Echoes of Past Lessons

The soft hum of Jiang Han's car filled the air as he drove through the quiet streets of Petraling Jaya. The aftermath of the Petraling Business Summit lingered in his mind, replaying every word and expression from his face-off with Danish Afiq and Syed Fariz. The victory was satisfying, but Jiang Han knew it was only a small step in the larger battle ahead.

His thoughts were interrupted as the Begging System came alive in his vision.

System Notification:

Mission: Navigate the Shadows of Deceit

Objective: Identify and counter Danish Afiq's hidden sabotage efforts targeting your logistics operations.

Reward: Analytical Insight Skill (Advanced)

Bonus Hidden Reward: ???

Failure Consequence: Significant operational delays in your family's logistics business.

Jiang Han exhaled sharply. Danish was far from finished, and the system's alert only confirmed his suspicions. It wasn't paranoia if the threat was real. He gripped the steering wheel tightly, his mind racing through the possible strategies to counter this latest obstacle.

The next morning, Jiang Han arrived at his family's logistics warehouse, where the usual hum of activity was replaced with a disconcerting silence. Workers stood in clusters, whispering nervously.

"What's going on?" Jiang Han asked a senior supervisor, Mr. Tan, who looked visibly flustered.

"Sir, our latest shipment was flagged at customs," Mr. Tan explained. "They're holding the cargo for additional inspection, claiming irregularities in the paperwork. We've never had issues like this before."

Jiang Han's eyes narrowed. This was no coincidence. Danish Afiq had clearly leveraged his connections to create roadblocks. Jiang Han's grip on his briefcase tightened as his mind went into overdrive. He needed to unravel this web of deceit before it spiralled further.

Jiang Han retreated to his makeshift office in the warehouse. Flipping open his laptop, he accessed the shipment records and began analysing the flagged paperwork. His years of experience as a lead software engineer taught him the value of precision, and he scrutinised every detail with unwavering focus.

Hours passed before he found the discrepancy—a minor but intentional alteration in the documents that made them appear non-compliant. The system chimed again.

System Notification:

Observation: The discrepancy was likely orchestrated by a third party with insider knowledge. Investigate further to identify the source.

Jiang Han leaned back in his chair, his jaw tightening. "Danish," he muttered under his breath. It had to be him. But how had he infiltrated Jiang Han's operations?

A plan began to form. He needed to root out the mole and neutralise Danish's influence. Jiang Han called his brother, Jiang Yu, who had been instrumental in managing the logistics operations.

"Yu, I need you to discreetly review the personnel files for anyone who joined in the past six months," Jiang Han instructed. "Focus on those with access to shipping documentation."

Jiang Yu didn't question his brother's urgency. "Got it. I'll start immediately."

By evening, Jiang Yu returned with a list of suspects. Among them, one name stood out—Ahmad Rizal, a junior clerk who had joined the company three months ago. His background check was clean, but Jiang Han's instincts told him otherwise.

"Let's not confront him directly," Jiang Han said. "We'll set a trap."

The following day, Jiang Han and Jiang Yu devised a plan to plant fake shipping information in the company's database, information designed to lure out the mole. By mid-afternoon, Ahmad Rizal accessed the files, his actions logged by Jiang Han's surveillance software.

Jiang Han wasted no time. He summoned Ahmad Rizal to his office, his expression calm but steely.

"Mr. Rizal, can you explain why you accessed confidential shipping records without authorisation?" Jiang Han's voice was measured, but his words carried weight.

Ahmad Rizal stammered, his face paling. "I—I was just double-checking the files... for accuracy."

Jiang Han's gaze didn't waver. "Interesting. Because the data you accessed wasn't relevant to your department. Care to try again?"

Caught, Ahmad Rizal crumbled, confessing that Danish Afiq had approached him with promises of money and a better job in exchange for sabotaging Jiang Han's operations.

Jiang Han dismissed Ahmad Rizal and immediately reported the breach to the authorities, ensuring the traitor would face consequences. But the battle was far from over. Danish had made his move, and now it was Jiang Han's turn to strike back.

Later that evening, Jiang Han sat in his study, strategising his counterattack. Danish's arrogance was his greatest weakness, and Jiang Han intended to exploit it.

He reached out to a trusted journalist who owed him a favour. "I have a story that could interest you," Jiang Han began, detailing Danish's underhanded tactics. The journalist promised to investigate further and expose the truth if the evidence was solid.

Simultaneously, Jiang Han called Syed Azlan Shah. "Tan Sri, I believe you should be aware of Danish's recent activities," Jiang Han said, outlining the sabotage attempt. "It's a matter of ethics, and I thought you'd appreciate the transparency."

Syed Azlan Shah was a man who valued integrity—or at least the appearance of it. Danish's actions would not sit well with him, especially if they threatened the stability of business relationships within their circle.

Within days, the journalist published a detailed exposé on Danish's sabotage attempts, complete with corroborating evidence. The story spread like wildfire, tarnishing Danish's reputation and prompting an outcry from the business community.

Syed Azlan Shah publicly distanced himself from Danish, issuing a statement condemning unethical practices. Danish's father, Dato' Rahman Arif, was furious, and the tension between father and son became a topic of gossip among Malayuna's elite.

For Jiang Han, the victory was twofold—he had protected his family's business and delivered a masterful face-slap to his rival.

As the dust settled, Jiang Han took a moment to reflect on the ordeal. The experience tested his patience, resilience, and strategic thinking. The Begging System chimed once more.

System Notification:

Mission Complete: Sabotage Neutralised

Reward: Analytical Insight Skill (Advanced) Acquired

Bonus Hidden Reward: Increased Reputation Among Business Leaders

Jiang Han smiled, the glow of satisfaction washing over him. Each challenge brought him closer to mastering the art of turning adversity into opportunity.

