Godly Beggar

Jiang Han's recent victory in quashing the malicious rumours had brought newfound respect among his colleagues. However, the storm had left its mark. While his leadership had been strengthened, he couldn't shake the nagging feeling that his enemies were far from finished.

The Begging System had been unusually quiet, leaving Jiang in a state of cautious anticipation. But as he reviewed the station's upcoming projects, a new notification appeared, flashing in its usual vibrant colours.

[System Notification: New Mission Triggered.]

Mission: Convince a rival to collaborate on a joint project.]

Reward: Networking Skill Upgrade (Advanced Level).]

Penalty: Loss of 50 system points.]

Jiang stared at the notification, his brows furrowing. A rival? Collaborate? The mere thought made his stomach churn. His previous encounters with rivals had been anything but cooperative. And who exactly was this "rival"?

His question was soon answered when Huiying entered his office, her expression grim. "Jiang, you're not going to like this," she began.

"What is it now?" he asked, leaning back in his chair.

"The station wants us to work on a joint project with Seladang City Broadcasting," Huiying said, her tone wary. "And guess who they're sending as their representative?"

Jiang's stomach dropped. "Don't say it…"

"Raymond Lee," Huiying confirmed.

Jiang groaned, rubbing his temples. Of all the people in the world, why did it have to be Raymond? Their last encounter ended in humiliation for Raymond, and Jiang doubted whether the man had forgiven or forgotten.

The two rivals met later that afternoon in the station's conference room. Raymond was as smug as ever, his tailored suit and overconfident grin radiating arrogance.

"Jiang Han," Raymond said, extending a hand that Jiang reluctantly shook. "It seems fate has brought us together again."

"Fate or some cosmic joke," Jiang muttered under his breath. Aloud, he said, "Let's focus on the project. What's the proposal?"

The project involved producing a charity telethon, combining the resources and viewership of both stations to maximise impact. It was a noble cause, but the thought of working with Raymond made it feel like a punishment.

Raymond, of course, wasted no time asserting his dominance. "We'll handle the main segments and sponsorships," he declared. "You can manage the technical details. That should be more your speed."

Jiang clenched his jaw, resisting the urge to snap back. The system's mission loomed over him like a dark cloud. He needed to convince Raymond to collaborate genuinely, which meant swallowing his pride—for now.

Over the next few days, Jiang employed every tactic in his arsenal to win Raymond's cooperation. Flattery, persuasion, even a bit of self-deprecation—it was a masterclass in the art of begging.

During one particularly tense meeting, Jiang leaned forward, his tone earnest. "Raymond, I know we've had our differences, but this project isn't about us. It's about helping people. If we pool our strengths, we can create something truly impactful."

Raymond raised an eyebrow, clearly sceptical. "And what exactly do you think I bring to the table?"

Jiang forced a smile. "Your charisma, your connections. You're a natural at rallying people behind a cause. That's something I admire."

The compliment seemed to catch Raymond off guard, though he quickly masked it with his usual bravado. "Well, it's true. I do have a certain charm," he said, smirking.

Jiang resisted the urge to roll his eyes. "Exactly. And with my technical expertise and strategic planning, we make a strong team."

Raymond leaned back, stroking his chin. "Alright, Jiang. I'll play along—for now. But don't think I've forgotten our history."

"Neither have I," Jiang replied, his voice calm but firm. "Let's use that history to fuel our success, not hinder it."

Despite their uneasy truce, tensions between the two men simmered beneath the surface. Raymond often tried to take credit for Jiang's ideas, while Jiang countered by subtly outmanoeuvring him in meetings.

One day, Raymond presented a sponsorship deal that he claimed to have secured single-handedly. However, Jiang recognised the company as one he had approached weeks earlier.

"Impressive," Jiang said, his tone laced with subtle sarcasm. "I'm glad my initial discussions with them laid the groundwork for your success."

The room fell silent as Raymond's smile faltered. Huiying, sitting beside Jiang, struggled to suppress a grin.

