Bab 364: Chapter 364: Temporary Accommodation in the Bookstore
A simple bed was set up against the bookshelf, quietly placed within the bookstore. The bookstore's orange lights cast a warm glow over the room.
There were three or four other beds nearby, occupied by people who had been reading in the bookstore during the day. One of them, who had been explaining things to a group of children earlier, seemed to be an employee on the night shift.
The young man glanced around.
The people here all looked like travelers, each with a large backpack, seemingly all staying here temporarily.
"Hey buddy, where are you from?"
A curly-haired guy on another bed, with a book spread out in front of him, asked curiously.
The curly-haired guy looked about 22 or 23 years old, with bright blue eyes, somewhat resembling a mixed-race person.
The young man replied, "I'm from Donghuan."
"Donghuan? I'm from Xihuan!!"
Suddenly, an excited voice came from another bed.
An bespectacled young man raised his book high, "We're from the same province!"
The young man was taken aback, then smiled and nodded, "Yes, fellow townsmen!"
Donghuan and Xihuan were cities in the same province, and on this remote southern Jiang island, being from the same province did indeed make them fellow townsmen.
"I saw you during the day, are you an employee of the bookstore?"
The bespectacled young man turned and asked Chen Jianhai.
"Not really. I'm just here to help." Chen Jianhai hesitated for a moment before answering.
Chen Jianhai was always clear about his identity. Even if he was just helping out, he was still the boss. Normally, he should have been lying in the soft bed of the island hotel playing games tonight. But tonight, Chen Jianhai felt a bit of the wandering spirit of an artistic youth. He had slept in many hotel beds, but this was the first time he would sleep on the floor of a bookstore. The thought was a bit exciting.
However, the bed was a bit too short, and his calves dangled uncomfortably over the edge.
As they chatted, the conversation opened up completely.
Besides the young man who was traveling on a budget, the bespectacled guy and the curly-haired guy had come for the island's marathon course. They had seen the island's beautiful environment on TV and decided to come and run. Initially, they stayed with local fishermen, planning to leave by boat today after exploring the island. But they unexpectedly found the mountain and the library.
Like the young man, they were captivated by the extensive collection and missed the evening boat, so the kind employees let them stay overnight.
The movable bookshelves on the first floor created a closed and safe space for them.
Perhaps due to the lively atmosphere, the dark bookshelves around them didn't feel oppressive but rather like they were in a paradise of books.
"I sat here all day, and my phone battery is still at 73%."
The curly-haired guy took out his phone, amazed.
"With so many books, who needs a phone!" The bespectacled guy turned over, casually putting back the book he had finished and pulling out a new one.
"'The Feasibility of Using Medieval Black Magic on Oxen'."
"As oxen became increasingly important for plowing, medieval Western folk began experimenting with black magic on oxen. Under the influence of black magic, the oxen had three heads and great strength, leading to a bountiful harvest that year..."
"Who wrote this book????"
The bespectacled guy read the title and introduction, then asked in astonishment.
The book cover was beautifully crafted, with a rose wax seal from a medieval site. The price on the back was $179, causing the bespectacled guy to exclaim.
The bookstore owner must have been quite generous to spend so much on such a book!
"Truly wealthy..." The bespectacled guy sighed.
As they talked, he suddenly noticed Chen Jianhai.
Chen Jianhai had stood up and moved two large stacks of books from the bookshelf, neatly placing them under the bed. Finally, the books were piled to the same height as the bed.
"Now this is comfortable."
Chen Jianhai placed two pieces of paper on top of the books, then stretched his legs comfortably on them.
"Living here and reading all these books would be great."
The young man said wistfully, holding the 2-yuan book he had been given.
"Then stay!"
The curly-haired guy, cheerful and talkative, said, "We've been here for two days. You just need to help tidy up, feed the cats, and switch out books on the discount shelf."
"Eat on the island during the day, and spend the rest of the time here reading and playing with the cats. It's better than being at home."
The young man was surprised, "Really!! No accommodation fee?"
The curly-haired guy said, "Nope!"
"I heard it's the owner's rule: as long as you're here to read and willing to help out in the bookstore, you can stay here for free at night."
It was better than free!
The young man was amazed.
Looking at the room full of books, he said, "The owner of this bookstore must be an amazing person."
"I wonder who the owner is. I'd love to meet them someday!"
The curly-haired guy, flipping through "The Feasibility of Using Medieval Black Magic on Oxen," said,
"Absolutely, this owner is way better than the one at the island hotel below."
Huh???
Chen Jianhai was not happy to hear this.
Earlier, he had been pleased with the compliments, but now they were suddenly criticizing.
The curly-haired guy said, "A bookstore that is generous and righteous, providing a safe haven for readers. Meanwhile, the hotel at the foot of the mountain charges for accommodation!!!"
Chen Jianhai almost threw his book at him.
What hotel doesn't charge for accommodation?!
"What's most annoying is the hotel's customer service manager." The curly-haired guy said, closing his book with a dissatisfied look.
"I asked online if I could stay without money, and they took four days to reply with: 'Dear guest, thank you for your inquiry, have a nice day.'"
"Isn't that infuriating?!"
Chen Jianhai: I swear, how am I not dead from anger yet...!
Status Power Mingguan
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Power 
-- Power
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