Chapter 7: The Art of Turning the Tide
The morning sunlight filtered through the classroom windows as Jiang Han settled into his seat. The past few days had been transformative, but they were far from easy. Each system mission forced him to confront his pride and step outside his comfort zone.
Yet, the lessons weren't just about humility or learning new skills. Jiang Han had begun to realise something deeper: life wasn't always about brute strength or raw talent. Sometimes, survival depended on how well you adapted, and how you turned weaknesses into strengths.
He opened his notebook, his mind already focused on the day's lessons. But as he scanned the page, the familiar chime of the Begging System interrupted his thoughts.
[System Alert! Situational Mission Triggered.]
Mission: Borrow Wang Jia Qi's presentation materials for the upcoming class project.]
Failure to comply will result in a deduction of -50 system points.]
Reward: Presentation Skill (Intermediate Level).]
Jiang Han sighed inwardly. He glanced over at Wang Jia Qi, who was sitting a few rows ahead. Her table was neatly organised, and her project materials were stacked carefully. Asking to borrow them was going to be tricky.
During the break, Jiang Han approached Jia Qi's desk. She looked up, her usual cheerful expression replaced by a look of curiosity.
"Hey, Jiang Han," she said. "What's up?"
"Hi, Jia Qi," he began, keeping his tone even. "I was wondering… could I borrow your presentation materials for the class project?"
Jia Qi tilted her head, her eyebrows furrowing slightly. "Borrow them? Why? Don't you have your own?"
Jiang Han hesitated, choosing his words carefully. "I do, but yours are better. I need a bit of guidance, and I thought reviewing yours might help me improve my own."
Jia Qi studied him for a moment, her eyes searching his face for sincerity. "I don't know… I've worked really hard on these. What if something happens to them?"
[Reminder: Sincerity and humility are key. Show her your genuine need.]
Jiang Han nodded, his expression softening. "You're right. I know how much effort you've put into them, and I promise to take great care of your work. I'll only use them to learn, not to copy. Please, Jia Qi—I could really use your help."
She blinked, clearly surprised by his honesty. After a moment of thought, she smiled and handed over the materials.
"Alright," she said. "But don't mess them up!"
"I won't," Jiang Han promised. "Thank you."
[Mission Complete! Reward Unlocked: Presentation Skill (Intermediate Level).]
That afternoon, the teacher announced that each group would begin presenting their projects the following week. Jiang Han's group, which included Derek Lim and Sheng Hui Qi, looked towards him expectantly.
"You'll present, right?" Derek asked, grinning. "You're the brainiac now."
Jiang Han nodded. He wasn't afraid of speaking in front of others anymore. The system's reward had given him an edge, making him more confident and articulate.
"Fine," he said. "I'll handle the main presentation. But everyone needs to contribute something."
Over the next few days, Jiang Han poured himself into preparing. With Jia Qi's materials as a guide and the system's enhancement sharpening his skills, he crafted a presentation that was both thorough and engaging.
When the day of the presentations arrived, the classroom was buzzing with excitement. Each group took turns presenting, their nervous energy palpable.
Finally, it was Jiang Han's group's turn. As he stood at the front of the room, he could feel the weight of his classmates' stares.
"Alright," he began, his voice steady. "Let's get started."
Using concise points and clear visuals, Jiang Han led the class through the project's key aspects. His tone was confident, his explanations precise, and his ability to engage the audience was evident.
By the time he finished, the class erupted into applause. Even the teacher seemed impressed.
"Well done, Jiang Han," she said. "Your presentation was clear, professional, and engaging. Excellent work."
Derek and Hui Qi gave him grateful thumbs-ups, while Jia Qi flashed him a proud smile.
After the presentation, Jiang Han felt a wave of relief. But as he packed his bag to leave for lunch, he noticed a group of students gathered near the back of the classroom.
It was Ang Xuan Ming again, along with Derek and a few others. They were surrounding a younger student who looked visibly uncomfortable.
"You still owe me for last week," Xuan Ming said, his voice dripping with menace. "Where's the money?"
"I-I don't have it yet," the boy stammered, clutching his bag tightly.
Jiang Han frowned. He wasn't the type to involve himself in others' business, but something about the situation didn't sit right with him. He knew what it was like to feel powerless, and he couldn't ignore it.
"Xuan Ming," Jiang Han called out, his voice calm but firm. "Leave him alone."
The group turned, surprised to see Jiang Han standing there.
"What's it to you?" Xuan Ming sneered.
Jiang Han stepped closer, meeting Xuan Ming's glare with steady eyes. "He's just a kid. Bullying him won't solve anything."
Xuan Ming's smirk faltered, but he quickly recovered. "Stay out of this, Jiang Han. This has nothing to do with you."
