Chapter 43: The Interview

January 14, 2012. Beijing, Shichahai.

More than a month had passed since the written examination for the selected civil service candidates. The winter in Beijing remained biting cold. Across the cluster of traditional courtyard houses along the banks of Shichahai, a thin layer of frost covered the blue-brick and grey-tiled roofs, while delicate icicles hung from the eaves. They gleamed faintly in the crisp, cold sunlight, exuding a profound tranquility.

Following the conclusion of the exam, Li Yifei had, in accordance with proper etiquette, reported the situation to the three professors who had previously mentored him.

Finally, he dialed the phone of Dean Yi of the School of Economics at Peking University. The receiver conveyed the concerned and gentle voice of his senior mentor: "Yifei, as long as you did your best, that is what matters. There is also some news: our university president has been newly appointed as the Party Secretary. As for the former secretary, higher authorities have arranged for him to take up a post in Jiang Province." The words were brief, yet they carried the deep concern of a teacher for a student's future.

After hanging up, Li Yifei's fingers paused briefly over the phone screen before he edited and sent two short messages:

"Congratulations to the Secretary on your new appointment!"

"Best wishes to the Professor as you take up your post in Jiang Province!"

Once sent, he did not expect a reply. Whether it was the newly appointed university party secretary or the former secretary heading to a local post, they were bound to be exceptionally busy at this moment.

Instead of returning to his residence in Haidian District, he drove to Shichahai. A courtyard house he had purchased years ago, meticulously renovated but rarely lived in, served as his temporary dwelling.

Choosing this place was for the sake of convenience and peace. Pushing open the vermilion lacquer gate revealed a deep, serene courtyard, where the branches of ancient trees appeared all the more vigorous in the winter.

Living here would save him from the hassle of commuting for the upcoming interview and afford him a more contemplative state of mind. The courtyard was adequately heated, shutting out the bitter cold outside.

Unexpectedly, the phone screen lit up shortly after. First came a call back from the newly appointed university party secretary, whose tone was steady and encouraging.

Immediately following that, the ringtone sounded once more—it was actually the former secretary, now far away in Jiang Province! Hearing that familiar and vigorous voice through the receiver, Li Yifei clutched his phone, a genuine ripple of flattered surprise passing through his heart.

He had not expected that amidst this transitional season fraught with countless responsibilities, both mentors still remembered him as a student and personally called him.

"Yifei, how do you feel the exam went? How is your state of mind adjusted?" On the phone, the concern shown by both mentors was similar, yet their styles differed.

The secretary's tone was steady and introverted, while the former secretary's was crisp and efficient. Li Yifei answered each of them respectfully, his words modest yet resolute.

From the other end of the line came warm and forceful encouragement: "Good, prepare well for the interview. Adjust your state of mind, and I await your further good news." These few brief words outweighed a thousand others.

Time slipped away in anticipation. At nine o'clock on the morning of January 15, inside the courtyard, the phone rang, and the screen displayed "Dean Yi."

"Yifei!" Dean Yi's voice carried heartfelt joy. "The results are out! First place in the written exam! Good lad, an outstanding performance! You must hold your ground firmly during the interview, and keep up the good work!" The words were concise and powerful, representing a mentor's affirmation and spur for the student.

Dean Yi's call seemed to open the floodgates. Following that, congratulatory messages and phone calls poured in continuously.

His peers and fellow disciples were warm and sincere; several senior alumni who already held important positions in key departments called with a steady and solemn demeanor.

They were all conveying the same message: this junior student from Peking University, having secured the top score in the written examination, had officially entered the center of vision within this elite circle.

Li Yifei replied earnestly to each one, his words modest and appropriate. The sense of certainty rooted in thorough preparation within his heart grew even more solid amidst the recognition and expectations of his mentors and peers.

As the winter gradually drew to a close, the air in mid-February already carried a hint of moisture. The official notification confirming he had passed the written exam had long since arrived, clearly stating: "Comrade Li Yifei is requested to attend the interview at the relevant ministry at 09:30 on February 15, 2012."

