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

By the end of August, it wasn't so hot anymore, and it started to get cool in the mornings and evenings.

When Lin Fan arrived at work in the morning, he went to the garage first. A Mitsubishi Pajero was parked there, its rear facing the door. Opening the trunk, he found two cartons of Zhonghua cigarettes, two cases of Jiannanchun liquor, two boxes of Tieguanyin tea, and a box of what looked like high-end imported fruit. He opened them and looked at them, then moved the cigarettes, alcohol, and tea to a shelf in the corner of the garage—it already filled almost half a wall.

Two more phones appeared, both new Motorola models with color screens and cameras. Lin Fan picked one up, weighed it in his hand, and put it in his bag. He thought about the last one and decided to keep it for Zhao Xiaowen; the girl had helped him a lot.

Just as they were tidying up, Chen Ming strolled in.

"Lin Fan, good morning." Chen Ming lowered his voice. "Director Zhou wants you to go to his office at 9:30. He says he has something to discuss."

"Do you know what it is?"

"It seems to be a personal matter." Chen Ming looked around. "Director Zhou's wife has some relatives visiting from her hometown and wants you to help arrange their accommodation or something."

Lin Fan nodded: "Okay, I'll go right now. Here, keep this phone for yourself." Chen Ming hesitated for a moment, then took it and said, "Thanks, brother."

He first sent Zhao Xiaowen a text message: "Xiaowen, come to the garage, I have something for you."

Two minutes later, Zhao Xiaowen arrived, wearing a white shirt and black pants, with her ponytail tied high.

"Lin Fan, what's up?"

Lin Fan took out the Motorola phone from his bag: "Here, a new one."

Zhao Xiaowen's eyes lit up: "For me?"

Lin Fan said, "Take this and use it. Let me know as soon as you have any news."

"Thank you, Lin Fan!" Zhao Xiaowen took the phone, looking delighted with it. "Don't worry, I'll let you know as soon as anything happens in the bureau."

Lin Fan smiled: "Don't be too obvious, be mindful of your boundaries."

"I know." Zhao Xiaowen put her phone in her pocket. "By the way, I heard from the budget department yesterday that Section Chief Wu might be transferred to a county as deputy county head."

Lin Fan's heart skipped a beat: "When did this happen?"

"It's been circulating for the past couple of days," Zhao Xiaowen said. "They say the Organization Department has already spoken with them, and they're just waiting for the official documents."

"Okay, I got it." Lin Fan patted her shoulder. "Go on, just don't let anyone see you."

After Zhao Xiaowen left, Lin Fan tidied up the garage, locked the door, and went to Zhou Wenyuan's office.

Zhou Wenyuan was on the phone. When he saw Lin Fan come in, he pointed to the sofa. Lin Fan sat down and waited.

"...Okay, it's settled then. Okay, goodbye." Zhou Wenyuan hung up the phone, rubbed his temples, and said, "Xiao Lin is here."

"Brother Zhou, you were looking for me?"

"Well, it's a personal matter," Zhou Wenyuan said. "Your sister-in-law's relatives are visiting from her hometown; her cousin and her family of three want to stay in the city for a few days. I'm busy these days and can't help with that. Could you help arrange it?"

"No problem," Lin Fan asked. "Where are you staying? What are you doing? Any requests?"

"Find a clean hotel, not too expensive but not too bad either," Zhou Wenyuan said. "As for sightseeing, visit the city's tourist attractions and buy some local specialties to take back. I'll give you the money; spend what you need to spend, don't be stingy."

As he spoke, he took out an envelope from the drawer; it was bulging.

Lin Fan didn't answer: "Brother Zhou, do you really need to spend money on something like this? I have the money."

"Take it if I tell you to." Zhou Wenyuan pushed the envelope over. "Business is business, personal is personal. I can't let you pay for it."

Lin Fan then accepted the invitation: "Okay, I'll see how to arrange it. When will they arrive?"

