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

June 18, 2008, Tu County.

The morning light of midsummer filtered through the branches of the old locust trees in the county government compound, casting dappled shadows. It was only 7:30 in the morning, but the temperature had already risen, and the cicadas chirped incessantly, their clamor carrying the characteristic heat of the season.

But today, the people in the county government compound are busier than the cicadas are chirping.

The small square in front of the office building had been thoroughly swept, even the moss in the cracks between the bricks had been scrubbed clean. Several waist-high cycads had been moved to a prominent position, their lush green leaves gleaming in the morning light. Staff members from the county party committee office were coming and going, their expressions a mixture of tension and excitement.

"Director Lin, move the banner a little to the left, yes, a little to the left!" Office Director Lao Yang directed from the steps.

Lin Fan stood on the ladder, carefully adjusting the red banner hanging above the main entrance of the office building. The large, gold-embossed characters on the bright red silk cloth gleamed in the sunlight: "Warmly welcome the provincial and municipal leaders to Tuxian County for inspection and guidance."

This is a slogan he drafted himself; it is concise, dignified, and yet full of enthusiasm.

"Is it ready, Director Lin?" Old Yang asked from below.

"Alright." Lin Fan climbed down the ladder, took a few steps back, and looked at the banner. It was hung neatly, at the right height, and the lettering was clear. He nodded. "It's fine, Director Yang."

Old Yang breathed a sigh of relief and wiped the sweat from his brow: "The provincial inspection team will arrive at nine o'clock, less than an hour and a half. Where's Secretary Zhou?"

"Secretary Zhou is in his office finalizing the report materials." Lin Fan glanced at his watch. "I'll go check on him."

Entering the office building, the corridors were already bustling with activity. People from the publicity department were putting up signs, those from the organization department were organizing visitor route maps, and the reception office was checking the meeting room setup. Everyone who saw Lin Fan nodded respectfully in greeting: "Good morning, Director Lin."

"Good morning." Lin Fan nodded in response, continuing on his way.

Over the past six months, he has firmly established himself as the deputy director of the Tuxian County Party Committee Office. Although nominally in charge of secretarial work and reception, his actual job is Zhou Wenyuan's full-time assistant—writing documents, offering suggestions, and coordinating various parties, sometimes even getting closer to the core than the full-time secretary, Xiao Chen.

More importantly, Zhou Wenyuan's trust in him only grew stronger. Over the past six months, Lin Fan's influence has been evident in the entire strategy for Party building and the development of spiritual civilization in Tuxian County, from planning to implementation. And today is the day to test the results.

Lin Fan walked to the end of the third floor and knocked on the door of the county party secretary's office.

"Enter."

Pushing open the door, I saw Zhou Wenyuan standing by the window, his back to the door. Today he was wearing a light gray short-sleeved shirt and dark trousers, his hair neatly combed. The sunlight streaming in from the window outlined his features clearly.

"Brother Zhou, the preparations are almost complete," Lin Fan said.

Zhou Wenyuan turned around. He had lost some weight in the past six months, but he was in good spirits, and his eyes revealed a calm and composed demeanor. The wind and sun of Tuxian County had left some marks on his face, but they had only added to his pragmatic and hardworking nature.

"I've reviewed the materials one last time, and there are no problems." Zhou Wenyuan walked back to his desk, picked up the thick report, and said, "Xiao Lin, please sit down."

Lin Fan sat down opposite him.

"To be honest, I'm a little nervous." Zhou Wenyuan smiled, a rare occurrence for him. "I've been doing this job for so many years and have received quite a few leaders. But this time... is different."

Lin Fan understood his meaning. The delegation that came to inspect today was the highest-level delegation Tu County had received in nearly ten years—led by the Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee, accompanied by the Secretary of the Municipal Party Committee and the Mayor, and the heads of multiple departments, including the Organization Department, the Publicity Department, and the Party History Research Office, were all present. Ostensibly, it was a survey of grassroots Party building and the construction of spiritual civilization, but in reality, it was a comprehensive review of Zhou Wenyuan's work over the past six months.

