Gao Yang indeed had many things to keep him busy.
Gao Yang had a deep, intricate relationship with the Skull Gang. He maintained a good relationship with the current high-level members of the Skull Gang, among whom several were actually his friends. They were not just friendly colleagues, but truly, genuinely his friends.
Take Maide, for example.
The relationship between Gao Yang and Maide was not only about sharing life and death experiences.
Gao Yang had always respected Maide. An idealist does not deserve respect, as they often achieve nothing—ideals can only remain ideals.
But Maide was different, though he was an idealist, his ideals were for his country and his people. He sought a bright future for his nation and had already acted toward that end. Therefore, whether or not Maide could succeed, such an idealist deserved respect.