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

Xu Rourou thought for a moment and then said.

"It seems all the burdens are now on your shoulders. Do you think you can handle it?"

"Now everyone has to follow your example. If you really can't handle it, you must tell me in advance."

Hearing this, Gao Jie seemed indifferent, because he knew that even now, he didn't need to be too nervous.

Gao Jie addressed everyone.

"Actually, this matter isn't that complicated. We should all know the answer by now, that's all."

"I know what the current situation is, but some people are not aware of the current state."

"We have to figure out a way to get through this together, otherwise, the outcome won't be good for us."

"Furthermore, I know what the fundamental problem is for us right now. In short, everyone must cooperate sincerely."

Huang Xu nodded, agreeing with what he said, and then expressed his own opinion.

"Actually, I think Lao Gao is right. What's most important for us right now? It's cooperation."

"Let's all cooperate as much as possible and not worry about so many problems. The situation we're facing right now is already complicated enough, so why discuss it so much?"

"If you ask me, everyone should do their utmost to resolve the issue as quickly as possible. That's enough, don't you agree?"

"The main purpose of this test is to differentiate our abilities, so if you have the skills, don't hold back, finish as soon as possible."

Everyone nodded in agreement, and Gao Jie then gave them a detailed example.

However, after Gao Jie finished speaking, Xu Rourou was the first to offer her opinion.

"I feel like this test is targeting us, but I don't know why they would do it. I just feel like it's deliberately targeting us."

"You should feel this way now, because I see that everyone else is not in a hurry for the test, but we are the only ones who are particularly nervous."

Gao Jie told Xu Rourou to stop talking, otherwise it might affect everyone's morale.

Taking a break, Gao Jie brought the person to the side.

After thinking for a moment, Gao Jie explained the actual situation.

"Actually, I understand that we're being watched, but don't say these things in front of others. They don't know our true identities."

Xu Rourou immediately nodded in agreement; her father had mentioned this to her before.

If too many people find out about this, I'm afraid I'll be the one who gets into trouble in the end.

Therefore, we must be careful at this point.

Moreover, Xu Wenfeng has offended quite a few people while he's out there. If someone really follows this lead and comes looking for him, Xu Rourou will probably be in big trouble.

"I've got it. I won't bring this up again for now. But do you think teaming up with them is a good idea? I'm worried they might drag you down. If that happens, we'll lose more than we gain."

Xu Rourou was very worried that if Gao Jie really got into trouble, wouldn't everything be in trouble?

Gao Jie, however, didn't care at all, because he knew he had no way out now.

You either fight alongside your companions, or you watch helplessly as they deal with you. There's no better way.

In the somewhat quiet space, Gao Jie frowned slightly and let out a soft sigh. That sigh was filled with the deep worry and helplessness in his heart.

"Actually, I've always had a feeling that someone is deliberately targeting us, but I haven't said anything, perhaps because I was afraid of causing unnecessary panic. But this feeling has become more and more obvious."

A hint of confusion and unease flickered in Gao Jie's eyes. He paused for a moment, then continued.

"In short, let's all be careful and not make things ugly. We're like groping forward in the dark right now, and we have to be careful with every step. If we're not careful, we could fall into an abyss of no return."

Xu Rourou listened attentively to Gao Jie's words, nodded solemnly, and promised to be more careful.

Just then, a commotion suddenly came from the practice room not far away, as if something had been pushed to the ground, or as if someone was shouting angrily.

The sudden noise shattered the silence. The two quickly exchanged a glance, a hint of surprise and worry flashing in their eyes, before running towards the practice room without hesitation.

When they rushed into the practice room, they found Huang Muran and Huang Xu fighting.

Huang Xu's face flushed red, his eyes seemed to burn with rage, and he gripped Huang Muran's collar tightly with both hands.

Huang Muran, on the other hand, looked disdainful and indifferent. She used one hand to forcefully pry open Huang Xu's fingers, trying to break free from his control.

Seeing this, Gao Jie frowned in confusion and asked loudly.

"What the hell are you guys doing? Why did you suddenly start fighting? We're all classmates, can't you talk things out? I'm asking you, what's the point of doing this? Was it really necessary to make things like this? This is just throwing our own hands into disarray. Don't you know we're in a really bad situation right now?"

