Reborn in 2000: I'm the Boss's Driver

In the steel city during winter, the sky is often a leaden gray, and the wind, when it picks up, carries a dry, cold force that stings one's cheeks. But in Lin Fan's world, there are a few places that always feel warm and cozy, like a pot of invisible charcoal fire burning around them.

The new home was the warmest place. His mother had completely adapted to city life, her greatest joy each day being researching recipes and cooking a variety of delicious meals for her son and husband. His father's initial unease had largely dissipated after Lin Fan found him an easy job as a night patrolman in the neighborhood. The work wasn't strenuous; he just patrolled between a few buildings in the evenings, checking doors, windows, water, and electricity. During the day, he had plenty of time to sunbathe and play chess with the new old men he'd met downstairs, or take the bus back to the village to have a drink with his old friends. Gradually, a peaceful and relaxed feeling of enjoying their retirement appeared on the faces of the elderly couple. Every evening, when Lin Fan came home from get off work, the aroma of food, the soft strains of opera on the television, and his parents' chatter about everyday life intertwined to create the most comforting and reassuring warmth of human connection.

At work, Lin Fan is like a carefully fitted screw, steadily operating in the unassuming yet crucial position of the logistics department. He meticulously annotates the vehicle dispatch schedule with different colored pens, clearly showing when drivers set off, where they are going, their estimated return time, and the vehicle's condition. His fuel card management ledger is flawless, with every refueling record corresponding to mileage and a dispatch order. He even designed a simple vehicle maintenance reminder chart, which he posts on the wall, reminding drivers which vehicles need maintenance and which tires need changing. He performs these meticulous tasks with relish, displaying a maturity and thoroughness beyond his years.

Section Chief Jiang observed this with delight. The bureau had many vehicles and numerous tasks. When Old Liu was in charge, while no major mistakes were made, there were always some unclear accounts and disputes. After Lin Fan arrived, this area was surprisingly well-managed. Even the most difficult veteran drivers couldn't find fault with this young man because he was fair, kept clear accounts, never delayed assigning vehicles, and never budged on fuel expenses. Section Chief Jiang occasionally mentioned him to Zhou Wenyuan, his tone filled with the relief of having struck gold.

Meanwhile, the relationship between Lin Fan and Zhou Wenyuan quietly underwent a qualitative change during their repeated trips together. Initially, Zhou Wenyuan took him out mainly out of work needs and because he appreciated Lin Fan's reliable and steady work style. The car served as a mobile office, as well as a relatively enclosed and private space. In this space, Zhou Wenyuan would sometimes close his eyes to rest and contemplate problems; sometimes he would make and receive phone calls to handle official business; occasionally, after a long silence, he would suddenly speak up, sharing some work-related troubles, or his views on certain policies, people, or phenomena. It wasn't so much that he was seeking opinions, but rather that he was organizing his thoughts and venting his emotions.

Lin Fan always played the role of the best listener. He rarely interrupted, only stating the facts concisely and objectively when Zhou Wenyuan paused or asked questions, or sharing his practical feelings from the perspective of a grassroots implementer. He never commented on the leader's decisions, nor did he spread any unverified rumors. This sense of propriety made Zhou Wenyuan feel very comfortable and at ease.

Gradually, their conversations expanded beyond work. Zhou Wenyuan would ask Lin Fan how his Open University courses were going and if he had encountered any difficulties; they would chat about interesting things happening in the provincial capital, or viewpoints from books he had read; and occasionally, he would even mention his family in the provincial capital, his tone tinged with longing and concern. Lin Fan would also share some amusing anecdotes from his family, such as how his father tried to learn chess from an old man from the south in the neighborhood but always lost, and how his mother ran through several vegetable markets to save a few cents.

A wonderful tacit understanding had formed between them. Zhou Wenyuan didn't need to say much for Lin Fan to understand his intentions; when Lin Fan was unsure about something, Zhou Wenyuan's few words of guidance would make him see the light. This tacit understanding transcended a simple superior-subordinate relationship; it was more like a close bond between teacher and friend, even carrying a touch of brotherly care.