"My train is at four in the afternoon," Zhou Wenyuan said. "Go pick me up and take me straight to the hotel. We'll have dinner together tonight; your sister-in-law and I will come too."

"clear."

After leaving his office, Lin Fan first called the railway guesthouse and booked a family suite. Then he contacted Juxianlou and booked a private room for the evening.

Everything was arranged, and he called Wang Juan.

"Juan'er, are you busy?"

"It's alright, just opened the door." It was a bit noisy on Wang Juan's end. "What's wrong?"

"Director Zhou's relatives are coming over tonight, and I have to have dinner with them."

"Okay, then drink less alcohol," Wang Juan said. "By the way, my dad called yesterday and said the corn at home is ripe and we should go back and get some."

"Okay, let's go back this weekend."

After hanging up the phone, Lin Fan checked his watch; it was past ten. He drove to a shopping mall and bought some local specialties—beef jerky, dairy products, and dried crabapples—filling two large bags.

At 3:30 PM, Lin Fan drove to the train station. At 4:05 PM, the train arrived. He held up a sign at the exit that read "Picking up Director Zhou's relative."

A short while later, a middle-aged couple walked over with a teenage boy.

"Is it Lin Fan?" the woman asked.

"It's me. Are you Director Zhou's cousin?"

"Yes, yes, my name is Zhou Xiuying, this is my husband Wang Zhigang, and our son Wang Lei." The woman smiled warmly.

Lin Fan took their luggage: "Hello Sister Zhou and Brother-in-law, the car is over there, let's go back to the hotel first."

After taking the family of three to the railway guesthouse and settling them into their room, Lin Fan said, "You should rest for a bit. I'll come pick you up for dinner at 6:30. Director Zhou and his wife will also be there."

"Okay, thank you for your trouble, Xiao Fan," Zhou Xiuying said.

"No trouble at all, it's nothing."

6:30 p.m., private room at Juxianlou.

Zhou Wenyuan and his wife Liu Mei had already arrived. When Lin Fan and the others came in, the food had already been ordered.

"Xiao Lin, have a seat." Zhou Wenyuan beckoned. "You've had a hard day."

"Of course." Lin Fan sat down next to Zhou Wenyuan.

The atmosphere at the dinner was very pleasant. Zhou Xiuying kept praising Zhou Wenyuan for his success, saying that everyone back home was proud of him. Zhou Wenyuan responded with a smile, occasionally giving Lin Fan a meaningful look.

Lin Fan understood that this was to get him to liven up the atmosphere. So he began to introduce the dishes on the table—roasted lamb chops, hand-pulled mutton, and oat noodles, all local specialties.

"These oat noodles are especially delicious when dipped in mutton soup," Lin Fan said, placing one on Wang Lei's plate. "Try it."

Wang Lei, fourteen or fifteen years old, was a little shy and thanked him in a low voice.

Zhou Xiuying asked, "Xiao Fan, what do you do at the Finance Bureau?"

"I work with Director Zhou, driving around and handling odd jobs," Lin Fan said.

"That's good too," Wang Zhigang said. "Learning from leaders is better than being in school."

"Yes, Director Zhou taught me a lot."

Zhou Wenyuan chimed in, "Xiao Lin is smart; he understands things quickly. The bureau entrusts him with many tasks now, and he's doing a good job."

These words warmed Lin Fan's heart.

After dinner, Lin Fan drove Zhou Xiuying and her family back to their hotel. Zhou Wenyuan and his wife drove home themselves.

On the way, Zhou Xiuying said, "Xiao Fan, we want to go for a walk by ourselves tomorrow, so you don't need to worry about us."

"That won't do," Lin Fan said. "Director Zhou instructed me to accompany him the whole time."

"Really, there's no need," Zhou Xiuying laughed. "We're just ordinary people, we can just wander around on our own. You go about your business."

