– A Vehicle Built to Last

| September 25, 2023 - 8:15 AM

Lin wasn't going to rely on city cars when the world collapsed.

She needed something practical. Durable. Easy to maintain.

So, after a quick breakfast, she grabbed her keys and drove to a used car lot on the outskirts of town.

| September 25, 2023 - 8:40 AM

The place wasn't flashy. No brand-new sports cars, no glossy advertisements. Just a gravel lot, rows of trucks, and a greasy-looking man in a flannel shirt leaning against the office door, sipping coffee.

Lin stepped out of her car, scanning the lot.

The salesman—Eddie, according to his name tag—pushed off the wall and strolled over.

"Morning, miss. Looking for something special?"

"Diesel pickup. Used. Manual transmission. No fancy tech, just reliable."

Eddie raised a brow, clearly not expecting that from her.

"Got a few," he said, rubbing his chin. "How heavy-duty you want?"

Lin smirked. "I plan on hauling a lot."

Eddie nodded like that made sense and motioned her forward. "Follow me."

| September 25, 2023 - 9:15 AM

Lin ran her hand over the faded green exterior of a 2005 Ford F-250 Super Duty.

Turbo diesel engine. Reliable, long-lasting.

Manual transmission. Less electronics to fail.

High towing capacity. Could haul supplies, maybe even a trailer.

Four-wheel drive. Perfect for rough terrain.

It had some wear and tear, but nothing she and her father couldn't fix.

"How much?" Lin asked.

Eddie leaned against the hood, smirking. "She's a beast, but she ain't cheap. $14,000."

Lin folded her arms. "She's also old. $10,000."

Eddie chuckled. "You don't mess around, huh?"

"I don't like wasting time."

He rubbed the back of his neck, considering. "…$12,000, final offer."

Lin pretended to think, then nodded. "Deal."

| September 25, 2023 - 09:40 AM

She signed the paperwork, transferred the money, and took the keys.

As she climbed into the driver's seat and turned the ignition, the deep rumble of the diesel engine filled the cab.

She grinned.

This truck was going to outlive civilization.

| September 25, 2023 - 10:05 AM

Lin strolled into Zhang & Zhao Enterprises an hour and five minues late.

She could already feel the stares. Employees who usually ignored her now glanced up, whispering.

Lin never came in late in her seven years of working here.

Not once.

She didn't rush. Didn't apologize. Just walked through the office like she owned the damn place, her heels clicking against the polished floors.

| September 25, 2023 - 11:00 AM

She reached her desk, calmly set down her bag, and opened her laptop.

Her inbox was flooded with emails from William Zhao, but she ignored them—he could wait.

She had already won.

Instead, she clicked on the HR email from last night, rereading it.

Her remote position was practically confirmed. The only thing left was for Zhao to sign off.

And if today went how she expected?

He'd have no choice.

| September 25, 2023 - 11:05 AM

"You're late."

Lin looked up from her desk.

William Zhao stood in front of her desk, arms crossed, expression unreadable.

The usual pressure of his presence—the kind that made most employees nervous—didn't affect her in the slightest.

Lin closed her laptop slowly and leaned back.

"I am."

Zhao's eyes narrowed. "You never come in late."

Lin smiled slightly. "I don't plan on coming in at all soon."

Zhao's jaw tightened. "The remote request."

"Exactly."

He exhaled sharply, studying her. Looking to see a reaction. He wasn't getting one.

"You really think I'm going to approve it that easily?"

Lin tilted her head. "I think you already know I do my job better than anyone else. And I think you care more about results than micromanaging."

A beat of silence.

Then—Zhao smirked.

"Fine."

Lin raised an eyebrow. "That's it?"

"You'll still be on call," Zhao warned. "If anything falls through, I expect immediate answers."

Lin shrugged. "Wouldn't expect anything less."

Zhao shook his head, muttering something under his breath before walking away.

| September 25, 2023 - 11:10 AM

Lin opened her laptop, fingers drumming lightly against the keyboard as she refreshed her inbox.

A new email popped up.

Subject: Remote Work Status Update

Her eyes scanned the message quickly.

Your request for remote status has been officially approved. Effective immediately.

Lin let out a slow breath, leaning back in her chair. It was done.

No more grueling commutes. No more wasting hours in an office solving other people's problems while her own life slipped through her fingers.

She was free.

| September 25, 2023 - 12:30 PM

"You did what?"

Lilly nearly choked on her bubble tea, eyes wide as she stared at Lin from across the café table.

Lin smirked, stirring her iced coffee. "You heard me. I'm fully remote now."

Lilly slapped a hand against the table. "Babe. That's HUGE. Why didn't you tell me you were even thinking about it?"

Lin exhaled, gaze flicking to the window. Outside, people bustled along the busy streets, rushing through their lunch breaks before heading back to jobs that drained the life out of them.

"Because I wasn't sure I had the guts to do it."

Lilly tilted her head. "What changed?"

Lin's fingers tightened around her cup. "I got tired, Lilly. Tired of waking up exhausted. Tired of working until nine, eating dinner at ten, going to bed at midnight, and doing it all over again." She shook her head. "I felt like I was living just to work. I don't want that anymore so I march right up the HR Manager."

Lilly's expression softened. "Yeah, I get that." She leaned forward, resting her chin in her palm. "So what's next? Are you gonna, like, become a full-time farm girl now?"

Lin snorted. "Not quite. But… I'm making changes. Real ones."

Lilly grinned. "Well, you better not disappear into the woods and start talking to chickens all day, 'cause I will come find you."

Lin laughed, shaking her head. "Deal."

For the first time in years, she felt in control.