Jiang Han leaned back in his chair, the glow of the system's notifications still lingering in his vision. The victory over Danish Afiq was satisfying, but there was no room for complacency. Every step forward in this cutthroat world came with an increased risk of retaliation.

"Yu," Jiang Han called to his brother, Jiang Yu, who was seated across the room, studying shipment logistics on his tablet.

"Yes?" Jiang Yu looked up, his brows furrowed. He was still processing the extent of Ahmad Rizal's betrayal.

"We need to tighten our protocols. This can't happen again." Jiang Han's voice was firm. "Set up a tiered access system. No one below the supervisory level should have full access to shipping documents."

"I'll implement it right away," Jiang Yu replied, his resolve evident. "But do you think Danish will back off now?"

Jiang Han's lips curved into a faint smile, one that didn't reach his eyes. "Danish doesn't know how to quit. He'll try again, and we need to be ready."

Later that afternoon, Jiang Han received a call from Tan Sri Irwan Hakim, Luqman Irfan's father. The two men had a cordial relationship, but Jiang Han couldn't ignore the undertones of rivalry that often coloured their interactions.

"Jiang Han," Tan Sri Irwan began smoothly. "I've been hearing impressive things about your family's logistics business. I believe there's room for collaboration between us."

Jiang Han's instincts prickled. Collaboration was often a veiled term for leverage. "I'm always open to mutually beneficial opportunities, Tan Sri," he replied carefully.

"There's a major contract coming up with Zenith Corporation," Tan Sri Irwan continued. "Their distribution network is vast, and I believe your expertise in logistics could complement my holdings in manufacturing."

Jiang Han knew Zenith Corporation well—it was a titan in Malayuna's economy. Securing even a fraction of their distribution needs would elevate his business significantly. But he also recognised the risk. Partnering with Tan Sri Irwan meant sharing the spotlight and potentially becoming a pawn in the man's broader schemes.

"I'll need to review the details," Jiang Han said after a pause. "Perhaps we could discuss this further over dinner?"

"Excellent. I'll have my secretary arrange it," Tan Sri Irwan replied, satisfaction evident in his tone.

As the call ended, Jiang Han sat back, his mind racing. This wasn't just an opportunity—it was a test.

That evening, Jiang Han reviewed everything he knew about Zenith Corporation and Tan Sri Irwan's interests. The Begging System chimed in.

System Notification:

Mission: Secure the Zenith Collaboration

Objective: Convince Zenith Corporation to grant your family's logistics business exclusive distribution rights for their northern region operations.

Reward: Networking Skill (Elite)

Bonus Hidden Reward: ???

Failure Consequence: Potential reputational damage and loss of credibility among major corporations.

Jiang Han let out a deep breath. This wasn't just a business negotiation—it was a delicate balancing act involving power, influence, and persuasion.

He glanced at his wardrobe, deciding on a sharp yet understated suit. Image mattered as much as words in meetings like these.

"Yu," Jiang Han called out. "Double-check our logistics reports. I need every detail to be airtight before tomorrow."

"Already on it," Jiang Yu replied from the adjacent room.

The restaurant was a luxurious venue in the heart of Petraling Jaya, frequented by Malayuna's elite. Jiang Han arrived early, taking a moment to familiarise himself with the setting. The private dining room exuded opulence, with its crystal chandeliers and polished mahogany table.

Tan Sri Irwan arrived shortly after, his son Luqman Irfan in tow.

"Jiang Han," Tan Sri greeted, extending a hand. "You remember Luqman?"

"Of course," Jiang Han replied smoothly, shaking hands with both father and son. Luqman's gaze was calculating, a far cry from the amiable façade he often displayed in public.

As they settled in, the conversation began with pleasantries, but it wasn't long before Tan Sri Irwan steered it toward business.

"Zenith is looking for efficiency," he said, swirling his glass of wine. "Their operations have been bogged down by unreliable partners. This is where you and I come in. With your logistics expertise and my manufacturing reach, we could offer them an unbeatable package."

Jiang Han listened intently, noting the subtle shifts in Tan Sri Irwan's tone. The man was positioning himself as the dominant partner, expecting Jiang Han to play a secondary role.

"What would the terms of this collaboration look like?" Jiang Han asked, his expression neutral.

"We'd present a joint proposal," Tan Sri Irwan replied. "Of course, the majority of profits would align with the contributions. Manufacturing is capital-intensive, after all."

Jiang Han suppressed a smile. Tan Sri Irwan's words were a classic play—downplaying logistics while inflating manufacturing's importance.

"Manufacturing is crucial, no doubt," Jiang Han said. "But without a seamless distribution network, even the best products can't reach their markets. Logistics isn't just about transportation; it's about strategy, efficiency, and foresight. These are things my team excels at."

Luqman's eyes narrowed slightly. "Are you suggesting the terms should be equal?"

"I'm suggesting the terms should reflect the value each of us brings," Jiang Han replied evenly. "Zenith doesn't need one partner—they need a team that can cover all bases. That's what we can offer if we approach this as equals."

The dinner ended on a diplomatic note, with Tan Sri Irwan agreeing to revisit the proposal terms. Jiang Han knew he hadn't won outright, but he had planted the seed of doubt in Tan Sri's mind—a seed that would grow if nurtured correctly.

The Begging System chimed again as Jiang Han left the restaurant.

System Notification:

Progress: Mission at 60%. Continue negotiations with Zenith Corporation representatives.

Jiang Han smiled faintly. The real battle was just beginning.