The grilled skewers arrived swiftly. Liu Qing gave the vendor a slight nod of thanks, then wordlessly poured Xiao Feng a full glass of beer.

“Xiao Feng, it took your sister real effort to treat you today—so don’t hold back at all!”

“Sister Qing, why so formal?!” Xiao Feng replied, cheeks warming with awkwardness. Even he felt the stiffness of it.

Liu Qing filled her own glass to the brim, raised it with a warm smile. “Xiao Feng, we’ve known each other half a year. I’m truly grateful for your care. I’ll drink this one down—you take it easy!”

She tipped the glass and drained it in one smooth gulp, a hint of effortless charm in the motion.

How could Xiao Feng, as a guy, just sip casually after she’d downed hers? He followed suit, finishing his beer in one go. Beer wasn’t strong anyway—a few bottles wouldn’t faze him.

Liu Qing kept chatting, clinking glasses between bites of skewers. At first, Xiao Feng thought nothing of it. But the more they drank, the more off she seemed. How was her face already flushed after barely two bottles?

“Sister Qing, let’s focus on eating first. Drink later?” he said gently, worry flickering in his eyes. She looked dangerously close to tipsy.

“No way! Your sister finally treats you out—how can we stop now?” She refilled her glass and downed it again, utterly relentless.

Xiao Feng sighed inwardly. He wasn’t too worried—sober enough to walk her home, since their places were neighbors. A little hassle later, that’s all. Compared to the clothes she’d bought him? Nothing. He genuinely regretted accepting them now. Money was easy to repay. But emotional debts? Those were heavy—and impossible to settle.

This time, Xiao Feng sipped slowly. If they both got wasted, they’d be in real trouble. Beer might be mild, but too much still hit hard.

Liu Qing noticed. Her expression soured instantly.

“Xiao Feng, why stop drinking? Don’t tell me… you don’t think your sister’s pretty anymore?”

Xiao Feng went speechless.

“Sister Qing, damn it—what does drinking have to do with you being pretty?!” He knew she was drunk. Nonsensical rambling.

“I don’t care! If you won’t drink, you don’t like your sister anymore~”

“Whoa, whoa—Sister Qing, you’re drunk. Stop!”

He pinched the bridge of his nose, watching her unfocused eyes. Utterly helpless, he snatched the two remaining beers beside her. *Drinking past your limit… foolish or just silly?*

Liu Qing shot up, palms flat on the table, staring dead into his eyes. “Xiao Feng… I have something—*very, very* important—to tell you!”

“Please stop,” Xiao Feng said wearily. “You’re drunk now. If we *both* pass out, how do we get home?”

“We don’t have to go home!” she mumbled, oblivious to the weight in her words.

Xiao Feng didn’t take it seriously—drunk talk was drunk talk.

“Sister Qing, no home? Sleep on the street?”

“In Xiao Feng’s arms!”

“Alright, alright. We’re done eating. Let’s go home.” He was losing patience. Who knew what else she’d blurt out?

“No! We keep drinking!”

“That’s it. I’m leaving if you don’t come.”

She’d only had two or three bottles—already swaying. One more sip and she’d be out cold.

“I’m not going home! I want to stay with Xiao Feng!”

She pressed against him like a clingy kitten. Xiao Feng knew it was drunkenness… yet a tiny, warm flicker stirred in his chest. *Hearing that from someone like her?* Anyone would feel something.

“If we’re not going home… did you bring your ID?”

Leaning on him, Liu Qing jolted slightly. *Wait… what is he implying?!*

“Xiao Feng… isn’t this moving a little too fast?”

Xiao Feng shook his head calmly. “You said you didn’t want to go home. Without an ID, we can’t go anywhere anyway.”

Liu Qing bit her lip, face burning crimson. She whispered, voice barely audible, “Then… you have to take precautions… and… be responsible for me.”

“What precautions? Of course I’ll be responsible!”

Her heart hammered. Still, she gave a faint “Mm.” *No precautions? Fine. It’s not like I can’t handle it.*

—Much later—

Inside an internet cafe, Liu Qing seethed. She refused to look at Xiao Feng, that clueless idiot. *Sure, no “precautions” needed—but what the hell do you need precautions for at an internet cafe?!*

And *this* was “being responsible”? Booking a private booth, letting her nap while he gamed and half-heartedly kept watch? Unbelievable!