| September 30, 2023 – 8:45 AM
Lin pulled into the clinic parking lot, her truck loaded down with boxes from the apartment. The morning air was cool and crisp, the streets still quiet—the calm before the storm.
Beside her, Helen sat in the passenger seat, arms crossed, expression unreadable.
Lin smirked. "Last chance to back out."
Helen snorted."You think I'm scared of running my own clinic?"
Lin chuckled, throwing the truck into park. "No, but I figured I'd offer. Just in case you wanted to go back to that retirement plan Maggie suggested."
Helen shot her a look. "Drive this truck into a ditch."
Lin laughed, hopping out. As she did, a car pulled up beside them—a sleek black sedan, the kind old money types liked to drive.
The Reeds.
An older couple stepped out—Marian Reed, the woman Lin had spoken to, and her husband, Franklin. They looked exactly as she expected.Well-dressed, polite, and just smug enough to think they'd gotten the better deal.
Marian adjusted the pearls around her neck, scanning Lin and Helen with a thin-lipped smile.
"You're punctual."
Lin flashed her most professional, harmless smile."I like efficiency."
Franklin chuckled, but his sharp eyes were already scanning for something—doubt, hesitation, anything he could use to renegotiate.
Too bad for him.
Lin walked up, hands in her pockets. "Movers will be here any minute. Let's settle this."
Marian tilted her head, watching her carefully."You brought cash, as promised?"
Lin pulled an envelope from her jacket, thick and filled with crisp bills. She handed it over without hesitation.
Marian opened it, counting—and that was when Lin saw it.
That tiny flicker of disbelief.
The realization that she had just been handed a pile of money, in full, without a single argument.
Franklin's lips pressed into a firm line, his expression briefly faltering. They had been expecting delays, excuses, maybe a last-minute plea to lower the price.
Instead, they got Lin Zhang—who played to win.
| September 30, 2023 – 8:50 AM
Marian cleared her throat, slipping the cash into her purse like it was something dirty."Well. A deal's a deal."
Lin just smiled, watching as the reality of the situation settled in for the Reeds. They had expected this to be difficult. A negotiation, a headache. Instead, Lin had walked in, paid in full, and now? The clinic—and everything inside—belonged to her.
Behind them, the moving trucks rumbled to a stop. The lead driver, a broad-shouldered man in a company hoodie, climbed out, glancing around.
Lin waved him over."Clinic's shutting down. We're clearing everything. Priorities are the big equipment—exam tables, cold storage units, pharmacy shelving. Everything that's heavy and expensive goes on first."
The driver nodded, motioning to his crew. "Alright, let's move."
The movers got to work, hauling out medical beds, diagnostic machines, and supply cabinets. The sound of cart wheels rolling, metal clanking, and voices coordinating filled the air.
Lin stepped aside, letting them work, before turning her attention back to the Reeds.
"I assume this is everything."
Marian gave a tight smile."Everything we listed in the sale, yes."
Lin tilted her head, studying her. "And what about the things you didn't list?"
Marian's smile froze, just for a second. Franklin shifted slightly.
Lin smirked. "A place like this doesn't run without backups. Extra inventory, supplies tucked away, maybe some older equipment you didn't think was worth selling."
Marian adjusted the strap of her purse, her expression unreadable."Anything we didn't list is—"
"Still in storage." Lin finished for her.
Helen hid a smile behind her coffee.
Franklin sighed."There's a basement storage unit. Some older models of diagnostic machines, a few exam chairs. Nothing cutting-edge, but…" He trailed off.
Lin raised an eyebrow. "And you were just going to leave it behind?"
Marian pursed her lips. "It would have cost more to move than it was worth."
Lin smiled. "Then I'll take it off your hands."
Franklin hesitated. "And what are you offering?"
Lin shrugged. "You're already paid. I'll clear it out for free."
Marian's expression twitched. She knew Lin was getting the better end of the deal, but at this point? She just wanted to be done.
She exhaled sharply. "Fine. But you handle it today."
