I can't risk your life, you know.

"Kyaaah~! Baby girl chu~" Churu giggled as she repeated his words. Ethan's brief dashing countenance as he delivered those words was enough to melt Churu's heart. It was as if he was doing a live product commercial of his even white teeth.

Lexi, on the other hand, shook her head as she slightly rolled her eyes yet, she decided not to say anything as she perceived his address as his usual dialogues.

----

Since Lexi couldn't entrust her dear second life with Ethan's slightly drunken state, she insisted to drive which Ethan agreed in an instant.

"That's very manly of you," A statement filled with sarcasm, Lexi started her luxury car's engine.

"Hmm, I can't risk your life, you know." Ethan nonchalantly shrugged as he reclined the front passenger seat. He crossed his arms below his chest and relaxed his back on the soft upholstery of her car seat.

"Chichichi~ tell my sissy that her life is much more precious than yours, chu~" Churu giggled as she whispered her instruction to woo Lexi. However, the little dumpling who was playing as cupid with her words as the bow and arrow could only be heard by Lexi which made Lexi's face twitched.

"Hmm, okay?" Lexi awkwardly raised her brows before stepping on the gas pedal and sped away.

As Lexi focused her eyes on the road, Ethan Lu bit his lower lip as if he was restraining a bright smile, alas, he miserable failed. Churu who witnessed this copied his smile then flew to Lexi's side.

Lexi glanced at Churu's odd smile then focused on the road again. 'Ahh, sissy? Do you know how disturbing your smile is?'

Still keeping the smile she copied from Ethan, Churu reported with great effort. "He was smiling like this chu~!"Churu won't miss this kind of report to her so that her future advice would have more substance and proof.

Since she could only glance at Ethan Lu's back, Lexi didn't bother to check Churu's spoiler. Yet, for some reason, Lexi felt that it would be impossible to misunderstand Ethan with Churu spoiling everything.

 "Where are we going chu?"

'To sober that guy up and collect the fees for my driving services.' Lexi smirked as she replied to Churu's inquiry. Though she successfully drew the line with Morris Liu, Lexi still needed to calm the foreign feelings in her heart as she took her first big step from moving on.

Indeed, unlike her avoidance in meeting Morris Liu, Lexi realized that she should face her real dilemma and solve it instead of running away -- and that's what she did! Hence, somewhat someways, she felt she achieved something albeit small but still progressed.

"Woah, what revenge chu?" Churu squinted her eyes as she sees the mischievous smirk plastered across Lexi's face. She had seen all kinds of her knowing smiles and expressions but not this one which slightly bothered Churu.

'Nothing much, really.' Lexi responded internally. She was unsure if Ethan was asleep or not, thus, to make sure that he won't think that she was a deranged person talking to herself, Lexi talked to Churu telepathically.

-----

Soon, Lexi's luxury car came into a full halt in front of the small restaurant that Ethan introduced her to. Thanks to her observant eyes, she read that it was a 24/7 shop which is also a good place for drunk people like Ethan to sober up with their home mouthwatering noodles. 

"Wakey wakey, we're here." Lexi unbuckled her seatbelt as she announced their arrival.

"Hmmn, where are we?" Ethan lowly grumbled as he opened his eyes midway to check the placed she stopped into. Seeing the flashing welcome sign of the noodle house he introduced to her, he could not help but smile a large one albeit not showing his teeth. He stretched his back and feet a little before he fiddled on his seatbelt and exited the car.

The moment Ethan closed the car door from the outside, he rested both his arms over the edge of the car roof and placed his chin above his arms. Looking over at Lexi from his position, he spoke, 

"You liked this place?"

"Thanks to you," Lexi meekly smiled whilst raising her brows before leading the way to the entrance of the small restaurant. Ethan, on the other hand, slightly shook his dizzy head while biting his lower lip that was about to curl upward.

"Jeez," He muttered before he followed suit.

----

Since it was midnight, the small restaurant was rather empty and only a few customers could be seen eating.

"Ge!" One of the young waiters that regularly served Lexi whenever she dropped by hastily greeted Ethan Lu the moment they stepped in.

"Hey chan, looking good eh?" As happy as he can be, Ethan confidently put his arm around Chan's shoulder as if they were close friends. Lexi's brows creased by the sudden closeness of the two. The last time they ate there, Ethan wasn't this palsy-walsy to any of the staff -- just a little.

"gege?"

"Ih, you're drunk again? Gege, your girlfriend might break up with you -- you reeked with alcohol." Chan's face twitched a little as Ethan's strong alcohol scent wafted through his nostrils.