“Don’t just talk tough!” Little David clearly didn’t understand what Alan Cooper meant by that.

Having finished one exam, Alan Cooper felt much more relaxed, but as soon as he thought about the essay test in the afternoon, he got another headache.

He didn’t even feel like eating.

Outside, Evelyn Carter and Aunt Parker, who were waiting for the two of them, probably didn’t want to put any pressure on them. When they saw them come out, they didn’t ask how the exam went or anything like that. They just had a meal together at the dumpling restaurant by the west gate of No. 15 Middle School, and before they knew it, it was already time for the afternoon exam.

Back at the No. 15 Middle School exam site, Little David appeared very calm, as if he was fully prepared. “Do your best, don’t fail the exam.”

Although Alan Cooper didn’t have any confidence at all, he still stubbornly replied, “You’re the one who should be careful not to mess up.”

“Hmph!” Little David turned and went into the classroom.

Essay test, two and a half hours.

Afternoon 13:30—16:00.

It tests seven abilities: reading comprehension, analytical and judgment skills, the ability to identify and solve problems, language expression, writing style, application of current affairs and politics, and administrative management. There isn’t just one right answer; it’s a bit like a short thesis, with a lot of flexibility.

Alan Cooper was not good at essay tests—especially not good. Even though Grandpa Harris had tutored him for a few days and he’d made a little progress, it was still just last-minute cramming, and his foundation was too weak. Originally, Alan Cooper had a good plan: if the morning’s multiple-choice test was easy, he’d rely on his own ability to answer and try to score as many points as possible, then use BACK to cheat off someone else’s paper during the essay test. Because the multiple-choice was all about picking answers, even guessing gave him a 25% chance of being right, but the essay was different—it wasn’t so easy to bluff his way through.

But plans can’t keep up with changes. The first test in the morning already went wrong, and he was forced to use BACK today, leaving him helpless for the essay in the afternoon.

What to do?

If the essay was as hard as the morning test, he definitely wouldn’t get many points.

Could this be the end? Was he really not cut out to be an official?

Half an hour before the exam. Sitting in exam room 026, watching the time tick by, Alan Cooper keenly sensed the slightly oppressive atmosphere in the classroom. Maybe everyone hadn’t done well on the multiple-choice, and it affected their mood for the afternoon test. Each face looked a bit serious and heavy.

Alan Cooper sighed nervously, patted his cheeks, and prayed to the heavens.

He no longer hoped to answer many essay questions correctly—he just wished his score wouldn’t be too low. That way, with his slight advantage in the multiple-choice, he might just barely make it past the cutoff.

Come on, Alan Cooper, you really have to perform above your usual level!

At 1:30, the exam began.

The moment he got the test paper, Alan Cooper anxiously started on the first question.

He read through the materials once, glanced at the question requirements, and his heart sank. The test paper really continued the difficulty of the morning’s multiple-choice. Alan Cooper read the whole thing twice and still didn’t understand what it meant, let alone how to answer according to the requirements—he was completely lost!

This is bad!

I’m doomed!

He muddled through the first question, scribbling whatever came to mind, then gritted his teeth and looked at the second question.

“Our country has abundant marine resources but little per capita, and the Bohai Sea is our largest inland sea, very important to the Northeast’s economy…”

Suddenly, Alan Cooper let out a surprised “huh,” blinking in disbelief. No way—why did this look so familiar?

He looked at the third question.

“In response to uncivilized behavior by Chinese tourists, write a suggestion to the tourism authority. Requirements: the suggestion must be reasonable and feasible, well-organized, and not exceed 400 words…”

He was completely stunned: “Eh?”

“What’s wrong with you?” The proctor looked over sternly. “Do your own work, and keep quiet!”

Alan Cooper quickly said, “Sorry, sorry.” He looked down at the test paper, confirmed he hadn’t misread, and, both shocked and delighted, moved his gaze to the fourth question. Oh my god! Alan Cooper gasped, utterly astonished, and knocked his forehead with his fist, not even knowing how to describe his feelings.

These are the essay questions?

These are the essay questions?

These are the essay questions!?

He asked himself three times in a row, still unable to believe his eyes.

Seeing that half an hour had passed, Alan Cooper stopped thinking and picked up his pen to answer quickly.

His pen moved smoothly, without a single hitch.

The proctor’s attention was fixed on Alan Cooper, as if suspecting him of cheating. After making a round, the proctor stood behind him, glancing at his test paper and answer sheet. After a while, the proctor showed a hint of surprise, and only when the exam bell rang did he look up, pack up the collected test papers with another proctor, and seal them.

Everyone gradually left No. 15 Middle School.

When Alan Cooper was about to leave, the proctor nodded at him approvingly and gave him a smile.

Alan Cooper, flattered, returned a stiff smile and turned to walk out. What was going on? What was up with the essay test?

On the playground, complaints came from all directions: “Ugh, we’re done for this time, the questions were too hard.”