Iris Moon opened her eyes.
"Who-"
"It's me."
Seeing that Iris Moon had woken up, Xue Ge stopped shaking her and sat down beside her.
Iris Moon sat dazed for a moment, then straightened up and stretched.
After stretching, she slumped back down dejectedly, picked up the wine gourd at her waist, and drank.
"-Ah, that hits the spot. Hey, brat, tonight should be New Year's Eve, right? Why aren't you staying home? What are you doing here with me?"
Iris Moon glanced at Xue Ge.
Xue Ge handed Iris Moon the last scroll in the basket. "A delivery. A New Year's gift."
"-" Iris Moon took the scroll and put it away, then waved a casual hand. "All right, I'll take it. You can go home."
"There's no hurry." Hugging his knees, Xue Ge looked toward the distant surface of the lake. "I'll sit here for a while."
"-Suit yourself." Iris Moon stopped looking at Xue Ge and went on drinking in gloomy silence.
Silence lingered by the lake for a long time. The chirping of crickets mingled with the wind and water, and the occasional roar of a wild beast came from the forest.
"Master, were you having a nightmare just now?"
"Why are you bothering with all that nonsense? Shut up."
"You were shaking badly just now."
Iris Moon's movements stalled, and her voice turned cold. "I told you to shut up! Do you enjoy sticking your nose into other people's business?"
"This isn't sticking my nose into other people's business," Xue Ge said softly.
"Lunatic," Iris Moon cursed bluntly.
Xue Ge lowered his head and looked at Iris Moon. "-Then, shall I talk about something else?"
"-" Iris Moon ignored Xue Ge, which counted as tacit agreement.
Seeing this, Xue Ge thought for a moment before