Chapter 357 - Hmm.. One Day

"You're here..?"

She raised her gaze lazily to the man standing a couple of steps behind her. He was dressed in a striped shirt and navy blue jacket, his hair were slightly messed by the wind. His steely gray orbs were transfixed on her flushed face that looked stricken with grief.

Shaking his head, a bit disapprovingly, Lucifer sat down beside Xia Ruo Lan and silently grabbed the bottle that she offered.

Taking a sip, he glanced at her side profile as she raised her head to chug the liquid like a habitual drunkard. The remains of the liquid trickled down the sides of her mouth to her jaw and neck.

It was an astonishing sight to any other person but Lucifer.

He wordlessly took the paper napkin he had brought along with the fried chicken, and wiped her mouth with it. She didn't even react.

Throwing the balled up damp napkin into one of the trashcans on the side, Lucifer opened the package of piping hot fried chicken and passed a drumstick to Xia Ruo Lan. She accepted it, took a generous bite followed by another big gulp of the alcohol.

"I remember, the first and last time that you asked me to drink with you was the night of our break up.."

Munching elegantly onto the piece of chicken in his hands, he reminisced with a hint of smile in his eyes. His gray eyes flickering.

Lucifer really respected the Xia Ruo Lan from that night. She was a strong, realistic, independent and passionate woman with dreams. While he was nothing but a childish brat, striving hard for the sake of his family. Making all kinds of mistakes!

"After all these years, this is the second time you've invited me for a drink.. What happened this time for you to call me like this?"

He took another sip to wash down the taste of the meaty chicken, his slender and long fingers greasy. It was an erotic sight to one with a finger fetish, even if you don't have a fetish, the sight was too damn sexy.

Laughing mirthlessly at the man's recollection of her embarrassing moments, Xia Ruo Lan didn't even spare a glance at him as she mumbled. Her voice slightly hoarse.

"I don't know what to say, should I be glad that you remember or sad that you do?!"

Shrugging, Lucifer wiped his hand and threw the napkin into the trashcan. Goal!

"Whatever suits you!"

Shaking her head, Xia Ruo Lan kept the empty bottle away before taking another one. She skillfully opened it, taking a sip right away.

"You're as nonchalant as ever.."

With an annoyed expression across his face, Lucifer eyeballed Xia Ruo Lan who was busy chugging her drink. She was clearly trying to get herself drunk. In fact, she was already tipsy.

His eyebrow rose dramatically as he inquired, appearing irritated by her attitude towards him.

"You called me here to complain?"

Smiling wryly, Xia Ruo Lan shook her head, almost swaying lightly. She asked with unmasked trust in her tone, which was something she wouldn't blatantly display in front of others, like Ethan Lee.

"No.. I just don't want to be alone, you understand?"

Whatever they had between them, it wasn't known to everyone and would continue to stay between them only.

It isn't that difficult to keep secrets, right?

Appearing a bit helpless, Lucifer smiled at himself and gulped the rest of the contents of the bottle. He wiped his mouth with the back of his hand and glanced ahead at the city lights, nodding his head.

"Hmm.. I do"

Finally turning her head to face the man, Xia Ruo Lan met his gaze firmly as she flashed her best smile. Her lips curling into a most beautiful curve.

"I knew you would.."

Returning her smile, Lucifer attempted to smoothly snatch the half empty bottle from Xia Ruo Lan's hand.

Alas, the girl was faster. She swatted his hand with a loud smack and chugged the whole thing, leaving him too stunned for words.

For anyone who knew Xia Ruo Lan, they'd know that she was bad at handling her liquor and would get drunk with just a couple of glasses. Now she was drinking straight from a bottle. Having already finished two whole bottles of beer, she was drunk.

When Xia Ruo Lan called Lucifer to meet, he was at his office. Being the smarty pants that he was, he knew that she wanted to get drunk rather than catch up with him. And, he dumped everything on his poor assistant, Xinglei, to accompany this drunk woman.

Even with his ability to hold his liquor well, Lucifer just occasionally took sips to make it look like he was drinking. When, in fact, he was keeping tabs on how much Xia Ruo Lan was drinking. After all, he was the one to send her back home, or to book a hotel room for her.

Well, it wasn't something Lucifer was doing for the first time. He had taken care of a drunk Xia Ruo Lan on the day before she left the country.

It was their own little secret.

"Is it about my stupid friend, again? Did he do something to you.."

Swirling the bottle with an indolent gaze, Lucifer chucked a simple question that stumped Xia Ruo Lan.

"Heh! How can you understand me so well, Lucifer? It's not like we were in love or something.."

Laughing lightly, Xia Ruo Lan interjected Lucifer, her words were that of self-mockery.

"Hey! You're hurting my feelings for you, alright.."

Trying to make Xia Ruo Lan smile, so that she wouldn't say something so depressing again, Lucifer clutched his chest exaggeratedly. Jesting.

"Yeah, right!"

Rolling her eyes, Xia Ruo Lan spat with a half smile. Her eyes no longer dim, the dampness at the corner of her eyes still prominent.

It seemed like she was crying.

Silence ensued in the air, neither of them said a word as they drank in complete silence. The wind wasn't strong, yet they'd occasionally feel a chill.

Munching onto the last piece of chicken, Lucifer threw it into the bucket that was filled with bones. Xia Ruo Lan too threw the half eaten chicken piece sloppily inside the bucket. They had eaten their fill.

Taking a deep breath, Lucifer darted a look at the drunk Xia Ruo Lan. He contemplated force while before finally opening his mouth to speak.

"By the way, don't dwell on that idiot! He'll.. He'll definitely come around one day.."

Acting nonchalant, Lucifer straightened his already crease-less jacket as he said avoiding eye contact.

Having guessed Lucifer's intention, as well as awkwardness while he said his piece, Xia Ruo Lan couldn't help but smile. She nodded her head, repeating his words in whisper.

"Hmm.. One day"

The pair continued to drink till the wee hours. They would bicker, sing, chat or even fight without anyone to stop them.

'Hmm.. I wonder what Sera is upto?..'

Tipsy, Lucifer took out his mobile phone and searched for Sera's name in the contacts list. His finger lingering on the dial button.

"Luci.. Lucifer.."

Before the man could press the dial button, Xia Ruo Lan landed on his shoulder with a soft thud. Her head fell on his chest, he held her waist supporting her body as she comfortably leaned on him.

Looking at the knocked out woman in his arms, Lucifer once again shook his head in disapproval and chucked his phone inside his pocket.

He sat simply for a while, his melancholic gaze gradually blinded with the sight of the rising sun. It's brilliance cast a vibrant golden shadow on the pair.