The air in Petraling Jaya crackled with unspoken tension as Jiang Han stepped into the foyer of the bustling networking event hosted by none other than Dato' Rahman Arif. The hall, resplendent with crystal chandeliers and polished marble floors, hummed with the murmur of affluent voices, each carrying an undercurrent of calculation. Jiang's sharp eyes swept the room, taking in the clusters of power players, their expressions varying from amused to wary as they noticed the young upstart in their midst.
Dressed in a crisp suit that struck the delicate balance between professional and approachable, Jiang carried himself with quiet confidence. His entrance was neither ostentatious nor timid—it was calculated, deliberate. This was a battlefield of words and influence, and Jiang had come prepared.
The System Notification chimed softly in his mind:
System Notification: Mission Update.
Objective: Establish a connection with Dato' Rahman Arif. Earn his approval through a display of competence and poise.
Progress: 10% Complete.
Bonus Hint: Success lies in subtlety and timing. Do not overplay your hand.
Jiang smirked. "Subtlety, huh?" he murmured under his breath. "Let's see how subtle these sharks can be."
His first move was strategic observation. Jiang drifted through the room, eavesdropping discreetly on conversations, gleaning snippets of insight about the attendees. The tycoons spoke in veiled terms about deals and mergers, their words tinged with both camaraderie and rivalry. Among them, Dato' Rahman stood as a pillar of authority, his deep voice cutting through the ambient noise with effortless command.
As Jiang edged closer to Dato' Rahman's circle, he noted the man's charisma in action. He was a master conversationalist, alternating between wit and gravitas to hold his audience spellbound. Jiang's fingers twitched with anticipation. It wasn't fear that gripped him—it was the thrill of the challenge.
"Dato' Rahman," Jiang greeted, his voice smooth yet respectful. He waited for the older man's gaze to shift to him, acknowledging his presence. When it did, Jiang met it head-on, his expression calm and unwavering.
Rahman's brows rose slightly, a flicker of curiosity crossing his features. "Ah, Jiang Han. The ambitious young man I've been hearing so much about."
Jiang inclined his head, neither confirming nor denying the remark. "Ambition, when tempered with hard work, often bears fruit, Dato'. I'm simply here to learn from those more seasoned than myself."
The older man chuckled, a sound both approving and sceptical. "A humble response. But humility alone won't get you far in this arena, boy. It's the ability to deliver results that counts."
"And I intend to do just that," Jiang replied smoothly. "Results are what define us, after all."
A glint of intrigue flashed in Rahman's eyes, but he gave no further indication of his thoughts. Jiang knew he'd planted the first seed—now came the waiting game.
Jiang didn't linger at Rahman's side. Instead, he mingled with other attendees, striking up conversations that were as insightful as they were tactical. His natural charm and sharp intellect won him a few raised eyebrows and grudging nods of approval. The older businessmen were wary of him, recognising a potential threat cloaked in a veneer of youthful politeness.
It wasn't long before Jiang stumbled upon an opportunity to showcase his skills. An animated debate had broken out near the bar, involving a logistical problem faced by one of the tycoons, Tan Sri Irwan Hakim. His shipping company had hit a bottleneck due to outdated software that was causing delays in inventory tracking.
"I may have a solution for that," Jiang interjected smoothly, drawing the attention of the group. His tone was neither boastful nor hesitant—it was precise, measured.
Irwan's sharp eyes appraised Jiang for a moment before gesturing for him to continue. "Go on, then. Let's hear it."
Jiang outlined a streamlined software solution, blending his advanced knowledge from his previous life as a software engineer with practical applications tailored to Malayuna's current market needs. He spoke with clarity, illustrating his points with examples and potential outcomes.
By the time he finished, the group was silent. Irwan broke the pause with a slow clap, a smirk tugging at his lips. "Impressive. If you can back up your words with action, young man, you might just have a future in this business."
The approval sent a ripple through the room. Dato' Rahman, who had been observing from a distance, approached with a calculated smile.
"Well played, Jiang," Rahman said, his voice laced with both amusement and challenge. "But words are easy. Actions, as you know, are another matter entirely."
Jiang met his gaze steadily. "I agree, Dato'. That's why I'm confident my actions will speak for themselves."
The room watched the exchange with rapt attention, sensing the underlying tension. Jiang didn't falter, his composure unwavering under Rahman's scrutinising gaze.
Finally, the older man inclined his head. "You've piqued my interest, Jiang Han. But don't mistake interest for trust. You'll need to prove yourself before I consider you an equal player."
Jiang's lips curved into a faint smile. "I wouldn't expect anything less, Dato'. Trust is earned, not given."
The System Notification chimed once more:
System Notification: Mission Progress Updated.
Progress: 70% Complete.
Additional Hint: Leverage your newfound connection with Tan Sri Irwan Hakim to solidify your standing.
Jiang inwardly marvelled at the system's timing. The evening was far from over, and he was ready to capitalise on every opportunity.
Later that night, Jiang found himself in a quieter corner of the hall, speaking one-on-one with Irwan. The older tycoon was curious about Jiang's background, and Jiang answered honestly, weaving his narrative of resilience and innovation without revealing the fantastical elements of his journey.
"You've got guts, kid," Irwan said eventually, his tone gruff but not unkind. "But guts alone won't save you in this world. You'll need allies, and you'll need to stay sharp."
"I couldn't agree more," Jiang replied, his gaze steady. "And I hope I can count on you as one of those allies, Tan Sri."
Irwan chuckled, clapping Jiang on the shoulder. "We'll see. For now, you've got my attention—and that's more than most people get."