Power and Wealth

Day 1……

Day 2……

Day 3……

Some days passed.

As Dong Xuebing had gotten good results from using Back during the test, he did not waste this special power these few days. He experimented with this power every day to see what else he got use it for. He decided to use this power to change his current life. He wants to get out of poverty. This was the reason why he needs to be familiar with all the uses of Back.

After experimenting for a few times, he found out something.

The results of his experiments: First, when he was chatting with someone and said or thought of the words like “Back” or “Return,” there will not be any effect. It was only when he consciously wanted time to return back to 1 minute ago, and he said the words “Back,” “Return,” “Reverse,” etc. then it will work.

Second, Back might indeed be an “unlimited” power. When the clock struck 00:00 hrs and started a new day, he will be able to use the power without fail. But Dong Xuebing did not test if he used Back 2 seconds after midnight and returned to the previous day, 11:59 hours, will he get to use Back again when it reaches the next day.

Third, Dong Xuebing was still not accustomed to the time changes from the time he uses Back and after he uses Back. It was okay if he was sitting. But if he was walking, speaking, or making some movements, when using Back, he was not able to react when the time returns. He might trip or unable to continue talking. He made a reminder to himself to be careful when using his power. He does not want to trip and fall in the middle of the road and then die from a traffic accident again.

Of course, after practicing for so many days, Dong Xuebing had gotten used to using Back, and not every time he will trip.

On the other hand.

Dong Xuebing’s mother and Aunt Xuan tried to cheer him up by avoiding talking about the Civil Servant Entry Test. They tried to say some happy topics in their conversations to distract him.

“Haha, Xiao Bing, look at that hippo on TV. Why is it so ugly?”

“That’s right. But the hippo is still cute…. Hahaha.”

“Eh, I have never seen that type of parrots. There are so many species of birds in Africa.”

Looking at his mother and Aunt Xuan trying to cheer him up, Dong Xuebing could only smile. “Mum, Aunt Xuan, I will go and study now. You two carry on watching TV.”

Dong Xuebing’s mother looked at her son worryingly: “The National Civil Servant Exams is still far away. You should have a break. Don’t tire yourself.”

Dong Xuebing nodded.

Qu Yunxuan uncrossed her leg and stroked the back of Dong Xuebing’s head. “You have been hiding in your room for so many days. This is not right. Come and watch this documentary with me. It is dinner time soon. I will cook personally today. Tell me, what do you want to eat?”

“Ok, ok.” Dong Xuebing replied while sneaking a peek at her cleavage from her loose top.

Ring, ring, ring. Dong Xuebing’s handphone rang.

“Let me answer this call first.” Dong Xuebing looked at the caller ID, and it was an unknown number. He walked away towards the potted plants near the window and answered: “Hello?”

“Hi, are you Dong Xuebing?” It was a sweet female voice.

“Yes, I am. May I know who's calling?” Dong Xuebing used his shoulder to hold the phone and picked up the spray bottle to wet the leaves. The water mist became water droplets on the green leaves and dripped onto the dry soil.

The woman over the phone said: “I am calling from the City’s State Security Political Section. As our department is a bit special, we do not have a website and will not upload the results and information of the candidates. Therefore, we are notifying you about the interview over the phone. Please take down what I am going to say.” The other party should be a Beijing native from her accent. The way she speaks was professional and courteous.

Dong Xuebing was stunned for a while before replying: “Ah… Please give me a min.”

Dong Xuebing’s mother who was on the sofa looked at him: “Xuebing, who is calling?”

Dong Xuebing nervously gestured to his mother and said: “Mum, pen, and paper.”

Qu Yunxuan blinked and took out a pen and a supermarket brochure from the drawer under the coffee table and pass it to him. “There is no white paper. Is this ok?”

“Yes, yes. Thank you.” Dong Xuebing placed the supermarket brochure on the windowsill and said: “I’m sorry to keep you waiting. I got a pen and paper with me.”

The woman paused for a while and said: “It’s like this. You have passed your entry test, and your overall marks are the fourth among all the candidates. Please be at the Municipal personnel bureau at 09:00 am for your interview on the day after tomorrow. The address is City West Lianhuachi East Road A, No. 5, Baiyun Times Mansion Building, 22-floor room 2216……”

“Yes, yes…… Thank you…… Thank you……”

The woman told Dong Xuebing about the things to note and reminded him to bring his ID before hanging up.

Dong Xuebing was excited. He kept his phone in his pocket and turned around: “Mum, I will have something on in the morning the day after tomorrow. You must remember to wake me up. I cannot be late.”

Dong Xuebing’s mother asked curiously: “Where are you going? Why are you so happy?”

Dong Xuebing laughed: “I will tell you on that day. I am going into the room to do my revision.”

Qu Yunxuan tugged Dong Xuebing’s mother and pointed to the direction of the room with her chin: “Could it be that Xiao Bing had found a job?”

“Maybe.” Dong Xuebing’s mother replied. “It’s good that he found a job. He can’t be staying at home all the time.” She said and sighed. “Hope he will be able to pass next year’s National Exams.”

Back in the room.

Dong Xuebing folded the brochure with the address and place it carefully into his wallet. He looked at the books and notes on interviews on the desk and said a prayer. This was the day he was waiting for. Fourth position? It was lower than he expected. Seems like many people had applied for the job at the State Security.

Dong Xuebing, you must get the job!