CHONGQING (CQNEWS) -- The bookstore, called ‘Prologos (Xu Yan Ji)’ is owned by an old couple, Mr. Sun Shunhua and Ms. Liu Xiaofeng. Both of them are retired college teachers. Their passion for reading led them to operate a bookstore. Their ages add up to more than 150 years, so their bookstore is also known as Silver-haired Bookstore.

When stepping out of Exit 1 of the Jiandingpo Station on CRT Line 1 and walking along the street around the Affiliated Experimental Primary School of Chongqing Normal University, you will find Prologos Bookstore. The bookstore is named after the title of Biblioteca Personal: Prologos written by the Argentine writer Jorge Luis Borges. Small as it is, it’s artistic and vibrant.

The bookstore, including the bathroom, covers a total construction area of 30 square meters. Though it is small, the bookstore owners have left some space to create a room for public reading in the doorway.

On the blackboard wall in the doorway, there are dinosaurs painted by children and some famous quotes written by readers, which include the famous sayings of Montesquieu, Aristotle, and Einstein... Childish touches and profound words are intermingled and glittering. "Everyone can enjoy reading here," said Ms. Liu, with her eyes sparking like stars.

"This set of books is not for decoration... When you open the glass door and step into the bookstore, you will be first greeted by the "treasure of the bookstore" – Encyclopedia Britannica. "This is a rare item that Mr. Liu bought for two thousand dollars when he visited the United States 30 years ago," said Ms. Liu. This set of books crossed the ocean and traveled with the owner to Chengdu, Jiaxing, and other cities. This time, they stayed with their owner in Chongqing.

In the afternoon, the sunshine flooded in, shining over the bookstore dense with academic atmosphere. Young people and innocent children are regular customers here. They often enjoy a pleasant time with their favorite books in the bookstore.

Ms. Liu shared with us a story of a truck driver who visited the bookstore for the first time at around 21：00 one night. He recounted how he lived a busy life all year round. He spent most of his time driving very long distances and he didn’t know what to read when he stopped by the roadside for a rest. Ms. Liu chatted with him until late at night. When the driver left, he took away a copy of Heights of Despair. “It’s so good to run a bookstore,” Ms. Liu sighed.

Next to Silver-haired Bookstore, it is a coffee shop. The shop owner, Ms. Shi, is well acquainted with the old couple. When some readers come early and waited outside the bookstore, Ms. Shi will call them to rest in her shop before the bookstore opens. She often shares with the old couple the snacks she make. What a warm heart she has!

A bookshelf in the corner of the store is decorated with the handicraft "The Joy of Reading", a group photo of the couple, postcards, photo albums, and notebooks. These are all gifts from the considerate readers, said Ms. Liu with a big smile. "The bookstore is like a soil, where readers come to sow the seeds." The couple and book lovers look after the seedlings and help the bookstore grow into a beautiful garden.

The bookstore has attracted more and more visitors since it was opened one year ago. Some of the visitors even came from Guangzhou and other cities. Ms. Liu said that though they did not promote the bookstore, it became increasingly popular through word of mouth. Some visitors leave for the bookstore. The picture above shows the small gifts left by some visitors for the bookstore. They represent their good wishes to the bookstore.

As the night fell, the number of readers decreased. The old couple turned on the small lamp sent by a visitor in the public reading room and then began to have dinner. Ms. Liu told us that reading in the warm sun and meeting friends from all over the world here is the happiest thing in her life after retirement. This lamp would be still on in the dead of night, bringing light and warmth for the passers-by and visitors in the darkness. (Translated by Yuki, Fathom Language Limited)