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

In early March, before the snow in the steel city had completely melted, Zhou Wenyuan's research schedule was already full.

"Xiao Lin, we have to visit five counties this week." On Monday morning, Zhou Wenyuan flipped through the itinerary. "Tuesday to Daxian, Wednesday to Guxian, Thursday to Tuxian, Friday to Shixian, Saturday to Baixian."

Lin Fan was making tea when he heard this and paused: "Complete it in a week? That would be exhausting."

"There's no other way; the provincial department is pressing for a report on the city's financial operations." Zhou Wenyuan took the teacup. "We need to go down and get a feel for things so we can have a clear picture."

"Okay, I'll go get the car ready now," Lin Fan said as he walked out.

"Wait," Zhou Wenyuan called out to him, "Take that Mitsubishi, it has a high chassis and is more stable on mountain roads. Leave your armed police car for now."

"Okay."

The Mitsubishi Pajero is indeed suitable for driving on the road. It has a large interior space, can carry a lot of stuff; its high ground clearance makes it fearless on rough roads; and its four-wheel drive system makes it capable even in rain and snow.

Early Tuesday morning, before dawn, Lin Fan drove to Zhou Wenyuan's apartment building. Zhou Wenyuan came down carrying a briefcase, followed by his wife carrying a thermos.

"Director Zhou, this is..." Lin Fan quickly got out of the car.

"Your sister-in-law and child have moved in too. This is some porridge your sister-in-law cooked; have it on the way." Zhou Wenyuan's wife handed the thermos to Lin Fan. "Xiao Fan, drive carefully on the road."

"Thank you, sister-in-law. Don't worry."

The car left the city and entered the national highway. Zhou Wenyuan sat in the passenger seat, flipping through the documents for Daxian County.

"Daxian's fiscal self-sufficiency rate was only 38 percent last year, relying entirely on transfer payments." He frowned. "But look at the projects they reported, building squares and office buildings. They don't have enough money, yet they're still spending so extravagantly."

Lin Fan glanced at it: "Then this time we'll go..."

"We need to give them a little nudge." Zhou Wenyuan closed the document. "But we can't be too direct. The comrades in the banner and county also have their difficulties. We have to give them face, but we also need to get the substance."

The drive took more than two hours, and we arrived at the county government at just nine o'clock. The banner chief, the finance bureau chief, and a group of people were waiting at the entrance. When they saw the car arrive, they quickly came to greet us.

"Director Zhou, welcome, welcome!" Elder Chen, who was over fifty years old, had gray hair and a kind smile.

"Commander Chen, I apologize for disturbing you." Zhou Wenyuan shook hands.

Upon entering the conference room, we first listened to a report. The finance bureau chief read from a prepared statement, which contained a long list of figures, but the core message was the same: we had no money and we needed money.

Zhou Wenyuan listened attentively and took notes. After the other party finished speaking, he put down his pen and said, "Chief Chen, let's get straight to the point. I've reviewed all the projects you submitted. The plaza renovation is three million; the office building is five million; and this cultural center is eight million. Where will the money come from?"

Chief Chen wiped his sweat: "Well... we'd like to apply for some support from the city, and then raise the rest ourselves."

"Self-financing? How?" Zhou Wenyuan asked. "What was your banner's fiscal revenue last year? What were your expenditures? How large was the deficit?"

Three questions in a row left Flag Chief Chen speechless.

Zhou Wenyuan's tone softened somewhat: "Old Chen, I'm not here to make things difficult for you. But we have to be realistic. We have to take things one step at a time. Let's solve the problems of ensuring wages, operations, and people's livelihoods first, and then think about things that are just icing on the cake."

"Yes, yes, Director Zhou is right." Banner Chief Chen nodded repeatedly.

"Okay," Zhou Wenyuan said, "you should submit a new list of projects, putting aside the less urgent and less urgent ones. Prioritize projects that improve people's livelihoods, such as rural road paving and school building renovation. The city will provide support as needed, based on the actual situation."

