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

In early June, the weather started to get hot.

When Lin Fan arrived at work in the morning, Chen Ming poked his head out from the next office: "Lin Fan, good morning. The things the Transportation Bureau sent yesterday are in your garage. They said they're thanking Director Zhou for helping coordinate the project last time." Lin Fan went to his private garage and found several more cardboard boxes piled up. He sighed, squatted down, and started unpacking—two packs of Zhonghua cigarettes, two bottles of Wuliangye liquor, and a whole box of Yangcheng Lake hairy crabs. Although the crabs weren't very plump this season, the packaging was quite impressive.

Lin Fan moved the things to the corner. Over the past few months, the corner had almost become a small mountain—piles of cigarettes and alcohol were half a person high, and various gift boxes were stacked up like a small mountain.

At 8:30, Zhou Wenyuan came to the garage and glanced at the corner of the wall: "Oh, another bumper harvest?"

"They were sent by the Transportation Bureau." Lin Fan handed over a teacup. "Director Zhou, what should we do with all this stuff? I'm almost out of space here."

Zhou Wenyuan walked to the corner and rummaged through the walls: "Keep some tobacco and alcohol in the storeroom. Take the rest home; you can give them away or dispose of them. Just don't waste them."

Lin Fan noted it down. He was already used to this process—Zhou Wenyuan would pick and choose what was useful, and the rest was up to him.

Back at his desk, Lin Fan opened a drawer, inside which lay seven mobile phones. They were all gifts from the counties and districts below him over the past few months, a mix of brands: Motorola, Nokia, Samsung, and the latest color screen models with cameras.

He picked up a silver Nokia flip phone, with a color screen and a camera—this thing would cost four or five thousand now. In his previous life, he would have had to save up half a year's salary to afford it.

But now, they're sending them here like they're free.

"Xiao Lin," Zhou Wenyuan called from the inner room.

"Hey." Lin Fan quickly went over.

"I'm going to the Baixian mining area next Wednesday. Can you arrange a car?" Zhou Wenyuan said. "Oh, and you can take my laptop from my office back with you. I don't use it much anyway."

"Thank you, Director Zhou."

At lunchtime in the cafeteria, Zhao Xiaowen sat down with her tray and asked, "Lin Fan, I heard you received gifts again?"

Lin Fan smiled wryly: "Xiaowen, you can't just say things like that."

"I'm not making this up," Zhao Xiaowen said in a low voice. "I saw it all, the box in the corner of your garage. Lin Fan, you're a big shot now, living the high life with Director Zhou."

After finishing his meal and returning to the garage, he began taking inventory: twelve cartons of Zhonghua cigarettes, eight cases of Wuliangye liquor, fourteen cases of Moutai, about ten cases of beer, more than twenty boxes of tea, more than thirty boxes of various health products, seven mobile phones, three digital cameras, and a pile of rice, flour, and cooking oil.

"How many people do we have to send?" Lin Fan scratched his head.

Just as I was worrying, Chen Ming walked in: "Lin Fan, Director Zhou is going to the development zone for an inspection at 2 PM this afternoon. Is the car ready?"

"Ready." Lin Fan checked his watch. "It's 12:30 now. I'll be downstairs at 1:30 sharp. Brother Chen, after you get off work, be discreet and come to the garage to take these health supplements, beer, and this camera home quietly. I'll organize them for you in a bit and put them in this corner."

"Is this appropriate, Lin Fan?" "Just take it, don't talk nonsense, and focus on working well for Director Zhou."

After Chen Ming left, Lin Fan suddenly remembered something—when he went home a couple of days ago, he saw that the last shop on the far side of the residential complex was always empty, with a "For Rent/Sale" sign on the glass.

If we could buy it, we could use it as a warehouse...

In the afternoon, I accompanied Zhou Wenyuan to the development zone. The director, surnamed Wang, was in his early forties and a very shrewd person.

After reporting on his work, Director Wang said, "Director Zhou, our development zone has recently attracted several large projects, and we'll need your support in terms of funding..."

Zhou Wenyuan flipped through the project proposal: "Old Wang, your project plan is good, but isn't the budget a bit too high? Look at this factory construction, the quote is 2,500 per square meter, while the market price is only 1,800."

Director Wang chuckled dryly: "Well... we use only the best materials, and the environmental standards are high."

"It can't be this much higher." Zhou Wenyuan closed the project proposal. "Here's what we'll do: you guys redo the budget, be realistic. The city will definitely provide the support it deserves, but the money can't be wasted."

