Godly Beggar

The days following Jiang Han's successful broadcast were a whirlwind. The station buzzed with discussions about his innovative segment, with whispers of his rising star status reaching even the most sceptical corners of the office. For Jiang, the victory was sweet, but he knew it was just a single step on a much longer journey.

The Begging System chimed in just as Jiang finished reviewing the engagement metrics.

[System Notification: New Mission Triggered.]

Mission: Convince the Station Manager to allocate prime-time slots for your next segment.]

Reward: Negotiation Skill (Advanced Level).]

Failure Penalty: Your current slot will be reassigned to another host.]

Jiang's heart sank slightly. Prime-time slots were highly coveted, typically reserved for seasoned professionals with loyal audiences. Convincing the Station Manager, Mr Lim Choon Seng wasn't going to be easy. Known for his strict demeanour and no-nonsense approach, Mr Lim valued proven results above all else.

"This is going to be tough," Jiang muttered.

Jiang spent the next day preparing for the inevitable confrontation. He studied every detail of his recent segment's performance—engagement rates, call-ins, and social media metrics. Armed with data, he crafted a pitch that highlighted not only his success but also the potential for growth if given better visibility.

He also did some research on Mr Lim himself, learning that the man valued professionalism, efficiency, and originality. Armed with this knowledge, Jiang decided to tailor his approach.

Getting an appointment with Mr Lim was an ordeal in itself. His assistant, Ms Yong, was fiercely protective of her boss's time.

"I'm sorry, Jiang," Ms Yong said, barely looking up from her computer. "Mr Lim's schedule is packed this week. Maybe next month?"

Jiang smiled politely. "I understand he's busy, but I promise this won't take more than ten minutes. It's about a proposal that could benefit the station."

Ms Yong raised an eyebrow. "A proposal? What kind of proposal?"

"It's about increasing listener engagement and boosting ad revenue," Jiang said confidently.

Her fingers paused on the keyboard. "Ad revenue, you say? Interesting. I'll see what I can do."

The next day, Jiang found himself seated in Mr Lim's office. The manager, a man in his early 50s with a stern expression and sharp eyes, gestured for Jiang to begin.

"Make it quick," Mr Lim said.

Jiang took a deep breath. "Thank you for seeing me, sir. I'm here to propose moving my segment to a prime-time slot. My recent broadcast showed a 15% increase in audience engagement within just one airing. With a better time slot, we could amplify these numbers significantly."

Mr Lim leaned back, his expression unreadable. "You're suggesting we shuffle our current schedule to accommodate a junior host? That's a bold request."

Jiang nodded. "I understand it's unconventional, but I believe the results speak for themselves. Here are the metrics from my last segment."

He slid a folder across the desk. Mr Lim flipped through it, his sharp eyes scanning the data.

"Impressive," Mr Lim admitted, though his tone remained cautious. "But this doesn't guarantee long-term success. What makes you think you can maintain or exceed these numbers?"

Jiang smiled, having anticipated the question. "Consistency comes from preparation and adaptability. I've already started planning future segments based on listener feedback. Additionally, I'm leveraging social media to build a loyal audience base. I'm not just asking for a slot—I'm offering a partnership to grow the station's reach."

Mr Lim tapped a finger on the desk, his gaze piercing. "Partnership, you say? What's your long-term vision?"

"To create a segment that resonates with a broad audience while remaining authentic and engaging. My goal is to bring in a younger demographic without alienating our loyal listeners," Jiang said confidently.

After a moment of silence, Mr Lim nodded slowly. "You've done your homework. I'll give you a two-week trial run in the 8 PM slot. Impress me, and we'll talk about something more permanent."

As Jiang left the office, he couldn't help but feel a surge of triumph. He had barely stepped out when he ran into Lim De Kang, who was heading in the same direction.

"What are you doing here?" De Kang asked, his tone dripping with suspicion.

"Just discussing some segment adjustments with Mr Lim," Jiang said nonchalantly.

De Kang's eyes narrowed. "Adjustments? Don't tell me you're trying to snag a prime-time slot."

Jiang shrugged, offering a faint smile. "Guess you'll find out soon enough."

