The tension in the Jiang household was palpable the next morning. Jiang Han sat at the breakfast table, methodically scrolling through local news reports and social media threads. His mind wasn't on the food; it was on Rayyan Hakimi. The scion of the Hakimi dynasty wasn't one to let his bruised ego rest, and Jiang knew retaliation was inevitable.
"Han, eat your breakfast properly," his mother chided gently, her brows knitting in worry.
"I will, Mama," Jiang replied, snapping out of his thoughts and offering a quick smile. But even as he lifted his spoon, his mind raced.
He'd spent the night drafting strategies and simulating scenarios. From personal vendettas to strategic strikes against his family's logistics business, Rayyan had a multitude of avenues to exploit. Jiang had to stay two steps ahead.
By mid-morning, Jiang received the confirmation he'd been expecting. His phone buzzed with a notification.
System Notification:
Mission Triggered: Defend Against Rayyan Hakimi's Initial Strike
Objective: Identify and neutralise Rayyan's first attempt to destabilise your position within Petraling Jaya's academic and business circles.
Reward: Negotiation Skill (Advanced)
Bonus Hidden Reward: ???
Failure Consequence: Damage to your family's reputation and potential business losses.
Jiang exhaled sharply. The stakes were high, but he couldn't afford to falter.
He was still reading the notification when his phone rang. It was his cousin, Zhang Wei, who managed a warehouse for the family business.
"Ge! We've got a problem," Zhang Wei said, his voice tight with urgency. "Our main delivery route has been blocked. Some sudden construction projects—no prior notice. All the alternative routes are congested or under maintenance too."
Jiang's mind clicked into overdrive. A sudden construction project? The timing was too convenient to be a coincidence. "Leave it to me, Wei. I'll find a solution."
Jiang quickly dressed and made his way to the site of the alleged construction. As expected, it was a scene of chaos. Large trucks and construction equipment were parked haphazardly, blocking access to a key intersection. Workers loitered around, looking more like actors than professionals.
Jiang approached the foreman, a burly man with a cigarette dangling from his lips. "Excuse me, sir. Can you explain why this project wasn't announced beforehand?"
The man barely looked up. "Orders from the top. We're just following instructions. You'll have to take it up with the company."
Jiang's eyes narrowed. This wasn't a simple misunderstanding. "Which company are you working for?"
The foreman smirked. "Hakimi Holdings. Now, if you'll excuse me…"
Jiang stepped back, his suspicions confirmed. This was Rayyan's handiwork, an attempt to cripple his family's logistics operations.
Determined not to back down, Jiang pulled out his phone and contacted Tengku Hanafiah Zahid. The elder businessman answered almost immediately.
"Tengku Hanafiah, I need your advice," Jiang began, quickly explaining the situation.
"Ah, so Rayyan has made his move," Tengku Hanafiah said, his tone thoughtful. "You'll need a swift countermeasure. Have you considered filing a formal complaint with the city council?"
"I have, but that will take time," Jiang replied. "I need a quicker solution."
Tengku Hanafiah chuckled. "Then you'll have to outmanoeuvre him. Rayyan's arrogance is his weakness. Use it to your advantage."
Thanking Tengku Hanafiah, Jiang ended the call and began devising his plan.
That afternoon, Jiang returned to the construction site with a small team from his family's company. They began documenting the scene—taking photographs and videos of the workers, the equipment, and the blocked intersection. Jiang also engaged nearby shop owners, asking if they'd been informed about the project. As expected, none of them had.
Armed with this evidence, Jiang approached the foreman again. "I have a proposition for you," he said, his tone firm but measured.
The man raised an eyebrow. "Oh? And what's that?"
"You'll clear this intersection within the next hour, or I'll escalate this matter to the city council and the media. I have evidence of your unauthorised activities, and I'm sure they'll be very interested."
The foreman hesitated, visibly unnerved. "You don't know who you're messing with, kid."
