His Genius Wife Is A Superstar

Chapter 1647: Ready, Set, Lunch Party

The glam team began touching up Iris Long's makeup and slightly changing her hairstyle. She also changed into another outfit; a little more elegant this time. Nevertheless, it didn't feel stiff at all. It was a semi-formal dress shirt and trousers combo that emphasized her hourglass figure.

When Jin Liwei saw his wife wearing it, he couldn't help but grab her waist and pull her in for a deep kiss.

Dom and the other entourage members snickered among themselves. They were already used to this kind of public display of affection from their bosses. It was just like any other day. They would be more concerned, perhaps even fearful, if their bosses stayed silent and ignored each other. It was much better seeing them so affectionate like usual. It meant that all was well.

After the kiss, Iris chuckled and patted her husband's cheek. Then she urged the makeup artist to reapply her lipstick, which her husband had just eaten.

The makeup artist didn't even bat an eye. The lipstick was applied, no problem.

While Iris was busy getting ready, the others already began snacking to pad their stomachs. At the same time, they watched the live broadcast of the "Ready, Set, Lunch Party" show.

"Is that the show's theme song?" Iris asked.

"Yes, Boss," Dom replied. "The hosts and the audience sing it together every time the show starts."

She nodded, not commenting anymore but continuing to watch instead.

Deep inside, however, she couldn't help but analyze the show's theme song.

It had a lively tempo. With her rudimentary understanding of the local language, Filipino (Tagalog), she could discern the simple and happy-go-lucky lyrics.

There was nothing too profound in either the melody or the lyrics. It was most likely created to be as catchy as possible.

Although the music itself wasn't anything impressive, Iris admired its connection to the people.

Perhaps it was because of the show's almost four decades-long run, or maybe it was simply because of its relevance to people's TV viewing habits. The show, and by extension, the theme song itself had already become ingrained into the Filipino people's psyche, connecting it to noon-time entertainment and much-needed assistance, especially to the financially struggling demographic.

Iris, then, had an epiphany.

She, who had always strived for the most meaningful and sophisticated music composition, was starting to realize the wisdom that said: that not all music had to be technically sound in order to be considered great.

Just the fact that such a simplistic, even childish, and frankly, terrible song could resonate with so many people was enough to prove that the most important aspect of music was to connect with hearts and emotions. This would ensure the song's longevity.

No matter how the times and the trends may change, a classic would remain a classic. Even when the composer or the singer died, the music would be remembered for many generations to come.

Timeless.

That was what she strived to create with her own music.

Yes, she was a genius. A certified one at that.

But part of being a genius was acknowledging her shortcomings. Only by doing so would she be able to continue learning and improving. Hopefully, one day, she would reach the pinnacle of music.

She was looking forward to it.

After the hosts and the live audience members finished singing the theme song together, Iris snapped back to the present.

Although she wouldn't sacrifice her own method of crafting music to emulate a simplistic and childish way like the show's theme song, she would do her best not to be so rigid anymore especially when it came to technicalities. It would certainly be difficult, but hey, it wouldn't hurt to try, right?

Her mouth automatically opened when Jin Liwei fed her some cubed ripe mangoes.

"Hm, delicious," she murmured.

"More?" he asked.

She shook her head. "I'll eat later."

"En." Jin Liwei finished the rest of the mango slices.

Her eyes never left the TV by the wall. The hosts had already begun bantering with each other.

Master Beauty was obviously the showmaker with her quick wit and timely ad-libs. The other veteran hosts seamlessly followed her lead.

The younger hosts, however, were not as experienced as them. Their follow-ups weren't as smooth. Fortunately, the veteran hosts quickly covered up for them with Master Beauty even taking the chance to make fun of them for laughs without offending anyone. It was all good fun.

Even if Iris didn't completely understand what they were all talking about, she still couldn't help but smile and laugh.

No wonder this was still running after almost four decades. "Ready, Set, Lunch Party" was, without a doubt, a feel-good program. Viewers obviously loved watching it because it helped them relax and have fun during their lunch breaks.