Lin Fan thought for a moment and said, "Then how about this, I'll arrange a car for you and find a tour guide. You can go wherever you want, and the tour guide will take you."

"That's too expensive..."

"It won't cost you anything, I'll arrange it," Lin Fan said. "You can just relax and have fun."

Back at the hotel, Lin Fan called the travel agency again and booked a van and a tour guide to accompany him throughout the trip the next day.

Only after everything was arranged did he drive home.

It was past ten o'clock when I got home. My parents were still awake, watching TV in the living room.

"You're back?" her mother asked. "Have you eaten?"

"I've eaten." Lin Fan sat down. "Director Zhou had some relatives visiting from his hometown, so I had a meal with them."

"Director Zhou has really been good to you," the father said. "He even entrusts you with these personal matters."

"Yes, Brother Zhou treats me like one of his own."

Back in his room, Lin Fan sent Wang Juan a text message: "Are you asleep?"

He quickly replied, "Not yet, just finished calculating. We sold over four thousand today."

"Great. Let's go to your place this weekend and get some corn."

"Great! My mom said she made some pickled vegetables for us, they're really delicious."

Lin Fan smiled and put down his phone. This kind of trivial conversation made him feel at ease.

Over the next few days, Lin Fan went to work during the day and had dinner with Zhou Xiuying's family in the evenings. In three days, they had visited all the tourist attractions in the city.

On the fourth day, Zhou Xiuying and her family were about to leave. Before leaving, Zhou Xiuying secretly slipped Lin Fan a red envelope.

"Xiao Fan, thank you for your help these past few days. This is just a small token of my appreciation; please don't think it's too little."

Lin Fan quickly pushed it back: "Sister Zhou, this won't do. I can't accept money for what Director Zhou instructed me to do."

"Please accept this; it's a small token of our appreciation," Zhou Xiuying insisted. "We'd feel bad if you didn't accept it."

Lin Fan thought for a moment and accepted it: "Thank you, Sister Zhou."

After seeing them off at the train station, Lin Fan opened the red envelope and looked inside: two hundred yuan. It wasn't much, but the sentiment was there.

Back at the station, he told Zhou Wenyuan about the red envelope incident.

Zhou Wenyuan laughed: "Let them accept it. Their family is well-off and they don't need the money. You've been running around these past few days, it's only right."

"I just feel..."

"What do you feel?" Zhou Wenyuan looked at him. "Xiao Lin, you're different now. You used to be a temporary worker, now you're one of my people. It's normal for your subordinates to fawn over you and for your relatives and friends to thank you. Just keep a proper distance, accept what you should accept, and resolutely refuse what you shouldn't."

Lin Fan nodded: "I've got it."

"Oh, right," Zhou Wenyuan took a car key out of the drawer, "this is for you."

Lin Fan took it; it was the key to a motorcycle.

"This is……"

"The traffic police impounded the car; it was about 80% new, and no one claimed it," Zhou Wenyuan said. "I had them handle it. Your dad has a driver's license, right? Let him ride it. Just say it's borrowed from the station, and we'll get a replacement if it breaks."

Lin Fan's heart warmed: "Brother Zhou, this is too..."

"Stop talking nonsense, take it." Zhou Wenyuan waved his hand. "I arranged that job for your dad. But just having a job isn't enough; it also needs to be practical. A motorcycle makes commuting convenient and gives him face."

"Thank you, Brother Zhou," Lin Fan said sincerely.

"No need to thank me, we don't need to talk about these things." Zhou Wenyuan glanced at his watch. "I'm free this afternoon, go and ride the bike back. Park it in the garage, and take your dad to see it tonight."

"it is good."

In the afternoon, Lin Fan went to the traffic police station. The captain personally received him and led him to the parking lot.

"Brother Lin, this is it." The captain pointed to a red motorcycle. "It belongs to Yamaha. It's been impounded for three months, and no one has come to claim it. Director Zhou instructed that you can ride it as you please; all the paperwork is done."

