His Genius Wife Is A Superstar

Chapter 1565 Welcome, Partners!

Iris and Jin Liwei led Director Jabar Wilkins to a nearby sitting room. The atmosphere was more casual than Iris' meeting with Sheikha Amira earlier. The husband and wife also didn't rush down right to business but chatted with the American director for a while.

Finally, the director was the first to bring up the film project in their conversation.

"So I'm guessing that you've already made your final decision?" he asked, his eyes expectant.

Iris chuckled. "Yes, we would love to help fund your film project as investors."

"En." Jin Liwei nodded.

Director Jabar Wilkins froze for a couple seconds before standing up and laughing uproariously. "That's what I'm talking about! Welcome, partners!"

He shook hands with the husband and wife, making them laugh. After he calmed down, Iris explained the rough details about how they would invest.

"Since you can't find a production house for your film, we're thinking of allowing our entertainment company to produce it instead," Iris said. "LXC Studio might be relatively new, but we're confident that we can handle the production costs without any problem. Even if the company funds aren't enough, we're willing to dip into our personal money to keep the project going. We also want to use this chance to allow LXC Studio to jump fully into the international scene and become one of the major players. This is a risk we're willing to take. Also, my brother-in-law, Jin Chonglin, is interested in becoming an executive producer like me."

The director couldn't hide his excitement. In fact, he wasn't willing to hide it.

"Good! This is the best news that I've heard in months!"

The three discussed the project. There was palpable excitement in the air. The American director's laughter was so contagious that Iris and Jin Liwei couldn't help but laugh as well.

"We're leaving France tonight, but I'll send someone to represent us," Iris said. "You can go ahead and start gathering your team, Jabar. Oh, right. I almost forgot. We'll also send a lawyer to help you re-negotiate the book option. If they won't let you renew it anymore before the expiry date, then we'll just option it under our names. Whatever works, we'll do it."

Jabar Wilkins nodded. "Yes, yes! Let's do that. I'll start working on gathering people right away. Now that I've secured investors, there should be people interested in working with me again. We might not be able to cast any top actors and actresses for the main characters, but I'm not interested in them anyway. I'd rather find promising newbies to raise up. That'd be more interesting, don't you think?"

Iris' eyes lit up, indeed finding the idea interesting. "Do what you need to do, Jabar. I won't interfere with the casting at all. I just want you to choose people who can play the characters the best."

"That's a given," he said. "I've always been meticulous in all the films I make."

"But I still need to see the cast members during filming, so that I can tailor the soundtrack to the scenes better."

"You're an important investor so feel free to drop in anytime during the filming. I'm also looking forward to how you'll compose the film score."

The three still wanted to continue the discussions but time was tight.

"We apologize that we can't invite you to dinner tonight because we have a flight to catch, but we'll make it up to you next time," Iris said.

Jabar waved his hand in a "no worries" gesture. "I also plan to leave France in a few days and return to America to get to work in gathering a solid team for our film project. I'll contact you for updates, and of course, if I need more budget."

"Sure, Jabar."

Iris and Jin Liwei led the director back to the front hall where Dom was waiting with a box of assorted baked desserts made by the private chef. Iris took it and gave it to the director.

"This is for you. Thanks for the macarons you gave us earlier. I'm sure that my eldest twin son will love them."

"How about your other son?" he asked.

"My other son inherited a lot of his traits from his father," Iris said with a helpless smile. "They don't really have a sweet tooth."

"Ah, what a sad life to live." Jabar gave an exaggerated sigh.

Everyone laughed.

"Mama!" Little Mochi called out as his nanny carried him out.

"Ma!" Little Matcha followed suit in his nanny's arms.

"Oh, here are my sons," Iris said. "Let me introduce you."

The husband and wife took their sons from the nannies.

"Jabar, this is Haoyu. His nickname is Mochi. English name is Viktor. And this is Lingyu. Nickname is Mochi. English name is Yuri. We don't really call them by their English names yet, so they might not acknowledge you if you use their English names."

"Oh, how cute!" Jabar Wilkins squatted to the ground, making himself appear smaller. "You're Mochi, right? And Matcha?"

Little Mochi was a little scared of the big, dark man. He hugged his mommy's neck and peeked at the director from the corner of his eyes.

