Chapter 4: I Must Pass the Test

Chapter 4: I Must Pass the Test

Next Day

The scorching summer sun was obscured by dark clouds. It was a gloomy day, cooler than the previous few days.

Dong Xuebing woke up and remembered that his underwear and socks were still at Aunt Xuan's house. He felt uncomfortable and hurriedly went to Unit 302 to press the doorbell. Aunt Xuan was the woman he secretly admired, and he wanted to present his best side. He didn't want her to see his underwear and smelly socks. If he had known, he would have fought to stop Aunt Xuan from taking away all the dirty laundry. He hoped she hadn't washed those clothes yet.

The door clicked open. "Oh, it's Xiao Bing. I'm just about to go to work. Come in."

Qu Yunxuan was staying alone, and her house had a pleasant, single-woman's scent. The living room was neat and clean, with not a speck of dirt on the windows. Dong Xuebing entered and embarrassedly rubbed his nose. He was blushing. "Ermmm, my clothes..."

Qu Yunxuan was bending over to put on her socks and heels. She looked up and laughed, pointing towards the washroom with her chin. "Your clothes are hanging in the washroom. I washed them yesterday, so they might still be wet. What's wrong? Are you in a hurry to wear them? Do you need me to help you dry them with a hairdryer?" She squatted on one leg, the other raised, revealing a gap in her office skirt.

Dong Xuebing's face turned even redder. "Ah... No need. I'll take them back and dry them myself. Thank you."

Qu Yunxuan rolled her eyes. "Do you need to be so formal? If we're talking about thanks, I should be the one thanking you."

Qu Yunxuan stood outside the restroom while Dong Xuebing rushed in to collect his clothes. His T-shirt and pants were hanging on a rack, and his underwear and socks were hanging from a hanger behind. Dong Xuebing quickly grabbed all his clothes. He could imagine Qu Yunxuan's soft hands scrubbing his underwear. He felt embarrassed.

Dong Xuebing lost focus, wanting only to quickly return home with his clothes. Suddenly, he realized he was holding a skin-colored lace panty. Damn! He had taken the wrong one. This was not his underwear. Dong Xuebing slapped his forehead. He had mistakenly taken Qu Yunxuan's underwear. His hand shook as he held the lacy underwear, excitement and nervousness swirling within him. He looked closely at it.

This was Qu Yunxuan's underwear...

It was so beautiful...

As Dong Xuebing stood dazed, staring at the lacy underwear, a head appeared at the door of the washroom. "Hurry up and take your clothes. I need to leave for work..." Before finishing her sentence, Qu Yunxuan saw Dong Xuebing holding her underwear and blushed.

Dong Xuebing almost fainted. His first reaction was to throw the underwear into the washing machine. "Aunt Xuan, it's not what you're thinking!"

Qu Yunxuan gave him a look and remained silent.

Dong Xuebing knew his good impression with Aunt Xuan was likely ruined. He tried to explain. "It's really not what you think. I grabbed the wrong..." He couldn't offer a good explanation. Suddenly, he remembered he hadn't used his time control today. He immediately shouted, "BACK!"

...

Scenes blurred and flew by.

The next moment, Dong Xuebing saw his outstretched hand in mid-air, about to grab the skin-colored underwear from the metal hanger. This was exactly what had happened one minute ago.

He had successfully turned back time again.

He quickly stopped his hand, relieved, and grabbed his clothes before walking out of the washroom. "Aunt Xuan, I'm going back now."

Qu Yunxuan laughed. "If you have dirty laundry in the future, pass it to me. I'll help you wash it."

Phwee... So close.

When Dong Xuebing returned home, he tried to use the time control again but was unsuccessful.

It seemed he could only use this power once a day.

Alright! I am going to be rich!

Breakfast was leftover porridge from last night's dinner, an egg, and a small plate of preserved vegetables. Recently, the price of eggs had increased. Dong Xuebing and his mother hadn't had eggs for a few days. Dong Xuebing swallowed his saliva as he carefully peeled the shell off the egg.

"Mrs. Xu might be dropping by later," Dong Xuebing's mother said. "How is your revision for the Civil Servant test?"

"So-so." Dong Xuebing's good mood faded. He sighed. "I don't think I'll do well. You know I've never been good with my studies." After graduating from university, Dong Xuebing hadn't been working. One reason was to prepare for the Civil Servant test. Another was his average university and academic results. The chances of him passing and becoming a civil servant were very slim, almost impossible.

"It's fine. If you don't pass this time, there's always next time. If you really can't get into the government, then just get a job in the meantime." Dong Xuebing's mother held his hand. "You'll surely pass one day."

Faced with his mother's expectations, Dong Xuebing felt the stress. "I... I will try my best."

Sigh... Civil Servant.

The competition for government positions was fierce. Could he really make it? Dong Xuebing thought it was nearly impossible. His university classmates, who were smarter and had better scores, hadn't passed the test. Besides the written test, there was also an interview. Even if one passed both, only one person was selected for each department. The chances of being chosen were extremely slim.

Knock, knock, knock. Someone was knocking on the door.

Dong Xuebing's mother quickly grabbed him and went to the door. Two people were standing there. One was a woman in her 40s, and the other was a bespectacled young man in his 20s. They were Dong Xuebing's neighbors, Mrs. Xu and her son, Xiao Dong. Behind them, a middle-aged man was walking down from the fourth floor. He had a big belly and looked like a leader.

