The Next Day.
Early Morning.
Johny Lee leaned against the sofa, getting ready to head out.
Maggi seemed as nervous as if she were taking the exam herself.
"Johny, pay attention to managing your time. If you don't know an answer, just guess and move on quickly.
I heard the time limit is really tight.
Oh, did you bring a black pen?
Remember to bring a spare.
What about an eraser? A 2B pencil?
Did you bring your admission ticket?
Don't forget anything!"
She smoothed out the wrinkles on his T-shirt, then fetched a damp cloth, rolled up his pant legs, and knelt down to wipe a speck of dust off his canvas shoes.
Overwhelmed by the attention, Johny quickly tried to stop her.
"No, no, Maggi! I'll wipe them myself! Get up!"
Maggi ignored him, carefully wiping his shoes.
She looked up and said gently, "The exam starts at nine sharp.
Maybe you should look over your notes one last time."
Sweat.
Maggi was getting better and better to him—so good it was almost like she was his big sister... or something more.
Just then, Sarah came out of the kitchen carrying a bag.
"I packed you some fruit.
If you get thirsty or hungry, just eat a few bites."
Inside were bottled water, snowflake pears, and apples.
Maggi saw it, stood up, and took the bag. "Sister Sarah, give it to me.
I'll go to the exam center with Johny.
After he finishes in the afternoon, I'll take him out for a nice meal.
We won't come back in between since the center is far from here, and there's a second subject in the afternoon."
Sarah was startled.
"Aren't you working today?"
"I took the day off," Maggi said simply.
Sarah clicked her tongue.
"Don't let this interfere with your work!
I can go with him."
"Yeah, Maggi, you really don't need to go," Johny added.
"You little scatterbrain." Maggi smiled and pinched his cheek affectionately.
"I won't feel at ease if I don't go with you. Sister Sarah, you should rest at home.
It's hot outside, and your blood pressure has been a bit high lately.
Don't get sick again."
"Well then..." Since Sarah and Maggi were already so close, she didn't treat her like an outsider anymore.
"Maggi, I'll trouble you then.
Johny, don't be tense and just perform normally."
Johny nodded firmly. "Okay."
Beijing Fifteenth Middle School.
Turning from Zixin Road, they could see a long red banner hanging above the school sign from a distance:
Beijing Municipal Civil Servant Recruitment Exam – Fifteenth Middle School Exam Center.
Outside the fence gate stood a small blackboard.
Chalk letters read: Please show your admission ticket for entry and exit and Approach the exam with a calm mind.
The school entrance was a sea of people. There were parents seeing off their sons, wives seeing off husbands, and even entire families of over a dozen people cheering for a single candidate.
It was incredibly lively, buzzing with nervous energy.
Children were the hope of their parents. Passing the civil servant exam meant honor, security, and a stable future—the "Iron stability."
After getting out of the taxi, Johny and Maggi stood at the entrance.
Instantly, dozens of gazes swept toward Maggi.
She was simply too beautiful; she drew attention wherever she went.
However, she completely ignored the stares. Like a mother hen, she chattered incessantly to Johny.
"Don't be nervous. Just do your best.
As long as you pass, I'll treat you to a huge meal.
You can choose Western or Chinese food, whatever you like.
Oh, did you hear what I said in the car? Watch the clock.
The Administrative Aptitude Test is only two hours, so allocate your time properly."
Johny smiled wryly and handed her his phone.
"Got it. They don't allow phones inside, so hold onto this for me."
Suddenly, a voice called Maggi's name from behind.
Turning around, they saw Aunt Sue bringing Tony to the exam.
"Maggi is here too?
Bringing Johny?" Unlike the other anxious parents, Aunt Sue looked relaxed, exuding confidence in Tony.
"Perfect. Johny and Tony can go in together, and we can go sit in a teahouse nearby.
It's been a while since we chatted."
She glanced at Johny with a polite but dismissive smile.
"Do your best."
Although she said the words, her eyes said clearly that she didn't think Johny had a snowball's chance in hell.
Her own brilliant son had taken it twice already; how could Johny pass on his first try?
Tony didn't even acknowledge Johny.
He turned to Maggi instead.
"Sister Maggi, why did you come with him?" He couldn't understand why Maggi had suddenly become so close to the Lee family.
Johny thought to himself, If she didn't come with me, would she come with you?
Keep dreaming!
Maggi's attitude toward Tony was cool and distant, completely different from her warmth toward Johny.
After giving Tony and his mother a polite, perfunctory reply, she stuffed a small fabric pouch into Johny's hand.
"This is a lucky charm I got for you.
Take it inside. It'll bring you good luck."
Johny felt the weight of her concern in his palm.
He gave a firm nod, and under Maggi's encouraging gaze, he turned around and strode toward the school gates.
There were three teaching buildings.
The one on the west side was the exam hall.
Entering the first-floor corridor, Johny noticed Tony walking not far ahead.
He quickened his pace to catch up.
"Did you really get almost full marks on the national exam's aptitude test last time?
Only missed a few logic questions?" Johny asked.
They had already clashed, so there was no need for politeness.
Tony looked at him with a straight face and sneered.
"Not convinced?"
"What do you have that would convince me?" Johny shot back.
Tony snorted.
"You? You still want to take the civil servant exam?
Maybe in your next life!
If you're not convinced, let's compare. Let's see who gets into the government office!"
Johny's competitive spirit flared. "Alright. Let's compare."
Tony gave a mocking smile, ignored him, and walked faster toward his exam room. He had been preparing for this moment for months.
He was 100% confident he could score high. Losing to a rookie like Johny Lee was impossible.
Watching Tony's back, Johny didn't look for his own room immediately.
Instead, he followed Tony from a distance of seven or eight meters.
He watched intently as Tony turned a corner and entered a classroom at the far end of the east-west corridor.
Only then did Johny stop.
He noted the room number and peered in to observe Tony's seat.
Middle of the second row.
Not far from the door.
Tony spotted Johny lingering in the doorway. He frowned. "What are you doing?"
Johny smiled slightly.
"Nothing. Just seeing where you're sitting."
"What does it matter where I'm sitting?" Tony rolled his eyes.
"We're not even in the same room.
Do you think you can copy my paper from down the hall?"
Johny shrugged mysteriously.
"That's not necessarily true.
You better be careful with your paper."
"Are you crazy?" Tony muttered, lowering his head to organize his pens.
Leaving the classroom, Johny walked down the hall to find his own room—Room 026—which was two doors down from Tony's.
He entered and counted the seat numbers, finding his spot: the third desk in the row against the wall. A bit secluded.
The invigilator had already arrived and was patrolling the aisles, eyeing each candidate to check for cheating devices.
A young man by the window was wiping sweat from his forehead.
A woman in the first row tapped her foot rapidly on the floor.
A man in the back corner was vigorously slapping his own face to wake up.
Johny could feel the tension in the air—thick like gunpowder smoke.
He looked around the half-filled classroom and exhaled a shallow breath.
He calmed his mind, clenched his fists as if praying, and muttered to himself:
Finally, this day has come.
Phew. I hope the Administrative Aptitude Test is a bit easier.
Please!
Authors Note:-
Well that's chapter 7.
Hope you all enjoyed it
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