Godly Beggar

The classroom buzzed with energy as Jiang Han sat quietly in his seat, observing the flurry of conversations and movements around him. His mind, however, was elsewhere. The Begging System—an infuriating yet invaluable tool—had proven to be a double-edged sword. Every time he thought he was getting the hang of it, the system would throw a curveball, pushing him into scenarios that tested his creativity and determination.

Today felt like one of those days.

The system chimed in his mind with its usual clinical tone.

[Daily Mission Activated!]

Mission: Convince three people to give you something of value.]

Reward: Negotiation Skill (Intermediate Level).]

Failure Penalty: -20 System Points.]

Jiang Han's lips twitched into a humourless smile. "Convince, huh? More like begging. You couldn't sugar-coat it if you tried."

[Reflection: Begging is an art. Approach with sincerity, creativity, and adaptability.]

"Yeah, yeah," Jiang Han muttered under his breath. "Let's see how I can turn this into another character-building exercise."

Jiang Han's first opportunity came during the lunch break. At the canteen, the tantalising aroma of fried rice wafted through the air, making his stomach rumble. But as he reached into his pocket, he realised he'd left his wallet at home.

"Perfect," he thought. "Looks like I have no choice but to start begging right here."

Scanning the tables, his eyes landed on Derek, who was happily munching on a plate of noodles. Jiang Han approached with an exaggerated expression of desperation.

"Derek, my friend," he began, clasping his hands together dramatically, "I need a favour. I forgot my wallet, and my stomach is staging a rebellion. Can you spare me some cash for lunch?"

Derek raised an eyebrow, smirking. "So, the mighty Jiang Han has been reduced to grovelling for lunch money? What happened to your genius mind?"

"Think of it as an investment," Jiang Han replied, leaning into the moment. "You help me now, and I'll owe you big time later."

After a few seconds of deliberation, Derek handed him a few notes. "Fine, but I expect interest on this loan."

[Mission Progress: 1/3 Objectives Completed.]

Jiang Han's grin widened. "You're a lifesaver. Consider this a wise decision."

Later in the day, during physics class, Jiang Han realised he was missing a crucial set of notes. The teacher, Mr Lim, had announced a quiz for the next day, and Jiang Han's incomplete notebook would be of no help.

He turned to Hui Qi, who was scribbling diligently beside him.

"Hui Qi," he whispered, leaning closer. "I need a favour."

She glanced at him, raising a sceptical eyebrow. "What now?"

"I missed a few chapters in my notes," Jiang Han explained, holding up his notebook sheepishly. "Can I borrow yours to catch up tonight?"

Hui Qi sighed. "You'd better not lose them. Or worse—spill something on them."

"I swear, your notes will return as pristine as they are now," Jiang Han promised, putting on his most sincere expression.

Reluctantly, Hui Qi handed over her notebook.

[Mission Progress: 2/3 Objectives Completed.]

"Thanks, Hui Qi. You're the best," Jiang Han said, flashing her a grin.

"Don't push your luck," she replied, though a small smile tugged at her lips.

The third and final task proved to be the most challenging. After school, Jiang Han visited his parents' logistics office to help with some paperwork. As he reviewed the day's transactions, he spotted an opportunity to negotiate better payment terms with one of their smaller clients.

"I've got to convince them to pay a portion upfront," he thought. "This might be tricky."

Picking up the phone, Jiang Han dialled the client. When the manager answered, Jiang Han wasted no time explaining the situation.

"Our current payment arrangement has been workable," Jiang Han began, his tone measured, "but it's causing some strain on our operations. If we could establish a partial upfront payment system, it would ensure smoother delivery schedules and better service overall."

The manager hesitated. "Upfront payments are a bit unusual for us. Why should we agree to this?"

Jiang Han leaned into the conversation, using his Communication Skills (Intermediate Level) to highlight the mutual benefits. "It's a small adjustment that guarantees you uninterrupted service. It also reduces the risk of delays or cancellations due to logistical constraints."

After a moment of silence, the manager finally said, "Alright, let's try it out for the next two months."

[Mission Progress: 3/3 Objectives Completed.]

[Mission Complete! Reward Unlocked: Negotiation Skill (Intermediate Level).]

Jiang Han sighed in relief as the system confirmed his success.

Later that night, Jiang Han sat in his room, reflecting on the day's events. The system had forced him to rely on others in ways he wouldn't have considered in his previous life.

