Chapter 1116 - Video Message
After the great fanfare of the red carpet outside, the highly anticipated launch of Jin Chonglin's exclusive men's line of products with Orchidia Beauty finally started in the hotel's grand hall. There were a lot of famous faces present. One face, however, was obviously missing.
Internet forums and livestream bullet comments were filled with the same question, "Where is Iris Long?"
She owned Orchidia Beauty and was its President-CEO, yet she didn't show up? This wasn't the main issue, though. Some of Jin Chonglin's army of fans were displeased that she was absent from their Prince Lin Lin's important event.
Prince Lin Lin was a superstar. There was no question that his status in showbiz was in a different league than Iris Long's. He was also her senior. And even if he was now Iris Long's brother-in-law, couldn't she at least show him some respect by attending the launch of his men's line with her own company?
These disgruntled fans, however, were a minority. Most of Jin Chonglin's army of fans had long since developed a friendship with the Black Stars. Before Iris married Jin Chonglin's older brother, CEO Jin Liwei, there had been quite a number of LinRis shippers. After Iris married CEO Jin Liwei, the connection between the two fandoms had become stronger. Jin Chonglin's army of fans now considered the Black Stars as their sister group and vice versa.
The emcee of tonight's event was a famous long-time TV host. He was one of Jin Chonglin's genuine friends in showbiz. In fact, most of the guests that Jin Chonglin personally invited to attend his launch tonight were famous and had been working in the industry for a long time just like him.
"Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome to the stage all the amazing people who made this most anticipated men's line of skincare products in the country happen!
"From Orchidia Beauty, the person-in-charge of this entire project, COO Chen Fei!
"The brains behind all the amazing natural products, CPO Alric Bauer!
"The lady who held the purse strings and made sure that all the expenses are accounted for, CFO Long Jinjing!"
The audience laughed at Long Jinjing's introduction. She had to restrain herself from covering her face in embarrassment while climbing up the stage with a rather stiff and nervous smile.
Then the emcee's tone changed from excited to a little sad as he said, "Unfortunately, the big boss who came up with the idea of collaborating with our Prince Lin Lin to create this magnificent men's line of all-natural skincare products in the first place can't be with us tonight due to health issues. President-CEO Iris Long sent her lovely assistant, Mr. Dominic Chua, to represent her tonight. Please give a warm applause to Mr. Chua!"
Dom flashed his biggest and brightest smile at everyone while waving his hand. He literally sparkled under the bright lights in his red, glittery tuxedo. "Thank you! Thank you very much! Ehehehe~"
The emcee chuckled seeing Dom's natural confidence on stage and in front of an audience. Then he changed his expression once againsolemn but also mischievous. Everyone knew what was coming up next but they still ate up the deliberate suspense.
"And finally! Please rise from your seats and give the biggest welcome to our superstar of the night, the one and only, JIN CHONGLIIIIIIIIIIN!"
A loud roar of cheers, applause, whistles, and emotional outbursts reverberated throughout the entire grand hall. Not only inside the hotel but also outside. The army of fans camping outside were watching the livestream of the event and gave their biggest roar to welcome their idol.
"We love you, Prince Lin Lin!"
The noise grew louder when Jin Chonglin finally appeared. Unlike his usual bold choices of outfit to make fashion statements, his all-black tuxedo tonight looked muted. The dress-shirt inside was a turtleneck, lending him a maturity and elegance that made many hearts swoon. And that was what happened. Many of his fans fainted upon seeing this new side of him.
"Kyaaaaaaaah! Prince Lin Lin, so hot!"
"Just one look at you and I feel like I've gotten pregnant already! Aaaaaaaaah!"
As if he could hear every single one of them, Jin Chonglin flashed his iconic killer smile, causing another round of unconscious bodies to hit the ground. Fortunately, Orchidia Beauty already prepared for this possibility and hired trained first-aiders to deal with all the people who fainted and any injuries that might occur tonight. The paramedics were also on standby just in case something more serious were to happen. And of course, the police was already working hard to maintain order.
Chen Fei was very meticulous in arranging all of this, especially since Jin Chonglin was still a bit traumatized after the bombing incident at the mall. Even if he wasn't in the picture, Chen Fei would still ensure that all Orchidia Beauty events met and went beyond the safety standards. Not only was it her own principle but also because Iris herself demanded it as the President-CEO of the company.
Back on the stage, Jin Chonglin and the emcee began chatting like the old friends that they actually were. They showed their professionalism and skills in how they made the others on stage comfortable to join their lighthearted banter as if they were just talking in their own homes and not in front of so many people.
Even Alric Bauer who usually didn't like talking much said a couple of sentences. He had been learning Mandarin and could manage to join simple, colloquial conversations like the one the emcee and Jin Chonglin were leading.
The chat didn't last for too long. It was now time for the speeches.
Chen Fei, as the person-in-charge of the project, spoke first and made a more detailed introduction of Jin Chonglin's men's line with Orchidia Beauty. She was succinct and to the point, not wasting any precious time on useless drivel.
After she was done, she passed the mic to Dom.
"As you are already aware, our President Iris Long is unable to join us tonight. President Long tasked me, Dominic Chua, with the important mission of showing her video message to congratulate her senior and brother-in-law, Prince LinI mean, Mr. Jin Chonglin. Ehehe."