In the Time-worn Alleys of Changde River Street, Encounter an Old Shanghai Dream

Pushing open the heavy walnut door, it's as if I've stepped through a wrinkle in time. Sunlight filters through the red maple leaves, casting dappled shadows on the mottled red brick walls. In a trance, I imagine I see a woman in a cheongsam, stepping out of a deep alley in high heels, just like a character from Eileen Chang's novels. This old western-style house has been transformed into a boutique hotel. The hotel has preserved the original features of the old building to the greatest extent possible: the wooden staircase, the retro glass windows, the walnut walls... every detail tells a story of the past. My room is on the second floor. Opening the door, I'm greeted by a large antique bed with crisp white sheets. Retro lamps sit on either side of the bedside table, casting a warm yellow light that creates a cozy and comfortable atmosphere. In the corner of the room, a circular sofa and a book on the table seem to be waiting for their owner to return. I couldn't wait to explore this old house full of stories. Walking up the wooden stairs feels like stepping back in time. There's an atrium on the first floor, and the air is filled with the faint fragrance of rain. In the evening, I sit on a wicker chair in the atrium, holding a cup of coffee, quietly enjoying the afterglow of the sunset. The setting sun casts a golden glow on the walls of the old house, making it extraordinarily beautiful. At this moment, I feel like I'm in one of Eileen Chang's novels, experiencing the romance and charm of old Shanghai. As night falls and the lights come on, Li Gao 1919 looks even more enchanting under the illumination. I return to my room, take a hot bath, and then lie in bed, listening to the chirping of insects outside the window, drifting off to sleep.