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

March 12, 2009, 7:00 AM.

The county government compound in Tuxian County was already bustling with people. Winter sunlight filtered through the bare branches of trees, casting dappled shadows on the blue brick floor. The air was crisp and cold, and you could see white breath in the air, but everyone's face carried a busy, energetic spirit—this had become the norm in Tuxian County for the past two years.

Lin Fan stood by the window in the corridor on the third floor of the office building, holding a steaming cup of tea in his hand, quietly watching everything in the courtyard below.

He was dressed very formally today—a dark gray suit, a white shirt, and a navy blue tie. Wang Juan had bought him this outfit last year, saying it was for "meeting high-ranking officials," but Lin Fan had rarely dressed this formally in the year or so he'd been in Tuxian County. Today was a special day.

"Director Lin, the car is ready," Xiao Liu from the county party committee office whispered from behind.

Lin Fan turned around and nodded: "Understood."

He walked back to his office. He had used this room, which was about twenty square meters, for a full year and a half. His desk was neat and tidy, all the documents were filed, and his personal belongings were packed away. Only a photo frame remained on the corner of the desk—a picture of his baby and Beibei when they were 100 days old, the two little ones chubby with bright, dark eyes.

Lin Fan picked up the photo frame and gently wiped the dust off the glass. Calculating the time, the children were already over ten months old; they should be crawling and sitting up by now, and maybe even able to stand up while holding onto things. But for the past six months, he, as their father, could only come home once every two weeks, and each time he had to rush back after only two days.

"I'm sorry, sons," he said softly, carefully placing the photo frame into his briefcase.

At 8:00 AM sharp, in the small conference room of the county committee.

The newly appointed county head, Chen Daming, was already seated in the main seat. This 45-year-old county head, transferred from the Development and Reform Commission by the municipal party committee, had a background in economic work, a clear vision, and a pragmatic style. He had been in Tuxian County for ten months and spoke highly of the e-commerce project led by Lin Fan.

There were more than twenty people in the meeting room—members of the county party committee and government, secretaries of the party committees of various townships, heads of key departments, and several representatives of the e-commerce association. This was Lin Fan's last handover meeting in Tuxian County.

"Everyone's here, let's begin," County Head Chen Daming said. "Today's meeting is mainly for Director Lin to give a complete handover of the e-commerce work. Director Lin is going to report to the city tomorrow, so time is tight, let's get started."

Lin Fan stood up and walked to the projection screen. He didn't use a script; every detail of e-commerce development over the past year was etched in his mind.

"Distinguished leaders, colleagues, and friends from the e-commerce association," he began calmly. "I worked in Tuxian County for one year and eight months, mainly doing one thing—putting Tuxian's products online and selling them. Today, I'd like to take this opportunity to give you a comprehensive report."

He opened the PowerPoint presentation. The first slide was a data overview:

As of November 30, 2009, Tuxian County e-commerce—

• Number of registered online stores: 487

• Direct employees: 11236 people

• Indirectly creates approximately 100000 jobs

Sales revenue from January to November 2009: 11.2 billion yuan

• Projected full-year sales: RMB 11.85 billion

• Product categories: expanded from the initial 6 to 320

• Sales area: Covering 31 provinces and municipalities across China, and exporting to 12 countries and regions.

A murmur of astonishment rippled through the conference room. Although everyone knew that e-commerce had taken off, seeing such comprehensive data still left them speechless with awe.

"Behind these numbers is everyone's collective effort." Lin Fan switched to the next page. "I'll focus on reporting a few key aspects."

He explained the e-commerce association's operating model—government guidance, association organization, enterprise as the main body, and market operation; he talked about the talent training system—the county has established an e-commerce training center, which has trained more than 12300 people; he discussed product quality control—they have formulated quality standards for 12 products and established a traceability system; he discussed the logistics system construction—they have introduced four express delivery companies and set up 36 service stations in townships; and he talked about brand building—the regional public brand "Tu County" has applied for trademark protection and is currently applying for geographical indication protection.

Each item was explained in great detail, with case studies, data, and insightful analysis.

