When Iris and Dom returned to the room, breakfast was already prepared. Hot, traditional Chinese dishes were specially delivered from the nearest three-star restaurant. Jin Liwei, Long Tengfei and Cao Guang were waiting for her. All of them ate together, including Jin Liwei's two subordinates.
Iris' appetite had returned which was a relief to everyone. Jin Liwei made sure to order special dishes for her condition. No spicy or greasy food. Lots of iron-rich ingredients in hot soup-based recipes.
After the meal, Long Tengfei and Cao Guang bid their goodbyes.
Iris wanted to go home that day because she didn't want to stay in the hospital any longer. However, Dr. Ching sternly told her that she needed to stay another night, so that they could continue monitoring her and make sure that she was recovering well.
Jin Liwei looked exhausted and jet lagged.
"How about you go home and rest?" she suggested, feeling sorry for him. "Don't worry about me. Dom is here."
"No, baby. I want to stay here with you."
Her heart fluttered. She hugged him.
Jin Liwei, of course, was delighted. His head dipped down and kissed her sweet lips. His breath quickened when her arms wrapped around his neck. He wanted more but held back. Reluctantly, he ended the kiss. The doctor hadn't cleared his baby girl yet. She might be feeling better now, but he might aggravate her condition with his intensity. Besides, he was exhausted and didn't have the energy to keep up with his desire. Next time he would show her how much he desired her when they were both recovered.
"I need to sleep for a bit, baby," he said, sighing.
"En. Don't move around too much. Sleep with me when you feel tired."
"Okay."
He gave her another lingering kiss before climbing on her hospital bed. He covered his entire body, even his head, with the blanket. Moments later, his deep, steady breathing could be heard as he fell asleep.
Iris reclined on the couch, a heat pack on her abdomen, enjoying a detective novel she chose from the shelf.
Around lunchtime, Dom picked up Tang Yiyi from the hospital entrance. She carried several take-out boxes bought from a family restaurant on her way to the hospital
"Iris! How are you feeling? I've been so worried ever since Dom called me this morning!" Tang Yiyi immediately inspected his artist from head to toe after putting the food on the table.
"I'm feeling much better now, Elder Sister Yiyi. Sorry for making you worry. My doctor says that I'll probably be dismissed tomorrow."
Tang Yiyi sighed in relief. "It's my mistake for not putting more importance in the security while I was organizing your launch party. Who could've thought that you'll be attacked while onstage? I've never experienced something as scary like that before. I've seen fans getting a little too excited and rough when meeting their idols, but I've never seen people openly attacking a celebrity in such a violent manner in public before. This is the first time."
Dom: "Hmph! Just remembering what happened makes me so angry!"
She personally didn't care about them, but remembering how they hurt Dom, her band musicians and some of her fans hardened her heart for them. For now, she would let her lawyer deal with them. If they stopped bothering her, she would leave them alone and let the law decide their fate. But if they continued to be stupid and trouble her again, then she would show them the ruthlessness of lawless justice.
Tang Yiyi continued to fuss around Iris, gently pushing her to rest on the couch and covering her with a warm blanket. "I spoke with Mr. JJ and some of the Bright Summit higher-ups. We all know how much of a dedicated artist you are, Iris, that's why we've allocated this much resources for you. However, it seems that your previous…uh, 'unpleasant' reputation still lingers and there are still people who, uhm, how do I say this…"
Iris: "I know that there are a lot of people who hate me. I'm aware, Elder Sister Yiyi."
Dom: "Hmph! Stupid blind fools!"
Tang Yiyi coughed. "Well…yes." Then she sighed. "The Alarm Girls clearly hate you and blame you for their misfortune. Hopefully, your haters are not all like them and this is only a one-time incident. However, we at Bright Summit and Mr. JJ don't want to take a chance. Your safety and well-being are of utmost importance. That's why we think that you need bodyguards."
"No, I don't want bodyguards."
Surprised at her quick rejection, Tang Yiyi frowned. "Iris, this is a serious matter. You need bodyguards."
Iris' lips pressed hard together, subconsciously glancing at the big, long lump covered by a blanket on the bed. Jin Liwei was just telling her the same thing this morning.
Tang Yiyi: "Eh? Is someone on the bed? Who's that?"
Tang Yiyi: "What?! You have a boyfriend?!"
Iris: "Yes."
Dom: "Ehehehe."
Tang Yiyi: "Since when? Who is he?"
Iris: "Last week. Hmm. He's a businessman."
Jin Liwei thought that they were already boyfriend and girlfriend when he first came to her penthouse, but they only became an official couple when he slept over. She only recognized the moment he asked her and she agreed to be in a relationship with him, not the other one without her knowledge.
And he may be the head of the number one company in the country, but technically speaking, he was still a businessman.
She simplified her answers, but she didn't lie to her manager.
"Iris, this…" Tang Yiyi looked worried. "I don't think it's a good idea to be in a relationship, especially right now that you've just had your comeback."
"Your fans idolize you and in a sense…feels possessive of you. They're not going to take it kindly if they discover that you have a boyfriend. They'll feel betrayed. Many celebrities have experienced backlash from their fans when their relationships were exposed to the public. That's why most celebs deny being in a relationship, especially for young ones like you."
"That's so stupid," Iris said. "My fans don't own me. Besides, I had my lawyer remove that ridiculous 'no relationship' term in my contract before I signed with Bright Summit. So I'll be alright. Don't worry, Elder Sister Yiyi."
"Hai. I'm not worried about your contract. What I'm worried about are your fans' reactions when they learn that you have a boyfriend."
Iris waved a dismissive hand. "If they turn their backs on me just because of such a simple issue as having a boyfriend, then they're not real fans. I'd rather not have those kind of people supporting me."
Tang Yiyi sighed, shaking her head at Iris. "Since you're not violating your contract, I can't force you to break up with your boyfriend. However, I want you to be very careful. I suggest you don't openly reveal your relationship status. You just returned to showbiz. Your footing is not stable yet. A slight mistake can end your career prematurely. That's how harsh this industry is."
"It doesn't only apply to showbiz," Iris said softly, her eyes unreadable as if remembering something painful. "The entire world is harsh. But that's why we must keep on living, to triumph over the harsh reality of life."