"That sounds awesome, Boss," Dom said. "But Elder Sis Yiyi says that even though you already have LXC Studio and don't need to worry about breaching a management contract, she doesn't recommend you showing any hickeys on your body."
Iris pursed her lips and glanced at her husband's reflection on the mirror.
Jin Liwei looked displeased and disappointed but didn't insist on showing the hickeys he made on her body. Instead, he walked to her and kissed her hand. He wanted to kiss her lips but the makeup artist was painting on them.
"I'll check the location with Xu Tian first, love," he told her. "Then I'll meet you for breakfast later."
"Okay, darling. See you later."
"See you."
Dom and the glam team waved goodbye at him as he left. On his way out, he met the butler with Reina and Linda Chua wheeling a few containers of soup. He greeted all of them. [Read official chapters on W e b n o v e l (dot) com. Please stop supporting piracy. Also follow author on Instagram: @arriacross]
"Clover is already helping your assistant at the location," Reina informed him when he said that he was heading there. "Here, bring some soup to warm your stomach before we eat breakfast together later."
"En. Thanks, Auntie Reina." He received a portion of the soup in a container.
Then they entered the master bedroom to give Iris, Dom and the glam team some soup as well. The soup was mainly to help the pregnant Iris avoid getting hungry before breakfast was ready since she woke up early today.
When Jin Liwei arrived with an empty soup container at the indoor forest, he saw a busy crew directed by Xu Tian with Clover assisting. There were professional cameras, computers, lights and all manner of equipment pointing towards a casual set-up. In front of the koi fish pond was a loveseat and a side table with a beautiful flower arrangement and a framed wedding photo of Iris and Jin Liwei on top. Behind the simple yet tasteful set-up was backdropped by the islet in the middle of the pond where the couple exchanged their marriage vows.
Everyone greeted Jin Liwei when they saw him. He waved a hand, gesturing for them to continue their work. Only Xu Tian and Clover came up to him to report on the progress. There wasn't much that Jin Liwei didn't already know because he had been listening to Ketchup's updates via his hidden earpiece.
Xu Tian left to continue directing the crew while Jin Liwei spoke to Clover.
"My wife and I appreciate you helping out today."
"No worries, Sir Boss. I'm super excited to join in the fun. My cousins in the Philippines and their friends who all joined Black Stars keep on messaging me. They all can't wait for the livestream to start."
Jin Liwei looked satisfied.
Clover returned to assisting Xu Tian while Jin Liwei had Ketchup connect him to Jasper Leung in Singapore.
"CEO Jin, please rest assured that everything is ready on my end," Jasper reported to him. "Although the number of Singaporean Black Stars participating in today's event can't compare to the Chinese Black Stars and even to the Filipino Black Stars, I feel quite proud of the high quality of my fellow Singaporean's entries in your special contest."
"En, good job."
Indeed, Jin Liwei had seen the entries of the Singaporean finalists and felt impressed. They focused more on quality rather than quantity which got his praise.
After speaking to Jasper, he did a final check on the location with his security team to make sure that it was completely safe for his wife. Then he and Clover met his wife and the others at a lounge area near their master suite to eat breakfast together.
Iris hadn't completely finished getting ready yet. She was still wearing a kimono robe, not yet in her actual outfit, and her hair still knotted in curlers. Jin Liwei gave her a quick peck on the corner of her mouth as he sat down beside her.
The Chuas were present except for Marjorie, her husband, and their two children. The family of four were instead having breakfast with Jiang Ying Yue, Little Jun, Ice Cream and Popcorn, and of course, Grandpa Lu who adored doting on the children. They didn't want to disturb Iris' group with the boisterous children, hence this separate breakfast arrangement.
As for Lu Zihao and Long Jinjing, the couple preferred to spend time alone with each other to focus on their relationship after everything that happened to them.
While they were eating breakfast, Tang Yiyi arrived to join them. Although she was busy screening and recruiting promising talents for LXC Studio with Lin Dong, she was still Iris' manager at the end of the day. She came to make sure that today's event went smoothly. This could be counted as Iris Long's first official show after her marriage with Jin Liwei.
Tang Yiyi swept her eyes like a hawk over Iris' body and nodded in approval. Then she caught something on Jin Liwei. Her eyes widened before she frowned.
"CEO Jin, please excuse my impertinence, but can you please cover up the hickeys on your neck?"
"I refuse," he replied in a calm manner while putting more food on his wife's plate.
Tang Yiyi opened and closed her mouth, wanting to persuade him to change his mind, but eventually gave up. Jin Liwei wasn't her charge, unlike Iris. Tang Yiyi had no right to dictate his actions or appearance when showing himself to the public. She could only sigh and continue eating. Her mind, however, was already running in full speed.
She planned on contacting LXC Studio's new PR Department in order to spin Jin Liwei's visible kiss marks on the neck into something positive. This was a matter that would directly affect Iris Long's image and showbiz career. After all, Iris was still a celebrity despite marrying Jin Liwei and becoming the new Madam Jin.
Jin Liwei knew what the manager was thinking about. He wasn't worried at all because he already had his own PR team to control the situation, not to mention that Ketchup's team of virtual assistants, including the part-time Bacon, were all helping out today.
Later, breakfast was eaten and everyone was finally ready. The indoor forest was filled with people and three eye-catching small mountains of prizes.
Jin Liwei held out his hand to his wife. "Shall we, Mrs. Jin?"