TOP: Readers visit Zengzhi Bookshop in Hefei, east China's Anhui Province, April 13, 2015. (Photo by Liu Junxi) BOTTOM: A reader visits Zengzhi Bookshop in Hefei, east China's Anhui Province, April 20, 2021. (Photo by Zhou Mu) Since its opening 21 years ago, Zengzhi Bookshop, a nondescript second-hand book dealer in downtown Hefei, has been hailed as an intellectual landmark among local book fans. Its late owner, Zhu Chuanguo, boasted a collection of 20,000-strong used books, all of which had been purchased from ordinary readers and recycling outlets.Under Zhu's vision, one's cast-off books may turn out to be enlightening to someone else who therefore deserves a reader-friendly book-sharing platform. Zhu was diagnosed with cancer in 2013 and medical treatment cost his family a lot of money. The bookshop was on the brink of bankruptcy, until readers started to buy books to show financial support. Three years later, Zhu passed away nonetheless, leaving the bookshop in the hands of his wife Chen Guixia. Chen did not let her husband down. The business survived, despite narrowing profit margin in an era that's increasingly unfriendly to physical bookstores. Chen began to embrace e-commerce, marketing books on social media while maintaining a circle for keen readers. Aside from selling books, she also makes frequent appearances on non-profit events such as book donations. Chen Guixia never feels regretful about her choice. "I used to get along pretty well with my husband," says Chen. "His last wish was for me to carry on with the bookshop no matter the profit. For my part, making this wish come true is the ultimate goal." (Xinhua)

TOP: Zhu Chuanguo poses for a photo at Zengzhi Bookshop in Hefei, east China's Anhui Province, April 21, 2013. (Photo by Zhang Duan) BOTTOM: Chen Guixia, Zhu's wife, poses for a photo at Zengzhi Bookshop in Hefei, east China's Anhui Province, April 20, 2021. (Photo by Zhou Mu) Since its opening 21 years ago, Zengzhi Bookshop, a nondescript second-hand book dealer in downtown Hefei, has been hailed as an intellectual landmark among local book fans. Its late owner, Zhu Chuanguo, boasted a collection of 20,000-strong used books, all of which had been purchased from ordinary readers and recycling outlets.Under Zhu's vision, one's cast-off books may turn out to be enlightening to someone else who therefore deserves a reader-friendly book-sharing platform. Zhu was diagnosed with cancer in 2013 and medical treatment cost his family a lot of money. The bookshop was on the brink of bankruptcy, until readers started to buy books to show financial support. Three years later, Zhu passed away nonetheless, leaving the bookshop in the hands of his wife Chen Guixia. Chen did not let her husband down. The business survived, despite narrowing profit margin in an era that's increasingly unfriendly to physical bookstores. Chen began to embrace e-commerce, marketing books on social media while maintaining a circle for keen readers. Aside from selling books, she also makes frequent appearances on non-profit events such as book donations. Chen Guixia never feels regretful about her choice. "I used to get along pretty well with my husband," says Chen. "His last wish was for me to carry on with the bookshop no matter the profit. For my part, making this wish come true is the ultimate goal." (Xinhua)

Chen Guixia rides a scooter on her way to Zengzhi Bookshop in Hefei, east China's Anhui Province, April 20, 2021. Since its opening 21 years ago, Zengzhi Bookshop, a nondescript second-hand book dealer in downtown Hefei, has been hailed as an intellectual landmark among local book fans. Its late owner, Zhu Chuanguo, boasted a collection of 20,000-strong used books, all of which had been purchased from ordinary readers and recycling outlets.Under Zhu's vision, one's cast-off books may turn out to be enlightening to someone else who therefore deserves a reader-friendly book-sharing platform. Zhu was diagnosed with cancer in 2013 and medical treatment cost his family a lot of money. The bookshop was on the brink of bankruptcy, until readers started to buy books to show financial support. Three years later, Zhu passed away nonetheless, leaving the bookshop in the hands of his wife Chen Guixia. Chen did not let her husband down. The business survived, despite narrowing profit margin in an era that's increasingly unfriendly to physical bookstores. Chen began to embrace e-commerce, marketing books on social media while maintaining a circle for keen readers. Aside from selling books, she also makes frequent appearances on non-profit events such as book donations. Chen Guixia never feels regretful about her choice. "I used to get along pretty well with my husband," says Chen. "His last wish was for me to carry on with the bookshop no matter the profit. For my part, making this wish come true is the ultimate goal." (Xinhua/Zhou Mu)

