I am a Big Player
Chapter 297 - 295, Internal Strife in the Team (First Update)_1

Chapter 297: 295, Internal Strife in the Team (First Update)_1

Yang Xi’s arrival had brought significant changes to Ren He’s life. The person who used to sit on a large rock every afternoon to watch the sunset and daze off alone became two people...

An Si was shocked when he found out that Yang Xi had appeared in the camp that evening, "This...?"

Meanwhile, Yang Xi looked at An Si with a smile bright as flowers, "Next time he does anything, you have to tell me, Fourth Brother."

"Yes, yes, I’ll definitely tip you off..." An Si nodded his head. He felt deep down that if Ren He tried to do something dangerous behind Yang Xi’s back again, he would either stay far away or simply give Yang Xi a heads-up. He understood all too well that behind Yang Xi’s smiling face, there lurked a knife...

Smeier was astounded to find another girl beside Ren He. His thoughts were stirred again—could this mean an additional guide fee?

However, when he asked Ren He, Yang Xi had already made it clear that she would not be going up the mountain. Just making the long trek to a 6,000-meter-high base camp was extremely difficult for her, and she had absolutely no intention of climbing any higher.

If she went on, though the vertical elevation was only about 3,000 meters more, what mattered was how far the walking distance would be. Trekking up to Mount Laojun or White Cloud Mountain? Those mountains only have over 2,200 meters of vertical elevation, so you can imagine how challenging the rest of the journey would be.

In fact, in the remaining distance, Smeier had planned to advance little by little, finally making a dash for the summit from an altitude of 7,900 meters.

By that time, ordinary people would find breathing difficult, let alone Ren He having to be distracted to take care of her. Would that be appropriate?

Inappropriate, Yang Xi thought it was inappropriate.

She had come here to provide Ren He with emotional support through her actions, to let Ren He understand that she was not disdainful of his dreams. That was all.

Yang Xi wouldn’t drag Ren He down; she wasn’t self-indulgent or affected. She knew what choices she should make at what times.

This was probably also why Ren He felt very comfortable and open with Yang Xi.

Nowadays, many girls casually say, "Find a man who will pamper you like a daughter."

If he loves you, he would never raise his voice at you.

They always think of maintaining their dignity, convinced that it’s not love if a man doesn’t woo them humbly, or if they don’t receive a red envelope with 520 yuan during festivals.

What should love truly be?

Many girls believe they are superior, causing the status between them and their partners to become unequal. In the end, what would that lead to? Eventually, men might realize, "Wow, being single is so relaxing. Girls are so troublesome. Why don’t I just get a boyfriend?"

You’re an adult now, okay? You should be sensible. The sanctity of love comes from both parties’ ability to transcend human selfishness through their mutual contributions.

The focus is on both parties’ contributions, not just one side’s.

Such girls, accustomed to others’ sacrifices and acting high and mighty, are not so different from the so-called "straight-man cancer". Ren He would wish them a lonely old age and hope they wouldn’t trouble anyone anymore.

There are also girls like Yang Xi who understand what they should and should not do. Thus, she had already negated Smeier’s hope before Ren He even spoke, leaving Smeier greatly disappointed...

In fact, Ren He didn’t even recommend Yang Xi and An Si to climb the mountain. Despite how many people had already made the ascent, danger was still danger, and he still harbored great doubts about the upcoming weather.

Yang Xi’s physical fitness wasn’t that great. The classes she took were only for physical poise and did not contribute much to her stamina; they mainly made her legs straighter and her back straighter.

Even the kids from the Qinghe Club who exercised with Ren He every day had much better physical fitness than Yang Xi. If those kids really made it here, Ren He would consider taking them up with him since they already possessed the basic physical fitness.

But even so, it wouldn’t be this time. He would only do it after he himself had gained a wealth of experience. Next time, he might even lead the team himself, but he wouldn’t take the risk with others when he wasn’t familiar with the situation.

There were two other Chinese people in the camp, Lei Ming and An Quan.

In fact, they must have heard Yang Xi’s songs and knew what she looked like, since Yang Xi had now become explosively popular in China.

But this time, Yang Xi had traveled alone for 10 days to reach the camp at 6,000 meters above sea level. Her face was dirty and unrecognizable. Thinking that she might as well not wash in an attempt to conceal her identity, after all, everyone looked a mess and no one was in a position to criticize.

Once there, one couldn’t be too fussy. For most people training so hard that even eating became a difficult task, let alone focusing on reading books. The high altitude here even seemed like some mysterious and malevolent force disrupting everyone’s will.

People on the plains can never truly comprehend through news and movies the difficulties present in this high-altitude environment.

By the fifth day, some had started coughing, occasionally coughing up flecks of blood.

In the previous few days, everyone had gathered together for psychological counseling. Three American Caucasians even joked that Ren He was outright suicidal for daring to challenge Mount Everest without any experience, calling it a death wish.

And they warned Ren He that if he couldn’t bear it at an altitude of 8,000 meters, he should quietly descend without expecting anyone to rescue him; no one would risk their life for him.

"Oh, wait, maybe Smeier would be willing to save you. Just shout out that you’re willing to pay a million US dollars, and Smeier would probably carry you down," the white youths jeered. In truth, they were dissatisfied with Smeier’s willingness to accommodate a liability like Ren He. When it came time to lead, the guide might get tied down by the obligation towards money, taking care of the straggler instead of guiding promptly. Their words mocked both Ren He’s overestimation of his abilities and Smeier’s greed.

Ren He glanced at them and retorted, "Maybe I’m in better shape than you guys. Hmm... no, that comparison isn’t fair. Maybe the two of you combined might come close to me."

"Maybe," shrugged the Caucasian youth, "but understand this, bringing an assistant and a girlfriend here won’t do you any Ren He good."

Truth be told, they were a bit jealous that Ren He’s girlfriend could even come all this way to be with him...

"Shut your mouth," said the girl named An Quan.

Originally, Lei Ming and An Quan were also unhappy about Ren He, a complete novice, joining their team. But when facing nationality, most Chinese people would choose to set aside their differences and help a compatriot. At this moment, three Americans and three Chinese had clearly drawn a distinct line within the team.

Probably not even Smeier himself or the assistant leader could have foreseen such a situation.

An Quan, who was nine years older than Ren He, even whispered to him that she would try her best to help him on the mountain. Lei Ming was much more composed and didn’t offer such reassurances. With more experience, he understood that verbal support was one thing, but at higher altitudes, nobody dared to say they could help someone else.

Yet in such circumstances, everyone suddenly noticed something very bizarre. Ren He could complete the daily training with ease, and while everyone else crawled into their sleeping bags to rest and soothe their aching heads, Ren He still had the leisure to sit on a large rock with Yang Xi to watch the sunset...