Chapter 7 Civil Service Examination

Qu Yunxuan seemed as if she were the one taking the exam, feeling a bit nervous. "Xiao Bin, be sure to manage your time while answering the questions. If you encounter a question you can't solve, just make a guess and move on quickly. I heard the exam time is particularly tight. By the way, did you bring a black pen? Remember to take an extra one as a backup. What about the eraser? The 2B pencil? You have your admission ticket, right? Don't forget anything." She smoothed out the wrinkles on his T-shirt, then took a slightly damp cloth, rolled up his pant legs, and squatted down to wipe the dust off Dong Xuebin's canvas shoes.

Qu Yunxuan carefully polished his shoes and gently said, "The exam starts at 9:00 sharp, you should review your notes one more time."

Watching Xiao Dong's figure gradually recede, Dong Xuebin did not immediately look for his own examination room. Instead, he paced after Xiao Dong, who had already walked seven or eight meters away, closely fixated on his back. It was only when Xiao Dong turned a corner and entered a classroom at the outer end of the east-west corridor that Dong Xuebin finally stopped, noted down Xiao Dong's examination room, and observed his seat. Hmm, second row, middle, not far from the door.

Turning at the intersection of Zixin Road, one can see from a distance a long red satin banner hanging above the school sign—"Fifteenth Examination Center for the Civil Service Recruitment Examination of Various Levels in the Capital." Outside the fence gate, there is also a small blackboard that reads "Please show your admission ticket when entering and exiting" and "Stay calm and composed during the exam, and demonstrate your true abilities." The school entrance is crowded with people of all ages and genders; some parents are accompanying their sons, some wives are sending off their husbands, and there are even families of more than ten people coming in a grand procession to cheer for their child, creating a lively atmosphere.

The next day

Dong Xuebin's determination surged, "Alright, if it's a competition, then let's compete."

"What does it matter to you where I sit?" Xiao Dong glanced at him and said, "We are not in the same examination room; do you still want to copy my answers?"

Upon exiting the classroom, Dong Xuebin began to look for his examination room 026—the one located two classrooms away from Xiao Dong's.

There is mineral water, snow pears, and apples inside. As soon as Qu Yunxuan saw it, she stood up and took the items in her hands, "Sister Luan, please give me the things. I will go to the exam venue with Xiao Bin later. After he finishes his exam at noon, I will take him to a restaurant to eat, and then I won't come back since the exam location is too far from home, and there is a second subject in the afternoon."

Dong Xuebin thought, "If you don't come with me, why would I go with you? What a beautiful thought!"

The invigilator has arrived, leisurely observing each candidate, seemingly checking whether anyone has brought cheating tools

Dong Xuebin, leaning against the sofa, is preparing to go out

Early morning

"Sick." Xiao Dong lowered his head to organize his exam tools

Xiao Dong completely disregarded Dong Xuebin, and said to Qu Yunxuan: "Sister Qu, why did you come with him?" He couldn't understand why Qu Yunxuan suddenly treated Dong Xuebin's family so well, as he hadn't felt this way before.

Yunxuan is also here? Sending Xiaobin over? Unlike other parents, Aunt Xu appears very relaxed, seemingly confident in Xiaodong. "Just right, later Xiaobin and Xiaodong will go for the exam, let's sit in the nearby teahouse and chat, it's been a long time since we talked." Looking at Dong Xuebin, Aunt Xu said, "Do your best." Although she said that, in reality, she never thought Dong Xuebin could pass the written exam; her own son had taken it twice, how could he possibly pass on his first attempt?

The man in the last row corner was vigorously patting his eyes and face

After getting out of the taxi, Dong Xuebin and Qu Yunxuan stood at the entrance of the examination venue

Xiao Dong snorted, "You think you can take the civil service exam? Maybe in your next life! If you don't believe it, let's have a competition and see who can get into the government agency!"

Xiao Dong glared at him and said in a harsh tone: "Are you unconvinced?"