Lin Fan looked at the car; it was indeed quite new, and it was polished to a shine.

"Thank you, Captain."

"Don't mention it," the captain laughed. "Just come to me if you need anything in the future. And please put in a good word for Director Zhou with him."

"must."

Lin Fan rode his motorcycle back to the Finance Bureau, attracting many glances along the way. The motorcycle was indeed eye-catching, with a red body, streamlined design, and a pleasant engine sound.

He parked it in the garage and carefully wiped it clean. The more he looked at it, the more he liked it, thinking that his dad would definitely be happy.

After get off work that evening, Lin Fan didn't drive; instead, he rode his motorcycle home. When he reached the entrance of his residential compound, he ran into his father, who was returning from get off work.

"Dad!" Lin Fan called out.

Lin Jianguo turned around, saw the motorcycle, and paused for a moment: "Xiao Fan, this motorcycle..."

Lin Fan got off the bike. "It's a Yamaha bike, about 80% new. I'll give it a try."

Lin Jianguo circled the car, his eyes lighting up: "This car...it must be expensive, right?"

"It didn't cost you any money. Brother Zhou got it for you. The traffic police confiscated it, and they're lending it to you to ride," Lin Fan said. "Aren't you about to get your driver's license? You can ride this to and from get off work from now on."

Lin Jianguo rubbed his hands, a little hesitant to ride: "I...I've never ridden such a nice bike before."

"Give it a try, I'll teach you."

The father and son practiced in the neighborhood for half an hour. Lin Jianguo was nervous at first, but he relaxed later and rode quite steadily.

"That's great." He stopped his car, beaming. "It's much faster than a bicycle, and it's not tiring at all."

"Then I'll ride this from now on," Lin Fan said. "I'll pay for the gas."

"No need, my salary is enough," Lin Jianguo said. "Xiao Fan, thank you, Dad."

"No need to thank me, it's nothing."

During dinner that evening, Lin Jianguo was still immersed in excitement, constantly praising how wonderful the motorcycle was. His mother smiled and shook her head, saying, "Look how happy your dad is, like a child."

Lin Fan smiled too. His father's happiness was his happiness.

By early September, the weather had completely cooled down.

When Lin Fan arrived at work in the morning, he went to the garage first. There were a few more boxes in the trunk of his Pajero, which he skillfully unloaded and sorted.

Tobacco and alcohol were placed on the shelves, tea in the cabinet, health products... He thought for a moment, took a few boxes for his mother, and put the rest aside, intending to give them away.

While I was busy, Zhao Xiaowen slipped in.

"Lin Fan, another bumper harvest?"

"Xiaowen, you scared me!" Lin Fan patted his chest. "What's wrong?"

"Nothing much, just some news for you," Zhao Xiaowen said mysteriously. "It's settled that Section Chief Wu is being transferred; he'll be taking office next Monday. The new head of the budget section, I heard, is a woman who came from the provincial department."

Lin Fan paused, then asked, "From the provincial department? What's their background?"

"I don't know, I just heard he's quite young, only thirty-five," Zhao Xiaowen said. "Lin Fan, do you think Director Zhou might...?"

"What if?"

"Won't it be affected?" Zhao Xiaowen lowered her voice. "The budget department is a crucial department. If the new department head doesn't get along with Director Zhou, then it will be difficult to do the work in the future."

Lin Fan thought for a moment: "Probably not. Director Zhou has connections in the provincial department, so the people he arranges will at least give him face."

"I hope so," Zhao Xiaowen said. "Oh, by the way, I have a box of chocolates here, imported ones, here you go."

Lin Fan took it: "Giving me something again?"

"My parents were so happy with the phone you gave me last time," Zhao Xiaowen said with a smile. "This chocolate was brought back from abroad by my uncle. I don't like sweets, so you can have it."

"Okay, I'll take it." Lin Fan put it in his bag. "Thanks."