The scope of their travels was also expanding. Besides the city and various counties, Zhou Wenyuan would occasionally take Lin Fan with him when he needed to attend meetings or report to the provincial government. Long drives were tiring, but Lin Fan never complained; instead, he saw it as an opportunity to broaden his horizons. In the imposing building of the provincial finance department, and among the provincial officials who walked briskly and spoke with remarkable eloquence, he saw a higher platform and a wider world.

More importantly, in the provincial capital, he came into contact with another special group—the drivers of the provincial leaders. These drivers, seemingly of low status, were all shrewd, well-informed, and influential. While waiting for the leaders to attend meetings, the drivers often gathered in the designated lounge or by the parking lot to smoke and chat. At first, Lin Fan simply listened quietly, offered cigarettes, and refilled water for them, maintaining a humble attitude. Over time, the seasoned drivers gradually accepted this young man from a lower-level city, a man of few words but sensible. Their conversations covered everything under the sun, from the leaders' schedules and personnel rumors to where roads were under construction and which restaurants were the best deals. Lin Fan silently memorized these details, knowing that these seemingly trivial pieces of information were sometimes more valuable than official documents. He also occasionally revealed a bit about the local customs and culture of the steel city, or non-confidential stories about the provincial department that Zhou Wenyuan occasionally mentioned, quickly building rapport. Over time, he actually made a few "driver friends in the provincial capital" with whom he could talk. They exchanged phone numbers and agreed to look after each other when they came to the provincial capital in the future.

Following Zhou Wenyuan around frequently, one inevitably encounters people from subordinate units or related companies trying to "express their gratitude." Zhou Wenyuan's principle is very clear: work is work, and personal relationships have their limits. He firmly refuses anything involving cash, valuables, or large-value gift cards, without any room for negotiation. However, for some local specialties that don't involve monetary value but are purely out of courtesy or local flavor—such as simply packaged local tea, homemade dried mushrooms and cured meat, fruit gift boxes, or even a few cartons of better cigarettes—he sometimes acquiesces if the other party is extremely enthusiastic, repeatedly refuses, and Zhou Wenyuan judges that accepting them won't affect the impartiality of his work.

At this point, Lin Fan became the executor and the buffer. He would politely accept the gifts, express his gratitude, and at the same time make it clear: "The leader said this is a one-time exception. We accept the gifts out of appreciation for your kindness, but we will continue with our work as usual." After bringing the gifts back, Zhou Wenyuan would usually only symbolically pick one or two items that he could use, such as a can of tea or a box of fruit. As for the rest, he would often wave his hand and say, "Xiao Lin, you can handle it. Take it back to your elderly relatives or share it with your colleagues in the department."

At first, Lin Fan was a little uneasy, feeling that this was inappropriate. Zhou Wenyuan noticed his concerns and said calmly, "A little food and supplies are fine. Too much clarity can lead to problems; sometimes being too inflexible can be counterproductive. As long as you adhere to the main principles, don't be too rigid about these minor details. Don't keep everything for yourself either. Share the spoils with Section Chief Jiang and the colleagues who have helped you; it's a good deed."

With Zhou Wenyuan's words, Lin Fan felt more confident. He began to learn how to handle these "gifts." His parents were naturally happy to receive the gifts, especially the beautifully packaged pastries and fruits, which they had previously been reluctant to buy. Lin Fan would also choose suitable items, such as good cigarettes and tea, for his brother-in-law, Sun Lin (who, although a non-smoker, sometimes needed to entertain clients); he would take some dried goods and fruits to the logistics department, distributing them to Section Chief Jiang and familiar colleagues, saying, "I went down with the leaders, and they insisted on giving these to me; everyone should try them." The gifts weren't worth much money, but the sentiment behind them made him even more popular in the department.