"That's wonderful!" Flag Chief Chen's eyes lit up. "Thank you, Director Zhou!"

We ate lunch at the banner government canteen. The food was plentiful, with chicken, duck, fish, and meat. After lunch, Banner Chief Chen saw Zhou Wenyuan off to his car, the trunk of which was already full—two cases of grassland liquor, four cartons of cigarettes, and a large bag of beef jerky.

"Director Zhou, here's some local specialty, please try it," Banner Chief Chen said with a smile.

Zhou Wenyuan glanced at it: "I'll take the wine and cigarettes back, and the beef jerky is for Xiaolin; young people need to grow."

Lin Fan quickly said, "No need, no need..."

"Take it if I tell you to." Zhou Wenyuan waved his hand. "Chief Chen, we're leaving now. Get the project list submitted as soon as possible."

"Definitely! Definitely!"

As the car drove out of the government compound, Lin Fan saw in the rearview mirror that Chief Chen was still standing there waving.

"Brother Zhou, these things..." Lin Fan looked at the trunk.

"Leave it for now." Zhou Wenyuan closed his eyes to rest. "When you get back to the city tonight, take it back to your dad. He likes the liquor, and you can keep the cigarettes for business."

Is this appropriate?

"What's inappropriate about it?" Zhou Wenyuan opened his eyes. "Xiao Lin, you have to understand, our positions are different now. It's customary for the people below to send you gifts, and it's also a token of their goodwill. If you don't accept them, they'll feel uneasy."

Lin Fan seemed to be deep in thought.

"However," Zhou Wenyuan emphasized, "money is not an option. Tobacco, alcohol, and local specialties are acceptable; cash and bank cards are absolutely out of the question. This is the bottom line."

"I've got it."

For the next few days, it was the same every day. Each banner and county complained, asked for money, and then sent gifts. The gifts became more and more diverse—in addition to cigarettes and alcohol, some sent new mobile phones, some sent digital cameras, and one banner and county even sent a laptop computer, saying it was for "office use".

Zhou Wenyuan accepted all comers, but each time he would instruct Lin Fan: "Register any valuables; they'll be useful later."

Lin Fan kept a small notebook: Shi County, one mobile phone; Gu County, one camera; Tu County, one laptop...

When they returned to the city on Friday night, the trunk and back seats of the Mitsubishi were packed full. Lin Fan first drove Zhou Wenyuan home, and then started tidying things up—tobacco and alcohol were put in the storage room, digital products in the study, and rice, flour, and cooking oil were piled up in the living room.

Zhou Wenyuan's wife shook her head, saying, "How can we possibly finish all this?"

"If we can't finish it, we'll give it away," Zhou Wenyuan said. "We'll share it with relatives, friends, neighbors, and colleagues. Xiao Lin, you take some too."

Lin Fan picked out a few packs of cigarettes, a few bottles of liquor, and the laptop: "Brother Zhou, can I carry this?"

"Take it, I don't need it anyway," Zhou Wenyuan said. "But Xiaolin, don't show off these things. Especially the computer and camera, you can use them yourself, but don't tell everyone."

"I see."

On his way home, Lin Fan pondered. He'd only received so many things in a week. How much would he accumulate over the years?

But he quickly realized—this was the reality. It wasn't that Zhou Wenyuan was greedy; it was that his subordinates wanted to give him gifts. If they didn't, they wouldn't feel at ease; if they did, things would go smoothly.

As long as you don't touch money or violate principles, you can indeed take these gray-area items.

When he got home, his parents were shocked to see the things he had brought back.

"Xiao Fan, where...where did all of this come from?" his mother asked.

"It was given to me by my boss at work," Lin Fan said casually. "Dad, keep these bottles of wine. Leave me some cigarettes for errands. As for this computer... I'll use it."

Lin Jianguo picked up a bottle of Moutai, his hand trembling slightly: "This liquor... must have cost a lot of money, right?"