"Don't mention it." Zhao Xiaowen glanced at her watch. "I have to go back now; roll call is coming up soon."

"Go."

After Zhao Xiaowen left, Lin Fan continued tidying up. He was thinking about the new section chief. A 35-year-old female section chief from the provincial department—her background must be extraordinary.

I need to find an opportunity to inquire about it.

At lunchtime in the cafeteria, Lin Fan deliberately sat at the same table as the people from the budget department. As they chatted, he asked about the new department head.

"I heard the new section chief came from the provincial department?" Lin Fan asked casually.

Xiao Zhang from the budget section said, "Yes, her name is Li Jing. She has worked in the provincial budget department for ten years and is quite capable."

"Then why are you willing to come down?"

"I don't know." Xiao Zhang looked around and lowered his voice, "But I heard... her husband also works in our city, probably for the sake of the family."

Lin Fan nodded, understanding the situation.

In the afternoon, Lin Fan went to a meeting with Zhou Wenyuan. On the way, he told Zhou Wenyuan what he had found out.

Zhou Wenyuan nodded after listening: "Li Jing, I know her. Her husband works in the Organization Department of the Municipal Party Committee. I've had dinner with him a few times. He's a nice person, we should get along well."

"That's good." Lin Fan breathed a sigh of relief.

"However, we can't let our guard down," Zhou Wenyuan said. "A new broom sweeps clean, and she's just arrived, so she'll definitely want to achieve something. We should support her, but we also need to be on guard."

"How to prevent it?"

"Cooperate where necessary, and stand firm where necessary," Zhou Wenyuan said. "Budget allocation is a major issue; we can't just do whatever she says. But we must save face for her and not embarrass her."

Lin Fan noted it down. This was Zhou Wenyuan's way of dealing with people—protecting one's own interests while also considering the feelings of others.

After finishing the meeting and returning to the bureau, it was already four o'clock in the afternoon. Lin Fan parked the car and began to sort through the gifts he had received that day—two boxes of mooncakes. Mid-Autumn Festival was approaching, and the subordinate units had started sending holiday gifts.

He moved the mooncakes to the garage, opened a box and looked inside. It was a high-end gift box, costing two or three hundred yuan per box.

"There are so many, how can we possibly finish them all?" Lin Fan muttered, taking four boxes and putting them in the car, intending to give one box each to his parents, sister, and Wang Juan's family.

After thinking about it, he kept two boxes for Zhao Xiaowen and two boxes for Chen Ming. He would keep the rest for later and give them away during the holidays.

After everything was packed, he called Wang Juan.

"Juan'er, are you busy tonight?"

"Nothing's wrong, what's up?"

"I have some mooncakes here, I'll take them over to you. We can also talk about going to your house this weekend."

"Okay, then come to the store, I'll wait for you."

Over the weekend, Lin Fan rode his father's motorcycle with Wang Juan sitting behind him, and the two returned to Bai County.

This time I didn't drive; riding a motorcycle is more convenient. I don't have to worry about traffic jams, and I can take back roads.

Wang Juan hugged Lin Fan's waist, her face pressed against his back. A breeze blew by, carrying the scent of autumn.

"Lin Fan, ride slower," Wang Juan said.

"What's wrong? Are you scared?"

"No, I just want to ride a little longer," Wang Juan said softly. "It feels so good to hold you like this."

Lin Fan felt a warmth in his heart and slowed down.

When they arrived at Wang Juan's house, her parents were already waiting. Upon seeing the motorcycle, Wang Juan's father's eyes lit up: "This is a nice motorcycle!"

"Uncle likes it?" Lin Fan got off the bike. "Why don't you give it a try?"

"I don't know how to ride this," Wang Juan's father laughed. "You young people can ride it."

Wang Juan's mother pulled her daughter into the house, and Lin Fan carried in the things he brought—besides mooncakes, there were two packs of cigarettes, two bottles of wine, and some health products.