"Yes, yes, we'll change it right away," Director Wang nodded repeatedly.

When the research trip ended and they were seeing Zhou Wenyuan off, Director Wang had several boxes brought over. Lin Fan glanced at them and thought, "Oh well, more cigarettes, alcohol, and tea."

On the way back, Zhou Wenyuan said, "That old Wang is cunning. The project budget was inflated; he wanted to ask for more money."

"So, do we still support it?" Lin Fan asked.

"I support it, but we have to be realistic," Zhou Wenyuan said. "Xiao Lin, remember this: if the lower-ups ask for money, we can give it to them, but we can't spoil them. The budgets that need to be cut must be cut, otherwise they'll think money comes from thin air."

"Understood."

"Oh, by the way," Zhou Wenyuan said, remembering something, "has your warehouse matter been resolved?"

Lin Fan was taken aback: "How did you know...?"

"Your mom told my wife," Zhou Wenyuan laughed. "She said your house is overflowing with stuff. Here's an idea—buy a shop on the ground floor of the building in this complex and use it as a warehouse. You can afford it now anyway."

"I'm thinking about this right now," Lin Fan said. "There's a shop on the ground floor of my apartment building that I haven't been able to sell yet."

"Then buy it," Zhou Wenyuan said. "If you don't have enough money, just tell me, and I'll lend you some."

"No need, no need, I have enough," Lin Fan quickly said.

He's really something. He's made over 100,000 yuan in business these past few months, and with his previous savings, it's more than enough to buy a ground-floor shop.

The next day was Saturday. Lin Fan didn't go out with Zhou Wenyuan; instead, he went directly to the community property management office.

"Is Manager Liu here?" he asked the receptionist.

"Yes, please wait a moment."

A short while later, Liu Cheng from the sales office came out. He was in his thirties, wearing gold-rimmed glasses, and clearly worked in sales.

"Mr. Lin? You wanted to see me?"

"Manager Liu, I'd like to ask if that shop on the ground floor of our building, the one on the far end, is still for sale?" Lin Fan asked directly.

Liu Cheng's eyes lit up: "For sale! It's been sitting unsold for a while, the location's a bit out of the way. Are you interested?"

"Take me to see it."

The two arrived at the ground-floor shop. It was about 90 square meters, rectangular, with a ceiling height of over four meters. The location was indeed out of the way, but it was very close to Lin Fan's building, a two- or three-minute walk away.

"This shop hasn't sold yet because of its location," Liu Cheng said. "If Mr. Lin is really interested, I can offer you a discount."

"How much?"

"The original price was 200,000, but I'll give you 150,000. How about that?" Liu Cheng asked tentatively.

Lin Fan did the math in his head. 150,000 yuan for 90 square meters, which is 1,610 yuan per square meter. For this location, this price isn't expensive.

"Can you make it any cheaper?"

"Mr. Lin, this is already the lowest price," Liu said with difficulty. "If it weren't for the fact that we haven't been able to sell them, we wouldn't be offering this price."

Lin Fan thought for a moment: "Okay, 150,000 it is. When can we complete the formalities?"

"Anytime!" Liu Cheng was delighted. "If it's convenient for you, we can sign the contract now."

The paperwork was completed quickly. Lin Fan paid the full amount, signed the purchase contract, and received the keys. From viewing the property to making the purchase, it took less than two hours.

Back at the store with the keys in hand, Lin Fan was still a little dazed—he just bought it? 150,000 yuan, spent it like that?

But looking at the keys in his hand, he felt at ease. Now he had a place to put his things.

On Monday, Lin Fan told Zhou Wenyuan about buying the commercial property.

"You've moved quickly," Zhou Wenyuan laughed. "150,000 isn't expensive. Make good use of it; it might appreciate in value later."

"I just want to use it as a storage room," Lin Fan said. "It's really inconvenient to have a bunch of stuff piled up at home."

"That's perfect." Zhou Wenyuan took an envelope out of the drawer. "Take this."

Lin Fan took it; inside was 20,000 yuan.

"Brother Zhou, this..."

"Consider it a loan," Zhou Wenyuan said. "We've bought the ground floor shop, so it needs some tidying up, right? Simple renovations, some shelving—it all costs money. You can use it for now, no rush to pay it back."

Lin Fan felt a warmth in his heart: "Thank you, Brother Zhou."

"No need to thank me." Zhou Wenyuan waved his hand. "By the way, what are you planning to do with those cell phones and cameras?"

