Gao Wu: I'll enjoy the benefits, but you'll bear the side effects.

In this land of Jinling, Gao Jie found himself in an unprecedented predicament and dilemma.

His heart was like a surging sea, with wave after wave crashing against his reason and emotions.

With his whole family here, every decision he made became incredibly heavy. In particular, although Gao Zhanlin was temporarily out of danger, this peace was like walking on thin ice, and could be broken at any moment, which became his biggest concern.

Qin Xianglong's scheme successfully lured Gao Jie back.

At this moment, Gao Jie was filled with disgust and resentment towards Qin Xianglong. The thought of being schemed against made him feel an uncontrollable anger. He didn't even want to have anything to do with Qin Xianglong and just wanted to stay far away from the person who had put him in this predicament.

However, reality was like a merciless shackle, binding him tightly. He knew that if he didn't agree to Qin Xianglong's demands, escaping would be no easy task.

This dilemma was like a sharp sword cutting back and forth in his heart, causing him immense pain and utterly perplexing him.

Gao Jie shook his head helplessly, his confused and helpless look being seen by Boss Qi.

Old Qi chuckled and patted him on the shoulder, trying to enlighten the young man who was in a predicament. "Why bother so much? It's too late to be upset now."

You need to understand that the most important thing right now is to find a solution, rather than wallowing in pain.

This is the situation we face; you must confront it, find a way to utilize the existing opportunities, and do what needs to be done—that's the right path. If you just worry in vain and do nothing, then those so-called opportunities are nothing but illusions. Furthermore, you can't easily break with the Qin family. What good would it do us to oppose them? That wouldn't be a wise move.

As Gao Jie listened to Qi Laoda's words, he understood that although they were straightforward, they contained truth. However, deep in his heart, there was still a hurdle that he could not overcome.

He knew all too well that some things, once done, might be even more painful than selling his soul, such as colluding with the Qin family.

His mind was filled with terrifying images, and he worried that the Qin family would force him to do things that went against his conscience and principles.

But in that instant, a thought suddenly struck him, as if he had seen a glimmer of light in the darkness.

Qi Laoda keenly noticed the change in Gao Jie's expression, and immediately understood the situation. He smiled and said:

"Young man, you should have figured it out by now, right? If you have, why not talk to me about it?"

Gao Jie smiled slightly and said slowly:

"To be honest, I have really figured it out. I was originally stuck in a quagmire of confusion, unable to extricate myself, but now I realize that those confusions are actually meaningless and can even be ignored. Instead of wandering in this endless thinking, I should focus on the present and take action."

After saying that, Gao Jie got up and left, leaving Qi Laoda looking puzzled.

Filled with curiosity, Qi the Elder gathered everyone around him and eagerly pressed for answers:

"What did that little guy just say? I feel like I only vaguely understand him. I could roughly understand what he said before, but now I'm confused again. Can any of you understand what he meant?"

Seeing everyone's blank expressions, Boss Qi flew into a rage. "Look at all of you stupid people! I was hoping you could answer my questions, but what I got is this! I'm speechless. Get the hell out of here!"

After Gao Jie left, he went straight to Qin Xianglong. At this moment, although he still had reservations, there was a hint of determination in his eyes.

He looked Qin Xianglong straight in the eye and stated his conditions:

"If you want my help, you must first resolve my parents' issues. I demand that you give my parents 200 million Alliance Coins, and that it be given in the most legal way. This is my primary condition for agreeing to your request; I cannot allow my family to suffer any harm or distress because of my situation."

Secondly, you cannot pursue the matter of the Xu sisters any further. As for your desire to hold Xu Wenfeng accountable, that's your business, and I have no power to interfere. But you must leave Sister Wen and my friends alone. They have little to do with this matter, and I cannot stand by and watch them be put in danger because of me.”

