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

Saturday afternoon, provincial capital high-speed railway station.

Lin Fan parked his black A8 in a prominent spot in the parking lot and waited by the car. The afternoon sun was just right, making people feel lazy. The exit was bustling with people, dragging suitcases, carrying bags, picking up and seeing off others, all noisy and bustling.

At 2:40, a familiar figure emerged with the crowd. Wang Xin was still the same as before, wearing a slightly worn jacket, carrying a travel bag, with short hair and a tired look on his face from a long journey, but his eyes were looking around, revealing a down-to-earth spirit.

"Brother Xin!" Lin Fan waved.

When Wang Xin saw him, a smile immediately lit up his face, and he quickly walked over. Without saying a word, the two gave each other a firm hug and patted each other hard on the back. Although they hadn't been apart for long since leaving Steel City, the world had changed, but their brotherly bond remained as strong as ever.

"Wow, Fanzi, this car!" Wang Xin let go of the A8, circled it a little, and clicked his tongue twice. "Pretty impressive! Secretary Zhou... oh wait, I should call him Chairman Zhou now, Chairman Zhou's car?"

"Yeah, I usually drive." Lin Fan smiled and opened the car door. "Get in, we'll talk when we get home."

Wang Xin sat in the passenger seat, touched the leather seats, and looked at the exquisite interior. He sighed, "This is worlds apart from the old Santanas and Jettas we used to drive at the factory."

Lin Fan started the car and drove smoothly out of the parking lot. "Take it slow, we'll have our own someday."

These words made Wang Xin fall silent for a moment, and something appeared in his eyes.

The car drove back to the "Beautiful Landscape" residential area. Looking out the window at the elegant environment and beautiful villas, Wang Xin couldn't help but sigh, "Fanzi, you've really... risen to the top in one step. You can't find a place like this in Steel City."

"It's just a place to live." Lin Fan parked the car in his garage. "Come on, let's go inside."

Wang Xin followed Lin Fan into the villa. The spacious and bright living room, the exquisite decoration, and the meticulously maintained garden visible from the window... all of this made him feel a little awkward, unsure of what to do with his hands and feet.

"Sit wherever you like, make yourself at home." Lin Fan noticed his discomfort, patted him on the shoulder, and turned to make tea. "Juanzi and her parents took the kids shopping; they'll be back tonight. Let's talk first."

He brewed a pot of fine Longjing tea, carried the tea tray, and led Wang Xin through the living room to the pavilion in the back garden. The pavilion was in a Chinese style, with wooden tables and chairs, surrounded by greenery, creating a very tranquil atmosphere.

The two sat down in the pavilion. Lin Fan poured Wang Xin a cup of tea and handed him a cigarette. Wang Xin took it, lit it, and took a deep drag; the smoke rose slowly in the sunlight. The familiar smell of tobacco seemed to lessen the awkwardness of the unfamiliar environment.

"Brother Xin, how's the team doing lately?" Lin Fan started the conversation.

"What else can I do? Same old routine." Wang Xin flicked his cigarette ash. "Dispatching, sending vehicles, fixing minor malfunctions, dealing with inspections. My title as deputy captain sounds impressive, but I'm really just a senior driver and a errand boy. I can see the end of my life before I know it." There was a hint of self-deprecation and a subtle, barely perceptible resentment in his tone.

Lin Fan nodded, took a sip of tea, and got to the point: "I've looked into the matter I mentioned on the phone in more detail these past few days." He put down his teacup, his expression turned serious, and he began to tell Wang Xin everything he had learned from Director Qin.

