Godly Beggar

The early morning sunlight filtered through the blinds of Jiang Han's modest room. The day felt like it carried a heavier weight than usual, and as he sat on the edge of his bed, the familiar voice of the Begging System chimed in.

[System Alert! Mission Triggered.]

Mission: Persuade Senior Host Li Wei to co-host your debut radio segment.]

Reward: Audience Engagement Boost (+10% listener retention for one month).]

Failure Penalty: Listener retention drops by 15% for three months.]

Jiang's brows furrowed. Li Wei was notorious for his arrogance, a veteran radio host with years of experience and a fan base so loyal they treated him like a legend. Asking him to co-host with a rookie wasn't just difficult—it was absurd.

"Great," Jiang muttered. "This mission's going to be as fun as convincing a tiger to share its prey."

He stood, stretched, and resolved to strategise. If there was one thing the system had taught him, it was that every challenge—no matter how insurmountable—had a solution.

Jiang decided to approach this like a problem-solving task, similar to his previous life as a software engineer. He spent the morning researching Li Wei. A quick dive into social media and past interviews revealed some key insights:

Li Wei hated working with amateurs. He valued professionalism and respect for the craft above all else. He had a fondness for tea and often frequented a high-end teahouse nearby.

"Noted," Jiang said to himself. "If I can't appeal to his ego, I'll appeal to his preferences."

But knowing Li Wei's likes and dislikes wasn't enough. Jiang needed to craft a pitch so compelling that Li Wei couldn't say no.

Jiang decided to wait for Li Wei at the teahouse. He arrived early, dressed neatly, and carried a small box of premium Pu'er tea leaves he'd purchased with most of his savings. The system hadn't directly instructed him to do so, but Jiang understood the value of first impressions.

When Li Wei finally arrived, Jiang approached him with a respectful bow. "Senior Li Wei, good morning. May I have a moment of your time?"

Li Wei raised an eyebrow, his sharp gaze scanning Jiang from head to toe. "You're the rookie from the junior host intake, aren't you?"

"Yes, sir," Jiang replied, keeping his tone humble. "I admire your work greatly and hoped to learn from you."

Li Wei's expression softened ever so slightly. "Flattery won't get you far, kid. What do you want?"

Jiang handed him the box of tea. "This is a small token of my respect. I hope you'll accept it as a gesture of my sincerity."

Li Wei eyed the box, then Jiang. With a scoff, he took the tea but didn't open it. "Alright, you've got my attention. Talk."

"Senior Li Wei," Jiang began, his voice steady but earnest. "I have my first on-air segment coming up, and I want it to leave a lasting impression. But as a newcomer, I lack the experience to truly engage the audience. I was hoping—no, I was begging—for your guidance and partnership to make this debut a success."

Li Wei narrowed his eyes. "Partnership? You're asking me to lend my reputation to a rookie segment? Do you know what that entails?"

Jiang nodded. "I understand the risk it poses to your image. But I believe this segment has the potential to resonate with listeners in a way that's fresh and meaningful. And with your expertise, we could create something truly memorable."

Li Wei leaned back in his chair, his arms crossed. "What's in it for me?"

Jiang had anticipated this question. He leaned forward slightly, lowering his voice. "Your audience loves your wisdom and depth. This segment could be a chance to showcase another side of you—a mentor helping the next generation. It's a story your listeners would respect."

Li Wei's lips twitched, almost imperceptibly, as if he was considering the idea.

Jiang pressed on. "Plus, I've already drafted the outline for the segment. If you have time, I'd love for you to critique it."

He slid a neatly printed document across the table. Li Wei picked it up reluctantly, scanning the contents. His expression shifted as he read, his brows raising in interest.

"You wrote this?" Li Wei asked.

"Yes, sir. It's a rough draft, but I'm open to your feedback."

Li Wei set the document down and sighed. "You're bold, I'll give you that. Alright, kid. I'll do it. But if you embarrass me on air, you'll regret it."

The day of the debut segment arrived. Jiang Han stood in the studio, his heart pounding as the countdown began. Li Wei was seated beside him, exuding calm confidence.

The show opened, and Jiang Han handled the introduction smoothly. He guided the discussion towards Li Wei's expertise, allowing the senior host to shine while interjecting with thoughtful questions.

As the segment progressed, Jiang noticed a shift in Li Wei's demeanour. The veteran host seemed genuinely impressed by Jiang's poise and preparation. By the time the show ended, Li Wei turned to Jiang with a rare smile.

"Not bad, kid," Li Wei said, loud enough for the production team to hear. "You've got potential."

The staff, who had initially doubted Jiang's ability to handle such a high-profile co-host, began whispering amongst themselves. Jiang could practically feel the respect in their gazes, a stark contrast to the scepticism they'd shown earlier.

Later that evening, Jiang reflected on the day's events. The system chimed in:

[Reflection Phase Activated.]

[Lesson: Humility paired with strategic confidence can win over even the most sceptical minds.]

Jiang smiled, leaning back in his chair. "It's not just about begging—it's about knowing how to present yourself. Everyone has something they value. Find it, and you can turn the odds in your favour."

The mission hadn't just been about winning Li Wei's cooperation. It had taught Jiang the importance of preparation, adaptability, and reading people.

As Jiang prepared for bed, the system issued another alert:

[System Alert! New Mission Triggered.]

Mission: Boost your segment's audience ratings by 20% within the next month.]

Reward: Marketing Skill (Advanced Level).]

Failure Penalty: 15% audience decline for six months.]

Jiang groaned. "You just can't let me rest, can you?"

But despite his complaint, a flicker of excitement sparked in his eyes. He was beginning to enjoy the game—and with every challenge, he felt himself growing stronger.

Jiang Han leaned against the studio console, scrolling through his notes from the day. The feedback he'd gathered from the people of Petraling Jaya was invaluable. Every insight—from what made teenagers laugh to the topics adults cared about—offered a piece of the puzzle for his upcoming audience-focused segment.

The next morning, Jiang convened a small meeting with the creative team to discuss his plan. His pitch included interactive games, live call-ins, and a segment called "Real Talk," where listeners could share personal stories and get advice from the hosts.

As Jiang finished his presentation, the room erupted into murmurs.

"This is ambitious," one producer said, raising an eyebrow. "Can you even pull it off?"

Before Jiang could answer, a familiar voice cut through the noise. Lim De Kang leaned back in his chair, smirking. "Ambitious? Try reckless. A rookie biting off more than he can chew—it's a recipe for disaster."

Jiang met his gaze, calm but firm. "Ambition is only reckless if it's not backed by effort and preparation. I've worked hard to make sure this will succeed."

De Kang's smirk faltered slightly, but he quickly recovered. "We'll see."

With cautious approval from the team, Jiang dived into preparation. He rehearsed tirelessly, testing the flow of his interactive segments. He collaborated with the station's social media team to create teaser posts, polls, and challenges designed to build anticipation.

When the live broadcast day arrived, Jiang felt the weight of expectations pressing down on him. But as the show went live, the nerves melted away, replaced by focus.

The lines lit up with callers, and the social media feed buzzed with activity. By the end of the segment, even the most sceptical members of the creative team were nodding in approval.

Later, as Jiang reviewed the engagement numbers, he noticed De Kang lingering nearby. Unable to resist, Jiang held up the report with a smile. "Looks like the audience liked it. Numbers are up by 15% already."

De Kang's face tightened, but he forced a smile. "Beginner's luck."

Jiang chuckled. "Luck, effort—whatever you call it, I'm just getting started."