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

That night, Lin Fan had a very long dream.

In his dream, he returned to the autumn of 2003, still a temporary worker at the finance bureau, wearing a faded shirt, head down mopping the office corridor. Colleagues walked past him, chatting and laughing, no one giving him a second glance. In the dream, he was carrying a stack of documents taller than himself, wobbling up the stairs, his foot slipping, scattering the documents all over the floor. He frantically picked them up, surrounded by suppressed giggles.

The scene shifts, and he's sitting in the last row of a driving school classroom, listening to the instructor reciting the traffic rules he already knows by heart, yet his heart is filled with the shock and bewilderment of being reborn. A twenty-year-old body, a forty-five-year-old soul—that sense of being torn apart is particularly clear in the dream.

Then, the dream shattered and sped up—he carefully helped Zhou Wenyuan find information and stayed up all night organizing documents; the first time he went to the grassroots level with Zhou Wenyuan, he was so nervous in the passenger seat that his palms were sweating; when clearing the remaining funds, facing pressure from all sides, Zhou Wenyuan patted him on the shoulder and said, "Don't be afraid, I'm here"; getting a permanent position, buying a house, taking the civil service exam, becoming the team leader... scene after scene, like a fast-forwarded movie, finally froze on last night's dinner table, on Zhou Wenyuan's tired and helpless face.

"What will you do if I leave?"

In the dream, Zhou Wenyuan asked this question, his eyes filled with genuine worry.

Lin Fan woke up with a start; the sky outside was just beginning to lighten. He was panting, a fine layer of sweat on his forehead. Wang Juan beside him was sleeping soundly, her breathing even. Lin Fan quietly got up, went to the living room, poured himself a glass of cold water, and drank it all in one gulp.

The cold liquid slid down his throat, fully waking him. The lingering warmth of the feelings of humility, fear, and dependence from his dream remained. Yes, without Zhou Wenyuan, Lin Fan might still be struggling in that temporary job, or might have already been ousted, and his business might not have been going smoothly. It was Zhou Wenyuan who gave him the opportunity, the platform, the dignity, and the future.

Wang Juan was right last night; they're not short of money now. Stocks, real estate, businesses—enough for a family to live a life of luxury for generations. He could easily coast along in the bureau, or even resign and go home to be a leisurely, wealthy man.

but……

Lin Fan gazed at the gradually brightening sky outside the window. Was being reborn just for the sake of making enough money to retreat into a secluded life and rule the world?

Meeting Zhou Wenyuan was a stroke of luck, a stroke of fortune, and above all, a debt of gratitude. This kindness and support cannot be measured in money. Now, Zhou Wenyuan is facing a turning point in his life, possibly having to start over in a strange place, and if he doesn't even have a single trustworthy person by his side…

A decision gradually became clear in the morning light.

At seven o'clock, Wang Juan woke up and found Lin Fan sitting by the bed watching her.

"Why are you up so early?" Wang Juan rubbed her eyes.

"Juan'er, there's something I want to discuss with you." Lin Fan held her hand, his tone serious.

Wang Juan sat up, looking at his serious expression, and had a premonition: "Is it about Director Zhou?"

"Yes." Lin Fan nodded. "I thought about it all night. Brother Zhou has been kind to me; without him, I wouldn't be where I am today. Now that he's leaving, he might be going to a difficult place and needs someone by his side. I... I want to go with him."

The room fell silent for a few seconds. Wang Juan looked at her husband, her eyes filled with complex emotions—reluctance, worry, but mostly understanding.

"Have you thought it through?" she asked softly.

"I've made up my mind," Lin Fan said firmly. "One cannot forget one's roots. Brother Zhou helped me when I was at my lowest point, and now he needs my support. I can't stand behind him."

Wang Juan was silent for a moment, then lowered her head: "Then... what will happen to our family? What will happen to Mom and Dad?"

