His Genius Wife Is A Superstar Chapter 1655: Failure is Not an Option

The performance of Iris Long pressed on.

As the music climbed toward its peak, she unleashed her whistle notes, igniting a wild fervor within the Black Stars and the rest of the spectators alike. These notes were sustained and transitioned flawlessly across the scale, nearly causing the Black Stars to lose consciousness from the sheer thrill.

"This rebirth of a tiny birdInto a rising phoenixPower courses through my veinsTo break the chainsTo spread my wingsSo this is freedomI am freeOh yes, I am free"

Ultimately, the song concluded on a breathy, elegant note. It felt to the audience as if they had been launched into the heavens, gliding through the atmosphere and tumbling amidst the clouds before being set down gently upon a peak.

Thunderous applause and manic shouting filled the entire studio.

"Boss Iris, you are incredible!!!"

"My God! I have chills everywhere!!!"

"KYAAAAAAAAAAAHHH!!!!"

The title of "Boss Iris" was no longer reserved solely for the Black Stars. Even those previously unfamiliar with her were shouting the moniker. They were now completely convinced that this international guest lived up to every bit of the hype. In fact, she surpassed the reputation established by the news reports following her arrival in the Philippines.

Those who hadn't been acquainted with "Rebirth" before the former defending champion sang it earlier were now able to compare that cover to the original artist's rendition.

The disparity was staggering!

Iris Long’s execution was several levels above the version performed by the former champion. The gap in quality was simply massive.

Seated in the front row, the former defending champion watched the scene alongside the new winner and the other eliminated contestants. Her crying had ceased. There was no resentment left, only profound self-reflection.

Witnessing Iris Long perform "Rebirth" right after her own attempt made her realize how much she still had to learn as a vocalist. To have a lasting career in the music business, complacency was a luxury she couldn't afford. More importantly, she understood that the world was full of individuals possessing far greater talent than her own.

Individuals like Iris Long.

Iris appeared completely at ease while hitting those soaring high notes and intricate runs. To her, it seemed as natural as breathing.

A task that had nearly strained the contestant's vocal cords and made her face look pained was apparently effortless for someone else.

The former champion let out a sigh.

She was now fully reconciled with her defeat. Her only path forward was to train harder and work more intelligently. She vowed never to let a few days of victory make her arrogant again.

On the stage, Iris Long slowly opened her eyes to face the roaring crowd.

This was her greatest passion.

This was the fuel that drove her to push past her boundaries as both a musician and a performer.

The stage was the place where she truly felt alive. It was her home.

Her gaze once again locked onto her husband.

Jin Liwei rarely showed any emotion other than his trademark coldness and detachment, unless it involved her. Currently, his eyes were soft, filled with adoration and pride. He clapped with a steady rhythm that mirrored the unwavering nature of his love and support.

In the eyes of Iris, he was her ultimate fan and greatest ally. He was her foundation and her partner for life.

"Well done, love," he mouthed silently.

She caught his meaning instantly. Her face lit up with a brilliant smile, which triggered another wave of cheers from the audience, who were captivated by her radiance.

Eventually, she tore her gaze away from her handsome husband to acknowledge the band. She performed her signature curtsy and encouraged the crowd to applaud them as well. Afterward, she turned back to the audience and gave an even deeper curtsy.

A few people in the crowd tried to imitate the gesture. Most ended up stumbling. It was far more difficult than it appeared.

"Thank you, Philippines!" Iris Long exclaimed. "You are all amazing!"

###

The following morning brought another whirlwind of preparation for Iris Long and her staff. To an outsider, the team’s practiced routine might have looked like pure chaos.

The glam squad circled Iris, working their magic to make her look stunning. Dominic acted as the conductor, ensuring every minute detail was perfect within this symphony of organized madness.

Iris felt drained; a Filipino acting coach had arrived late the previous night for a brief workshop. This had been arranged by her manager, Tang Yiyi. Because Iris’s acting skills were nothing to boast about, she required nonstop training to reach a respectable standard.

Linda Chua had assisted in finding a local coach who had trained many prominent actors and actresses in the Filipino entertainment industry.

