The majority of the film festival’s participants were unknown faces. Many of them might be famous in their home countries, but they were all considered newbies in the international scene. Only a few participants were world-famous celebrities. As a result, the media would usually just go through the motions and take photos of whoever posed in front of them, even though they had no idea who the hell they were photographing. It was part of the red carpet event’s programme.
Attendees would pose in front of the cameras wearing their best dresses, suits, or if they were daring enough, costumes or other unconventional outfits. Many fashion and entertainment media outlets published various best and worst-dressed rankings throughout the duration of the Sommet International Film Festival. In addition to showcasing arts and culture of films from all around the world, the film festival was basically a parade of fashion as well.
The paparazzi and the reporters were always ready to photograph the participants at any given time throughout the duration of the film festival, especially on a formal event like the opening night. They never knew when one of the photos they took would become a front cover for a magazine or be featured by popular publications. But of course, they still prioritized taking photos of important and well-known people. After all, a magazine featuring a famous person would almost always sell well compared to those featuring unknown faces.
As one of the wealthiest men in the world, Jin Liwei or more known outside China as Liam Jin, was considered as an important and well-known figure in the business industry. He was often included in various lists such as “Wealthiest in the World”, “Most Powerful Businesspeople in Asia/World”, “Top Economic Figures”, “World’s Best CEOs”, “China’s Most Powerful People”, “World’s Most Eligible Bachelors in Business”, and other similar impressive rankings.
In addition, he was only in his early thirties. He had ample time to become even more impressive. If he didn’t make any major career mistakes, he could definitely create his own business legacy just by being a stable and reliable leader. Although he wasn’t a rare business genius like Sir Lu Jianhong or even his own grandfather, Jin Liwei was still one of the most formidable and reliable business leaders in the world in his generation.
Marrying him meant entering a lavish life of wealth and luxury. It was akin to marrying a king. So it wasn’t surprising that many people would be interested in the woman who he had chosen to marry. Looking at Jin Liwei’s possessive arm around the woman’s waist, she should be his mysterious fiancée.
The couple posed together in front of the enthusiastic cameras. Their little intimate actions—gazing into each other’s eyes, keeping their bodies in close contact, Jin Liwei nuzzling Iris’ head—were all seen by everyone. The paparazzi and the reporters eagerly lapped the couple’s public displays of affection.
Of course, they saw the sparkling diamond ring on Iris’ finger. They zoomed in on the ring and took countless photos of it. In addition to the ring, many also noticed the couple’s matching bangles. This time, Jin Liwei deliberately wore a suit that had sleeves a couple of inches shorter than what he usually wore. His luxury watch and LX bangle around each wrist were visible for everyone to see.
Diamond ring? Matching bangles? Not to mention that the two looked like they were on the verge of making out in front of everyone on the red carpet?
If the couple said that they weren’t engaged after this, nobody would believe them.
Everyone felt curious about Iris Long.
Some of the reporters remembered her meeting up with Maestro Ludovico De Luca and Enrique Valdez at a café the other day. That time, she was accompanied by a man who had a scar on his face. That distinct-looking man ended up attending the red carpet event with the business genius Sir Lu Jianhong. They discovered that he was actually Sir Lu’s grandson. So it seemed that Iris Long was connected to the Lus, as well.
Then on the same day, she was also photographed with the woman who turned out to be a Spanish viscountess. Many of the foreign reporters didn’t know yet that Wei Lan and Iris Long were actually mother and daughter.
A few of the reporters also remembered her name among the nominees for the film festival’s Best Soundtrack Award.
And now she attended the opening night in the arms of billionaire Liam Jin whose family was on the same level as the Lus in China?
Who in the world was this woman?
Not only did she have all of these impressive connections with important people, but it looked like she was also a talented music composer in her own right. After all, she wouldn’t be nominated for Best Soundtrack Award if she didn’t have the skills. The Sommet International Film Festival only shortlisted films of the highest quality. If Iris Long was nominated, then it meant that her work met the high standards of the selection committee. Even if she didn’t win this time, she had already gained the respect of the film festival’s followers just by being a nominee.
While the foreign media continued to snap photos of the posing couple and also started making mental plans to dig for more information about Iris Long, the Chinese reporters present were all in utter shock. They goggled at Iris Long and Jin Liwei in total disbelief.
Their eyes fell on Iris Long’s engagement ring, the couple’s matching bangles, and their obvious intimacy. They blinked their eyes several times and took a closer look at the couple’s faces just to make sure that they were really Iris Long and CEO Jin Liwei.
The foreigners present at the event might not think much about Iris Long and Jin Liwei’s relationship, but this was a big deal to the Chinese people, especially to Iris’ fans, those related to showbiz, high society and the business world in the country.
Back in China, the livestream’s view count had now reached more than 120,000 and it was still increasing by the minute. At the beginning, it was mostly the Black Stars who were watching, but Wei Lan’s surprising appearance as a viscountess resulted in a sudden spike in view count. When the cast and crew of “Strong Yet Broken” started appearing, more Black Stars logged in to watch the livestream in anticipation of their Boss Iris’ debut in the Sommet International Film Festival.
Upon seeing their boss acting so intimate with CEO Jin Liwei, all of them were shocked out of their wits.
“What the hell?! Iris Long and Jin Liwei are engaged?!!!”