"I won't neglect the family," Lin Fan quickly said. "No matter where Brother Zhou is transferred to, as long as it's not too far, I'll make time to come back every week. If it's far... I can call often, and I'll come back whenever there's a long holiday. I don't mind you managing the family business. As for Mom and Dad, my sister and brother-in-law are taking care of them, and I'll make arrangements for them too."

"What about the money?" Wang Juan looked up. "If I go with Director Zhou to a poor place, the salary might not be high."

"Are we short of money?" Lin Fan countered, his tone brimming with confidence. "Juan'er, your business's net profit in a month is equivalent to ten years of my salary. Our stocks and real estate are enough to support any choice we make. Money isn't the issue; peace of mind is."

Wang Juan looked at her husband and suddenly smiled, tears welling in her eyes: "I knew you would make this choice. That's just the kind of person you are, loyal and grateful."

"You agree?"

"Yes." Wang Juan nodded, her voice choked with emotion. "I can't bear to part with you, but I know that if I don't let you go, you'll feel uneasy for the rest of your life. Go ahead, I'll take care of things at home. Dad has a stable job, Mom can help out at the shop, and you don't need to worry about Xiaolei's studies. I can manage both the family and the business."

Lin Fan hugged his wife tightly, his throat tightening: "Thank you, Juan'er."

"But you have to promise me," Wang Juan leaned on his shoulder, "take good care of yourself and keep in touch often. Also... if it gets too tough over there, or if Director Zhou's situation changes, you have to promise me you'll come back. Don't force yourself."

I promise you.

At 7:20, Lin Fan left home on time. Today he was driving an Audi A8; the early autumn morning was chilly, but the car was warm.

When Zhou Wenyuan got into the car, he still looked unwell, with bloodshot eyes, clearly indicating that he hadn't slept well.

"Brother Zhou, didn't you get enough rest last night?" Lin Fan started the car.

"I couldn't sleep, I thought about it all night." Zhou Wenyuan leaned back in his chair. "Xiao Lin, I think I've made up my mind."

"Please speak."

"The Party Secretary called me again last night," Zhou Wenyuan said in a hoarse voice. "He said that if I wanted to stay on the front lines, he could help me get a position as Party Secretary in Beishan County. That county... is very poor and has financial difficulties, but the Party Secretary said that the more difficult the place, the easier it is to achieve results."

Lin Fan's heart tightened. He knew Beishan County; it was the most remote county in the steel city, with many mountainous areas, inconvenient transportation, and a consistently poor economy.

"Brother Zhou, you..."

"I haven't agreed yet," Zhou Wenyuan interrupted him. "The Party Secretary told me to think about it some more. Going to the provincial department is stable; going to Beishan is tough, but there's hope. In my thirties or forties, I'm neither too old nor too young... This choice is difficult."

The car arrived at the Finance Bureau. Before getting out, Zhou Wenyuan said, "I don't have any plans for the afternoon. I want to be alone. You don't need to come with me."

"Brother Zhou, I have something I'd like to discuss with you this morning," Lin Fan called out to him.

Zhou Wenyuan turned around: "What is it?"

"Let's find a quiet place, just the two of us," Lin Fan said.

Zhou Wenyuan looked at him for a few seconds and nodded: "Okay, you decide on the place for lunch."

In the morning, Lin Fan was restless in his office. He repeatedly considered what he wanted to say, thinking about Zhou Wenyuan's possible reaction. When Da Liu came to report on his work, he was somewhat absent-minded.

"Captain Lin, are you alright?" Da Liu asked with concern.

"It's nothing, I was just thinking about something." Lin Fan waved his hand. "By the way, Brother Liu, if... I mean if, there are changes in the leadership of the bureau, you have to keep things stable at the motorcade. No matter who is the director, the motorcade's work can't go wrong."

Da Liu's expression hardened: "Captain Lin, is it...?"

"Don't ask around, just remember what I said," Lin Fan said seriously. "You're the deputy captain of the fleet, and you're highly competent. As long as you manage the vehicles well and provide excellent service, no one can touch you."

"I understand." Da Liu nodded emphatically.

