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

Lin Fan dialed Wang Xin's number. The phone rang a few times before being answered, and the background noise was a bit loud.

"Hey, Fanzi?" Wang Xin's voice came through, carrying the hollow echo unique to the duty room, with other people talking and radio noise nearby.

"Brother Xin, what are you doing? It sounds quite lively," Lin Fan asked.

"What else could I be doing? Just on duty at the team station. I just finished handling a dispatch." Wang Xin's voice carried a hint of weariness from working the night shift, but upon hearing it was Lin Fan, his tone immediately brightened. "What's up? Calling at this hour, any instructions?"

"What instructions do you have? Let's talk about it." Lin Fan paused for a moment, then cut straight to the point, explaining the crane rental for the wind power project to Wang Xin in the most straightforward way. He didn't exaggerate the prospects, nor did he hide the fact that this was the beginning of the project and the specific details still needed to be finalized; it was like brothers discussing a serious matter.

There was silence on the other end of the phone.

The silence wasn't just a few seconds, but a dozen or so seconds in which one could clearly feel Wang Xin seriously considering and weighing his options on the other end. The background noise seemed to fade into the distance.

Lin Fan waited patiently without urging him. He knew what this decision meant for Wang Xin.

Finally, Wang Xin's voice rang out again, lower than before, but with a resolute determination: "Fanzi... this is a good opportunity, I understand. If you really need me, I'll do it without hesitation! I... I'll submit my resignation tomorrow! These years at the factory are pretty much over. I feel more secure working for you; let's go and make something of ourselves!"

These words were spoken with absolute certainty, without the slightest hesitation or calculation.

Holding his phone, Lin Fan felt as if something had struck his chest hard, a warm and throbbing sensation. His nose even felt a little sore.

These days, how many people yearn for a "secure job" but can't get one? Wang Xin was a deputy captain in the machine factory's motorcade, a stable job with decent reputation. Yet, for a proposal he was still planning, he dared to quit this job he had held for many years without batting an eye! This unwavering trust and determination is heavier than any promise.

Lin Fan took a deep breath, suppressing the slight lump in his throat, and said in an exceptionally serious and gentle voice, "Brother Xin, no! Don't rush to submit the report! This matter needs to be handled carefully; it's still far from settled. What I mean is, don't make a fuss yet. When you're on your day off, come to the provincial capital. Let's sit down and talk face-to-face about all the intricacies, risks, and specific procedures. You can also see the situation in person and meet the relevant people. Once everything is clear, we'll decide on the next step. We can't let you rashly cut off your escape route."

Wang Xin could also hear the seriousness in his tone and the fact that he was considering the other party's feelings.

"Okay, Fanzi, I'll do what you say!" Wang Xin's voice relaxed a bit, and he smiled. "Whatever you say, I'll do it. I'll schedule a shift and try to go next weekend!"

"Okay, let me know when you arrive and I'll pick you up. Be careful on the road."

After hanging up the phone, Lin Fan sat on the sofa for a long time, still holding the hot phone. Wang Xin's words, "Submit your resignation tomorrow," were still echoing in his ears.

This profound brotherhood and trust made him feel that his decision was not only the right one, but also a responsibility he had to shoulder. He had to pave this path more carefully and prudently, and he absolutely could not let this sentiment down.

The next morning, Lin Fan drove to pick up Zhou Wenyuan as usual. After getting in the car, Zhou Wenyuan habitually asked about the main plans for the day. Lin Fan carefully answered as he drove smoothly out of the residential area.

"Brother Zhou, I have something to report to you." He glanced in the rearview mirror. "Last night, Director Qin from the Infrastructure Department treated us to dinner, and we chatted. He mentioned an idea regarding the crane rental business for the wind power project that's about to start..."

He recounted the whole story, including his idea of ​​involving Wang Xin, and added, "I mainly thought that if this was compliant with regulations, it would be a legitimate and long-term way out for my reliable brothers."

Zhou Wenyuan listened quietly, and almost without hesitation, replied casually, "Oh, this? Go ahead and do it if you want, just be careful not to overdo it. We still have some advantages in our current positions, so as long as all the procedures are open and legitimate, there won't be any problems."

He paused, his tone becoming more casual, as if he were talking about something very natural: "With your connection, the project settlement and process will be relatively smoother in the future, with less wrangling, which will also benefit the project itself."

Lin Fan sensed that Zhou Wenyuan was genuinely concerned for him, and his heart warmed. He replied, "Thank you, Brother Zhou. I'll see what Wang Xin thinks first, and then we'll take it one step at a time." "By the way, Brother Zhou, do you have any suitable people in your area who would like to get involved? Want to work it out together?"

Zhou Wenyuan smiled, leaned back in his chair, and gazed at the passing street scene outside the window: "I won't get involved. My main focus is on doing a good job at the company and achieving results. There's still a long road ahead; if we can climb higher, we'll keep climbing. You guys do your thing, that's fine."

These words were frank and straightforward. Lin Fan nodded and said no more. Zhou Wenyuan's attitude was clear: support, but no interference; a reminder to adhere to principles, while acknowledging the practical benefits involved. This balance was exactly what Lin Fan needed.

The car arrived at the company, and the two got out. Zhou Wenyuan went straight to his office, where Yang Zhiyuan was already waiting at the door with a stack of documents that needed urgent signatures. Lin Fan, on the other hand, returned to his small outer office.

The room still carried a faint scent of fresh air freshener from the morning cleaning. He sat down at his desk, turned on his computer, and mentally reviewed Zhou Wenyuan's schedule for the day. Then he began organizing the various documents that had been delivered to his desk—meeting minutes, department reports, project briefings… He categorized them, setting aside those that needed Zhou Wenyuan's review and placing those that required his initial summarization on another side.

His movements were unhurried yet methodical. The clatter of keyboards and the rustling of papers turning formed the typical background noise in the office in the early morning. He was already adept at handling these routine tasks.

Only in the intervals between organizing the documents would his thoughts occasionally drift away, wondering about the specifics of coordinating with Wang Xin and the project details that Director Qin had mentioned that needed further clarification. But these thoughts quickly returned to the official documents waiting to be processed in front of him.

Work is done step by step, one task at a time, steadily and diligently. And new possibilities will slowly take shape within this steady progress.