Qin Xianglong listened quietly to Gao Jie's conditions, his expression changing slightly. He hadn't expected Gao Jie to be so direct in his demands, and these demands were far from simple. He frowned slightly, lost in thought.

For him, 200 million Alliance Coins was not something he couldn't come up with, but giving it to the Xu sisters in a legal way without pursuing the matter required careful consideration.

He knew Gao Jie's determination at this moment, and if he didn't agree to these conditions, it would be extremely difficult to get Gao Jie to cooperate.

However, agreeing to this might trigger a series of chain reactions, since the Xu sisters and Xu Wenfeng hold special positions in his plan.

Gao Jie felt a little uneasy as he looked at Qin Xianglong deep in thought.

He didn't know if Qin Xianglong would agree to his conditions, but he had no way out.

The safety of his parents and friends rests on the outcome of this negotiation.

He silently prayed that Qin Xianglong could weigh the pros and cons and make the right choice. Meanwhile, Qin Xianglong, after some thought, felt that Gao Jie's repeated statements were far too verbose and complicated.

He waved his hand gently, then explained to Gao Jie in a clear and organized manner:

"Alright, it's just this little thing. I understand everything perfectly. You don't need to ramble on like this. It's nothing more than these few minor issues. Why keep going on and on with me?"

As things stand, your friends are safe, and I can assure you that I will not cause them any further trouble. The same goes for you. I have no intention of taking your life. I just hope that you can give a reasonable explanation to certain people involved. You need to understand this clearly. Do you understand?

As for your wish for your parents to gain some tangible benefits, that's certainly no problem. I'll immediately arrange for someone to carefully produce two lottery tickets for your parents to buy, so they can directly win a 500 million jackpot. Isn't this arrangement much better than any other method?

Gao Jie frowned slightly, his eyes fixed on Qin Xianglong, listening carefully to every detail he arranged.

His mind was in turmoil, his thoughts racing as he tried to find even the slightest loophole or hidden danger in Qin Xianglong's words.

However, Qin Xianglong's plan seemed flawless, cleverly avoiding any potential points of controversy, whether it was guaranteeing the safety of his friend or the way he gave benefits to his parents.

Gao Jie weighed the options repeatedly in his mind. Although a shadow of doubt still lingered in his heart, and the uncomfortable feeling was like a small but sharp thorn that occasionally pricked his nerves, in the current situation, he felt as if he were in a narrow alley with no better way out in either direction.

Left with no other choice, he pressed his lips together, remained silent for a moment, then slowly nodded, his voice low but firm as he said:

"Alright, then proceed as you have instructed. However, I must require you to handle these matters properly as quickly as possible, without any delays or mishaps. And I will keep my promise and do my utmost to assist you."

Upon seeing this, Qin Xianglong's face instantly lit up with a triumphant smile, a smile that carried a hint of smug satisfaction.

He strode forward, extended his broad, powerful hand, and patted Gao Jie heavily on the shoulder, speaking in a deliberately friendly tone:

"Good brother, you're really straightforward! I admire your personality. So it's settled then. From this moment on, we officially establish a cooperative relationship, like fellow travelers on the same boat, our fates now closely intertwined. No matter what problems arise later, even if it's a raging storm, I will inform you immediately, and we'll deal with it together."

In addition, you must remember that if anyone asks about your identity, you must keep it a secret, and never reveal anything, not even to your closest friends and family.

You must understand, our entire plan is like an elaborately constructed house of cards; it must be kept extremely secret. Even the slightest breeze could destroy it. If it leaks out, it will bring utter destruction to both of us. This is not a joke; it's a real abyss that could plunge us into eternal damnation.

Gao Jie's expression was solemn, his eyes revealing a complex mix of emotions—helplessness, resolve, and a vague worry about the future.

He nodded deeply again, then turned and slowly left.

His figure receded into the distance under the watchful eyes of Qin Xianglong and the others. His slightly lonely posture seemed to bear endless pressure, yet his steps revealed an unwavering determination, as if he were ready to face unknown challenges.

