Chapter 44: Just Using This to Test the Cadres?

The journey from Academy Street to the Education Committee took half an hour; after arriving, Xu Yuexin stored his bicycle in the bike shed, took out the documents from the basket, and together with Chen Qiaoqiao entered the institute to register.

Unlike the one‑story building of the Street Office, the District Education Committee is a two‑story building with security guards on the outside.

Upon learning that Xu Yuexin was a registering examinee, the guard had him and Chen Qiaoqiao record their names, let them in, and pointed them a way.

The College Entrance Exam Office handling social examinee registration is on the second floor of the Education Committee. Strictly speaking, it is not a subordinate of the Education Committee but a liaison office dispatched by the City Examination Institute to the Education Committee during key periods such as the College Entrance Exam and the middle‑school exam.

Xu Yuexin and Chen Qiaoqiao went up to the second floor and saw the wooden door of the College Entrance Exam Office at the far end of the corridor tightly shut, which struck them as odd.

It was early morning, the usual office hours, so why was the door closed? Xu Yuexin hurried forward, knocked on the office door and asked, "Is anyone in?"

"Please come in."

A middle‑aged woman's voice came from inside.

Xu Yuexin gave the door a push and discovered the lock was broken; the main door was actually open.

"Good morning, Director. I am this year's social examinee, here to register with you."

Xu Yuexin handed over the documents and said to the kindly‑faced staff member.

The female staff member said nothing, took his bag, pulled out the household register, high‑school diploma, photos and other documents, and glanced through them.

"According to higher‑level directives, this year's College Entrance Exam primarily targets current high‑school graduates."

After setting the documents down, a hint of complexity appeared on the staff member's friendly face as she said, "As a social applicant, you are not a primary admission target for this College Entrance Exam."

"Are you sure you still want to register for the exam?"

"Yes, I must take this year's College Entrance Exam."

Xu Yuexin replied resolutely, his tone showing no hint of wavering.

He had previously studied the 1979 College Entrance Exam situation and knew that from that year the policy began to guide the system toward a framework dominated by current graduates.

The policy guidance would not end until 2001, when the registration restrictions for the College Entrance Exam were fully lifted.

Based on this, Xu Yuexin had already contemplated before departing how he would respond if registration obstacles arose.

The answer was an unwavering attitude, making the other party understand he must take the exam.

As long as he did that, registration would surely succeed, because the policy would not be a blanket rule; otherwise there would be no need for a College Entrance Exam Office for social examinees like him.

As for whether he could be admitted on equal footing with current graduates after the exam, there was no need to worry at all. In the same region, once registered, no distinction exists.

"Alright, fill out this form."

Seeing his attitude, the staff member stopped asking, opened a drawer, took out a registration form, and handed it to Xu Yuexin together with a pen.

Her duty was, according to higher‑level directives, to discourage social examinees as much as possible. Before Xu Yuexin, several social examinees had been frightened into giving up registration.

For someone like Xu Yuexin, whose attitude was resolute and seemed beyond persuasion, there was no need for further discussion; just register him.

Xu Yuexin took the registration form and saw sections at the top for examinee name, age and other basic information, as well as a large portion devoted to personal and family members' political status and background.

In the previous two years, family background could affect the final admission result, sometimes even leading to a veto.

However, Xu Yuexin knew that starting with this year's admissions, the situation would change dramatically.

It wouldn't be long before the Ministry of Education, following the great leader's directive, decided to implement a policy in the political review stage that focuses on the individual's political performance, preventing family issues from affecting admission.

After completing the form, Xu Yuexin handed it to the staff member, watching her write his name onto the examinee list to guard against any problems.

"Come back here in five days to fill in your choices and collect your admission ticket."

After registration, the staff member reminded Xu Yuexin, "No extensions after the deadline."

"Alright, understood."

Xu Yuexin replied, and together with Chen Qiaoqiao left the College Entrance Exam Office.

At the moment they stepped out of the office, Chen Qiaoqiao let out a long sigh: "You scared me; at first I thought you couldn't register." "Just like that door behind us."

In the corridor, Xu Yuexin, expression calm, said, "It looks tightly shut, but a single push opens it."

"Sometimes you have to be decisive, apply a bit of force; places that seem sealed shut will be pried open."

"Indeed…"

Chen Qiaoqiao, seeming to grasp the point, showed a thoughtful expression.

After leaving the Education Committee, Chen Qiaoqiao shook Xu Yuexin's arm: "My family has the notes from last year's College Entrance Exam sprint; bring them home."

"I intended to bring them this morning, but they were too heavy to carry."

"Alright, hop on."

Xu Yuexin mounted his bicycle and said to Chen Qiaoqiao.

……

At this moment, the Chen Family.

Chen Yixue unbuttoned her shirt, opened the zipper and slipped off her midi skirt, changing into a smooth silk nightgown that exquisitely outlined her graceful figure.

After changing, Chen Yixue lay weakly on the bed, her beautiful eyes reflecting deep fatigue.

She had been touring out of town recently and only arrived in Jingcheng this morning by train; she was nearly exhausted.

After pulling a thin blanket over her, Chen Yixue soon drifted into a drowsy sleep, her long black lashes fluttering occasionally.

After a while, the Chen Family's front door was pushed open from outside, and Xu Yuexin and Chen Qiaoqiao entered hand in hand.

"Brother Xu, don't praise my father's poems anymore."

Upon entering, Chen Qiaoqiao said with a helpless expression, "After your praise, he now thinks he's a great poet, clutching a few doggerel verses and asking me to comment on them all day."

"If I say they're not good, he gets upset, claiming that even great writers must have approved his poems, saying it's my lack of appreciation."

"Tell me, what kind of thing is this…"

"That's easy; you could just praise him too."

Xu Yuexin, unfazed, said, "Saying a couple of nice words costs nothing."

"That won't do; I have principles."

Chen Qiaoqiao pursed her cherry‑shaped mouth and said in a coquettish tone.

While talking, the two walked to Chen Qiaoqiao's boudoir.

Xu Yuexin pushed open the door, smelled a fresh, pleasant maiden fragrance, and felt very comfortable.

The boudoir's furnishings exuded a youthful vibe: off‑white desk, bookshelf, cabinet; pink sheets and mattress; on the table lay the May Sample Issue that People's Literature had sent to Xu Yuexin last time, along with a neatly stacked pile of letters.

"Look, they're all written by you."

Chen Qiaoqiao hopped to the desk, pointed at the piled‑up books, "I've collected them all."

"Wait a moment, I'll get the material for you."

After speaking, Chen Qiaoqiao ran to the cabinet, bent down to open its door, and her naturally perky hips beneath the skirt formed an enticing peach.

Secret‑room beauty, white silk, black dress, long legs, peach‑shaped hips…

Is this what you're using to test the officer?

Xu Yuexin walked to behind Chen Qiaoqiao and felt a surge of heat arise within his body.

(End of chapter)