His Genius Wife Is A Superstar Chapter 1643: Orchidia, An Emerging Global Brand
The enthusiastic reception from the Filipino Black Stars left Iris Long feeling slightly moved. Despite the distance from home, these fans felt familiar, strictly adhering to the original Black Stars' code of ethics.
She cast a look toward Dom and Linda, who offered her supportive smiles. The reliability of the Chua family was something she had always been able to count on.
As she continued to engage with her supporters, several microphones marked with the insignias of major local news outlets were aimed in her direction.
"Welcome to the Philippines, Iris Long!"
Offering a polite smile to the journalists, she replied, "Thank you."
The media began with standard inquiries regarding her visit to the country. However, because Orchidia Philippines had organized the press presence today, the reporters followed the established agenda. They concentrated their questions on the upcoming launch of Orchidia Philippines, which was set for the day after tomorrow.
Iris had been thoroughly prepared by Linda Chua for these potential questions, allowing her to respond with eloquence and poise.
"Orchidia Beauty serves as our flagship brand and remains the most recognized of my ventures," she explained when a journalist sought further details. "Nevertheless, the company has grown to encompass several other brands. Orchidia Baby and Orchidia Mommy provide various items tailored for infants and mothers. Our range spans from essentials like cribs, bottles, and wipes to clothing and accessories. These brands were born from my own journey into motherhood. I wanted to ensure the highest quality for my own children and myself. My goal is to provide other mothers with safer, superior alternatives for their families."
"Naturally, safety is the hallmark of Orchidia. For instance, our newest line features mosquito-repellent products, including lotions, sprays, and apparel. Orchidia has invested heavily in developing a non-toxic, innovative repellent formula. I believe these products are ideal for a tropical climate like the Philippines, where dengue and other mosquito-borne diseases are a significant concern. Our repellents provide comprehensive protection when used correctly, and they are priced to be accessible."
Her detailed explanation sparked excitement among the crowd, captivating both the media and the fans.
"The inspiration for this mosquito-repellent line came after my nephew and godson fell ill with dengue," Iris added after a follow-up question.
"Are you referring to Jun?" a fan called out from the side.
"Yes," Iris confirmed with a nod.
"Oh no! I hope Baby Boy Jun has recovered!"
She smiled warmly. "Yes, he is perfectly healthy now. Thank you for asking."
Standing nearby, Jiang Ying Yue also smiled. Seeing so many people care for her son filled her with a sense of warmth. Little Jun had already endured much in his short life; her son deserved a future free from trauma.
The two mothers, Iris and Jiang Ying Yue, exchanged a brief, knowing look—a moment of silent understanding—before returning to their duties. Iris resumed her interview while Jiang Ying Yue focused on her responsibilities as a bodyguard.
"Is Liberté also a subsidiary of Orchidia?" a reporter inquired.
"That is correct," Iris answered.
"Will the Liberté fragrances be available at Orchidia Philippines?"
She smiled brightly. "Of course."
"Kyaaaaaaaaah!!! Can we finally buy Boss Iris' signature perfume, Eve?"
"I’m getting Vaillance! I want my boyfriend to smell just like Prince Lin Lin!"
"Sérénité is exactly what a stressed worker like me needs!"
Iris was heartened by the crowd's enthusiasm. she spent a few more minutes answering questions from both the press and her fans.
Some directed questions toward Jin Liwei and Dom, but the two men kept their responses brief or redirected the focus back to Iris and the brand. Neither wished to overshadow Iris or the company's milestone.
Eventually, Linda stepped forward to conclude the media session. Despite the crowd’s pleas for more time, she remained firm. As the lead organizer for the Philippine trip, Linda was comfortable playing the role of the strict manager. She escorted Iris and the group toward the entrance of the headquarters, where the executive team was waiting.
While Iris had met these executives through video calls, Ketchup had also provided her with comprehensive dossiers on each of them. Without their knowledge, Iris was aware of their backgrounds and perhaps even more personal details than they realized. Ketchup had even uncovered information regarding their families that the executives themselves might not know.
Even though this was strictly an inspection visit, the hospitality of the staff made it feel as grand as the actual launch day.
