Chapter 17: Exam Day

“Boss Shen, have you really sold off all your shares?” Cai Chun had only stayed in Qinghua for three days and was now back in Europa, so he could hardly believe the news when he received the update on Shen Yanming’s situation.

“Yes, the public relations department will likely issue an announcement in the next few days,” Shen Yanming replied calmly.

“But why? What will become of me with you gone? I’ve followed you since my very fihrst days within the company. Without you there, I…” Cai Chun trailed off, feeling his world crumbling around him as he wondered what kind of future could possibly await him now.

Shen Yanming offered a reassuring smile. “The board acknowledges your value. You’re welcome to remain and manage the Europaan operations as your area of expertise. Whoever takes my place will still need your assistance. If you’d prefer to return to China instead, I can facilitate that as well. While I am no longer a stakeholder, Director Su will surely still show me the basic courtesies to ensure you are taken care of on my behalf.”

“Take your time to decide. Let me know when you’ve made a choice.” He hung up briskly without waiting for Cai Chun’s response. Pleased that the situation was developing as planned, he leaned back comfortably in his chair just as Bi Qiao’an wandered into the office to check on him.

“Could you review this registration form?” He pointed to the already filled-in application for their upcoming civil service exam.

“Mm, but I haven’t actually decided where I want to apply yet,” she mumbled and playfully resisted as he pulled her onto his lap.

“It doesn’t matter which department you choose. We just need to secure this identity first. Fortunately, we were reborn early enough. This civil service exam could be our last chance to change our destiny,” he gently explained.

“I think you would do well listing the Human Resources Bureau. When the crisis hits, management of both population and resources will be crucial for maintaining order and enabling recovery. So despite predicting more chaotic workloads assigned as needed then, that bureau should retain stability and decent standing regardless.”

After briefly considering it, she nodded in agreement with his well-reasoned arguments. “Alright, sounds good. So, how many openings are there?”

“Only two vacant positions. One for a lawyer and the other for an accountant.”

Hearing about the extremely slim odds, Bi Qiao’an blew out a long breath and spread her hands helplessly. “Well, that certainly cranks the stakes way higher on this already!”

Shen Yanming chuckled affectionately at her immediate spike in anxiety. He squeezed her hands warmly and reassuringly within his own clasped hold. “Don’t fret, focus on getting ready. You have the finest tutor right here. Even if things don’t go perfectly, you’ll always have me to rely on. Trust me, my dear.”

She smiled and leaned against him as she asked, “Where did you apply?” 

“The Management Bureau,” he replied. “They’re recruiting four people. I checked the address, and both units are only about half an hour’s drive from home. I’ll drop you off in the morning when I go to work, you can wait for me in the evening, and I’ll pick you up on my way back.”

Bi Qiao’an laughed, seemingly satisfied.

After meticulously reviewing everything to ensure there were no errors, she uploaded her photo and clicked submit.

“Now I can finally focus on reviewing. There are only about twenty days left.” She felt a lot of pressure as the countdown began. 

Shen Yanming was truly an academic prodigy, grasping every subject effortlessly and having an excellent memory and ability to summarize.

In comparison, Bi Qiao’an felt like a scumbag.

So, for the next three weeks, she didn’t return to the dormitory. She stayed at home and received both mental and physical discipline from him.

She was woken up before six every morning, reciting common knowledge, listening to the news, and reading editorials. Breakfast was at eight, followed by practice questions.

After lunch, it was Shen Yanming’s teaching time. He summarized many key points and provided answer techniques in areas she was lacking, and she made significant progress with his help.

After dinner, he would give her a set of questions to test her daily learning. If she met the standard, she could have free time after nine-thirty to watch TV or listen to music. If not, then sorry, but she couldn’t sleep until midnight and it was back to studying. 

She felt like she suffered more in those three weeks than she did in her final year of high school. Whenever the urge to give up gnawed at her, memories of the group of people who maintained their basic decency even during the harshest times in her previous life would resurface. This gave her the motivation to persevere.

Finally, exam day arrived.

The ever-prepared Shen Yanming had meticulously laid out everything she needed including standard pens, pencils, eraser, sharpener, ID documents, admission pass, some tissues, and even a thermos of coffee to combat fatigue throughout the long testing hours. 

Before seeing her off at the exam hall entrance, where they unfortunately had to part ways, Shen Yanming fussed worriedly, “Don’t be nervous during the exam. Approach it like you do during practice sessions. If you don’t know the answer, skip it and don’t dwell on it. Even if you don’t pass in the end, I can still support you.”

“Yes, yes, stop your needless worrying already! I’m taking things super casually anyway without high hopes, so off with you now. At worst, I’ll just embrace permanent couch potato status as your coddled housewife!” Gently shooing her fretful mother hen towards his own designated testing site before lateness might disqualify him instead, Bi Qiao’an felt surprisingly calm despite the mounting pressure during preparation. Come the big day, that’s it—give it your all and leave the rest to fate.

“Alright, I’ll leave now. I’ll wait for you here at noon.” He realized it was getting late after checking the time. 

Though at different venues, fortunately their locations were only a ten-minute walk apart.

The two-hour morning session flew by for Bi Qiao’an as she had been well prepared by his rigorous drills. Even for the questions she didn’t know the answers to, she made educated guesses. 

On the other hand, a genius like Shen Yanming knew the answer to every question. While not guaranteeing a perfect score, a 90% was attainable.

When the bell rang, they calmly submitted their papers, while most of the others in the same exam room were in a hurry and many did not even finish.

At noon, the two of them found a nearby hotel where they rested for a while after lunch, and then they set off again.

In the afternoon, it was the subjective questions. Bi Qiao’an found them a bit difficult to answer, but she still filled the answer sheets based on her understanding and Shen Yanming’s guidance. Her hand was sore by the time she handed in her paper.

On the other hand, Shen Yanming coasted through with calm finesse as expected. His years of handling complex managerial decisions equipped him to synthesize information and form logical arguments based on his wealth of real-world experience.

After submitting their papers, the two of them didn’t linger and quickly drove back home.

“Finally, it’s over,” Bi Qiao’an said, buried under the covers on the bed in her room. “If you continue to treat me so harshly, I’ll run away from home!”

Sitting on the edge of the bed, Shen Yanming smiled as he stroked her long hair, “I won’t. If you ever feel like running away from home, just let me know and I’ll gladly go with you.”

She perked up at the idea, “Hehe, okay, at least I won’t be bored alone!”

The two of them chatted and joked together, discussing where to go for dinner when her phone suddenly rang.

“Qiao’an, you’re finally done with the exam. When are you coming back?” Song Wennuan hadn’t called her since she said she was going home to study.

“Hehe, in a couple of days. Wait for me at the dorm. I’ll bring you some delicious food.”

“Qiao’an, have you finished? I found it really difficult. There were so many questions I didn’t know. I feel like I’m doomed,” Jiang Shanshan’s loud voice came through the phone.

“You have an amplifier installed, Sis Wennuan? I can hear Shanshan loud and clear!” Bi Qiao’an teased.

“Haha, it’s me! We’re all here,” Jiang Shanshan confirmed.

“Sounds like you’re in high spirits. Seems like you all did well.”

“We’ll leave it to fate!” Song Wennuan responded.

“Let’s get together when I’m back!” Bi Qiao’an suggested.

“Definitely, we’re waiting!” The call ended on a warm note.

Originally, it was a call between Song Wennuan and Bi Qiao’an, but Jiang Shanshan’s strong presence couldn’t be ignored.