In the entertainment industry, everyone has been reborn, but who will be their servant?

Chapter 8 Spiritual Leaders
Young people are passionate; they get easily agitated and become quite indignant.

When we are young, we all have dreams and believe that the world is fair. But once we enter society, we find that there is unfairness everywhere, and we inevitably become dissatisfied with those in high positions.

After all, they are a vulnerable group, they don't get to eat meat, so some people are just like that, harboring resentment towards the rich.

"Don't rush, squat down, everyone's watching." Qin Xuan saw they were too excited and quickly told them to calm down.

Don't let the fire get extinguished before it even gets going.

Looking around, they saw many people staring in their direction. Assistant director Matthew even asked someone nearby, "Shit, what are they doing over there?"

"I don't know," someone else said.

“You stupid yellow man, go and tell them to behave,” Matthew instructed.

This angered everyone around, but they dared not speak out because the other party had the power of life and death.

A Hong Kong man surnamed Lin walked up to them and said, "Big Circle Boys, the assistant director told you all to behave yourselves and not cause any more trouble."

"Who are you calling names? We're talking business here, it's none of your business!" Zhang Linke snapped, just about to call the man a "banana" (a derogatory term for a person who is Westernized and unattractive).

But Qin Xuan stopped them: "Dinner is about to be served. Let's rest here for a bit. We're not next to anyone."

"That would be best." The Hong Kong man surnamed Lin glanced at them and left.

"Look at this, even our own people are discriminating against each other, damn it!" Zhang Linke was furious.

This is the current state of the film and television industry: not only are those behind the scenes in mainland China considered inferior, but actors are also treated as inferior.

It's normal. The big film and television companies have set a good example. If it weren't for the regulations from above that a film must use a certain number of mainlanders, they probably wouldn't even get a taste of the profits.

The others also looked unhappy; it wasn't that they liked to cause trouble, but they were simply furious.

"I understand how you feel, but don't act impulsively. A few of us aren't enough; we need to gather more brothers." Qin Xuan reassured them, afraid that they would cause trouble now, which would be counterproductive.

The production team can handle those few people without any impact, so it's essential to have a large team.

It would be troublesome if things were disrupted before they even started. If he stirred up conflict, all his efforts would be in vain. His idea was not only to stay on the set until the filming was finished.

I also need to be the spiritual leader of these people.

"Then how do you suggest we do it?" Shen Ao asked.

"Come here!" Qin Xuan leaned forward.

The group leaned closer together.

"It's almost time to eat, let's gather more people now and start filming first thing tomorrow morning, so they can't film," Qin Xuan said in a low voice.

They exchanged a glance, and in unison, understanding each other perfectly, said, "Okay!"

"Now split up and gather your friends, whether you know them or not, here. Let's have a pep talk and get everyone on the same page." Qin Xuan scanned their faces one by one.

“I’ll go right now.” Zhang Linke acted immediately.

The others also had determined looks in their eyes and went to gather their classmates and friends without prior arrangement.

Many of these people are alumni, and they mentor each other. It's usually difficult to get in without someone to guide you. For example, Qin Xuan wouldn't have been able to get in without his uncle.

Matthew, who had been watching the area, felt relieved when he saw them disperse.
"Assistant director, here's your food."

It happened to be lunchtime, and an assistant brought him seven or eight lunchboxes. One lunchbox contained rice, and the rest were full of dishes—a very generous spread. These were meals provided by a large hotel.

The standard for ordinary staff is different; they have two lunch boxes, one with vegetables and the other with rice.

Qin Xuan quickly gathered a large number of people, about twenty or thirty, who were carrying rice bowls.

"Look at this, is this fit for human consumption? There's not a drop of oil in it, it's practically pig swill," one person complained.

"Alright, enough complaining. The reason I called you here is that we have a plan to fight back against those who bullied us."

"We've decided to go on strike first thing tomorrow morning so they can't film. If you have any friends or alumni, please cooperate with us," Li Miao said, holding his chopsticks.

These words surprised the newcomers.

"Is this a good idea?" someone asked.

"There's nothing good or bad about it. Do you all want to be treated like cattle and horses? Are we born to be cattle and horses? We're just doing a job, not being treated like cattle and horses. Even cattle and horses have dignity, but we don't even have dignity." Qin Xuan used his skills again to stir up emotions.

“Brother Qin is right. We’re just doing a job, not being treated like slaves. You all know how they treat us,” Zhang Linke agreed.

Those present exchanged glances, their eyes filled with dissatisfaction. Some had already put down their chopsticks, clearly influenced by the situation.

“Actually, we’re not afraid of causing trouble. After all, it’s not the first or second time. We caused trouble once before in Dunhuang. It would be a problem if they fired us all and stopped paying our wages. Most of our brothers still need to make a living. If something happens, we won’t even have a chance to seek justice.” One of them was quite frustrated.

They weren't born wanting to be bullied; it's just that when they were bullied and fought back, no one stood up for them or spoke up for them, leaving them feeling powerless.

They also said they were obstructing this and that.

"You don't need to worry about this. We'll work together. It's not targeting the film crew, but just the person who bullied us the most, so they can improve our living conditions."

The production team doesn't need to do anything to all of us for the sake of one person, but of course, nothing is absolute.

"If—and I mean if—anyone really gets into trouble, gets fired from the crew, or has their wages withheld or not received, we can each contribute a little to help make up the difference. If everyone gets punished, then we'll surround the Huayi Building. Our salaries were settled by Huayi anyway, so they have no reason to withhold them." Qin Xuan looked at them, taking in their expressions.

"Surround the Huayi Building? Who will hire us then?"

They were stunned; they were incredibly bold.

"What are you afraid of? It's already like this, how much worse can it get? Besides, are you that famous? Does he even remember who you are? Is Huayi the only film and television production company in the world? This is Hengdian, he can't interfere here." Qin Xuan's tone was firm.

What he said made some sense; they were already doing odd jobs and moving things, so their status couldn't be any lower.

There was a moment of silence among those present. Shen Ao added, "The key to this is unity. If we are not united, we are easily defeated."

"Yes, if anyone betrays his brothers, then don't blame us for not treating him as a brother. This time we are fighting for our dignity." Qin Xuan clenched his fist to encourage him.

I've never had so many brothers in my past life. I think the only person with a lot of brothers is Daqiangzi.

One man slammed his chopsticks on the ground and exclaimed excitedly, "Fighting for dignity! Cheers!"

"Dry!"

Encouraged by this, they all got carried away, and some even threw their lunchboxes on the ground.

Qin Xuan looked at it and thought to himself, "If you throw away your food, what are you going to eat?" He glanced at the food in his hand.

There really wasn't much good food.

(End of this chapter)