Leaving other matters aside, some celebrities and directors currently negotiating with Xu's Film Industry began to hesitate about continuing their cooperation during negotiations.

Had the offers from the Xu brothers been generous, they would not have wavered so easily.

However, Xu's Film Industry had been dominating the entertainment industry for over two decades, and they were not running a charity.

They had reached the pinnacle of the industry, and it was for the sake of profiting, exploiting!

Therefore, those collaborating with them often did not receive high earnings, and even got paid below the market price.

Initially, the Xu brothers' approach was resisted, many collaborators thought it completely unreasonable.

But the Xu brothers provided a reasonable explanation for their actions: although their offers weren't generous, their success rate was high!

Their TV shows and movies, if not blockbusters, almost never incurred losses.

After partnering on a few projects, enhancing their credentials, then moving to other companies, wouldn't their market value and income rise?

This was a sacrifice of the present for the future! Wasn't that reasonable?

This form of indirect exploitation had brought the Xu brothers substantial profits over the decade.

But it all rested on the immense influence and unbeaten track record of the Xu brothers in the film industry.

As a result, previously, when the Xu brothers aggressively blacklisted Chenlu Film, Chenlu Film had no issues at all. In fact, they even released a blockbuster movie grossing billions at the box office, and everyone who had worked on that movie saw their value double or triple.

This immediately affected the Xu brothers' standing in the industry.

Now, Chenlu Film was even more direct, throwing out millions in advertising expenses and millions more in banquet costs, holding the industry's most prestigious celebration banquet.

Well-known companies had all attended to support them.

This inevitably made people feel that Xu Brothers Film Company no longer held their former power. Such a business could hardly confer any halo on its collaborators anymore.

Thus, those who originally wanted to cooperate with the Xu brothers also began to hesitate.

Project obstructions, declining industry reputation, and reduced credibility all added to the Xu brothers' worries.

And the fact that companies were attending Chenlu Film's event made the Xu brothers feel a profound sense of crisis.

Although these developments hadn't greatly impacted them yet,

where one's heart goes, the dike might eventually break at the tiniest void...

Therefore, on the night of the banquet, Director Zhang and the three Xu brothers held an internal meeting in the President's office.

Even Xu Zhaorong, who was always strategizing with calmness, looked very serious this time.

After all, the rapid development of Chenlu Film recently and... many things had exceeded his expectations.

Yang Rou joined, Song Chuang joined, the movie was a blockbuster hit, Lu Man became the brand ambassador for Dior, tens of millions in celebrity promotion resources, representing Zhao Group, Sea and Sky Manor organized a banquet gathering so many executives...

All these developments gave Xu Zhaorong an intense sense of crisis.

During the meeting, he sat behind his desk, continuously smoking.

And his brother, Xu Zhaoqing, discussed with Director Zhang on the side.

At this point, Xu Zhaoqing started having second thoughts and hesitated, saying to Lao Zhang, "Lao Zhang, why don't we... initiate negotiations with them?"

Hearing Xu Zhaoqing's words, hot-tempered Director Zhang immediately objected, "What's the use in negotiating now?"

"Everyone in the industry thinks our company is falling apart, and if we negotiate now, it'll only confirm that belief."

"Then we'll appear even weaker."

"How will we launch future projects?"

"How will we negotiate prices?"

Xu Zhaoqing looked troubled, "But right now, they are indeed overwhelming."

"We don't have a big vendetta against them."

"Step back, and the sea is boundless."

Director Zhang stopped talking and sat cold-faced.

Seeing Director Zhang's attitude, Xu Zhaoqing could do nothing.

Although the company was named Xu Brothers Film Company, Director Zhang was also a major shareholder with significant influence.

Inner Entertainment centered around directors; a good director could breathe life into a large company.

After all, the film industry was immensely profitable; a good director could continuously produce money-making films, bringing enormous profits to the company.

They could also mentor new directors and new celebrities. Just one blockbuster could quickly produce a top-tier popular celebrity.

These were the resources a top director could bring.

Thus, Director Zhang's position within the company was extremely high, no less than his, the co-owner.

Of course, there are many company owners in the entertainment industry, but only a handful of top directors.

Moreover, only one or two of these directors are willing to sign long-term contracts with film companies.

So seeing Director Zhang standing firm, Xu Zhaoqing had no choice but to look towards his brother.

