Iris giggled. "Of course not. My memory is perfectly fine."
"You!" Tang Yiyi didn't know whether to laugh or cry. "You're a great actress, do you know that? After promoting your album, perhaps we should start auditioning you for acting roles."
"I'll leave it you, Elder Sister Yiyi. But right now, I want to focus on music."
"Hey, Sis Yiyi! Why don't you compliment me, too? I'm a great actor, too, right? I was awesome just now, wasn't I? Right? Right?"
Tang Yiyi chuckled. "Yes, yes. You're a great actor, too, Dominic. But of course Iris is better than you."
"Ehehehe! Of course. Boss is the best!"
They heard a knock on the door.
Iris immediately reverted to looking slightly weak. The make-up artist and hair stylist stepped back.
Dom looked at his fellow accomplices and nodded before opening the door.
It was a staff member. Seeing that Iris was finally awake, he was visibly relieved. "Miss Long, we are truly sorry for what happened. We already reported the Alarm Girls and the incident to our higher-ups."
Tang Yiyi snorted. "Your higher-ups should expect a call from our Bright Summit's higher-ups. Inviting artists with such questionable morals and allowing them to bully one of our artists…what are you going to do if something happened to our Iris? What if she fails to wake up and become comatose again?"
The staff member paled. "We're terribly sorry. We will make sure to demand a proper apology and explanation from the Alarm Girls' management company. Please don't worry, Manager Tang."
"Elder Sister Yiyi, it's not the staff's fault. With so many artists performing, they can't possibly control and monitor everyone at the same time. Don't be too angry. See? I'm alright now." Iris turned to the staff member. "How much longer till it's my turn to perform?"
"Ah? What? You're still performing?" The staff member was shocked.
"Of course."
"B-but…but you fainted. Are you sure you're okay? Don't worry. We can reschedule you for another episode. You have legitimate reason. We won't blame you."
"You better not blame my artist," Tang Yiyi warned.
"No. I am scheduled to perform tonight, so I will." Iris spoke calmly but with conviction.
Admiration filled the staff member's eyes. "I understand. As long as you're really okay. There are still a few more performances to go. Just stay here and wait. We'll call you for standby when it's almost your turn."
"I understand. Thank you."
The staff member left.
Iris and company watched the ongoing performances on the TV inside the dressing room.
After a few more performances, Iris was finally called out for standby backstage. Tang Yiyi and Dom went with her, trying to calm her down when they were the ones more nervous than her. She just smiled at them, appreciating their care.
Onstage, the male and female hosts were interviewing a newly formed male idol group after their performance.
Behind the curtains, a symphony orchestra started climbing on the stage, preparing for the next performance.
The interview with the male idol group finally ended. The audience was in high spirits.
"Are you ready for the next performance?" The male host asked the audience.
"Yes!" The audience screamed at the top of the lungs.
"Our next performance is a special one." The female host said in a mysterious tone.
"Ooooooh!" The audience was very receptive.
Male host: "Yes, it is special indeed. Our next performer abruptly retired and disappeared for two years. Now she is back and will also release her new album a week from now."
The audience quietened, whispering among themselves. They were already beginning to guess the next performer's identity.
Female host: "You're right. What's more shocking is that she changed into a new musical style! Even I am shocked. This will be her official comeback performance after her two-year retirement."
Male host: "Everyone, can you guess who it is?"
"Yes!" The audience shouted.
Female host: "Everyone please welcome our next performer!"
Male host: "From her upcoming album 'Rebirth', singing the song 'Black Star' for the first time on television…"
Both hosts: "Iris Long!"
Polite applause.
The lights went out.
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