"You must be mistaken," Raymond said, recovering quickly. "They approached me independently."

"Of course they did," Jiang replied, his expression neutral. "But it's good to see us working towards the same goal, regardless of the path."

It was a small victory, but one that fuelled Jiang's determination to stay one step ahead.

As the project progressed, cracks began to form in Raymond's façade. During a brainstorming session, Jiang noticed Raymond struggling to articulate a clear vision for one of the telethon's key segments.

Seizing the opportunity, Jiang offered a solution. "How about we integrate real-time social media engagement? Viewers can share their stories or donate directly through a dedicated app."

The idea was met with enthusiasm from the team, and even Raymond couldn't deny its brilliance. "Not bad, Jiang," he admitted reluctantly. "Not bad at all."

It was the first genuine compliment Raymond had given him, and Jiang saw it as a small but significant step towards mutual respect.

The telethon's success hinged on a final sponsorship deal with Tan Corporation, a prominent local business. Both Jiang and Raymond were tasked with presenting their pitch to the company's CEO, Tan Kah Wei, a notoriously shrewd businessman.

During the meeting, Raymond launched into a rehearsed speech, highlighting his station's influence and track record. While his delivery was polished, it lacked genuine passion.

When it was Jiang's turn, he spoke from the heart. "Mr Tan, this telethon isn't just another event—it's a lifeline for those in need. Your support could change lives, not just through the funds raised but through the message it sends about the power of community."

Jiang then added a personal touch, sharing a story about a family who had benefited from a previous programme. His sincerity struck a chord, and by the end of the meeting, Kah Wei was nodding in approval.

"You've convinced me," the CEO said. "I'll sponsor the telethon—and I want Jiang Han to lead the initiative."

Raymond's face turned red with frustration, but he managed to maintain a strained smile.

The telethon was a resounding success, surpassing all expectations in both viewership and donations. As the final tally was announced, the team celebrated their achievement, though Jiang couldn't help but notice Raymond sulking in the corner.

Later that evening, the Begging System chimed with its familiar notification.

[Mission Accomplished.]

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

Jiang felt a surge of satisfaction. The mission had tested not only his patience but also his ability to find common ground with an adversary.

As Jiang reflected on the experience, he realised that collaboration—even with a rival—could yield unexpected rewards. "Sometimes, the best victories aren't won alone," he thought. "But that doesn't mean I'll let my guard down."

With the telethon behind him, Jiang knew that bigger challenges awaited. But armed with new skills and hard-earned lessons, he was ready to face whatever came next.

The telethon's success was the talk of the station, with both Jiang Han and Raymond receiving public praise for their efforts. However, the undercurrent of tension between the two was far from resolved. Jiang had proven himself as a capable leader, but Raymond's bruised ego ensured that this was not the end of their rivalry.

Back in his office, Jiang leaned back in his chair, savouring a rare moment of peace. The glowing reviews from the telethon gave him a sense of accomplishment, but he couldn't ignore the subtle tension that had lingered during the project. His phone buzzed, pulling him from his thoughts.

It was a message from Huiying:

"Raymond's in the lounge, looking pretty down. Thought you'd want to know."

Jiang frowned. Raymond was many things—arrogant, conniving, and insufferable—but he was rarely the type to sulk openly. Curiosity piqued, Jiang decided to investigate.

When Jiang entered the lounge, he found Raymond sitting in a corner, staring at his coffee as if it held all the answers to life's problems. His usually impeccable posture was slumped, and his smug demeanour was nowhere to be seen.

"Raymond," Jiang greeted, taking a seat opposite him. "You look like someone just told you there's no more coffee left in the world."

Raymond looked up, startled, before letting out a humourless chuckle. "What do you want, Jiang? Here to gloat?"

"Gloat? About what?" Jiang asked, his tone casual. "The telethon was a team effort, remember? You played your part."

Raymond snorted. "Don't patronise me. Everyone knows you carried the project. Even Mr Tan singled you out for praise."

