The scene was already surrounded by a large crowd; basically the entire production crew had gathered, including Wang Bide, Bao Dexi, and the others.
It was just that although they were part of the main creative team, they were not the ones who called the shots and could not manage something like this.
Of course, many big shots in the entertainment industry had also heard about it. People like Zuo Shandiao and Bona’s Fatty Yu had all received news of the commotion on the set of The Forbidden Kingdom. Their sources were still quite well-informed.
Many of their own production crews were disaster zones, to be honest, and they were also afraid of something like this happening.
“Then why can’t we get the same treatment? They eat and drink the best, while we eat husks and scraps.”
“Exactly. Especially that Matthew—he doesn’t even respect us. He yells and curses whenever he wants. Why should we let an American bully us?”
At once, several people shouted loudly. With everyone talking at once, the scene became rather noisy.
The main reason was that someone was speaking up for them, so they grew excited. Once people became excited, it was easy for them to pour out their grievances.
“I’ve basically gotten an idea of your situation. Don’t be anxious. I’m here precisely to help you resolve the problem. How about this: you choose a representative, and we’ll sit down and have a proper talk. What do you think?” Director Huang said kindly.
There were too many people and too much noise; they definitely wouldn’t be able to make things clear like this. It would be enough to have them choose one person to speak.
Shen Ao, Zhang Linke, Li Miao, and the others looked at one another, then lowered their heads to discuss it.
“Old Zhang, why don’t you go?”
“How could I? With my temper, aren’t you afraid I’ll mess it up?”
“Then Old Shen, you’re relatively steady. You go.”
“I’m fine facing you guys, but facing them, I’m afraid I’ll lose my nerve and won’t be able to explain things clearly.”
“Then who should we pick?”
At that point, the few of them all looked at one another, and for a moment they were caught in a dilemma.
Usually, each of them was quite good at arguing, impassioned and eloquent. But when facing the crew leaders, as well as actual officials, they became somewhat timid.
They couldn’t be blamed for it. After all, they had little experience, and the aura those people carried was enough to suppress them.
It was only because there were so many people here that they had found the courage.
“Eh, how about letting that Qin Xuan go? Isn’t he pretty good at talking? Let him represent us in the negotiations,” Li Miao suggested as he looked at them.
“Right, let Qin Xuan go. He’s glib and articulate. He’ll definitely be better than us,” Shen Ao said.
Director Huang saw them whispering among themselves and did not interrupt, appearing very patient.
The others also remained silent.
“We recommend Qin Xuan. Let him represent us in the talks,” Li Miao said, looking toward the leader.
“Qin Xuan? Good. Where is he?” Director Huang nodded in agreement. As long as there was someone, it was fine.
Shen Ao and the others also looked around. They had been sitting here for half the day, but that person had barely shown himself.
“Leader, I’m over here.” Qin Xuan had been paying attention to the movements here the whole time and had already been waiting for quite a while.
Hearing someone call his name, he raised his hand. At the same time, he winked at Liu Yifei.
Liu Yifei stared blankly with her little mouth slightly open. How had this person become the representative? Hadn’t he said this had nothing to do with him?
Was there something she didn’t know about?
In fact, many people were very surprised, including Wang Bide, Bao Dexi, and the others. This person spoke so bluntly that they couldn’t imagine what he might say during negotiations.
Wang Zhongjun and the others were very calm. They didn’t know Qin Xuan at all, so naturally they also didn’t know that this whole matter had actually been stirred up by him.
After all, to them, this incident had happened quite suddenly, without any preparation.
Many people were completely confused. They didn’t know what was going on, nor how this matter had happened. They had no clue at all.
Wu Guoqiang wanted to stop his nephew from stepping forward, but Qin Xuan had already jogged over to Director Huang.
“Hello, Director Huang. I’m Qin Xuan.” Qin Xuan extended his hand.
“Hello, hello. You really are a fine-looking young man!” Director Huang shook his hand and sized him up.
It was unclear whether he was being polite, or simply being polite.
“You flatter me. I truly feel bad for troubling you today. We are also ashamed. We shouldn’t have done this, but some matters had really already reached their limit,” Qin Xuan said with an expression of guilt.
These words surprised Wang Bide and Bao Dexi, who were watching from the side. Why was this different from what they had imagined?
The first half expressed that they felt bad and hadn’t wanted to do this; the second half implied that they had no choice and had been forced into it. It didn’t sound like he had low emotional intelligence at all.
“I understand, I understand. I’m here precisely to handle this matter for you. Since the crew leaders are all here as well, let’s talk it over. Have them all get up, get up. Don’t sit on the ground. The ground is so dirty,” Director Huang said. He was also a shrewd old hand.
Those words and that gesture immediately moved some people beyond measure, as if they had received care and concern.
“Everyone, get up. Don’t sit there anymore,” Qin Xuan said, raising his hand toward them.
Shen Ao and the others looked at the rest of the group. After hesitating for a moment, they still stood up. Once one person stood, others followed.
For a moment, with a rustling sound, everyone stood up.
Director Huang was very satisfied. He patted Qin Xuan on the shoulder and said, “Let’s talk over to the side.”
“Okay!” Qin Xuan agreed, and gave Shen Ao and the others a look, signaling them to calm everyone else down.
Shen Ao and the others also indicated that they understood.
After they left, discussion immediately broke out here, with all kinds of things being said.
“Do you think the crew will agree to our demands?”
“I don’t know. It depends on how Qin Xuan negotiates.”
The focus of the discussion was on Qin Xuan. After all, he had suddenly become the representative, suddenly representing the interests of the majority, so they were still quite expectant.
They just didn’t know whether he could do it.
Unlike the waiting outside, Qin Xuan and the others were in a work shed, seated together in a circle. Wang Zhongjun, Fei Lei, and the other higher-ups were all present.
People like Fang Long and Ming Kefu were also there.
“I’ll make this clear first: this matter today must be resolved, and you must also show the right attitude.” Director Huang’s final sentence was directed at Wang Zhongjun and the others.
Next year was the Olympics. He did not want any unpleasant incident happening here.
“Actually, their resentment hasn’t existed for just a day or two. If the food, drink, and lodging conditions are a little worse, they can all endure it. The main problem is that some people are always putting on an aloof, superior attitude and trampling others’ dignity underfoot.
“Tell me, who could stand that? It’s inevitable that many people would feel stifled inside.” Qin Xuan was first trying to seize the moral high ground.
Turning the conflict toward nationality and race—that had been the earlier strategy. It would make them feel that this was not aimed at the crew, but at this particular person.
“You’re talking about Matthew?” Wang Zhongjun asked.
“Yes, him. As you all know, there is a limit to human patience. Have him go out and apologize. We Chinese people are still very magnanimous and won’t fuss too much over it,” Qin Xuan said in a grand and righteous manner.
Director Huang couldn’t help but nod in satisfaction.
Matthew was not here, so he could not hear their conversation, but Fei Lei was here.
“You can ask for more wages, better treatment and conditions—that’s all fine. But this person cannot be dealt with, and he will not go out to apologize,” Fei Lei said, disagreeing.
“Why is that?” Qin Xuan did not understand.
“There is no why. He is American. He is white,” Fei Lei said rather aggressively.
It meant that an American could not apologize to them. If word spread back home, it would be a very humiliating matter and would definitely affect the dignity of Americans.
Just as Chinese people represented the image of Chinese people when they were abroad.