"Brother Zhou, your work is solid and you're not afraid to see it," Lin Fan said earnestly. "The red education base has been built, the efficiency improvement campaign has yielded results, and the pilot project for changing customs and habits has also provided valuable experience. These are all real achievements."

Zhou Wenyuan nodded, tapping lightly on the cover of the document: "These past six months have been incredibly helpful. You came up with many ideas, and you oversaw many details. If the leadership approves today, you deserve half the credit."

"Brother Zhou, you flatter me. I only did some specific work," Lin Fan said modestly.

"Alright, let's not talk about this anymore." Zhou Wenyuan waved his hand. "By the way, how's Wang Juan doing? It's been almost three months, right?"

Mentioning his wife, Lin Fan smiled gently: "She's doing well, not having much of a reaction, just a bit sleepy. I went back to see her last week, and she looked quite well."

"That's good." Zhou Wenyuan smiled as well. "You're going to be a father, that's a big deal. No matter how busy you are with work, remember to take care of your family. Just let me know if you need to take time off."

"Thank you, Brother Zhou."

Just then, Secretary Chen knocked on the door and came in: "Secretary Zhou, Director Lin, the inspection team's convoy has exited the highway and is expected to arrive at 8:50."

Zhou Wenyuan glanced at his watch, stood up, and said, "Let's go, let's wait downstairs."

At 8:40, all members of the county party committee leadership team were already lined up at the gate of the compound, waiting. County Mayor Li Jianguo stood beside Zhou Wenyuan, his expression complex—in the past six months, Zhou Wenyuan had been making great strides in party building and spiritual civilization construction; however, the economic work that Li Jianguo was in charge of had been struggling due to the impact of the financial crisis.

"Secretary Zhou, this is quite a show of force today," Li Jianguo said in a low voice.

"They're all here to provide guidance," Zhou Wenyuan said calmly.

Li Jianguo glanced at him, hesitating to speak. Over the past six months, his attitude towards Zhou Wenyuan had subtly changed. Initially, he thought this newly appointed secretary was just there to gain experience and handle some superficial work. Unexpectedly, Zhou Wenyuan had done these "superficial" tasks conscientiously and won the approval of cadres and the masses.

What troubled Li Jianguo even more was that, as the financial crisis intensified, one by one the economic projects under his control encountered problems—the investors in the stone processing plant withdrew their investment, several small factories that had been brought in through investment promotion faced operational difficulties, and the county's fiscal revenue declined instead of increasing. On the contrary, the work that Zhou Wenyuan was in charge of, which did not require much money, frequently received recognition from higher authorities.

"They're here," someone whispered.

In the distance, a convoy slowly approached. Leading the way was a black Audi A8, followed by several official vehicles. The convoy stopped at the gate of the compound, and Zhao Mingxian, the deputy secretary of the provincial party committee, stepped out of the first car, followed closely by the municipal party secretary and mayor.

Zhou Wenyuan quickly stepped forward to greet him: "Secretary Zhao, welcome, welcome!"

"Comrade Wenyuan, thank you for your hard work." Deputy Secretary Zhao shook hands firmly. He was in his early sixties with gray hair, but he was in good spirits. "I haven't seen you for half a year, you've lost weight."

"Working at the grassroots level is a great way to toughen people up," Zhou Wenyuan said with a smile.

Next came Wang Zhenshan, the municipal party secretary, and Chen Li, the mayor—this Mayor Chen was the backer of the director of the Gangcheng City Finance Bureau. He shook Zhou Wenyuan's hand, his eyes holding an indescribable meaning: "Secretary Zhou, Tuxian County has changed quite a bit in the past six months."

"It's all thanks to the effective leadership of the municipal party committee and government," Zhou Wenyuan said succinctly.

The inspection team, consisting of more than 20 people, along with accompanying personnel from Tu County, entered the county government building in a grand procession. After a brief welcoming ceremony, they went directly to the conference room to hear a work report.

