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

That evening, the newly appointed director of the infrastructure department treated Lin Fan to dinner in a private room at an elegant restaurant.

The section chief, surnamed Qin, was in his early forties. He had worked his way up from the grassroots level on projects, and his speech and actions exuded a sense of efficiency. After a few drinks, the atmosphere warmed up. Section Chief Qin was very good at handling things, and his conversation was open and frank, ranging from work to family, without being overly familiar, yet still making people feel his sincerity.

"Assistant Lin, no, there are no outsiders here, I'll call you Brother Lin." Director Qin poured tea for Lin Fan, his tone sincere, "I'm a straightforward person, I say what I think. I was able to get this position thanks to Chairman Zhou's determination to rectify the atmosphere, and also thanks to you before... well, you set things right and made room for me."

Lin Fan waved his hand: "Director Qin, you're too kind. We're just following the rules. Chairman Zhou can't tolerate any nonsense."

"That's right!" Director Qin nodded. "That's why, as my first priority upon taking office, I wanted to get things done openly and efficiently. Look, a major wind power project is about to start, a key provincial project, and the first phase will take five years."

He paused, lowered his voice, but his eyes were clear and there was nothing suspicious about them: "Brother, there's a part of this that I think you could consider. Wind turbine equipment, those large blades and nacelles, are all installed using heavy-duty cranes. We can legally and legitimately subcontract this part of the business, because it requires a lot of large-tonnage cranes, and the company can't possibly purchase such a large batch of cranes all at once."

Lin Fan paused slightly in his teacup, but didn't reply. He just looked at Director Qin.

Director Qin met his gaze and spoke more bluntly: "What I mean is, this crane rental and installation job has stable profits and a long cycle. You can organize some trustworthy people, such as reliable relatives from your hometown or friends you know well, to set up a standardized small company or construction team to take on this job. I guarantee that all procedures will be conducted transparently, with proper bidding and contract signing. There will be absolutely no shady dealings to make things difficult for you. I just want the people around you to have a legitimate and sustainable livelihood."

Lin Fan fell silent.

He slowly put down his teacup, his fingers unconsciously tapping lightly twice on the smooth tabletop. Director Qin's words were like a pebble thrown into the calm lake of his heart.

In this life, from the moment he was reborn, his goal was clear: to secure a "stable and prosperous life" for himself and his close family. He succeeded, even exceeding expectations. Following Zhou Wenyuan, he enjoyed a privileged status and a comfortable life, Wang Juan's business was successful, his parents were healthy, and his sister's family was also doing well.

But Director Qin's words struck a chord in a corner of his heart that he had never carefully considered before.

He subconsciously reflected on whether he had been too "self-centered" along the way.

He thought of his good friend Wang Xin. In the steel mill's motorcade, Wang Xin was one of his few true friends during his downfall. Later, when he recovered, he helped Wang Xin get promoted to deputy team leader, but that was all. Had Wang Xin's life changed? Yes, he no longer lacked good cigarettes and alcohol, and he had more face in public, but essentially, he was still that driver team leader who needed to work shifts and lived on his salary and a little extra income. He felt he had never truly helped him out, never paved a wider path for him.

And then there are those relatives back home… In my past life, I was down on my luck, and those relationships faded. In this life, I'm better off, and I'm polite during holidays, but that's about it. Are there one or two honest and hardworking people who, however, lack connections and opportunities?

He used to think that everyone has their own destiny, and he didn't want to use his relationship with Zhou Wenyuan to "arrange" people, and he was also afraid of causing trouble for Zhou Wenyuan and affecting his image in Zhou Wenyuan's mind.

But Director Qin's approach seems different. It leverages information and location advantages to provide a fair opportunity for those who trust him to compete and strive, within the bounds of the rules. As Director Qin said, everything can be laid bare, compliant and legal.

"Not only should I live well myself, but I should also have the ability to help those around me improve as well." Once this thought arose, it quickly took root and grew in Lin Fan's heart.

Yes, he has been given a second chance at life, accumulating connections, knowledge, and resources. Is it only for his own benefit? On the bigger stage of the provincial capital, shouldn't he also weave a stronger and warmer network of relationships for his family and children's future? This is not just a privilege, but an extension of responsibility and ability.

Lin Fan raised his head, the hesitation in his eyes subsiding and replaced by a clear, bright light. He picked up the wine pot and poured a glass for Director Qin.

"Brother Qin," he addressed him more sincerely, "I need to think carefully about your suggestion and also ask my family what they think. However, I, Lin Fan, will remember this kindness. Come, let me toast you."

This glass of wine carried a different meaning. Director Qin smiled and downed it in one gulp. He knew that things were looking promising.

The dinner ended in a pleasant atmosphere. On the way home, Lin Fan drove, the neon lights outside the window flowing like a colorful river. His mind was already racing: he definitely had to call Wang Xin; he knew cars, was reliable, and could handle the core aspects of this business. Back home, which cousin or uncle was hardworking and capable of managing things? Start-up capital wasn't a problem; Wang Juan's business cash flow could fully support the initial investment, and it could even be considered part of the family's asset allocation…

A new, warm sense of planning replaced the satisfaction of focusing only on his own little family. He felt as if a new window had opened in his world.