At noon, Lin Fan booked a private room at a quiet teahouse. When Zhou Wenyuan arrived, he found Lin Fan alone.

"Just the two of us?"

"Just the two of us." Lin Fan poured tea for Zhou Wenyuan. "Brother Zhou, I have something I want to tell you."

Zhou Wenyuan picked up his teacup: "Speak."

Lin Fan took a deep breath: "Brother Zhou, no matter where you decide to go in the end—the provincial government, Beishan, or somewhere else—I want to follow you."

With a "clatter," Zhou Wenyuan gently tapped the teacup in his hand on the table. He looked up at Lin Fan, his eyes filled with shock.

"What did you say?"

"I said, I want to go with you," Lin Fan repeated firmly. "Wherever you go, I will go."

Zhou Wenyuan stared at him for a full half minute, then slowly shook his head: "No. Xiao Lin, this won't do."

"Why not?"

"You have a family, a career, Wang Juan's business is in Gangcheng, and your parents and in-laws are here." Zhou Wenyuan's tone became stern. "What are you after, leaving your hometown with me? Besides, if I really go to a place like Beishan, where conditions are harsh, what can you do there? Be my driver? That would be a waste!"

"I don't think it's a waste." Lin Fan met his gaze. "Brother Zhou, without you, I might still be a temporary worker, or I would have been forced out long ago. You gave me everything—a job, status, and respect. Now that you're in trouble, I can't stand idly by."

"This isn't about chivalry!" Zhou Wenyuan raised his voice. "This is reality! Xiao Lin, if I'm transferred, the worst that can happen is I'll be a different official in another place, and my rank and benefits won't be bad. What about you? If you come with me, what about your job security? How will you take care of your family? Have you thought about these practical issues?"

"I've thought it over," Lin Fan said calmly. "I can change my employment status, or if that doesn't work out, I can resign. As for the job... I'm not picky, as long as it can be helpful to you. As for family, Wang Juan supports me; she says one shouldn't forget their roots. As for money..."

Lin Fan paused, then smiled: "Brother Zhou, you know how much money we've made on the stocks. I'm not short of money; even if I do nothing, I can live a carefree life. I'm following you not for the money, but for the friendship."

Zhou Wenyuan was stunned. He looked at Lin Fan, the young man who had followed him for more than three years, his eyes clear and firm, without a trace of pretense.

"What if... what if I disagree?" Zhou Wenyuan's voice softened.

"Then I'll resign." Lin Fan said without hesitation. "Anyway, I've made money from the stocks. I can go home and help Wang Juan with her business, or I can just take a break. But if I do that, I'll have a knot in my heart that I'll never be able to untie for the rest of my life."

The private room quieted down, with only the soft sound of water boiling in the teapot. Sunlight filtered through the bamboo blinds, casting dappled shadows on the table.

After a long while, Zhou Wenyuan lowered his head and covered his face with his hands. Lin Fan noticed that his shoulders were trembling slightly.

When he looked up again, Zhou Wenyuan's eyes were red. He reached out and patted Lin Fan's shoulder hard, his voice choked with emotion: "Brother... thank you."

That one word, "brother," brought tears to Lin Fan's eyes. For more than three years, Zhou Wenyuan had taken good care of him, treating him like one of his own, but always maintaining a clear superior-subordinate relationship. This was the first time Zhou Wenyuan had used that term.

"Brother Zhou, please don't say that." Lin Fan refilled his tea. "You were the one who treated me like one of your own first."

Zhou Wenyuan calmed himself down and sat up straight again. At that moment, the fatigue on his face seemed to have dissipated somewhat, and his eyes regained their sharpness.

"Now that you've made your decision, we need to plan it out properly." Zhou Wenyuan got into work mode. "First, the stocks. I thought about it last night; no matter where I go, I should sell the stocks I have."

Lin Fan's heart skipped a beat: "Brother Zhou, that's exactly what I was thinking of saying."

"Oh? What are your thoughts?"