Zhou Wenyuan, as the main speaker, stood in front of the projection screen. Instead of reading from a prepared script, he gave a report extemporaneously—how many townships he had visited in the past six months, how many revolutionary sites he had repaired, and how many tour guides he had trained; how the "Efficiency Improvement Year" campaign had rectified the work style of government offices and simplified procedures; what achievements the pilot program for changing customs and habits had made, and what the public's reaction had been…

He recounted the figures and cases one by one, in a detailed and engaging manner. The meeting room was quiet, with only Zhou Wenyuan's voice and the occasional sound of turning the pages of documents.

Sitting in the back row, Lin Fan looked at Zhou Wenyuan on the stage, a sense of pride welling up inside him. The hard work of the past six months had been worth it. All those sleepless nights writing reports, all those trips to the countryside, all that effort coordinating with various parties—all of it had meaning at this moment.

After the report concluded, Deputy Secretary Zhao led the applause.

"Comrade Wenyuan's report was comprehensive and very practical," Deputy Secretary Zhao commented. "I found it very inspiring. Party building and the construction of spiritual civilization may sound abstract, but Comrade Wenyuan has taken it very seriously, achieved results, and developed distinctive features."

Party Secretary Wang Zhenshan continued, "The experience of Tuxian County proves that the more difficult the economic situation, the more we need to strengthen Party building and attach importance to spiritual strength. In the past six months, despite no significant increase in fiscal revenue, the morale of cadres in Tuxian County has improved, public satisfaction has increased, and social atmosphere has improved. This is a political achievement, a real and tangible achievement."

Mayor Chen Li also stated: "Tu County's experience is worth promoting throughout the city. Especially under the current economic situation, Tu County has made valuable explorations on how to coordinate development and stability, and material and spiritual aspects."

The leaders offered their praise and affirmation in turn. Zhou Wenyuan, seated in the main seat, responded humbly with a smile. But Lin Fan could see the relief and ease hidden in the fine wrinkles at the corners of his eyes.

The briefing was followed by a field visit. The inspection team split into three groups, which visited a revolutionary education base, a model site for improving government efficiency, and a pilot village for changing customs and habits.

Lin Fan accompanied Zhou Wenyuan and Deputy Secretary Zhao's group to visit the ruins of the Anti-Japanese War Command Post in Qingshan Township. The abandoned courtyard from six months ago has been completely renovated. The blue bricks, gray tiles, wooden doors, and windows have been restored to their original appearance. A stone tablet stands at the entrance, inscribed with an introduction to the site. Inside, a simple exhibition displays pictures, texts, and artifacts, recounting that era of war.

The full-time guide was a young woman in her early twenties, dressed in a neat uniform, who gave a vivid and engaging explanation. Deputy Secretary Zhao listened attentively, asking questions from time to time.

"How much did it cost to restore this site?" he asked.

"The county allocated 200,000 yuan, and the township raised 100,000 yuan on its own, mainly for materials and labor," Zhou Wenyuan replied. "We adhere to the principle of restoring the old as it was, and we will not carry out large-scale demolition and construction."

"It's worth it." Deputy Secretary Zhao nodded. "It's about getting a lot done with a little money. It's not just about protecting history, but also about passing on the spirit."

After leaving the ruins, Deputy Secretary Zhao said to Zhou Wenyuan, "Wenyuan, I've seen your work over the past six months. You were already an outstanding cadre when you were in the Finance Bureau, and since coming to Tuxian County, your work has become even more solid. Excellent, truly excellent."

"Thank you for your recognition, Secretary Zhao. I will continue to work hard."

"Hmm." Deputy Secretary Zhao patted him on the shoulder. "Keep up the good work. Tu County may be poor, but it has great potential."

We had lunch at the county government guesthouse. It was a simple working meal: four dishes and a soup. Deputy Secretary Zhao ate with great relish, saying it was even better than the delicacies served in fancy hotels.

