Godly Beggar

Jiang Han sat at his desk, the latest Begging System mission still fresh in his mind:

[System Notification: New Mission Triggered.]

Mission: Turn an adversary into an ally.]

Reward: Negotiation Skill Upgrade (Advanced Level).]

The system's missions were always peculiar, but this one felt particularly challenging. How could he possibly turn Lim De Kang, his most persistent rival, into an ally? De Kang's jealousy and scheming had been a constant thorn in Jiang's side.

But Jiang knew the system wouldn't let him off lightly. Ignoring the mission wasn't an option—the penalties were always severe.

Jiang spent the next few days observing De Kang. He paid attention to his interactions, noting his tendencies and weaknesses. It became clear that De Kang was driven by two things: a desperate need for recognition and an intense fear of being overshadowed.

"He's not just against me," Jiang thought. "He's fighting anyone who threatens his fragile ego."

This realization didn't excuse De Kang's behaviour, but it gave Jiang an angle from which to approach him. If he could redirect De Kang's insecurities into something productive, perhaps they could find common ground.

The station announced an upcoming Regional Media Conference, a prestigious event where representatives from major outlets would gather to discuss trends, challenges, and collaborations. Each station was allowed to send two representatives, and Lim Choon Seng was expected to choose the most capable candidates.

Predictably, De Kang was lobbying hard for a spot. He saw the conference as a chance to elevate his status and outshine Jiang.

Jiang, however, saw it as an opportunity to complete his mission.

Jiang decided to approach De Kang directly. It was a bold move, but he knew subtlety wouldn't work with someone like him. He found De Kang in the break room, sipping his coffee with an air of self-satisfaction.

"De Kang," Jiang began, his tone measured. "Got a minute?"

De Kang raised an eyebrow, clearly suspicious. "What do you want, Jiang?"

Jiang took a deep breath, silently reminding himself of the system's lessons on persuasion. "I know you're vying for a spot at the Regional Media Conference," he said. "And I think you'd be a strong choice. You have the experience and the connections to represent our station well."

De Kang's eyes narrowed. "What's your angle?"

"No angle," Jiang said, keeping his voice steady. "I'm serious. But I think we'd have a better chance of making an impact if we worked together. Imagine this—you and I, representing the station as a united front. It would silence the rumours and prove we're both professionals."

De Kang scoffed. "Why would I want to work with you? You're just trying to steal the spotlight."

Jiang smiled, his expression disarming. "Think of it as a strategic alliance. You know how competitive this industry is. If we pool our strengths, we can outshine everyone else. And let's be honest—people already expect us to clash. Imagine their surprise when we show up as a team."

De Kang hesitated, clearly intrigued despite himself. Jiang pressed on.

"If you're worried about recognition, don't be. I'm happy to let you take the lead on certain panels. My only goal is to make sure our station shines."

The following day, Jiang followed up with a gesture that further disarmed De Kang. He shared some of his research on the conference topics, presenting them as a gesture of goodwill.

"This might help with your preparation," Jiang said, placing a folder on De Kang's desk.

De Kang glanced at the folder, then at Jiang, his expression unreadable. "Thanks," he muttered, his tone grudging.

It wasn't an outright agreement, but it was a start.

When the day of the selection arrived, Lim Choon Seng gathered the staff to announce the representatives.

"After much consideration, I've decided to send Jiang Han and Lim De Kang to the Regional Media Conference," Lim said.

The room erupted in murmurs. Some were surprised by the pairing, while others smirked knowingly, aware of the rivalry between the two.

Jiang caught De Kang's eye and offered a small nod. De Kang returned it, though his expression remained guarded.

The conference was held in Seladang City's Grand Convention Centre, a sprawling venue filled with media professionals from across the region. As Jiang and De Kang navigated the bustling crowd, the tension between them was palpable.

Their first test came during a panel discussion on Innovation in Media. Jiang had prepared extensively, but De Kang insisted on taking the lead.

"Let me handle this," De Kang said. "You can chime in if needed."

Jiang bit back a retort, reminding himself of the mission. "Fine. Just remember, we're in this together."

As De Kang began speaking, it quickly became evident that his knowledge of the topic was surface-level at best. The audience's initial interest waned, and a few participants began whispering among themselves.

Sensing the discussion slipping, Jiang stepped in.

"If I may add to my colleague's point," Jiang said, his tone confident but respectful. He seamlessly expanded on De Kang's ideas, weaving in practical examples and forward-thinking solutions.

The audience perked up, nodding appreciatively. By the end of the panel, the organisers approached Jiang to commend his insights, leaving De Kang fuming.

Back in their shared hotel room, De Kang confronted Jiang.

"You couldn't let me have the spotlight, could you?" he snapped.

Jiang sighed. "This isn't about the spotlight, De Kang. It's about representing our station and making an impact. I wasn't trying to outshine you—I was trying to make sure we succeeded."

De Kang stared at him, the weight of Jiang's words slowly sinking in. For the first time, he seemed to consider the possibility that Jiang's intentions were genuine.

The next day, during another panel, De Kang surprised Jiang by deferring to him. "Jiang, you're better suited to answer this one."

Jiang handled the question expertly, and the panel ended with another round of applause.

Later, as they left the venue, De Kang muttered, "Maybe we do make a decent team after all."

Jiang smiled. "Told you."

As the conference concluded, the Begging System chimed in.

[Mission Accomplished.]

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

Jiang felt a surge of satisfaction. Turning De Kang into an ally had been no small feat, but it was a testament to the power of patience and strategy.

As they returned to the station, Jiang reflected on the experience. While De Kang might never become a close friend, the conference had laid the groundwork for a more collaborative relationship.

"The journey isn't just about reaching the top," Jiang thought. "It's about learning, growing, and finding strength in unexpected alliances."