When Lin Fan returned home, the warm lights were still on. Pushing open the living room door, he heard the lively sounds of cartoons. Baby and Beibei, the two little ones, were sitting side-by-side on the rug in front of the sofa, their little heads tilted back, engrossed in watching, so absorbed that they didn't even notice their father entering the house immediately.

"What are you looking at so intently?" Lin Fan smiled and walked over, sitting down on the sofa.

"Daddy!" The two children finally realized what was happening, and suddenly the cartoon stopped bothering them. They cheered and jumped up to jump on Lin Fan. Lin Fan scooped them up in one arm and placed them on his lap. The two little bodies were soft and fluffy, smelling of baby bath gel. They hugged his neck tightly on each side, calling "Daddy, Daddy" incessantly, as if trying to make up for the day they hadn't seen each other.

"Good boy, were you good at kindergarten today?" Lin Fan gently rubbed his chin against the children's soft hair.

"I was good! The teacher even gave me a little red flower!" the child exclaimed eagerly.

"I put one on too!" Beibei retorted, not to be outdone.

Lin Fan stayed with them until the very end of the cartoon. His mother-in-law came out of the kitchen and, seeing him, smiled, "You're back? The two little ones have been waiting for you, they wouldn't go to bed early. Come on, baby, let's go wash up with Grandma, you have to go to kindergarten tomorrow."

The two children reluctantly slid off their father's lap and followed their grandmother, turning back every few steps.

Wang Juan came downstairs with a freshly brewed cup of tea in her hand. She sat down next to Lin Fan and placed the warm teacup on the coffee table in front of him. "Are you tired? Have some tea." Her voice was gentle, with a relaxed feeling unique to home.

"It's alright, we just chatted for a bit too long." Lin Fan took the teacup, took a sip, and found the temperature just right. The tea was fragrant and refreshing, which eased his nerves that had been tense all night. He leaned back comfortably into the sofa.

"How's business at the store today?" he asked casually.

"It's going quite smoothly." Wang Juan leaned back relaxed, a hint of accomplishment in her voice. "The store in the provincial capital has a good positioning, and business is even better than expected. I'm thinking about finding a bigger location in the city center in the second half of this year or early next year to open a flagship store. I want to truly establish the 'Juanfan' brand in the provincial capital." Her eyes shone as she talked about business; it was her own world.

"That's great! If you've got the idea, just go for it. If you don't have enough funds, your family has some." Lin Fan offered his unconditional support. He liked seeing Wang Juan's ambitious and driven nature.

"I know, sir." Wang Juan smiled and glanced at him sideways, then paused, her tone becoming more concerned, "And you? I heard on the phone that you were having dinner with the newly appointed head of the infrastructure department tonight? Did it go well?"

"Hmm, he's a nice guy, quite honest, and has his own ideas." Lin Fan put down his teacup, organized his thoughts, and explained to Wang Juan in the most straightforward way the wind power project crane rental that Director Qin had mentioned that evening. "...He meant that he thinks this job is compliant with regulations, has a long cycle, and stable profits, so he suggested that I find some reliable people, like relatives and friends, to form a team to pick it up."

Wang Juan listened attentively, but didn't immediately offer her opinion. Instead, she asked, "What do you think?"

Lin Fan reached out and took her hand, his fingers unconsciously stroking the back of her hand. "I was thinking about this on the way here. Before, I always thought that as long as we were doing well, that was enough. We shouldn't cause trouble for Brother Zhou or get involved in any messy situations. But after hearing what he said today, and thinking about Wang Xin, and about some honest but unconnected relatives back home... it seems like, shouldn't we also take them with us?"

He looked at Wang Juan, his eyes thoughtful and questioning: "Wang Xin has been with me for so many years, he's absolutely reliable, he knows about cars and can manage things. If this business can really be run legally, having him lead it would be a good way out, much better than grinding years in the factory. I'm thinking of giving him a call and discussing it properly, seeing what he thinks, and figuring out the specifics of this."

Wang Juan gripped his hand tightly in return, a gentle and understanding smile curving her lips: "What you want to do must have its reasons. Wang Xin is a truly honest person, and it's a good thing to lend him a hand. As long as it's done honestly and without violating any rules, I support you. Don't worry about the family's finances if they need any help."

Her words were like a warm breeze, dispelling the last trace of uncertainty in Lin Fan's heart. He didn't need to explain much; Wang Juan always understood his considerations, whether it was his cautiousness in the steel city or his desire for a more responsible expansion in the provincial capital.

"Okay, I'll talk to Wang Xin first and discuss it in detail." Lin Fan felt relieved, and although the burden on his shoulders was a little heavier, the direction was clearer.

Just then, my mother-in-law came out with the two little ones, who had finished washing up and smelled wonderful. Baby Beibei, wearing cute pajamas, sleepily clung to her father, each hugging one of his legs.

"Alright, alright, it's time for bed. You can play with Daddy again tomorrow." Wang Juan smiled as she got up, taking one child in each hand. "Come on, Mommy will tell you a bedtime story."

Lin Fan watched his wife and children go upstairs, listening to their soft voices, and then glanced at the warm tea on the coffee table. The warm yellow light bathed everything in the living room—calm, reassuring, yet brimming with new possibilities.

He took out his phone and found Wang Xin's number. It was time to call his good brother.