Lin extended a hand. "Of course."
Marian shook it, expression tight, but accepting.
Lin turned back toward the clinic, calling over the movers. "We've got more inventory in the basement. Let's make this count."
Behind her, Helen chuckled into her coffee."You really don't let up, do you?"
Lin smirked.
| September 30, 2023 – 9:15 AM
Lin stepped outside, rolling her shoulders as the movers continued loading equipment onto the trucks. The morning sun was rising higher, casting long shadows across the parking lot.
She pulled out her phone and dialed. It barely rang twice before Richard picked up.
"You got something for me already?" he asked, sounding half amused, half resigned.
Lin smirked, watching as a massive exam table was wheeled onto the truck. "Yeah. More than expected."
Richard grunted."How much more?"
Lin glanced back at the building. "Original deal was for the main equipment. But I convinced them to throw in everything from basement storage—old diagnostic machines, extra exam chairs, probably some things I haven't even seen yet."
Richard let out a low whistle."Damn. And how much did that cost you?"
"Nothing."
A pause.
Then—a sharp laugh."Oh, I raised you right."
Lin smirked. "Glad you approve. Now, where do you want the shipment?"
Richard hummed, thinking. "The shed's got space, but if we're talking multiple truckloads, we need to split it. Some can go in the old horse stable. I'll clear it out before you get back."
Lin nodded. "Good. The movers are fast, so expect the first truck around one."
Richard grunted in approval."I'll be ready. Anything else?"
Lin glanced at the Reeds, who were still lingering near their car, watching the clinic be stripped down piece by piece.
She smirked. "Nope. Just sit tight and make space. This is gonna be a hell of a haul."
Richard chuckled. "Noted. Drive safe."
Lin ended the call, slipping her phone back into her pocket. She turned toward the movers, voice steady, commanding.
"Keep it moving. We've got a farm to fill."
| September 30, 2023 – 3:00 PM
Lin stood at the entrance of the newly set-up clinic, phone in hand, framing the perfect shot.
The photo captured everything—exam tables neatly lined up, shelves stocked, diagnostic machines set against the wall, the entire space looking polished and professional. With the afternoon sun casting a soft glow through the windows, it almost looked like it had always been here.
Perfect.
Lin tapped a few buttons, adding a crisp, no-nonsense caption before posting it to her business listing.
Zhang Veterinary Clinic – Now Open in Maep's. Accepting appointments starting next week. Farm & livestock care available.
She sent it out everywhere—business directories, local town forums, and even a few professional vet networks.
Less than two minutes later, her phone buzzed.
Incoming Call: Whitmore Stables
Lin raised an eyebrow, holding the screen up toward Helen. "Guess what? You're officially in business."
Helen frowned, drying her hands on a rag. "Already?"
Lin smirked. "Want me to answer?"
Helen rolled her eyes. "Obviously."
Lin swiped to accept. "Zhang Veterinary Clinic."
A frazzled-sounding woman's voice came through. "Oh, thank god! We need help—our mare's foaling, and something's wrong. Can you come out?"
Lin's eyes flicked to Helen, who was already pulling off her jacket.
Helen didn't hesitate. "Get the address."
Lin grabbed a notepad from the counter. "Where are you located?"
"Whitmore Stables—just ten miles out, past the old railway tracks. We can't get her up, and the foal isn't positioned right!"
Helen was already moving, grabbing her med bag. "Tell them we'll be there in twenty."
Lin nodded. "Stay with her. We're on our way." She hung up, turning toward Richard. "Keys. We're taking the truck."
Richard tossed them over. "Drive fast, but not stupid."
Lin grinned. "I make no promises."
Helen sighed, hopping into the passenger seat. "Lin, drive safely."
Lin threw the truck into gear, the tires kicking up dust as they sped down the driveway.
| September 30, 2023 – 3:25 PM
Lin sped down the country road, gravel kicking up behind them as the truck tore past fields and scattered farmhouses. The old railway tracks came into view just ahead—exactly where the Whitmore woman had said they'd be.