"I was just about to tell you that," Lin Fan said. "We have seven cell phones: one for my parents, one for me and Juanzi, one for my sister and brother-in-law, and one left over. We also have three cameras: one for myself, and the rest... I haven't decided yet."

"The rest can go to Xiao Wang's family," Zhou Wenyuan said. "They're helping you manage the shop, shouldn't you give them a reward?"

Lin Fan slapped his forehead: "That's right, how come I didn't think of that?"

"You little rascal, you need to be more careful when you're in a relationship," Zhou Wenyuan laughed. "That girl Xiao Wang is nice, treat her well."

"Yes."

After get off work, Lin Fan went to the ground floor shop first. He had someone take the measurements, planning to build a few rows of shelves and then partition off a small office. The decoration didn't need to be too complicated; just paint the walls white, lay some floor tiles, and change the door so that cars could come and go, since he needed to park three or four cars.

Then I went home and started moving things around. I moved all the cigarettes, alcohol, tea, sugar, rice, flour, and cooking oil to the newly bought shop.

After working until 8 p.m., the house was finally cleared out. The house suddenly felt much more spacious. Looking at the empty living room, my mother breathed a sigh of relief: "That's great, finally there's room to move around."

Lin Fan wiped his sweat: "Mom, from now on, put everything over there. Just grab whatever you need, and I'll make a copy of the key for you."

"What would I do with those?" the mother said. "Your father doesn't smoke or drink much anymore, so just leave them there."

Just then, Father returned. Seeing the living room empty, he paused, then asked, "Where are the things?"

"Xiao Fan bought a shop on the ground floor of the building and is using it as a warehouse," the mother said. "Now it's finally quiet."

Lin Jianguo nodded and sat down to drink tea. Lin Fan remembered the cell phone issue and took out two Nokia phones from his bag.

"Dad, Mom, here's a cell phone for each of you."

Lin Jianguo took it and examined it from all angles: "This thing... how do you use it?"

"I'll teach you." Lin Fan patiently taught his father how to turn on the phone, dial, and answer. "If I need anything when I go out, just call me."

"How much does this cost?" the mother asked.

"It didn't cost any money, it was provided by my company," Lin Fan said. "You don't need to worry about it, just use it."

After teaching his parents, Lin Fan called his sister.

"Sis, are you home?"

"Yes, what's up?"

"I'm going over there to deliver something to you."

Half an hour later, Lin Fan arrived at his sister's house. His brother-in-law was there too, watching TV.

"Xiao Fan's here? Come and sit down," his older sister greeted him.

Lin Fan took out two cell phones, a camera, two packs of cigarettes, and two bottles of liquor from his bag.

"Sister, brother-in-law, here's a cell phone for each of you. You can keep the cigarettes and alcohol, or give them away. Sister, you can keep the camera for fun."

My brother-in-law picked up his phone and looked at it: "Wow, a new model. Xiao Fan, you're really something now, giving these things away so easily."

"It didn't cost me any money, it was a gift," Lin Fan said. "I can't use it all, you can keep it."

Looking at the things, the older sister asked worriedly, "Xiao Fan, are you... are you alright? These things..."

"Don't worry, sister, I'm fine," Lin Fan said earnestly. "They're all from legitimate sources, the ones Director Zhou didn't pick up. I'm not greedy or taking anything; I'm just dealing with some gifts."

The older sister breathed a sigh of relief: "That's good. Xiao Fan, you have to be careful now that you're with Director Zhou. The government is complicated; don't give anyone a handle to use against you."

"I know."

After leaving his sister's house, Lin Fan went to Wang Juan's place. The West District store was already closed, and Wang Juan was doing the accounts at the counter.

"Lin Fan? What brings you here?" Wang Juan looked up.

"I'm bringing you some nice things." Lin Fan took out a silver Nokia phone and a digital camera from his bag. "The phone and the camera are both for you."

Wang Juan's eyes widened: "This...this is too valuable."

"It's not valuable, it was a gift," Lin Fan said. "Keep the phone, give the old one to your family. As for the camera... take some photos of the clothes at the shop, you can use it for advertising."

Wang Juan took the phone, admiring it: "It's so beautiful."

Do you like it?

"I like it." Wang Juan blushed. "But..."

"No buts." Lin Fan put his arm around her shoulder. "We're family now, what's mine is yours."

Wang Juan leaned on his shoulder and whispered, "Lin Fan, you're so good to me."

"This is nothing," Lin Fan laughed. "Once I'm done with work at the end of the month, I'll take you home to meet your parents."

Wang Juan looked up: "Really?"

"Really," Lin Fan said. "I'll drive there and bring lots of things to make your parents happy."

