The people present could feel the care from those above, feeling grateful in their hearts, and moved as well.
So they hadn't been forgotten after all. Their spirits were greatly satisfied.
"From today onward, no one in this production crew will exploit you. If anyone does, you may speak up. At the same time, your benefits will also improve—eight hours of work per day, and new provisions for food, drink, daily necessities, and lodging." Qin Xuan told them about the conditions he had negotiated with Wang Zhongjun and the others.
This immediately brought joy to the faces of those present. Shen Ao confirmed, "Really?"
"Really. Director Huang can testify to it." Qin Xuan nodded.
"Yes," said Director Huang.
Hearing the affirmative answer, everyone on site broke into smiles. This was exactly what they had hoped for—they had regained their dignity, and their treatment had improved as well.
It might not be on par with the leadership, but it was still tremendous progress. In short, their efforts hadn't been in vain. Everything was moving in a positive direction.
But unlike the smiles on their faces, Wang Zhongjun, Fei Lei, and the others were completely expressionless.
After all, this was blood being drawn from them. They couldn't be happy even if they wanted to.
"Are we really going to give them this kind of treatment?" Boss Jie asked Fang Long beside him.
The two had established a company called JJ and were considered investors in this film, which was why he asked.
"What choice do we have? The pressure came from above." Fang Long gestured toward Director Huang.
"I just feel it's a huge loss," Boss Jie said.
"It's fine if you say that to me, but absolutely don't let anyone else hear it," Fang Long cautioned.
Boss Jie nodded to show he understood. His reputation in this area wasn't very good to begin with; if he touched a sensitive nerve again, he'd probably be crucified.
"Alright, I've negotiated everything that needed negotiating. Brothers, goodbye!" Qin Xuan put on a relaxed look and waved at them.
Shen Ao's expression instantly changed, and he grabbed him. "Where are you going?"
"To another production crew, to see if I can find work." Qin Xuan forced an ugly smile.
Hearing him say this, everyone present changed their expressions. Their originally joyful looks became unnatural.
They realized that things weren't as beautiful as they had imagined—they were happy and had received benefits, but Qin Xuan was about to leave.
Liu Yifei was also extremely stunned. Clearly he hadn't done anything wrong; he had just represented them in negotiations. How come he had to leave?
She glanced at her mother, wanting an answer.
"This person has violated a taboo. He spoke up for ordinary people; the capital powers in this circle won't tolerate him," Liu Xiaoli explained.
"Are those people too petty? They can't even tolerate someone like him?" Liu Yifei pouted, feeling it was deeply unfair.
"After all these years, who has been able to tolerate us mother and daughter?" Liu Xiaoli stroked her daughter's head.
This time she had returned to the capital to negotiate with Huayi's Wang Zhonglei, and the talks hadn't been very pleasant. She too was facing the prospect of being blacklisted.
Zhang Linke saw that the situation wasn't right and anxiously stepped forward. "Brother Qin, you can't leave! If you leave, we'll never be able to live with ourselves."
"Yes, Brother Qin, you negotiated on our behalf. If you leave, what does that make us?"
"Wouldn't that mean we're stepping on your corpse to get these benefits?"
"Stay!"
The crew members gathered around Qin Xuan one by one, their expressions earnest and anxious.
They hadn't expected that just having him represent them once would get him sacrificed. Wouldn't that make them criminals?
They felt deeply guilty in their hearts, as if they owed Qin Xuan a great debt.
"I know your good intentions, and I know what's in your hearts. Truthfully, I'm very happy to have you brothers, but I have no choice—I have to leave." Qin Xuan looked at them.
"If you leave, I'm leaving with you. This lousy crew isn't worth staying in anyway." Zhang Linke got fired up.
"Right, we'll leave with you too. If this place won't keep us, there will always be a place that will."
One by one they got worked up. Young people were just prone to losing their heads.
"Don't. If you all leave too, then wouldn't everything I've fought for on your behalf be wasted? Listen to me, keep working hard here." Qin Xuan soothed them.
"But you..." Shen Ao said.
"I'm fine. I'll still fight for my ideals. Though I'm leaving in body, my spirit remains. Do you still remember our promise?" Qin Xuan said.
"We remember!"
Shen Ao and the others nodded solemnly, their expressions serious. Of course they remembered the matter of establishing the New Force.
To bring fairness and justice to this industry, and to no longer be beasts of burden.
"As long as you remember. No matter where I am, I'm not fighting alone. I still have you good brothers. Please believe that I haven't left, but will reunite with you in a brand new identity." Qin Xuan's tone was passionate.
"Yes! I believe it."
"I believe it too."
"..."
One by one their expressions grew solemn. It was mainly because Qin Xuan's words were too infectious, stirring up all their emotions.
Qin Xuan's gaze swept across the young faces.
And they all looked back at him, their eyes filled with respect, admiration, and even a kind of stirring feeling—that of like-mindedness, of recognition.
A person who could sacrifice himself to achieve something for everyone—how could such a person not win people's wholehearted admiration?
"Goodbye!" Qin Xuan turned and walked out.
And the people present reluctantly followed behind him, wanting to see him off.
Zhang Linke was behind him, raising his clenched fist and shouting, "Boss Xuan! New Force!"
"Boss Xuan, New Force!"
"Boss Xuan, New Force!"
"..."
Where one person shouted, there was a second. As more and more people joined in, the volume grew higher and louder, resounding through the skies and traveling far.
It made those who weren't on site, but were watching from the outside, involuntarily surprised. What was this sound?
"Who is Boss Xuan?"
Director Huang looked at the many young people, looked at Qin Xuan's retreating figure, and couldn't help shaking his head. This person was far too capable of influencing people's hearts.
Fortunately, this wasn't ancient times. If it were, it would probably mean a dynastic overthrow. One could only hope the entertainment industry would be blessed!
Because he knew that this person hadn't lost, but had instead harvested a massive wave of loyalty. It all depended on how he utilized it. If he utilized it well, he would absolutely become a major titan.
Not just these young people—many would be grateful to him and would have a natural favorable impression of him.
Speaking out for the people—this was an extremely lofty prestige that money couldn't buy.
But the core production team and investors like Wang Zhongjun displayed indifference; it was impossible to know what they were thinking.
Liu Yifei was rather emotional, wiping the tears from the corners of her eyes. What she felt was only moving emotion, and that man's tragic heroism. She didn't think too much beyond that.
"Silly child, what are you crying for?" Liu Xiaoli put her arm around her daughter's shoulder and patted her in comfort.
"I think he's very great, and also very heartbreaking." Liu Yifei sniffled.
"And he's already won you over. Maybe he did it on purpose?" Liu Xiaoli said.
"How could that be?" Liu Yifei exclaimed.
If it was intentional, that would be too terrifying. She didn't dare imagine how deep this person's schemes ran.
Actually, Qin Xuan hadn't anticipated this outcome either, but he had no choice. He could only go with the flow.
"Regardless of whether it was deliberate, a gentleman judges by actions, not by intentions. As long as the conduct is good, that is enough." Liu Xiaoli didn't dwell on the matter either.
"I think he's a good person." Liu Yifei's small face was serious.