From the requirement to register a "Special Equipment Leasing Company" to the mandatory "Special Equipment Installation, Modification and Repair License"; from XCMG being the preferred crane brand to the need for at least three cranes of different tonnages (30-ton, 70-ton, and 160-ton) working together to install a single typhoon turbine; from the market price of each crane to the budget of approximately 20 million NTD for the three main cranes plus operating funds; and from the requirement that operators must be certified and that a team needs at least ten professionals, emphasizing that safety and technical expertise cannot be compromised…

He explained in great detail, neither exaggerating the prospects nor concealing the difficulties. Wang Xin listened, nodding frequently at first, but when he heard the price of the equipment, his eyes gradually widened, and when he heard the total of more than 20 million, his mouth involuntarily opened, and the fingers holding the cigarette froze.

"How...how much?" Wang Xin could hardly believe his ears. "More than 20 million? My God...how many truckloads of coal would it take to earn that back?" He subconsciously used the old method he used to measure money in the steel city.

"Yes, the investment is indeed large," Lin Fan affirmed. "So Director Qin also said that we can proceed in stages. First, we can concentrate our resources on purchasing the most crucial 160-ton main crane and renting a basic-tonnage auxiliary crane, which will cost around ten million yuan. That should get us started, allowing us to take on some segmented projects or collaborate with others. Once we've established a foothold, we can gradually expand."

Wang Xin silently smoked, his brow furrowed, clearly processing the enormous number and the scale of the whole affair. This had completely exceeded his previous imagination of "assembling a small construction team."

After a long silence, he took a deep drag on his cigarette, stubbed it out in the ashtray, and looked up at Lin Fan, his eyes unusually resolute: "Fanzi, don't worry about the money. How much can I invest? Sell the house in Steel City, add what I've saved over the years, and at most I can scrape together three or five hundred thousand, which won't be much. The bulk of the investment definitely has to be yours. What I mean is, as long as you're sure this business is viable and has such a considerable profit, then invest with confidence! I, Wang Xin, may not be able to promise anything else, but I'll dedicate my life and all my strength to this project! Wherever you point, I'll go!"

He paused, his voice lower but more sincere: "I know you want to help me out. I appreciate that. But this business is too big; we can't rely on personal relationships alone. You provide the money and the connections, and I, Wang Xin, will contribute my life, my strength, and my experience in managing vehicles and personnel. Let's work together!"

Looking at him, Lin Fan felt that warm feeling well up inside him again. Wang Xin's words were simple, yet they carried immense weight. He was concerned that his own investment wasn't enough and that Lin Fan might suffer losses, but he had unhesitatingly staked his entire future and trust on them.

"Brother Xin," Lin Fan refilled his tea, his tone serious, "We can figure out the money later. How to invest, how to split it—we can discuss all of that. The key is, you need to think this through. This isn't as simple as driving a car or managing dispatch at a machine shop. This is a real business, with risks, worries, responsibilities, and you'll be out there all year round, exposed to the elements. And what about your wife and kids…?"

"I've thought it through!" Wang Xin interrupted him, his eyes burning. "Working at the machine factory is stable, but that's about it until you die. I'm only in my early forties, and I don't want to just 'stay stable' until retirement. I want to venture out and try something new. If it works out, I can give my wife and kids a different life; if it doesn't, I can always go back to driving. I'll keep myself from starving with my skills! You know your sister-in-law; she might complain, but if something really happens, she'll support me."

Lin Fan nodded, knowing that Wang Xin had made up his mind.

"Alright, let's discuss the specifics of how to do it." Lin Fan perked up and pulled his chair closer. "First, you need to leave the factory. But don't rush to submit a big report. First, get a feel for the situation and see what the smoothest procedure is to avoid any unpleasantness later. Only when the resignation procedures are completed smoothly can we legitimately get started here."

"Okay, I understand." Wang Xin nodded.

"Secondly, company registration. I'm thinking of handling all the official matters, like the legal representative and company registration, in your name. It's inconvenient for me, as a public official. You'll be fully responsible for the company's operations—people, vehicles, site arrangements, security—you'll have the final say. I'll handle the coordination, direction, and resolve any issues you can't be in the public eye. We'll work together, one in the open and one in the shadows."

