Godly Beggar

The following morning, Jiang Han stepped into the classroom with his usual calm demeanour. The warmth of the vendor's wisdom from the previous evening still lingered in his mind. He had begun to view his challenges differently—not as humiliations, but as opportunities to adapt and grow.

The classroom was alive with chatter, but the moment Jiang Han entered, many of the students glanced his way. He had become somewhat of an enigma—a quiet boy who had suddenly emerged as a force to be reckoned with. While a few admired him, others were envious.

"Morning, Jiang Han!"

Jiang Han turned to see Derek Lim, one of Jun Kai's friends, walking over with a smug grin. "You're becoming famous, huh? Heard you've been smashing every challenge thrown your way."

Jiang Han merely nodded, his expression neutral. He knew this wasn't a compliment.

"But," Derek continued, leaning in closer, "do you think you can keep it up? Fame doesn't last, you know."

"I don't care about fame," Jiang Han replied calmly. "I care about improving."

Derek blinked, momentarily thrown off by the simple response. He laughed awkwardly and walked away, muttering something under his breath.

The morning lessons passed smoothly, and Jiang Han used the time to consolidate what he'd learned from the system's recent rewards. He felt sharper, more capable, and his confidence grew steadily.

But during the lunch break, the familiar chime of the Begging System echoed in his mind, jolting him out of his focus.

[System Alert! Situational Mission Triggered.]

Mission: Convince Ang Xuan Ming to lend you his notebook for physics.]

Failure to comply will result in a deduction of -40 system points.]

Reward: Analytical Thinking Skill (High School Level).]

Jiang Han frowned. Ang Xuan Ming was the last person he wanted to approach. Not only was he one of the wealthiest and most arrogant students in the class, but he also openly disliked Jiang Han.

"Convince him? That's just a polite way of saying beg," Jiang Han muttered under his breath.

Still, he knew better than to ignore the system's demands. Every mission carried consequences, and he couldn't afford to lose any progress now.

Jiang Han spotted Xuan Ming sitting with his usual group of friends, their laughter filling the air. Approaching them was like stepping into a lion's den.

"Xuan Ming," Jiang Han said, his voice steady despite the unease curling in his stomach.

The group fell silent, their laughter replaced by curious stares. Xuan Ming looked up, his expression one of mild annoyance.

"What do you want, Jiang Han?" he asked, his tone laced with disdain.

Jiang Han took a slow breath. "I need to borrow your physics notebook. Just for a day."

Xuan Ming's friends exchanged incredulous looks before bursting into laughter.

"Borrow my notebook? Are you serious?" Xuan Ming said, leaning back in his chair. "Why should I help you?"

Jiang Han's pride bristled, but he forced himself to remain calm. "Because you're good at physics. Your notes could help me understand the material better. I wouldn't ask if it wasn't important."

The group laughed harder, but Xuan Ming seemed intrigued. He tilted his head, studying Jiang Han as if trying to decipher his motives.

"And what do I get out of it?" Xuan Ming asked, a sly grin spreading across his face.

Before Jiang Han could answer, the system chimed in his mind again.

[Reminder: Humility is key. Use sincerity to achieve your goal.]

Jiang Han suppressed a sigh. "I'll owe you a favour," he said, keeping his tone humble. "You can decide what it is later."

The group exchanged amused looks, but Xuan Ming finally shrugged and pulled his notebook from his bag.

"Fine," he said, handing it over. "But don't damage it. And remember—you owe me."

"Thank you," Jiang Han said sincerely before walking away.

[Mission Complete! Reward Unlocked: Analytical Thinking Skill (High School Level).]

Back at his desk, Jiang Han opened Xuan Ming's notebook. The reward's effects were almost immediate. The disjointed scribbles and chaotic diagrams seemed to organise themselves in his mind, forming a clear and coherent picture of the concepts.

"This skill is more useful than I thought," Jiang Han murmured, flipping through the pages.

The Analytical Thinking Skill wasn't just about understanding information—it allowed him to connect dots, identify patterns, and see solutions that others might overlook.

He spent the next hour immersing himself in the material, absorbing and applying what he'd learned. By the time the afternoon lessons began, he felt more prepared than ever.

During the final period, the teacher announced a surprise group exercise in physics. Each group was tasked with solving a complex problem and presenting their solution to the class.

To Jiang Han's dismay, he was assigned to a group that included Xuan Ming and Derek Lim.

"This should be interesting," Derek muttered, smirking.

As the group began discussing the problem, it became clear that Xuan Ming wasn't interested in contributing. He leaned back in his chair, letting Derek dominate the conversation with half-baked ideas.

Jiang Han watched silently for a moment before speaking up. "We're overcomplicating this. Let's focus on the key variables."

Derek scoffed. "And what makes you the expert?"

Jiang Han didn't respond. Instead, he calmly took a piece of chalk and began outlining the solution on the board. The steps were logical, concise, and precise.

By the time he finished, the room was silent. Even Xuan Ming looked impressed, though he quickly masked it with his usual indifference.

"Fine," Derek said grudgingly. "Your method works."

The teacher examined their solution and praised the group for their approach, although it was clear that most of the credit belonged to Jiang Han.

As the class ended, Xuan Ming approached Jiang Han, his expression unreadable.

"You're smarter than you look," Xuan Ming said, his tone almost grudging.

"Thanks," Jiang Han replied simply, meeting his gaze.

That evening, as Jiang Han walked home, he reflected on the day's events. The system's missions often forced him into uncomfortable situations, but they also taught him valuable lessons.

From the vendor's wisdom about cracking shells to the humbling experience of asking Xuan Ming for help, Jiang Han was learning that strength didn't always come from standing tall. Sometimes, it came from knowing when to bend.

"Pride is important," he thought, "but so is adaptability. Being strong means knowing when to ask, when to listen, and when to act."

He glanced at the sky, the fading sunlight painting the horizon in hues of orange and gold. For the first time in years, he felt a sense of purpose—a belief that he was on the right path.

Back at home, Jiang Han opened his textbooks, determined to build on what he had learned. The Analytical Thinking Skill had given him a new edge, and he intended to make full use of it.

As he worked, the system's missions lingered in his mind. They were challenging, even frustrating at times, but they were shaping him into someone stronger, more capable.

"This is just the beginning," Jiang Han thought, his determination burning brighter than ever.

With each challenge he faced, he wasn't just becoming smarter—he was becoming wiser.