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

The July weather was scorching hot, like a giant steamer. The sun hung brightly in the sky, making the cement ground in the Finance Bureau courtyard shimmer with a white, illusory light. The cicadas in the trees were chirping loudly, each call more urgent than the last, annoying everyone's ears.

Inside the office, the ceiling fan creaked and groaned, blowing out hot air. Lin Fan, wearing a short-sleeved shirt, had a small patch of sweat on his back. He was looking down at a batch of documents to be distributed that afternoon, fine beads of sweat forming on his forehead, but he didn't bother to wipe them away.

Sister Liu, holding a newly delivered fax, walked to Director Du's desk, lowering her voice slightly, with a hint of excitement from hearing the news: "Director, have you heard? The Treasury Department is getting a new section chief."

Director Du looked up from a pile of documents, adjusted his glasses, and said, "Oh? It's settled? Didn't they say someone from the province was going to come down?"

"He's from the provincial government!" Sister Liu put down the fax and leaned closer. "I heard he's not very old, only in his early thirties, named Zhou Wenyuan. He used to be the deputy section chief of the Treasury Department of the Provincial Finance Bureau, and this time he's been transferred here to be the section chief of our bureau's Treasury Department."

"From the provincial department?" Director Du sat up straight, tapping his fingers lightly on the table. "A section chief in his early thirties... and from a core department like the provincial treasury office, not simple." His tone held a hint of contemplation. Within the Finance Bureau, the Budget Department, Treasury Department, and Enterprise Department are all powerful departments. The Treasury Department, in particular, manages the payment and allocation of the city's fiscal funds, holding a crucial position. People from the provincial department likely have different backgrounds, perspectives, and methods of doing things compared to local officials.

Lin Fan paused slightly as he sorted through the documents, but his ears perked up.

Zhou Wenyuan.

The name was like a pebble thrown into the calm lake of his heart, creating ripples. It's here, it's finally here.

In his past life, he had heard this name countless times from his brother-in-law, Sun Lin. At first, he spoke with a mixture of envy and incomprehension: "That Zhou Wenyuan, not much older than me, came from the provincial level, he's really capable, and the higher-ups appreciate him." Later, he sighed, "Zhou Wenyuan got promoted again, he's going to be the deputy district head, right? That's a steady step forward." Still later, his tone became much more complex, with admiration, but also a hint of sadness at his own wasted potential. He knew that this Zhou Wenyuan would forge a remarkable and smooth path in the future. This was a true towering tree, a hidden dragon.

I just didn't expect him to arrive so early, already in the steel city in 2003. And he went directly to the Treasury Department of the Finance Bureau as the head of the department. It seems that this dragon started accumulating power from the grassroots financial and tax system.

Lin Fan's mind raced, but he remained outwardly calm, continuing to organize the documents as if he were merely listening to news of a colleague's transfer.

Sister Liu was still whispering with Director Du: "...I heard this person is quite low-key, but very capable, and highly regarded in the provincial department. I guess he's just here temporarily, to get some experience, and he'll definitely be moving up in the future."

"Stop talking about this." Director Du waved his hand, but the thoughtful look in his eyes didn't disappear. "When will the people arrive?"

"It should be in the next few days; the office should receive the official notification. Shouldn't we prepare a welcome? Or perhaps we should compile a brief report on the situation from the Treasury Department beforehand?" Sister Liu asked.

"Okay, first find out the key work, personnel information, and several documents from the bureau that are closely related to treasury operations in the past year, and make a brief background document. I'll send it over to Section Chief Zhou when he arrives; it's a small token of our office's appreciation," Director Du instructed. "Xiao Lin, you help your sister Liu find them, mainly to categorize the documents."

"Yes, Director," Lin Fan replied. This was a starting point for contact, even though there was still a layer between them.

Over the next two days, Lin Fan kept a close eye on any developments regarding the new section chief while also keeping an eye on his work. The news gradually spread throughout the bureau, and many people in various departments were discussing it privately. Some were curious, some were dismissive (thinking that someone from the provincial level might not understand the actual situation on the ground), and others tried to find out more about his background.

Lin Fan pieced together information from these fragmented discussions: Zhou Wenyuan, thirty-two years old, joined the provincial finance department after graduating with a master's degree and has been working in the treasury system ever since. He has a solid theoretical foundation and is said to have participated in the design of several important provincial fiscal reform plans. He is said to be a rather serious person, not talkative, but decisive in his work.

