Chapter 4 – I must pass the tes (2/2)

Dong Xuebing’s mother immediately grabbed him over to the door. Two people were standing at the door. 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 at some leaders.

Dong Xuebing’s mother saw him and immediately greeted that 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 single word.

Mrs. Xu shouted to Section Chief Xu from his back: “Your son’s test is nearing. Remember to come home early tonight. We will be eating out.”

Section Chief Xu and Mrs. Xu were husband and wife. He had been recently promoted and was now a section chief at the customs. It was not sure if he was a deputy section chief or the section chief. But he had been doing well in his job. However, Dong Xuebing does not like this family. Especially that Section Chief Xu. He seems to be used to ordering people around and very arrogant. He had never looked at people in the eyes. His eyes seem to be on top of his head.

When Dong Xuebing’s mother let Mrs. Xu and her son enter the house, Dong Xuebing heard one of his neighbor greeting Section Chief Xu downstairs.

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

“Chief Xu, thank you for your help. Can I have the honor to treat you today?”

Someone was bootlicking him.

Dong Xuebing was thinking in his heart. Being a government official was 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 in the house. She poured two cups of tea 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 do not think so. Mrs. Xu took a sip and frowned. She placed the tea back on the table and never touch it again. “Xiao Ping, I heard that your son will also be taking the test on the 15th? Is he confident of passing?”

Dong Xuebing’s mother pulled him over and sighed: “I do not have high hopes. How about Xiao Dong?”

Xiao Dong pushed his spectacles. He was holding on to the revision materials and did not say a word. He was also very arrogant like his father.

Mrs. Xu laughed proudly: “Xiao Dong will surely pass. Last year’s national exams he did not put in his best. The essay questions were too simple, and he could not show his true capabilities. He had been studying seriously this year. It should not be a problem for him to be among the top.” After pausing a while, Mrs. Xu lowered her voice and proudly said: “I will just tell you and no one else. His father had made arrangements with the Customs. As long as Xiao Dong can pass the interview, the customs will recruit him.”

“That’s good. Your son will have a bright future.” Dong Xuebing’s mother enviously said. She moved closer to Mrs. Xu and asked: “If Xiao Dong is not busy, can he help Xiao Bing with his revision?”

Xiao Dong did not want to come over with his mother. When he heard Dong Xuebing’s mother request, he immediately said rudely: “Mum, I do not have the time.”

Dong Xuebing saw him speaking so rudely to his mother, he got furious: “You think I have the time for you?”

Dong Xuebing’s mother became nervous and gave Dong Xuebing a light push with her elbow: “What’s wrong with you? Can’t you be nice to others?”

The mood in the room was awkward. Mrs. Xu laughed softly and said: “Actually, there is no need for Xiao Bing to enter take the civil servant test so urgently. I know many graduates started work outside for a few years before taking the test. With the experiences they accumulated when working, it will help them with the test. How can someone without experiences pass the test? Look at how many graduates are recruited 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 down on 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 the house, Xiao Dong looked at Dong Xuebing coldly and then left. To him, he felt that Dong Xuebing’s family was too poor and 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 was not worth his time.

Noon.

Dong Xuebing’s mother went back to her room for a nap, while Dong Xuebing was looking through a stack of past year essay questions in the living room. He was doing his best to prepare for the test. But after studying for a while, he knew that there was no way he could pass the test. He might not even 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 could not make out what that person was saying.

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

He saw his mother holding on to his father’s black and white photograph. She was crying silently. “Why her son gets to enter the government service and my son can’t? Dear, you must watch over our son and help him pass the test. If our son can enter the government service, I…… I don’t mind giving up 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 crying again and she quickly wiped her tears: “I am fine. Don’t worry.”

Standing in front of his mother, Dong Xuebing gritted his teeth and said: “You do not need to worry. I will surely pass the test even if it cost my life!” Seeing how sad his mother was, Dong Xuebing was determined to pass the test. Why other people’s families were all government officials and their children can also be government officials, and he has to be a commoner? He could not even afford to give his mother a better life?

I also have a head on my shoulders like others. In what way am 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!