Chapter 362: Lonely Yet Splendid Philosophy

The library door opened inward, with transparent glass embedded in the upper part. A blue board with white letters on the wall nearby warned: "Watch Your Head." Angular inscriptions hung next to the library's name, resembling children's scribbles or the library's logo, full of novel liveliness.

On one side near the corner, there was an old wooden box on a low wall, seemingly containing books that hadn't been placed on the shelves yet.

"Meow~"

To everyone's surprise, a plump calico cat jumped onto the wooden box, its tail swaying. It rested its two front paws in front, yawned comfortably, and rubbed its furry head against the nearby bookshelf, squinting its eyes as if planning to take a good nap there.

In the sea breeze, a white cat hair floated onto the exposed cover of a book on the nearby shelf: *When You Have Another Cat Outside*.

...

This cat was neither delivered by the system nor bought by Chen Jianhai; it was actually a stray. The library staff liked cats. Seeing that this one was gentle and not afraid of people, they had it neutered and vaccinated, then made a home for it inside the library.

"The boss is leading a tour, and you're here basking in the sun!" Chen Jianhai's mood soured instantly.

No cat food for you tonight! 

Turning around, Chen Jianhai smiled and pushed open the blue door.

"Come in!"

"Take a look inside."

Entering the library, the first thing that caught the eye was a row of green vintage floral carts filled with discounted books. Though it was a library, a few discounted books were sold randomly here every day. Each cart had price tags with knots, indicating prices ranging from 2 to 5 yuan, so cheap it was hard to believe.

Although these were discounted books, they were all in perfect condition, new and undamaged. Among them were many exquisite art design coffee table books, thinly hidden among other books, waiting for patient, observant people to find and take them away.

Inside the floor-to-ceiling glass windows, there were numerous art and illustration books, comfortably arranged warm-colored sofas, and armchairs.

"The bookshelves in the hall are on wheels and can be easily moved."

"This allows for new spatial arrangements."

As Chen Jianhai introduced, he gently moved the bookshelves. To Huo Sisi's amazement, a semi-enclosed small space around the sofas and chairs was instantly created. Nearby, there were ready-made small tables and coins.

"This way, not only can people read in the library, but exhibitions and reading clubs can also be held in the future."

"Even some small-scale plays are possible."

As Chen Jianhai spoke, he pushed the bookshelves back to their original positions.

"In the future, children's speech contests can also be held here."

Just then, the library door was pushed open from the outside. A travel-weary traveler, carrying a backpack and wearing a sunhat, entered the library. The traveler looked young, about the same age as Bai Cheng and her friends. He walked in and immediately saw Chen Jianhai, Huo Sisi, and a group of children in yellow straw hats.

But soon, his attention was drawn to the discounted books at the entrance. He picked up a black-covered book from the 2-yuan cart and started flipping through it.

"Sir, you can sit anywhere here."

"There's a sofa over there; you can sit and read."

A library staff member pointed gently to the sofa under the floor-to-ceiling window and, after a brief introduction, turned back to the workbench to prepare gifts for the children in straw hats.

The young man showed a hint of surprise in his eyes. He had been ready to refuse any sales pitches or introductions, but to his surprise, the library staff didn't bother him at all. Meanwhile, on the other side of the bookstore, the children in yellow straw hats craned their necks to look at the books on the shelves.

"It's so high up here..."

One of the children said, standing beside the bookshelf, raising a small hand to measure his own height against it. Then the child turned to look at Chen Jianhai, noticing how easily he could touch the top of the bookshelf.

The child was envious.

If he could ride on Chen Jianhai's shoulders, he would be even higher!

If he peed on his neck, he would definitely get scolded.

Thinking this, the child wisely refrained from clinging to Chen Jianhai's leg to ask for a piggyback ride and obediently followed the group further into the bookstore.

"Since the entire library is built on a hill, to maximize the use of space, the library has a spiraling bookshelf that follows the mountain's terrain."

"Customers can climb the steps and slowly find what they like and are interested in."

Chen Jianhai, like an enthusiastic and professional tour guide, gently touched the light brown bookshelves as he led the way up the white steps.

"These pebbles were locally sourced, picked up from the island's beach and laid here."

"They look nice but are a bit uncomfortable to step on..."

Chen Jianhai joked a bit offhandedly.

On the steps, two or three young people were engrossed in reading, sitting on the steps.

It seemed one of them heard the word "uncomfortable" and shifted slightly, trying to find a better position.

"It seems these stones not only hurt the feet but also the butt..."

Chen Jianhai observed and thought he should prepare more thick cushions here next time. Otherwise, sitting on these big stones all day would wear out even steel.

Though he said this, Chen Jianhai was pleased to see that they had placed free tea and snacks prepared by the bookstore next to them.

As long as they wanted, they could sit here all day.

"What's that up there?"

Suddenly, a child's voice came from the group in straw hats.

"Where?" Chen Jianhai followed the child's pointing finger and saw the highest point of the book wall. Besides the bookshelves, there was a square, shining window, as if one could push it open and bask in the purest light by stepping on it.

"That's the Philosophy Tower."

I named it myself~

Chen Jianhai proudly raised his chin.

All the philosophy books in the store were piled up there.

"Why put philosophy so high? Won't it be scared?" a child asked curiously.

"Anyone can be scared, but not philosophy," Chen Jianhai patiently explained.

"Everything in the world flies higher and falls harder."

"To go far, you must be down-to-earth, taking one step at a time."

"But only the light of philosophy has shone in the starry sky for millions of years."

"Lonely yet splendid, it always stands at the pinnacle of civilization."