On Friday afternoon, Lin Fan went to the printing room to pick up some materials and happened to run into a staff member from the personnel department carrying out a stack of newly completed cadre resumes. The top photo showed a handsome young man with thin-rimmed glasses, his eyes calm yet sharp. The name below the photo was: Zhou Wenyuan.

Lin Fan glanced at it and memorized its appearance.

Monday, a new week. Besides the stifling heat, there seemed to be something else in the air. Many people, as they entered the office building, would subconsciously glance towards the Treasury Department on the third floor.

Lin Fan arrived at the office early as usual, cleaning, fetching water, and organizing newspapers. Director Du also arrived earlier than usual today, carrying the background information on the Treasury Department that Sister Liu had prepared.

"Xiao Lin, come with me to the Treasury Department in a bit. Section Chief Zhou is officially starting work today, and our office needs to coordinate with him, deliver this document, and also get to know him," Director Du said.

"Yes, Director." Lin Fan's heart raced slightly, but his face remained calm. He knew that the first formal meeting was crucial for making a good impression. He couldn't be too enthusiastic, which would seem obsequious; nor could he be too cold, which would seem impolite. Natural, composed, and measured was the best approach.

Just after nine o'clock, Director Du glanced at his watch, picked up the materials, and said, "Let's go."

Lin Fan followed him down the stairs to the third floor. The Treasury Department was on the east side of the corridor, and the door was open. The interior had been cleaned up and was much tidier than usual. Behind the largest desk by the window sat the person in the photo—Zhou Wenyuan.

He looked thinner than in the photo, wearing a crisp white short-sleeved shirt without a tie. His hair was neatly combed, and the thin-rimmed glasses on his nose reflected the light from the window, obscuring his eyes. A thick compilation of regulations lay open in front of him, and he held a pen, writing something in it. Several stacks of documents and reports were piled up beside him.

Hearing footsteps, Zhou Wenyuan looked up. His gaze first fell on Director Du, then quickly swept over Lin Fan, without any particular emotion, just the usual politeness and scrutiny of a work setting.

"Section Chief Zhou, welcome, welcome!" Director Du walked in with a smile, extending his hand. "I'm Du Ming from the office, and this is Lin Fan from our office. Section Chief Zhou, you've just arrived, so please feel free to let us know if there's anything the office can coordinate or assist with."

Zhou Wenyuan stood up and shook hands with Director Du; his hand was dry and strong. "Director Du, you're too kind. I'm new here and unfamiliar with many things, so I was just about to ask Director Du and all the colleagues for guidance." His voice was not loud, his pace was steady, and he had a scholarly air about him, but he was not weak.

"Section Chief Zhou, what are you saying? You're an expert from the province; we should be the ones learning from you," Director Du said, handing over the document. "This contains some basic information about our bureau's treasury department, as well as a list of recent relevant work documents. Please take a look. If you need anything additional, just have Xiao Lin come and get it."

Zhou Wenyuan took the materials, quickly flipped through them, and nodded: "Director Du, thank you for your trouble. They're very useful. Thank you." His gaze then fell on Lin Fan, and he nodded slightly in acknowledgment.

Lin Fan spoke at the opportune moment, his voice clear but not boastful: "Hello, Section Chief Zhou."

Zhou Wenyuan nodded, said nothing more, sat down again, and looked back at the materials in his hands. He was clearly a person who disliked idle talk and valued efficiency.

Director Du briefly mentioned office supplies and contact lists before taking his leave with Lin Fan. The whole process was short and very formulaic.

As they left the Treasury Department, Director Du whispered to Lin Fan, "This Section Chief Zhou seems like a capable person. In the future, if their department needs documents or requires assistance from the office, be quick to handle it promptly."

"Understood, Director," Lin Fan replied. He knew this was just the beginning. Someone as thoughtful and demanding as Zhou Wenyuan wouldn't form an impression based on a polite meeting. Real contact would come through concrete work.

The opportunity came quickly.