With the coveted 8 PM slot secured, Jiang threw himself into preparing for his trial run. He refined his scripts, collaborated with the production team, and even reached out to past listeners for feedback.

The night of the first broadcast, the studio was buzzing with activity. Jiang's nerves were evident, but he channelled them into focus.

As the segment aired, the phone lines lit up, and social media buzzed with activity. By the end of the hour, Jiang knew they had delivered something special.

The next morning, Mr Lim called Jiang into his office.

"Your segment last night achieved a 22% increase in engagement," Mr Lim said, his tone approving. "That's beyond impressive for a trial run."

Jiang couldn't hide his grin. "Thank you, sir. I'm glad the listeners enjoyed it."

Mr Lim leaned back. "Keep this up, and we'll make this slot permanent. Don't let me down."

That evening, Jiang sat in his room, reflecting on the journey so far. The system chimed in:

[Reflection Phase Activated.]

[Lesson: Persistence and preparation can open doors that seem impossible to budge.]

Jiang nodded to himself. "Begging isn't just about asking—it's about proving your worth. It's about turning scepticism into belief."

With a renewed sense of purpose, Jiang prepared for his next challenge, knowing that the road ahead would only get tougher—but so would he.

Jiang Han stepped out of the station manager's office, his heart still racing with a mixture of relief and determination. Securing the 8 PM slot was a significant milestone, but it was also a reminder that the real work was beginning. Success was fleeting if not nurtured, and Jiang knew he couldn't afford to rest on his laurels.

The following days were a flurry of activity. Jiang spent hours analysing listener feedback from his previous segment, pinpointing what had worked and what could be improved. He even set up an anonymous online form, allowing listeners to share their thoughts directly. The responses were a mix of praise, constructive criticism, and the occasional troll comment, but Jiang valued every piece of input.

"People appreciate feeling heard," Jiang mused, jotting down notes. "If I can show them that their opinions matter, it'll build loyalty."

In the station's common area, the atmosphere was less than welcoming. Jiang could feel the tension every time he walked past his colleagues, especially Lim De Kang, whose jealousy was palpable.

"So, the golden boy gets a prime-time slot," De Kang sneered during a casual meeting. "Must be nice riding on beginner's luck."

Jiang smiled politely. "Luck plays a part, but preparation and effort are just as important. Maybe you should try it sometime."

De Kang's face darkened, but he said nothing. The subtle jab wasn't lost on the other staff, some of whom stifled amused grins.

The 8 PM slot wasn't just prime time—it was a battlefield where expectations ran high. Jiang's first week was a delicate balance of keeping the audience entertained while introducing fresh elements. He experimented with interactive games, invited surprise guests, and even added a light-hearted trivia segment based on listener suggestions.

The response was overwhelmingly positive. Social media buzzed with praise, and the phone lines were consistently active. By the end of the week, Jiang's segment had achieved a 25% increase in engagement, exceeding even his expectations.

During a team meeting to review the week's performance, the station manager, Mr Lim Choon Seng, addressed the staff.

"Jiang Han's performance in the 8 PM slot has been exceptional," Mr Lim said, glancing around the room. "His approach is innovative, and the audience engagement speaks for itself. This is the kind of creativity we need to maintain our competitive edge."

De Kang's expression soured as Mr Lim continued to praise Jiang. Unable to contain his bitterness, De Kang blurted, "It's just beginner's enthusiasm. Let's see if he can keep it up in the long run."

Mr Lim's gaze sharpened. "Enthusiasm is only part of the equation. Jiang's success comes from his preparation and willingness to adapt. Perhaps we could all learn something from his approach."

Jiang resisted the urge to smirk, keeping his expression neutral. The indirect reprimand was a satisfying victory in itself.

That evening, Jiang returned to his modest apartment, feeling a mix of pride and exhaustion. The system chimed in with its usual notification:

[Reflection Phase Activated.]

[Lesson: Consistent effort and adaptability build credibility and trust over time.]

Jiang leaned back in his chair, letting the words sink in. "Trust isn't given—it's earned. And once you have it, it becomes your strongest asset."

As he prepared for the next week's segments, Jiang felt a growing sense of confidence. The challenges ahead didn't intimidate him—they motivated him.