529 Binhai City Library (1/2)

Chapter 529: Binhai City Library

Translator: Nyoi-Bo StudioEditor: Nyoi-Bo Studio

The taxi driver saw the strange expression on Zhang Xian's face and thought that they had arrived at the wrong place. He asked, ”What happened? Is this not your destination?”

Zhang Zian nodded stiffly, took out his wallet and paid the fare. ”Sir, can you tell me when the library was refurbished? I remember that the library didn't look like this before, right?”

The driver gave the change to Zhang Zian and replied, ”I heard that the new leader of the city has demolished the old library, and this is the new one that was built at the end of last year.”

Zhang Zian took the change, said thanks to the driver and got out of the car. After the taxi drove away, he observed this newly completed library in detail.

The flat and wide library of the post-modern architectural design style seemed like a collapsed bookshelf on the ground. Its window panes in diverse sizes looked like books that had been turned open. The open gate was as though it was inviting visitors to enter the ocean of books and swim in it.

Outside the library was a small fountain plaza with a circle of benches for people to rest in the square. Several pigeons were jumping in the square and pecking at the bread crumbs and other food that people were feeding to them. Although it was winter, the water columns of the fountain still pushed to the sky, and a few common goldfish were leisurely swimming in the pool.

The environment was refreshing and helped relax the tension in people.

But Zhang Zian did not have time to appreciate the scenery. He took out his cell phone and looked at it. The library was indeed located within the range of the light circle. Perhaps it was his illusion, but he had a vague feeling that the light circle was dimmer than before, like a fire of life that was gradually going out.

He had observed the street from the taxi. There were basically only two major structures on this street; one was the Dongfeng Park and the other was the library. However, both places were very large, and it would take a long time for him to search Dongfeng Park alone thoroughly. Hence, he could only choose to go to one place. He hoped that the elfin was indeed in the library as the game had suggested.

He held his phone as he walked around the peripheral wall of the library and confirmed that the elfin was not outside, and that he came to the entrance of the library.

The entrance to the library was made up of a pair of tall, auto-sensing glass doors that also looked like an open book. There were brass metal plaques hanging on both sides of the doors which were engraved with two sentences like couplets in black and bold characters. ”Diligence is the path through the mountain of books,” and ”Industriousness is the boat across the endless sea of study.”

From time to time, some people walked in and out of the library, ranging from teenagers to the white-haired elderly. Some people were holding new books that exuded the fragrance of ink, while others were empty-handed but seemed very satisfied. Some newcomers like Zhang Zian looked in awe at this mountain of books.

The library seemed to be surrounded by a mysterious power that made everyone tread lightly for fear of disturbing the serenity of it.

”Manager Zhang?”

While Zhang Zian hesitated, a familiar voice came from behind.

Zhang Zian looked back. Standing behind him was a gentle, middle-aged man. Since his mind was occupied by how to find the elfin, he froze for a moment before he realized who this person was.

”Teacher Meng?”

The middle-aged man was Meng Li, who had bought a Cocker Spaniel from Zhang Xian. He was a teacher at Binhai University, but Zhang Zian was not sure what discipline Meng Li had taught.

Meng Li was wearing a long black woolen coat that almost touched his knees. Inside the wool coat was a shirt and a cashmere vest. There were two thick books under his armpit. He gently approached Zhang Zian and asked, ”Manager Zhang, what a coincidence to run into you here. Are you also borrowing books?”

It felt nice for Zhang Zian to encounter an acquaintance. Though he was not here to borrow books, he cheekily admitted, ”Yes, as the saying goes, books are the ladder of human progress. It's never too late for me to learn even if I am just a pet shop owner.”

Meng Li did not know that Zhang Zian was talking nonsense, so he said pleasantly, ”Manager Zhang, don't look down on yourself like that. It's hard for anyone to reach the top-level of one specific industry. In the era of knowledge explosion, we, especially as teachers, must learn constantly, otherwise we will fall behind the times soon.”