After the meal, the leaders rested for a while. Zhou Wenyuan called Lin Fan aside.

"Mayor Chen spoke to me privately just now," Zhou Wenyuan said in a low voice.

Lin Fan's heart skipped a beat: "What did he say?"

"They say the city is under a lot of economic pressure right now, and the effects of the financial crisis are starting to show." Zhou Wenyuan's expression was complicated. "More and more businesses are going bankrupt, more people are unemployed, and it's difficult to increase fiscal revenue. He, as mayor, is having a tough time."

"It's the same with County Chief Li," Lin Fan said. "I heard that several small factories in the county are on the verge of collapse, and the banks are pressing for loan repayments."

"Yes," Zhou Wenyuan sighed. "Today, Secretary Zhao praised me, saying that I stepped out of the economic circle and achieved results in Party building. But to be honest, seeing County Chief Li and the others so overwhelmed, I didn't feel good about it either."

"Brother Zhou, this isn't your fault," Lin Fan said. "The financial crisis is global, not anyone's responsibility. Your efforts in strengthening Party building have precisely stabilized the overall situation during this difficult economic period, which is more important than blindly launching projects."

Zhou Wenyuan nodded, but his brows did not completely relax.

The inspection continued in the afternoon, lasting until 4:30 p.m. After seeing off the inspection team's convoy, the county party committee members returned to the conference room for a debriefing meeting.

Li Jianguo was the first to speak: "Today's affirmation of Tuxian County's work by the provincial and municipal leaders is an honor for all members of the leadership team. In particular, the Party building work led by Secretary Zhou has achieved remarkable results and is worthy of learning."

These words were spoken sincerely, without the perfunctory tone of the past. Other members of the Standing Committee also expressed their opinions, creating an unprecedentedly harmonious atmosphere.

In his concluding remarks, Zhou Wenyuan stated: "The achievements belong to everyone, and the work is a collective effort. Moving forward, we must transform the leadership's affirmation into motivation to do an even better job in all aspects of Tuxian County's work. In terms of the economy, although there are difficulties, we must do everything possible to maintain stability and protect people's livelihoods. In terms of Party building, we must consolidate our achievements and deepen and expand our efforts."

After the meeting, Zhou Wenyuan kept Lin Fan behind.

"Come for a walk with me," he said.

The two walked out of the county government compound and strolled slowly along the main street of the county town. As evening approached, the streets became more crowded. Vegetable vendors, people returning home from get off work, and children taking walks filled the air with the vibrant atmosphere of everyday life.

"Xiao Lin, have you told your family about Wang Juan's pregnancy?" Zhou Wenyuan suddenly asked.

"I told them, and my parents were overjoyed. They said they'd come and help take care of the baby after it's born," Lin Fan laughed. "My parents-in-law are happy too; my mother-in-law has already started preparing baby clothes."

"Great news! This is wonderful!" Zhou Wenyuan was genuinely happy for Lin Fan. "You've been running back and forth between Tuxian and Gangcheng for the past six months; you've worked so hard. Once Wang Juan's pregnancy is more advanced, go back and visit her more often."

"Thank you, Brother Zhou."

They walked to the park and sat down on a bench. The setting sun painted the sky orange-red, and a cool breeze brought a touch of coolness.

"Lin Fan, tell me the truth." Zhou Wenyuan looked at the distant mountains. "Have I been a bit... opportunistic in focusing on Party building these past six months? With economic difficulties, am I being too shrewd by avoiding economic issues and focusing on Party building?"

Lin Fan thought about it carefully: "Brother Zhou, this isn't taking shortcuts, it's wisdom. During an economic upswing, focusing on the economy is easy to achieve results; during a period of economic hardship, maintaining stability and boosting morale are more important. You're not avoiding the economy, but rather choosing a focus that better suits our current needs. This precisely demonstrates your political judgment and overall perspective."