"Finally, I'd like to talk about the shortcomings and suggestions for the next steps." Lin Fan switched to the last page. "There are still several problems with e-commerce in Tuxian County: First, there is serious product homogenization and insufficient innovation; second, there is still a shortage of talent, especially high-end talent in operations, design, and marketing; third, logistics costs are too high, which restricts competitiveness; and fourth, the industrial chain is not complete enough, and many raw materials still need to be purchased from outside."

He offered several suggestions: First, establish an e-commerce innovation fund to support product research and development; second, cooperate with universities to establish a long-term mechanism for talent introduction and training; third, strive for logistics subsidy policies to reduce enterprise costs; and fourth, develop supporting industries to improve the industrial chain.

After the presentation, the meeting room was quiet for a few seconds before erupting in enthusiastic applause.

County Head Chen Daming stood up, walked to Lin Fan's side, and firmly grasped his hand: "Director Lin, your work is solid, systematic, and visionary. On behalf of the Tu County Party Committee and Government, and on behalf of the 300,000 people of Tu County, thank you!"

"County Chief Chen, you flatter me. This is what I should do."

"No, this isn't just polite talk," Chen Ming said earnestly. "I've studied e-commerce development models in many places, and Tuxian's model is the most pragmatic and sustainable. You not only got it done, but you also left behind the methods and built up the team. That's the most valuable thing."

The handover meeting lasted until 10:30. After the meeting, many people gathered around to say goodbye to Lin Fan.

"Director Lin, please come back and visit often!"

"Director Lin, when you go to the city, don't forget about our Tu County!"

"Director Lin, have a safe trip!"

Lin Fan shook hands with each of them and responded to each one. Some of these faces were familiar, and some were not so familiar, but they had all worked with him for the development of e-commerce in Tuxian County over the past year.

Finally, Grandma Wang and Grandpa Li came up. The two elderly people were wearing new clothes today, and Grandma Wang was carrying a large jar of chili sauce.

"Director Lin, please take this with you." Aunt Wang handed over the chili sauce. "It's the latest batch, I made it myself."

"Auntie, you..."

"Take it!" Aunt Wang shoved it into Lin Fan's hand without a word. "Without you, this chili sauce would still be simmering in my little pot at home. Now the factory has over two hundred workers, and it sells a million a month. My son and daughter-in-law both work at the factory, and we don't have to worry about our grandson's school fees. All of this is from you."

Grandpa Li also handed over a straw pen holder: "I made it, just to keep as a memento. Director Lin, you are the best cadre I have ever met, truly serving the people wholeheartedly."

Lin Fan took the pen holder; its texture was warm and smooth, and the weaving was exquisite. His eyes welled up with tears: "Grandpa, Grandma, thank you. The success of e-commerce in Tuxian County is thanks to capable people like you. I'm leaving, but the e-commerce association is here, and County Chief Chen is here. The e-commerce industry in Tuxian County will only get better and better."

"Yes, yes, we believe you!" The two elderly people nodded repeatedly.

It was already eleven o'clock when Lin Fan came out of the meeting room. He returned to his office and did a final check. After confirming that nothing was missing, he picked up his briefcase, grabbed the cardboard box containing his personal belongings, and left the room where he had worked for a year and a half.

The corridor was quiet. The doors of the several offices he passed were all open, and the people inside stood up and silently nodded in greeting when they saw Lin Fan. No further words were exchanged, but the affection was evident in their eyes.

I went downstairs and into the courtyard. The white Lexus LX570 was already parked in front of the office building. The car was very clean, gleaming with a warm sheen in the winter sun.

Lin Fan put the cardboard box in the trunk and was about to get into the car when a voice came from behind: "Director Lin, wait!"

He turned around and saw Xiao Chen from the e-commerce association running over breathlessly, holding a thick photo album in his hand.

"President Chen, what's wrong?"

"This...this is for you." Xiao Chen handed over the photo album. "Our association members worked through the night to organize these photos of e-commerce development over the past year. From training to opening stores, from the first order to the current scale, it's all in here."