Two days later, just before the end of the workday, a young clerk from the Treasury Department rushed into the office, his face showing urgency: "Director Du, Sister Liu, our Section Chief Zhou needs to review the relevant institutional documents and operating procedures of the city's unified salary distribution system for government-funded personnel over the past three years, as well as a summary of the main problems that have arisen since the system's operation. There's a research symposium at the Provincial Department tomorrow morning, which Section Chief Zhou needs to attend, and he requires these materials to prepare."

Director Du frowned: "The last three years? And you need a summary of the issues? We'll have to go to the archives and get the operational report from the information center; it'll take a while..."

"Section Chief Zhou said it's quite urgent, and it would be best to have a rough draft out tonight," the young clerk said with difficulty.

Sister Liu also looked troubled; she had something to do at home that evening.

Lin Fan's heart skipped a beat, and he stepped forward: "Director, Sister Liu, I vaguely remember the documents the archives have been organizing recently. The unified salary disbursement section seems to fall under the jurisdiction of the Administrative and Legal Affairs Section and the Treasury Section; I should be able to find the relevant policy documents. As for the Information Center's operational report, I'll go ask if I can get a draft. Or, should I try looking for it first?"

Director Du glanced at Lin Fan, then at the anxious treasury staff member, and nodded: "Alright, Lin, then you'll have to trouble yourself to help find it. Just tell them which department needs coordination, and that Section Chief Zhou needs it urgently."

"Okay." Lin Fan immediately got to work. He first went to the archives and, relying on his memory from organizing the files recently, quickly found the relevant year's salary distribution system document box. Then he went to the information center and, after much persuasion, obtained a draft of the system operation report, which was still incomplete but contained the main content, from a familiar technician. Then he returned to his office, quickly browsed, filtered, and categorized the documents, extracting the core policy clauses and key issues in concise language, attaching the document sources, and creating a brief document of seven or eight pages. The handwriting was neat and the organization was clear.

After finishing all this, it was completely dark outside the window, and the office building was quiet. Lin Fan took the organized materials and went to the third floor.

The door to the Treasury Department was still open, and the lights were on. Zhou Wenyuan sat alone behind his desk, facing the computer screen, his fingers tapping on the keyboard, his brows slightly furrowed, seemingly preparing for tomorrow's meeting.

Lin Fan gently knocked on the door.

Zhou Wenyuan looked up, was somewhat surprised to see him, but then, noticing the materials in his hand, he understood: "Have you found them?"

"Section Chief Zhou, I've made a preliminary summary of the materials you requested. The core clauses of the policy documents and key points of previous adjustments are extracted at the beginning, and the main problems and suggestions for the system's operation are summarized at the end. Some content may be incomplete; please take a look and see if it's suitable." Lin Fan walked over and placed the materials on the table.

Zhou Wenyuan picked up the materials and quickly flipped through them. He read very fast, his eyes scanning each line of text, his fingers occasionally pausing at a certain point. After finishing, his expression didn't change much, but his tightly furrowed brows relaxed slightly.

"Pretty efficient." He put down the materials, looked at Lin Fan, and this time his gaze lingered for two seconds longer. "These documents are from different departments and from different years. You were able to find them all and extract the key points so quickly. You must be quite familiar with the bureau's archives and operations?"

"I helped organize things in the archives a while ago, so I remember it a bit," Lin Fan answered honestly. "I told the teachers at the information center that you urgently needed the first draft of their report, and they were very supportive."

Zhou Wenyuan nodded, not pressing for further details. He pointed to a section of the document: "The summary of this issue mentions that 'delayed updates to personnel information in some units have led to delays in salary payments.' Are there any specific cases or data to support this? What is the approximate percentage?"

Lin Fan thought for a moment, recalling the initial draft of the report he had just read and the occasional discussions he had overheard: "The specific case data wasn't listed in detail in the initial draft of the report, and we may need to verify it with the Administrative and Legal Affairs Department or relevant units. However, I heard a teacher from the Information Center mention that it accounts for about two to three percent of the monthly business volume, mainly involving public institutions with frequent personnel transfers."

"Two to three percent..." Zhou Wenyuan said thoughtfully, making a note in his notebook. "Okay, I understand. Thank you for your hard work, working so late."

"Of course, Section Chief Zhou. You go ahead with your work, I won't bother you any longer." Lin Fan took his leave at the appropriate time.

"Okay," Zhou Wenyuan replied, his gaze returning to the materials and the computer screen.