Dong Xuebing's mother saw him and immediately greeted the man. "Section Chief Xu, are you going to work?"

Dong Xuebing also greeted them. "Mr. and Mrs. Xu."

Section Chief Xu had an air of arrogance. He nodded and continued walking down the stairs without saying a word.

Mrs. Xu called out to Section Chief Xu as he walked away. "Your son's test is nearing. Remember to come home early tonight. We'll be eating out."

Section Chief Xu and Mrs. Xu were married. He had recently been promoted to section chief at the customs. Dong Xuebing didn't like this family, especially Section Chief Xu, who seemed accustomed to ordering people around and never looked anyone in the eye.

When Dong Xuebing's mother let Mrs. Xu and her son into the house, Dong Xuebing heard one of his neighbors greeting Section Chief Xu downstairs.

"Oh, Section Chief Xu, why are you so early today?"

"Chief Xu, thank you for your help. May I have the honor of treating you today?"

Someone was bootlicking him.

Dong Xuebing thought to himself. Being a government official is good. If only I could be a civil servant.

After closing the door, Dong Xuebing returned to the living room. His mother had taken out their best tea leaves. She poured two cups for Mrs. Xu and Xiao Dong. But these "best tea leaves" were only the best for him and his mother. Mrs. Xu and her son didn't think so. Mrs. Xu took a sip, frowned, and put the cup back on the table. She didn't touch it again. "Xiao Ping, I heard your son will be taking the test on the 15th too? Is he confident of passing?"

Dong Xuebing's mother pulled him over and sighed. "I don't have high hopes. How about Xiao Dong?"

Xiao Dong pushed his spectacles, holding revision materials, and didn't say a word. He was as arrogant as his father.

Mrs. Xu laughed proudly. "Xiao Dong will surely pass. Last year's national exams were too simple; he couldn't show his true capabilities. He has been studying seriously this year. It should be no problem for him to be among the top." She paused and lowered her voice. "I'll tell you this privately. His father made arrangements with the Customs. As long as Xiao Dong passes the interview, the customs will recruit him."

"That's good. Your son will have a bright future," Dong Xuebing's mother said enviously. She moved closer to Mrs. Xu and asked, "If Xiao Dong isn't busy, could he help Xiao Bing with his revision?"

Xiao Dong didn't want to help. When he heard his mother's request, he rudely said, "Mum, I don't have the time."

Dong Xuebing, seeing him speak rudely to his mother, got furious. "You think I have the time for you?"

Dong Xuebing's mother became nervous and lightly pushed Dong Xuebing with her elbow. "What's wrong with you? Can't you be nice to others?"

The mood in the room grew awkward. Mrs. Xu laughed softly. "Actually, there's no need for Xiao Bing to take the Civil Servant test so urgently. Many graduates work outside for a few years.

Dong Xuebing's mother became nervous and gave Dong Xuebing alight push with her elbow: "What's wrong with you? Can't you be nice toothers?"

The mood in the room was awkward. Mrs. Xu laughed softly and said: "Actually, there is no need forXiao Bing to enter take the civil servanttest so urgently. I know many graduates started work outside for a few yearsbefore taking the test. With the experiences they accumulated when working, itwill help them with the test. How can someone without experiences pass thetest? Look at how many graduates arerecruited into the Civil Service? The percentage is lesser than 0.1%."

Dong Xuebing's mother smiled and did not say a word.

Dong Xuebing was thinking in his heart. Are you looking downon me? How do you know I cannot pass the test?

He could tell that Mrs.Xu had brought her son over to show off.

Half an hour later, Mrs.Xu left with her son. Before leaving thehouse, Xiao Dong looked at Dong Xuebingcoldly and then left. To him, he feltthat Dong Xuebing's family was too poorand he was just a loser. Dong Xuebing might even have problems securing a job.These were the people who were destined to be at the lowest level of society for their whole life. This person wasnot worth his time.

Noon.

Dong Xuebing's mother went back to her room for a nap, whileDong Xuebing was looking through a stack of past year essay questions in theliving room. He was doing his best to prepare for the test. But after studyingfor a while, he knew that there was no way he could pass the test. He might noteven reach the minimum score. He was wasting his time revising.

Dong Xuebing suddenly heard someone speaking softly.

The sound came from inside the house, but Dong Xuebing couldnot make out what that person was saying.

Dong Xuebing followed the sounds, and it was coming from the bedroom. He slowly turned the doorknoband opened a slit.

He saw his mother holding on to his father's black and whitephotograph. She was crying silently. "Why her son gets to enter the governmentservice and my son can't? Dear, you must watch over our son and help him passthe test. If our son can enter the government service, I... I don't mind givingup a few years of my life."

"Mum..." Dong Xuebing opened the door and walked in.

Dong Xuebing's mother saw her son had caught her cryingagain and she quickly wiped her tears: "I am fine. Don't worry."

Standing in front of his mother, Dong Xuebing gritted histeeth and said: "You do not need to worry. I will surely pass the test even ifit cost my life!" Seeing how sad his mother was, Dong Xuebing was determined topass the test. Why other people's families were all government officials andtheir children can also be government officials, and he has to be a commoner? He could not even afford to give his mother abetter life?

I also have a head on my shoulders like others. In what wayam I inferior to them?

Dong Xuebing must pass the test and become a civil servant.

This time, Dong Xuebing was determined to prove himself and make his mother proud!