Lin Fan took the photo album and flipped to the first page. It was a group photo of a training class, more than twenty young people standing at the entrance of the county party school, their smiles a little restrained, but their eyes shining. He turned the pages—product photography, packing and shipping scenes, screenshots of customer reviews, award photos… The last few pages were recent photos: the bustling scene at the e-commerce incubation center, the production line at Grandma Wang's chili sauce factory, the elderly people at Grandpa Li's straw weaving cooperative…

"Thank you, this is so precious." Lin Fan closed the photo album.

"Director Lin, without you, there would be no e-commerce in Tuxian County today." Xiao Chen's eyes reddened. "You taught us not only how to open an online store, but also how to do things and how to be a person. We will continue to work hard and make e-commerce in Tuxian County even better."

"I believe in you guys." Lin Fan patted Xiao Chen on the shoulder. "Keep it up."

He got in the car and closed the door. Lin Fan sat in the driver's seat and took a deep breath. He glanced at the county government office building in the rearview mirror—the old five-story building, which looked simple and steadfast under the sky of Tu County.

Just like this land, just like the people here.

The car started and slowly drove out of the county government compound. Old Sun, the gatekeeper, stood at attention and saluted—a tradition for cadres transferred from Tuxian County.

Lin Fan rolled down the car window and nodded to Lao Sun. The car drove onto the street and merged into the sparse traffic.

Instead of immediately getting on the highway, he drove around the county town slowly.

The Renmin Road night market is quiet during the day, but the stalls on both sides are still there, suggesting it will be bustling at night. Several delivery trucks are parked outside the guesthouse where the e-commerce incubation center is located, and young people are carrying cardboard boxes in and out. The sign for Wang Da Niang's chili sauce factory is very eye-catching, and workers are loading trucks in the courtyard. Li Da Ye's straw weaving cooperative is on the edge of town, a small courtyard with blue tiles and white walls, and bundles of straw drying in front of the door…

These scenes flashed past the car window, one after another. Every place has a story, a memory.

Finally, the car stopped on a hillside outside the county town. From here, you can overlook the entire Tuxian County town—small, but clean; not bustling, but full of life.

Lin Fan got out of the car, stood on the hillside, and lit a cigarette. The smoke rose gently into the cool air.

One year and eight months. From initial unfamiliarity to current familiarity; from initial ideas to current achievements; from one person's exploration to a group's cause.

He kept his promise to Zhou Wenyuan—to safeguard this business in Tuxian County and develop e-commerce.

Now, he's leaving. To the city, to a bigger stage, to continue following Zhou Wenyuan, and to go even further.

But this period in Tuxian County will forever be a significant chapter in his life.

After finishing his cigarette, Lin Fan returned to his car. This time, he didn't hesitate and drove straight to the highway exit.

Once on the highway, the speed increased to 120 km/h. The Lexus 570 moved smoothly and powerfully, the engine roaring deep and resolute. The scenery outside the window rushed past, and Tuxian County gradually disappeared from view.

The journey home has begun.

At 2:30 pm, the car exited the highway and entered the urban area of ​​Gangcheng City.

Unlike the tranquility of Tu County, the streets of Gangcheng are bustling with traffic, towering buildings, hurried crowds, and noisy city sounds—this is the rhythm of the city, and also the rhythm that Lin Fan is familiar with.

However, instead of reporting to the municipal party committee first, he drove directly back to Riverside Garden.

After parking the car, Lin Fan practically ran upstairs. His hand even trembled slightly as he inserted the key into the lock.

The door opened.

In the living room, Wang Juan was sitting on the carpet, playing with building blocks with her two little ones. Hearing the door open, she looked up, saw Lin Fan, and her eyes lit up immediately.

"Lin Fan!"

"Juan'er!"

Lin Fan strode over, squatted down, and hugged his wife tightly. Wang Juan's belly had flattened back to normal, and while she was a bit fuller than before giving birth, she possessed a more mature charm.

"You're back..." Wang Juan's voice was choked with emotion.

"You're back. This time you're not leaving." Lin Fan hugged her tightly.

