| September 28, 2023 - 3:40 PM
Lin stepped out of the local supermarket, balancing a bag of groceries in one arm while unlocking her truck with the other.
The afternoon sun was warm against her back, the parking lot half-full with townsfolk going about their usual routines. Nothing unusual. Nothing out of place.
Her phone buzzed.
Lin glanced at the screen.
Lily Chen.
She smirked, already knowing exactly where this was going.
With an amused sigh, she answered. "Alright, go ahead. Ask."
| Call Connected – 3:41 PM
"Where the hell were you today?!" Lily's voice came through, half annoyed, half curious. "I dropped by your desk, and it was empty. You didn't quit, did you?"
Lin chuckled softly. "Relax. I just went remote."
Lily gasped dramatically. "You what?!"
"Yup. Zhao's in Japan for two weeks. I figured now was the perfect time to… disappear."
Lily groaned. "Ugh, you're so lucky. I wish I could work remotely."
Lin's voice turned sly. "Then ask."
Lily scoffed. "Ask? They'll never let me—"
"Lily," Lin interrupted, tone calm but firm. "You're good at your job. Ask. Worst they can say is no. Best case? You get to work from home and avoid office drama."
Lily was silent for a moment. "...You really think they'd let me?"
Lin smirked. "They let me, didn't they?"
| September 28, 2023 - 3:55 PM
Lily sighed. "Fine. I'll ask. But if they say no, I'm blaming you."
Lin grinned. "Deal."
"Also," Lily added with a huff, "you owe me coffee for abandoning me."
Lin laughed. "Done. See you when I see you."
| Call Ended – 3:59 PM
Lin slid her phone back into her pocket, her smile lingering.
One more person nudged in the right direction.
| September 28, 2023 - 4:00 PM
Lin parked her truck near the old hotel, stepping out just as a black pickup pulled onto the property.
The contractor, Ethan Grant, climbed out, wiping his hands on his jeans. Mid-forties, broad-shouldered, the kind of guy who had seen it all and didn't waste time on nonsense.
"Lin Zhang?" he asked, giving her a once-over.
Lin nodded. "That's me. You got my plans?"
Ethan smirked, pulling a rolled blueprint from his truck. "Got 'em. Ambitious project you got here."
Lin crossed her arms. "I don't do small plans."
Ethan chuckled. "Good. Let's walk the site."
| September 28, 2023 - 4:15 PM
They started at the old hotel.
New plumbing, electrical, and a bit of roof work.
Interior overhaul—updated rooms, dining areas, event space.
Outdoor paths and fencing for the glamping area.
Ethan ran a hand over the weathered wood. "Hotel's solid. Good Bones."
| September 28, 2023 - 4:45 PM
Ethan unrolled the blueprints over the hood of Lin's truck, pressing a calloused hand to the corner to keep the wind from catching it. His sharp, experienced gaze moved over the layout, his brow furrowing in concentration.
"Alright, let's go through this." He tapped a spot with his pen. "You want the retaining walls here to separate the glamping site from the farm. You thinking concrete, stone, or something that blends into the landscape?"
Lin crossed her arms, considering. "Natural stone where it's visible, concrete where it's not. I want it to look good, but function comes first."
Ethan nodded approvingly. "Good call. Natural stone'll keep it from looking like a prison wall. We'll reinforce the concrete sections with steel rebar to handle erosion."
He shifted his focus, tapping another section. "Now, this new entrance road—gravel, asphalt, or dirt? Dirt's cheaper, but you'll be fighting maintenance. Gravel's mid-range, needs occasional refills. Asphalt's the cleanest look, but expensive."
Lin smirked. "Asphalt for the main drive, gravel for secondary paths. First impressions matter."
Ethan let out a small chuckle. "You don't half-ass anything, do you?"
"No hesitation. No second chances." Lin's tone was casual, but her words were firm.
Ethan moved on, tapping the fencing section with the end of his pen. "You want security, yeah? What're we talking—wood, metal, chain-link? If you're keeping livestock, you'll need something reinforced to handle predators."
Lin didn't even hesitate. "Eight-foot perimeter fencing around the farm. Steel mesh reinforced with horizontal bars. Glamping side gets wooden privacy fencing, tall enough to keep nosy guests from wandering."
Ethan chuckled but didn't push. "Alright. Timeline?"
"Walls and fencing go up first. Non-negotiable. Then we move to the hotel." Lin glanced toward the weathered building in the distance. "I want this place operational before winter."