Zhou Wenyuan was silent for a moment, then smiled: "You always have a way of saying things that resonate with people."

"I'm telling the truth," Lin Fan said. "And Brother Zhou, don't forget, we cleared out all our stocks before the new year and have cash on hand. When the financial crisis deepens and asset prices bottom out, it will be a great opportunity to buy at the bottom. At that time, you will also be able to make some progress in the economy."

Zhou Wenyuan's eyes lit up: "You mean..."

"Tu County is poor, but it has plenty of resources." Lin Fan lowered his voice. "It has potential in its mountains, forests, minerals, and agricultural products. If we can attract capital to develop these resources when this crisis is over and the economy recovers, it will be a real achievement. And now is the time to plan ahead."

Zhou Wenyuan fell into deep thought. The afterglow of the setting sun shone on his face, gilding it with a layer of gold.

After a long pause, he slowly nodded: "Lin Fan, you always see further than I do."

"It was Brother Zhou who gave me the platform that made it possible for me to think about these things."

"Alright, stop being modest." Zhou Wenyuan stood up. "Let's go back. I'll treat you to dinner tonight to celebrate today's successful inspection and also to celebrate your upcoming fatherhood."

"Then I'll have to treat Brother Zhou."

"It doesn't matter who pays."

The two walked back, their shadows stretching long in the setting sun. The streetlights along the streets gradually lit up, signaling the approaching night in the small town.

Back at the guesthouse, Lin Fan first called Wang Juan.

"How are you today? Still throwing up?"

"Much better, just sleepy easily." Wang Juan's voice was gentle. "And you? I heard provincial leaders came to inspect today?"

"Yes, everything went smoothly. The boss gave Zhou Ge a very high evaluation of his work," Lin Fan said. "Juan'er, I missed you."

"I miss you too." Wang Juan paused, "Lin Fan, I have something to tell you. I went for my prenatal checkup today, and the doctor said... it might be twins."

Lin Fan was stunned: "Twins...?"

"Yes, the doctor said it's not very clear yet, but it's very likely," Wang Juan said with a smile. "You're going to be a father of two."

Lin Fan held his phone, suddenly at a loss for words. A surge of immense joy welled up inside him, choking him and turning into warm tears welling in his eyes.

"Lin Fan? Are you listening?"

"Yes, I'm listening." Lin Fan sniffed. "Juan'er, I...I'm so happy."

"Me too," Wang Juan said softly. "When you come back this weekend, we'll celebrate properly."

After hanging up the phone, Lin Fan stood in the room for a long time. Outside the window, night had completely fallen in Tu County, with scattered lights twinkling in the darkness.

Four and a half years after his rebirth, he has a career, a family, and is now expecting two more children. All of this stems from that decision—to follow Zhou Wenyuan to this remote county.

To others, this might seem like a sacrifice, an abandonment of the comfortable life in the steel city. But Lin Fan knew it was a choice, the right choice.

Here, he participated in a project that changed a place; here, he proved that economic figures are not the only measure of political achievement; here, amidst the storm of the financial crisis, he helped Zhou Wenyuan find a stable path.

And family remains the warmest harbor. Wang Juan's business is thriving, her parents and in-laws are healthy, Xiao Lei is making progress in his studies, and now a new life is on the way...

This is the "stable and prosperous life" he wants—not great wealth, but a valuable career, a warm family, and something to look forward to in life.

My phone rang again. It was a text message from Zhou Wenyuan: "Come to the cafeteria, all the dishes are served."

Lin Fan replied, "I'll be there soon."

He washed his face and looked at his twenty-six-year-old self in the mirror—more mature than five years ago, with a more determined look in his eyes, a heavier sense of responsibility on his shoulders, but also a more grounded heart.

In this life, he chose the right path.

But the road ahead is still long.

But he and Zhou Wenyuan have already taken solid steps on this path.

This is enough.

In the future, no matter the storms or hardships, they will continue on their journey.

Because if you're heading in the right direction, you don't have to worry about how far the road is.