"Yes!" Wang Juan nodded vigorously.

In mid-June, Lin Fan asked Zhou Wenyuan for three days off.

"Are you taking Xiao Wang home?" Zhou Wenyuan asked.

"Yes, we need to go back and meet her parents," Lin Fan said. "We can drive there and come back the same day, but that's a bit rushed. We'll need to stay overnight."

"Okay, go ahead." Zhou Wenyuan readily agreed. "Bring plenty of things; it's your first time visiting, so be sure to show proper etiquette."

"clear."

Early Saturday morning, Lin Fan picked up Wang Juan in his Santana with the license plate of the Armed Police and headed to Bai County.

The car was packed full—the trunk was crammed with four cases of liquor, six cartons of cigarettes, and boxes of fruit and pastries. The back seat was also full, with rice, flour, cooking oil, and various health supplements.

Looking at all this stuff, Wang Juan felt a little embarrassed: "Bringing so much... it's too expensive."

"It can't be shabby on our first visit," Lin Fan said. "Let your parents know that you're living a good life with me."

Wang Juan's eyes reddened: "Lin Fan..."

"Stop crying," Lin Fan smiled. "Go home happily to see your parents."

After driving for more than two hours, we arrived in Bai County. Then, after another half hour on a dirt road, we finally reached Wang Juan's village.

The village was small, with only a few dozen households, all living in old-style bungalows. As soon as Lin Fan's car entered the village, it attracted a lot of onlookers.

"Hey, an armed police vehicle!"

"Whose relatives are visiting?"

"Look, isn't that Juanzi from Old Wang's family?"

The car stopped in front of Wang Juan's house. It was an ordinary farmhouse, with three main rooms and two side rooms. The yard was clean and tidy, and a few fruit trees were planted in the corner.

Wang Juan's parents were already waiting at the door. Her father was in his fifties, thin, and had dark skin; her mother looked quite like Wang Juan, except she had more wrinkles.

"Dad, Mom!" Wang Juan ran over as soon as she got out of the car.

"Juanzi's back!" The mother took her daughter's hand, looking her up and down. "You've lost weight. Have you been eating poorly?"

"No, I'm eating well." Wang Juan turned her head. "Dad, Mom, this is Lin Fan."

Lin Fan quickly stepped forward: "Uncle, Aunt, hello. I'm Lin Fan."

Wang Juan's father looked Lin Fan up and down, then glanced at the car, and nodded: "Let's go inside."

The room was simply furnished, but clean. Lin Fan carried the things from the car in, box by box, filling half the room.

"Uncle, Aunt, this is just a small token of my appreciation," Lin Fan said.

Looking at all these things, Wang Juan's mother was at a loss: "This...this is too much. Xiao Fan, this is too much of a waste."

"It's nothing," Lin Fan said. "It's my first time here, and I didn't know what you two liked, so I just bought a few things."

Wang Juan's father lit a cigarette—a Zhonghua brand that Lin Fan had brought. He took a puff, squinted, and said, "Xiao Fan, Juanzi told me you work at the Finance Bureau?"

"Yes, at the Finance Bureau," Lin Fan said. "I drive with the leaders and help them with some things."

"She's promising." Wang Juan's father nodded. "Juanzi told us that you treated her well, helped her open the shop, and taught her how to do things."

"Juanzi is smart and grasps things quickly," Lin Fan said. "She's managing both stores now, and she's doing a great job."

Wang Juan's mother smiled: "Juanzi has been capable since she was little. It's just that she had a hard life and didn't get much education..."

"Mom, why are you saying all this?" Wang Juan interrupted.

At noon, Wang Juan's mother cooked a table full of dishes. Simple, rustic cuisine, but delicious. Lin Fan ate two large bowls of rice, praising it highly.

"Auntie's cooking is really good."

"Please don't mind the simple food from the countryside," Wang Juan's mother said happily.

After dinner, Wang Juan's father chatted with Lin Fan. He asked about her work and family situation, and Lin Fan answered truthfully.

"Xiao Fan," Wang Juan's father said earnestly, "Juanzi is an honest and simple-minded child. We have no problem with you treating her well. But if you don't treat her well..."

"Uncle, don't worry," Lin Fan said solemnly. "I will definitely treat Juanzi well. To be honest, I bought a house in the city and it's all renovated. I'd like to invite you two to stay with me for a few days in a while."

"You bought a house?" Wang Juan's mother asked in surprise.

"Yes, it's a first-floor apartment with a garden," Lin Fan said. "I'll take you to see it when Juanzi has time."