At this moment, the two little ones were startled and turned around. The ten-month-old baby and Beibei, wearing the same onesies, sat on the crawling mat, their big, round eyes wide open, looking curiously at this "stranger" who had suddenly appeared.

Lin Fan released Wang Juan and turned to look at his sons. His heart was pounding—it had been half a month since he last came back, and the children seemed to have grown up so much.

"Baby, Beibei..." he called softly, slowly walked over, and knelt down beside the crawling mat.

The two little ones tilted their heads to look at him. The baby reacted first, grinned, revealing two newly sprouted little teeth, opened his little arms, and made "ah, ah" sounds. Beibei also laughed and crawled towards Lin Fan on all fours.

Lin Fan's tears welled up instantly. He reached out and hugged his two sons tightly. The little ones smelled of milk; they were soft and warm.

"Daddy's back... Daddy's back..." he murmured, his cheek pressed against his sons' little faces.

Wang Juan watched from the side, tears streaming down her face. She walked over, knelt down beside Lin Fan, and the family of four embraced.

At this moment, all the running around, all the hard work, and all the pressure were worth it.

After a while, Lin Fan finally let go. He carefully examined his two sons—Baby looked more like him, with similar eyebrows and eyes; Beibei resembled Wang Juan, with fairer skin and bigger eyes. The two little ones were a little embarrassed by their father's gaze and hid in their mother's arms.

"They've grown so much..." Lin Fan sighed. "When I left, they were only six months old, and now they can crawl."

"She can not only crawl, she can even stand up while holding onto things." Wang Juan wiped away her tears. "Just a few days ago, Beibei even took a couple of steps while holding onto the coffee table."

"Really? That's amazing!"

"When you're not here, the children talk about 'Daddy' every day," Wang Juan said. "Even though they can't speak yet, they look towards the door whenever you say 'Daddy.'"

Lin Fan felt another pang of sadness. He picked up the baby, then picked up Beibei, kissing her on the left and right sides. The little ones giggled as their father's beard tickled them.

"I'm sorry Dad's late," he said to his sons. "How about Dad plays with you more often from now on?"

"Ah!" the baby responded.

"Ah!" Beibei exclaimed as well.

Wang Juan burst into laughter through her tears: "Look, they agreed."

The family played in the living room for a while. Lin Fan built blocks for his sons, told them stories, and made funny faces. The two little ones quickly became familiar with their father, climbing on him, grabbing his hair, and pulling his tie, having a great time.

Around four o'clock in the afternoon, the children were tired from playing, and Wang Juan coaxed them to take a nap. Lin Fan quietly walked into the bedroom and saw the two little ones sleeping side by side in their crib, covered with blankets printed with bear patterns, breathing evenly, their little faces rosy. A feeling of happiness welled up in his heart.

She gently closed the door and returned to the living room. Wang Juan had already prepared tea.

"Sit down. Are you tired? You've been driving for an hour?"

"I'm not tired." Lin Fan sat down on the sofa, took the teacup, and said, "Seeing you all makes all my fatigue disappear."

"Has the handover been completed in Tuxian County?"

"The handover is complete. The new County Head Chen is a good person; he understands economics and values ​​e-commerce. I've handed over everything that needs to be explained, and the association has made all the necessary arrangements."

"That's good." Wang Juan sat down next to him. "What did Secretary Zhou say?"

"They want me to report for duty tomorrow as the office director, a section chief level position with the benefits of a deputy director. My main job will be working for him as an assistant and driver."

"Office director? That's an important position."

"Yes, being the office director of the Standing Committee member of the Municipal Party Committee and the Secretary of the Political and Legal Affairs Commission is indeed important." Lin Fan took a sip of tea. "Brother Zhou is paving the way for me. If I do a good job as the office director, the next step of promotion to deputy director will be a natural progression."

"Secretary Zhou has been so good to you," Wang Juan said with emotion. "He's been helping you all the way from the Finance Bureau to now."

"Yes, this kindness can never be repaid in a lifetime." Lin Fan held Wang Juan's hand. "Juan'er, you've worked so hard all these years. I've been running around, and the family has relied entirely on you."