So, a small mountain of "gifts" gradually piled up in the corner of Lin Fan's small balcony. There were cartons of cigarettes (mostly Zhonghua and Yuxi), cases of liquor (locally produced mid-range liquor), various brands of tea canisters, beautifully packaged candies and pastries, and daily necessities such as towels, toothpaste, and shampoo... a diverse and impressive sight. At first, his mother was pleasantly surprised, but later she began to worry: "Fanzi, how can we possibly eat or use all of this? Your father doesn't smoke such good cigarettes, and you don't drink liquor often. It'll just gather dust."

Lin Fan looked at the pile of things, both amused and exasperated. This was probably a unique "perk" of his position—a sweet burden. He told his mother to eat what was edible as soon as possible and use what was usable, not to be stingy. He sorted out the long-shelf-life items like cigarettes, alcohol, and tea, keeping some for visiting relatives during holidays and planning to give back to those who had helped him in the future. He knew that behind these things lay Zhou Wenyuan's power and influence, and also the invisible respect and status he, as someone close to Zhou Wenyuan, shared.

The main theme of life plays steadily between work and home, while in "Ke Lai Xiang," another gentle chorus is also being sung at a leisurely pace.

Lin Fan and Wang Juan were already quite familiar with each other. Lin Fan was no longer just a "regular customer." When Wang Juan saw him, she would smile naturally, her dimples clearly showing, and her greeting would be casual and friendly: "You're here? It's a bit late today." Sometimes when they weren't busy, the two would stand by the bar and chat for a while while Lin Fan paid his bill.

Lin Fan learned more about her: her hometown was a mountain village in a neighboring county; she had a younger brother in junior high school; her parents were in poor health; and she started working after graduating from high school to earn more money to support her family. The wages at "Ke Lai Xiang" weren't high, but it included room and board, and the boss was a good person, so she felt relatively at ease working there. When she spoke of these things, her tone was calm, without complaint, only a resigned resilience and a faint desire to change her situation.

Lin Fan also shared some of his own experiences, such as working at the Finance Bureau (without specifying his position), having just brought his parents to live with him, and currently attending an open university. He spoke frankly, without boasting or playing the victim, which made Wang Juan feel that this young "cadre" (that's what she thought) was approachable and easy to get along with.

One Friday evening, Lin Fan went to dinner as usual. The restaurant wasn't crowded. Wang Juan was on her day off at the counter and was sitting behind the bar, lost in thought, her eyes a little red, as if she had just been crying.

Lin Fan's heart tightened. He walked over and asked softly, "What's wrong? Are you feeling unwell?"

Wang Juan was startled. She looked up and saw it was him. She hurriedly wiped her eyes and forced a smile: "No...it's nothing. Brother Lin, you're here."

"Are you really alright?" Lin Fan sat down opposite her. "You don't look like it. Are you having any trouble? If it's convenient, tell me. Maybe I can help."

His tone was gentle and sincere, filled with the concern of a friend. Looking into his clear eyes, Wang Juan felt a surge of grievance and anxiety welling up inside her. She bit her lip and whispered, "It's nothing... it's just that my younger brother needs to pay for next semester's materials and tutoring fees, which will add up to several hundred yuan... My mom called, sigh... I just sent money home, so I'm a little short on cash. The boss said... that after the peak season of the New Year, he might give us a raise, but that'll be a long time coming..."

A few hundred yuan is nothing to Lin Fan, but he knows that for a working girl like Wang Juan, it might be several months' savings. Giving her money directly would be too hurtful to her pride and could easily lead to misunderstandings.

He hesitated for a moment, not immediately responding to the topic of money, but instead changing his approach: "Working in a restaurant is indeed tough, and the salary is capped. I've never thought about... doing something else? Like setting up a small stall? Or helping people sell things?"

Wang Juan shook her head, her expression gloomy: "I've thought about it. But I don't have the capital, and I don't know what I can do to make money. Setting up a stall requires renting a space and buying goods, and if I can't sell them, I'll lose everything. I... I don't dare."