[System Alert! Situational Mission Triggered.]
Mission: Resolve the conflict peacefully without escalating into a fight.]
Failure to comply will result in a deduction of -50 system points.]
Reward: Conflict Resolution Skill (Intermediate Level).]
Jiang Han felt a surge of determination. "You're right—it's none of my business. But if you want to settle your debts, there are better ways than intimidation. Let's talk this out."
Xuan Ming scoffed. "Talk? What's there to talk about?"
Jiang Han took a step closer, lowering his voice so only Xuan Ming could hear. "Think about your reputation. Do you really want to be known as the guy who bullies younger students? Or do you want to show strength through fairness?"
Xuan Ming hesitated, his expression conflicted.
After a tense moment, he finally stepped back. "Fine," he muttered. "But he still owes me."
The younger boy looked relieved, his shoulders relaxing.
[Mission Complete! Reward Unlocked: Conflict Resolution Skill (Intermediate Level).]
As the crowd dispersed, the younger student approached Jiang Han hesitantly.
"Thank you," he said quietly.
Jiang Han smiled. "Just be careful in the future. And if you need help, don't be afraid to ask."
The boy nodded and quickly walked away.
Jiang Han watched him leave, a sense of satisfaction settling over him. The system's rewards were useful, but moments like these reminded him of the bigger picture: strength wasn't just about personal achievement—it was about using that strength to help others.
That evening, as Jiang Han sat at his desk, he reflected on the day. From the presentation to standing up to Xuan Ming, each moment had taught him something valuable.
"Strength isn't about overpowering others," he thought. "It's about knowing when to stand firm, when to adapt, and when to lend a hand."
The system had forced him into many uncomfortable situations, but each one had left him better prepared for the challenges ahead.
He opened his notebook, jotting down his thoughts alongside his study notes.
"Success isn't just about winning battles," he wrote. "It's about learning from them, growing through them, and using what you've gained to make a difference."
With each passing day, Jiang Han felt more certain of his path. The road ahead wouldn't be easy, but he was ready to face it, one step at a time.
As the school day drew to a close, Jiang Han found himself lost in thought. The recent challenges, the victories, and even the humiliations demanded by the system had brought unexpected clarity to his life. He was learning not just about academic concepts, but about himself.
"Resilience isn't about brute strength," he thought. "It's about knowing when to bend without breaking."
The Begging System had become an unusual teacher. Forcing him to beg seemed cruel at first, but Jiang Han was beginning to understand its purpose. Each mission was designed to break down his ego and replace it with practical wisdom, forcing him to embrace humility without sacrificing self-respect.
As he gathered his belongings, a small crowd lingered in the classroom, chatting excitedly about the day's events. Jiang Han caught snippets of their conversation.
"Did you see Jiang Han during the quiz battle? He was so calm!"
"Yeah, but Jun Kai was all over the place. No wonder he lost."
The comments made Jiang Han chuckle softly. The attention wasn't something he sought, but he couldn't deny that it felt satisfying to prove himself.
While walking home, Jiang Han stopped by a small park, drawn by the sound of children laughing and playing. He sat on a wooden bench, watching as a group of kids played a game of football. Their carefree energy was infectious, and for a moment, Jiang Han let himself relax.
But as he watched, he noticed one boy sitting alone by the sidelines, his head lowered. The boy clutched a football tightly but didn't join the others.
Curious, Jiang Han approached. "Hey there," he said gently. "Why aren't you playing with the others?"
The boy looked up, startled. He couldn't have been more than ten years old, and his face was a mix of frustration and sadness. "They said I'm not good enough," the boy mumbled.
Jiang Han's heart twinged at the words. He knelt so he was at eye level with the boy. "You know, everyone starts somewhere," he said. "Even the best players were beginners once. Want to show me what you've got?"
The boy hesitated, then nodded. Jiang Han took the ball and stood a few steps away, tossing it lightly back to him.
"Let's start simple," Jiang Han said. "Try kicking it back to me."
The boy kicked the ball, and although it was clumsy, Jiang Han gave him an encouraging smile. "Good! Now, let's try again."
They spent the next few minutes practising, and Jiang Han gave the boy pointers, showing him how to angle his foot and control his strength. Slowly but surely, the boy's kicks improved.
"See?" Jiang Han said. "You're getting better already."
The boy's face lit up with a shy smile. "Thanks, big brother."
Jiang Han patted his shoulder. "Remember, it's not about being the best right away. It's about trying, learning, and never giving up."
As Jiang Han walked home that evening, he felt a renewed sense of purpose. The system might push him to grow, but moments like these reminded him that growth wasn't just for himself—it was something he could pass on to others.