Chen Guixia keeps the balance sheet at Zengzhi Bookshop in Hefei, east China's Anhui Province, April 20, 2021. Since its opening 21 years ago, Zengzhi Bookshop, a nondescript second-hand book dealer in downtown Hefei, has been hailed as an intellectual landmark among local book fans. Its late owner, Zhu Chuanguo, boasted a collection of 20,000-strong used books, all of which had been purchased from ordinary readers and recycling outlets.Under Zhu's vision, one's cast-off books may turn out to be enlightening to someone else who therefore deserves a reader-friendly book-sharing platform. Zhu was diagnosed with cancer in 2013 and medical treatment cost his family a lot of money. The bookshop was on the brink of bankruptcy, until readers started to buy books to show financial support. Three years later, Zhu passed away nonetheless, leaving the bookshop in the hands of his wife Chen Guixia. Chen did not let her husband down. The business survived, despite narrowing profit margin in an era that's increasingly unfriendly to physical bookstores. Chen began to embrace e-commerce, marketing books on social media while maintaining a circle for keen readers. Aside from selling books, she also makes frequent appearances on non-profit events such as book donations. Chen Guixia never feels regretful about her choice. "I used to get along pretty well with my husband," says Chen. "His last wish was for me to carry on with the bookshop no matter the profit. For my part, making this wish come true is the ultimate goal." (Xinhua/Han Xu)

Chen Guixia works next to a photo of Zhu Chuanguo at Zengzhi Bookshop in Hefei, east China's Anhui Province, April 19, 2021. Since its opening 21 years ago, Zengzhi Bookshop, a nondescript second-hand book dealer in downtown Hefei, has been hailed as an intellectual landmark among local book fans. Its late owner, Zhu Chuanguo, boasted a collection of 20,000-strong used books, all of which had been purchased from ordinary readers and recycling outlets.Under Zhu's vision, one's cast-off books may turn out to be enlightening to someone else who therefore deserves a reader-friendly book-sharing platform. Zhu was diagnosed with cancer in 2013 and medical treatment cost his family a lot of money. The bookshop was on the brink of bankruptcy, until readers started to buy books to show financial support. Three years later, Zhu passed away nonetheless, leaving the bookshop in the hands of his wife Chen Guixia. Chen did not let her husband down. The business survived, despite narrowing profit margin in an era that's increasingly unfriendly to physical bookstores. Chen began to embrace e-commerce, marketing books on social media while maintaining a circle for keen readers. Aside from selling books, she also makes frequent appearances on non-profit events such as book donations. Chen Guixia never feels regretful about her choice. "I used to get along pretty well with my husband," says Chen. "His last wish was for me to carry on with the bookshop no matter the profit. For my part, making this wish come true is the ultimate goal." (Xinhua/Zhang Duan)