Ethan rubbed his chin, thinking. "Ambitious, but do-able. I'll bring my crew out tomorrow. We'll start with the foundation for the walls and fence posts. Should have it wrap up in three weeks, weather permitting."
Lin extended a hand. "Good. You got yourself a deal."
Ethan took it, his grip firm, solid—like a man who didn't give half-promises.
"Alright, Lin Zhang. Let's build you an empire."
| September 28, 2023 - 4:57 PM
Lin had just finished walking the site with Ethan when her phone buzzed.
She glanced at the screen.
Lucas Fang.
Lin smirked, answering as she leaned against her truck.
| Call Connected – 5:01 PM
"Did you just go fully remote?" Lucas's voice came through, suspicious and amused.
Lin took a slow sip of water. "Yup."
Lucas let out a low chuckle. "Are you coming back?"
Lin grinned. "Nope."
A pause.
Then—Lucas laughed. "Damn. You really pulled it off."
Lin stretched lazily, watching the wind roll over her land. "Zhao left for Japan this morning. By the time he notices I'm gone? It'll be too late to do anything about it."
Lucas whistled. "So what now? You running some secret empire?"
Lin smirked. "Something like that."
Lucas exhaled, voice softer now. "You sure you don't need help out there?"
Lin tapped her fingers against her truck. "I'll let you know when I do."
Lucas was quiet for a second, then said, "You should come over for the holidays."
Lin blinked. "I was just about to tell you the same thing."
She could hear his smile in his voice. "Oh yeah?"
"Just arrive December 22. But if you want to come earlier, we're doing a small Halloween opening event."
Lucas scoffed. "You're throwing a party now?"
"Soft opening," Lin corrected. "A test run for the glamping side. Families, kids, Jake will love it."
Lucas huffed a quiet laugh. "You're really selling this."
Lin grinned. "Because I know you'll show up."
A pause.
Then—Lucas exhaled. "…Yeah. I probably will."
Lin's smirk widened.
| September 28, 2023 - 6:00 PM
The sun was beginning to set as Lin pushed open the creaky front doors of the old hotel. The soft glow of the evening filtered through dusty windows, stretching shadows across the worn lobby floor.
Lin took a deep breath. The place smelled like old wood, forgotten history, and potential.
"Alright, let's see what we're working with."
| September 28, 2023 - 6:10 PM
She made her way up the grand staircase, her footsteps muffled by faded carpet.
The second floor held rows of rooms, some doors hanging slightly open, revealing glimpses of peeling wallpaper and long-abandoned furniture.
But Lin wasn't looking for just any room.
"If I'm going to survive the end of the world, I'm doing it in style."
| September 28, 2023 - 6:20 PM
Finally, she reached the top floor—the honeymoon suite.
The moment she pushed open the double doors, Lin's eyes lit up.
✔ Spacious layout with floor-to-ceiling windows offering a panoramic view of the countryside.
✔ A large, elegant bed with a carved wooden frame—dusty but easily restored.
✔ A private balcony, perfect for late-night planning or early-morning coffee.
✔ An en-suite bathroom with a massive soaking tub and double sinks.
Lin stepped inside, running her fingers over the ornate wooden dresser. Solid. Strong. A little care, and it would last forever.
"Yeah… this is it."
| September 28, 2023 - 6:30 PM
She pushed open the balcony doors, stepping outside as a cool breeze swept through the valley below.
From here, she could see everything—the farm, the open land, the soon-to-be glamping site.
This was her empire.
Her retirement plan.
Her future.
| September 28, 2023 - 6:45 PM
Lin stood on the balcony of the honeymoon suite. The cool evening air brushing against her skin. It was beautiful. Untouched. Quiet.
For now.
She could already see the future laid out before her, clear as the stars that would soon scatter across the sky. The fortified farm, the thriving glamping business, the security measures woven so seamlessly into the land that no one would notice—until it was too late.
By the time the world realized what was happening, she'd be untouchable.
Her fingers tapped absently against the railing as her mind ran through the details. Water filtration, food stores, energy independence. The outer fences, the panic rooms, the underground storage.
It wouldn't just be a sanctuary.
It would be a fortress.
Her insurance policy.
Her last line of defense.
Because Lin had lived through the end of the world once before.
And this time, she wasn't just surviving.
She was winning.
She exhaled slowly, letting the moment settle.
Then, with a small, private smirk, she murmured—
"Honeymoon suite for one? Fine by me."
She turned, stepping back inside, already picturing the space transformed. Dust replaced with warmth. Broken furniture restored. Windows reinforced.
The top floor, the best view, the most space—this was hers.
And from here, she would watch the world fall apart.