"Old books are not tired of reading a hundred times, and they are familiar with jingsizi and know themselves."
As a person who loves to read, we have recommended Changsha's boutique bookstores before, such as 24-hour bookstore, 12 hours, 10 o'clock bookstore and so on.
Near Changsha Hexi University Town, there is a special bookstore, open 24 hours, the price is generally between 5-20 yuan.
Photo: Liu Qing
The whole store space is cramped and dimly lit. Except for the piles of old books and the quiet and careful selection of books, there is no clerk.
Such a bookstore that seems to be "neglectful" is actually a treasure hunt for students around it. For 20 years, customers have consciously paid for books, and the price has not changed.
Unattended, customers need to pay their own coin to bookkeeping
Presumably, everyone will be familiar with Lushan South Road, there are many gourmet snacks here, and it is also connected to the three universities in Changsha.
And on this road lurks a "no-man's bookstore", narrow stairs and small signboards, which are not at all conspicuous, and we can walk over and look back with the navigation.
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Climb the stairs and you'll see piles of books neatly arranged on desks, shelves, and everything that can be placed on the shelf.
There are also some small boards next to the stack of books, which read "self-pick-up, scan code transfer", "5 yuan corridor", "this corner is all 10 yuan" and so on.
After turning around inside, I found that in addition to the aisle full of items, there were 3 rooms full of books, and I went straight in, and I could turn on the lights by myself and carefully choose inside.
These books not only contain best-selling novels and reference books, but also many professional books and teaching materials. It may seem a bit dazzling, but in fact the careful shopkeeper has already arranged them in different categories.
In addition, we found a coin box and two guestbooks that recorded the title, time, and price of the book the customer bought.
Some people will also write a message or two to the shopkeeper, as if they can feel a tacit understanding between the customer and the shopkeeper: we have never met, but we have become a very "special" friend in each other's hearts with book friends.
Since we didn't meet the owner for half a day, we contacted him by phone. The owner, Li Aiqun, told us that the store has been open for 20 years and now has nearly 100,000 books in it.
It can really be described as "the sparrow is small, but it is complete".
It was originally opened near Central South, but as the rent increased, they could only move the store to this corner.
In the past, the two couples would also guard the store, but with the birth of the second child, there were many family chores, and Li Aiqun and her husband really couldn't open their bodies, and gradually became "unmanned bookstores".
"In the beginning of man, nature is good. There are still more honest people in this society, which is why I have been doing it. ”
Li Aiqun said that although it is very difficult for their store to maintain, it is good if they can maintain the status quo all the time, and these second-hand books are waiting for people here.
Museums and crews have come here to look for treasures
In addition to second-hand books, in every corner, on the floor, and on the shelves, there are many old objects such as former musical instruments, clocks, and porcelain.
Li Aiqun said that there were also prop teachers from museums and crews who came here to look for treasures.
But she couldn't remember what exactly was being taken away, and it wasn't a particularly valuable thing to her. For people in the museum, it may be a relatively historical or commemorative object.
We walked around here and found some interesting objects. For example, the kerosene lamp that my grandfather would use is almost invisible now.
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Vintage luggage, a little rusty safe, vintage bamboo woven children's chair... Looking at these objects, the door of memory is like being opened, and there is a feeling of returning to the 80s and 90s.
There are also some paintings, either drawings or paintings, which may have been left here by art students at nearby universities.
An old guitar that has accumulated a layer of ash
Li Aiqun and her husband recycled these old items, one is that they feel that it is a pity to lose them, and there are memories in them. Second, for students, it is more cost-effective to buy second-hand items.
Nearby college students often come here to look for used guitars, ukuleles, etc., and can continue to play by changing the strings.
Used pianos can even be found here, but the owner has posted a note indicating that the piano is currently under repair.
The big sister in the shop next door told us that some parents often bring their children here to look for teaching materials, exercise books, etc., after all, it is only 5-10 yuan a book, which is quite cost-effective.
There are also some young people who will deliberately spend half a day here while shopping for goods while reading books, no one disturbs, and it is quite comfortable to read books alone in this secluded space.
Today, bookstores are being supported by "scrap picking up" goods
"Now the physical bookstore is not easy to do, I am now working outside, and my husband is 'picking up scraps' to support the store."
Li Aiqun said that originally the two couples relied on bookstores for a living, and had opened several bookstores on Lushan South Road before.
Later, due to the limited income from book hunting, coupled with the prevalence of electronic products and the development of the Internet, fewer and fewer people visit bookstores, and the owner and his wife have to engage in other industries.
Li Aiqun works outside the home to maintain family life, while her husband continues to "pick up scraps" to keep the bookstore running.
The so-called "scrap picking" is actually to continue to collect some old items and second-hand books that others don't want, and you can see tips written on second-hand recycling in all corners of the store.
"All we can say is to do our best to keep it running." Now we are no longer doing books as a profitable project, but with a semi-public welfare mentality. ”
Li Aiqun hopes that this shop and these old items will continue like a heritage.
The unmanned bookstore, which is open 24 hours a day, is like a mirror, reflecting the honesty and trust between the owner and the customer.
Li Aiqun recalled that since the opening of the store, the bookstore has hardly been stolen.
And it is precisely because of her trust in customers that we also discover such a shining side of Changsha people.
"Expired old books, but not expired curiosity."
Probably this is the meaning of the existence of unmanned bookstores.
The weekend is almost here
Why don't you go shopping for books that you have a relationship with
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Source: Hunan Most Live
Already included in the list of places to go for the weekend!