"Why say all this?" Wang Juan leaned on his shoulder. "You have your career, and I have mine. Isn't it better for us to support each other?"

"How's business? Wang Qiang said it's grown bigger now?"

"Yes, we now have four exclusive stores, the wholesale business is stable, and we've even opened a branch in the provincial capital," Wang Juan said. "Wang Qiang is now the logistics manager, overseeing more than a dozen people and over thirty vehicles. He's a capable and honest young man."

"You have a good eye for talent."

"I learned it from you," Wang Juan said playfully.

The two chatted about everyday things, and time passed by without them realizing it. In the evening, the mother-in-law called to say that she had made dumplings and invited them over for dinner.

Lin Fan, carrying his two sons, led the family of four to his in-laws' house. Since the arrival of their grandson, the elderly couple had redecorated the house, laying out a playmat and filling the living room with toys. Seeing Lin Fan return, his mother-in-law was so happy she wiped away tears.

"You've lost weight! You've lost weight!" Lin Fan's mother-in-law looked him up and down. "You must not have been eating well in Tu County, right?"

"Mom, I'm eating well," Lin Fan smiled. "Tu County is developing quite well now, and living conditions have improved a lot."

"That's good, that's good." His father-in-law also came over and patted Lin Fan on the shoulder. "It's good that you're back. It's a good thing that Secretary Zhou values ​​you, but you should also take care of your health. Don't worry about things at home, we've got you covered."

"Thank you, Dad."

Dinner was plentiful; the dumplings were filled with chives and eggs, and there were several dishes that Lin Fan liked. The family sat around the table, chatting and laughing. Baby and Beibei sat in their high chairs, and their mother-in-law and father-in-law took turns feeding them porridge. The little ones were very cooperative, eating with porridge all over their faces.

"Look, they eat when their grandparents feed them, but they won't eat when we feed them," Wang Juan said, pretending to be angry.

"That's because they know how to care for you," my mother-in-law laughed. "Your parents are tired from work, but they don't cause any trouble."

After dinner, they chatted for a while longer. Around 8 p.m., the children got sleepy, so Lin Fan and Wang Juan said goodbye and went home.

Back home, Lin Fan helped the children wash up and put them to bed. It was past nine o'clock by the time they finished. Finally, Lin Fan and Wang Juan had time to sit down and have a proper talk.

"Are you nervous about reporting for duty tomorrow?" Wang Juan asked.

"I'm not nervous, but I feel a greater sense of responsibility," Lin Fan said. "As the director of the office of the Standing Committee member of the Municipal Party Committee and the Secretary of the Political and Legal Affairs Commission, this position involves dealing with major issues. Moreover, the Political and Legal Affairs Commission oversees the public security, procuratorate, courts, and judicial departments, making the work sensitive and demanding."

"You can do a good job," Wang Juan said confidently. "Over the years, you've followed Secretary Zhou, what kind of situation haven't you seen? What kind of difficult task haven't you handled? You're definitely capable of being the office director."

"Thanks for your kind words," Lin Fan smiled. "By the way, did you see Brother Zhou's new company car?"

"I saw them, parked in the municipal party committee compound. A new Audi A6 and a new Toyota Land Cruiser. Both are top-of-the-line models."

"Brother Zhou is so thoughtful. The Audi A6 is dignified for city driving; the Land Cruiser is practical for rural driving. But my Lexus is still drivable, so it's temporarily useless."

"Your car is so well-maintained, it looks brand new," Wang Juan said. "By the way, have you made arrangements for Secretary Zhou's wife and children?"

"It's all arranged. My sister-in-law has been transferred to teach at the No. 1 Middle School in the city, and the child has transferred to the Experimental Middle School. The housing has also been allocated; it's in the municipal party committee's residential compound, not far away."

"That's good. Now that Secretary Zhou's family is settled, he can focus on his work."

"Hmm." Lin Fan thought for a moment, "Juan'er, I have an idea."

"you say."

"I'd like to rent or buy an apartment near the municipal government building," Lin Fan said. "I currently live in Riverside Garden, which is a bit far from the municipal government building, and there's traffic congestion in the mornings. Also, I'll be busy with work in the future and will often work overtime, so living closer would be more convenient."

