"Wu Ji Convenience Store? Never heard of it," the old man shook his head. "The bookstore used to be on Zhonglu Street. It moved several times back in the day, even before my grandfather’s time. My great-grandfather opened it there so my grandfather could attend school."

He paused, recalling.

"Dongliu… yes, Dongliu Experimental Elementary School, then Dongliu Experimental Middle School. My grandfather went to both. Dongliu was a prestigious school back then, famous throughout the area."

At the mention of "Dongliu," the group felt a surge of excitement.

This was it!

"So why are you asking about all this?" the …