Jiang Han leaned against the cool marble railing of the rooftop garden at Divine Cross High School. The gentle breeze offered little solace from the storm brewing in his mind. The earlier meeting with Tengku Zafri Hazim was a tentative victory, but it opened doors to challenges he hadn't anticipated.
The System Notification earlier had been clear:
System Notification: New Rival Identified. Rayyan Hakimi.
Mission: Survive the First Attack.
Objective: Prevent sabotage of your family's logistics business.
Reward: Defensive Strategy Skill (Intermediate).
Failure Consequence: Financial Loss. Reputation Damage.
The stakes were painfully high. Jiang Han felt a sharp pang of frustration. Every step forward seemed to invite a new adversary, each more ruthless than the last.
The tranquillity of the rooftop shattered as footsteps echoed behind him. Turning, Jiang Han found himself face-to-face with Rayyan Hakimi. Rayyan, the son of Tengku Hanafiah Zahid, exuded an air of arrogance and entitlement. Dressed impeccably, his smile was more of a sneer, laced with hidden malice.
"So, you're the infamous Jiang Han," Rayyan drawled, his tone mockingly polite. "The beggar who thinks he can rise to the top by grovelling at my father's feet."
Jiang Han's jaw tightened, but he refused to rise to the bait. He straightened, meeting Rayyan's gaze with a calm that masked his growing irritation.
"Unlike some, I believe in earning opportunities rather than inheriting them," Jiang replied, his words carefully measured.
Rayyan's smile faltered, and his eyes narrowed. "Clever. But let's see how clever you are when your family's logistics business starts crumbling under... unforeseen circumstances."
The threat was thinly veiled, but its weight was undeniable. Rayyan leaned closer, his voice dropping to a menacing whisper.
"Stay in your lane, Jiang. This game is too big for a schoolboy like you."
Jiang didn't flinch. Instead, he leaned in, his voice calm but cutting. "The problem with people like you is that you underestimate schoolboys. That's your first mistake."
That evening, Jiang sat in his dimly lit room, his laptop glowing with a flurry of information. The System Notification flashed:
System Notification: Incoming Attack Detected. Sabotage Planned on Key Warehouse.
Jiang's fingers flew over the keyboard. He accessed surveillance feeds, cross-referenced transport logs, and reviewed employee records. The warehouse in question was a crucial hub for his family's business, and any disruption would be catastrophic.
The clock ticked relentlessly. At precisely midnight, Jiang's phone buzzed. A friend from the warehouse, a loyal employee named Uncle Wei, confirmed suspicious activity: two trucks had arrived unexpectedly, and strangers were unloading crates.
Jiang activated the System's Defensive Strategy Skill, which provided him with a mental blueprint of potential countermeasures. He called Uncle Wei.
"Uncle Wei, lock the main gates. Call the local authorities and report a theft in progress. I'll handle the rest," Jiang instructed, his voice firm.
Next, Jiang sent an anonymous tip to the local police, providing detailed information about the suspicious activity. He hacked into the warehouse's CCTV system, recording the intruders' movements as evidence.
The system rewarded his quick thinking with another notification:
System Notification: Intermediate Defensive Strategy Skill Enhanced. Evidence Collection Added.
Within an hour, police sirens blared, and the intruders were apprehended. Jiang sighed in relief but knew this was only a temporary win. Rayyan wouldn't back down so easily.
The next day, Jiang found himself summoned to the principal's office. Rayyan Hakimi was there, flanked by two men in suits—lawyers, no doubt.
"You've crossed the line, Jiang Han," Rayyan said coldly. "Falsely accusing my associates of theft? That's defamation."
Jiang remained unfazed. "Falsely accusing? The evidence says otherwise. Would you like me to play the footage for everyone here?"
He pulled out his phone, and the recorded videos queued up and ready. The lawyers exchanged uneasy glances. Principal Tan cleared his throat, looking between the two boys.
"Gentlemen, this is a school, not a courtroom," the principal began, his voice stern. "But if Jiang has evidence, I suggest you tread carefully, Rayyan."
Rayyan's composed mask cracked for a moment, revealing anger beneath. He leaned back in his chair, his voice dripping with disdain.
"This isn't over, Jiang. You'll regret this."
Jiang stood, offering a polite nod to the principal. "With all due respect, Principal Tan, I have nothing to regret. But I can't speak for others."