"Xiao Fan, you always bring so much stuff every time you come," Wang Juan's mother said. "It's too much of a waste."

"Of course," Lin Fan smiled. "Auntie, how was the corn harvest this year?"

"It's great!" Wang Juan's father replied. "The harvest is 20% higher than last year. Take some back with you later; it's very sweet when you cook it."

For lunch, we had some country-style dishes again. Wang Juan's mother made corn pancakes, which were golden brown, fragrant, and sweet.

"Auntie's cooking is really good." Lin Fan ate two large pieces.

"Eat as much as you like," Wang Juan's mother said happily. "Xiao Fan, when will you and Juanzi settle things?"

Lin Fan glanced at Wang Juan: "Auntie, we want to date for a while longer. We'll get married once my job is more stable."

"That's fine, you young people have your own ideas," Wang Juan's mother said. "But we have a house and a stable job, so it's good to get married sooner rather than later. We're looking forward to holding our grandson."

Wang Juan blushed: "Mom, what are you saying?"

Lin Fan smiled and said, "Don't worry, Auntie, I won't keep you waiting too long."

After dinner, Wang Juan's father took Lin Fan to see the cornfield. It was a sea of ​​golden yellow, with corn stalks taller than a person.

"The rains have been good this year, and the corn is growing well." Wang Juan's father broke off a stalk of corn. "Look, the kernels are plentiful and plump."

Lin Fan took it and looked at it; it was indeed quite good.

"Uncle, you've planted so much, will you be able to sell it all?"

"We can sell them, but the price is low," Wang Juan's father sighed. "The grain station only buys them for 35 cents a pound, which isn't even enough to cover the cost."

Lin Fan's heart skipped a beat: "Uncle, I know a few restaurant owners who need good corn. How about I ask around and see if I can get a good price?"

"That's great!" Wang Juan's father's eyes lit up. "If we can sell it for fifty cents, I'll be satisfied."

"I'll try my best," Lin Fan said.

In the afternoon, the two returned to the city with a large bag of corn. Wang Juan sat in the back, holding the bag of corn, and smiled sweetly.

"Lin Fan, you're so kind," she said.

"Why are you praising me again?"

"It's great." Wang Juan leaned against his back. "It's good to me, and it's good to my parents too."

Lin Fan laughed: "You're my wife, who else would I treat well if not you?"

"Who's your wife..." Wang Juan whispered, but hugged him even tighter.

When Lin Fan got home, it was already dark. He divided the corn into three portions: one for his parents, one for his brother Zhou, and one for his sister.

My mother cooked a few ears of corn, and the whole house smelled of corn.

"It's so sweet." Lin Jianguo ate some corn. "The Wang family's land is well-cultivated." Lin Fan said, "Dad, how's your motorcycle riding?"

Hearing this, Lin Jianguo perked up: "It's great! I rode it to the market to buy groceries yesterday, it's so convenient. It's just that the gas is a bit expensive."

"I'll reimburse you for the gas," Lin Fan said with a smile. "By the way, did you get your driver's license yet?"

"It's done." Lin Jianguo took out a notebook from his pocket. "Our captain handled it personally. He said that from now on, when the traffic police check a car, just say you're from the traffic team, and no one will dare to stop you."

Lin Fan took it and looked at it; it was a genuine driver's license. He knew in his heart that this was another favor done to Zhou Wenyuan.

"Dad, be careful when riding your motorcycle, and wear your helmet."

"I know, I know."

Before going to bed that night, he sent Zhou Wenyuan a text message: "Brother Zhou, it's Mid-Autumn Festival next week, is there anything I need to prepare?"

He quickly replied, "You can arrange it as you see fit. Send gifts where appropriate, and make the necessary visits. Make a list, and I'll take a look."

"clear."

Lin Fan put down his phone and looked out the window. The moon was full; the Mid-Autumn Festival was approaching.

This year has gone by so quickly. But every step I've taken has been solid.

This is enough.