Looking at the girl before him, whose brows bore a hint of worry yet whose delicate features were undeniable, Lin Fan was reminded of his hardworking and strong-willed wife from his past life. A thought that had been swirling in his mind for a long time finally became clear. He needed someone to help him manage some of the "public" matters, and Wang Juan was perhaps the most suitable candidate—hardworking, reliable, in need of opportunity, and, moreover, he was willing to help her and trusted her completely.

"I...I do have an idea." Lin Fan spoke cautiously, lowering his voice even further. "I don't know if you're interested. I have a friend who's running a small business and needs a reliable person to help manage the stall. It's not like working in a restaurant where you're stuck at all hours. The hours are relatively flexible, and the income...it'll definitely be higher than your current job as a waiter. It might be tough at first though, though, since you'll have to learn how to sell."

Wang Juan's eyes widened in surprise as she looked at Lin Fan: "Business? Selling goods? Brother Lin, I... can I do this? I don't know anything about it."

"You can learn if you don't know something. Nobody's born knowing everything," Lin Fan encouraged. "The key is to be diligent, honest, and willing to work hard. I think you're quite suitable. As for what to sell..." He paused, recalling a Guangzhou women's clothing brand that became popular in northern cities around 2004, "I think it's clothing. I need to confirm with my friend for details. If you're interested, I'll ask him about it first. If he thinks it's a good fit, you two can meet and talk. What do you think?"

He didn't say that this "friend" was himself. Firstly, he didn't want to put too much pressure on Wang Juan and avoid the awkwardness that a direct employment relationship might bring; secondly, he vaguely felt that starting with "introducing her to a job" would be more natural and would allow him to better observe Wang Juan's true intentions and abilities.

Wang Juan's heart pounded. Higher pay than a waitress, relatively flexible hours, and Brother Lin's recommendation... it sounded like a ray of light suddenly appearing in the darkness. Although she was apprehensive and afraid of not doing well, her desire to change her situation outweighed her fear.

She nodded vigorously, her eyes regaining their light: "Brother Lin, I...I want to give it a try! Could you please ask around for me? I'll definitely learn and work hard!"

"Okay." Lin Fan smiled. "I'll go ask first. I'll let you know if I get any news. Don't put too much pressure on yourself, it doesn't matter whether it works out or not."

After this conversation, Lin Fan accelerated his planning. He spent several weekends visiting the Donghe Garment Wholesale Market, the largest garment distribution center in the steel city. The market was bustling with people, filled with shouts in various accents. Like an ordinary wholesaler, he looked around, asked questions, and carefully observed the styles, prices, and foot traffic in different areas. He discovered that the western end of the market had the best location, the largest foot traffic, but also the most expensive stalls. He found a stall of about ten square meters in a good location, but upon inquiring, he discovered the annual rent was a staggering 30,000 yuan! Buying it would cost 180,000 yuan, undoubtedly a huge sum in 2003.

But Lin Fan didn't hesitate. He clearly remembered that this market would experience explosive growth after 2004 in his previous life. Securing a good location now was not only capital for doing business, but also a high-quality real estate investment. He had 250,000 yuan left in savings, which was just enough.

He contacted the original owner of the stall privately through the market management office. Negotiations, signing the agreement, payment, and transfer of ownership... everything was done discreetly. He didn't use Wang Juan's name, but instead used his mother Wang Xiuying's ID card (explaining to his parents that he was investing in a small stall to rent out), and the procedures were completed cleanly and efficiently.

After securing the stall, the next step was sourcing the goods. Lin Fan remembered a Guangzhou women's clothing brand that later became very popular, called "Qili Fang." It was stylish, of good quality, and reasonably priced, making it very suitable for young women in second- and third-tier cities in northern China. This brand initially focused on wholesale, having a stall in the famous Guangzhou Thirteen Hongs Clothing Wholesale Market.

He needed to go to Guangzhou in person. Firstly, to confirm the brands and styles; secondly, to establish a direct supply channel; and thirdly, to take Wang Juan to broaden her horizons and learn new skills. This trip required a reasonable reason for requesting leave, and he also needed to convince Wang Juan to go with him.

