  Freestanding single-bilayer Bi(111) is a two-dimensional topological
insulator with edge states propagating along its perimeter. Given the
interlayer coupling experimentally, the topological nature of Bi(111) thin
films and the impact of the supporting substrate on the topmost Bi bilayer are
still under debate. Here, combined with scanning tunneling microscopy and
first-principles calculations, we systematically study the electronic
properties of Bi(111) thin films grown on a NbSe2 substrate. Two types of
non-magnetic edge structures, i.e., a conventional zigzag edge and a 2x1
reconstructed edge, coexist alternately at the boundaries of single bilayer
islands, the topological edge states of which exhibit remarkably different
energy and spatial distributions. Prominent edge states are persistently
visualized at the edges of both single and double bilayer Bi islands,
regardless of the underlying thickness of Bi(111) thin films. We provide an
explanation for the topological origin of the observed edge states that is
verified with first-principles calculations. Our paper clarifies the
long-standing controversy regarding the topology of Bi(111) thin films and
reveals the tunability of topological edge states via edge modifications.