"Begging isn't just about asking," Jiang Han mused. "It's about understanding what people value and showing them how helping you benefits them, too."

The system chimed in agreement.

[Reflection: Effective begging requires emotional intelligence, strategic thinking, and humility.]

"Yeah, and a good sense of humour doesn't hurt," Jiang Han added, smirking.

As Jiang Han prepared for bed, he couldn't help but think about how much he'd changed since his second chance at life began. In his first life, he had been a lead programmer at the top of his field—a position that demanded respect and deference.

Now, he was navigating high school again, learning the art of persuasion, and finding value in tasks as seemingly simple as borrowing notes or negotiating payments.

"It's ironic," Jiang Han thought, staring at the ceiling. "The Godly Beggar. Who would've thought I'd need to learn how to ask before I could lead?"

The system chimed one final time, its tone unusually soft.

[Reflection: True strength lies not in power, but in understanding how to use vulnerability to create opportunity.]

Jiang Han closed his eyes, the words settling over him like a comforting blanket. His journey was far from over, but for the first time in a long while, he felt at peace with the path ahead.

As the night deepened, Jiang Han found himself staring at the system interface, his thoughts meandering through the events of the day. The art of begging, as ridiculous as it sounded, was becoming more nuanced.

"Who would have thought that persuasion and negotiation would be so… satisfying?" Jiang Han muttered, smirking to himself. "Maybe this isn't just about survival. It's about learning how to thrive, even in the oddest circumstances."

The system chimed, its tone steady.

[Reflection: The host is beginning to grasp the intricacies of leveraging human behaviour. Begging is not a weakness—it is a strategy in its rawest form.]

Jiang Han leaned back in his chair, mulling over the system's words. Was begging really about strategy? In a way, it felt like a puzzle, with each request requiring the right approach to unlock a positive outcome.

The following morning, Jiang Han's mother approached him as he prepared for school. Her expression was a mix of gratitude and concern.

"Han," she began softly, "your father and I noticed how hard you've been working to help with the business. I just want you to know how proud we are of you."

Jiang Han felt a lump form in his throat. His parents' struggles had always been a silent burden, but hearing his mother's words made his efforts feel worthwhile.

"I'm just doing what I can, Mum," Jiang Han replied, smiling. "We're a family. We get through things together."

She placed a gentle hand on his shoulder. "Just don't forget to take care of yourself, alright? You're still young—you shouldn't have to carry so much."

As she left the room, Jiang Han sighed, her words echoing in his mind.

"You're still young." It was true, in a way. Despite his memories and experiences as a 37-year-old, he was navigating life as a teenager again. The duality of his existence was a constant reminder that growth wasn't about age—it was about perspective.

At school, the Olympiad team gathered for another round of intense preparation. The competition was drawing closer, and the pressure was palpable. Jiang Han noticed that even Hui Qi, usually composed and confident, seemed on edge.

As the team worked through a particularly challenging physics problem, Chen Xun's frustration boiled over.

"This isn't going to work," he snapped, slamming his pen onto the table. "We're wasting time on this approach."

Hui Qi glared at him. "And you think yelling is going to solve the problem?"

"Enough," Jiang Han interjected, his voice calm but firm. "Let's take a step back and review the problem from a different angle. Sometimes, it's not about forcing a solution—it's about finding the right perspective."

The tension in the room eased slightly as the team refocused, Jiang Han's words acting as a balm for their frayed nerves.

[Reflection: Leadership is not about control—it's about guiding others toward clarity.]

As the session ended, Hui Qi approached Jiang Han, her expression thoughtful.

"You're good at this," she said. "Keeping everyone grounded. It's a skill not many people have."

Jiang Han chuckled. "I've had a bit of practice."

Walking home that evening, Jiang Han felt the familiar pull of responsibility. His family's business, the Olympiad, and the constant demands of the system were all pressing down on him. Yet, there was a strange satisfaction in juggling these challenges.

The system chimed softly, offering a new notification.

[Daily Mission Unlocked!]

Mission: Convince someone to share their knowledge with you.]

Reward: Insight Skill (Elementary Level).]

Jiang Han smirked. "Looks like tomorrow's going to be another interesting day."

As he climbed into bed, his thoughts lingered on the journey ahead. Each challenge, each "begging" moment, was shaping him into someone stronger, sharper, and more resourceful.

"Let's see what you've got next, system," Jiang Han murmured before drifting off to sleep.