Jiangnan Ancient Town Daily | Afternoon Time in the Hillside Bookstore

Strolling around Xiemabridge, coming out of the old teahouse, I encountered this hillside bookstore. The proprietor looked very much like a senior sister from my university days, with a radiant smile that felt incredibly warm, so I took a seat, choosing a spot by the river. Aged tangerine peel with white tea, simple pastries, and a book I've wanted to read but haven't settled down to - 'Mr. Toad Goes to See a Psychologist.' Chatting with the 'senior sister,' I learned that this place is the Suzhou venue for the Yang Lan Book Club. When it comes to reading, I feel like I've lost a lot of my voice; in the past six months, it seems I haven't read any books that have given me special insights. Alone, I sat with the spring light for a long time, watching people come and go across the river, thinking to myself, I hope this spring won't be spent in vain. And then I thought, isn't spring meant to be spent idly?