As Lin Fan stepped out of the Treasury Department, he gently closed the door behind him. The motion-activated lights in the corridor switched on, illuminating his calm face. The first working interaction had gone smoothly. He had provided timely and effective assistance, without unnecessary words or deliberate attempts to impress, simply addressing the other party's urgent need. This should leave a basic impression of him as "efficient and decisive" in the eyes of someone like Zhou Wenyuan.

Sure enough, in the days that followed, whenever Zhou Wenyuan needed office coordination or to find information, he would sometimes send someone from his department directly to Lin Fan. Lin Fan always handled things properly and promptly. Occasionally, when they met in the hallway or cafeteria, Zhou Wenyuan would nod at him and sometimes ask, "What was the filing number of that document about the special transfer payment last time?" Lin Fan could always answer accurately.

Gradually, Lin Fan discovered that although Zhou Wenyuan was serious, he was not unapproachable. He had extremely high standards for his work, demanding accurate data, clear logic, and concise writing. But he himself lived up to these standards; the materials he handled were always well-organized and based on solid data. He didn't participate much in the bureau's casual chats or dinners, but when it came to business issues, he was very engaged in discussions, sometimes even arguing with his supervisor over a minor detail, insisting on his point.

Opinions about the new section chief were gradually dividing within the bureau. Some felt he was too meticulous and lacked social skills; others secretly admired his professionalism and conscientiousness. Lin Fan belonged to the latter group, and he saw things more deeply. Zhou Wenyuan's "meticulousness" stemmed from a sense of responsibility for the safety and efficiency of public funds, and a reverence for the system. This quality was especially rare in an environment where many were accustomed to "good enough."

One day in late July, Lin Fan went to the Treasury Department to deliver a summary of the director's office meeting. Zhou Wenyuan was on the phone, his tone calm but unwavering: "...Director Wang, the application for the use of the contingency fund for this project lacks sufficient justification and complete supporting documents, failing to comply with Article 31 of the 'Regulations for the Implementation of the Budget Law.' We cannot allow this to happen. Yes, that's right, the materials must be completed according to procedure and submitted for review at the meeting... Okay, I'll wait for them to submit it."

After hanging up the phone, he rubbed his temples, saw Lin Fan, and gestured for him to put the minutes on the table.

Lin Fan put down the minutes, hesitated for a moment, and then spoke, his voice low: "Section Chief Zhou, the budget department has already reviewed the funding application for the 'Urban Emergency Relief Supplies Reserve Project' that was just submitted, and Section Chief Wu has also signed it. However... this morning when I went to the archives to look for something, I accidentally saw an audit report for a similar reserve project from last year, which mentioned that some reserves had the problem of 'emphasizing construction but neglecting management, and not rotating supplies in a timely manner.' This new application doesn't seem to have any specific improvement or supervision measures to address this issue."

Zhou Wenyuan's hand, which was about to pick up the minutes, paused. He looked up, his sharp gaze behind his glasses fixed on Lin Fan: "Last year's audit report? Which project? Do you remember the document number?"

Lin Fan gave a rough document number and project name. It was an old story that he had overheard his brother-in-law mention in his previous life. He couldn't remember the specific details, but the problem and direction were correct.

Zhou Wenyuan immediately pulled out the funding application from the pile of documents, quickly glanced at it, and frowned again. Indeed, the application report talked at length about the necessity and urgency of the construction, but it only talked in general terms about the management mechanism, material rotation and support, and daily supervision responsibilities after completion, without any hard and binding clauses.

His gaze toward Lin Fan held a deeper meaning. This temporary worker was not only diligent in running errands and had a good memory, but he also noticed this kind of business-related issue and dared to bring it up—albeit in a very tactful way, as if he had "accidentally seen" it.

"You've observed very carefully," Zhou Wenyuan said calmly, but Lin Fan could detect a hint of approval in his voice. "This is a very important issue. Fiscal funds can't just be invested without considering their effectiveness. Thank you for your reminder."

"Section Chief Zhou, you're too kind. I just happened to see it and mentioned it casually," Lin Fan quickly said.

Zhou Wenyuan didn't say anything more. He picked up his pen and made a mark on the funding application, clearly indicating that he was going to send it back to the budget department and the project unit to supplement the materials.

