Dong Xuebing and his mother had wanted to ask Aunt Xuan along to buy groceries in the southern part of the city . The meat and vegetables there were cheaper . But when they entered her apartment, they saw Xiao Dong and his mother, Mrs . Xu, sitting in the living room chatting with Aunt Xuan . Dong Xuebing’s mother pulled a chair over and join in their conversations . The Dong and Xu families were not on good terms, especially Dong Xuebing and Xiao Dong . But Beijing people had lots of pride and tried to be nice to each other . Even when they dislike each other, they will still chat for a while whenever they met .
“Xiao Ping, I heard that your son Xiao Bing had been revising these few days . ”
“That’s right . The National Civil Servant exams are in 6 months . What about your Xiao Dong?”
“He is also doing his revision . If the questions are not too difficult, he should be able to pass . ”
“Sighed… You do not need to worry about your son, unlike me . My Xuebing had never been good with his studies since young . ”
Dong Xuebing sat there quietly drinking a glass of coke given to him by Aunt Xuan . He did not take part in their conversations . He knew that his chances of passing the interview were slim . The main interviewer had something against him, and most likely he will fail the interview . Dong Xuebing had been feeling down and had been quiet the past two days .
“Drink slowly . ” Qu Yunxuan took a tissue paper and helped Dong Xuebing’s mouth . What are you thinking?”
Xiao Dong saw the way Qu Yunxuan wipe Dong Xuebing’s mouth . He glared at Dong Xuebing .
Dong Xuebing smiled: “I am thinking about the exams . ”
Qu Yunxuan sighed . “Don’t give yourself too much pressure . I am worried about you . ”
Mrs . Xu said with an air of superiority: “That’s right . I had said previously . The chances of fresh graduates passing the Civil Servant test is too low . You should get a job and have a few years of working experiences first . After 2 to 3 years, you can try again for the national exams . Treat this few years as training . One of my colleague’s kid had taken the National Exams for a few years after he graduated but had not passed . He had wasted his time . ”
Qu Yunxuan does not like the way she speaks . “You can’t be so sure . ”
Mrs . Xu nodded . “If you are lucky, you might pass the written test after a few tries . ”
Qu Yunxuan rubbed Dong Xuebing’s head and said: “Our Xiao Bing is very smart . He should be able to pass the next National Exams . ”
Xiao Dong took his eyes away from Qu Yunxuan and looked at Dong Xuebing . After one month, he had regained his confidence . “My written test results are out . I got 85 marks for the administrative aptitude test . I heard that very few candidates got more than 90 marks for this year . How much did you get?” 85 marks for AAT? That means Xiao Dong did not score any marks for the essay test . If not, he would have met the minimum required marks of 100 to qualify for the Custom’s interview .
Dong Xuebing replied without even looking at him . “I forgot . ”
Xiao Dong sneered . “Your results are not good? Do you need me to give you some tuitions?”
“No need . I can do my own revisions . ” Dong Xuebing was not interested .
Maybe it was because Qu Yunxuan was around and Xiao Dong tried to leave a good impression: “Ok . You can always ask me if you have difficulties answering any questions . ”
Mrs . Xu smiled happily and patted Xiao Dong on his back: “My son is very good in administrative aptitude test . I asked all the neighbors around here who’s kids had taken part in this test . None of them had scored more than 80 marks . The best was only 65 marks . But my Xiao Dong had not done very well for his essay questions . At least he was better than a lot of people . Many of them did not even get 15 marks . ”
Dong Xuebing’s mother sighed: “Your son will definitely be as successful as Section Chief Xu in the future . ”
Mrs . Xu laughed proudly: “Who knows what will happen in the future?”
Ringringring…… Dong Xuebing’s phone rang . He took it out from his pocket and answered: “Hello?”
“Hi, are you Dong Xuebing?” It was a man’s voice . From his voice, Dong Xuebing could not tell his age . He might be in his 40s, 50s and even 60s .
“I am . May I know who’s calling?”
“I am calling from West District’s State Security Branch Bureau, Political Section . The City Bureau had sent the results of your application in the morning . I am calling to notify you . You are required to report to West District’s State Security Branch Bureau on next Monday, 9 am . You can take down the address . Western district, Zixin Road East, south of the 50 meters mark . You will see a building with no signages . Because we are a special unit, we will not be issuing any written notification to you . You only need to bring your identification card, Household Register, the original and a photocopy of your school’s certificate . ”
Dong Xuebing was in a daze . “Ah? You are saying…… saying……”
The man on the phone said in a firm tone: “You have passed the Civil Servant test and interview . We are short on manpower . This is why we need you to report earlier than other departments . If you have any other reason that prevents you from reporting latest by next Friday, we might cancel your application . Do take note . ”
Dong Xuebing anxiously said: “No, no . I have no problems . I will surely be there on Monday . ”
“Good . ” The sound of paper rustling could be heard over the phone . “The section you are being posted to is General Office . You will know the detail when you report on Monday . ” State Security was different from other government agencies . Applicants for the other agencies could write down the specific section or departments on the application form . But for State Security, the applicants can only write “Administrative Department” or other general terms . It was up to the office to assign the applicant .
“Yes . Yes . Thank you . ”
“That’s all . ” Too, too, too…… The line was cut .
Dong Xuebing kept his phone and return to his seat . His hand was shaking .
Dong Xuebing’s mother looked at him concernedly: “Did you find a job? What company is it? How is the benefit?”
Mrs . Xu said: “That’s right . Get a job outside while trying for the test or exams again . I am being frank with you . Even if you are not able to pass, at least you can still support yourself . ”
Xiao Dong looked at Dong Xuebing arrogantly: “Is your salary more than 2,000 RMB?”
Dong Xuebing can’t be bothered with him . He turned to face his mother . “Mum, I need to tell you something . ”
His mother looked at him: “What?”
Dong Xuebing cleared his throat . “Ermmm… . I passed the test, and I am a Civil Servant now . ”
Dong Xuebing’s mother almost choked on her tea . She coughed and put down the teacup . “What did you say? What did you pass?”
“I said I passed the Civil Servant test and I am a Civil Servant now . ”
“Nonsense . ” Dong Xuebing’s mother stared at him . “Do you think it is funny to trick me?”
Qu Yunxuan and pinched Dong Xuebing’s arm . “You are not even call up for the interview, how can you be a Civil Servant? Since when did you become so humorous? It’s fine . You can retake the test . Just work harder and stop thinking about the past test . Cheer up . ”
Dong Xuebing raised his voice . “Mum, Aunt Xuan, since when did I lie to you all? I really pass the test, and they have already notified me over the phone . ”
“Ah?” Dong Xuebing’s mother, Aunt Xuan, Mrs . Xu, and Xiao Dong were all stunned .
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