Jin Liwei changed the topic into something that was worrying him. "Do you still plan to attend the music awards next weekend?"
Iris hesitated before nodding.
"You're sick. Let's just skip it this year. Okay, love?"
She sighed. "We still have a few more days. If I'm still not feeling better by that time, then we'll skip it. But if the doctor gives me the go ahead, then I want to attend."
This time, it was his turn to sigh. He still wanted to persuade her not to go but knew that she was looking forward to the music awards.
She received multiple nominations again just like last year despite not being as active. Even though her live performances had been lesser after her "Rebirth" album, the influence of her music had widened and reached internationally.
This was mostly due to winning a Soleil d'Or award for Best Soundtrack at the Sommet International Film Festival in France for the film "Strong Yet Broken" and her successful collaboration with her brother-in-law, the superstar Jin Chonglin who had countless army of fans across the world especially in Asia.
In addition, the songs that she composed for other artists which she left for JJ to produce also became popular. Her involvement in the final products of those songs were very minimal but it was a fact that she was the original songwriter. Her name, Iris Long, was included in the song credits. Most of those songs were also nominated. In fact, she was essentially competing against the songs she wrote.
Later in the afternoon, a tired Jin Chonglin visited the mansion. He brought a care package for his sick and pregnant sister-in-law and lots of treats for the cats and Little Jun. He even gave virtual red packets to both Ketchup and Bacon. At first, he had no idea how to give gifts to his AI niece and nephew after learning of their existence. But thanks to Bacon's direct suggestion to give them money instead, he didn't have to rack his brain anymore.
When he saw Iris, his eyes almost popped out of his head.
"Whoa! Whoooooaaaaa! Holy shi—shiitake mushroom!"
He quickly changed his intended curse word after seeing his big brother's ugly expression. He knew that his big brother was extremely strict on his AI children when it came to bad words.
If his big brother decided that he was a bad influence to the kids, then he would likely suffer some form of punishment. He was already an adult and yet his big brother still needed to discipline him. How embarrassing would that be for a superstar prince like him?
Jin Chonglin was frightened as he kept staring at Iris' belly. It had only been a few days since he last saw her. She was already big then but not THIS big. The size appeared even more prominent because Iris remained generally slender besides her belly (and boobs).
He did his best to avoid letting his eyes wander upwards from her belly. If his big brother ever caught Jin Chonglin ogling Iris' swollen breasts, then he might end up being murdered by his own brother.
"It's so big!" His shock was now turning into amazement. "Are you sure there are humans inside?"
Jin Liwei glared at him. "Of course, they're humans. What do you think they are?"
"Uh, hippopotamuses?"
As soon as he said this, even Iris glared at him. If looks could kill, the husband and wife would have already murdered him in an instant.
"I'm just joking. Hahaha!"
The three talked for some time. Jin Chonglin didn't just come today for a visit but to personally confirm Iris' attendance at the music awards. Since they had two extremely successful collaborations which received nominations, Iris and Jin Chonglin had to appear at the music awards together.
Although they were not official partners for the awards night, they were still arranged to appear together. In fact, both of them had been invited to perform both of their collab songs together on the stage but Iris' current condition made it inconvenient. Hence, Jin Chonglin chose to perform both songs by himself.
He would even sing Iris' female parts of the songs. He refused to find another female performer to substitute for Iris. Both of their managers, Lin Dong and Tang Yiyi, strongly recommended this option but he rejected it.
He believed that nobody could do Iris' parts in the two songs justice except for Iris herself. As an artist who had high standards, he would rather perform the songs alone than lower their original quality without Iris.
"I'm sorry about all this," Iris told him while sniffling. "I want to perform with you on the stage very much but as you can see, I'm not in the best condition to do so."
Jin Chonglin waved a hand. "Don't worry about it. Just focus on growing those hippos—I mean, babies until they're due to be born. I can't wait to meet my nieces or nephews. It would be awesome if at least one of them look like me even for just a little bit."
Jin Liwei sent him an unconcealed look of disgust. "Go find a wife and make your own baby."
"I agree with your brother," Iris said while chuckling.
"Hmph!" Jin Chonglin turned sullen, feeling attacked by the ruthless husband and wife.
At the mention of finding a wife, an image of a certain bossy woman with a potty mouth appeared in his mind. When he realized who he was thinking about, horror filled him.
"Erase, erase! Get out of my head! This prince doesn't even like you!"
Iris laughed at him. "Who are you thinking about?"
"I think I know," Jin Liwei said next.
"Oh? Who? Quick, darling. Tell me."
"It's—"
"And I am late to my next appointment!" Jin Chonglin interrupted before his big brother could continue speaking. He stood up and ran to the door. "I need to go. Get well soon, Sister Xiulan. Bye to both of you!"
He didn't even wait for the husband and wife to reply. He ran out as if escaping from a calamity.
When he left, Iris leaned towards Jin Liwei. Her eyes were shining with curiosity.
"Tell me who it is, darling."
Jin Liwei smirked and told her.
She gasped but her eyes were twinkling with delight.