The program had plenty of mainstay segments. They did a couple and gave away prices worth about half a grand in Philippine pesos. Nothing too big as the episode had just begun. It was like giving away candies to whet the appetite.

There was a knock on the door.

The same staff member who showed them around the dressing room earlier entered. "Miss Iris, please begin standby backstage. Our 'Call of the Spotlight' segment is starting soon after the next commercial break."

Iris and the others all stood up and followed the staff member. Another staff member hooked her with a lapel microphone.

Two people, an elderly female and a middle-aged man, approached her.

A staff member made the introductions.

Upon hearing their names, Iris' eyes lit up.

"I know both of you!" she exclaimed.

They looked surprised.

"Aren't you the singer and composer of 'I'll Love You Tomorrow and Today'?" she asked the middle-aged man.

"You know my song?" he asked, his expression a mixture of shock and delight.

"Yes, of course. My best friend-slash-assistant here, Dominic Chua, sings it all the time! He says that it's a classic and that it's a karaoke favourite. I've heard Dom sing it so much that I've decided to learn how to sing it, too."

The middle-aged man's eyes watered a little. "I can't believe that a famous foreigner like you would know about my humble song."

"I also know about your other songs. They're all excellent. And please, you've been more famous longer than me. I would love to chat with you again and talk about how you compose music."

"I would love that, Iris." The man looked like he was soaring to the heavens.

Iris turned to the elderly lady. Unlike the middle-aged man, the elderly lady was a pure vocalist. She didn't compose music, but her voice alone made her an icon among the Filipino people for more than six decades.

"Madam, I love your ballad songs, especially 'Please Don't Hurt Me Anymore'. Your voice put in so many emotions in the song that it makes me teary whenever I listen to it."

The elderly lady held both of Iris' hands. "Do you really know my songs?"

"Yes, Madam."

Then Iris sang the chorus of "Please Don't Hurt Me Anymore". Her acapella rendition was softer yet fuller than the original version.

It was just casual singing yet both the eyes of the middle-aged man and the elderly lady sparkled upon hearing her voice.

"My grandchildren didn't lie to me," the elderly lady said, "your voice sounds divine."

"Your grandchildren?" asked Iris. "They know me?"

"They're your fans, especially my one and only granddaughter. She got her siblings and cousins to join your fan club. What's it called again? The Black Cards?"

"The Black Stars," the middle-aged man corrected.

"Oh, right. Yes, the Black Stars. Sorry about that, my dear. My memory isn't as sharp as it used to be."

Iris gave the elderly lady's hands a gentle squeeze, conveying to her that everything was fine. No offence taken.

"My wife is also a fan of yours," the middle-aged man said. "She's also a singer. She would have loved to join us today but she has to attend an endorsement event."

"His wife is also famous in our country," the elderly lady informed Iris. "Legendary, as a matter of fact."

Iris remembered something that Dom told her before. "Your wife is Virginia Velasco, right?"

"You also know my wife?" the middle-aged man asked, looking shocked again.

"Of course! Your wife is a brilliant vocalist. Her songs are all technically challenging. It's so much fun singing her songs."

Now, the middle-aged man was beyond ecstatic. He looked happier to know that someone like Iris Long knew about his wife than when he learned that she knew about him earlier.

"Now I have to meet your wife," Iris said.

"Sure, sure! Iris, we would love to have you for dinner if you have the time."

"How about this?" the elderly lady said. "I'll host dinner at my place. You all come and join me and my family. We can talk about music, our experiences, and anything we can think of. What do you think, Iris?"

"I would love that, Madam." Iris smiled.

Then she gave Dom a look. He understood her meaning in an instant. He fished out his phone and exchanged contact information with the elderly lady and the middle-aged man right there and then.

Afterwards, Iris didn't forget to introduce Jin Liwei and the rest of her entourage to the two.

Both were very polite. It was clear, though, that they were more interested in Iris Long than in a billionaire CEO like Jin Liwei.

The corners of Jin Liwei's mouth curved up. His eyes softened while his arm tightened around his wife's waist.

"The commercial has ended," the staff member interrupted. "All three judges, please get ready to step on stage when your names are called."