Upon hearing this, Huang Xu and Huang Muran glared at each other, their eyes seemingly shooting out sparks.

Huang Xu's chest heaved violently; he was clearly still angry. He said angrily.

"We were working so hard to come up with a plan, and this woman just showed up and started mocking us. Isn't that bullying? We were racking our brains trying to figure out how to deal with the potential crisis, and she just walked in and started talking coldly, as if everything we did was for nothing."

He took a breath and continued.

"This person is absolutely outrageous. I'm really annoyed and unhappy about this. Her attitude is completely undermining our unity. Doesn't she know we're all in this together?"

Huang Muran said with a cold laugh.

"You really think I care about your petty squabbles? Let me tell you, I can't be bothered with you people. I have my own things to do and don't want to waste my time on your pointless squabbles."

As she said this, she gave Gao Jie a deep look.

"I don't care what you guys are up to, I just hope you don't get caught, otherwise you'll have your student status revoked. Do you think this is a joke? Once you lose your student status, your future will be ruined, and don't regret what you've done today."

Upon hearing Huang Muran's words, a hint of panic flashed across everyone's faces. Their gazes involuntarily focused on Huang Muran, staring intently as if waiting for further explanation or instructions from her.

Huang Muran, however, seemed to have completed his task. He walked to the chair next to him, sat down, crossed his legs, and then spoke slowly and deliberately.

"Huang Xu, I could tell from their reactions that you didn't tell them the truth. I knew you were unreliable, but I'm also curious why you did this. What ulterior motive do you have?"

Then he turned to look at everyone and said.

"You all don't know, do you? Huang Xu might be doing this just for his own benefit. Do you dare say that's not the case? I think you just want to drag everyone down with you so you can get away with it. Don't think your little scheme is that clever."

Huang Xu's face instantly looked unnatural. His face, which had been flushed with anger, turned pale, his eyes began to dart around, and fine beads of sweat appeared on his forehead.

Gao Jie frowned as he looked at him, his eyes filled with doubt and dissatisfaction.

"Huang Xu, what on earth are you doing? What do you mean by this?"

Gao Jie raised his voice a few decibels, with a hint of accusation in his tone.

"I don't quite understand what she just said. After all, we're going to work together. Hiding things won't benefit anyone, right? The situation we're facing is already complicated enough. We should all work together. Your evasiveness will only make things worse."

Huang Xu scratched his head and gave an awkward smile, which seemed particularly forced, as if he had just squeezed it out.

"Actually, I didn't mean to hide it from you. I've wanted to tell you the general situation for a long time, but I just haven't had the chance."

His voice was somewhat weak, as if he had lost his usual confidence.

Xu Rourou instantly became enraged, her eyes widening as she glared angrily at Huang Xu.

"Huang Xu, we trusted you so much, how could you treat us like this? We thought you were reliable, but I never expected you to pull this stunt. Did you really have to do this? We treated you as a partner, discussing strategies together, facing unknown dangers together, and you're doing this behind our backs? Do you think you've lived up to our trust?"

Huang Xu lowered his head and sighed, a sigh filled with helplessness and exhaustion.

"I'm so sorry, I know what I did was wrong, but I really had no other choice, because I understand all of this clearly. I don't have much time left, and if I can't resolve this quickly, then I might not be able to do anything about school anymore. I was forced into this situation, so I resorted to this desperate measure. I know that doing this might hurt everyone, but I really had no other choice at the time."

He raised his head, a hint of pleading in his eyes.

"Anyway, I hope you can understand me, but don't worry, from now on I will change this habit and promise I won't keep you in the dark anymore, okay?"

Gao Jie understood very well that now was not the time for internal strife, and he knew that in this complex and delicate situation, internal unity was of paramount importance.

However, he was also surprised, and it seemed that this was the root cause of Huang Muran's unwillingness to cooperate.

His mind raced, searching for a way to reunite everyone amidst the chaos.

Gao Jie thought for a moment and then spoke to everyone.

"Things have come to this point, and I believe you all understand that continuing this fuss won't be good for anyone. We're like a ship tossed about in a storm; if we keep arguing and suspecting each other, the ship will sink sooner or later."

Then he turned to Huang Xu and looked at him intently.

"Now we need your honesty, Huang Xu!"