Dong Xuebin sneered, "What do you have that can convince me?"

Dong Xuebin said: "Yes, Aunt Xuan, you should not go."

Han, Aunt Xuan is treating herself better and better, to the point that it feels just like she is his biological sister

A woman in the front row was anxiously tapping her foot on the ground

Upon entering the examination room, Dong Xuebin counted the seat numbers and found his position, the third desk in the row against the wall, which was somewhat off to the side

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

Qu Yunxuan's attitude towards Xiao Dong was completely different from that towards Dong Xuebin. She casually brushed off a remark to the mother and son, then handed Dong Xuebin a small cloth bag that resembled a charm, saying, "This was obtained by your aunt. Take it with you into the examination room; it can enhance your luck in the exam."

Dong Xuebin clearly sensed a hint of gunpowder smell and tension permeating the indoor air. Looking at the classroom that was only half full, he let out a shallow breath to calm his emotions, clenched his fists in a prayer-like manner, and murmured to himself: Finally, this day has come. Huh, I hope the assessment is a bit easier, please!

Xiao Dong let out a mocking laugh, ignored him, and quickened his pace towards the examination hall. He had made thorough preparations for this exam, especially for the administrative aptitude test, where he was confident he could achieve a very high score. How could he possibly lose to Dong Xuebin, who was taking the civil service exam for the first time?

Suddenly, someone called out the name Qu Yunxuan from behind. Turning around, she saw Aunt Xu bringing Xiao Dong to take the exam.

Mother was taken aback, "Aren't you supposed to be at work today?"

There are three teaching buildings, and the one on the west side is the examination room

Qu Yunxuan is incredibly beautiful, drawing attention wherever she goes. However, she pays no mind to the gazes of those around her, chattering away like a mother hen to Dong Xuebin: "Don't be nervous, just perform well. As long as you can pass the civil service exam, I'll treat you to a big meal. You can choose between Western or Chinese cuisine, whatever you prefer. By the way, did you hear what I said in the car just now? You need to keep an eye on the clock at all times; the exam only lasts for two hours, so you must allocate your time wisely"

Beijing No. 15 Middle School

At that moment, dozens of gazes instantly turned towards Aunt Xuan.

Dong Xuebin was taken aback and said, "No, no, I can do it myself, I can do it myself!"

Dong Xuebin shrugged his shoulders and said, "That may not necessarily be the case; you should be careful with your exam paper."

At that moment, my mother came out of the kitchen with a bag, saying, "I brought you some fruit; if you're thirsty or hungry, just have a few bites and read a book."

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

Upon entering the corridor on the first floor, Dong Xuebin noticed that Xiao Dong was not far from him, so he turned his head and asked with a tone of skepticism: "Did you really score almost full marks on the last national examination's logical reasoning section? You only got a few logical reasoning questions wrong?" They had already had a conflict before, so Dong Xuebin spoke without any reservations.

Mom smacked her lips and said, "Don't delay your work; I can accompany him."

Qú Yúnxuān said: "I took a day off"

Dong Xuebin smiled slightly and said, "It's nothing, just seeing where you are sitting."

"You little scatterbrain." Qu Yunxuan smiled as she pinched the small flesh on his face, "Aunt can't help but worry. Sister Luan, you should rest at home. It's hot outside, and your blood pressure is high. Don't let yourself get sick again"

Dong Xuebin nodded: "Alright"

Children are the hope of their parents; if they can pass the civil service examination, it is undoubtedly a matter of great pride, and they can be considered to have secured a stable future for life

A young man by the window kept wiping his sweat

Dong Xuebin smiled wryly as he took out his phone and handed it to her, "I noted it down. Phones are not allowed inside, so you can keep it for me."

Then... Mother has already become quite familiar with Qu Yunxuan, so she didn't say goodbye to her again. "Yunxuan, thank you for your trouble. Xuebin, do well in your exam, just perform normally."