Harem Investment System: Getting Money And Women-Chapter 165: It’s All About Adapting

The ground trembled beneath the relentless force of the drills, sending vibrations up Ethan’s legs as he watched the excavation continue.

There was something about watching them work that sent a chill down his spine, he couldn’t quite place it.

The dust in the air had thickened, turning the morning haze into something heavier, something that clung to the skin and settled in the throat.

The steady hum of machinery droned on, punctuated by the occasional shout from one of the workers as they coordinated the deepening of the site.

So far, so good.

The excavation was going well.

Ethan lifted his hoodie slightly over his nose, shielding himself from the worst of the dust as he stepped closer to where the foreman stood, overseeing the operation with sharp, experienced eyes.

The older man had his arms crossed, his thick boots planted firmly in the loose dirt, unaffected by the chaos unfolding around him.

Almost like he was superhuman or something.

Nearby, Riley stood with her notepad tucked under one arm, listening intently as one of the workers relayed something to the foreman.

She gave a short nod, then turned back toward the two men.

Before she could say anything, the foreman reached into his back pocket and pulled out a thick roll of bills, handing them off to her without looking.

"Go grab some refreshments for the crew," he ordered, barely missing a beat.

Riley blinked down at the money in her hands, then back up at him. "You just carry this much cash around?"

The foreman grunted. "I don’t like owing people favors."

Ethan smirked. "Efficient."

Riley sighed but didn’t argue.

"Alright, I’ll be back soon," she said, pocketing the money before turning on her heel and jogging off toward the nearest store where she could grab some supplies.

Ethan couldn’t blame the workers, they had to be completely hydrated to work.

Ethan watched her leave for a moment before stepping up beside the foreman.

The dust was getting worse, swirling around their feet as the workers pressed deeper into the ground, but neither of them moved.

"She’ll be fine on her own?" Ethan asked.

The foreman scoffed. "Kid could probably handle herself better than half my crew. She’s got a good head on her shoulders."

Ethan nodded, filing that away for later.

They stood in silence for a moment, watching as the excavation continued. The deeper they went, the more meticulous the process had to be.

Large rocks and debris were pulled aside, and every few minutes, the drilling would pause so the workers could inspect the progress.

It wasn’t just about digging — it was about making sure the foundation of this place was as solid as it needed to be. They didn’t need any rickety formation, they wanted a thick sturdy one, nobody wanted the top of the building capsizing on the underground.

The foreman exhaled, rubbing his chin. "It’s a hell of a job you’re trying to pull off here."

Ethan didn’t look away from the work being done. "You’ve done bigger projects."

"Yeah," the foreman admitted. "But not with someone breathing down my neck about getting it done fast."

Ethan turned slightly, raising an eyebrow. "You worried?"

The older man chuckled, shaking his head. "Not worried, just realistic. Nothing ever goes exactly as planned."

Ethan smirked. "I don’t believe in ’exactly as planned.’ I believe in adapting."

The foreman glanced at him, a hint of amusement in his gaze. "That so?"

Ethan shrugged. "That’s how things get done."

The foreman grunted in agreement. "Fair point."

Another round of drilling started up, shaking the ground beneath them once more. Ethan watched as the underground section started to take more shape, the edges becoming clearer.

It was going to be a long process, but for now, everything was moving as smoothly as he could have hoped.

He just had to make sure it stayed that way.

It wasn’t long before Riley returned, her arms loaded with plastic bags filled with bottled water, energy drinks, and a mix of snacks.

She had a determined look on her face as she marched across the dusty ground, kicking up small clouds of dirt with every step.

"Alright, everyone, break time!" she called out, setting the bags down near a shaded area.

The workers immediately started drifting toward her, wiping sweat from their brows as they reached for the drinks.

Some of them clapped her on the shoulder in thanks, while others simply cracked open their bottles and gulped down the cold liquid without hesitation.

The foreman grinned. "Damn, kid, you didn’t hold back."

"I had extra money," Riley said, pulling out a small wad of change and handing it back to him. "Figured I’d get enough to last a while."

Ethan stepped forward, grabbing a bottle of water from one of the bags. "Good call."

Riley gave him a pointed look. "And you should probably drink this instead of soda first thing in the morning."

Ethan smirked but twisted the cap open anyway, taking a sip.

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The cold water was refreshing against the dryness in his throat, and he had to admit — it was probably the better choice. Probably didn’t mean he would stop it though.

The break stretched on for a little while longer, giving the workers a chance to catch their breath.

Some of them sat on overturned crates, chatting quietly, while others leaned against the equipment, stretching their sore muscles.

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Riley plopped down next to Ethan, opening a bottle of her own. "So, what did I miss?"

Ethan glanced at the site. "Not much. Just more drilling and the foreman reminding me that things never go as planned."

She snorted. "That’s basically the motto of construction."

The foreman, who had been listening, barked out a laugh. "Damn right."

They sat there for a while, the hum of the machines finally replaced by the murmur of conversation. It was a rare moment of quiet in what would be a long, grueling process.

As long as it turned out how the System had shown him, he didn’t mind the wait… that much.