It was that annoying rainy season again.
This was her seventeenth ordinary year. As usual, Ivina was picking out her seventeenth "birthday present." She looked focused as her delicate fingers ran over the rough covers of old books, each one making her feel like she couldn't put it down.
"What should I do? I don't even have ten dollars left." She reached into her pocket, her face filled with distress.
This wasn't the first time this had happened. Ivina could be considered a regular customer at this secondhand bookstore.
"If you like this book, take it home and read it."
"But... Uncle, I don't have enough money," Ivina hurriedly explained in a low voice, feeling embarrassed. After hesitating for a few seconds, she reached out to put the book back.
"What's the matter? You've been buying books here for so long, and you're still being so formal? Today is your birthday, isn't it? Consider it a birthday gift from your uncle. Take the book."
The shop owner was about to take the book, but was stopped by a voice as soft as a mosquito's buzz.
"But the book is too expensive. Even at half price, it's still so expensive… If I take Uncle's gift, I'll never have the face to come back and buy books again."
Though Ivina was a timid and cowardly girl, she had the courage to defend her principles—or perhaps, for her, dignity was more important than life itself.
The shopkeeper sighed repeatedly. He couldn't understand why fate had been so unkind to her—Ivina was such a obedient and sensible child. When Ivina was two years old, her father passed away suddenly due to a severe illness. Her mother then remarried and abandoned her. At the time, since one of her parents was still alive, welfare organizations couldn't take custody of the young Ivina. They had to track down her heartless mother and use the law as a "threat" before the cruel woman reluctantly agreed to take her own daughter back.
To this day, Ivina still lives with her mother, stepfather, and half-sister, leading a life of dependence on others.
Seeing the store manager lost in thought, Ivina didn't know what to say. But she had to go; there were endless chores waiting at home.
She nodded slightly in farewell. Hurriedly picking up the umbrella propped outside the store, she prepared to leave.
She still hadn't found a suitable book to give herself, so would her father's promise go unfulfilled? Ivina couldn't help but smile wryly. Her mood was as gloomy as the overcast sky.
"Ivina, wait." The store manager snapped out of his reverie, taking hold of Ivina's slender wrist. "Come, come with me."
Ivina, unaware of the reason, was led into the basement of the bookstore.
The scene before her was unimaginable. Row after row of old bookshelves were filled with all kinds of old books. Ivina couldn't help but walk up and examine them closely.
"Most of the books here are damaged or worn out. Customers wouldn't buy them even if they were half price, and I certainly don't intend to sell them cheaply. If you like any of them, feel free to pick one."
Ivina didn't respond. She was already deeply captivated by an ancient book with a strange cover. Without any guidance, she walked straight toward that row of bookshelves and struggled to reach up to the high shelf where the book was located.
She was almost there, but her calm heartbeat suddenly accelerated for no apparent reason.
However, before she could reach it, the book was quickly pulled out by a strong hand.
Ivina looked up and met the shopkeeper's frightened eyes.
"You... How did you find this book? Who told you about it?" The shopkeeper's gaze was slightly calmer, but his voice betrayed his astonishment, which did not escape Ivina's sensitive mind.
"I just caught a glimpse of it in a daze…" Among thousands of books, only this one caught my attention.
Ivina truly wanted to say this; she didn't want to lie.
"Ahaha… haha." The dark basement echoed with the store manager's reckless laughter, making Ivina feel a little afraid.
Under normal circumstances, with her courage, she would have immediately turned around and gone home. But at that moment, she had no such intention.
Staring blankly at the ancient book tightly clutched in the shopkeeper's hand, Ivina, drawing on courage from somewhere, met the shopkeeper's scrutinizing gaze and firmly stated her thoughts.
"Uncle, I'll buy this book. Though I might not have enough money now, I'll definitely make up the difference later. Please trust me."
The shopkeeper was surprised by Ivina's sudden change.
This book...
With a smile that was both relieved and resigned, the shopkeeper handed the book to Ivina without hesitation.
"Consider this my birthday gift to you, little girl. Did I scare you just now?"
Ivina realized her rudeness for staring directly at an elder and bowed her head in shame.
"Ah… here you go again, being so polite with me! Take it home and keep it safe. You must cherish it."
Ivina nodded repeatedly, striving to give a reliable assurance.
"Most importantly," the store manager paused deliberately, "… don't give up halfway through reading it. Once you get home, remember to finish it as soon as possible. Don't forget!"
"Yes, I understand," Ivina promised softly.
Glancing at her watch, she realized it was already past the time her mother had set for her to return home. However, clutching the book in her arms, Ivina's brows still betrayed her overwhelming joy.
After a hurried farewell, Ivina ran toward the exit of the basement.
Watching the girl's receding figure, a more familiar silhouette suddenly flashed through the store manager's distant memories.
It was probably just a delusion; the kind and pure Ivina would never repeat the same mistake… absolutely not.
This book had indeed found its rightful owner.
Then, let everything happen as it must.