Wang Xin hesitated upon hearing this: "This... the company should be in my name? That won't do, you were the one who invested the money..."

"It's settled then." Lin Fan waved his hand, leaving no room for argument. "I trust you to be in charge. Besides, this way it'll be easier to operate."

Looking into Lin Fan's open and honest eyes, Wang Xin knew that Lin Fan genuinely cared about him and was truly entrusting this business to him. He felt both moved and burdened with a heavy sense of responsibility. "Alright! Then I won't be coy. Don't worry, if I had even a hint of selfishness, I, Wang Xin, wouldn't be worthy of being raised by a human being!"

"Why talk about all this?" Lin Fan laughed. "Then it's about the specific steps. As soon as you leave, we'll start working on company registration and qualification applications. This process takes a long time, so we need to get started quickly. I'll find an office in the provincial capital. It doesn't need to be big, just a proper one. It'll mainly be used for business negotiations and handling paperwork."

"Recruiting staff is both the key and the challenge," Lin Fan continued. "Experienced operators, safety officers, and maintenance workers are highly paid, but we absolutely need them. You can start by looking in the steel city, the machine shop's fleet, or the general trucking community. Are there any skilled and reliable people there? We'll offer competitive salaries, but the key is that they are dependable and responsible. Especially for the safety officer, we must find someone experienced and willing to take charge."

As Wang Xin listened, he mentally considered the people he knew. "There are a few old buddies, their skills are unquestionable, but they're a bit old, I don't know if they'd be willing to come out and work. I'll ask them when I get back. Safety officer... I thought of someone, Old Chen from the factory's safety supervision department, he's retired, he's very meticulous, but really capable, just a bit short-tempered."

"A bad temper is nothing to worry about, what's truly worrisome is a lack of seriousness!" Lin Fan said. "That kind of person is the best. Try contacting them."

"Regarding equipment," Lin Fan continued, "once the company is making some progress, you need to personally visit XCMG's factory or a major distributor. It's not just about looking at the trucks, but also about after-sales service, parts supply, and training support. When buying such large equipment, after-sales service is even more important than the truck itself. We can consult Director Qin and ask him to recommend reliable channels. If money is tight initially, you can consider buying a well-maintained used 160-ton truck, but you must bring an experienced mechanic to inspect it; don't just go for the cheapest option."

"I understand. A car is like a brother; you can only feel at ease if you know its background and history." Wang Xin wholeheartedly agreed.

The two sat there in the pavilion, smoking one cigarette after another, drinking one cup of tea after another, chatting from the bright sunshine until the sun began to set. They discussed every detail they could think of, the difficulties they might encounter, and how to proceed step by step, repeatedly refining their plans and devising solutions. The more they talked, the clearer their thoughts became, and the brighter the light in Wang Xin's eyes grew. He gradually transformed from initial shock and trepidation into excitement and enthusiasm. Although this path was difficult, the direction was clear, and every step was worth considering and doing—it was much more interesting than just drifting through life in the factory.

Before we knew it, dusk was falling, and the streetlights in the garden turned on automatically.

The sound of a car and children's laughter came from the front yard. Wang Juan and the others had returned.

Lin Fan and Wang Xin returned to the house from the pavilion. Baby Beibei, seeing a strange uncle in the house, shyly hid behind her mother. Wang Juan greeted them with a smile, "Brother Xin is here! Come in, come in, don't be shy, make yourself at home."

Wang Xin quickly said, "Sister-in-law, I'm sorry to bother you."

Wang Xin's parents-in-law also warmly welcomed him. Wang Juan and her mother went into the kitchen and quickly prepared a sumptuous dinner. The atmosphere at the dinner table was lively. Wang Xin was a little reserved at first, but the Lin family's sincerity and friendliness, and the two children's innocence and cuteness, quickly put him at ease.