After this incident, Zhou Wenyuan's attitude towards Lin Fan seemed to undergo a subtle change. It was no longer simply a superior addressing a clerk; occasionally, he would ask Lin Fan a few more questions about the details of a historical event within the bureau, or the usual procedures for transferring tasks between different departments. Lin Fan's answers were always based on facts, clear and concise, never embellished, and without any unwarranted commentary.

In early August, the bureau organized a theoretical study session for mid-level cadres, requiring each department to send personnel to attend and take notes. The person originally responsible for taking notes in the Treasury Department was sick and on leave, so Zhou Wenyuan told Director Du to have Lin Fan temporarily fill in and take the meeting minutes.

This is another signal. Meeting minutes are not simply a record of events; they require capturing key points of speeches, extracting core ideas, and even accurately understanding technical terms and policy statements. Having a temporary office worker take minutes for the Treasury Department indicates that Zhou Wenyuan has a certain level of trust in Lin Fan's writing skills and comprehension.

The study session focused on "The Scientific Outlook on Development and the Construction of Public Finance." Bureau leaders and heads of various departments actively participated in the discussion. Lin Fan sat in a corner, engrossed in taking notes, his pen rustling as he wrote. He not only recorded the content of the speeches but also used different symbols to mark key points, controversial issues, and points emphasized by the leaders.

Zhou Wenyuan also spoke, discussing how to implement the Scientific Outlook on Development throughout the entire process of budget preparation, execution, and supervision, from the perspective of the efficiency of fiscal resource allocation. His viewpoints were clear, his logic rigorous, and the data and policies he cited were solid. Although his tone was calm, he was very persuasive. Even several bureau leaders nodded frequently in agreement.

After the meeting, Lin Fan showed the draft meeting minutes he had prepared to Zhou Wenyuan for review. Zhou Wenyuan carefully read through them, making only two changes to the wording, and nodded: "You remember everything very well, and you've grasped the key points accurately. That's fine, hand it over to the office for filing."

He handed the transcript back to Lin Fan and suddenly asked, "What's your opinion on the concept of 'performance budgeting' discussed in today's meeting?"

Lin Fan's heart tightened; he knew this was another small test. He hesitated for a few seconds before cautiously replying, "Section Chief Zhou, I don't know much about this. From today's discussion and the information I've seen, it seems like this is a direction—to make money spent more transparently and effectively. However, it seems quite difficult to implement. How to measure 'performance'? The standards are hard to set, and it might also increase the workload significantly."

This answer is simple and straightforward, without any pretense of profundity, but it points out the core of performance budgeting (results-oriented) and the practical difficulties (standards and costs), which is in line with the cognitive level of a grassroots staff member who is diligent in observation and thinking.

Upon hearing this, Zhou Wenyuan's face revealed a very faint, almost imperceptible smile: "You've hit the nail on the head. The direction is right, but the road ahead is long. The key is to find a feasible entry point and take it one step at a time." He seemed to be talking to himself, yet also to Lin Fan.

From then on, Lin Fan felt that Zhou Wenyuan seemed to genuinely consider him one of his own, someone he could talk to a little more about work. Although their statuses were vastly different and their conversations rarely strayed from work, a subtle sense of trust, built on pragmatism and recognition of each other's abilities, was slowly building up.

In mid-August, the foundation of Lin Fan's father's warehouse had been laid, and the walls were being built. Lin Fan went back to check on it over the weekend. The progress was good; although his father was tired, he was full of energy and had become familiar with the foreman of the construction team. Occasionally, he could even help by handing over a brick and directing the stacking of materials. His mother was busy at home boiling water and cooking for the workers, and she had a smile on her face as she grumbled about how big the warehouse was and how she would have to find a reliable landlord to rent it out in the future.

Everything is going in a good direction.

Lin Fan knew that he had successfully and subtly established a connection with Zhou Wenyuan. Although it was still thin and weak, the connection was established. The next step was to make this connection thicker and stronger through repeated, solid, and reliable interactions.

He stood in front of the nascent warehouse, watching his father and the workers busily at work, then glanced towards the steel city. There, the finance bureau building stood quietly in the afternoon sun.

A benefactor has appeared; the future looks promising.

But every step we take must be firm and solid.

He looked away, picked up the mung bean soup his mother had prepared, and walked towards the construction site.