“My son has always been more capable than me.” Grandpa Harris stroked his beard with satisfaction, beaming as he said, “Hehe, come, Little Alan, let me explain the essay questions to you again. I guarantee you’ll get a high score this time!”

“Really?”

“Of course! If you don’t pass, you can come blame me!”

Chapter 6 【Conflict with Director Parker's Family!】

Three days in a row.

Alan Cooper got up early and stayed up late, persistently sticking to that simple yet tedious memory exercise. He also used all three of his BACKs extravagantly for exam preparation trials, using multiple methods and perspectives to adapt once again to the flow of time in reverse, making himself even more familiar with the BACK ability.

In the blink of an eye, it was the last day before the exam.

Tumor Hospital, Comprehensive Oncology Department.

Alan Cooper continued to receive guidance from Grandpa Harris. The old man’s son was the one who wrote the essay questions in Shanghai, and the old man himself seemed to have quite a bit of research and experience in this area. So Alan Cooper forced himself to remember every word he said, listening intently. The teaching method had shifted from Alan Cooper asking questions to Grandpa Harris quizzing him. The old man didn’t flip through the reference books for questions, but instead casually came up with scenarios from who knows where. Sometimes, he also told him a lot about the rules of officialdom and the functions of government departments, so he could better understand the civil service exam.

“…Just now, the material was about uncivilized behavior among Chinese tourists. Write a suggestion to the tourism authority. Requirements: the suggestion must be reasonable and feasible, clearly organized, and under 400 words. Hmm, give it a try.”

Alan Cooper answered properly.

Grandpa Harris shook his head as he listened, pointed out his mistakes, and then gave what he thought was a good answer.

Alan Cooper wanted to take notes, but Grandpa Harris stopped him. “No need to write. Focus on understanding. If you fully grasp the arguments and main points I’m making, you’ll naturally remember them. Hmm, is that clear now? Good, let me give you another question. China’s marine resources are abundant, but per capita possession is low. The Bohai Sea is China’s largest inland sea and is very important to the Northeast economy…”

3 p.m.

Grandpa Harris coughed twice and said, “You’ve remembered everything, right?”

“Yeah.” Alan Cooper quickly pulled out a napkin for him, letting the old man spit.

Grandpa Harris smiled and patted his arm. “Your friends and classmates are also taking the civil service exam in Beijing this year, right? As long as you fully understand the material I’ve given you, that’s enough. It’s best not to teach it to your classmates, so you don’t mislead them. Hehe, this old man’s level is quite limited. This is all I can teach you.”

“You’re too modest. I’ve really benefited a lot.” Alan Cooper awkwardly rubbed his nose. “I don’t have many friends either. I didn’t live on campus during college, so I only know a few people from my class. They all think they can’t pass the civil service exam and already graduated to find jobs. I’m the only one stubbornly wanting to get into government. Um, Grandpa Harris, I’ve really troubled you these past few days. Thank you.”

Before leaving, Grandpa Harris, still in his hospital gown, gripped his shoulder firmly and said with deep meaning, “Do well on the exam. The future depends on you young people.”

Alan Cooper nodded slightly.

North entrance of Heping Street.

Alan Cooper slipped into the damp, crowded stairwell of Building 1, went upstairs, and pressed his own doorbell.

Click—the door was just opened by his mother inside, and at the same time, the door on the fourth floor opened as well. Director Parker's family of three came down from above. His mother quickly greeted them, “Director Parker, you’re home so early today? Going out to eat?” Alan Cooper also reluctantly called out, “Director Parker,” “Aunt Parker.”

Director Parker didn’t say anything, just nodded indifferently.

Aunt Parker smiled and said, “The exam is tomorrow, so we’re taking Little David to Quanjude for a meal.”

“Oh, that place isn’t cheap,” his mother said.

“Quanjude is just so-so, not really a great restaurant,” Little David said arrogantly, glancing at Alan Cooper, then reached out to press Evelyn Carter's doorbell. When no one answered, he pressed it again.

His mother quickly said, “Evelyn probably isn’t off work yet.”

Little David replied with a disappointed “Oh. Dad, Mom, let’s go then.” Alan Cooper knew that Little David had been pursuing Evelyn Carter lately. Although Evelyn Carter's family background wasn’t particularly good, she was so beautiful that even though she was a bit older than Little David, Director Parker's family didn’t seem to object.

Just as Alan Cooper entered his home and Director Parker's family turned to go downstairs, Director Parker accidentally kicked the garbage bag that Alan Cooper's mother had left by the door. There was some leftover food oil on the bag, which immediately got all over Director Parker's shoe.

Director Parker's expression changed instantly. He turned to glare at Alan Cooper's mother. “What’s wrong with you? Why did you put the garbage bag here? Couldn’t you put it somewhere else? Are you doing this on purpose?”

His mother said nervously, “Sorry, sorry, I—I was just about to throw it downstairs.”

Little David frowned and said, “Can’t you be a bit more civilized? Isn’t the stairwell dirty enough already?”

His mother said, “I’ll throw it out right away, sorry, sorry.”