These words left the Chinese people present looking somewhat displeased—truthfully, even a little chilled.
Americans really were far too arrogant.
“I just don’t understand. Are you really going to protect that man to this extent?” Wang Zhongjun was also very dissatisfied.
What dissatisfied him was this: all they needed was to toss out one person to apologize, and they could reduce the losses to a minimum and calm the matter down. Yet this man was stubbornly refusing to allow it.
“I’ve said it already. Matthew is American. Having him punished and made to apologize won’t do,” Frey refused to yield in the slightest.
This was something he couldn’t do, and didn’t dare do. If he did, he would be cursed for it.
“See if this works. Matthew doesn’t apologize. Have him restrain himself from now on, and the investors can put in more money to improve their treatment and wages. Then this matter ends here,” Fang Long proposed.
In truth, he understood Frey’s concerns very well. It was like when Boss Jie had acted in Hollywood as a villain, even playing a role similar to a “dog,” which had seriously wounded the feelings of the Chinese people.
If he made an American apologize to the Chinese, wouldn’t he be cursed to death when he went back?
In truth, the whole world was the same damn way, taking national dignity extremely seriously. But Qin Xuan was certainly going to defend the dignity of his own people.
“Put in more money? Easy for you to say. How big is the domestic market? If Huayi puts in even more money, we won’t make any profit,” Wang Zhongjun did not quite agree to putting in more money.
He had no share in this film’s international market, only the domestic distribution rights.
And right now, in the domestic box office market, a film that could take in several tens of millions was already considered impressive. It was tiny.
Fang Long fell silent. This was a little difficult to handle.
“I don’t dare agree to that either. I just don’t understand. Because he’s white, because he’s American, he’s noble? We Chinese aren’t noble?” Qin Xuan seized the chance to attack and pressure Frey.
He had more or less seen through the entanglement of interests among the various parties. There were also differences between them internally.
Frey said he was protecting Matthew, but in truth, he was protecting his identity as an American. Huayi wanted to resolve the matter and was wary of the impact. Fang Long was the lubricant between them, but he also didn’t dare stand with Frey.
Because what was involved here was a question of principle. If people found out he was helping foreigners bully Chinese people, then it would not be amusing.
If people talked about what went on in your pants, everyone would just treat it as gossip—men, after all. But if they said you... right!
So Qin Xuan could completely stand on the same side as Wang Zhongjun and Fang Long, and collectively pressure Frey into compromising.
“Apologize to you people? Are you worthy?” Frey disliked him, seeing him stirring things up here.
“How am I not worthy!”
Qin Xuan shot back directly, then said, “Oh, you sing so beautifully about equality and freedom, but once you’re in another country, you can bully others with such peace of mind and still refuse to apologize? What kind of logic is that?
I’m telling you, we also believe in putting people first. It’s not as if you can bully others at will just because you’re American or whatever. That is not allowed.”
He looked toward Fang Long and Wang Zhongjun. “Brother Fang Long, President Wang, many things are the result of long-standing resentment. Since the loss has already been caused today, I apologize on everyone’s behalf. But if you want this matter to calm down, the prerequisite is that Matthew must apologize.”
After he finished speaking, he glanced at Director Huang.
“Well said. Putting people first,” Director Huang stated, standing on his side. The man’s thinking was correct; even if he did not want to stand with him, he had to.
It was just that this mouth of his was far too good at stirring people’s hearts. Even he had been made somewhat emotional by what Qin Xuan said.
And he was also too smart. That last part was clearly meant to pull Wang Zhongjun and Fang Long into the same camp so they could deal with Frey together.
Those present who had not spoken could not help but lean toward Qin Xuan as well. The main reason was that most of the people here were still Chinese.
Wang Zhongjun’s face was dark. Director Huang had spoken, so he could not very well say anything. He only stared seriously at Qin Xuan, whom he had not paid much attention to earlier.
Someone this good at inciting people, and those people even regarded him as their representative—could this whole matter have been orchestrated by him?
The main thing was that this matter was somewhat strange. There had never been an incident involving this many people before.
The crews of China Film and Bona had even more of this sort of thing, yet none of them had any problems. Only his The Forbidden Kingdom had run into something like this.
“What you said also makes sense. There’s no need for everyone to divide themselves into superior and inferior. Frey, why don’t you call Relativity? The filming has reached a critical point. It’s not good to leave it stopped like this,” Fang Long glanced at Qin Xuan, then looked toward Frey.
He wanted to give him a way out. If you don’t step forward, then let the company behind you do it. That shouldn’t have anything to do with you, right?
There was unwillingness in Frey’s deep-set eyes. He swept his gaze over everyone present and saw that they were all watching him. It gave him an invisible pressure.
“What exactly do you people want?” he said angrily.
“Nothing. We just want you to find that equality and freedom you’ve lost.” Qin Xuan knew how to attack people.
Using someone else’s slogans to attack them was, truthfully, a little disrespectful.
But no one here would speak up for Frey, because Qin Xuan had elevated the conflict by who knew how many levels. Who would dare be stupid now?
“You’ve gone too far,” Frey said in anger.
“You feel terrible now. Then when you were bullying others, did you ever care about how they felt?” Qin Xuan stared at him.
Their gazes met, the smell of gunpowder thick between them. One was calm and indifferent; the other had been provoked into a blaze of anger.
Director Huang leaned back against his chair, looking at this young man with appreciation. To be able to force an American to this point was quite impressive.
Of course, he also knew that the main reason was Frey had already been abandoned by his allies. Otherwise, things would not have turned out this way.
“Forget it. I’ll go with you to call Relativity. President Wang, you come too,” Fang Long said, seeing that letting this continue was no solution. It would only drag them into passivity as well.
They did not dare stand with Frey. They did not even dare say a word for him. If the stalemate continued, it would only bring more backlash upon them.
Wang Zhongjun did not speak. When he got up, he gave Qin Xuan a pointed look. He suspected more and more that this man was the mastermind.
He was too steady, too calm. What young man could face them and still possess such composure?
Frey was dragged away, unwilling as he was. After they left, the place fell silent for a time. Minkoff also silently lifted the curtain and left. He was American too, and staying here made him uncomfortable.
“What’s your name?” Director Huang asked.
“Qin Xuan.” Qin Xuan was speechless. Hadn’t he said it before? Was everyone this forgetful?
“Oh, right, Qin Xuan.” Director Huang was not embarrassed either. He had indeed forgotten. Earlier, when Qin Xuan said it, he had not taken it seriously.
“This time, you’ve offended people. Although Huayi and Fang Long are on the same side as you on the surface, they’re only constrained by interests and their positions. Once those no longer exist, you may very well be sacrificed,” Director Huang saw things clearly.
Those two had no choice but to stand in the same camp as him. But if this matter reached an agreement, then he would be dealt with. They had to give Relativity an explanation, and they had to establish authority. In that case, they would sacrifice him.
After all, he was the one who had stuck his neck out in this matter.
Qin Xuan fell silent for a moment, then nodded and said, “I understand. But some things aren’t easy to control. Since I’d already run into it, I had no choice but to do it.”
“Yes. But sacrificing you alone to help everyone else—was it worth it?” Director Huang stared at him.
“I don’t know whether it was worth it or not either.” Qin Xuan shook his head.
Director Huang nodded and said nothing more. It was enough that he understood; there was no need to spell everything out so clearly.