When the Abacus Bead poetry gathering in Chongren Ward of Chang'an tried a new trick, the abacus beads suddenly bounced into the character "Riddle" and hovered mid-air in the teahouse—each bead bearing a riddle prompt. A certain scholar snatched one down, only to read the prompt: "Abacus beads wearing theatrical costumes (guess a character)." As he racked his brains, the beads embroidered the character "Execute" onto his lapel, making him slap the table in anger: "The abacus beads actually mistake themselves for the surname 'Zhu'!"
Beside Su Wanyue's wellness tea stove, the abacus beads were taking the pulse of the tea guests—when a certain wealthy patron approached while rubbing his lower back, the beads immediately bounced into the character "Fat" and manifested in his teacup: "Drink less pearl wine and exercise more, the abacus beads will count your steps for you!" Just as the patron was about to retort, the beads had already slithered along his belt and formed a "swimming ring" formation, drawing roars of laughter from the entire teahouse.
Inside the Foreign Maiden Tavern in Yanshou Ward, the abacus beads were playing "Truth or Dare" in Pei Hongxiu's abacus bead dice cup—a certain Persian merchant rolled the "Abacus First Love" points, and the abacus beads instantly displayed the abacus bead veil of the foreign maiden Nazha in his wine cup, scaring him into spilling his drink: "The abacus beads actually know I have a secret crush on Nazha!" The beads bounced into the ch…
Chapter 235