Dereliction of duty · 90 years in the new calendar

Xus: I thought you'd forgotten about it.

...so noisy.

Because he had stayed up for several nights recently, he slept very deeply last night, and when he woke up, it was already the evening of the next day.

Looking at the sun that was still setting and was about to disappear outside, Xus couldn't believe that he had wasted a day after a long absence.

Zolf: How can you forget.

Here, a gift.

Zor whistled happily and tossed a small box over.

Quickly caught it, opened it, and inside was...

It's dark, and it still smells bitter, like... biscuits?same thing.

Pull it with your hands, and at the very bottom, there is an old and yellowing card.

There are simple wishes written on the card, just a short sentence of happy birthday.

Xus: What the hell?

Zolf: I found it in the old paperwork drawer.

In Flo's drawer.

If it's a blessing, then that means... Could this be the card from early April this year?

Paper is fine, remember that these dark things are indeed (maybe) edible cookies.

Is it really okay to leave it for so long?

Xus: ...Wow.

Great, in every sense of the word.

Xus silently closed the lid, and the small box was set aside.

The so-called "gift" thing has come to an end first, and then there are still things to care about.

Xus: So, it's noisy, why?

The noise is actually not that loud, but Xus is the type with quicker ears and easily falls into nervousness mentally.

Not in the bedroom, but it will be obvious after walking into the living room: similar to the sound of bugs, similar to those in the forest.

Unable to identify the source, and looking around for no clues, Xus could only think that he was up to some kind of trick again.

Zolf: I want to know too.

Xus: Huh?

Zor waved his hands helplessly, expressing that he really didn't know, and said that although he had a big heart, he would still be disturbed by such a voice.

If possible, he would have long wanted to cut off the source.

Zolf: Not in the bedroom?

Xus: Huh?Well, no.

It seems to be only in the living room... Let me see.

So he turned around a little, and then implemented his views.

At the same time, Zolf seemed to have heard some great news, and turned around and retreated into the quiet bedroom.

Just got out of there, but Xus wouldn't mind getting another sleep.

Zolf: ...

Oh yes, Xus.

This is the real gift.

Xus: Huh?

He took out a book from under the pillow... Wait, when did you put it in?Just now?

The book was new, with familiar, gaudy decorations on the surface.

Xus: ...Oh!

Thank you!

It was the latest edition of the Book of Words that he had always wanted.

In fact, it is just a storybook, which was compiled and published by the people of the divine religion.

This thing, several years ago, he had participated in the production of the ancient version.

At that time, his status was very embarrassing, he was powerful but unpopular, and he didn't succeed until the end.

Later, he got together with Zor, and he ignored the matter of the divine religion for many years.

When I think about it by chance, this booklet has been reprinted several times.

First of all, look at the end of the page. According to the printing mark, this edition was made and circulated the day before yesterday.

Counting the intermediate procedures, if he can get it today, Zor must have worked hard.

Zolf: I was worried.

What should I do if you sleep through the day.

...It's a pity, the movement outside.

It seemed that those noises were indeed out of Zor's control, and his remorse was real, not fake.

Zor looked up at the clock in the bedroom, he blinked his eyes and said with a smile:

Zolf: It's 78 years old from today, Xus.

Xus: ...This is the day I was "adopted", not my real age.

And...it's been a while...well.

I said birthday wishes to a friend more than ten days ago, and now I say this kind of thing, I feel like I am slapping myself.

By the way, if the friend (and her cohabitant), Zor and herself are counted as a small circle, their birthday dates are very close to each other, and they can be celebrated once a month.

Zor's birthday is at the end of December (his birthday is real, because his childhood was so smooth.), help him celebrate, and there are only a few days left in the year.

Xus: (It's so close, I feel like I've been blessing this time of year.)

(How should I put it, because it's too frequent, so I can't be happy.)

Zolf: Really?

I traveled to several places for this booklet.

It's good for you, you are addicted to some weird job, you don't sleep or mention it for several days in a row, I want to talk to you, but you ignore me.

Xus: Well... it was my fault, sorry.

Made an appointment with Flo, I don't want to delay.

——I don’t know how he is these days.

Zolf: Don't mention anyone else.

He lay down on the bed and lifted the covers.

Eyes full of hints scanned Xus several times.

Unable to bear him, Xus stretched himself and got into the bed that was still warm when he fell asleep a few minutes ago.

and between his arms.