"Sure, I support you," Wang Juan said. "But if we're talking about buying, the housing prices have risen sharply. In 2007, we bought a duplex in Riverside Garden for just over 300,000 yuan, but now the same house would cost 600,000 yuan."

"I can afford it." Lin Fan said calmly. "Have you seen how much our stock has gone up this year?"

Wang Juan's eyes lit up: "Oh right, I almost forgot. How much does Moutai cost now?"

Twenty million went in, and now it's almost fifty million.

Wang Juan gasped, "So many?"

"So buying a house isn't a problem," Lin Fan said. "But there's no rush. I'll see how things go. If we rent, we'll rent a two-bedroom apartment, enough for my daily needs. I'll still go home on weekends to be with you and the kids."

"Okay, whatever you say." Wang Juan leaned into Lin Fan's arms. "As long as we're a family together, it doesn't matter where we live."

Night had fallen. Lin Fan held his wife close, listening to her even breathing, and looked out the window at the night view of the steel city. He had left this city for over two years, and now he was back.

From a temporary worker at the Finance Bureau to a fleet captain, then to the deputy director of the Tuxian County Party Committee Office, and finally to the director of the Municipal Party Committee Office, he has steadily and diligently progressed along this path.

Now, a new journey begins.

The Director of the Municipal Party Committee Office, at the level of a section chief, enjoys the待遇 (treatment/benefits) of a deputy division chief. This position presents both opportunities and challenges. He must assist Zhou Wenyuan in making breakthroughs and achieving results in the important role of Secretary of the Political and Legal Affairs Commission.

But this time, he was confident.

Because he has Zhou Wenyuan's trust, family support, and his own abilities and experience.

More importantly, he has an understanding of this era and a grasp of the future.

Lin Fan slept soundly that night. He dreamt that he was driving a car with Zhou Wenyuan in the back, traveling on a wide avenue. On both sides of the road were thriving cities, prosperous villages, and smiling faces of ordinary people.

He knew he would continue down this path.

Together with Zhou Wenyuan.

For his family, for those who trusted him, and for this era worth fighting for.

The next day, Monday, December 13, 2009.

Lin Fan got up very early. He changed into his dark gray suit, fastened his tie, and carefully tidied himself in front of the mirror. The person in the mirror was twenty-seven years old, with a steady gaze and straight shoulders, already possessing the demeanor of a mature cadre.

The baby woke up at some point, stood up while holding onto the crib railing, and started babbling.

Lin Fan smiled and walked over, picked up his son, and kissed his little face: "Baby, you're so good. Daddy's going to work now, I'll come back and play with you tonight."

Wang Juan also got up and straightened Lin Fan's collar: "Go on, it's your first day, don't be late."

"Okay. I'll go check it out today, and I'll discuss the house with you when I get back tonight."

"it is good."

He went outside and downstairs. The white Lexus 570 was already waiting downstairs. Lin Fan got in, started the car, and slowly drove out of the residential area.

In the early morning in the steel city, the traffic was already quite heavy. People going to work, children going to school, elderly people doing morning exercises... the pulse of the city beat in the winter morning light.

The car arrived at the municipal party committee compound at exactly 7:50. The security guard checked our credentials and let us through.

Lin Fan parked his car next to the newly equipped Audi A6. The two cars were parked side by side, a white SUV and a black sedan, both very impressive.

He walked into the municipal party committee building. The Political and Legal Affairs Commission was on the fifth floor. He ran into several acquaintances in the elevator; they were all former colleagues from his time at the Finance Bureau, now working in various departments of the municipal party committee.

"Director Lin? He's back?"

"You're back. Director Zhang, it's been a long time."

"I heard you did a great job in Tuxian County and made a name for yourself in e-commerce."

"It's all thanks to the support of our leaders and everyone's hard work."

After exchanging pleasantries, the elevator reached the fifth floor. Lin Fan stepped out of the elevator. The corridor was quiet, but he could sense an unusual atmosphere—this was the core department of the municipal party committee, and behind each office door, someone was probably handling a major event that would affect the entire city.

