Bone Little Six

Excerpt: The autumn breeze blew softly. The moon overhead was large and round, reflected in the water like a jade platter. Gu Xiaoliu casually picked up a pebble and tossed it into the water. With a splash, the "jade platter" broke into two or three pieces. After a few ripples, it returned to its original form. Gu Xiaoliu turned around and looked at his master, who was reclining in a tree, drinking and admiring the moon. He asked, "Today is the Mid-Autumn Festival in the mortal world, right, Master? You said that when the flowers and moon are beautiful, families reunite. When the moon is at its fullest, people celebrate their reunion." The white-bearded old man, whom he called Master, held up his wine jug and took a swig. Squinting with a smile, he said, "Is my little Xiaoliu missing his family?" Gu Xiaoliu shook his head. "Xiaoliu has no father or mother. Master found me, gave me my name, and taught me magic. Master is my family." The old man smiled again. "Then why do you look so glum?" "Do I?" Gu Xiaoliu raised a hand and tapped his face, making a crisp clacking sound as bone struck bone. "Xiaoliu is just a skeleton without blood or flesh. Unlike Master, I can't laugh or cry. How can you tell I'm in a bad mood?" "Who says Xiaoliu can't smile? You looked pretty happy when you plucked Big Brother's feathers, tugged Little Third's tail, and sneaked my pills," the old man teased. "Come on, give me a smile." "Master only knows how to make fun of me." Gu Xiaoliu complained, but obediently opened his mouth in a skeletal grin. "Silly child, hahaha... hic..." His hearty laughter echoed through the whole valley. Before long, it was followed by a series of snores. Gu Xiaoliu shook his head and sighed. "Sigh, Master got drunk again." Theme: Saving each other