Every year from November to December, the tense atmosphere of exams permeates everywhere. What is different from the past is that in recent years, especially since 2020, the large and small paid "shared spaces" that have appeared in Xi'an have shared some of the pressure on this tense air. Open "Dianping", locate in Xi'an, search for the keyword "shared study room", more than 60 entries will be displayed. After a cursory glance, "quiet", "immersed" and "seeing others who are working hard, I am embarrassed and not serious" become the key words in all evaluations. In fact, in the 1980s and 1990s, the model of paid study rooms has already emerged in Japan, South Korea and other places. In some big cities in Japan and South Korea, the per capita living area is small, and the sound insulation effect of the houses is poor. Therefore, many students go to the "reading room" to do homework together. Those who have watched the TV series "Please Answer 1988" should feel good about the heroine Deshan. The footage of the study room whirring to sleep is quite impressive. The paid study room model has developed into China, and the format has undergone some changes. It is more like a derivative under the concept of sharing economy. 2019 is known as the "first year of paid study rooms" in China. On the one hand, the rise of paid study rooms is directly related to the strong demand; on the other hand, the cost of opening a study room is lower than that of other industries. In theory, it can be opened quickly with space and tables, chairs and benches.

Entering the building from the unit door, before reaching the predetermined floor, I heard the sound of endorsement on the way up the stairs. This is the corridor of a neighborhood. Many paid study rooms in Xi'an are located in such communities, and the rent is cheap and quiet. At the door, the security door with a transparent curtain is open. Everything here is self-help, and everyone tacitly and consciously abides by the agreements posted on the wall. Even if there is no shop owner coming to say hello, everyone can find their own place by scanning the QR code to open the booth by themselves, prompted by the ubiquitous small notes and key words with enlarged font sizes. The heating in the room is particularly sufficient, the windows are closed, and 11 people are seated in this small room of less than 15 square meters. No one spoke, even the sound of coughing was smothered in the stomach to the maximum extent, and everyone sitting on the stool tried to make themselves transparent. At the moment when the door was opened, an invisible pressure hit the face, making people involuntarily become cautious. Carpets are laid everywhere in the room, and everything is for "sound-absorbing" services. The operator tries his best to ensure that each room has a good sound insulation effect. There are reminders on each small table. Although the words "keep quiet" are not straightforward, the "rules" of no less than 500 words are obviously more deeply rooted in the hearts of the people than these four words. Those students who have long-term cards are familiar with everything here. The shelves are full of reference books, and they have their own "special seats", just like the desks in the university dormitory. The wall is covered with post-it notes. In addition to some key points and difficulties, there are also a few words of self-encouragement.

There are water glasses, notes, and books on the table. The people at the table put on headphones and stare at the electronic screen that is playing the online class, and occasionally write a few strokes. In the 2 hours I was here, no one moved, no one even went to the toilet, and time seemed to stand still. This room is full of postgraduate students. The school couldn't grab the seat of the study room, and the library turned off the lights on time. These students who were trying to find a place in the postgraduate entrance examination army could only go to the surrounding study room to "pay for peace of mind".