Recognizing her lack of natural acting ability, Iris knew she had to compensate with raw effort and discipline. There were no shortcuts.

She had given her word to Meimei that she would strive to secure the lead female role in the live-action version of "Queen of the Shadows." Having made the commitment, she intended to see it through to the end.

With LXC Studio planning a massive investment in the project, she could not afford to be lazy as the potential lead.

If her hard work ultimately failed to meet the required standard, she would accept that the role wasn't meant for her. She would have no one to blame but her own lack of talent.

All she could do was give her absolute best during the preparation phase.

"Boss? Boss!"

Iris snapped her eyes open. "Huh? Dom? Is something wrong?"

"Ah, were you drifting off, Boss?" Dom inquired.

"Almost. Don't mind me. Why were you calling?"

"I was just letting you know that the appreciation gifts have been sent to the TV executives and the 'Ready, Set, Lunch Party' cast. Also, Dina Bendita’s assistant reached out to see if you could join her and Albert at their residence for dinner tonight."

"If it fits into the schedule, then yes," Iris answered.

"I can arrange it," Dom noted. "But only if you’re up for it, Boss. Today is going to be even more exhausting and packed than yesterday."

She gave a yawn. "I’ll manage. I’ll just catch some power naps when possible. By the way, where is my husband?"

"Sir Boss is downstairs grabbing morning coffee with Sir Bro Yehan. Sir Bro Yehan is waiting for my dad to pick him up for another meeting with that distant uncle. Sir Boss will likely head back up once Sir Bro Yehan departs."

"And Ying Yue?" Iris asked. "Where is she?"

"Big Sis Yue is currently coordinating with her team on the security formation for later. Since today is the grand opening of Orchidia Philippines, we’re expecting a massive turnout."

Iris gave a nod. Her stylist then signaled for her to stand so she could change into her attire.

The outfit was a classic olive wrap dress that clung to her silhouette perfectly. It was modest yet undeniably alluring, flowing like waves with every step she took.

She checked her image in the mirror, turning around to inspect the fit before nodding with approval.

The door swung open, and Jin Liwei entered.

"Beautiful," he remarked, walking toward her to plant a long kiss on her lips.

He had the taste of dark coffee.

"Has Eldest Brother already gone?" Iris questioned after they pulled apart.

"En. He left with Dominic’s father."

She tapped his arm lightly. "You should start getting ready too, darling. We can’t afford to be late for the opening."

"En, I won't be long."

###

Orchidia Philippines Headquarters.

Massive crowds had gathered outside the facility.

Journalists and camera crews were present, directed to a specific section for the invited press.

The most noticeable group among the crowd, however, were those dressed in suits. The Filipino Black Stars had made it a point to be there for the event.

There were also many ordinary citizens waiting in line, eager to be among the first to purchase Orchidia products in person.

Linda Chua had also invited local beauty influencers, models, and various celebrities to assist in marketing Orchidia to the public. These icons brought their own fans, who had come just to catch a glimpse of them.

All these groups combined to form a gargantuan crowd.

Fortunately, the day was overcast with a gentle breeze, making the wait outside more tolerable.

As before, local law enforcement and extra volunteers assisted the security team in keeping order. Orchidia had also secured the necessary permits from the local government to host such a large-scale event. Emergency vehicles, including fire trucks and ambulances, were also on standby.

Linda Chua had been incredibly meticulous. This was her debut as a major business executive. While Iris Long held the chair, Linda was the driving force behind Orchidia Philippines. The brand's success in this market rested entirely on her shoulders.

Failure was simply NOT an option!

Orchidia Philippines HAD to be a hit!

Her family was also in attendance today.

"Have Iris, Liam, your brother, and the rest arrived?" Reina, the matriarch of the Chua family, asked.

"Not yet, Ma," Linda replied. "Dom just messaged me. They’re stuck in a bit of traffic, but they should still make it on time."

"Your father is with Yehan for a business meeting, so he won't be able to come. That irritating man just had to have a meeting today! Your father told him we had an important event, but that bastard keeps picking the worst times for meetings. Tsk!"

Reina Chua was referring to her husband’s distant relative, the one Lin Yehan was trying to negotiate a business deal with.