Zhao, who collaborates with Mu to expand their support network, remains cautiously optimistic: "We want to overcome these challenges and reveal the true realities of franchising to the public, while maintaining hope. After weathering the storm, beautiful scenery awaits those who persist in this industry we love."

The documentary captures how these individual franchise owners are banding together, supporting one another to navigate a path forward. In this volatile business landscape, they're collectively seeking solutions to survive and thrive.

Over the past four decades, despite the country's remarkable economic ascent, many ordinary, or even disheartening, stories have gone untold. Yet today, as many people feel the pressure of life, the documentary seeks to shine a light on how people persevere and break through adversity, explains Liu, the producer.

Douban user Douyouhaiyou observes that the documentary's focus on ordinary people shatters the romanticized notion of "industry transformation".

"Instead, I think it reveals how the country's economic lifeblood truly flows through these everyday individuals — flawed, uncertain, yet persistently pushing forward against all odds," the user posted.