CHONGQING (CQNEWS) -- Purchasing books by fate and picking books by skill. In Mr. Wang's discarded book store, someone looks for tranquility, someone seeks to heal their souls, and some others would like to fill their regrets.

Mr. Wang and his "discarded book store" deserve the title of "top online celebrity" in Chongqing’s second-hand bookstore community. Mr. Wang's store was ever in China Daily, and there are numerous online tutorials on how to visit his bookstore. In his store, buying books relies entirely on fate, and picking books depends on one's own abilities and skills.

Discarded book store is located in Zhongxing Road stamps and antiques flea market. It occupies two small square-shaped houses that have at least 200,000 books packed from the floor to the ceiling. The seemingly chaotic yet organized arrangement of the books is not intentionally designed but has naturally formed over many years. As a result, browsing for books in this store requires both keen observation and a touch of fate.

Behind this "unique" bookstore, there is an equally unique owner. The owner, Wang, whose full name is Wang Miyu, is 75 years old. Despite having a limited level of education, he has dedicatedly sold second-hand books for 23 years. He has a distinct understanding of books and people alike.

The origin of the name "discarded book store" serves as the most compelling evidence. Mr. Wang explains that it carries three layers of meaning. The first layer draws from Sima Qian's Records of the Grand Historian – Biographies of Merchants, which states, "When others abandon, I take; when others take, I share." This signifies that the bookstore "shelters" discarded books. The second layer of meaning expresses Mr. Wang's devotion to old books: never discard books. Lastly, the third layer of meaning relates to the Chongqing dialect, where "discarded" has the similar sound to "go." He’d like to inspire people to “visit bookstores regularly”.

Discarded book store opens at 9 o'clock every morning and closes at 5 o'clock in the afternoon, with few exceptions but the Chinese New Year. The store not only rents and sells books, but also provides free access for the public to read inside. Reading in this bookstore has almost no barriers. Regardless of age or occupation, everyone can find suitable books. Mr. Wang remarks that stepping through the bookstore is akin to going to a school, where everyone becomes a "classmate" in the discarded book store.

Wang Zhiyi, a 71-year-old “Bang Bang” (Chongqing dialect of a porter), is one of the "students" in the discarded book store. Whenever he has free time, he visits the store to read. Having never received a formal education, he reads books on simple and easily understandable proverbs. If he comes across something he doesn't understand, he will ask Mr. Wang or other customers. Over the course of twenty years reading in the bookstore, he has learned many characters. He states that discarded book store has fulfilled his lifelong dream of being a student.

Mr. Hu, a 74-year-old man, is one of the "classmate" of Wang Zhiyi. He lives nearby and frequently visits the store to rent books. Historical novels, epics, martial arts stories... most of them cost only two yuan per book, and he returns them once he finishes reading. Since they are acquainted, Mr. Wang sometimes “breaks” his own rules and allows Mr. Hu to give five yuan to take or borrow any books he wants.

AN, a "classmate" from afar, comes from Chengdu. This is her second visit to discarded book store. Several years ago, she made a special trip to the store. This time, while passing through Chongqing, she brings her boyfriend along and revisit here. When talking about discarded book store, AN describes it as a serene oasis in the bustling city.

In addition to selling and renting books, Mr. Wang sometimes gives away books for free. Discarded book store often attracts university students, and Mr. Wang enjoys conversations with them. Whenever he gets to know that someone is a university student from a rural area, he will prepare a package of books and kindly asks them to bring them back to their hometowns for other children to read.

In April of this year, Mr. Wang did something quite remarkable – he organized a sizable book signing exhibition. The exhibition covered over 2,000 authors and exhibited more than 3,000 books, each with the author's personal signature and dedication. Mr. Wang had a special reason for this.

Despite having limited formal education, Mr. Wang's love for books runs deep. After selling books for over twenty years, he has developed a profound appreciation for each author. He believes that books with personal dedications and signatures hold significant value for their creators. By organizing the exhibition for those discarded signed books, it can restore the dignity of the authors.

Although the book exhibition may not have garnered much attention, Mr. Wang continues to collect signed books with the hope of organizing an even more “sensational” event in the future. As for his long-term goal, he is waiting for someone who truly loves books to step forward and become the new caretaker for the “old mates” in the store. (Translated by Liu Sha, Fathom Language Limited)