| October 4, 2023 – 6:30 AM | Maep's Bakery & Café
The smell of fresh bread and coffee hit Lin the second she stepped inside the bakery. Behind the counter, Sophie Liu was already boxing up sandwiches, moving with the smooth efficiency of someone who had been up since dawn.
She looked up and smirked."Figured you'd be here early."
Lin yawned, rubbing her eyes."Didn't even sleep. Your sandwiches are the only thing keeping me from losing my mind."
Sophie chuckled, sliding the last tray into a large paper bag."Paid in full yesterday. All set."
Lin nodded, then turned toward the fridge in the corner, grabbing a few six-packs of soda, then pausing.
"You got beer?"
Sophie arched an eyebrow."Planning a party?"
Lin grinned."Planning to keep my crew from murdering each other on the last day."
Sophie laughed, shaking her head as she pointed to the back."Got a local brew. Strong, but not enough to get your guys too stupid to work."
Lin grabbed two cases."Perfect."
Sophie rang it all up, leaning on the counter."You know, you work fast. Half the town's still trying to figure out what exactly you're building out there."
Lin smirked."Let them wonder."
Sophie grinned."You're gonna fit in just fine here."
| October 4, 2023 – 7:15 AM | Lin's Farm
By the time Lin pulled up, the site was already alive with movement. Ethan's crew was everywhere—hauling materials, finishing the last structural work, moving like they had caffeine in their bloodstream instead of blood.
Lin hopped out of the truck, balancing the bags of sandwiches and drinks.
"Breakfast!" she called.
There was a moment of silence. Then—a stampede.
"Holy shit, she brought food again!"
"I take back every insult I ever said about her."
"Is that beer?"
Lin chuckled, handing the food over."Soda for now. Beer's for when you finish the damn job."
Ethan strolled up, already halfway through unwrapping a sandwich."I swear, Zhang, if you ever quit whatever empire you're running, you could have a real future in construction bribery."
Lin grinned."I'll keep that in mind."
Then—another truck pulled in, a sleek, professional-looking one.
Sophie Chan, the interior designer, stepped out, sunglasses perched on her nose, her four-person team unloading tools and materials behind her.
She smiled at Lin."Alright, boss. You got the outside done in record time—let's make the inside just as good."
Lin exhaled, watching as the final phase of the project truly kicked off.
Almost there.
| October 4, 2023 – 7:45 AM | Lin's Farm – Main House
Lin stood near the newly finished porch, sipping her coffee as Ethan and Sophia dove straight into shop talk.
"You reinforced the beams here?" Sophia asked, running a hand along one of the wooden supports.
Ethan nodded."Yeah. The originals were too far gone, so we replaced them with treated lumber. Structurally, it's solid. You can put whatever weight you want up there—chandeliers, heavy shelving, built-ins—it won't budge."
Sophia hummed, thoughtful."Good. Because I'm adding a full-length bookcase along that wall inside." She turned slightly. "Did you leave the wiring access open like I asked?"
Ethan grunted."Your fancy LED strip lighting is good to go. Ran the conduit through the walls instead of the ceiling—easier maintenance long-term."
Sophia nodded in approval."Alright. And the basement?"
Ethan smirked slightly, crossing his arms."Sealed off exactly how she wanted it. One small controlled access point, the rest closed in with concrete."
Sophia raised an eyebrow at Lin."Still hiding bodies down there?"
Lin sipped her coffee, deadpan."Wouldn't you like to know."
Ethan chuckled but turned back to Sophia."Alright, you're taking over inside. What's your plan?"
Sophia adjusted her sunglasses."We start with flooring—sand, refinish, stain. Then paint. Custom carpentry pieces come in last. But I need your guys to give me two uninterrupted days before I bring in furniture."
Ethan nodded."Fair. I'll have my crew finish the exterior details and stay out of your way inside."
Sophia glanced at Lin."You sure about this color palette?"
Lin grinned."I hired you for good taste, didn't I?"
Sophia smirked."Then trust me, Zhang. This place is going to look better than you imagined."
Ethan snorted."As long as she doesn't change her mind halfway through, we'll be fine."
Lin raised an eyebrow at him."Have I ever been indecisive?"
Ethan chuckled."No. You're just annoyingly precise."
Sophia grinned."Which is exactly why this is going to be perfect."
Lin leaned against the porch railing, watching the two of them continue discussing technical specs, installation schedules, and final finishings.
She had hired the right people.
This was going to be good.