Godly Beggar

The morning sun painted Seladang City in hues of orange and gold, a stark contrast to the tension brewing within the station. As the Cultural Showcase approached, Jiang Han could feel the weight of expectations pressing down on him. The project was more than a professional milestone—it was his proving ground, a stage where he could showcase his growth, ingenuity, and leadership.

Yet, beneath the surface of the station's bustling preparations, a quiet storm was gathering. Lim De Kang, seething with jealousy, had spent the past few days orchestrating his latest plan to undermine Jiang's success. This time, he wasn't content with whispers or petty sabotage—he wanted a public spectacle.

Two days before the showcase, Huiying rushed into Jiang's office, her face pale with worry.

"Jiang, we have a problem," she said, holding a stack of papers. "The equipment delivery for the showcase has been delayed. The supplier claims they never received confirmation of our order."

Jiang frowned. "That's impossible. I double-checked the orders myself."

Huiying nodded. "I thought so too, but here's the kicker—someone tampered with the email logs. It looks like the confirmation was never sent."

Jiang's mind raced. This wasn't a simple oversight. Someone had gone out of their way to sabotage the event. And he had a good idea who was behind it.

"De Kang," Jiang muttered under his breath.

As Jiang processed the situation, the Begging System chimed in with an alert.

[System Notification: Urgent Mission Triggered.]

Mission: Secure backup equipment and prevent delays in the showcase preparations.]

Reward: Resourcefulness Skill Upgrade (Advanced Level).]

Failure Penalty: A 30% reduction in event quality ratings.]

"Great timing," Jiang muttered, rubbing his temples. "Guess I'm begging my way out of this one."

Jiang wasted no time and immediately began calling alternative suppliers. The first three calls were met with polite refusals—two were fully booked, and the third quoted an exorbitant price that was far beyond the station's budget.

Feeling the pressure mount, Jiang decided to change his approach. Instead of focusing solely on suppliers, he reached out to contacts in the local arts community, hoping someone might have spare equipment or connections.

His persistence led him to Mr Wong, the manager of a small production house known for its resourcefulness.

"Mr Wong, I know this is last-minute," Jiang began, "but I'm in a tight spot. Our equipment supplier fell through, and the showcase is in two days. I need your help to pull this off."

Mr Wong hesitated. "Jiang, I'd love to help, but my team's already stretched thin with another event. I'm not sure we have the capacity to take on more work."

Jiang took a deep breath, leaning into the lessons the Begging System had drilled into him.

"I understand, Mr Wong, and I wouldn't ask if it weren't urgent. This showcase isn't just another event—it's a chance to spotlight our local artists and bring the community together. Your support could make a huge difference, not just for us but for everyone involved."

Mr Wong rubbed his chin thoughtfully. "You're a persuasive one, Jiang. Tell you what—I'll lend you some of our backup equipment and send two of my technicians to help. But you'll owe me a favour."

Jiang's face lit up with relief. "Consider it done. Thank you, Mr Wong."

With the backup equipment secured, Jiang turned his attention to the rest of the preparations. He gathered his team for an emergency meeting, briefing them on the situation and assigning tasks to ensure the new equipment was properly integrated.

"I know this isn't ideal," Jiang said, addressing the team. "But we've handled challenges before, and we'll handle this one too. Let's stay focused and keep pushing forward."

Huiying nodded, her confidence in Jiang unwavering. "We've got this, Jiang. Let's show them what we're made of."

As the team worked tirelessly to overcome the setback, news of the equipment delay spread through the station. Lim De Kang, confident that his sabotage would derail Jiang's showcase, couldn't hide his smugness.

"What a shame," De Kang said to a group of colleagues. "All that hype, and Jiang can't even secure basic equipment. Maybe he's not as capable as everyone thinks."

The comment didn't sit well with Huiying, who overheard it while passing by. She confronted De Kang, her voice steady but sharp.

"Funny how you always have something to say about Jiang's work, De Kang. Maybe if you spent half as much time supporting your colleagues as you do criticising them, people might actually respect you."

De Kang's smirk faltered, but he quickly recovered. "We'll see how this 'genius' handles the showcase. If it flops, don't say I didn't warn you."

On the day of the showcase, the venue buzzed with anticipation. The backup equipment worked seamlessly, thanks to Mr Wong's technicians and Jiang's meticulous planning. As the first performance began, the audience was captivated by the vibrant displays and flawless execution.

Jiang monitored the event from backstage, his heart swelling with pride as each segment unfolded without a hitch. Huiying approached him, a rare smile on her usually serious face.

"You did it, Jiang," she said. "Despite everything, you pulled it off."

Jiang chuckled. "We did it, Huiying. This was a team effort."

As the showcase concluded to thunderous applause, the Begging System chimed in with its familiar notification.

[Mission Accomplished.]

Reward Unlocked: Resourcefulness Skill Upgrade (Advanced Level).]

Jiang felt a surge of satisfaction. The reward wasn't just about improving his abilities—it was a reminder of the resilience and determination that had brought him this far.

Back at the station, the buzz from the successful showcase was palpable. Mr Lim Choon Seng personally congratulated Jiang, praising his leadership and quick thinking.

De Kang, meanwhile, found himself increasingly isolated. His failed sabotage had only highlighted Jiang's competence, turning the station's staff against him.

As Jiang passed De Kang in the hallway, he offered a polite nod. "Better luck next time, De Kang."

The subtle jab left De Kang fuming, but he could do little to retaliate. Jiang's star was rising, and there was no stopping it.

That evening, as Jiang sat alone in his office, he allowed himself a moment to reflect. The journey hadn't been easy, but each challenge had taught him valuable lessons about resilience, leadership, and the power of persistence.

"The higher I climb, the stronger the winds," Jiang mused. "But as long as I stay true to myself, I'll weather any storm."

With the cultural showcase behind him, Jiang turned his focus to the next challenge, ready to face whatever the future held.