That pure land in my heart

 　　A few days ago, I had the opportunity to visit the Hebei Provincial Library for work. This was my first time visiting a library since graduating from university in 1996. Upon entering, I was immediately captivated by the tranquil atmosphere and the rich aroma of books. The library has been renovated, with a more rational layout and a significantly larger collection. Although it was Monday, there were still quite a few people reading; some were sitting at tables in the lobby, while others were standing and leaning against pillars. The three social science sections were particularly crowded, with people sitting at every table, some copying, some reading intently, and others searching for books on the shelves. The entire room was busy yet orderly, so quiet you could hear a pin drop. Occasionally, a cell phone would ring, but only once before silence returned, because it was so quiet that everyone was afraid to break the tranquility. After some searching, my colleague and I found the book we were looking for. Without a table, I stood beside the bookshelves, squatting down and standing up intermittently, filled with a thirst for knowledge. I stayed for nearly two hours without feeling tired at all, finally understanding some of the difficult theories. The feeling was like getting first place in an exam. Before I knew it, it was past noon, but no one showed any sign of leaving. Some had even taken out instant noodles, planning to eat lunch while reading. That scene instantly reminded me of my university days. Having

　　loved reading since childhood, I was thrilled to see such a vast collection of books in a university library for the first time. From then on, I became a regular at the library. Every day after class, I would borrow books and then read them in the study room at night. Every weekend, I would spend almost two days in the library. The atmosphere in the university library back then was the same as it is now; everyone came and went quietly, afraid of disturbing others. It was in this excellent environment that I read almost all the biographies and literature books in the library during my university years. These books enriched my university life, broadened my knowledge, and laid a solid foundation for my future work and life. Even today, I still often think back to those days in the library during my university years. I truly hope to step into the library again, to feel that true haven, and to absorb the essence of the people and predecessors in those books, to help me grow and accompany me on my journey. Those were such precious and pleasant days!

　　Coincidentally, a few days ago at noon, I went to a bookstore. It was unusually quiet, with few people. Walking to the literature section, I saw two students sitting on the floor against the bookshelves, their bags beside them. Both were engrossed in their books, and my presence didn't attract their attention at all. It was lunchtime, so I could guess they had come directly to the bookstore after school without going home. At that moment, I suddenly felt a surge of emotion. With such book-loving youths, how could the great "Chinese Dream" not be realized soon?

　　However, life is realistic. In this fast-paced, networked society, reading has become a luxury for many. Many of us are either "hijacked" by the internet or have lost interest in books. Most people around us are constantly scrolling through the internet; fragmented reading and entertainment news occupy most of our time. If we don't go online every day, we feel something is missing; we have become "internet slaves." In a small county, it's rare to find bookstores offering a wide range of books, including literature and social sciences. Those books, with their fresh, black ink, have become a distant memory.

　　The ancients said, "In books, there are houses of gold; in books, there are beauties like jade." A writer once said that to judge the taste of a city, look at the number of its bookstores and the number of people in its library. A person's character is directly proportional to the amount of reading they do. Books not only teach us knowledge but also cultivate our character, refine our temperament, and nurture a good disposition. It is hoped that more and more people can step away from the internet, take a little time out of their busy work lives, and visit a library or bookstore to soak in the atmosphere of books and slow down their minds. You will surely be surprised by the rewards.