In contrast, Little Matcha wasn't the least bit intimidated.

"Uh," he said and nodded after hearing the stranger calling his name.

The little guy could already read the room. He had noticed that his parents were very friendly with the big, dark man just like how they treated his uncles back home. This meant that the stranger was no threat.

Little Matcha's treatment of the American director was completely different from how he treated the French magnate. He could sense when his parents were acting friendly or hostile to another person, and he would follow their example.

Although the American director looked intimidating, his big smile was extremely genuine and friendly. Little Matcha felt comfortable with him.

Seeing that his twin brother acknowledged the scary man, Little Mochi grew curious. He steeled himself and faced the stranger before offering a shy smile.

"Yah!" (Hi!) He waved his little hand.

Jabar Wilkins laughed. "Mochi and Matcha are good kids. Uncle Jabar will get you better gifts next time."

Then he slowly stood up, making sure not to startle the babies. "Thanks for today, Iris and Liam. You all have a safe trip. When the project is finally underway, drop by my place in America. I'll host you!"

"Thank you, Jabar. We won't stand in ceremony at that time, then." Iris smiled.

"En." Jin Liwei nodded.

Little Matcha: "Uh." (Bye.)

Little Mochi: "Yah yah!" (Bye-bye!)

Finally, the American director left with the beautifully packed box of assorted desserts.

Iris was in a good mood. Despite cutting their family trip short and leaving Paris ahead of schedule, today's back-to-back meetings had been fruitful. She was extremely satisfied with the results.

Jin Liwei kissed her forehead. He was glad that his wife's mood had improved.

By this time, the huge front doors opened. In came a sprightly old man.

"Is everyone ready to go?" Grandpa Lu's voice boomed in the front hall. "I want to know!"

The babies struggled against their parents' arms and insisted on being put down. Iris and Jin Liwei humoured them. The two babies toddled toward their great-grandfather.

"Ah, my dear Little Mochi and Little Matcha are still as cute as ever! Great-grandpa Lu missed you two so much! Did you miss your Great-Grandpa Lu as well? Tell me, I want to know!"

The babies were already used to their great-grandfather's booming voice, so they weren't startled one bit.

Little Mochi: "Yah yah!" (Miss you!)

Little Matcha: "Uh." (Yes.)

Grandpa Lu couldn't understand what the babies said, of course, but he believed that they said that they missed their great-grandpa the most. He was so pleased that he kissed the babies' cheeks again, tickling them with his mustache.

While Little Mochi and Little Matcha giggled, Jin Liwei checked with Dom and the staff about their departure itinerary.

"We'll have dinner at the plane," Jin Liwei said. "Make sure that you've packed everything because we have to leave in half an hour."

"Okay, sir boss," Dom said with a thumbs up. "I'll go call Sis Fei now."

Iris let her husband handle all the departure arrangements. She went to a corner and called Ashandra Knightson. Fortunately, her friend quickly picked up the call.

"Hi, Xiulan. I'm back here in the academy. Thank you and your husband for lending me your private jet."

"You're welcome, Ashandra," Iris said. "How are you?"

"I'm doing so much better now. I'm seeing my therapist again because what happened in Paris has been giving me nightmares."

"Do whatever it needs to get better, Ashandra. Stay there in the academy until we figure out why the curator, the docent, and the nurse were killed. I don't want you to risk your safety."

"I know. The headmaster and my mentors said the same thing. They're also helping launch a private investigation for me."

"Good."

Ashandra sighed. "Xiulan, at this rate, I won't be able to attend Orchidia Germany's launch."

"Why are you so worried about it?" Iris asked. "You already came to attend Liberté's launch which means so much to me. In addition, you gave me such a precious gift. I love the painting, Ashandra. I can't wait until we get it. My husband already has a place to hang it at Dragon Palace."

"I'm glad you love it. My representatives should be dealing with the silent auction results at this very moment. Once everything is done, they'll personally deliver the painting to your home."

"I can't wait." Iris caught her sons who toddled over to her. "Don't worry about attending Orchidia Germany's launch anymore. Your safety is more important."

"What about AJ and the others?" Ashandra asked. "Are they coming to Germany? I haven't spoken to them because they haven't returned to the academy yet."