Reborn as a Landlord

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The four lantern riddles written by Lian Manman were ready-made. She found them in a casual poetry book she read some days ago, which included some amusing stories about a famous poet’s youthful adventures while wandering away from home. These four riddles were created by the young poet upon meeting an old scholar who appreciated him and asked what he needed.

Wu Lang also read that poetry book, so he knew the answers without needing to guess. As for Xiao Qi, he is still limited to reading the books listed by Mr. Loo, with few leisure books, so he didn’t know. Though Lian Zhizhi also studied alongside them, her interest in this was not strong. Compared to studying and literacy, Lian Zhizhi preferred needlework. Therefore, Lian Zhizhi also didn’t know this story.

Mr. Loo, of course, was aware of this story.

"Not bad." This was Mr. Loo’s two-word evaluation for his female student Lian Manman, suggesting that rather than fabricating something herself, it’s better to use such straightforward yet refined riddles. With this, the learned can easily guess the answer, and even those unaware of the story can deduce the answer with some thought based on the riddles themselves.

That is what they call suitable for both the cultured and the common.

Lian Manman then took a branch and wrote the answers on it.

The answer was "writing brush," and the reward was a large script stiff bristle Huzhou pen sold at Lian’s Department Store. After writing these, Lian Manman thought for a while and added a note at the end, stating that if one could explain the origin of these riddles, they would get an extra reward of a fine small script soft bristle Huzhou pen.

After finishing her own, Lian Manman went to see Xiao Qi. Xiao Qi was holding a pen, furrowing his little brow in deep thought, but there was not a single ink spot on the paper.

"Our store is a department store, selling everyday items. The lantern riddles should also be more down-to-earth. Xiao Qi, don’t overthink it. Just remember the riddles our mother made us guess, write down a couple of those, and that’s the best you can do." Lian Manman said to Xiao Qi with a smile.

Hearing Lian Manman say this, Xiao Qi’s brows and eyes immediately brightened up.

"Slippery and shiny, with eyes on the backside. Guess this item." Xiao Qi began to write a riddle with a few strokes.

Seeing this, Lian Manman immediately laughed heartily, recognizing the riddle as one Lady Zhang used to make them guess when they were even younger. It was entirely in a child’s tone, simple and lively, perfectly reflecting real life. It’s likely that the little kids coming out to see the lanterns would easily guess it, and then it would just be a matter of who was the quickest.

Having written one, Xiao Qi seemed to get into the groove and cheerfully wrote several more before stopping. Lian Manman looked over them and saw rhymes like "Can’t sit still, can’t stand firmly, though old, never falls," "White as snow, hard as iron, washed thrice a day, rests in the cupboard at night," and "A black boy, never opens his mouth, but when he does, his tongue falls out," all of which were children’s riddles. The answer items were all sold at Lian’s Department Store.

Lian Manman then went to see what Lian Zhizhi had written.

Lian Zhizhi only wrote two: one was "Slim indoors, plump outdoors, guess this item." The other was "Moves not with wind, moves without wind, guess this item."

These were also items available in the store. Having reviewed Lian Zhizhi’s contributions, Lian Manman went to look at Wu Lang’s.

Because it was predetermined that the answers should be common items available in the store, Wu Lang’s intended character riddles were not usable.

When she saw Wu Lang’s riddle, "Single-log erected high, without tiles or bricks, people walk beneath, water flows above," Lian Manman laughed.

"Brother, your riddle overlaps with our sister’s. But it’s okay."

Mr. Loo, finding the children’s works amusing, thought for a while and contributed two riddles of his own. Together, they accumulated more than twenty riddles, with prizes like a pack of needles, an umbrella, a fan, a pack of salt, a roly-poly toy, etc., things that were not expensive but essential everyday items.

After everyone finished writing the riddles, they handed them over to Shopkeeper Chiang. He cheerfully went out, leading others to hang the lanterns, paste the riddles, and prepare the prizes.

With everyone’s anticipation, evening came quickly. After having dinner, everyone tidied up and dressed neatly. Once the bright lights lit up, the lively sounds of the street outside could already be heard at the door, so they all emerged from the house.

Guangmao Street was part of the lantern market, with brightly colored lanterns hanging in front of the shops along both sides of the street, and various stalls squeezed tightly together, creating a bustling atmosphere. Naturally, Lian Manman’s group started their viewing from the front of their own store.