Evelyn Carter said, “I took a day off.”

　　Mom clicked her tongue. “Don’t let it interfere with your work. I can go with him.”

　　Alan Cooper said, “Yeah, Aunt Evelyn, you don’t need to go.”

　　“You little scatterbrain.” Evelyn Carter smiled and pinched the little bit of flesh on his cheek. “Auntie can’t rest easy if I don’t go with you. Ms. Grant, you stay home and rest. It’s hot outside, and your blood pressure is high. Don’t risk getting sick again.”

　　“Well then…” Mom was already very familiar with Evelyn Carter, so she didn’t stand on ceremony. “Evelyn, sorry to trouble you. Alan, do your best on the exam, just perform as usual.”

　　Alan Cooper nodded. “Okay.”

　　Beijing No. 15 Middle School.

　　Turning off at Zixin Road, from a distance you could see a long red silk banner hanging above the school sign—Beijing Civil Service Recruitment Exam, No. 15 Middle School Exam Site. Outside the gate, there was also a small blackboard reading “Please show your exam admission ticket when entering or exiting” and “Stay calm and do your best, show your true ability.” At the school entrance, crowds of people—young and old, men and women—were gathered. Some parents brought their sons, some wives brought their husbands, and some families came in groups of over a dozen to cheer on their children. It was quite a lively scene.

　　Children are the hope of their parents. If one can pass the civil service exam, it’s definitely something to be proud of, and it means a stable life.

　　After getting out of the taxi, Alan Cooper and Evelyn Carter stood at the entrance of the exam site.

　　Immediately, dozens of gazes all turned toward Aunt Evelyn.

　　Evelyn Carter was so beautiful that she attracted attention wherever she went, but she paid no mind to the stares around her. Like a mother hen, she nagged at Alan Cooper, “Don’t be nervous, just do your best. As long as you pass the civil service exam, Auntie will treat you to a big meal—Western or Chinese, you pick. Hmm, did you hear what I said in the car just now? Always keep an eye on the time. The aptitude test is only two hours, so you need to manage your time well.”

　　Alan Cooper smiled wryly and took out his phone to hand to her. “Got it. Phones aren’t allowed inside, so I’ll leave it with you.”

　　Suddenly, someone behind them called Evelyn Carter’s name. Turning around, they saw Aunt Parker bringing Little David to the exam.

　　“Evelyn is here too? Bringing Little Alan?” Unlike other parents, Aunt Parker looked very relaxed, as if she had great confidence in Little David. “Perfect, after Little Alan and Little David go in for the exam, let’s go sit at the teahouse next door. It’s been ages since we chatted.” Looking at Alan Cooper, Aunt Parker said, “Do your best.” Though she said that, she didn’t really expect Alan Cooper to pass the written test—her own son had taken it twice already, so how could he pass on his first try?

　　Little David didn’t take Alan Cooper seriously at all. He said to Evelyn Carter, “Ms. Carter, why did you come with him?” He couldn’t understand why Evelyn Carter was suddenly so nice to Alan Cooper’s family; he hadn’t noticed it before.

　　Alan Cooper thought to himself, “If she didn’t come with me, would she come with you? Keep dreaming!”

　　Evelyn Carter’s attitude toward Little David was completely different from how she treated Alan Cooper. She casually brushed off Little David and his mother, then stuffed a small cloth pouch, like a charm, into Alan Cooper’s hand. “Auntie got this for you. Take it into the exam room—it’ll bring you good luck.”

　　Alan Cooper felt Aunt Evelyn’s care, gave a firm “Mm,” and, encouraged by Evelyn Carter’s gaze, turned and strode toward the school gate.

　　There were three teaching buildings; the one on the west side was the exam site.

　　Entering the first-floor hallway, Alan Cooper noticed Little David was not far away, so he turned his head and asked skeptically, “Did you really get almost a perfect score on the aptitude test in the last national exam? Only missed a few logic questions?” The two had already had conflicts, so Alan Cooper didn’t bother being polite.

　　Little David looked at him with a stern face and said unfriendly, “You don’t believe it?”

　　Alan Cooper sneered, “What’s there about you to impress me?”

　　Little David snorted, “And you think you can become a civil servant? Maybe in your next life! If you don’t believe it, let’s compete and see who gets into the government!”

　　Alan Cooper got fired up. “Fine, let’s compete.”

　　Little David gave a mocking laugh, ignored him, and quickened his pace toward the exam room. He was fully prepared for this exam, especially the aptitude test—he was one hundred percent confident he’d get a very high score. How could he possibly lose to Alan Cooper, who was taking the civil service exam for the first time?

　　Watching Little David’s figure recede, Alan Cooper didn’t look for his own exam room right away. Instead, he followed Little David, who was already seven or eight meters ahead, closely watching his back until he saw him turn into a classroom at the far end of the east-west corridor. Only then did Alan Cooper stop, memorize Little David’s exam room, and check out his seat—second row in the middle, not far from the door.

　　From inside the room, Little David saw Alan Cooper and frowned. “What are you doing?”

　　Alan Cooper smiled slightly. “Nothing, just checking where you’re sitting.”

　　“Why does it matter to you where I sit?” Little David glanced at him. “We’re not even in the same exam room. You want to copy my answers or something?”

　　Alan Cooper shrugged. “You never know. Better watch your test paper.”

　　“Idiot.” Little David lowered his head and started organizing his exam supplies.

　　Leaving the classroom, Alan Cooper began looking for his own exam room, 026—the one two rooms away from Little David’s.

　　Entering the exam room, Alan Cooper counted the seat numbers and found his spot: the third desk in the row by the wall, a bit off to the side.