"It was a gift from someone, it didn't cost me anything," Lin Fan said. "Mom, you can decide what to do with this rice, flour, and oil. If you can't finish it, give it away, or send some to Uncle's family."

"How many families do we have to deliver this to..." The mother looked at the mountain of stuff, both amused and exasperated.

"Take your time delivering it, no rush."

Before going to bed that night, Lin Fan called Wang Juan. He had been too busy this week and hadn't been in touch for several days.

"Lin Fan? You're back?" Wang Juan's voice was filled with joy.

"Just got back, I'm exhausted." Lin Fan lay on the bed. "I traveled to five counties this week, spending every day in the car."

"That must have been tough," Wang Juan said. "The store did well this week; spring clothes sold well, and we restocked twice."

"I trust you to handle things." Lin Fan paused for a moment. "By the way, are you free tomorrow? I want to show you something."

"What is it?"

"It'll be a secret for now; you'll find out tomorrow."

On Saturday morning, Lin Fan picked up Wang Juan in his car. Instead of going to the wholesale market, they drove towards the Donghe New Area.

"Where are we going?" Wang Juan asked curiously.

You'll know when you get there.

The car pulled up to the entrance of a new residential complex. The gate was quite grand, with the words "Riverside Garden" written on it. Lin Fan parked the car and led Wang Juan inside.

The community has a nice environment, with artificial hills and ponds, and the buildings are spaced far apart. The innermost building is a four-story building with a garden on the first floor.

"Look at this," Lin Fan said, pointing to household number 102.

Wang Juan looked through the window and saw that it was an unfinished apartment, but the layout was very good—a high-ceilinged living room, large floor-to-ceiling windows, and a small garden outside.

"This is……"

"I bought it," Lin Fan said. "It's a duplex, with a first and second floor. It comes with a garden in the front and a garage with direct access to the back."

Wang Juan's eyes widened: "You bought it? When?"

"A while ago," Lin Fan said, taking out his keys to open the door, "Come in and take a look."

The house was empty, but you could tell the layout—a living room, dining room, and kitchen on the first floor, and three bedrooms on the second floor. The most attractive feature was the garden, over fifty square meters, bathed in perfect sunlight.

"How much does this house cost?" Wang Juan asked cautiously.

"It cost 350,000 yuan, and I bought it with a loan," Lin Fan said. "The down payment was 150,000 yuan, the loan term is 20 years, and the monthly payment is 1,500 yuan."

Wang Juan did the math: "That's not cheap either."

Lin Fan didn't continue, "Anyway, I can afford it. What do you think?"

"That's wonderful!" Wang Juan said sincerely. "The location, the layout, and the garden... Lin Fan, you're amazing."

Seeing her happy expression, Lin Fan's heart stirred: "Wang Juan, I have something to tell you."

"Hmm?" Wang Juan turned her head.

Lin Fan took a deep breath: "We've known each other for more than half a year now. From when you were working at a restaurant to now managing two stores; from when I was a temporary worker to now working for Director Zhou... Looking back on this journey, I feel... I feel we're quite compatible."

Wang Juan blushed and lowered her head.

"I know I'm not exactly well-off, and I'm still young," Lin Fan continued, "but I'll work hard to give you a better life. This house... I'd like to renovate it, and then we can live there."

Wang Juan looked up, her eyes sparkling: "Lin Fan, you...you're..."

"I'm confessing my feelings to you," Lin Fan said earnestly. "Wang Juan, I like you and want to be your girlfriend. Will you?"

Wang Juan's eyes suddenly reddened. She bit her lip and remained silent for a long time.

Lin Fan was filled with anxiety. Was it too sudden? Had he frightened her?

After a long silence, Wang Juan said softly, "Lin Fan, I know you're good to me. I... I also think you're good. But..."

"But what?"

"I'm scared," Wang Juan said. "I'm afraid I'm not good enough for you. You work for the Finance Bureau; you have a bright future ahead of you. I'm just a clothes seller from the countryside..."