Wang Juan, being observant, noticed that Wang Xin and Lin Fan must have discussed a lot of serious matters that afternoon. At the dinner table, they only chatted about everyday things, asking about his family situation, how his children were doing at school in Gangcheng, and the differences between the provincial capital and Gangcheng. Wang Xin gradually relaxed, telling stories about Gangcheng that made the two children giggle.

Seeing this warm and lively scene, Wang Xin felt a surge of warmth in his heart, and his determination to follow Lin Fanqian became even stronger. Such a family, such a brother—it was worth following.

After finishing their meal, Wang Xin sat for a while longer, drank a cup of tea, and then got up to say goodbye: "Fanzi, sister-in-law, uncle and aunt, I'm going back now. I have a better understanding of the situation, so I need to hurry back and start preparing."

Lin Fan checked the time: "I'll take you to the station."

"No need, no need, I'll just take a taxi."

"Why are you being so polite with me?"

Lin Fan drove his A8 and dropped Wang Xin off at the high-speed rail station again. Before entering the station, the two stood at the brightly lit station entrance.

"Brother Xin, go back and settle things first. Get things settled at home, and proceed with work as planned. As for me, I'll get the office location and registration information sorted out right away. We can keep in touch by phone anytime," Lin Fan instructed.

"Don't worry!" Wang Xin gripped Lin Fan's hand tightly. "Fanzi, that's all for now. Let's see what we do!"

Watching Wang Xin, carrying his bag, disappear into the flow of people entering the station, Lin Fan felt a sense of fulfillment and peace. The first and most crucial step in starting a business—finding a partner—had been decided.

On Sunday, Lin Fan kept his promise to the children, completely putting aside his work, and accompanied Wang Juan, his parents-in-law, and their two beloved sons to the provincial wildlife park.

The zoo was huge, built against the mountain, and the environment was beautiful. Baby Beibei was extremely excited, shouting and yelling at everything she saw. They sat on the sightseeing train to see the free-roaming predator enclosure, watched the giant pandas munching on bamboo through the glass, rode the carousel in the children's playground, and bought animal-shaped balloons and cotton candy... Lin Fan smiled the whole time, running after them, holding them, and taking pictures with his camera.

Wang Juan watched him, his forehead beaded with sweat from being "kept up" by the two children, yet he seemed to be thoroughly enjoying himself, and her eyes filled with a gentle smile. Her parents-in-law also strolled along, savoring the joy of family time.

After playing for a while, the family ate at the park's restaurant. Baby Beibei, while eating her children's meal, was still excitedly discussing the giraffe and elephant she had just seen.

"Daddy, is the big crane as tall as a giraffe?" the baby suddenly asked.

Lin Fan was taken aback, then smiled and patted his head: "Some cranes are taller than giraffes."

"Wow! Can it lift an elephant?"

"Uh... that might not work, the elephant is too heavy."

The children's innocent and carefree questions washed away Lin Fan's worries about business, funding, and qualifications. He was immersed in this pure, family-like joy.

The family, exhausted but satisfied after playing until sunset, drove home. The two children fell asleep in their grandparents' laps in the back seat, smiles on their faces.

That night, after settling the children to bed, Lin Fan and Wang Juan snuggled together on the sofa.

"Are you happy today?" Wang Juan asked.

"I'm happy." Lin Fan hugged her tighter. "I'm especially happy. Sometimes, you just need to spend time with your family like this, without thinking about anything else."

"Is it settled with Wang Xin?"

"Yes, it's settled. I'll be busy from now on," Lin Fan said, his tone full of anticipation.

Wang Juan rested her head on his shoulder: "It's good to be busy, it'll be fulfilling. I'll take care of things at home, so you can go ahead and do your work."

Outside the window, the provincial capital's night view glittered like a galaxy. A new week was about to begin, and for Lin Fan, it would be more than just a work week as an assistant at the power company; it would be the starting point of a completely new career. With brothers united, their strength could break gold. He walked this path with unwavering confidence.