From humble beginnings to the pinnacle of life

Overwhelmed with mixed emotions, I remained silent for a long time before whispering:

"It was all forced upon us by desperate circumstances. In that kind of environment, taking a step back meant death; there was simply no other choice."

Wang Yi nodded emphatically: "That's right. It was this situation with no way out that honed the composure in your bones. When I first met you, I could see your fighting spirit and tenacity, but also the impetuousness of youth. Now, your mindset and vision have been completely transformed."

At this moment, Brother Wang spoke calmly: "From now on, whether it's the local outdoor community in Jiangzhou or the whole country, you will be able to stand on your own two feet."

A heart-to-heart conversation marked the official end of my perilous journey through the no-man's-land.

Next, we sat down together to continue our detailed discussion.

Subsequent resource support, short video account traffic support, and future cooperation plans for outdoor routes.

Wang Yi made it clear to me that the promised one million yuan reward would be transferred to my account on time as stipulated in the contract.

In addition, he also secured a special bonus of 500,000 yuan from his partner manufacturers.

This perilous journey, which involved 90% of my life, ultimately netted me a full 1.5 million.

A reward of 1.5 million is an enormous sum of money in anyone's eyes, and it is extremely tempting.

But I also know in my heart that this money is ultimately just a one-time, immediate benefit, and it will be gone once it's spent.

What's truly valuable is the perilous journey through the no-man's-land, and the exposure brought about by the complete footage.

By leveraging this trend, I can build my own exclusive outdoor account, establish a personal brand and reputation, and this is the only way for me to establish myself in the long run.

To be honest, when I heard the number 1.5 million...

Instead of feeling overjoyed, I felt a pang of sadness, and images of the perilous wilderness flashed through my mind.

I remember that night when the glacier cracked open, Luo Peng's hands, frozen purple, gripped the walkie-talkie tightly, his fingertips trembling uncontrollably.

Su Wan stared at the constantly shifting navigation coordinates, remaining silent and tense throughout, not daring to even breathe.

I recall the blizzard raging, carrying sharp ice shards that pounded against the car windows with a crackling sound, making even the powerful engine of the off-road vehicle sound exceptionally fragile in the boundless wilderness.

This 1.5 million was truly earned with my life on the line.

I took a deep breath, suppressed the surging emotions in my heart, and looked at Wang Yi seriously, saying:

"Mr. Wang, thank you very much for giving me this opportunity. However, I would like to think about the signing process carefully when I get back."

"I'm open to collaborations, including accompanying the club on missions, leading teams, and providing content. But I'd much rather operate the account myself, retaining ownership and control over its ownership and narrative."

I think it's better to make some things clear in advance.

Wang Yi was not surprised at all, and readily nodded, his eyes showing a hint of appreciation.

"I knew you would make this choice. What you wanted was never a stable, dead-end job contract, but your own path and your own voice."

He leaned forward slightly and continued, "This is negotiable. The club will only provide resources and manufacturer channels, including security, logistics, and exposure support. As for account ownership and subsequent operational rights, we can include that in a separate agreement."

Wang, leaning back in his chair, casually twirled a lighter in his hand, chuckled, and said with a hint of approval in his voice:

"This kid is shrewd and clear-headed. If it were any other young person, they would have lost their temper and agreed to any conditions after suddenly being offered a large sum of money."

"I've been through the heat too." I smiled frankly. "When I couldn't hold on any longer in the desolate wilderness, all I really wanted was to get out alive. I was willing to compromise on any condition as long as I could get paid."

I paused for a moment, then continued, "But now I finally understand that money is a one-time thing, only the path you forge yourself is the foundation for a lifetime. From now on, I want to choose my own path and determine my own content."

Wang Yi's expression gradually became serious, and he abandoned his previous affability, earnestly instructing:

"It's good that you have this composure and vision, but I have to tell you the unpleasant truth upfront. Once this exclusive time-travel material is released, it will go viral across the internet, but the trouble that follows will be beyond your imagination."

"The Purogangri Glacier route is extremely sensitive, and it's an unprecedented reverse crossing of an uninhabited area. The online reactions will definitely be polarized. Some people will haile you as a rising outdoor guru, while others will be watching to find fault with you."

"They will smear you for being reckless and adventurous, risk the lives of everyone on the team to gain traffic and popularity, and even dig up your past, nitpicking everything."

I had anticipated these risks countless times, but hearing them from a top figure in the industry like Wang Yi carries a completely different weight.

This also means that the upcoming media storm is by no means an overreaction.

The dangers of no man's land are obvious, but there are warning signs that allow for prevention.

But the wickedness of the human heart hidden behind the screen is invisible, intangible, and impossible to guard against.

We talked for another half hour to confirm the specific payment time and the complete logistical support for the subsequent new route survey.

If, after the materials are released, they encounter platform review, suppression, controversy, or traffic restrictions, the club will contact the manufacturer to communicate on their behalf.

By the time everything was settled, the sun was high in the sky, and warm sunlight streamed through the store's glass windows.

The dappled light and shadow fell on the yellowed group photos of the adventures covering the wall, full of traces of time and stories.

Wang Yi stood up and shook my hand solemnly again: "I have an urgent meeting, so I'll have to leave first. I'll have my assistant prepare the first draft of the cooperation agreement tonight and send it to you for review first thing tomorrow morning."

"Okay, thank you for your hard work, Mr. Wang." I nodded in response.

After seeing Wang Yi off, the noisy little shop instantly quieted down, leaving only Wang Ge and me.

Brother Wang took out a cigarette and handed it to me, then lit one for himself as well.

The smoke curled slowly as he spoke sincerely, "I'm not telling you about these risks today to scare you. The fact that you survived that perilous situation shows your ability and courage are on par with top team leaders in the country."

"But a truly top-notch team leader is not only good at driving, finding the way, and rescuing people from danger, but also has to withstand the fame, criticism, and all the controversies that come with sudden popularity."

He sighed softly, with a hint of self-deprecation: "I'm cold-hearted and not good at socializing. I hate online arguments the most, so Wang Yi has been handling all the external negotiations and cooperation these past few years. He has a broad vision, is capable, and knows how to get along with people. You should learn from him in that respect."

I wholeheartedly agree.

Despite his considerable wealth, Wang Yi is not arrogant like a typical big boss; he is humble and has high emotional intelligence.

I finally understand why he and Wang Ge, who were once teammates who shared life and death, now lead completely different lives.