Wang Juan's father was silent for a moment, then said, "We won't go. We're from the countryside, we're not used to living in apartment buildings. Besides, we have a son at home who's in middle school, we need to take care of him."

"Don't worry about my brother's schooling," Lin Fan said. "If he wants to transfer to a school in the city, I can find a way."

"No need for that," Wang Juan's father shook his head. "She can go to school in the county; it's closer to home. Xiao Fan, we're content with your thoughtfulness. We're at ease knowing Juan is with you."

These words were tantamount to acknowledging their relationship. Lin Fan felt a weight lifted from his heart.

In the afternoon, Lin Fan strolled around the village. Wang Juan accompanied him, pointing out whose house this was and whose that was. The villagers looked at them with envy, especially at the vehicle with the armed police license plate.

"Juanzi found a good boyfriend."

"That's right, the guy driving the armed police car must be really capable."

Wang Juan listened to these words with a smile on her face.

In the evening, Lin Fan was about to return home. Wang Juan's parents saw him off at the village entrance and gave him a large bag of local specialties—corn they had grown themselves, dried vegetables, and pickled salted duck eggs.

"Uncle and Aunt, please keep it for yourselves..." Lin Fan declined.

"Here, these are all grown by ourselves, they didn't cost any money," said Wang Juan's father. "Xiao Fan, come often."

"must."

As the car drove out of the village, Wang Juan kept looking back until she could no longer see her parents.

"Missing home?" Lin Fan asked.

"Mm." Wang Juan nodded. "Lin Fan, thank you. My parents are especially happy today, they've never been so happy."

"As long as you're happy," Lin Fan said. "Let's come back often in the future."

"Um."

As the car drove onto the national highway, the setting sun painted the sky a golden hue. Lin Fan gripped the steering wheel, his heart filled with emotion.

This trip was worthwhile. It earned Wang Juan's parents' approval and gave Wang Juan face.

That's what he wanted—to make the people around him live a better life because of his existence.

It was already 10 p.m. when they got back to the city. Lin Fan took Wang Juan back to her place and then went home.

His parents were still awake, waiting for him.

"You're back?" the mother asked. "How are things at Xiao Wang's house?"

"That's good." Lin Fan sat down. "Her parents are quite satisfied and have agreed."

"That's good." The mother smiled. "I liked that girl, Xiao Wang, at first sight. When will you bring her home for a meal?"

"Next weekend," Lin Fan said. "I'll cook, and our family can get together."

"You can cook?" the father asked with a smile.

"Who do you think you are?" Lin Fan laughed. "Mom, the shop I bought is all renovated. Shall I take you to see it tomorrow?"

"Okay."

The next day was Sunday, and Lin Fan took his parents to see the ground-floor shop. The 90-square-meter space had two rows of shelves piled high with various gifts. A small office was partitioned off at the back, with a table for working.

"So many things..." The mother stared in disbelief.

"It's all from the savings I've accumulated over the past few months," Lin Fan said. "Mom, take whatever you need, don't be shy."

"What would I do with all this?" The mother shook her head. "Xiao Fan, these things... are they from somewhere safe?"

"No problem, don't worry," Lin Fan said. "They're all the ones Director Zhou didn't pick out, they came from legitimate sources. We're not stealing or robbing, we're just disposing of some gifts."

The father wandered around the shelf, picked up a bottle of Moutai: "This liquor... is it genuine?"

"It's genuine," Lin Fan said. "It was delivered by the county-level government; they wouldn't dare send a fake."

The father nodded and put down his wine: "Xiao Fan, you've made something of yourself now, and I'm happy. But I have to remind you—a gentleman loves money, but he acquires it in a proper way. Don't take what you shouldn't take, and don't ask for what you shouldn't ask for."

"Dad, I remember," Lin Fan said earnestly. "Director Zhou often says that money cannot be accepted; that's the bottom line. These things are all about social obligations, and you can't refuse them. But I will know how to be discreet."

"That's good."

After looking at the shops on the ground floor, the family of three went home. On the way, the mother said, "Xiaofan, now that things are settled between you and Xiaowang, shouldn't you consider getting married?"

"Mom, no rush," Lin Fan said. "We're still young, let's date first. We'll get married when our careers are more stable."

"That's fine," the mother said, "but we still need to prepare. We have the house, it's all renovated, all we need are furniture and appliances."

"I've already bought all the furniture and appliances," Lin Fan said. "They're all new, and we can move in anytime."

"That's good." The mother nodded in satisfaction.