| October 2, 2023 – 12:30 PM
Lin had just stepped outside, rolling her stiff shoulders after spending all morning underground, when her phone buzzed.
Lilly Chen.
Lin smirked, answering. "Let me guess—you finally met a guy who can keep up with you?"
Lilly huffed dramatically."Please. More important question—are you dating Lucas Fang?"
Lin froze mid-step."Excuse me?"
Lilly lowered her voice to a scandalous whisper."Lin. He's the most interesting single guy in the entire office. And suddenly, you're his mystery girlfriend? Do you know how many people are devastated?"
Lin sighed, rubbing her temple."First of all, Lucas and I are not dating. Second, why does everyone at Zhao Corp care?"
Lilly scoffed. "Because he's hot, mysterious, and has that whole 'former bodyguard with a tragic past' thing going on. And now? He's unavailable. Tragic."
Lin pinched the bridge of her nose."Lilly. He's fake dating me to get Vivian Zhao off his back."
Lilly gasped."Oh my god. That's even worse. The office pool is going to riot."
Lin groaned. "Why is there a betting pool?"
"Because people need entertainment," Lilly said simply. "But fine, I'll let them suffer. Anyway, I actually called to update you—people are quitting."
Lin's casual smirk vanished."Who?"
"A lot of mid-level execs. Some of our long-term clients are pulling contracts too. No warning. No formal statements. Just… gone."
Lin's stomach twisted. That wasn't right.
That didn't happen last time.
"How fast is this happening?" she asked.
Lilly clicked her tongue. "Past two weeks? We lost five high-profile clients. Zhao's pretending it's fine, but we both know that's a lie."
Lin stared out at the farm, mind racing.
In her last life, Zhao Corp held steady right until the world ended. The real crash didn't start until after the outbreak.
But now? It was already beginning.
Something changed.
Someone changed something.
Lilly's voice pulled her back. "Anyway, speaking of life-changing news—Mom just asked me to go on a six-month cruise around the world with her."
Lin blinked. "And?"
"And? Lin, six months. No stress, no work, just luxury and unlimited food. I might say yes."
Lin leaned against the porch railing, processing. In the original timeline, Lilly never took a long trip. She stayed in the city. She died there.
Lin's grip on the phone tightened.
This was her chance to get Lilly out before everything went to hell.
She exhaled slowly. "Then go."
Lilly laughed. "You sound suspiciously supportive."
Lin smirked, voice smooth. "I just think it's an investment."
Lilly groaned."I hate you. But fine, I'll think about it."
Lin watched the horizon, mind already shifting gears.
People were disappearing.
And it wasn't a coincidence.
| October 2, 2023 – 1:00 PM
Lin had just hung up with Lilly, mind still tangled in the news about Zhao Corp, when Richard walked up, wiping his hands with an old rag.
"You free for a drive?" he asked casually.
Lin raised an eyebrow. "Depends. What are we picking up?"
Richard smirked. "A secondhand tow truck. Three towns over. Decent condition, good price."
Lin paused, considering.A tow truck?
"Dad, are you trying to expand the business already?"
Richard chuckled."I'm trying to be practical. We're setting up an auto shop, and out here? A tow truck's a necessity. Closest tow service is an hour away. You think people are gonna wait that long if they break down?"
Lin exhaled, nodding slowly."Alright, fair point. How's the engine?"
"Good shape. Tires need replacing, but that's cheap. Got a hydraulic winch, steel flatbed. Older model, but reliable."
Lin smirked. "And the price?"
Richard grinned. "Let's just say it's an investment."
Lin rolled her eyes."I swear to god, this family's going to turn that into a motto."
Richard tossed her the truck keys. "Come on, Zhang. Let's go buy a tow truck."
Lin caught the keys with one hand, smirking as she followed him toward the truck.
One more piece of the plan falling into place.
| October 2, 2023 – 4:30 PM | Three Towns Over
The small lot smelled like oil, rust, and bad decisions. Old trucks, scrapped cars, and half-gutted vehicles were scattered across the property, some looking salvageable, most looking like they'd never see a road again.
Lin adjusted her sunglasses, scanning the lineup with a practiced eye.
Richard was already chatting with the lot owner—a wiry man in his fifties with grease-stained hands and the kind of look that said he had seen and done a lot of deals.
The tow truck sat in the center of the lot, exactly as advertised. Older model, sturdy build, a few dents, but nothing that couldn't be fixed.
Lin circled it slowly, knocking on the frame."Engine's good?"
The lot owner, Greg, wiped his hands on a rag."Starts on the first try. Needs new tires, but the hydraulics are solid."
Richard nodded. "Checked it myself earlier. It's a good truck."
Lin hummed, pretending to think."And the price?"
Greg grinned, smelling a sale."$19,000, cash."
Lin didn't blink. "Fifteen."
Greg let out a short laugh."Lady, I'm already giving you a deal."
Lin smirked."And I appreciate that. But that winch has wear, the tires need replacing, and that driver-side door's got a dent. Fifteen."
Greg squinted at her, then at Richard."She always like this?"
Richard just grinned."You should see her negotiate land deals."
Greg chuckled. "Alright, sixteen-five. That's as low as I'm going."
Lin tilted her head, about to counter, when something caught her eye.
A car.
Not just any car—a vintage 1969 Chevy C10, tucked behind a stack of junkers like it was waiting for someone who knew what they were looking at.
Lin pointed. "That part of inventory?"
Greg glanced back. "The Chevy? Eh, yeah. Been sitting for a while. Needs work."
Lin walked over, running a hand over the faded blue paint. The body was solid, interior a mess, but the potential was there.
Richard walked up beside her, whistling low."You don't see these every day."
Lin smirked. "How much for the bundle?"
Greg blinked. "Wait—you want both?"
Lin tapped the truck's hood."Seventeen for both."
Greg laughed outright."Lady, I like you, but no way."
Lin shrugged. "That Chevy's been sitting for years. You and I both know no one's coming out here to buy it at full price. Seventeen, cash, today. You clear space, I take two problems off your hands."
Greg crossed his arms, squinting."Eighteen-five."
Lin smiled. "Eighteen."
A beat.
Then—Greg sighed, wiping a hand down his face. "Done. But only 'cause I like your attitude."
Lin extended a hand. "Pleasure doing business."
Greg shook it, still shaking his head."Damn. You're dangerous."
Richard just laughed."Yeah, she is."
Lin grinned, tossing her dad the truck keys."Hope you're ready to drive. I'm taking the Chevy."
Richard grinned back."Wouldn't have it any other way."