Jiang tilted his head, studying Raymond. There was an edge of vulnerability in his rival's voice that he hadn't heard before. "You're not mad about the telethon, are you?" Jiang ventured. "This is about something else."

For a moment, Raymond looked like he was going to deny it. Then, with a weary sigh, he admitted, "You're right. The telethon's just the latest reminder that I'm not… enough."

Jiang blinked, caught off guard by the unexpected confession. "Not enough? You're one of the most confident people I know. What's changed?"

Raymond hesitated, then leaned forward, his voice dropping to a murmur. "You wouldn't understand. You've always been the underdog, the one people underestimate. But me? I've always been expected to succeed, to outperform. When I don't, it's like the entire world is waiting to watch me fall."

Raymond's words struck a chord with Jiang. In his past life as a lead software engineer, he had witnessed colleagues crumble under the weight of unrealistic expectations. Perhaps Raymond wasn't so different from them.

"Let me tell you something," Jiang said after a pause. "Being underestimated isn't exactly a picnic either. People don't expect much from you, so when you fail, they think it's just proof that they were right all along. Either way, the pressure is there. It's just a matter of perspective."

Raymond looked at him, sceptical. "And how do you deal with it?"

Jiang smirked. "By turning their expectations on their heads. Every time someone underestimates me, I use it as fuel to prove them wrong. You could do the same, you know."

Raymond shook his head. "Easier said than done. You don't know what it's like to have everything handed to you, only to realise you don't deserve it."

"Then earn it," Jiang said. "You have the resources and the connections. If you're really as good as you claim to be, prove it—not to me, not to anyone else, but to yourself."

Later that evening, as Jiang reflected on his conversation with Raymond, the Begging System chimed unexpectedly.

[System Notification: Hidden Insight Achieved.]

Reward Unlocked: Emotional Intelligence Boost (Intermediate Level).]

Jiang raised an eyebrow. The system's rewards were usually tied to begging missions, but this one felt more personal. "Guess even the system appreciates a good pep talk," he muttered with a smirk.

Still, the encounter with Raymond left him with a lot to think about. Rivals weren't always enemies. Sometimes, they were mirrors, reflecting parts of oneself that were hard to face.

The following day, Jiang arrived at the station to find Huiying waiting for him with a stack of documents.

"What's this?" Jiang asked, eyeing the pile warily.

"Our next project," Huiying said, her tone tinged with excitement. "A collaboration with a local university to mentor aspiring broadcasters. The station wants you to lead it."

Jiang's eyes widened. "Me? Why not someone more experienced?"

Huiying grinned. "Because you're the rising star, remember? Plus, the higher-ups think your story—underdog to overachiever—will inspire the students."

Jiang groaned though he couldn't suppress a small smile. "Great. Just what I needed—more people expecting me to perform miracles."

"You'll be fine," Huiying said, patting his shoulder. "Besides, I'll be there to keep you in check."

As Jiang reviewed the project details, he realised it was more than just another assignment. It was an opportunity to shape the next generation of broadcasters, to share the lessons he'd learned through the system's trials and his own experiences.

But it was also a chance to solidify his reputation. If he could pull this off, it would cement his position as a leader not just within the station but in the broader industry.

Jiang's thoughts were interrupted by a knock at his door. To his surprise, it was Raymond.

"I heard about the mentorship programme," Raymond said, his tone cautious. "Mind if I join in?"

Jiang raised an eyebrow. "Why the sudden interest?"

Raymond shrugged, a hint of a smile playing on his lips. "Let's just say I'm taking your advice. It's time I started proving myself."

Jiang couldn't help but smile. "Welcome aboard, Raymond. Let's see what we can accomplish together."

As Jiang and Raymond prepared for the mentorship programme, Jiang felt a sense of anticipation. The road ahead was still filled with challenges, but he was no longer walking it alone.

For the first time in a long time, he felt like he was truly building something—not just a career, but a legacy. And with the system by his side, he was ready to face whatever came next.