"And you don't know who you're underestimating," Jiang retorted. "Do you really want to risk being the scapegoat for Rayyan Hakimi's schemes?"
The foreman glared at him but eventually relented. "Fine. We'll move the equipment."
As the construction site was dismantled, Jiang allowed himself a small smile of triumph. He'd won the first round, but he knew this was only the beginning.
Back at home, Jiang updated Zhang Wei on the situation. "The route is clear. Start the deliveries immediately."
"Thanks, Ge. I don't know how you do it," Zhang Wei said, relief evident in his voice.
Jiang merely smiled. "Just remember, Wei—challenges are opportunities in disguise."
That evening, Jiang reflected on the day's events. The system notification popped up again.
System Notification:
Mission Completed: Defend Against Rayyan Hakimi's Initial Strike
Reward Unlocked: Negotiation Skill (Advanced)
Bonus Hidden Reward: Strategic Insight (Intermediate)
Jiang felt a surge of satisfaction as the rewards integrated into his mind. The system's bonuses were becoming more substantial, and with each mission, he was growing stronger.
But he also knew the battles ahead would only grow more challenging. Rayyan wasn't the type to accept defeat quietly, and Jiang would need to stay vigilant.
The calm after the storm was short-lived. By evening, whispers of Rayyan Hakimi's frustration had already begun circulating through Petraling Jaya's business community. Jiang Han expected as much—his manoeuvre had not only neutralised Rayyan's scheme but also dented his reputation among his family's associates. Still, Jiang knew better than to let his guard down.
He spent the night poring over financial reports, logistical data, and other key documents from his family's business. While his actions earlier had earned him a minor victory, they also highlighted a glaring vulnerability: his family's reliance on a single primary delivery route.
"We can't afford to be this predictable," Jiang muttered to himself.
The next day, Jiang Han was back at school, juggling high school life with his new-found responsibilities. During lunch, he sat with Chen Wei and Lin Mei, who were discussing their upcoming exams.
"Han, you're unusually quiet today," Lin Mei said, looking at him with concern.
Jiang offered a faint smile. "Just thinking about a project. Don't worry about me."
While his friends went back to their conversation, Jiang opened his notebook and began sketching potential alternate routes for his family's logistics network. He calculated costs, potential risks, and time efficiency, balancing everything against his family's current budget.
Later that afternoon, as Jiang left the school grounds, he spotted a familiar face leaning against a sleek black car. It was Tengku Hanafiah Zahid.
"Ah, Jiang Han," Tengku Hanafiah greeted, a knowing smile playing on his lips. "You handled yesterday's situation well."
"Thank you, Tengku," Jiang said, bowing slightly. "But I doubt Rayyan will let it go."
Tengku Hanafiah chuckled. "He won't, but that's what makes this game interesting. Remember, Jiang, power lies in anticipation. Don't just counter his moves—predict them."
Jiang nodded, his respect for the older businessman growing. "I'll remember that."
By the time Jiang returned home, his mind was buzzing with ideas. He gathered Zhang Wei and a few other key members of the logistics team for a late-night meeting.
"We need to diversify our routes," Jiang began, spreading his notes across the table. "Relying on a single path makes us vulnerable to attacks like yesterday's. I've outlined three alternative routes that we can test over the next few weeks."
The team studied his plans carefully. One of the senior members, Uncle Liang, spoke up. "These look promising, Han. But some of these areas are unfamiliar to us. It might take time to establish contacts."
Jiang nodded. "I'll handle that. We'll start small, with one or two deliveries, and gradually expand. It's better to invest time now than pay the price later."
As the meeting wrapped up, Jiang received another system notification.
System Notification:
Mission Update: Establish a Diversified Logistics Network
Objective: Implement three new delivery routes within the next 30 days.
Reward: Logistics Management Skill (Intermediate)
Bonus Hidden Reward: ???
Failure Consequence: Operational delays and strained family resources.
The stakes were rising, but Jiang felt invigorated. With every mission, the system was pushing him to grow—not just as an individual but as a strategist and leader.