The office of the Secretary of the Political and Legal Affairs Commission was at the end of the corridor. Lin Fan walked over, and the door to the secretary's room was open. A young man of about thirty was organizing documents.

"Hello, I'm Lin Fan, here to report for duty."

"Director Lin! Hello, hello!" The young man quickly stood up. "Secretary Zhou instructed me to come today. I'm Xiao Li, Li Ming, Secretary Zhou's secretary."

"Secretary Li, hello. Is Secretary Zhou here?"

"Yes, I'm looking at the documents. Please wait a moment while I inform them."

Zheng Ming went in briefly and quickly came out: "Director Lin, Secretary Zhou invites you in."

Lin Fan pushed open the door and entered. Zhou Wenyuan's office was large, decorated in a dignified but not luxurious style. Zhou Wenyuan was sitting behind his desk, reviewing documents. Upon seeing Lin Fan, he put down his pen and stood up.

"Secretary Zhou." Lin Fan stood at attention.

"Alright, there are no outsiders here." Zhou Wenyuan walked over and shook Lin Fan's hand. "It's good that you're back. Is everything arranged in Tu County?"

"It's all arranged. County Chief Chen attaches great importance to e-commerce, and the association is operating normally."

"That's good." Zhou Wenyuan patted Lin Fan on the shoulder. "Sit down."

The two sat down on the sofa. Zheng Ming came in, poured tea, then left, gently closing the door behind him.

"The position of office director is very important," Zhou Wenyuan said bluntly. "The work of the Political and Legal Affairs Commission is sensitive, complex, and demanding. The office director is the linchpin, responsible for coordinating all parties, maintaining a proper balance, and upholding the bottom line."

"I see."

"It's good that you understand." Zhou Wenyuan took a sip of tea. "I believe you can do a good job. You've proven your abilities in the Finance Bureau and in Tu County. But the Municipal Party Committee is a different platform. The people you meet, the things you handle, are at a higher level, and the impact is greater. You need to adapt as soon as possible."

"I will."

"I've got the office staff all set up for you," Zhou Wenyuan said. "Li Ming is my secretary, responsible for documents and schedules. There are also three deputy directors in the office, each in charge of a specific area. You are the director, in overall charge. You can discuss the specific division of labor yourselves."

"OK."

"Also, I have something to ask you to do." Zhou Wenyuan picked up a document from the table. "This is the key point of the city's political and legal work for next year. I need to report it at the Standing Committee meeting of the Municipal Party Committee. You take the lead and organize the people in the office to refine this key point into a specific work plan. Time is tight; it needs to be ready within ten days."

Lin Fan took the document and quickly glanced through it. The content covered multiple aspects, including public security, conflict resolution, judicial reform, and team building—all major issues.

"We guarantee the mission will be completed."

"Hmm." Zhou Wenyuan nodded. "Also, regarding your compensation. You'll be a section chief, enjoying the benefits of a deputy director. Your salary, allowances, and housing subsidy will all be at the deputy director level. The office has arranged a dormitory for you in the municipal party committee's residential compound, a two-bedroom apartment. Take a look; if you're not satisfied, you can change it."

"Thank you, Secretary Zhou."

"Don't thank me, you deserve it." Zhou Wenyuan looked at Lin Fan. "Lin Fan, we've known each other for six years. From the Finance Bureau to now, you've always been with me and helped me a lot. Now that you're in the Municipal Party Committee, in an even more important position, I need you even more."

"Don't worry, Brother Zhou, I will do my best."

"Okay." Zhou Wenyuan stood up. "Come on, I'll take you to the office so you can meet everyone."

The office director's office was next door, a bit smaller than Zhou Wenyuan's, but still quite impressive. Several people were already waiting in the office.

Zhou Wenyuan introduced: "This is Lin Fan, the newly appointed office director. These are the deputy directors of the office—Old Zhao, in charge of general affairs; Xiao Wang, in charge of secretarial work; and Xiao Li, in charge of logistics."