"I got some information from Hong Kong." Lin Fan carefully chose his words—he couldn't be too specific, so he could only use "information" as an excuse—"Next year... the global economy may be turbulent, with the risk of a financial crisis. The stock market may experience significant fluctuations."

Zhou Wenyuan's eyes narrowed: "Is it reliable?"

"I'm about 80% sure," Lin Fan said. "So I think it's best if we sell all our stocks before the end of the year and cash out. Cash is king; let's wait for the right opportunity."

Zhou Wenyuan pondered. He trusted Lin Fan's judgment—in the past three years, Lin Fan's investment acumen had never been wrong. Moutai, Tencent—hadn't he made a fortune each time?

"Okay, I'll do as you say." Zhou Wenyuan nodded. "I have about ten million worth of assets here, I'll sell them now. I'll also inform the leaders I'm close to, and let them decide for themselves."

"Also..." Lin Fan lowered his voice, "Brother Zhou, if you really want to be transferred, I have a suggestion."

"you say."

"If a financial crisis really happens, governments at all levels will suffer," Lin Fan analyzed. "Especially the mayors, district heads, and county heads in charge of finance will be under tremendous pressure. Funds will be tight, projects will be stalled, and conflicts will be concentrated... This position is like a volcano."

Zhou Wenyuan's eyes lit up: "You mean...?"

"Why don't we talk to the Party Secretary and ask him to take a position as Party Secretary in a county?" Lin Fan said. "The Party Committee manages personnel and the overall situation, so it's relatively detached. When the financial crisis hit, the government was in a panic, but the Party Secretary could be more relaxed and more likely to achieve results."

Zhou Wenyuan tapped his fingers lightly on the table, clearly considering the suggestion seriously. After a long while, he slowly nodded: "That makes sense...that makes sense. The Party Secretary previously suggested I go to Beishan, to be the Party Secretary, not the County Head. It seems he's also considering that."

"Beishan is too tough," Lin Fan said. "Could we try to persuade the Party Secretary to let us go to a county with slightly better conditions? For example, Tu County, which is close to the steel city and has a decent economic foundation, but it's not wealthy either, so it would be easier to achieve political success there."

Zhou Wenyuan looked at Lin Fan and suddenly laughed: "Little Lin, your brain is getting sharper and sharper."

"I learned it all from Brother Zhou."

"Okay, I'll go see the Party Secretary this afternoon and talk to him again." Zhou Wenyuan made his decision. "If I can really become the Party Secretary of Tu County, you'll come with me. I'll arrange a suitable position for you—either in the County Party Committee Office or the Organization Department—to get your rank sorted out first."

"I'll follow Brother Zhou's arrangements."

The two discussed some more details. Zhou Wenyuan's mood had clearly improved; his thoughts were clear, and his plans were well-defined. This was the Zhou Wenyuan Lin Fan knew—decisive, bold, and adept at finding opportunities in adversity.

In the afternoon, Zhou Wenyuan went to the municipal party committee. Lin Fan returned to his bureau, feeling much more relaxed. Now that the decision had been made, there was no more hesitation; only execution remained.

He took a moment to send Wang Juan a text message: "I've talked to Brother Zhou, and he agreed. Thank you, my wife."

Wang Juan quickly replied, "I knew you could convince him. Are you coming home for dinner tonight? I asked my mom to make chicken soup."

"I'll be back around six o'clock."

"Okay, I'll wait for you."

In the evening, after getting off work, Lin Fan did not go straight home, but drove towards Tuxian County—he wanted to check out the place he might be going to in advance.

Tu County is located northeast of Gangcheng, about an hour's drive away. The county town is small, but the streets are clean, and the buildings are not tall; it looks much better than mountainous counties like Beishan. Lin Fan strolled around the county town, looked at the county government compound, and walked along several main streets.

The pace of life here is noticeably slower than in the steel city. By 5 p.m., there are already many people strolling on the streets, and the shops along the roadside are gradually lighting up, exuding a sense of tranquility typical of a small town.