Chen Guixia cleans old books at Zengzhi Bookshop in Hefei, east China's Anhui Province, April 19, 2021. Since its opening 21 years ago, Zengzhi Bookshop, a nondescript second-hand book dealer in downtown Hefei, has been hailed as an intellectual landmark among local book fans. Its late owner, Zhu Chuanguo, boasted a collection of 20,000-strong used books, all of which had been purchased from ordinary readers and recycling outlets.Under Zhu's vision, one's cast-off books may turn out to be enlightening to someone else who therefore deserves a reader-friendly book-sharing platform. Zhu was diagnosed with cancer in 2013 and medical treatment cost his family a lot of money. The bookshop was on the brink of bankruptcy, until readers started to buy books to show financial support. Three years later, Zhu passed away nonetheless, leaving the bookshop in the hands of his wife Chen Guixia. Chen did not let her husband down. The business survived, despite narrowing profit margin in an era that's increasingly unfriendly to physical bookstores. Chen began to embrace e-commerce, marketing books on social media while maintaining a circle for keen readers. Aside from selling books, she also makes frequent appearances on non-profit events such as book donations. Chen Guixia never feels regretful about her choice. "I used to get along pretty well with my husband," says Chen. "His last wish was for me to carry on with the bookshop no matter the profit. For my part, making this wish come true is the ultimate goal." (Xinhua/Zhang Duan)

Chen Guixia locks the roller shutter door when the day's business closes at Zengzhi Bookshop in Hefei, east China's Anhui Province, April 19, 2021. Since its opening 21 years ago, Zengzhi Bookshop, a nondescript second-hand book dealer in downtown Hefei, has been hailed as an intellectual landmark among local book fans. Its late owner, Zhu Chuanguo, boasted a collection of 20,000-strong used books, all of which had been purchased from ordinary readers and recycling outlets.Under Zhu's vision, one's cast-off books may turn out to be enlightening to someone else who therefore deserves a reader-friendly book-sharing platform. Zhu was diagnosed with cancer in 2013 and medical treatment cost his family a lot of money. The bookshop was on the brink of bankruptcy, until readers started to buy books to show financial support. Three years later, Zhu passed away nonetheless, leaving the bookshop in the hands of his wife Chen Guixia. Chen did not let her husband down. The business survived, despite narrowing profit margin in an era that's increasingly unfriendly to physical bookstores. Chen began to embrace e-commerce, marketing books on social media while maintaining a circle for keen readers. Aside from selling books, she also makes frequent appearances on non-profit events such as book donations. Chen Guixia never feels regretful about her choice. "I used to get along pretty well with my husband," says Chen. "His last wish was for me to carry on with the bookshop no matter the profit. For my part, making this wish come true is the ultimate goal." (Xinhua/Zhou Mu)

Chen Guixia takes pictures of a book before sharing it with readers on social media at Zengzhi Bookshop in Hefei, east China's Anhui Province, April 19, 2021. Since its opening 21 years ago, Zengzhi Bookshop, a nondescript second-hand book dealer in downtown Hefei, has been hailed as an intellectual landmark among local book fans. Its late owner, Zhu Chuanguo, boasted a collection of 20,000-strong used books, all of which had been purchased from ordinary readers and recycling outlets.Under Zhu's vision, one's cast-off books may turn out to be enlightening to someone else who therefore deserves a reader-friendly book-sharing platform. Zhu was diagnosed with cancer in 2013 and medical treatment cost his family a lot of money. The bookshop was on the brink of bankruptcy, until readers started to buy books to show financial support. Three years later, Zhu passed away nonetheless, leaving the bookshop in the hands of his wife Chen Guixia. Chen did not let her husband down. The business survived, despite narrowing profit margin in an era that's increasingly unfriendly to physical bookstores. Chen began to embrace e-commerce, marketing books on social media while maintaining a circle for keen readers. Aside from selling books, she also makes frequent appearances on non-profit events such as book donations. Chen Guixia never feels regretful about her choice. "I used to get along pretty well with my husband," says Chen. "His last wish was for me to carry on with the bookshop no matter the profit. For my part, making this wish come true is the ultimate goal." (Xinhua/Zhang Duan)

