remained in his sight.

Next award category was Best Music Video. 

'Shining Eyes' wasn't nominated at all because most of the music video consisted of a montage of scenes from the TV drama. Only a small portion of the music video showed Iris Long and Jin Chonglin singing. It was a musical masterpiece but the music video left much to be desired. 

If it received a nomination, Iris Long would be the first one to doubt the fairness of the music awards. She knew that the music video didn't reach the standard to compete with the other deserving nominees.

In contrast, 'Passionate Flames' was nominated. The music video was creative and well-thought-out. The choreography and cinematography were all complicated and visually stimulating. The background and props were all high quality. Jin Chonglin really pulled all the stops for the music video.

Among the nominees, it had the most views online. Watching Iris Long and Jin Chonglin dancing with their sweaty bodies surrounded by pillars of fire was indeed a treat to the eyes. 

Even Jin Liwei couldn't watch it without becoming aroused. His wife was too sexy and seductive. Before Iris became pregnant, she would dance 'Passionate Flames' in front of him whenever she wanted to seduce him. It always worked. He would always pounce on her before she could finish the whole choreography.

Back to the awards show, nobody was surprised when 'Passionate Flames' won the Golden Treble for Best Music Video. Once again, Iris Long and Jin Chonglin climbed the stage together to receive the award.

When they returned to their seats, Jin Chonglin said, "We'll keep these awards that we share at LXC Studio."

Iris thought that it was good idea. "Alright."

The show entered the final part. Only three of the major and best awards were left. 

For Best Album of the Year, Iris Long's soundtrack album for the film "Strong Yet Broken" was nominated. Unfortunately, it didn't win.

JJ was furious. He felt more indignant than when he didn't win the Best Producer Award earlier.

"What the hell was the awards committee thinking?! The brat's soundtrack album is the best among the nominees! Are the committee members' brains filled with holes?! Dammit! I'm going to complain! This is outrageous!!!"

"Now, now. Calm down for now. This isn't the time. The camera's on you." DJ Song was doing his best to soothe his close friend. 

Deep inside, DJ Song agreed with his friend. In terms of quality and excellence in musicality, Iris Long's film soundtrack album was indeed many leagues superior compared to the other nominees. However, he also understood that her album didn't sell so well in the domestic market.

Yes, it became popular especially after Iris Long won an international award in France for her work and also after the indie movie "Strong Yet Broken" received critical acclaim and achieved masterpiece status in the country's film industry.

The issue was that the film, and in extension, its soundtrack didn't really appeal to the masses. It only resonated to some specific groups of people.

Generally, Harmony Music Awards catered more towards pop songs. This wasn't an absolute rule but more obscure music would find it difficult to enter the notice of the music awards.

DJ Song suspected that Iris Long's film soundtrack album only managed to be nominated because it did quite well in the music charts when the film "Strong Yet Broken" was at its hottest.

And of course, because she was Iris Long who already established herself as an award-winning musician.