Jiang Han sat at the dining table in his family's modest home, his fingers tapping rhythmically against the polished wood. The air carried a quiet tension—his parents, though supportive, couldn't fully grasp the magnitude of the battles Jiang fought daily. Across from him, Zhang Wei spread out a map of Petraling Jaya's key logistics hubs, their strategic importance highlighted in red.
"Rayyan's influence is spreading faster than we anticipated," Zhang Wei said gravely. "Two of our smaller clients have already pulled out. They cited 'unstable conditions.'"
Jiang's lips thinned into a determined line. "He's using fear tactics. But fear only works if we allow it."
Zhang raised an eyebrow. "And how do you plan to counteract that?"
Jiang leaned back in his chair, his eyes narrowing as the system chimed softly in his mind.
System Notification:
Mission: Consolidate Local Support Amid Growing Pressure
Objective: Secure the allegiance of at least three key players in the logistics sector within the next 72 hours.
Reward: Advanced Negotiation Skills.
Bonus Hidden Reward: ???
The following morning, Jiang Han embarked on a series of meetings. His first target was Mr. Goh, a veteran in the logistics industry with a reputation for integrity. Jiang had only met him once during a community fundraiser but knew the man valued directness.
The meeting was set in a bustling café downtown. Jiang arrived early, meticulously reviewing his pitch while sipping a cup of green tea. When Mr. Goh finally arrived, his sharp gaze swept over Jiang with quiet curiosity.
"You've made quite a name for yourself, Jiang," Mr. Goh said as he settled into the seat opposite him. "But you're still a student. Why should I trust my business's reputation to someone so young?"
Jiang leaned forward, meeting his gaze with unflinching resolve. "Because I understand the stakes, Mr. Goh. Rayyan Hakimi's methods might seem attractive now, but they come with a cost—one that erodes trust and stability. I'm offering a partnership built on mutual growth, not domination."
Mr. Goh raised an eyebrow, but Jiang could see a flicker of interest. He pressed on. "I've studied your operations. With your fleet, we can streamline routes to maximise efficiency. I've also developed a new optimisation tool—something even Rayyan's wealth can't replicate."
Mr. Goh's lips twitched into a faint smile. "A bold claim. Show me."
Jiang quickly pulled out his tablet, showcasing the Resource Optimisation Tool the system had granted him. As Jiang explained its functionalities, Mr. Goh's scepticism gave way to genuine intrigue.
By the end of their discussion, Mr. Goh shook Jiang's hand firmly. "You've got guts, Jiang. I'll give you a trial partnership—three months to prove yourself."
Buoyed by his success with Mr. Goh, Jiang targeted two more influential players: Madam Lee, a sharp-tongued logistics broker with ties to international firms, and Mr. Tan, a tech-savvy newcomer seeking to expand his footprint.
Madam Lee proved to be a challenge. Their meeting, held in her lavish office, was peppered with cutting remarks about Jiang's age and inexperience.
"Young man," she said, her tone laced with sarcasm, "do you really think you can stand against someone like Rayyan Hakimi? His family's reach is unparalleled."
Jiang smiled, undeterred. "I don't need to stand against him. I just need to outlast him. And with your expertise complementing my approach, that becomes far easier."
The audacity of his statement caught Madam Lee off guard. She stared at him for a long moment before laughing. "You're either incredibly brave or foolish, Jiang Han. I can't decide which."
"Let's call it calculated risk," Jiang replied smoothly. "And calculated risks often yield the best returns."
As Jiang worked to solidify alliances, Rayyan wasn't idle. By the end of the day, rumours spread that the Hakimi family had begun targeting Jiang's personal assets. Though his funds were meagre compared to Rayyan's, the gesture was symbolic—a clear message that this was no longer just a business rivalry but a personal war.
Zhang Wei burst into Jiang's room that evening, his face pale. "Jiang, Rayyan's spreading lies about your family. He's claiming your logistics business is backed by illegal funding."
Jiang's jaw clenched. "He's trying to discredit us before we gain too much traction."
"We can't let this slide!" Zhang insisted. "What's the plan?"
Jiang's mind raced. Fighting fire with fire wouldn't work—Rayyan's resources were too vast. Instead, he needed to flip the narrative.
"Let's use his attack against him," Jiang said finally. "Compile evidence of our legitimate funding and operations. Then, we'll host a public Q&A session, inviting local media."
The Q&A session was held in a modest community hall, with journalists, small business owners, and curious onlookers filling the space. Jiang stood confidently at the podium, flanked by Zhang Wei and a stack of meticulously prepared documents.
"Transparency is the cornerstone of trust," Jiang began, his voice steady. "Today, I'm here to address baseless allegations that seek to undermine our family business."
He presented a detailed account of their funding sources, operational history, and recent partnerships, leaving no room for doubt. The audience murmured in approval, their initial scepticism giving way to admiration.
Just as Jiang wrapped up, a man in a tailored suit stood up from the crowd. It was none other than Rayyan Hakimi.
"Impressive theatrics, Jiang," Rayyan drawled. "But we both know appearances can be deceiving."
Jiang met Rayyan's gaze calmly. "You're absolutely right, Rayyan. Appearances can be deceiving. That's why I've invited an independent auditor to verify every claim I've made."
The announcement sent a ripple through the crowd. Rayyan's smirk faltered for the briefest moment before he recovered. "A clever move. But don't think for a second this is over."
Jiang's smile didn't waver. "I wouldn't dream of it."
By the end of the Q&A session, public opinion had swung decisively in Jiang's favour. His transparency and composure had not only silenced critics but also earned him new allies. Madam Lee, who had attended out of curiosity, approached him with an approving nod.
"You've exceeded my expectations, Jiang Han," she said. "Consider our partnership official."
Jiang's phone buzzed softly, and the system's familiar chime echoed in his mind.
System Notification:
Mission Complete: Consolidate Local Support Amid Growing Pressure.
Reward Unlocked: Advanced Negotiation Skill.
Bonus Hidden Reward: Charisma Boost (Intermediate).