If Zhou Wenyuan really comes here to be the Party Secretary, and I come with him... it doesn't seem like a bad idea. The cost of living is low, it's not too far from the steel city, and it's convenient to go home on weekends. Plus, in a smaller place, interpersonal relationships are relatively simple, making it easier to establish myself.

As dusk fell, Lin Fan drove back to Gangcheng. On the way, he received a call from Zhou Wenyuan.

"Xiao Lin, I've spoken with the Party Secretary." Zhou Wenyuan's voice was relaxed. "The Secretary agreed to help arrange for him to become the Party Secretary of Tu County. The transfer will take place after the New Year, and he asked me to hand over my current work properly in the meantime."

"That's great!" Lin Fan was genuinely happy.

"I've started making arrangements for the stock market too," Zhou Wenyuan said. "Let's meet this weekend to finalize the specific operational plan. Also, I'll let the Tuxian County authorities know about your transfer in advance and finalize your position."

"Thank you for your trouble, Brother Zhou."

"It's nothing." Zhou Wenyuan paused. "Xiao Lin, thank you. Really."

After hanging up the phone, Lin Fan looked at the car lights gradually lighting up ahead and smiled.

In this life, he chose the right person and made the right choice. Zhou Wenyuan was a benefactor and an elder brother worthy of following. This bond is more precious than money.

When I got home that evening, the aroma of chicken soup filled the house. Wang Juan and her mother-in-law were busy in the kitchen, Xiao Lei was doing his homework in the study, and her father-in-law was watching the news. Everything felt so warm and comforting.

"You're back?" Wang Juan brought out the dishes. "How did your talk with Director Zhou go?"

"It's settled." Lin Fan washed his hands and sat down. "Brother Zhou is going to be the Party Secretary of Tu County after the New Year, and I'll go with him. He promised to arrange a position for me."

Wang Juan nodded, said nothing more, and simply ladled him a bowl of soup: "Drink more, it'll help you recover."

At the dinner table, Lin Fan briefly explained the situation to his family. Although his parents-in-law were reluctant to let him go, they understood: "Xiao Fan values ​​relationships, which is a good thing. Tu County isn't far; he can come back often."

Xiao Lei looked up: "Brother-in-law, how's Tuxian Middle School?"

"It should be good. Let me ask around." Lin Fan smiled. "What, want to transfer schools and follow me?"

"No way," Xiao Lei pouted. "Experimental Middle School is great. I want to get into Gangcheng No. 1 Middle School."

Everyone laughed. The warmth of family dispelled the sorrow of parting.

After dinner, Lin Fan and Wang Juan looked at the night view from the balcony. The lights of the steel city stretched into the distance, like a flowing river of light.

"Juan'er, I promise you, I'll come back at least once a week." Lin Fan hugged his wife. "I'll call her every day. It's only a little over an hour's drive from Tu County, not far."

"Mm." Wang Juan leaned against him. "Don't worry about home, I can take care of it. The business is on track, and the store managers are managing it, so I don't need to supervise it every day. Mom and Dad are in good health, and Xiao Lei is studying diligently... You can focus on working with Director Zhou and help him establish himself."

"Marrying you is the greatest blessing of my life," Lin Fan said softly.

"Me too." Wang Juan closed her eyes. "Lin Fan, no matter how far you go, home will always be here."

Night deepened. The steel city gradually quieted down. Lin Fan lay in bed, but couldn't fall asleep.

Every moment since my rebirth replayed in my mind—from despair to hope, from humility to composure, from loneliness to possession. Along the way, Zhou Wenyuan was my guide, Wang Juan was my companion, and my family was my support.

Now, he is about to embark on a new journey. This time, he will not passively accept his fate, but actively choose to follow it.

The road ahead is unknown, but with trusted people by my side, a warm home behind me, and enough resources in my hands, what is there to fear?

Outside the window, the autumn night sky is exceptionally clear. Tomorrow will be another new day.

A new chapter is about to unfold slowly in that small town of Tuxian.