"Why bring this up?" Lin Fan interrupted her. "My parents also come from the countryside. I used to be worse off than you. Wang Juan, what I like about you is you—you're reliable, capable, and kind. That's enough."

Wang Juan's tears fell: "You really think that?"

"I really think so." Lin Fan held her hand. "Wang Juan, give me a chance, and give yourself a chance too. Let's work together to make our lives better."

Wang Juan's hand was trembling, but she didn't pull it back. She looked at Lin Fan for a long time, and finally nodded: "Mm."

Lin Fan felt a huge weight lifted off his shoulders. He hugged Wang Juan tightly.

Wang Juan froze for a moment, then slowly relaxed and hugged him back.

The sun was shining brightly in the garden, and the early spring breeze still carried a chill, but both of them felt warm and cozy.

Once the relationship was established, Lin Fan began to arrange the renovation.

He contacted Old Zhao, who had done the renovation before. Old Zhao was in his forties or fifties, had been in the renovation business for over twenty years, was skilled, and honest.

"Brother Lin, your house is great!" Old Zhao walked around the house. "It's a two-story house with a garden. How would you like it decorated?"

"A touch of luxury," Lin Fan said. "It should look classy, ​​but not too ostentatious. Solid wood furniture throughout the house, wood flooring, and high-quality bathroom fixtures."

Wang Juan added from the side, "The kitchen needs to be big, since I cook a lot. The bedroom needs to be cozy, and the study needs to be quiet."

Although Old Zhao didn't quite understand what "affordable luxury" meant, he still wrote it down in his notebook: "Got it. What's the budget?"

"Around 150,000," Lin Fan said. "The materials must be good; don't cut corners."

"Don't worry, Brother Lin, I've worked for the bureau chief's family before, so I know what you need," Old Zhao patted his chest. "Here's what we'll do: I'll give you a design sketch. Take a look. If you're satisfied, we can start construction."

Three days later, Lao Zhao arrived with the design sketches. Lin Fan and Wang Juan were very satisfied with them—the living room on the first floor had a double-height ceiling and an oddly shaped chandelier; the kitchen was open-plan with an island; and the garden had a treated wood platform where they could drink tea and have barbecues.

The second-floor master bedroom includes a walk-in closet and bathroom; the bathtub and toilet are both designer brands. The first-floor master bedroom is for both sets of parents as a spare, and one wall of the study is lined with bookshelves.

"Okay, let's do it this way," Lin Fan decided.

On the day construction began, Lin Fan took Wang Juan to buy firecrackers. According to the customs of their hometown, they had to set off a string of firecrackers for good luck.

Old Zhao chuckled, "Brother Lin, sister-in-law, don't worry, I'll make sure it looks beautiful on you."

In the days that followed, Lin Fan became even busier. He spent his days running around with Zhou Wenyuan and occasionally went to oversee the renovations in the evenings. Wang Juan was also busy, managing the shop and supervising the renovations.

But neither of them felt tired. Choosing tiles together, selecting furniture together, arguing with the foreman together—these trivial things became interesting because of each other.

In early April, the renovations were halfway done. Lin Fan and Zhou Wenyuan went to a meeting at the provincial government office and returned at 8 p.m. He went straight to the new house, where Wang Juan was still waiting.

"Have you eaten?" Wang Juan asked.

"No, I'm starving."

"Wait here, I'll cook you noodles."

Wang Juan was cooking noodles in a makeshift kitchen—basically just an induction cooker and a pot. But the noodles she cooked were especially fragrant, with eggs and vegetables added.

Lin Fan sat on a cement bag, holding a bowl, and ate. Wang Juan sat beside him, watching him eat.

"Slow down, no one's going to take it from you."

"It's delicious," Lin Fan said between bites. "It's better than what you get at restaurants."

"You're just good at sweet-talking people," Wang Juan laughed.

After finishing their noodles, the two wandered around the house. The plumbing, electrical, and heating were all done, and half of the flooring had been laid.

"It will be finished in another month and a half." Wang Juan touched the brand-new cabinets. "They're so beautiful."

