iang Han leaned against the railing of his balcony, staring at the city skyline of Petraling Jaya. The soft glow of streetlights reflected the tense currents within his mind. Though the Q&A session had solidified his standing among local players, Rayyan Hakimi was far from defeated. If anything, Rayyan's appearance at the event had been a declaration—this was only the beginning.
A familiar chime echoed in Jiang's mind.
System Notification:
New Mission Assigned: Secure the Upper Hand Against Rayyan Hakimi.
Objective: Expose Rayyan Hakimi's unethical practices while strengthening alliances with key business figures.
Reward: Enhanced Persuasion Skills.
Bonus Hidden Reward: ???
Jiang exhaled slowly, his determination hardening. The fight was escalating, and he couldn't afford to falter.
The next morning, Jiang met with Zhang Wei and Li Ming in his family's cramped yet functional office. They spread out a series of files on the desk, detailing the connections between Rayyan's business empire and his family's influence.
"Rayyan's primary advantage is his network," Zhang Wei said, pointing to a flowchart of names. "These tycoons and officials are either his allies or under his thumb."
Li Ming frowned. "How are we supposed to counter that? We're still in the process of building our own network."
"We don't need to counter it directly," Jiang said, a small smile playing on his lips. "We just need to find the weak link in his chain and pull until it unravels."
His gaze landed on one name in particular: Dato' Rahman Arif, a logistics magnate whose influence rivalled even Rayyan's. Rumours suggested that Rahman wasn't as loyal to Rayyan's family as he appeared. Jiang's plan began to take shape.
Dato' Rahman was known for his love of exclusive art exhibitions, and Jiang decided to use this interest as a point of entry. Through a mutual acquaintance, Jiang secured an invitation to a private event at the Petraling Jaya Art Museum.
Jiang dressed meticulously for the occasion, opting for a classic suit that exuded confidence and professionalism. As he entered the grand hall, he was greeted by a blend of soft classical music and hushed conversations. Elegant paintings adorned the walls, each carrying a hefty price tag that underscored the exclusivity of the gathering.
Dato' Rahman stood near a particularly striking landscape piece, flanked by two associates. Jiang took a deep breath before approaching him.
"Dato' Rahman," Jiang said with a polite bow. "A pleasure to finally meet you. I've admired your contributions to Malayuna's logistics sector for years."
Rahman turned, his expression neutral but curious. "You must be Jiang Han. Your name's been making waves recently."
"Only small ripples compared to your achievements," Jiang replied with a disarming smile. "I was hoping to discuss an idea that could benefit both our businesses."
Rahman raised an eyebrow. "An art exhibition doesn't seem like the place for business discussions."
"True," Jiang agreed, "but inspiration can strike anywhere, can't it?"
Rahman chuckled, his stern exterior softening slightly. "Alright, young man. You've got my attention. Let's talk."
In the conversation that followed, Jiang outlined a proposal to collaborate on a shared distribution network. He spoke with precision and enthusiasm, emphasising the mutual benefits of reduced costs and increased efficiency. Rahman listened intently, occasionally nodding but offering little in the way of commitment.
As the discussion progressed, Jiang decided to take a calculated risk. "Dato' Rahman, I've also uncovered something that might concern you. Rayyan Hakimi has been leveraging his alliances to monopolise certain sectors. I suspect his ambitions might conflict with your own interests."
Rahman's eyes narrowed slightly. "That's a bold claim. Do you have proof?"
"I'm working on it," Jiang admitted. "But when I do, I hope we can count on each other for support."
Rahman didn't respond immediately. After a long pause, he said, "You've given me a lot to think about, Jiang Han. I'll keep an eye on your progress."
As Jiang worked to secure alliances, Rayyan struck back with a vengeance. By the end of the week, several of Jiang's smaller clients reported receiving threats to terminate contracts unless they cut ties with him. It was a ruthless move, designed to erode Jiang's foundation before it could fully stabilise.
At the same time, rumours began circulating about Jiang's connections to less-than-reputable figures—a smear campaign orchestrated by Rayyan's camp.
"This is getting out of hand," Zhang Wei said, pacing the office. "If this continues, we'll lose everything we've built."
Jiang remained calm, though his mind churned with possibilities. "Rayyan's making mistakes," he said finally. "He's overplaying his hand. The more aggressive he gets, the more obvious his tactics become. We just need to turn that aggression against him."
"How?" Li Ming asked, scepticism evident in her tone.
"We'll use transparency as a weapon," Jiang said. "Host another public session, but this time, invite representatives from all the businesses we've partnered with. We'll present our operations openly and expose the intimidation tactics being used against us."
The event was held in the same community hall where Jiang had previously silenced critics. This time, the turnout was even larger, with local business owners, journalists, and curious onlookers packing the space.
Jiang stood at the podium, his composure unshaken despite the stakes. He began by reiterating his commitment to ethical business practices, then methodically addressed the rumours and threats that had surfaced.
"Intimidation has no place in business," Jiang said firmly. "Our partnerships are built on trust, not coercion. To those who have attempted to undermine us, I say this: Your tactics will not succeed."
As Jiang spoke, murmurs of agreement rippled through the audience. When he concluded, the room erupted into applause.
But the victory was short-lived. Rayyan himself entered the hall, flanked by his entourage. The room fell silent as he approached the podium, his smirk betraying his confidence.
"Jiang Han," Rayyan said smoothly, "your theatrics are impressive, but let's not pretend you're as innocent as you claim. Shall we discuss your family's history in logistics?"
Jiang didn't flinch. Instead, he met Rayyan's gaze with unwavering determination. "Let's," he said, his voice steady. "But first, why don't we discuss your methods? The threats, the coercion, the sabotage. Shall I bring out the testimonials?"
Rayyan's smirk faltered, but he quickly recovered. "You're playing a dangerous game, Jiang."
"And you've already lost," Jiang replied, his tone cold and precise. "Because the truth is far more resilient than your lies."
By the end of the event, Jiang's transparency and courage had won over even more supporters. Meanwhile, Rayyan's tactics had begun to backfire, with whispers of dissent growing among his own allies.
As Jiang left the hall, his system chimed once more.
System Notification:
Mission Complete: Secure the Upper Hand Against Rayyan Hakimi.
Reward Unlocked: Enhanced Persuasion Skill.
Bonus Hidden Reward: Strategic Insight Boost.