Civil Service Exam

The next day.

Early morning.

Dong Xuebin sat on the sofa, getting ready to head out.

Qu Yunxuan was a little nervous, as if she were the one taking the exam. "Xiao Bin, watch your time when answering questions. If you don't know one, just guess and move on. I heard the time is especially tight. Oh, did you bring a black gel pen? Remember to take a spare one too. What about an eraser? A 2B pencil? You brought your admission ticket too, right? Don't forget anything." She smoothed out the wrinkles in his T-shirt, then brought over a half-wet rag, rolled up his pant leg, and crouched down to wipe the dust off his Canvas Shoes.

Dong Xuebin was flattered and hurriedly stopped her. "No, no, I'll do it myself. I'll do it myself."

Qu Yunxuan carefully wiped his shoes and said gently, "The exam starts at nine sharp. Go look over your books again."

Good grief, Aunt Xuan was treating him better and better, so well that she really felt like his own older sister.

At that moment, Mom came out of the kitchen carrying a bag. "I packed some fruit for you. Eat a few bites if you get thirsty or hungry."

There was bottled water, snow pears, and apples inside. When Qu Yunxuan saw it, she stood up and took the things from her. "Sister Luan, give them to me. I'll go to the test center with Xiao Bin later. When he finishes at noon, I'll take him to a restaurant. We won't come back. The test center is too far from home, and there's another exam in the afternoon."

Mom was startled. "Don't you have work today?"

Qu Yunxuan said, "I took the day off."

Mom clicked her tongue. "Don't let it delay your work. I can accompany him."

Dong Xuebin said, "Yeah, Aunt Xuan, you don't need to go."

"You little scatterbrain." Qu Yunxuan smiled and pinched the bit of flesh on his cheek. "I won't feel at ease if I don't go with you. Sister Luan, stay home and rest. It's hot outside, and your blood pressure runs high. Don't let it flare up again."

"Well..." Mom was already quite familiar with Qu Yunxuan, so she did not stand on ceremony. "Yunxuan, then I'll trouble you. Xuebin, do your best. Just perform normally."

Dong Xuebin nodded. "Okay."

Capital City Fifteenth Middle School.

After turning at Zixin Road Intersection, they could see from afar a long red banner hanging above the school sign—Capital City Civil Servants Recruitment Exam, Fifteenth Middle School Test Center. Outside the gate stood a small blackboard reading, "Please show your admission ticket when entering or leaving," and "Stay calm during the exam and achieve your true level." The school entrance was packed with men and women, young and old. Some parents had brought their sons, some wives had brought their husbands, and some families had come in groups of more than ten to cheer their child on. It was extremely lively.

Children were their parents' hope. If one could become a civil servant, it would undoubtedly be something to be proud of, and life would be secure from then on.

After getting out of the taxi, Dong Xuebin and Qu Yunxuan stood at the entrance to the test center.

Immediately, dozens of gazes swept toward Aunt Xuan.

Qu Yunxuan was too beautiful. She drew attention wherever she went, but she paid no heed to the stares around her and nagged Dong Xuebin like an old mother. "Don't be nervous. Do your best. If you can become a civil servant, I'll treat you to a big meal. Chinese or Western food, you can choose whatever you want. Mm, did you hear what I said in the car? Keep an eye on the time. The Administrative Aptitude Test is only two hours, so you have to allocate your time wisely."

Dong Xuebin gave her his phone with a wry smile. "I remember. Phones aren't allowed inside, so hold onto it for me."

Suddenly, someone called Qu Yunxuan's name from behind. When they turned around, they saw Aunt Xu had brought Xiao Dong to take the exam.

"Yunxuan, you're here too? You came to see Xiao Bin off?" Unlike the other parents, Aunt Xu looked relaxed, apparently very confident in Xiao Dong. "Perfect. Once Xiao Bin and Xiao Dong go in for the exam, let's sit at the teahouse next door. It's been so long since we've had a chat." Looking at Dong Xuebin, Aunt Xu said, "Do your best." Though she said that, she did not believe Dong Xuebin could pass the written exam at all. Her own son had taken it twice already. How could Dong Xuebin possibly pass on his first attempt?

Xiao Dong did not take Dong Xuebin seriously at all. He said to Qu Yunxuan, "Sister Qu, why did you come with him?" He could not understand why Qu Yunxuan had suddenly started treating Dong Xuebin's family so well. He had never noticed it before.

If you didn't come with me, were you supposed to come with him? Dream on.

Qu Yunxuan's attitude toward Xiao Dong was completely different from her attitude toward Dong Xuebin. She casually brushed off Xiao Dong and his mother, then stuffed a little pouch resembling a keychain into Dong Xuebin's hand. "I asked for this from someone. Take it into the exam room. It'll improve your luck on the exam."

Dong Xuebin felt Aunt Xuan's concern. He gave a firm grunt, then turned around under Qu Yunxuan's encouraging gaze and strode toward the school gate.

There were three Teaching Buildings, and the test rooms were in the western one.

After entering the first-floor corridor, Dong Xuebin noticed Xiao Dong not far away. He turned his head and asked skeptically, "Did you really get nearly full marks on the Administrative Aptitude Test in the last National Civil Service Exam? You only got a few logical reasoning questions wrong?" The two had already clashed before, so Dong Xuebin no longer held back when he spoke.

Xiao Dong looked at him with a stern face and replied unpleasantly, "Not convinced?"

Dong Xuebin sneered. "What do you have that would make me convinced?"

Xiao Dong snorted. "And you want to become a civil servant? Try again next life. If you're not convinced, then let's compete and see who gets into a government office."

Dong Xuebin's competitive spirit flared. "Fine. Let's compete."

Xiao Dong smiled mockingly and ignored him, quickening his pace toward the exam room. He had long made thorough preparations for this exam. Especially for the Administrative Aptitude Test, Xiao Dong was one hundred percent certain he could score extremely high. How could he lose to Dong Xuebin, who was taking the Civil Service Exam for the first time?

Watching Xiao Dong's retreating figure, Dong Xuebin did not look for his own exam room first. Instead, he followed Xiao Dong from a distance as he walked seven or eight meters ahead, staring closely at his back. Only after Xiao Dong turned and entered a classroom at the far end of the east-west corridor did Dong Xuebin stop. He memorized Xiao Dong's exam room, then observed his seat. Mm, middle of the second row, not far from the door.

Xiao Dong saw Dong Xuebin from inside the room and frowned. "What are you doing?"

Dong Xuebin smiled faintly. "Nothing. Just seeing where you're sitting."

"What does where I sit have to do with you?" Xiao Dong glanced at him. "We're not even in the same exam room. Are you planning to copy my paper?"

Dong Xuebin shrugged. "Not necessarily. You'd better watch your exam paper."

"You're sick." Xiao Dong lowered his head and began arranging his exam supplies.

After leaving the classroom, Dong Xuebin began looking for his own Room 026—it was two classrooms away from Xiao Dong's.

After entering the exam room, Dong Xuebin counted the seat numbers and found his place. It was the third desk in the row by the wall, a little off to the side.

The invigilator had already arrived and was strolling around, observing every examinee as if checking whether anyone had brought cheating tools.

A young man by the window kept wiping his sweat.

A woman in the first row nervously tapped her foot against the floor.

A man in the corner of the last row vigorously patted his eyes and face.

Dong Xuebin could clearly feel a trace of tension and the smell of gunpowder filling the room. Looking at the classroom, which was only half full, he let out a soft breath, calmed himself, and clenched his fist as if praying. It's finally here. Whew... I hope the Administrative Aptitude Test is a little easier. Please!!!