The distance from the school gate to the Book Ship Library is not far. In the daylight, you can see the library from here.
However, at night, both the building housing the library and the adjacent teaching building are illuminated, making it difficult for newcomers to distinguish which one is the Book Ship Library.
Despite the late hour, the lights in the Book Ship Library are still on, with many students studying into the night.
Soon, Ding Yue drove up to a temporary parking lot near the square in front of the Book Ship Library.
"Wow, it seems the online descriptions were accurate. The Book Ship Library at your Mist City Arts and Science University is truly spectacular!"
After leaving the car, Xu Dongcheng couldn’t help but admire the still illuminated Mist City Arts and Science University’s Book Ship Library.
Xu Dongcheng had seen short videos or pictures of the Book Ship Library online. Many netizens had come here to check in. Xu Dongcheng had always wanted to visit, but he never had the opportunity.
Now, the National College Education Innovation Exchange Conference this year turned out to be a great opportunity, and during the conference, Xu Dongcheng had met Principal Ding Yue.
"This was designed by the student teams from our own college of architecture, then all students voted to decide on the final design."
Ding Yue briefly explained to Xu Dongcheng.
Upon hearing this, Xu Dongcheng inclined his head a little: "Principal Ding, aren’t you being too democratic?"
As Xu Dongcheng understood it, when a school decided to build, wouldn’t the decision be made between the school and a construction company?
Mist City Arts and Science University not only used designs from its architecture students, but it also let all students vote on the best design.
Principal Ding really was considerate towards the students. This was completely in line with his "student-centered" philosophy he had mentioned the previous day.
Upon arriving at the square in front of the Book Ship Library, Ding Yue called Huang Youjie.
The library’s control room was managed by the logistics department.
Therefore, Ding Yue asked Huang to inform the control room to prepare to light up the library tonight, as Principal Xu wanted to see the library’s light show.
"Yue, are you back?" Huang Youjie asked over the phone.
"Yes, I’m back. I’m at the Book Ship Library. Can you let the control room know to prepare the lights?"
"OK, I’ll come over too. I have something to discuss with you."
"It’s not something I can explain over the phone. I’ll tell you when I get there."
After hanging up the phone, Ding Yue asked Principal Xu to wait a moment as the library’s control room was preparing to turn on the lights.
Meanwhile, in the Book Ship Library, the students who were diligently studying suddenly heard an announcement over the library’s loudspeaker.
"Dear students, we have received notice from the school leaders. In five minutes, the Book Ship Library will enact a light show. Those who wish to watch it can take a break from reading. If you want to continue reading, please draw the curtains to avoid being disturbed."
The announcement was made in a gentle tone, like a soothing lullaby, so as not to disturb the students.
Upon hearing the announcement, the students all looked up and started whispering to their neighbors, perhaps discussing whether they should watch the library’s light display.
Ever since school started, the Book Ship Library had already had numerous light shows. Principal Ding once said that when the number of students studying in the library reached a certain point in the evening, it could trigger a light show.
Back then, many students made a point of coming to the library every night to read, just to see the light show again.
But of course, there were also nights when the library did not have a light show due to a lack of students, perhaps due to them being too tired from afternoon classes or having other matters to attend to.
Five minutes later, a sound signified the start of the light display, and all the exterior lights of the Book Ship Library were switched on.
At the same time, the faint blue light on the square in front of the library gradually became brighter.
"This really looks like a grand and imposing ship!"
Principal Xu Dongcheng looked up at the brightly lit Book Ship Library and couldn’t help but exclaim.
If before the library appeared impressive merely from the lights inside, resulting from the students studying, now with all its exterior lights on, it truly resembled a futuristic ship suspended in the dark, giving off a strong sense of science fiction.
"This backdrop would work great for shooting a film." Xu Dongcheng offered his opinion again.
Ding Yue was reminded by Principal Xu Dongcheng’s words.
Since the school’s planned ancient architectural complex could be used by the film and television college for filming period dramas, why couldn’t the science-fiction-like Book Ship Library serve as a film location?
He had just learned something new.