Evelyn Carter chuckled and said, "If you have dirty clothes in the future, just bring them to your aunt, don't be shy."

Phew, that was close.

After returning home, Alan Cooper tried BACK a few more times, but it didn't work again!

Looks like this ability to return to the past really is only once a day!

I'm going to make it big, I'm definitely going to make it big!

Breakfast was porridge made from yesterday's leftover rice, one egg, and a small plate of pickled cucumbers. Because eggs at the market have gotten much more expensive lately, Alan Cooper and his mom hadn't been willing to eat any for days. Swallowing dryly, he sat across from his mother, carefully peeling the egg shell and eating it slowly, bite by bite.

"Aunt Xu might come over to visit later," his mom looked up. "How's your civil service exam prep going?"

"So-so." Alan Cooper's good mood vanished instantly, and he sighed. "But I don't have much hope, you know my grades have never been very good." The main reason he didn't just find a random job after graduating college was to prepare for the civil service exam. But the university Alan Cooper attended was just an average school in Beijing, and his grades there were also average. All things considered, the chances of him passing the civil service exam were slim to none—actually, it was basically impossible.

"It doesn't matter, if you don't pass this time, there's always next time. If not, just find a job for now," his mom patted his hand. "You'll pass eventually."

Facing his mother's expectations, the pressure on Alan Cooper's shoulders grew even heavier. "I'll... I'll do my best."

Sigh, civil service, civil service.

With competition in the system so fierce these days, could he really squeeze in through the crowd? No matter how he thought about it, it seemed impossible. Not only were his own chances slim, but even among his college classmates, only a handful with top grades and sharp minds might have a shot, and even then, it's not guaranteed. You have to pass both a written and an interview, and usually, only one person is hired for the position. Just think about it—it's literally one in ten thousand. How hard is that?

Knock, knock, knock—someone was knocking at the door.

His mom quickly grabbed Alan Cooper and went to open the door. Outside stood two people: a middle-aged woman in her forties, and a young man of about twenty-five or twenty-six wearing glasses. They were their neighbor Aunt Xu and her son Little David. Behind them, a pot-bellied middle-aged man with a commanding presence was coming down from the fourth floor.

As soon as his mom saw him, she warmly greeted the man first, "Good morning, Director Parker, heading to work?"

Alan Cooper also said, "Director Parker, Aunt Xu."

Director Parker put on his official airs and gave a slight nod, not even bothering to speak to Alan Cooper and his mother, and continued downstairs.

Aunt Xu called after Director Parker, "Our son has exams soon, come home early tonight and let's go out to eat."

Director Parker and Aunt Xu were husband and wife. Word was, he got promoted earlier this year and now held a small leadership position at customs—deputy section chief or maybe full section chief, anyway, he was doing pretty well in the Beikou area. But Alan Cooper didn't have a great impression of their family, especially Director Parker. Maybe he was used to being surrounded by flatterers, but he always looked down his nose at people and never gave anyone a proper look.

After his mom brought Aunt Xu and Little David inside, Alan Cooper could still hear neighbors downstairs greeting Director Parker.

"Oh, Director Parker, you're up so early today?"

"Xu Section Chief, thanks for your help the other day. How about letting me treat you to a meal sometime?"

There was a clear tone of flattery in their words.

Alan Cooper couldn't help but sigh inwardly. Ah, it's good to be an official. If only he could pass the civil service exam too.

After closing the door and returning to the living room, his mom took out the best tea leaves they had at home, painfully brewed two cups for Aunt Xu and Little David. But this "good tea" was only good by Alan Cooper's family's standards; Aunt Xu and Little David obviously didn't care for it. After tasting it, Aunt Xu frowned and put down her cup, not taking another sip. "Xiaoping, I heard your son is also taking the exam at No. 15 High School? Do you think he can pass the cutoff?"

His mom pulled Alan Cooper to sit down and sighed, "Not much hope, sigh. Little David shouldn't have any problem, right?"

Little David pushed up his glasses, sullenly reading his civil service essay prep materials, not saying a word—just as arrogant as his father.

Aunt Xu smiled proudly, "Of course Little David can pass. Last year's national exam was just a fluke, he didn't perform to his level on the essay question. This year, with serious review, getting one of the top spots shouldn't be a problem." She paused, then lowered her voice to boast, "Just between us, Little David's dad has already spoken to the people at customs. As long as Little David passes the interview score line, they'll definitely let him through."

"That's really great, your son is so promising." His mom blinked enviously and scooted a little closer to Aunt Xu. "If Little David isn't too busy, could you have him help Little Alan with his studies?"

Little David was already annoyed that his mother dragged him along for a visit, and when he heard this, he immediately turned and said stiffly, "Mom, I really don't have time."

Seeing his mom get rebuffed, Alan Cooper flared up. "You think I have time?"

His mom got anxious and nudged Alan Cooper with her elbow. "What are you doing? Don't you have any manners!"