The ride back from the Regional Media Conference was quiet, but it wasn't the uneasy silence that often defined Jiang Han's earlier encounters with Lim De Kang. This time, there was a subtle, mutual understanding. The air between them still carried tension, but it was no longer hostile—more like two wary-sparring partners acknowledging each other's skill.

As the car navigated through the busy streets of Seladang City, De Kang finally spoke. "You know, I still don't fully understand you."

Jiang looked up from his notes. "What's there to understand?"

"You're ambitious," De Kang said, narrowing his eyes. "But not in the cutthroat way I've seen in others. You… play the long game, don't you?"

Jiang smirked. "Let's just say I prefer building bridges over burning them. It lasts longer."

De Kang chuckled dryly, shaking his head. "That's one way to put it."

Back at the station, the feedback from the conference poured in. Both Jiang and De Kang were commended for their contributions, though Jiang's efforts were particularly lauded. This didn't go unnoticed by the staff.

"I heard the organisers asked for Jiang specifically for next year's event," whispered one colleague.

"Didn't De Kang lead the first panel? Guess Jiang saved the day," another murmured.

De Kang heard these comments but, for the first time, chose not to lash out. Instead, he approached Jiang directly.

"Congratulations," De Kang said, extending his hand. His voice lacked its usual venom, replaced by what seemed like genuine acknowledgement.

Jiang shook his hand, noting the subtle shift. "Thanks. It was a team effort, after all."

De Kang hesitated, then nodded. "Yeah, it was."

As Jiang prepared to leave for the day, the familiar chime of the Begging System echoed in his mind.

[System Reflection: Mission Success Analysis.]

Turning an adversary into an ally has strengthened your position and unlocked future opportunities.]

Hidden Reward: Alliance Trust Increase (Moderate).]

Jiang paused, considering the weight of the system's words. Trust was a currency as valuable as any skill or resource. It wasn't something the system could grant; it had to be earned through action and intent.

"This is more than just completing missions," Jiang thought. "It's about becoming someone who can lead, inspire, and adapt."

Just as Jiang was settling into this newfound stability, a new problem reared its head. Huiying rushed into his office, her face pale.

"Jiang, have you seen the reports from the logistics department?" she asked, thrusting a folder into his hands.

Jiang flipped through the pages, his eyes narrowing. The station's sponsorship accounts had discrepancies—funds allocated for upcoming projects were missing.

"This can't be right," Jiang said, his voice steady despite the growing unease.

"It's worse than it looks," Huiying said. "If we don't resolve this, it could derail the station's next quarter. Lim Choon Seng wants answers by tomorrow."

Jiang set the folder down, his mind already racing.

The missing funds weren't just an accounting error—they represented a challenge that required Jiang's unique skill set. He needed to uncover the truth without pointing fingers prematurely, all while navigating the station's intricate web of politics.

The first step was to approach Madam Lee, the station's senior administrator known for her meticulous records. But Madam Lee, who had been burned by similar issues in the past, was wary of getting involved.

"I'm not sticking my neck out again," she said firmly when Jiang approached her. "Last time, I was blamed for something I didn't do."

Jiang took a deep breath. It was time to employ the Begging System's core principle: humility with purpose.

"Madam Lee," Jiang began, his tone softening. "I understand your hesitation, and I don't blame you. But this isn't about assigning blame—it's about protecting the station. You've seen how much potential we have to grow. If we don't fix this, it could jeopardise everything we've worked for."

Madam Lee looked at him sceptically but didn't interrupt.

"I'm asking for your help because I respect your expertise," Jiang continued. "You have insights that no one else here does. With your guidance, I can make sure this is handled properly, and your reputation remains intact."

Madam Lee's expression softened. "Alright, Jiang. I'll help you. But if this backfires…"

"It won't," Jiang promised.

With Madam Lee's assistance, Jiang pored over the records, identifying anomalies in the accounts. The discrepancies pointed to a series of small, seemingly insignificant transactions—too minor to raise alarms individually but substantial when added together.

"It's deliberate," Jiang said, frowning. "Someone's siphoning funds in a way that's meant to fly under the radar."

Huiying leaned over his shoulder. "Do you think it's an insider?"

"Most likely," Jiang replied. "But we need proof before making accusations."

To confirm his suspicions, Jiang set a trap. He created a dummy project in the station's budget, allocating a small, inconspicuous amount to it. With Madam Lee's help, he monitored the account closely, waiting for the funds to be tampered with.

Within days, the trap worked. The account showed unauthorised activity, and the culprit was revealed: Mr Wong, a mid-level manager with access to the station's financial systems.

Jiang wasted no time. He brought the evidence to Lim Choon Seng, presenting it methodically.

The confrontation was swift and decisive. Mr Wong tried to deny the accusations, but the evidence was irrefutable.

"Do you have anything to say for yourself?" Lim Choon Seng demanded.

Mr Wong stammered, his confidence crumbling under the weight of Jiang's findings.

Jiang didn't gloat. Instead, he focused on the station's recovery. "The priority now is ensuring no further damage is done and implementing safeguards to prevent this in the future."

Lim nodded, his respect for Jiang evident. "Well done, Jiang. Your initiative saved us from a major crisis."

As Jiang walked home that evening, he reflected on the week's events. The mission to turn De Kang into an ally had strengthened his position, but this new challenge had tested his problem-solving abilities on an entirely different level.

"The system pushes me, but it also teaches me," Jiang thought. "Every mission, every obstacle—it's all shaping me into someone stronger."

The Begging System chimed softly in his mind, almost as if in agreement.

[New Skill Unlocked: Financial Acumen (Intermediate Level).]

With each step forward, Jiang Han felt more prepared for the battles ahead.