Since the meeting began, Xu Zhaorong had been sitting in his office chair smoking without a word. Seeing the two talk without reaching an agreement, he then spoke.

His first words set the tone, "Now it's impossible to negotiate."

He looked at his brother and said, "The conflict now is not small anymore."

"If it were just about blacklisting Lu Man, it would have been extremely easy to resolve. But we also publicly blacklisted their company afterward, poached their executives, losing any chance to negotiate."

"Moreover, don't forget, Yang Rou is still with them. That woman holds grudges."

"She won't miss this chance to stab us."

"As long as she is in Chenlu Film for a day, even if Chenlu Film and we cease fire, we won't be at ease."

Xu Zhaoqing saw a glimmer of hope, saying, "What if we talk to Chen Yan, asking him to get rid of Yang Rou…"

He stopped halfway through his sentence.

Because he also realized the impracticality of his thoughts: they were at a disadvantage, not Chen Yan.

Why would Chen Yan pay a price to cease fire with them?

Moreover, putting himself in Chen Yan's shoes, he wouldn't fire his own company president just to satisfy an enemy.

That would be giving in like Song Gaozong!

Perhaps realizing there was no way out, Xu Zhaoqing stopped talking.

Therefore, the atmosphere in the office suddenly became quiet...

Amidst the lingering smoke.

The three big shots were all somewhat baffled: they were supposed to be big shots in the industry, their company was one of the top three in the industry, their company's market value, their personal wealth were far beyond Chen Yan's. Why did they always feel cornered?

It must be an illusion...

...

And while the Xu brothers were doubting their lives, and the entertainment industry was buzzing with discussions about Chenlu Film, the banquet was gradually drawing to a close.

As the host of the banquet, Chen Yan walked onto the stage under everyone's gaze, then tapped the microphone, saying, "Our dinner will be ending soon."

"Here, on behalf of Chenlu Film, I once again thank everyone for coming, and sincerely hope that you all have a pleasant time on Qin Island these days."

"If any area of our hospitality fell short, I hope you'll forgive us."

After finishing the pleasantries, Chen Yan shifted his tone, then also touched on official matters, "As our dinner is about to end, let me say a few more words."

"Our Chenlu Film has been established for a short time, but we have strong financial resources and like to cooperate with others."

He surveyed everyone present and said,

"Moreover, I am not greedy. As long as the project can benefit Man Man, I am willing to invest."

"I don't need the leading role in the project, nor do I want rights over production."

"Even, if my investment is large but my share is small, it's all fine."

Saying this, Chen Yan looked affectionately at Lu Man, saying, "As long as the project is good and can elevate Lu Man's career, it's fine."

Hearing Chen Yan's words, following Chen Yan's gaze, the guests involuntarily looked towards Lu Man.

Lu Man was dressed exceptionally beautifully today, in a custom haute couture gown prepared by Dior, which outlined her beautiful figure clearly. She was like a creature from a divine myth, enchanting the mortal world.

Her slender waist, long legs, prominent peaks, and stunning face, she resembled a mythical enchantress.

But in the eyes of these high executives, driven by profit, she wasn't just a woman, but a... lucky individual.

Chen Yan's wealth, unknown to those present.

But judging from Chen Yan's casual spending, they knew he must be extremely wealthy.

How much could that "strong" fund be?

A few hundred million? A billion or more?

The people present felt it might be at least this amount.

And this money, poured out only to support the woman in front of them.

Wasn't she the luckiest of the lucky?

With this money pouring in, even a pig could become an internet-famous pig!

While their thoughts varied, the guests present immediately understood how to build a good relationship with Chen Yan: just support Lu Man.

So, they secretly decided to instruct their companies: unless absolutely necessary, do not offend Lu Man.

This woman now had a powerful backing!

Chen Yan finished speaking, and the banquet quickly dispersed.

Chen Yan's arrangements for these executives were very thoughtful, not only arranging cars to ferry them, but also ensuring the cars and hotels were available for their use in the coming days.

They could tour, play, and vacation on Qin Island on their own until they returned to work.

Of course, this was not only to make the guests feel valued by Chen Yan and his generous spending.

But also to give Mei Li and Song Chuang time to operate and make deals with them privately...

Don't forget, the main purpose of this event was to win awards!

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