Drunk

The night was slightly cool, the moon hazy.

After sitting dazed by the lakeside for a long time, Xiao Yan suddenly stood up and turned to head toward the small building deep within the bamboo grove. I hurriedly reached out and grabbed him, asking in a low voice what he intended to do.

Xiao Yan abruptly turned back. "I'm going to make things clear with Xun'er!"

"How?"

I could not help raising an eyebrow, my face carrying a hint of mockery. "Do you still think you're in the right? Do you think it's right for you to have your feet in two boats, and that Xiao Xun'er must endure, yield to, and respect Nalan Yanran?"

"I, I..."

Xiao Yan looked lost. He glanced around at the unfamiliar mountains and waters beneath the night sky. In the distance, towering volcanoes billowing black smoke resembled savage beasts lowering their heads to look down on him. Their reddish firelight looked like gaping mouths, silently mocking him.

He had already married Nalan Yanran, yet remained entangled with Xun'er. He truly had been in the wrong from the start.

Xiao Yan looked at me in confusion, like a drowning man clutching at his last lifeline. He muttered, "Nalan Ye, what do you think I should do now?"

"That depends on you. You cannot have both fish and bear's paw. You must choose between Yanran Jie and Xiao Xun'er. Once you choose one, you have to leave the other. Otherwise, if this continues, you will only harm others and yourself."

"Choose one..."

Xiao Yan's face went slightly pale. His features twisted into a tight knot as cold sweat continuously emerged. After agonizing over it for a long time, he still could not reach an answer. At last, he sighed dejectedly. "Nalan Ye, can't I not choose?