A few days later, Lin Fan came to "Ke Lai Xiang" again and, at a quiet time, called Wang Juan aside.

"I talked to my friend," Lin Fan said calmly. "He's quite optimistic about you. His business involves a stall in the Donghe Clothing Wholesale Market, where he plans to wholesale women's clothing. He's already secured the stall, but he's missing good suppliers and reliable people to look after it. He's going to Guangzhou soon to find suppliers and wants to bring an assistant, who can also teach the future stall manager how to select merchandise. I told him about you, and he agreed to let you come along to learn. The monthly salary is 2,000 yuan, and he'll cover your travel and accommodation expenses, plus a travel allowance. What do you think... are you willing to go?"

Going to Guangzhou? Wang Juan was completely stunned. She'd never even been to a provincial capital in her life; Guangzhou was a distant, unattainable southern metropolis! Going on a long trip with a strange man (even though he was Lin Ge's friend)? To learn how to select goods?

A powerful temptation and an instinctive wariness battled within her. She looked at Lin Fan; his eyes were clear and open, without a trace of impurity, only sincere concern for her.

"Brother Lin...I...is it appropriate for me to go? I don't know anything about this, will it cause trouble for your friend?" she asked timidly.

"That's precisely why you need to learn," Lin Fan laughed. "Don't worry, my friend is a legitimate businessman. I know him well, and he's absolutely trustworthy. This trip is mainly for observation and learning; you won't be doing any heavy work. Seeing a real wholesale market will benefit you in the future. Even if you don't end up working with him, broadening your horizons is still a good thing, isn't it?"

That last sentence touched Wang Juan. Yes, it's always good to go out and see the world. Perhaps, this is the first step to changing her destiny.

She took a deep breath and made up her mind: "Brother Lin, I'll go! Thank you for giving me this opportunity! I will definitely study hard and not cause you any trouble!"

"Okay." Lin Fan nodded. "Then tell the shop about the situation. We'll probably be gone for four or five days. I'll let you know the exact departure date once I've decided. I'll also tell you in advance what you need to prepare."

After settling things off with Wang Juan, Lin Fan went to Zhou Wenyuan to ask for leave. He didn't elaborate on what he was going to do in Guangzhou, only vaguely saying that a distant relative had some business to attend to there and needed his help, and that he would also like to see if there were any suitable business opportunities, so he wanted to ask for a few days of annual leave.

Zhou Wenyuan glanced at him, didn't ask any further questions, and simply said, "It's good to go out for a walk and see the world. Be careful and don't cause trouble. I'll get your leave approved, and make sure your work is arranged."

"Thank you, Brother Zhou," Lin Fan said gratefully. Zhou Wenyuan's trust, without asking about the details, warmed his heart.

Everything was arranged. Lin Fan withdrew the money and bought a train ticket (sleeper berth). At the end of 2003, the train journey from Gangcheng to Guangzhou would take nearly thirty hours. He told Wang Juan that his "friend" had something come up and asked him to take full charge of the procurement, and to bring her along for the training. Although Wang Juan was a little surprised, she felt more at ease knowing that Brother Lin was leading the team.

On the day of departure, Lin Fan helped Wang Juan carry her simple luggage, and the two boarded the southbound train. The green train clattered away from the platform, and the familiar scenery outside the window rushed past. Wang Juan sat by the window, both excited and nervous, occasionally stealing glances at Lin Fan, who was resting with his eyes closed across from her. Lin Fan, on the other hand, appeared calm, but in his mind, he was calculating every step to take: finding "Qili Fang," negotiating the cooperation, choosing the right styles, and successfully transporting the goods back... and also, how to teach Wang Juan things while maintaining an appropriate distance during their time together.

The wheels rolled on, carrying two young people, each with their own thoughts, towards the unknown yet hopeful south. A new branch line officially merged into the main road of Lin Fan's life. Meanwhile, in the steel city, his own main line continued to extend powerfully forward, carrying with it mountains of gifts and an increasingly clear vision of the future.