On the day of the interview, dawn was just breaking. Li Yifei changed into sportswear and stepped into the fitness room. Half an hour of strength training and cardio left his clothes soaked with sweat. He focused on completing the movements, letting his body wake up and shaking off the very last trace of tension.

After showering, he put on a meticulously ironed white shirt, a sharp navy blue suit, and knotted a steady, dark tie. In the mirror, the young man appeared upright and tall, with an understated sharpness between his brows that combined scholarly elegance with composure. He carefully smoothed his cuffs, his gaze calm.

The interview location was situated in the core area of the city, solemn and dignified. When Li Yifei arrived, the waiting area was already filled with quite a few people. The air seemed to congeal, broken only by the faint rustling sound of turning pages. Everyone sat up straight with concentrated expressions, and an invisible competitive pressure permeated the space.

Before long, a staff member dressed in a dark professional skirt suit and possessing an efficient demeanor appeared at the doorway, her voice clear: "Comrades participating in the interview, please follow me."

She led this group of young people through a quiet corridor. Thick solid wood doors lined both sides of the hallway, and staff members occasionally walked in and out with light steps.

The interview hall was spacious, bright, and decorated with a simple solemnity. The staff member motioned for everyone to wait briefly in their seats: "Please rest here and enter the interview room when your name is called."

Li Yifei swept his calm gaze across the hall. Counting himself, there were fewer than twenty people. He understood in his heart that anyone able to stand at this final interview threshold had been chosen through layer after layer of rigorous screening. He found a seat near the edge, his spine straight, hands resting flat on his knees, regulating his breathing to settle his mind.

Time passed in silence. At 9:50, the staff member's voice rang out: "Candidate Number 1, please prepare."

Candidate Number 1 was a short young woman with crisp, short hair. She responded instantly and walked toward the examination room with steady strides. Watching her straight back, Li Yifei intuitively felt she was someone with a strong inner drive and distinct opinions.

For a woman to reach this stage purely on genuine talent and capability meant her abilities and the effort she put in far exceeded those of ordinary people. Respect rose in his heart.

Fifteen minutes later, Candidate Number 1 walked out, her expression calm, her gaze like water as she walked straight away.

"Candidate Number 3, please enter." The staff member's voice sounded once more.

Li Yifei stood up quickly, straightened his suit, and followed the staff member toward that door. The door was pushed open silently.

The indoor lighting was bright and soft. A heavy mahogany long table stretched out before him, behind which sat five examiners—three men and two women. Dressed in dark administrative attire, they wore stern expressions, their gazes scrutinizing Li Yifei as he walked in.

As Li Yifei's gaze swept past the area behind the examiners, a slight stirring arose in his heart. There, on a slightly elevated platform, sat several recording personnel. This made him realize that the specifications for this interview might be exceptionally high. Yet he quickly reined in his wandering thoughts and focused his attention.

He stepped forward, stood still, bowed slightly toward the examiners' panel, and spoke in a clear, steady voice: "Good day, examiners. I am Candidate Number 3."

The interview officially commenced. The chief examiner seated right in the middle—a refined-looking man of about fifty with piercing eyes—took the lead, his voice carrying strong penetrative power: "Comrade, your written exam scores were very excellent.

I read your essay response, especially your discourse on grassroots governance innovation, and it showed insight. Now, please combine your practical observations and reflections to discuss the primary contradictions facing current development, and how you understand the relationship between development and resolving contradictions?"

The question was both grand and concrete. Li Yifei paused briefly in contemplation, meeting the chief examiner's gaze steadily as he analyzed with clear structure: from the structural contradictions brought by rapid economic growth and the growing pains triggered by interest adjustments, to the new challenges and risks of the information era, and down to the gap between public services and the rapidly growing demands of the masses.

He not only pointed out the phenomena but further dissected the deep-seated causes, using concise and precise language. Finally, he grounded his points in paths such as deepening reforms to clear away obstacles, improving the legal system to guarantee fairness, building an efficient service system, and strengthening ideological guidance to build social consensus. His answers possessed theoretical backing while remaining closely aligned with reality, displaying both vision and depth.

