The sun was barely cresting over the skyline of Petraling Jaya when Jiang Han found himself in the family office. The faint scent of freshly brewed coffee lingered in the air as Jiang Yu entered, balancing a tray of mugs. Despite the early hour, both brothers were already immersed in preparations for the month-long challenge laid out by Tengku Hanafiah Zahid.
"Ge, here's your coffee," Jiang Yu said, setting the cup down on the cluttered desk. "I still can't believe we're expected to deliver results in just a month. What exactly is Tengku Hanafiah looking for?"
Jiang Han sipped his coffee thoughtfully. "He's testing us, Yu. For someone of his stature, the partnership isn't about profits—it's about trust and influence. He wants to see if we can handle the pressure and deliver beyond expectations."
Jiang Yu frowned. "That's all well and good, but where do we even start? The logistics network still has gaps, and we're short on resources."
Jiang Han's expression remained calm, though his mind raced. He glanced at the System Notification still hovering in his vision:
System Notification:
Mission: Achieve tangible results within one month to secure Tengku Hanafiah Zahid's endorsement.
Reward: Strategic Insight Skill (Advanced)
Bonus Hidden Reward: ???
Failure Consequence: Reputation among key business players will decrease significantly.
Jiang Han closed the notification and addressed his brother. "Yu, success lies in solving our weaknesses. If we identify the most critical gap in our operations and fix it decisively, the rest will fall into place. The first step is outreach. We need to expand our network and attract smaller partners willing to trust us."
Jiang Yu nodded slowly. "That makes sense, Ge. But who do we approach first?"
"Leave that to me," Jiang Han said with a faint smile. "You handle the backend—optimise the routes and ensure every shipment is tracked seamlessly. I'll deal with the front-facing negotiations."
By midday, Jiang Han was sitting across from a representative of a mid-sized supplier, known as Mr Lim, in a modest meeting room. The man, with his thick glasses and carefully neutral expression, seemed unimpressed as Jiang Han outlined the advantages of working with the Jiang family's logistics business.
"Mr Jiang," Mr Lim said, leaning back in his chair. "I've heard about your family's struggles. Why should I risk my company's supply chain on a business that hasn't yet proven itself?"
Jiang Han's smile didn't falter. "That's precisely why you should work with us, Mr Lim. As a smaller operation, we can offer you flexibility and personalised attention that larger firms simply can't match. You won't just be another client to us—you'll be a partner."
Mr Lim remained sceptical. "Even so, what guarantees can you offer? If there are delays or disruptions, my business suffers."
Jiang Han paused briefly before leaning forward. "I won't promise what I can't deliver, Mr Lim. But I will guarantee this: If you face any losses due to our service, I'll personally ensure compensation. This isn't just about business—it's about building a reputation for reliability."
The bold statement caught Mr Lim off-guard. He regarded Jiang Han carefully before nodding. "You're either very confident or very desperate. Either way, I'll consider a trial partnership. Don't make me regret it."
As Mr Lim left, Jiang Han released a quiet breath of relief. The first step had been taken.
While Jiang Han worked tirelessly to secure new partnerships, a new challenge brewed in the form of Hafiy Zafran, the eldest son of Dato' Seri Zainuddin Adnan. Hafiy had caught wind of Jiang Han's rising ambitions and saw an opportunity to thwart him.
Hafiy lounged in his office, reviewing reports of Jiang Han's recent meetings. "This Jiang Han thinks he can climb the ranks so easily?" he mused, tapping his desk with a gold pen. "Let's see how he fares with a little... disruption."
He called in his assistant. "I want you to contact Mr Lim's team. Offer them an exclusive deal—better rates, better guarantees. Let them know that working with Jiang Han is a gamble they can't afford."
The assistant hesitated. "Sir, isn't this a little... aggressive?"
Hafiy smirked. "Business is war, and Jiang Han just stepped onto the battlefield. Now, do as I say."
The next morning, Jiang Han received a call from Mr Lim. The man's tone was wary.
"Mr Jiang, I received an offer from another company—Zafran Logistics. They're promising terms that are hard to ignore."
Jiang Han's grip on the phone tightened, though his voice remained calm. "Mr Lim, I appreciate your transparency. May I ask for one meeting to address your concerns before you make a final decision?"
Mr Lim hesitated. "Fine. Tomorrow at noon. Don't waste my time."
After the call ended, Jiang Han turned to Jiang Yu. "Yu, we're not just up against logistics challenges—we're facing sabotage. Hafiy Zafran is trying to poach our prospects."
Jiang Yu's eyes widened. "How do we counter that, Ge?"
Jiang Han's eyes glinted with determination. "We fight fire with fire. Prepare a revised proposal for Mr Lim, highlighting the long-term benefits of our partnership. I'll handle the negotiations."
The following day, Jiang Han sat across from Mr Lim once again. This time, the atmosphere was tense, and the stakes were higher.
"Mr Jiang," Mr Lim began, "Zafran Logistics has a strong track record and resources far beyond your current capabilities. Why should I risk staying with you?"
Jiang Han met his gaze steadily. "Because Zafran Logistics doesn't see you as a partner—they see you as a number on a balance sheet. With us, you're more than that. Our partnership will be built on trust and mutual growth, not fleeting profit margins."
He slid the revised proposal across the table. "Here's our offer. It may not match Zafran Logistics' initial terms, but it reflects a commitment to long-term collaboration and adaptability to your needs. Consider what truly matters in a partnership—reliability, understanding, and respect."
Mr Lim studied the document silently, the seconds stretching into what felt like hours. Finally, he nodded. "I appreciate your honesty, Mr Jiang. Let's move forward with the trial partnership."
As Jiang Han left the meeting, a familiar notification appeared:
System Notification:
Mission Progress: Mr Lim was successfully retained as a trial partner. Continue securing tangible results to achieve full mission completion.
Jiang Han allowed himself a small smile. The battle wasn't over, but he had won the first skirmish.