Helen was already double-checking her medical bag, murmuring to herself.
"IV fluids… forceps… foaling chains… dammit, I should've packed more sedatives."
Lin kept one hand on the wheel, the other adjusting the GPS. "You're not even open for a full hour, and we already have an emergency call. Good sign?"
Helen huffed. "It's a test."
Lin smirked. "Good. I like passing tests."
Helen shot her a look. "If this goes badly, I'm making you do the paperwork."
Lin chuckled. "Noted. But let's try keeping the horse alive first."
As they crested a hill, a large white stable came into view. A dirt driveway led straight up to a sprawling ranch, where a tall man in his 50s, sun-worn face lined with stress, was already waving them down.
Lin pulled up hard, barely putting the truck in park before Helen was out the door.
The man rushed toward them. "Dr. Zhang? I'm Daniel Whitmore. She's in the back—won't stand, foal's stuck, and we're losing her."
Helen's pace didn't falter. "Show me."
Lin followed, already scanning the property. Big operation. High-quality fencing, well-maintained facilities. These weren't amateurs.
Which meant—if they were calling in a stranger for help, it was serious.
They reached the stall, where a bay mare lay heaving on the ground, her sides slick with sweat. A younger woman—Sarah Whitmore, most likely—was kneeling beside her, stroking her neck, murmuring softly.
She looked up, eyes frantic. "She's been like this for over an hour. The foal isn't moving!"
Helen dropped to her knees, already assessing.
"Lin, get the portable ultrasound."
Lin rushed back to the truck.
Helen rolled up her sleeves. "Alright, let's get to work."
| September 30, 2023 – 3:40 PM
Helen worked fast.
The mare's breathing was labored, her body slick with sweat, eyes rolling with distress. The foal was stuck—bad positioning. A death sentence if not corrected quickly.
"Lin, keep her head steady," Helen ordered as she pulled on a glove and went in.
Lin knelt by the mare's head, firm but calm, whispering reassurances as she held her down. Daniel and Sarah hovered, their faces tight with worry.
Helen's brows furrowed as she worked, her hands moving deep, precise. "Foal's twisted. Give me a moment."
Lin knew "a moment" meant Helen was about to do something difficult.
The mare let out a sharp, painful cry, her body tensing—then Helen shifted, gripping something with both hands.
A long, unbearable silence.
Then—Helen exhaled sharply.
"Got it. Push when I say."
Daniel and Sarah moved instantly, bracing against the mare as Helen adjusted again, hands working with expert efficiency.
Helen gave one last strong pull—and suddenly, there it was.
A small, slick foal slid free, collapsing into the straw, its tiny chest rising and falling in shallow, uncertain breaths.
For a second, nobody moved.
Then—the foal let out a sharp, wet cough and a tiny, gasping whinny.
Alive.
Sarah let out a half-sob, half-laugh, dropping to her knees. Daniel pressed a hand to his forehead, his entire body sagging with relief.
Helen sat back, exhaling, wiping sweat from her brow. "She'll need time, but they're both stable."
Lin patted the mare's neck, watching as she nosed weakly toward her newborn.
Daniel turned to Helen, pure gratitude in his eyes. "You saved them both."
Helen stood, brushing straw off her knees. "That's my job."
Daniel pulled out his wallet on the spot, flipping through bills with slightly trembling hands. "What do we owe you?"
Helen started to wave him off, but Lin, ever the businesswoman, stepped in smoothly. "For an emergency foaling with complications? Three hundred, plus supplies."
Daniel nodded instantly, peeling off cash and handing it over without hesitation.
Helen gave Lin a look. Lin just smirked, slipping the money into her pocket.
Sarah ran a hand over the foal's damp coat, still beaming. "I can't believe we almost lost them."
Helen watched the foal wiggle closer to its mother, a rare softness in her expression. "Well, you didn't."
Lin glanced at her mom, standing tall in her element, confident, capable.
The first call. The first patient. The first paycheck.
The clinic was officially open. And this was the beginning of their life in the country.