Chen Guixia examines a book-collecting ad at Zengzhi Bookshop in Hefei, east China's Anhui Province, April 19, 2021. Since its opening 21 years ago, Zengzhi Bookshop, a nondescript second-hand book dealer in downtown Hefei, has been hailed as an intellectual landmark among local book fans. Its late owner, Zhu Chuanguo, boasted a collection of 20,000-strong used books, all of which had been purchased from ordinary readers and recycling outlets.Under Zhu's vision, one's cast-off books may turn out to be enlightening to someone else who therefore deserves a reader-friendly book-sharing platform. Zhu was diagnosed with cancer in 2013 and medical treatment cost his family a lot of money. The bookshop was on the brink of bankruptcy, until readers started to buy books to show financial support. Three years later, Zhu passed away nonetheless, leaving the bookshop in the hands of his wife Chen Guixia. Chen did not let her husband down. The business survived, despite narrowing profit margin in an era that's increasingly unfriendly to physical bookstores. Chen began to embrace e-commerce, marketing books on social media while maintaining a circle for keen readers. Aside from selling books, she also makes frequent appearances on non-profit events such as book donations. Chen Guixia never feels regretful about her choice. "I used to get along pretty well with my husband," says Chen. "His last wish was for me to carry on with the bookshop no matter the profit. For my part, making this wish come true is the ultimate goal." (Xinhua/Zhou Mu)

Chen Guixia tidies the bookshelves at Zengzhi Bookshop in Hefei, east China's Anhui Province, April 19, 2021. Since its opening 21 years ago, Zengzhi Bookshop, a nondescript second-hand book dealer in downtown Hefei, has been hailed as an intellectual landmark among local book fans. Its late owner, Zhu Chuanguo, boasted a collection of 20,000-strong used books, all of which had been purchased from ordinary readers and recycling outlets.Under Zhu's vision, one's cast-off books may turn out to be enlightening to someone else who therefore deserves a reader-friendly book-sharing platform. Zhu was diagnosed with cancer in 2013 and medical treatment cost his family a lot of money. The bookshop was on the brink of bankruptcy, until readers started to buy books to show financial support. Three years later, Zhu passed away nonetheless, leaving the bookshop in the hands of his wife Chen Guixia. Chen did not let her husband down. The business survived, despite narrowing profit margin in an era that's increasingly unfriendly to physical bookstores. Chen began to embrace e-commerce, marketing books on social media while maintaining a circle for keen readers. Aside from selling books, she also makes frequent appearances on non-profit events such as book donations. Chen Guixia never feels regretful about her choice. "I used to get along pretty well with my husband," says Chen. "His last wish was for me to carry on with the bookshop no matter the profit. For my part, making this wish come true is the ultimate goal." (Xinhua/Zhou Mu)

Chen Guixia (1st L) picks books for a customer at Zengzhi Bookshop in Hefei, east China's Anhui Province, April 19, 2021. Since its opening 21 years ago, Zengzhi Bookshop, a nondescript second-hand book dealer in downtown Hefei, has been hailed as an intellectual landmark among local book fans. Its late owner, Zhu Chuanguo, boasted a collection of 20,000-strong used books, all of which had been purchased from ordinary readers and recycling outlets.Under Zhu's vision, one's cast-off books may turn out to be enlightening to someone else who therefore deserves a reader-friendly book-sharing platform. Zhu was diagnosed with cancer in 2013 and medical treatment cost his family a lot of money. The bookshop was on the brink of bankruptcy, until readers started to buy books to show financial support. Three years later, Zhu passed away nonetheless, leaving the bookshop in the hands of his wife Chen Guixia. Chen did not let her husband down. The business survived, despite narrowing profit margin in an era that's increasingly unfriendly to physical bookstores. Chen began to embrace e-commerce, marketing books on social media while maintaining a circle for keen readers. Aside from selling books, she also makes frequent appearances on non-profit events such as book donations. Chen Guixia never feels regretful about her choice. "I used to get along pretty well with my husband," says Chen. "His last wish was for me to carry on with the bookshop no matter the profit. For my part, making this wish come true is the ultimate goal." (Xinhua/Han Xu)

来源：Xinhua