Rendi is a young runaway from a wealthy family who finds himself stranded as a chore boy at a dilapidated village inn. Angry and bitter about his circumstances, he treats his new acquaintances poorly and harbors deep resentment toward his father. He possesses a keen sense of observation, making him the only person who clearly notices the moon's absence and the strange moaning sounds echoing from the night sky.

Madam Chang is an ethereal, beautiful guest at the village inn who brings a sense of calm to the chaotic environment. She tells captivating stories drawn from ancient myths, weaving practical life lessons into her tales. She takes a particular interest in Rendi's sour mood and challenges him to a storytelling wager to make him smile.

Peiyi is the young daughter of the village innkeeper. Fearless but vulnerable, she worries about abandonment after her mother's death and her brother's sudden disappearance. She fiercely defends her home and initially resents Rendi's arrival, especially his poor attitude toward her family's struggling business.

Rendi's father is a wealthy magistrate who prioritizes his possessions, political standing, and social influence over his family's well-being. His volatile temper and roaring outbursts create a hostile home environment, ultimately driving his son to run away in search of a better life.

Mr. Shan is an eccentric, older gentleman who frequents the inn. The villagers respect him for his past knowledge, but he has grown confused and forgetful after returning from a recent trip without a cherished book. He frequently mutters about lost items and displays a quiet, mysterious awareness of the strange occurrences around the village.

The hardworking owner of the village inn. Struggling to manage the business after his son's departure, he accepts Rendi as a laborer to fill the missing boy's duties. He is highly practical but harbors a deep, stubborn grudge against a neighboring family over a generational dispute involving garden snails.

Jiming is Peiyi's older brother who ran away from the village following a bitter argument with his father. His departure leaves a significant void at the inn and deeply hurts his younger sister, who lives in constant fear that he will never return to their family.

A young woman living next door to the inn. Despite a bitter, generational feud between their families, she shares a quiet friendship with Peiyi and a deeper connection with Jiming, sparked by his help in finding her late father's cherished jade bracelet.

A high-ranking nobleman traveling through the villages with a large escort. He stops at the inn while on a mission to locate a missing boy, entirely unaware of the true identities of the staff serving him his wine.