[Grammar] Is this direct or indirect speech?

[Mila2015]

Hi everybody! I have studied The Chicago Manual of Style left and right, but still have some questions.
E.g. In the following sentence, should I use a comma after the word "replied"?
"I asked if he wanted to meet for a drink, and he replied "Would love to."

 

[MikeNewYork]

At one time, the comma before a direct quote was standard to indicate a quotation. However, many have now decided that the quotation marks themselves are enough of an indicator.

 

[Mila2015]

Thank you! That is how I feel about it too—no comma.

 

[Mila2015]

One more question about the indirect speech, since it looks like the rules got liberated.
Is it possible to use a colon like in the sentence below? (The Chicago Manual of Style recommends to use a comma, not a colon.)

I looked again at Piper, whose face expression was telling me: “I do not want to get involved in your problems.”

 

[MikeNewYork]

I would not use a colon.

 

[Tarheel]

One more question about the indirect speech, since it looks like the rules got liberated.
Is it possible to use a colon like in the sentence below? (The Chicago Manual of Style recommends to use a comma, not a colon.)

I looked again at Piper, whose face expression was telling me: “I do not want to get involved in your problems.”

Say:

facial expression

 

[Tarheel]

I am sure the rules did not get liberated, but they might have been loosened some.

(Say "direct speech" or "indirect speech" without "the".)