The confrontation left Jiang emotionally drained, but he refused to let it deter him. That evening, he sat with his family, sharing the day's events. His father, Mr Han, frowned deeply.
"Son, you're taking on a powerful family. Are you sure this is the right path?"
Jiang looked at his father, determination burning in his eyes. "I'm not doing this for myself, Dad. I'm doing it for us—for our business, for our future. We've been overlooked for too long."
His mother placed a comforting hand on his shoulder. "We believe in you, Jiang. But remember, strength isn't just about fighting. It's about knowing when to stand firm and when to walk away."
The words resonated with Jiang. He realised that his fight wasn't just about winning against Rayyan or any other adversary. It was about proving that integrity and ingenuity could triumph over arrogance and deceit.
Jiang Han sat at his desk, his mind a whirlwind of possibilities. Rayyan Hakimi's interference had shown that he couldn't underestimate any rival, regardless of their apparent lack of subtlety. His strategy had saved the family's warehouse from immediate harm, but Jiang understood that retaliatory attacks were inevitable.
He leaned back in his chair, staring at the System Interface, which displayed a new notification:
System Notification: Bonus Reward Unlocked
Skill Acquired: Predictive Analysis (Basic)
Description: Gain a limited ability to foresee potential outcomes based on available data.
A grin tugged at Jiang's lips. The skill might only be at a basic level, but it was a powerful tool for someone like him, who thrived on planning and strategy. He clicked on the new skill, allowing the system to overlay its interface onto his desk.
Lines, graphs, and probabilities filled his field of vision as Jiang began feeding information into the tool—details about Rayyan's known assets, his father Tengku Hanafiah Zahid's business holdings, and the possible connections between them. The Predictive Analysis skill whirred into action, generating a set of scenarios.
Jiang's gaze sharpened as he read the results. The analysis predicted a high likelihood of Rayyan attempting to coerce or bribe key suppliers connected to the Han family's logistics chain.
"This isn't just a game for him," Jiang muttered to himself. "He's testing how far he can push us before we break."
Armed with his newfound skill, Jiang knew he couldn't afford to wait for the next attack. He needed to act first, both to protect his family's business and to send a clear message to Rayyan.
He spent the next few hours compiling a list of the suppliers most vulnerable to external influence. Jiang then called Mr Low, one of their longest-standing partners in the logistics industry.
"Mr Low," Jiang began, his voice respectful but firm. "I've recently come across information suggesting that certain individuals may attempt to dissuade you from working with us. I wanted to personally assure you that our business is as strong as ever, and our mutual success remains a priority."
There was a pause on the other end of the line before Mr Low responded. "I appreciate your honesty, Jiang. I've heard whispers about someone approaching other partners, offering... incentives. But you've always been transparent with us. Rest assured, I'm not going anywhere."
The call ended on a positive note, but Jiang knew this was only the beginning. Over the next two days, he reached out to every supplier on the list, either through direct conversations or carefully crafted emails. Each interaction was personalised, demonstrating Jiang's commitment and understanding of their unique concerns.
By the time Rayyan made his move, Jiang's preemptive efforts had paid off. His suppliers were prepared, and some had even agreed to report any suspicious approaches directly to Jiang.
Late one evening, an email notification pinged on Jiang's laptop. It was from one of the smaller suppliers, detailing a recent meeting with Rayyan's associates. The message included a recording of the conversation—proof of Rayyan's underhanded tactics.
The System Interface flashed:
System Notification: Evidence Gathered. Next Step: Confrontation or Strategic Disclosure.
Jiang mulled over his options. A public confrontation would embarrass Rayyan, but it might escalate the rivalry further. A more discreet approach, however, could allow Jiang to leverage the evidence for a greater advantage.
He chose the latter.
The next morning, Jiang sent a short but pointed email to Rayyan's personal address.
Subject: A Friendly Reminder
Dear Rayyan,
I hope this message finds you well. Recently, I've come across some interesting recordings involving certain parties attempting to influence our business partners. I'm sure this was merely a misunderstanding, but I felt it necessary to inform you directly.
Rest assured, I've taken steps to ensure the integrity of our partnerships remains intact. I trust we can continue to compete fairly moving forward.
Regards,
Jiang Han
The message was subtle, but its implications were clear: Jiang knew everything.
Later that day, Jiang received a reply. It was brief and curt.
Subject: Noted
Jiang,
Duly noted.
Rayyan
Jiang leaned back, satisfied. The battle was far from over, but this round was his.