"Welcome, Madam Long!"
"Thank you." Iris acknowledged the staff's spirited greeting with a nod.
Finally, the group entered the building.
Iris and Jin Liwei stopped for a moment to take in the interior design.
The atmosphere among the staff grew tense with anticipation.
"Very nice," Iris remarked.
"En." Jin Liwei agreed with a nod.
Linda and the other executives let out quiet sighs of relief.
"It maintains the Orchidia identity, but the Filipino influence is clearly visible," Iris noted.
"Do you like it?" Linda asked.
"I do."
Linda’s face lit up with a genuine smile, a sentiment shared by her colleagues.
Iris continued her observations as Linda began leading the tour of the facility.
The energy here differed from Orchidia Germany, yet as she had observed, both branches stayed true to the brand's roots.
She was pleased that the international branches could blend their local cultures with Orchidia’s core aesthetic. It made her curious about how Orchidia Singapore would look in person, a discovery she would make soon enough.
As the tour proceeded inside, the Filipino Black Stars remained stationed outside. Even the media teams endured the tropical heat, unwilling to leave until Iris Long reappeared.
A short while later, several delivery trucks pulled up. After confirming the shipment, an Orchidia representative addressed the waiting crowd.
"Hello, everyone! Iris Long is moved by your presence here today. However, she is worried about your well-being in this heat. She has provided umbrellas, food, and cold beverages for everyone. We will begin distribution now. Please stay in line and be orderly. There is enough for everyone, so please don't push."
The crowd erupted in cheers.
A few Black Stars were moved to tears. They had heard stories of Iris Long’s legendary generosity toward her fans, but experiencing it firsthand was different. The rumors were true!
The journalists and camera crews were also impressed. Even without being devoted fans, they respected her high emotional intelligence. Whether this was a calculated PR move or not, they didn't mind.
In truth, she had already successfully won over the Philippine public.
Many Filipinos had only discovered Iris Long after her collaboration with superstar Jin Chonglin on "Shining Eyes," the hit OST for "Our Love, Our Destiny." They were largely unaware of her past as a rebellious pop idol with a reputation for being a bratty diva. Consequently, the admiration of the international Black Stars was untainted by her history, a trend consistent across her global fan base.
Back inside, Iris was busy inspecting the inventory designated for the Philippine market.
Following the model of the China and Germany branches, Orchidia Philippines focused primarily on e-commerce. While the headquarters featured a physical showroom for customers to browse and buy, there were no immediate plans for independent retail outlets.
Iris intended to establish a flagship store eventually, but that would wait for the right venue. For now, the digital marketplace remained the priority.
The core products remained consistent across all regions, with only minor packaging adjustments to suit local preferences.
Iris was satisfied with the progress and felt a surge of excitement for the grand opening.
"What are your thoughts?" she asked the man at her side.
"It’s good." Jin Liwei set down a bottle of the original Orchidia shampoo, a consistent top-seller. "Is the pricing suitable for the local market?"
Linda responded, "Orchidia is positioned as a premium brand compared to local companies, but we are much more cost-effective than other international luxury brands. The price point is quite competitive here."
"We will monitor the performance of Orchidia Philippines first before I consider establishing a local factory," Iris stated. "If we move production here, the products will become even more affordable for the local consumers."
"En." Jin Liwei nodded in agreement.
Throughout the visit, Jin Liwei kept a low profile. Despite his striking looks and commanding stature, he purposefully let his wife’s radiant presence take center stage, drawing everyone's attention toward her.
Together, they were the image of a power couple.
With Iris at the helm, Jin Liwei appeared as a supportive knight to his brilliant and capable queen.
Linda, having worked closely with Iris before, was already well aware of her business acumen.
However, her colleagues were stunned. They hadn't expected such sharp professional skills from a celebrity. They had assumed her husband, the legendary CEO of Jin Corporation, would be the one making the decisions, but the reality before them changed their minds.
Iris Long was far more than just a beautiful singer.
She was much more complex.
It was clear to everyone now that she was the true mastermind behind the rising global empire of Orchidia.