From humble beginnings to the pinnacle of life

Looking at her anxious face and her desperate attempts to stop me, I stood there stunned for several seconds before continuing to argue:

"It's not as scary as you think. I'm not alone. I'll bring Luo Peng with me. He knows cars and can fix them. He can handle any vehicle malfunction."

After pausing, I sighed and added, "Besides, the reward they're offering this time is quite high, no less than a million, and they're covering all expenses... In other words, as long as I get out alive, I'll make a pure profit of a million. That should provide the initial capital, right?"

"In addition, having Qiqi livestream the whole time will definitely double her viewership during this livestream in the no-man's land, which will benefit us in getting commercial orders for our self-media business in the future."

After listening, Su Qing continued to shake her head frantically, her eyes full of disapproval:

"I think you've completely lost your mind! It's one thing for you to be so focused on making money and taking risks, but you also want to drag Luo Peng and Qi Qi along to gamble with your lives? Have you even considered their safety?"

I lowered my head and took a deep drag on my cigarette.

Amidst the swirling smoke, his tone was remarkably calm: "In today's society, if you want to turn your life around and make money, where is there anything completely safe and risk-free?"

"I have no background, no connections, and no resources. If I don't take a chance, I'll be stuck in the same place for the rest of my life! I must seize this opportunity to fight for my future."

"No way!" Su Qing's attitude was firm, refusing to budge an inch. "No matter what you say, I absolutely won't allow you to take this risk!"

"I don't want to give up such a good opportunity." So I continued to persevere.

Their eyes met, neither willing to back down an inch.

This was the first time I'd seen Su Qing so serious; the worry in her eyes was impossible to hide.

After a long stalemate, Su Qing suppressed her anxiety and softened her voice:

"Lin Ye, you can't just focus on making money. Think about your mother! You're going to venture into the wilderness alone. What if something really happens to you? What will your aunt do? Who will she rely on in the future?"

These words instantly struck the softest, most vulnerable part of my heart.

I fell silent instantly, slowly lowered my head, and took one puff of my cigarette after another, feeling a mix of emotions.

Seeing my silence, Su Qing continued to gently persuade me, "I know you're eager to make money, but there are countless opportunities to make money. There's no need to gamble your life on this one. I wouldn't stop you from taking ordinary risks, but the no-man's-land is just too deadly."

"Even seasoned veterans who trek through wilderness areas need to prepare for months before each trip. You have no wilderness experience and you're just being too impulsive by going in."

I knew in my heart that she was telling the truth.

With my current experience and abilities, it wouldn't be an exaggeration to say that recklessly venturing into a no-man's land would be suicidal.

But my mind is made up, and I will never go back on my word.

Before I could reply, Su Qing suddenly reached for her phone and said:

"You didn't sign a contract, did you? It's not too late if you didn't! Even if you did, it's fine. I'll call Wang Yi right now and tell him I was the one who instigated this idea, that I'll take full responsibility, and that we'll cancel the project!"

As she was about to open the dial pad, I immediately raised my hand and pressed down on the back of her hand.

Su Qing suddenly looked up, her eyes meeting mine unexpectedly, her gaze filled with anxiety and stubbornness.

I looked into her eyes and said firmly, word by word, "Su Qing, I know you mean well, and I know you're worried about my safety. But this time, I have to go."

"Moreover, I'm not just thinking about making a quick buck and then it's over. This journey will take us through many remote and impoverished mountainous areas, and I'll have Qiqi follow the whole way to do charity and agricultural assistance live streams. This will increase positive topics and online exposure, which will be a long-term benefit for our team."

"I admit that I initially grabbed the project on impulse, but I later carefully considered all the pros and cons. It wasn't a mindless, impulsive decision."

"I will make all the necessary preparations in advance and equip myself with all the necessary gear. I will absolutely not take any reckless risks. Trust me this once."

After hearing my explanation, Su Qing's tightly furrowed brows relaxed slightly, and the anxiety in her eyes faded a bit.

But she still didn't completely give in, and pressed for an answer again in a serious tone:

"Even if you've planned everything perfectly, I still have to ask you. The environment in the no-man's-land is extremely harsh, with huge temperature differences between day and night and unpredictable weather. How can Qiqi, a girl, adapt to such a hellish environment?"

"The journey is treacherous; if even the slightest mistake occurs, can you bear the responsibility for the lives of two teammates and shoulder all the consequences?"

Her question was sharp and realistic, leaving me speechless for a moment.

I lowered my head and stubbed out my cigarette. After a two-second silence, I raised my head and solemnly said:

"I can afford it."

"I'm the one who pulled Luo Peng and Qi Qi together. As long as I lead the team, I will do everything in my power to protect their safety. I will take full responsibility for any problems that arise."

Fearing she would still be worried, I patiently continued to explain:

"As for Qiqi, she doesn't need to go on the high-intensity off-road adventures. I will let her stay in the support vehicle to rest throughout the dangerous sections of the uninhabited area."

"Moreover, this time the client provided all the supplies, including warm clothing, oxygen supply equipment, emergency medicines, and outdoor tents. There was also a professional team leader to guide us, so it wasn't just the three of us fighting alone."

I knew Su Qing was afraid I wouldn't take responsibility, so I softened my tone and continued:

"I used to deliver food, braving wind and rain, so I know best the suffering of those at the bottom with no way out. Luo Peng was willing to gamble with me, and Qi Qi was willing to believe in me and follow me through thick and thin. I could never joke with their lives."

"I'm not just blindly showing off; I genuinely want to seize this opportunity. Fang Heng has been keeping me in check, and I don't want to live forever under other people's contempt. I want to earn money through my own abilities, gain a foothold, and stop having to be subservient to others and act timidly."

Su Qing looked at me quietly, the stubbornness in her eyes gradually fading away.

She understood my situation and the resentment deep within me.

She remained silent for a long time, then sighed softly, her voice softening, carrying a hint of helpless compromise:

"I don't necessarily want to stop you from succeeding; I'm just afraid you'll lose the gamble, and even more afraid that you won't even have a chance to turn things around."

She paused, then changed the subject: "I can tell you've really thought this through. I can let you go to the no-man's-land, but I have one condition."

I felt a sense of relief and quickly replied, "Tell me, I'll do anything you can."

Su Qing raised her eyes, her gaze suddenly turning serious, and said, word by word, "Take me with you."

With a bang, my mind went blank for a moment, and I stared at her in disbelief.

"What did you say? Take you with me?"

Without even thinking, I decisively refused: "Impossible! Absolutely impossible! It's too dangerous, don't even consider it!"

Seeing my firm stance, Su Qing immediately picked up her phone and said calmly, "If you don't want me to go, then you shouldn't go either. I'll call Wang Yi right now and cancel this cooperation so he can choose someone else."

I was both angry and helpless: "No, why are you doing this?"

Su Qing gently waved her phone and said, "I was the one who helped you get this opportunity. I can make you have it, and I can make you lose it just as easily. Do you believe me?"