"Once it's all set up, I'll bring your parents over to visit," Lin Fan said.

Wang Juan was taken aback: "Bring them here?"

"Yes, that's right." Lin Fan said matter-of-factly, "Our daughter's doing great; she bought a house in the city. Shouldn't she let her parents come and see it?"

Wang Juan's eyes reddened again: "Lin Fan, you..."

"Here we go again." Lin Fan wiped her eyes. "We're family now, your parents are my parents. Once the house is renovated, we'll invite them to stay for a few days and enjoy themselves."

Wang Juan leaned on Lin Fan's shoulder and whispered, "You're so good to me."

"This is nothing," Lin Fan said, putting his arm around her. "It will get even better in the future."

By the end of May, the house renovation was finally completed.

Old Zhao led Lin Fan and Wang Juan to inspect the place. They walked around inside and outside and were satisfied with everything.

The uniquely shaped chandelier in the living room lit up, brightening the entire house. The solid wood furniture exuded a faint woody fragrance, and the floor was so shiny it reflected light. The kitchen utensils were all new, and the bathroom fixtures gleamed.

The garden has a lawn, a flower trellis, and a set of wicker table and chairs. Just imagining sitting here at night, drinking tea, and watching the stars sounds wonderful.

"Master Zhao, your skills are really good." Lin Fan gave a thumbs up.

"As long as you're satisfied," Old Zhao smiled. "The final payment isn't urgent; I'll pay whenever it's convenient for me."

"That won't do, we have to settle the payment." Lin Fan paid the remaining balance on the spot.

After seeing Lao Zhao off, only Lin Fan and Wang Juan remained in the house. They wandered from the first floor to the second floor, looking at each room again and again.

"It feels like a dream." Wang Juan touched the large bed in the master bedroom. "This house is so nice, is it really ours?"

"Really." Lin Fan hugged her from behind. "Juan'er, we'll move in after a while."

"Then I need to go back and tell my parents first." Wang Juan turned around. "They don't know about us yet."

"I'll go back with you during the holidays," Lin Fan said. "To formally meet your parents and settle things."

Wang Juan nodded, her face turning red again.

That evening, Lin Fan drove Wang Juan back to her place. As she got out of the car, Wang Juan suddenly said, "Lin Fan, thank you."

"What are you thanking me for?"

"Everything," Wang Juan said earnestly. "Thank you for giving me this opportunity, thank you for teaching me how to do things, thank you for liking me, thank you for giving me a home."

Lin Fan looked at her, his heart full: "Thank you too, for giving me the motivation to strive."

The two sat in the car for a while without saying a word. But the air was sweet, like a spring breeze.

It was past ten o'clock when I got home. My parents were still awake, watching TV in the living room.

"Xiao Fan's back?" his mother asked. "Have you eaten?"

"I've eaten." Lin Fan sat down. "Dad, Mom, I have something to tell you. I've started dating someone."

Lin Jianguo put down the remote control: "Who is it?"

"Wang Juan, the one who owns the clothing store."

"Xiao Wang?" the mother smiled. "That girl is good, reliable and capable. When did you two start dating?"

"It's been a while," Lin Fan said. "I bought an apartment in Donghe, and it's all renovated. I'll take you to see it in a while."

"You bought a house?" Lin Jianguo asked in surprise. "How much did it cost?"

"Three hundred and fifty thousand, bought with a loan," Lin Fan said. "First floor to second floor, with a garden."

The mother was stunned: "Xiao Fan, where did you get so much money?"

"I made it from doing business," Lin Fan explained simply. "Don't worry about it, I know what I'm doing."

Lin Jianguo and his mother exchanged a glance, but neither asked any further questions. Their son had grown up and had his own ideas now.

"When are you going to bring Xiao Wang home for a meal?" the mother asked. "So we can meet him formally."

"I'll make time to accompany her back to her hometown to meet her parents. I'll bring her home when we get back."

"Okay, it's settled then."