<h4>Chapter 99 - LaunChapter Party </h4>


    Friday.


    "Rebirth" album release date.


    Tang Yiyi ended up booking a convention centre outside the city because it was the only ce avable at such short notice. All the other ces she inquired at were fully-booked.


    It was quite far and big for an event called a "party", so she was at first worried that nobody woulde. However, she was assured after talking with the ck Stars fan club. Just the people from this fan club alone who confirmed that they would attend theunch party were enough to fill the convention centre nicely without Iris and her team losing face.


    In addition to the fan club, there were also quite a lot of individuals who unofficially confirmed their attendance via the online invites posted by JJ’s recordbel on its website and social media ounts.


    At the convention centre.


    Inside near the entrance, Iris Long’s "Rebirth" album in several formats were disyed at a pop-up shop. There were also posters and other limited-edition "Rebirth" merchandise avable only at thisunch party for sale. Several cashier counters were already set up at the venue for convenience.


    The guests had the option to immediately purchase the album and the other avable merchandise at the pop-up shop upon being admitted inside. In fact, the majority of them did so, while the others wanted to explore the ce first and to im the best seats near the stage. They were assured by the on-site staff that the shop would be open all throughout theunch party.


    When the doors closed just a few minutes before theunch party’s scheduled start time, the attendance exceeded 5,000 guests. This number was above JJ’s recordbel’s original estimates.


    This was no longer just a mereunch party. It was more like a concert, although an informal one at that.


    The on-site representative from JJ’s recordbel was very pleased, immediately reporting the numbers to JJ himself on the phone.


    "I knew the brat can do it," JJ replied on the phone. "Do you think that a famous and award-winning music producer like myself will sign an untalented artist with no potential under my recordbel? Hah! I only work with the best! Make sure that there are enough albums and merchandise avable for sale there. You have my authority to order an additional expedited shipment if needed."


    "I was just going to ask about that, Mr. JJ," the representative said. "I understand. I will immediately make an additional order because they’re selling out fast. Some people are buying more than one copy of each item. Hopefully, the shipment arrives before the party ends."


    "Hmph! Tell them that they better deliver the items on time or they’ll face my wrath."


    "Understood, Mr. JJ."


    After bidding goodbye to his boss, the representative hung up the phone. Then he made another phone call to order an additional shipment of the album and merchandise.


    He had a great feeling about this album. He didn’t want to jinx anything, but he had a feeling that it would make some sort of history in the music industry.


    A handful of reporters were also invited by Bright Summit and were given a media badge upon entering. Most of them were very young, only starting out in their careers. With this alone, it could be seen that the media didn’t really put any importance in thisunch party, especially since it was held in such a faraway ce from the city. They only sent their most minor staff as a courtesy to Bright Summit.


    In the venue.


    Following Iris’ preference, the seating arrangement was rather informal. It looked more like a restaurant bar with tables of different sizes. There were catering tables along the walls with simple buffet of refreshments. Nothing too grand or heavy on the stomach, but enough to whet the appetite. No alcoholic drinks.


    The guests already seated themselves. After saving their spots, many of them headed to the catering tables to grab some snacks and drinks.


    Everything was very casual. Although there were a lot people present, the open and rxed atmosphere made themfortable enough to start chatting, even if they didn’t know each other before meeting at that moment.


    Momentster, the emcee informed the guests that theunch party would be officially starting shortly.


    They returned to their tables carrying tes filled with various snacks and drinks.


    The lights dimmed. A hush fell over the crowd. The big screens hanging from strategic parts of the ceiling yed the now viral video that Iris Long posted on her empty social media ounts to announce hereback.


    Everyone cheered.


    After the video, the emcee invited the representative from JJ’s recordbel on-stage. The representative made a short speech. Next was another speech by a representative from Bright Summit Entertainment Company.


    The formal speeches done, the big screens yed a series of videos. They were select "making of" and "behind the scenes" footage during the album production. The full videos were avable in the DVD and Blu-ray formats of the album.


    They watched, impressed, as Iris argued with the legendary JJ without any fear. She held her own.


    "Listen, Iris Long! I’m an award-winning music producer. I’m always right when ites to music! I say we should change this part of the song to a faster tempo, so we should do it!"


    "No, Mr. JJ. You’re wrong. That’s so stupid. Are you nning to make this into a disco song?"


    "What did you say, you brat?!"


    The guests chattered as they watched, their hands constantly shoving food into their mouths.


    "So it’s really true that Iris fought with JJ."


    "When did she say that she fought with Mr. JJ?"


    "Aiyaya! You didn’t watch DJ Song’s radio show when Iris guestedst Saturday? Hai. You missed out on something amazing!"


    "What? Really? Dammit! I had work that day! Can I still watch it?"


    "Yeah. The video is still up online. Here, I’ll send you the link."


    At a nearby table, a small, young woman giggled. She nced at the man sitting beside her. The others at their table followed suit, looking at the man.


    "Bro, now it’s proven that Iris really did fight with Mr. JJ," she said.


    Being looked at by so many, he gave a sheepish smile. He rummaged inside his backpack, finally taking out a new, clean slipper and then chewing on it.


    "Ahahaha! Bro, you’re a real man!" the small, young woman eximed, taking photos of the man chewing on a slipper with her phone.


    The othersughed together.