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Chen Guixia examines a book-collecting ad at Zengzhi Bookshop in Hefei, east China's Anhui Province, April 19, 2021. (Xinhua/Zhou Mu)
HEFEI,
April 22 (Xinhua) -- Since its opening 21 years ago, Zengzhi Bookshop,
a nondescript second-hand bookstore 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. 
TOP:
Zhu Chuanguo poses for a photo at Zengzhi Bookshop in Hefei, east
China's Anhui Province, April 21, 2013. (Xinhua/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. (Xinhua/Zhou Mu) 
TOP:
Chen Guixia (R) talks with readers at Zengzhi Bookshop in Hefei, east
China's Anhui Province, April 13, 2015. (Xinhua/Zhang Duan) BOTTOM:
Chen Guixia (L) talks with a reader at Zengzhi Bookshop in Hefei, east
China's Anhui Province, April 19, 2021. (Xinhua/Zhou Mu) 
TOP: Readers visit Zengzhi Bookshop in Hefei, east China's Anhui Province, April 13, 2015. (Xinhua/Zhang Duan) BOTTOM: A reader visits Zengzhi Bookshop in Hefei, east China's Anhui Province, April 20, 2021. (Xinhua/Zhou Mu) 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." 
Chen Guixia (1st L) picks books for a customer at Zengzhi Bookshop in Hefei, east China's Anhui Province, April 19, 2021. (Xinhua/Han Xu) 
Chen Guixia cleans old books at Zengzhi Bookshop in Hefei, east China's Anhui Province, April 19, 2021. (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. (Xinhua/Zhou Mu) 
Chen Guixia keeps the balance sheet at Zengzhi Bookshop in Hefei, east China's Anhui Province, April 20, 2021. (Xinhua/Han Xu) 
Chen Guixia tidies the bookshelves at Zengzhi Bookshop in Hefei, east China's Anhui Province, April 19, 2021. (Xinhua/Zhou Mu)■
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