Lin Fan shook hands with each of them. Old Zhao was in his fifties and looked very composed; Young Wang was in his early thirties and very capable; Young Li was in his forties and very down-to-earth.

"From now on, we'll be comrades in arms," ​​Lin Fan said. "I'm new here and unfamiliar with many things, so I hope you'll all support and help me."

"Director Lin, you're too kind," said Old Zhao, the representative. "We will definitely cooperate fully with your work."

Zhou Wenyuan gave a few more instructions and then returned to his office. Lin Fan sat down and began to familiarize himself with the situation.

Several stacks of documents were already laid out on the desk—the organizational structure, personnel list, rules and regulations, recent work arrangements of the Political and Legal Affairs Commission… and an office directory.

Lin Fan flipped through the contact list, looking at each name. The Political and Legal Affairs Commission had a staff of 68, with more than a dozen departments including the General Office, Political Department, Research Office, Law Enforcement Supervision Department, Stability Maintenance Guidance Department, and Anti-Cult Coordination Department. It was indeed not easy for the General Office Director to coordinate so many departments.

But Lin Fan wasn't afraid. In the Finance Bureau, he had coordinated with various departments; in Tu County, he had coordinated with various other units. The core of coordination was balancing the interests of all parties and adhering to principles and bottom lines—something he understood.

He spent the entire morning reviewing documents and gathering information. At lunchtime in the municipal party committee canteen, he ran into several acquaintances—people from the organization department, the publicity department, and the discipline inspection commission—people he had dealt with before.

"Director Lin, you're back?"

"You're back. Director Li, it's been a long time."

"Tuxian County has done a good job in e-commerce; even the provincial leaders have praised it."

"It's all thanks to the support of the leadership."

In the time it took to eat a meal, Lin Fan sensed the atmosphere of the municipal party committee—more serious than the finance bureau, and more complex than Tu County. Everyone here spoke cautiously, and every smile likely held a hidden meaning.

In the afternoon, Lin Fan convened the first all-staff meeting of the office. The meeting room was filled with twelve people.

"This is our first meeting today, mainly to get to know each other and clarify our division of labor," Lin Fan began directly. "Let me first talk about my work principles: First, be politically conscious and abide by the rules; second, be efficient and focus on implementation; third, be united and consider the overall situation; and fourth, be committed to learning and improving our capabilities."

He paused for a moment: "The office is the central hub of the Political and Legal Affairs Commission, and our work directly affects the operation of the entire agency. Therefore, we require everyone to be meticulous in drafting documents, thorough in organizing meetings, and prudent in handling affairs. We cannot make mistakes, especially not political mistakes."

Next, he clarified the division of labor. Old Zhao was responsible for overall coordination, Xiao Wang for secretarial and meeting affairs, and Xiao Li for logistical support. He himself was in overall charge, focusing on drafting documents, supervision, and external liaison.

"There are two key tasks at hand recently," Lin Fan said. "First, we need to draft an implementation plan for next year's key points of political and legal work, which should be completed within ten days. Second, we need to prepare for the city's political and legal work conference, and all materials should be ready by the end of the month. I will personally oversee both of these tasks, and I hope everyone will cooperate fully."

The meeting lasted forty minutes, was well-organized, and the requirements were clearly stated. After the meeting, several deputy directors discussed it privately:

"The new director is quite capable."

"I heard he did a great job in Tu County."

"Just follow along, you can't go wrong."

Lin Fan heard these comments but didn't pay them any mind. He knew that in government offices, prestige wasn't earned through words, but through actions. He would win everyone's trust through his work performance.

Over the next few days, Lin Fan entered a state of high-intensity work.

He arrives at the office at 7:30 in the morning and doesn't leave until 8 or 9 in the evening. When drafting implementation plans, he and his secretarial team meticulously scrutinize every word and verify every piece of data. When preparing for the political and legal work conference, he personally visits the venue, reviews materials, and examines procedures.

At the same time, he also had to handle the daily affairs of the office—document circulation, meeting arrangements, receiving visitors, coordinating with other departments… a myriad of tasks, but he managed them all in an orderly manner.