Watching Gao Jie's departing figure, Qin Xianglong's other brothers, like a group of cats driven by curiosity, all crowded around. Their faces were filled with doubt and confusion, and one of the burly, straightforward brothers couldn't help but ask his boss first:

"Is this kid really that capable? Why do you insist on keeping him around? Is it possible that this guy can really help you solve those tricky problems? I feel like this kid is quite young, looks green and inexperienced, and doesn't seem like he can be of much help. Do you have some other ulterior motive?"

Qin Xianglong's lips curled up slightly, revealing a meaningful smile that seemed to conceal countless secrets and calculations.

A sly glint in his eyes, he slowly said:

"Don't forget, this guy is incredibly capable. If I can successfully cooperate with him, guess what kind of future we'll have?"

That's like a carp leaping over the Dragon Gate, soaring into the sky! You don't need to overthink it here; I have a clear plan in mind. I firmly believe this kid will be of use to me; he's the key to unlocking the door to success. We've gained a powerful partner!

Alright, enough of that. Let's go have a drink. Today's events deserve a proper celebration. Let's put our troubles behind us and enjoy this moment of pleasure.

Meanwhile, back home, Gao Jie sat alone in a dimly lit corner of his room, staring blankly ahead, as if lost in deep thought, and remained in this daze for quite a while.

At this moment, Wang Fang and Gao Zhanlin gently pushed open the door and walked in.

Wang Fang walked quickly to Gao Jie's side with a concerned expression, squatted down, looked up at her son, and asked softly:

"What's wrong? Is it because of your conversation with that person that you feel uncomfortable? It's okay, son. If you're unhappy cooperating with them, you don't have to. Your father and I have been through thick and thin all these years and are used to a peaceful life. As long as you're not wronged, we're at ease."

Gao Zhanlin also reached out with a doting expression and gently patted his son's head. The warmth of his hand seemed to convey endless strength and comfort.

Gao Jie slightly raised his head, his eyes filled with a mixture of weariness and gratitude, and looked at his parents' kind faces as he slowly explained the reason for what had happened:

"Actually, it's not a big deal. It's mainly some issues I discussed during the negotiations. At the negotiating table, the words were like sharp blades, going back and forth, and the specifics made me feel a little uncomfortable. It felt like a thorn was stuck in my throat, something I couldn't spit out or swallow. But it's all over now, and I've handled everything properly, so you don't need to worry about me anymore. By the way, did you take Mom out for a walk today?"

Gao Zhanlin smiled and nodded, then took out his phone from his pocket and enthusiastically showed his son the photos and videos of their outing that day.

As he scrolled through the screen, he excitedly recounted the fun he had experienced during the trip, trying to dispel the gloom in his son's heart with this joy:

"Son, look! Today we went to that beautiful park. The flowers were in full bloom, so colorful! Your mom loved them and took lots of pictures. Also, we saw a group of adorable ducks by the lake. They were swimming around so much fun..."

Soon, Gao Jie relayed the news that they had returned safely to Huang Xu and the others.

Upon learning this, Huang Xu and the others finally relaxed, their tense nerves finally unwinding like a taut bowstring.

They knew that as long as Gao Jie was alright, this problem could most likely be solved smoothly.

Moreover, judging from Gao Jie's tone of voice, he seemed to be in a good mood.

Huang Xu excitedly shouted on the other end of the phone:

"Good buddy, I knew you'd get things sorted out when you got back. Don't worry, we'll pack up and head back in the next few days. Let me tell you, I'm dying to try Nanjing's roast duck. The taste, tsk tsk tsk, crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, one bite and it's so delicious you almost swallow your tongue."

Hearing Huang Xu's irreverent words, someone nearby couldn't help but give him a shove, frowning as they said:

"Stop talking nonsense and get serious! Everyone's worried about Gao Jie, and all you're thinking about is eating."