Immediately following that, questions from the other examiners came one after another, approaching from various angles:

"When promoting an important task involving multi-party interest adjustments, how do you grasp the balance between 'efficiency' and 'fairness'? Please illustrate with practical examples."

"In the course of your work, if instructions from superiors differ significantly from grassroots realities, leading to execution difficulties or even contradictions, how would you, as the person in charge of execution, handle it?"

Drawing upon his observations of social phenomena, understanding of policies, and social practical experience, Li Yifei's answers possessed both adherence to principles and operational feasibility. His logic was rigorous, his phrasing precise, revealing a maturity and composure that transcended his age. His speaking pace was steady, his gaze sincere.

As fifteen minutes slipped by, the chief examiner tossed out a more challenging situational simulation:

"Suppose the organization requires you to take the lead in handling a difficult developmental problem intertwined with historical lingering issues and diverse demands. How would you set about breaking the deadlock and promoting a solution?"

Li Yifei realized this was a test of comprehensive capability and methodology. He responded steadily: "Thank you for the examiner's question. Facer with a complex situation, my approach will revolve around several core links..." He then expounded clearly and methodically:

Conduct in-depth research to grasp the real situation: The primary task is to go deep down, figuring out the historical context of the problem, the current status, the core demands of all parties, the key sticking points, and potential risk points.

Through frontline visits, document reviews, expert consultations, and other methods, master information comprehensively. The key lies in ensuring the collection of information is comprehensive and accurate.

Precise policy implementation aiming for tangible results: Avoid a "one-size-fits-all" approach. Utilize research outcomes to accurately identify development bottlenecks and urgent livelihood pain points.

When formulating plans, ensure policies and resources focus precisely to solve practical problems. Distinguish between priorities and urgency, concentrating forces to break through key links.

Build consensus and exert concerted efforts: Clarify the boundaries of responsibilities for all parties. Stimulate the vitality of market and social entities. Build platforms, innovate communication and consultation mechanisms, and guide and regulate the orderly participation of all forces to form a joint effort.

Focus on the long term and promote continuously: Establish a correct view of political performance. Do more groundwork that benefits the long term. Emphasize institutional building and the construction of long-term mechanisms, maintain resolve, exert continuous effort, and solve problems fundamentally.

He cited several local successful cases to corroborate his views. The clear framework and pragmatic measures made his exposition both intellectually profound and highly feasible.

The examiners listened, nodding slightly, their stern faces displaying approval.

Stepping out of the interview room, traversing the quiet corridor, and finally stepping out the main door where the crisp winter air rushed into his lungs, Li Yifei finally felt his tense nerves relax.

Standing on the steps facing the midday sun, he exhaled silently. Only then did he notice that the shirt on his back had been lightly dampened by a thin layer of sweat.

Returning to the courtyard house in Shichahai, Li Yifei, physically and mentally exhausted, collapsed onto his bed and fell fast asleep.

Little did he know that while he slept soundly, discussions and preliminary evaluations regarding his interview performance were already quietly unfolding in the relevant departments.

Shortly after the interview concluded, a detailed background dossier and comprehensive evaluation report concerning "Li Yifei" were delivered through standard procedures to the core department responsible for final vetting.

The reviewing leaders flipped through the report. The report detailed his outstanding academic achievements and prominent scholarly abilities, and it also objectively recorded his personal experiences, including personal investments based on independent judgment and the accumulated legitimate wealth he held, with clear and traceable sources and flows of funds.

"A rare talent... His comprehensive qualities are indeed outstanding, with a broad vision and meticulous thinking..." Someone put down the materials and sighed softly, their tone filled with recognition and expectation.

Almost simultaneously, the dedicated line indicator lights on the personnel desks of several key departments lit up.

The persons in charge of this recruitment of selected candidates all received inquiries or instructions from relevant leaders within their departments, the core intentions being strikingly similar: this young man named Li Yifei displayed exceptionally prominent comprehensive qualities in both the written exam and the interview, making him a strategic and composite talent urgently needed by their departments at present, and they hoped he would be given key consideration.

A round of communication and weighing concerning the future destination of this top-tier talent quietly began within the core talent selection system, right as Li Yifei drifted off into sweet dreams.