Chapter 57: The Unique Bookstore of the Provincial City

The four of them found a bookstore, and as soon as they stepped inside, a shop assistant approached them. “What kind of book are you looking for?” he asked.

The shop assistant forced a smile at the group. Every year during the prefectural exam, their bookstore sold the most books. But this year, a new bookstore had opened across the street, and for some unknown reason, all the scholars flocked there, rarely coming to their store anymore.

He’d been scolded harshly by the manager, but what could he do? The booming business across the street wasn’t within his control, especially since they claimed to sell books shipped directly from the capital. He’d never seen these books himself, but the customers said they were fascinating.

The manager was so anxious he’d developed mouth ulcers, and the owner was due to visit soon. If he saw the shop so deserted, the consequences would not be pleasant.

Li Su gave the shop assistant a slight nod. “We’d like to browse for ourselves first.”

The shop assistant thought to himself that those who wanted to browse usually just read for free and rarely bought anything.

He nodded to them. “Feel free to look around—just don’t damage the books.” At least there were customers inside now, making the shop seem less deserted.

Suddenly, a cheer erupted from the bookstore across the street. The shop assistant clicked his tongue in annoyance. How could a place meant for reading be so noisy? He really couldn’t understand those scholars!

Li Su and his companions split up to find their preferred books. As Li Su wandered through the store, he had to admit that the variety of books in the prefectural city was indeed greater than back in the county. Yet the shop was nearly empty.

Hearing the commotion from across the street, Li Su glanced over and realized it was another bookstore, far more lively than this one. Did they have a better selection?

He decided that after making his purchases here, he’d go take a look.

Li Su picked out several books, suitable both for himself and for the children at home.

Lin Ze and the others had made their selections too. Li Su approached the shop assistant. “We’re ready to check out.”

The assistant looked at them in surprise, not expecting actual sales; he’d thought they were just there to read for free. He was stunned for a few seconds before exclaiming with delight, “Right away, right away!”

After settling the bill, Li Su said to the others, “Let’s go check out the bookstore across the street and see if they have anything different.”

The shop assistant was instantly crestfallen. He wanted to beg them to stay, but could only watch their departing backs with longing in his eyes.

Li Su suddenly felt a prickling sensation and, turning back, met the assistant’s gaze.

Li Su wondered, “Why does he look at us as if we’re heartless traitors?”

The shop assistant offered a sheepish grin, not expecting Li Su to turn around so suddenly.

When the four stepped into the neighboring bookstore, they found it packed to the brim. “Crowded” was an understatement.

Exchanging a glance, their eyes sparkled. They’d come to the right place—surely there must be a vast collection here!

But as Li Su made a circuit of the shop, he was left speechless. There were indeed more books than in the previous store, but most of them were storybooks—especially those illustrated with beautiful women.

He could only sigh. The scholars here clearly hadn’t seen much of the world, each clutching a storybook and staring at it with shining eyes.

A quick skim revealed the plot: a scholar encounters a fox spirit, an official’s daughter, or some beauty he randomly meets; all these women are lovely and fall hopelessly for the scholar, willing to give up everything for him. In short, these were the scholars’ daydreams, apparently serialized and ongoing.

Li Su was a bit disappointed. He’d hoped for special study aids, not realizing the “special” books were of an entirely different kind.

When he went looking for Lin Ze and the others, he found them thoroughly engrossed in these tales. Lin Ze and Qin Ming appeared utterly captivated, while Ren Shuhua was more reserved.

Of the three, Ren Shuhua was always the most restrained.

Li Su could only think, Well, studying requires some leisure. If they want to read a bit for fun, so be it.

He picked up a book himself and flipped through it. By the time they left, many people had bought copies, including Lin Ze, Qin Ming, and Ren Shuhua.

So he’d misjudged Ren Shuhua after all.

Qin Ming enthusiastically recommended the story to Li Su. “You have to read this, Su! I’ll lend you my copy after I’m done.”

“No need, I’m not that interested,” Li Su replied. In his opinion, the novels and dramas he’d read in modern times were far more compelling. This one just didn’t hold his interest.

Because of this book, Lin Ze and the others even met other scholars. They struck up conversations about the stories right there in the shop, exchanged addresses, and planned to meet again, since there was still time before returning home. It was a chance for some socializing.

Li Su didn’t quite understand but was rather amazed. He hadn’t expected this kind of social networking to exist even in ancient times.

Still, it was a clever business strategy. The owner of that shop was certainly shrewd.

When all the bookstores sold similar academic texts, victory had to come from other avenues.

The older bookstore had been there longer, with a loyal customer base. Normally, people would stick with the shop they frequented, so opening right across the street would seem a losing proposition. But by selling storybooks, the new shop had carved out a thriving business.

The stories were entertaining to the masses, and as they were still being written, there was always something new. Of course, to keep this up long-term would require a steady supply of fresh tales—a potential challenge.

But that was none of Li Su’s concern; he wasn’t the shop owner.

…

Over the next several days, Qin Ming and Lin Ze became utterly absorbed in those storybooks, losing all sense of time and place, with almost no self-restraint. Ren Shuhua was a little better, remembering to study for the exams now and then.

Li Su kept to his usual routine of calligraphy and reading.

He reminded them, “Don’t forget the upcoming provincial exams. Even if you pass the prefectural exam, the provincial one won’t be testing you on these stories.” Whether they listened or not was up to them; he wasn’t their nanny.

Lin Ze and Qin Ming sobered instantly. It had been nearly a year since they’d read storybooks, and they’d always loved them. The sudden exposure to such an enthralling new tale had made them lose sight of their current goals—they were here for the imperial examinations!

With a decisive gesture, Lin Ze and Qin Ming hurled their storybooks far away, as if they were poisonous. The urge to keep reading was so strong that not seeing the ending left them itching with impatience.

They handed their stack of storybooks to Li Su. “Su, please take these. Otherwise, we can’t stop ourselves from picking them up!”

“Finishing the prefectural exam isn’t the end; it’s fine to relax a bit, but you must know your limits. Keep the books yourselves and practice some self-control. I can’t always be here to supervise you.” As he spoke, Li Su didn’t even pause his calligraphy.

Lin Ze and Qin Ming understood that Li Su meant well and nodded seriously, regarding the storybooks as a challenge—a test from Su himself to master their own discipline.

Not far off, in a nearby pavilion, a few people were sitting together. “Have you noticed that since the exam, Li Su hasn’t shown his face? Is he too ashamed to appear, afraid of losing face?”